Chapter 18 #3
“Mr Darcy confessed to me that he has recollected how the accident occurred. It seems he was on his way to meet you and he happened upon Mr Wickham. They had a brief argument, and Wickham rode his horse past him and cut Darcy and his stallion with his sword. Darcy himself was dizzy from the illness he had been dealing with for days, so he did not observe whether Wickham’s gesture was intentional or just an accident.
So he is not accusing Wickham directly.”
Elizabeth listened with astonishment, frowning in disbelief.
“But if it was an accident, why did Mr Wickham leave him there on the ground, in the rain?”
She had never even considered such a scenario and was taken aback to discover such cowardice.
“It seems this is Wickham’s dishonourable character! The horse was scared from the pain and, since Darcy himself was already ill from a cold, easily threw him from the saddle. And Wickham abandoned them there, in danger of death. His godfather’s son! Lovely man, Wickham is!”
“So…what should we do now?” Elizabeth asked angrily. “This cannot go unpunished!”
“Darcy plans to speak to Colonel Forster. He also asked Bingley to make some enquiries among the regiment and in Meryton, as he suspects Wickham has some gambling debts. This is what Darcy has told us so far. And he mentioned that I should inform you too–but only you. He fears such horrid details would be too distressing for the other ladies, especially for his sister.”
“But Papa, they will find out–eventually!”
Eventually. For the time being, let them enjoy the news of Darcy's recovery and Jane’s engagement. We have had enough excitement for one week.”
“Very well. What a horrible man Wickham is! And what a lovely, pleasant appearance he has. And his friendly manners…Horrible, deceiving man.”
“Yes. Wickham must be exposed before he misleads other honest people. Lizzy, how are you, my dear? We have not spoken much these last few days and I know you have had a trying time.”
“I am fine, Papa. More than fine,” she answered, kissing her father’s cheek.
“I am glad to hear that. Now let me read a little before someone comes to disturb me again. Upon my word, moving to Netherfield permanently might not be a bad idea. That library is spectacular and nobody ever enters it!”
∞∞∞
The following two days brought additional joy and good humour to Longbourn. With her eldest daughter now engaged, and with Mr Darcy out of danger, Mrs Bennet was already planning the wedding.
Mr Bingley had already written to his sisters to invite them to Netherfield, and the Gardiners were expected to arrive, to mark the most wonderful Christmas that the Bennets had ever celebrated.
Elizabeth visited Darcy a couple of times during the day, with Georgiana and even with Mrs Bennet, who was happy to receive the gentleman’s warm gratitude and an astonishing invitation to Pemberley for the entire family.
Mrs Bennet doubted that she would travel to Derbyshire for a mere visit, but the invitation was so gratifying and flattering, that it was shared with Mrs Long, Mrs Phillips and Lady Lucas in a short note, sent through Lydia, Mary and Kitty.
Mrs Bennet was certain that Jane would often visit Pemberley in the future, so that was enough satisfaction for her.
Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged only several words, and a few polite glances and smiles. Those were enough to settle their tentative understanding and to help them feel confident about each other.
While Darcy’s health improved, Georgiana’s shyness slowly faded away. Miss Darcy grew friendlier not only with Elizabeth and Jane, but also with the younger girls.
Dr. Cooper gave them hope that Mr Darcy could be moved to Netherfield in a fortnight, but he forbade any longer journeys for at least a month. It was clear then that the Darcys were to spend Christmas in Hertfordshire, a piece of news that pleased the entire party.
A week after Mr Darcy’s accident, late in the afternoon, Bingley and Jane were walking in the garden, the younger girls and Miss Darcy, together with Mrs Annesley, entertained each other at the pianoforte, Mr Bennet and Dr. Cooper were in the library, while Mrs Bennet was asking Elizabeth’s opinion about having fish for dinner.
Elizabeth spotted a large carriage stopping in front of the gate and for a moment she believed that the Gardiners had arrived earlier than expected.
She was irritated and disappointed to see Mr Collins jump out of the carriage and help down a lady of impressive stature.
