Chapter 38
“I called the doctor as my stepmother suffered a small accident,” Elizabeth explained nervously after the doctor had been properly introduced. She was not concerned that her husband might disapprove but mostly embarrassed that it might have been just a scheme and the doctor would discover it.
“Accident? Is she injured? I hope it is nothing serious,” Darcy asked with genuine concern, which made Elizabeth’s embarrassment even more acute.
“I do not think so, but she says she is in great pain, and we wanted to be certain, nevertheless,” Elizabeth said.
“Doctor Taylor? I shall take you to Mama,” Jane offered, while Darcy and the colonel sat.
“What happened?” Darcy asked again, pouring himself and his cousin a drink.
Lydia and Kitty related the incident, while Mr Bingley nodded along.
“I decided to accommodate Mama here, since she was wet and dirty. She could not possibly travel back to Gracechurch Street in her state, even if the injury proves not to be serious,” Elizabeth said to Darcy, slightly uneasy. “Lydia and Kitty will stay overnight too.”
“Of course,” he said. “I hope the doctor will bring us good news. Until then, I assume we shall prepare for dinner, shall we? Bingley, will you join us?”
“Um, yes, of course, if it is no trouble.”
“It would be a pleasure,” Elizabeth assured him. “Colonel? I hope you will also stay for dinner.”
“I regret to say I cannot. I have a prior engagement tonight, and tomorrow I must return to my regiment for a few days.”
“That is a pity. Another time, then. We hope to see you again soon,” Elizabeth said.
“Of course. I shall be back in time for my mother’s party, or she will never forgive me,” the colonel jested, then took his farewell.
Jane returned soon and sat beside Mr Bingley, but Elizabeth’s attention was upon her husband, noticing his stern countenance and trying to guess the reason.
Was he displeased by her mother and sisters’ presence?
With her decision to host them all overnight?
Or was his displeasure instead related to the conclusion of his business?
He was sipping from his glass, looking at her often, pensive and silent.
The doctor returned quickly; his examination had been brief, just like his conclusions.
“Fortunately, there are no significant injuries. I gave Mrs Green indications on how to prepare some herbal medicine — one cup tonight and one tomorrow morning — and some lotion for the ankle. It is painful with movement, and there is some bruising, but it does not look sprained or swollen. Rest is all that is needed. I shall return to examine her tomorrow around noon.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Darcy said, escorting him to the door. Elizabeth took the opportunity and hurried after him. In the entrance hall, away from all the bustle, they were finally alone.
“Are you upset?” she whispered. “I apologise for the unfortunate situation. Both Aunt Gardiner and I presumed it was just one of my mother’s schemes, but her gown and petticoats were soaking wet, her pelisse muddied, and her ankle appeared to be giving her pain.
I could not possibly let her ride to Gracechurch Street as she was. ”
A deeper frown appeared on his face.
“Surely you do not assume you must explain your reason for hosting your family.”
“Oh…I thought…”
A softer look lightened his face, and a little smile lifted the corners of his lips, while his hand tenderly brushed over her cheek.
“You look pale and tired…displeased…annoyed, perhaps.”
“Annoyed,” she admitted. “And concerned for you. May I ask how your day was? Is everything resolved?”
“Not quite. What I was looking for was not there. In fact, tomorrow morning I need to leave London for a few days— No, please do not fret. There is nothing to fear.”
Elizabeth stared at him, speechless.
“Nothing to fear? Then why would you leave so suddenly? It cannot be good news, I am sure. Are you going with the colonel? When will you return?”
He pressed his fingers to her lips to silence her.
“Elizabeth, please—”
She pushed his hand away.
“Forgive me, I know I have no right to interfere in your affairs. I know I should not expect answers or explanations. I would not mind if you were leaving for reasons that bring you benefit or pleasure. But your wound is not completely healed and…I just wish to know you are in no danger.”
“Elizabeth, nothing would bring me more benefit or pleasure than to remain at home with you, but I must leave. We found out from Mrs Younge that Wickham kept some property at an inn in Newport. He was probably preparing to leave England as soon as he obtained Georgiana’s fortune.”
“Newport? You will go there alone?”
“No, Mr Ross and a few of his men will join me. We shall change horses often, so I can return in time for my aunt’s party.”
“But…can you not send someone else? Mr Ross alone? Pay a few more men?”
