Chapter 8 - Insults #2
"Mrs. Ashford, do not be troubled. In truth, it is a time for celebration.
Mrs. Goulding has been a widow for five years, and she and your brother are now betrothed.
It transpired yesterday, and your brother journeyed to Matlock to obtain a special licence.
They plan to wed on Christmas day. In fact, he sent you an express this very morning inviting you to Pemberley.
I believe you departed before receiving that missive. "
Oh God, Fitzwilliam betrothed! And to the woman of his dreams. What a relief. Oh God, thank you.
Georgiana immediately ran to her future sister, with Mrs. Reynolds trailing behind.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth was surprised when Mrs. Ashford, without waiting for a formal introduction, embraced her warmly. Despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her, Elizabeth reciprocated the gesture and gently held her future sister's hands.
"Mrs. Goulding, I am truly grateful that you have accepted my brother. I know how deeply he loves you. He must be overflowing with joy right now," Mrs. Ashford expressed her heartfelt delight for her brother's happiness.
"You shall be my sister soon, so do call me Elizabeth. I, too, love your brother dearly, and I am elated that we shall soon be united," Elizabeth replied with a smile, though beneath the facade, her heart urged her to seize Lydia and seek an explanation.
As introductions proceeded, Lydia approached Elizabeth and offered her congratulations. Elizabeth accepted the felicitations with grace, embracing her sister and gently clasping the hand of the little boy who peeped shyly from behind Lydia.
Patience, I must wait until I can speak to Lydia privately. And Jane deserves to know as well; she must be present.
As the newcomers retired to their assigned chambers to freshen up, Elizabeth and Jane remained in the entrance. Jane seized Elizabeth's hand and whisked her away to the garden outside.
"Jane, Jane, I know you have questions. But I have no answers to offer you right now," Elizabeth disclosed to her sister, trying to free herself from Jane's firm grasp.
"On the contrary, it is not you I have questions for.
Rather, my queries are for Lydia, and we must find an opportunity to speak with her alone.
However, for you, I have a plausible theory concerning why Lydia is here," Jane explained as she led Elizabeth to a secluded spot at the far end of the front garden, where they both settled on chairs.
"Jane, I can surmise your theory. I believe Fitzwilliam is the one who found and rescued Lydia. The only mystery is why he wished to remain anonymous. I shall have to inquire of him," Elizabeth swiftly replied upon taking her seat.
"Because he did not desire your gratitude, my foolish sister.
He loved you even after you rejected his proposal.
As for how he discovered Lydia's plight, that remains a mystery.
But he took it upon himself to save her.
He did not want you to feel obligated or indebted to him.
So, he asked Lydia and her husband to keep his name unmentioned," Jane explained her theory.
Elizabeth had to admit that Jane's deductions were likely accurate. At that time, Fitzwilliam couldn't have known that her perception of him had undergone a transformation. She would have accepted his proposal even without his gallant involvement in Lydia's rescue.
But why hadn't he followed Lydia and Mr. Weston to Hertfordshire? He could have visited separately, avoiding any connection between him and Lydia's predicament. Did he have doubts about pursuing me further?
It seemed Jane understood the direction of her thoughts, and in response, she gently cupped Elizabeth's face in her hands and reassured her,
"No, Lizzy. Do not entertain such doubts. Fitzwilliam loves you with all his heart. Otherwise, he would never have made such efforts to save Lydia. There might have been unforeseen circumstances preventing his journey to Longbourn. Never doubt his devotion to you for a moment."
Elizabeth had to agree that Jane was likely correct once again. It was time for her to have faith in their love. Yet, how fervently did she desire a conversation with him about everything that had occurred?
Lydia
Lydia had a decision to make. Her initial instinct was to concoct a plausible story to explain her presence at Pemberley. However, everything changed now that Lizzy is betrothed to Fitzwilliam. Lydia now comprehended the true reason behind Fitzwilliam's efforts to rescue her.