The lady’s proud and severe figure and her intimidating air, as well as Mr Collins’ bending in front of her left no doubts that after hosting Mr and Miss Darcy, Longbourn was now favoured with the extraordinary presence of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes in exasperation, informing her mother about the visit. She intended to tell her father and Miss Darcy too but had no time, as the guests entered and a voice thundered from the hall.
“Where is my nephew? Where is Darcy? Where are you keeping him?” Elizabeth and Mrs Bennet stepped forward.
“Lady Catherine, welcome to Longbourn,” Elizabeth curtseyed politely.
“Thank you. What a small, uncomfortable room you have here. Mr Collins, remind me to suggest some changes when you inherit this place. But for now, I wish to see my nephew right away!”
“Please sit down and allow me to inform Dr. Cooper of your presence, madam. We hardly do anything regarding Mr Darcy without his consent.”
“I need nobody’s consent. Who might you be, young lady?”
“Lady Catherine, allow me to…” Mr Collins started, but the lady shushed him and glared at Elizabeth.
“I am Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Catherine. And this is my mother.”
“You are Elizabeth Bennet? Well, you are not as I expected. You are very far from being a stunning beauty. Now please take me to my nephew,” she demanded severely, admitting no contradiction.
“Lady Catherine, I cannot possibly do that, but I will immediately inform Dr. Cooper, as I mentioned.”
“I shall come with you to see him myself. Why did nobody inform me earlier that he was being kept here? Are you keeping him prisoner?”
Elizabeth was torn between anger and amusement, and she barely kept her temper. She also noticed her mother frowning, so she knew that danger was close.
“I understand your ladyship is worried, but I am sure you were informed that Mr Darcy suffered a serious injury. He has been gravely ill but is finally recovering. Nobody kept him against his will.”
“Aunt Catherine?” Georgiana’s shy voice from the doorway sounded frightened. The lady turned towards her with a glare.
“Georgiana? What are you doing here?”
“I came to be with William…I am staying with him…”
“And did you not have enough consideration to inform me too? I had to learn from the letter Mr Collins received from Sir William about my nephew’s condition!”
“We intended to inform you...” The girl whispered.
“Who is ‘we’”? You are his only sister. Who else had to decide? I have no expectations of you, anyway, as you can barely decide anything for yourself. I want to see Darcy! Which one is his room?”
Georgiana turned pale and lowered her tearful eyes as Lady Catherine swept past her. Elizabeth’s anxiety increased but in the hall Dr. Cooper appeared, cutting off Lady Catherine’s path.
“Your ladyship,” he slightly bowed his head.
“Dr. Cooper! Where is Darcy?”
“Resting!”
“Take me to him immediately.”
“Dr. Cooper, please let my aunt enter,” Darcy’s voice interjected weakly.
The lady pushed Dr. Cooper away and barged into Darcy’s room.
She pushed the door angrily behind her but the hasty move failed to close it entirely and left enough of an opening for their voices to be heard from the hall.
The others all gathered closer, listening.
Mr Collins tried to follow his patroness, but he paused in the doorway, not daring to enter.
Inside, Darcy breathed deeply as he faced his aunt. He had known this moment would come, and only hoped he had the strength and the patience to handle it properly.
“Aunt Catherine, you should not have undertaken such a long journey in this weather. I am well, I assure you. It was only a trifling cold and several bruised ribs that kept me in bed. If it was something grave, you would have been informed.”
“I am glad you are well. I shall take you to London straight away. Dr. Cooper can follow us and take care of you there.”
“Aunt, I could not do that, even if I wanted to. And I certainly do not wish to travel to London. I will stay in Hertfordshire until after Christmas,” Darcy replied, forcing himself to remain calm.
“After Christmas? Here? In this house?”
“I will move to Netherfield as soon as Dr. Cooper allows it. I have bothered the Bennets enough and I do not wish to disturb their lives more than is necessary.”
“So you have no other particular reason to remain here longer than is necessary? I have heard the most alarming report that has disturbed my life and Anne’s! I hope you are worried about that too!”
