Chapter 8
The next day’s journey back to Hertfordshire was torture for Elizabeth and Georgiana.
They hardly spoke, each preoccupied with her own feelings and thoughts.
Although Georgiana had enjoyed her previous stay in Hertfordshire, this time her visit was full of sadness, and she was unsure whether she had the strength or the will to face the people in the neighbourhood and endure the gossip and speculation.
It was necessary to seek help wherever they could find it.
Yet Georgiana knew her brother would not have appreciated news of his disappearance being spread amongst strangers.
“We need to be quite discerning when we speak about my brother’s disappearance,” Georgiana said.
Elizabeth nodded. She imagined that any kind of rumour surrounding the event could cause a great deal of harm.
“Papa and Mr Bingley decided in London whom we would inform, and we will not offer any news to the people of Meryton if anyone enquires about Mr Darcy,” she said.
“Yes, that is a good plan,” Georgiana replied. “Besides our torment, I have a feeling that the steps we may need to take to find him could cast an unfortunate shadow upon my brother.”
“Perhaps. But for now, all that matters is finding Darcy and bringing him home. The rest we will worry about later.”
At times, Georgiana had been intimidated by her brother.
Not that he had ever been harsh towards her, but since their parents’ deaths, sometimes—or perhaps all the time—he acted like a father rather than a brother.
Her unfortunate experience with Wickham had not helped her become an adult in Darcy’s eyes.
She had tried to tell him how much she regretted being so na?ve and causing him such pain.
But after Wickham was sent away, he treated her as if she were still a child who needed protection and guidance.
For some time, she had longed for a different kind of relationship—one between two adults.
And now, she was on the verge of losing him.
The thought of not seeing him again made Georgiana lose the composure she had been trying so hard to preserve, at least on the surface.
He could not simply disappear like that, leaving not a trace, not a word behind.
She looked out at the beautiful sunshine, so rarely seen in all its splendour, and wondered how the world could seem so glorious on such a dreadful day.
During that dreadful time, she had only one consolation—Elizabeth, who had already become a sister to her even before becoming her brother’s wife.
She prayed he would return and that life would continue as it had since the day he left for London, which now seemed so long ago.
As they approached Hertfordshire and familiar places came into view once more, she wondered what she would do if Darcy never returned.
A sharp pain crossed her heart and spread through her until her whole body ached.
As if she knew the young girl’s thoughts, Elizabeth took her hand. “Come, my dear, do not allow despair to overwhelm you. Let us hope we will find him soon.”
“I pray for that. But I feel so lonely and helpless now. If only my uncle and aunt, the Matlocks, were here…and my cousin.”
“You are not alone, my dear. Besides your relatives, you have me, and Mrs Annesley is always with you. No matter what lies ahead of us, you must know that you have an extended family. If you will permit me, I will always be your sister and friend.”
Georgiana’s smile shone like the sun outside.
She was grateful for Elizabeth’s kindness and wisdom, and for being beside her during such a difficult time.
She knew her future sister-in-law would keep her promise.
However, no matter how much Elizabeth would suffer if Darcy were never to return, she would eventually recover.
That was the way of the world. A betrothed, or even a husband, could be replaced.
Perhaps the love would be less, but life would go on.
Georgiana, however, would lose a brother.
The only family she had left. Losing him would be not only tragic but irreparable.
“Elizabeth,” Georgiana said, hope shining in her eyes, “we cannot separate now. We must stay together.”
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth,” Mrs Annesley said, and her tone made the words sound like a plea. “If it is possible, please stay with Miss Darcy.”
Elizabeth was already considering how they might remain together.
Longbourn was somewhat crowded, and her mother’s constant presence would certainly not help them.
She was not unkind; she dearly loved Mrs Bennet, yet her only concern now was finding Darcy, and sometimes her mother could become a nuisance.
“We can stay at Netherfield,” Georgiana continued.