What should I do now? If I go downstairs, Lizzy and Jane will be waiting. Should I disclose everything or await Fitzwilliam's return from Matlock?
After much contemplation, Lydia resolved to disclose everything if her sisters inquired. Lizzy is set to become Fitzwilliam's wife in just two days. Why keep her in the dark?
As expected, both Lizzy and Jane were waiting downstairs. They proposed a stroll outdoors, during which Lydia shared everything she knew.
"Lizzy, Jane! Forgive me. I deceived you when I mentioned Colonel Forster was the one who found me.
In reality, it was Fitzwilliam who found me.
The rest of my story is true. I wandered the London streets for several days, surviving on meagre scraps and tainted water.
Falling ill, I stumbled upon an abandoned hayloft, fully convinced that death was imminent.
At that moment, I was praying for a peaceful end when Fitzwilliam appeared.
Seeing him, I initially suspected darker motives. "
Lizzy simply raised her gaze, but Jane couldn't hold back a gasp.
"Yes, my dear sisters. I had misunderstood him.
He approached me slowly, seated himself in front of me, and assured me he was there to rescue me.
He appeared markedly ill at ease, as if apprehensive of my reaction.
But he was also so tender, so sincere. I am still uncertain as to what prompted me to place my trust in him, especially in the wake of the distressing experience I had with that terrible man.
Nevertheless, trust him I did. With utmost gentleness, he lifted me as though I were a child.
He also pledged to care for me in the future and ensure I married a respectable man who would provide for me.
He was determined to prevent our family from being ruined by my recklessness. "
"Did you inquire why he took it upon himself to save you?" Jane inquired.
"I posed that very question to him later.
He tried to evade my question, appearing once more ill at ease.
However, in the end, he explained that two individuals outside his family held the most significance in his life.
He vowed to do everything within his power to ensure their enduring happiness.
I suspected Charles was one, but I never imagined, Lizzy, that you were the other. "
Lydia paused to see Lizzy’s reaction, who was struggling hard to restrain her tears.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth indeed fought back tears, consumed by remorse for every unkind thoughts she had harboured about him in the past. She pondered how cruel she had been, and wondered how he could still love her so deeply.
While she remained silent, Jane posed further questions.
"What about your husband? Is it wrong of me to think that Mr. Weston was not known to Colonel Forster before that day?" Jane inquired.
"You are not mistaken. Colonel Forster had never met my husband before the day we left Darcy House.
My husband served under Richard, I mean, the former Colonel Fitzwilliam, in the regulars.
Fitzwilliam had known him from their younger days.
To answer your next question, the two thousand pounds provided by our father and uncle fell far short of what was needed to settle our estate's debts.
The actual debt was significantly higher, and Fitzwilliam covered the remaining amount.
I'm unsure of the exact figure, but it was beyond what our father and uncle could ever hope to provide," Lydia replied.
"Lydia, how did you come to know Mrs. Ashford? I can hardly believe that Fitzwilliam allowed the former Miss Darcy to have any contact with you during that period," Jane inquired further.
Lydia laughed, surprising them both.
“It was a twist of fate, for he did not intend for us to become acquainted. It happened purely by chance. His initial plan, after finding me, was to take me to the address Colonel Forster had given him, which happened to be Uncle Gardiner’s house in Cheapside.
However, when we reached there, there were no occupants but the servants.
It would have been improper for him to walk into the home of any of his acquaintances with an unmarried girl, particularly one considered ruined.
Additionally, I was burning with fever, and he wished to have his trusted apothecary attend to me.
He was left with no choice but to return to his London townhouse with me.
At the time, Georgiana was residing with her companion at her aunt's house.
Fitzwilliam's misfortune was that Georgiana chose that evening to return to Darcy House.
When we entered his home, his sister, her companion, and Richard were waiting for us.
You see, Richard believed I would be under Colonel Forster's care by then, so he allowed Georgiana to return to her brother.