“What report? Aunt, please believe me that I am not well yet and I need to rest. I cannot handle absurd conversations.”
“Absurd? Absurd? I heard that you show special attention to a certain young lady that Mr Collins did not find suited to be his wife! What do you have to say about that? I hope you have not lost your good sense completely.”
“As I said, I cannot handle an absurd conversation. It is not your concern who I show special attention to. This discussion is over.”
“Not my concern? But you are engaged to Anne!”
“Aunt Catherine, please be reasonable. I am not engaged to Anne, and I do not wish to discuss in public what we have already argued over several times privately.”
“So it is true! My authority was too good to be wrong. Then you have decided to ruin your name and to disobey your mother’s dearest wish, all for a country girl? With what arts and allurements did she charm you?”
“Aunt Catherine!”
“Have you forgotten your duty and your honour? Have you lost your mind? Do you want to expose yourself to ridicule by marrying someone so below your situation in life?”
“Lady Catherine, I shall only repeat once more that who I marry is my concern only. And I shall not take this conversation any further.”
“Tell me once and for all: are you engaged to her?”
“I am not.”
“So you know who I am talking about! You do not even deny it!”
“I have no wish to deny it, nor to conceal my admiration for Miss Bennet. She is the most remarkable lady I have ever met and I would be honoured to gain her affection.”
“You have lost your reason because she saved your life!”
“Not at all, I assure you. My admiration began long before the accident, but her courage and devotion only proved her worthiness one more time.”
Lady Catherine was breathless with furry. “What about Anne? Will you abandon her?”
“I care deeply for Anne, and I will always take care of her. But I never intended to marry her, and never will.”
“But…but…”
“Dr. Cooper! Stevens!” Darcy shouted and both men entered in a hurry. Just then, both Darcy and Lady Catherine saw the entire family staring at them in complete shock.
Embarrassed, distressed, ashamed, Darcy looked at Elizabeth for a moment, then at her father who was looking back at him quizzically. Next to her, Mrs Bennet was red-faced, and kept gulping and blinking, dumbfounded.
Lady Catherine glared at them, frowning in disdainful anger.
“I shall never forgive this! No one will ever forgive Darcy, and he will be a stranger to his family! Everybody will laugh at him! You will all be the laughingstock of London,” she spat bitterly.
Then she left in a great hurry, griping and cursing, with Mr Collins following her dejectedly.
Through the open door, Darcy, Georgiana and the Bennets stared at each other in awkward silence. Bingley entered, his expression showing his complete puzzlement.
The girls looked at each other, then Mrs Bennet finally burst out.
“Lizzy? Is Lady Catherine speaking of Lizzy? Lizzy and Mr Darcy? Lizzy? And Mr Darcy? Oh dear Lord! Bless me, I will lose my mind. Lizzy?”
Elizabeth could not bear it any more; she ran to her room and threw herself on the bed sobbing from shame and anger.
The beauty of her relationship with Darcy seemed polluted, and guilt penetrated her heart.
Lady Catherine’s spiteful words sounded real enough and the consequences of a union between her and Darcy looked devastating for him.
Was she truly ruining his life? Could she bear that?
And if she was selfish enough to do so, how long would pass until he came to realise his mistake and to hate her?
Should she end such a prospect, before they could hurt anyone?
Downstairs, the family slowly retired, leaving Darcy with his valet and with the doctor. Once in the drawing room, Mrs Bennet kept repeating “Lizzy and Mr Darcy,” in disbelief, until she finally fell onto the sofa, asking for her smelling salts.
Mr Bennet was the last to leave. With a final glance, he turned to Darcy and said mockingly, “Sir, I can hardly believe that not long ago you condemned Mrs Bennet’s improper manners and lack of decorum.”
Darcy smiled bitterly and replied, “I cannot believe it either, Mr Bennet.”
“Well, well, this was a surprise even for me, although I had some suspicions. We shall talk more of it…tomorrow. You certainly need a good rest now, and so do we.”
He closed the door behind him, leaving Darcy lonely, distressed and fearful, wondering and worrying about Elizabeth.