“Charles told me to do whatever I considered best. He said I am mistress of the house as much as Miss Bennet until his return. For us to remain together is the best thing we can do. His sisters are not there, nor are there any other guests. We shall find Mr Acton, Mr Bingley’s cousin, and his mother, but they are no longer guests, rather people we can rely upon.
Mr Acton is clever, very devoted to Charles, and ready to help us with anything we might need.
Please, it is the best solution, whilst you will still be close to your own family. ”
Elizabeth was already convinced that it was indeed the best solution. They would be near Longbourn, yet free to travel about Hertfordshire without being watched over or smothered by her mother.
“First, we must write to Lady Catherine again and inform her that we are at Netherfield while Mr Bingley is in London, so that she can send messages to both places. We shall stop at Longbourn to reassure my mother, then this afternoon we shall move to Netherfield.”
Slightly uneasy about their arrival at Longbourn, Elizabeth chiefly feared her mother’s reaction. She longed to see Jane, but the atmosphere at home could become unbearable in times of distress.
Jane ran out of the house, her lovely face full of sorrow, welcoming them with warm words of comfort.
To Elizabeth’s surprise, Mrs Bennet took her into her arms without a word and then embraced Georgiana, who immediately burst into tears.
Mary and Kitty were waiting inside, and even they had changed.
Mary seemed less absent-minded and Kitty less noisy.
Both made a silent curtsey to Georgiana before kissing their sister.
“It is nice to see you again,” Georgiana whispered.
Kitty and Mary deeply admired Georgiana, the former for her elegance, manners, and beauty, the latter for her education, knowledge, and talent at the pianoforte.
Mrs Annesley was warmly welcomed by Mrs Bennet, making Elizabeth wonder how her mother could be both that charming lady and the woman so often lacking in refinement in society.
It was a mystery that had long troubled her, for discovering how to bring forth the pleasant Mrs Bennet would be the key to a good understanding with her future husband.
Perhaps a change in the company she kept—meeting ladies like Mrs Annesley, accustomed to moving in London society, might bring about that transformation and make her wish to become different.
But the thought lasted only a few moments before Elizabeth realised once again that all her plans revolved around Darcy and their future together, something that, with each passing day, seemed increasingly uncertain.
She made an effort not to let the others see her torment and took Jane's hand as they entered the dining room.
They all sat down to a simple meal with tea. The conversation was brief, mostly about London. None of them asked about Mr Darcy. Still, Mr Bingley’s hasty departure for London, followed by Elizabeth and Georgiana’s return together, was enough to alarm them.
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Later, after Kitty and Mary had been gently dismissed, Mrs Bennet said almost in a whisper, quite unusual for her, “Jane and I know everything, my dears. Mr Bennet sent us a long letter about what you have been through. It is awful. We only hope and pray that Mr Darcy is well. We have concealed the news from everyone else. Please tell us if there is anything we can do for you.”
“Dear Mama,” Elizabeth exclaimed with a glimmer of gratitude on her face, “we will stay for a few days at Netherfield. I hope you understand. Georgiana cannot face this alone!”
“Of course, I never imagined you would leave Miss Darcy alone in such circumstances,” Mrs Bennet answered kindly.
The change in their mother was so evident that the sisters exchanged a glance of surprise, just as they had when they were little girls.
Coming from that distant, happy period of their lives, the familiar glance was like a warm breeze to Elizabeth’s soul.
She was delighted to find Jane, the same loving sister who saw the world through smiles.
She had often wished to resemble her and see only the good side of life.
“You will not believe what happened while you were away,” Mrs Bennet said.
“Oh, you are going to tell a story!” Elizabeth replied with a faintly amused grimace.
Jane and Elizabeth used to call it ’a story’ whenever their mother meant gossip.
They had often tried to explain that they did not enjoy hearing every rumour that travelled from mouth to mouth throughout the neighbourhood.
Like all young ladies, they sometimes discussed their acquaintances, not always kindly, but never with malice.
Mrs Bennet, by contrast, could easily find fault with almost anyone outside her own family.
That afternoon, however, her tone was kind, and one of her stories might lift their spirits, so they smiled and waited for her to continue.