“My love, I have to go,” he said tenderly, and she averted her eyes in silence.
“Elizabeth, we should return to our guests. If you wish, we can talk more tonight, after dinner. I shall be glad to answer any questions you may have and provide you with all the details.”
She sighed, casting a look at him, while he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
“I would like that very much. We should retire early,” she said.
“That is a perfect plan. Now, would you please explain to me one more time how your mother fell?”
She accepted his attempt to change the subject.
“You had better ask Mr Bingley. He witnessed the entire spectacle, as Aunt Gardiner called it.”
“Do you think she was so desirous to sleep in our house that she designed such a cunning scheme?”
“I believe she is capable of anything to attain her purpose, whatever that might be. I suspect her main goal now is to force an invitation to Lady Matlock’s party and possibly that we shall buy her the carriage she covets.”
As they spoke, Mrs Green approached, and Elizabeth requested that dinner be served.
“Miss Darcy wishes you to know that she will take a tray in her chamber,” Mrs Green whispered to her.
“Very well. And my mother? Has she eaten something?”
“The maid is taking her a tray as we speak.”
“Very well. Thank you.”
As the meal was being served, Elizabeth tried to put away her concerns and trust her husband’s assurances, but she was still anxious. She had expected all their problems would be resolved that day, that they would spend the entire evening — the entire night — together.
Instead, her house had turned into a circus, and Darcy would be gone for a few days; the serenity and hope that had filled her heart early that morning had vanished.
The only palliation for her distress was the prospect that, after dinner, she would spend a little time with her husband; the mere thought of it made her cheeks heat and her heart race.
“I apologise for abandoning you, but I must leave town early tomorrow morning,” Darcy announced, addressing the room.
“You are leaving? Where?” Lydia asked boldly.
“I have some business to attend to.”
“Can we stay here until you return? We like it very much. We are so close to all the shops, and the rooms are much prettier! I can see the street and the park from my window!”
“I am sure Elizabeth will decide what is best for you. The decision is entirely hers,” he answered calmly.
“Mama said only titled people live in this part of town!” Kitty interjected. “Are you an earl, Mr Darcy?”
“I am not.” He kept his composure and added a smile. “My grandfather was an earl, and so is my uncle, the colonel’s father.”
“If you have children, will they be earls, then?” Kitty continued, and Elizabeth almost choked on her food.
“They will not be earls, since I am not. But I trust they will be happy nevertheless,” he said, casting a quick look at Elizabeth.
“They will be very rich, so of course they will be happy,” Kitty said. “It is a pity that out of all of us, only Lizzy has so much money, and we have none.”
“Kitty!” Jane reprimanded her sister harshly.
“What? It is true! Mama said the rest of us have no money, and Elizabeth has more money than she needs.”
“I am sure Mr Bennet has a comfortable income from Longbourn,” Darcy replied. “One must learn to live according to one’s own means and be careful to avoid unnecessary expenses. The fortunes of others should not be our concern.”
The scolding was gentle but very clear; however, both girls disregarded it.
“If I had money, I would live in London, and I would purchase new clothes and shoes and reticules every day, and I would go to all the parties!”
“And you would very soon have no money left,” Elizabeth replied. “There is nothing easier than reckless spending, Lydia. Now let us all eat and then retire for the night. I am sure you are all tired.”
“Darcy, may I be of any help with whatever business you have?” Mr Bingley asked.
“No, thank you. It would be enough if you would assist my wife and her sisters, in case they need anything.”
“It would be my pleasure. I shall call every day while you are gone,” the gentleman promised in all seriousness, causing Jane to develop a most becoming pink hue on her cheeks.
As soon as dinner was over, Elizabeth invited her sisters to retire for the night, while Darcy and Mr Bingley remained to finish their drinks. With Lydia and Kitty settled in their room, and after a brief visit to Mrs Bennet, who was already soundly asleep, Elizabeth finally entered her own room.
It had been an exhausting, distressing day, and she might have prayed for it to end if that did not mean that her husband would leave.
The maid brushed her hair and left it loose, then Elizabeth donned a new nightgown — a gesture that thrilled and embarrassed her at the same time.
There would certainly be nothing special about that particular night, yet she glanced repeatedly at her image in the mirror and rearranged her hair several times.
The time passed slowly, and she began to wonder why he was so late, until a knock on the door brought her relief and anxiety at the same time.