Chapter 6
Darcy stood at the window of his study, watching the square below with more vigilance than usual. It had been a fortnight since Elizabeth had arrived in London, and each day brought new risks of discovery.
The close calls had begun almost immediately.
Three days after her arrival, Darcy had been walking with Elizabeth and Georgiana in the park—carefully choosing an unfashionable hour—when he had spotted the distinctive plumes of Caroline Bingley’s bonnet in the distance.
He steered his companions in the opposite direction, his heart pounding with the knowledge of how close they had come to discovery.
Then, only the day before, he and Elizabeth were with Lady Matlock when their carriage pulled alongside another.
Darcy froze as Louisa Hurst’s face appeared at the window of an adjacent carriage, her eyes scanning Lady Matlock’s vehicle with idle curiosity.
Elizabeth had been facing away, her bonnet obscuring her profile, and then the traffic moved on. Far too close.
A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts. “Mr. Bingley to see you, sir,” his butler announced.
Darcy turned from the window. “Show him in.”
Bingley entered with his usual verve, though Darcy noted that his friend’s countenance was troubled rather than cheerful.
“Darcy! I was hoping you would be home. I have much to tell you.”
“Sit down, Bingley,” Darcy said, pouring them both a drink. “You have something on your mind?”
Bingley threw himself into a chair. “I do. It is about Miss Bennet. Jane Bennet.”
Darcy’s shoulders tightened, but he kept his face neutral. “Is she well?”
“I proposed to her, Darcy. Two days after the Netherfield ball. I could not wait any longer.” Bingley’s face lit up briefly with joy, then clouded again. “She accepted me, and I am the happiest man alive. But there is a complication.”
“What sort of complication?”
“Her sister. Elizabeth. She has disappeared.”
Darcy handed Bingley a glass, forcing his hand not to quaver. “Disappeared?”
“Vanished the very day after the ball. Left a note saying she would not marry Collins—you remember that ridiculous parson who was visiting them?—and by the time the family realized she was gone, she was hours away. No one knows where she went or how she left. Mr. Bennet has searched everywhere.”
Darcy sat down opposite his friend, his mind racing. Bingley was a good man. His one flaw was his inability to keep a secret when pressed. Thus, Darcy could say nothing to bring him relief. “That is…concerning. Has there been any word from her?”
“A single letter, posted from London with no return direction. She wrote to Jane, saying she is a companion to some young lady, that she was safe and well cared for. But she gave no details, no way for the family to contact her.” Bingley took a long drink.
“Jane is crushed, Darcy. My dear Jane tries to hide it, to be happy about our engagement, but I can see how much this distresses her.”
Guilt twisted in Darcy’s gut. He had known this would hurt Miss Bennet.
“I am grieved to hear it,” Darcy said genuinely. “Miss Elizabeth seemed a sensible young woman. I am sure she would not have left if she had any other choice.”
“That is what Jane says. She insists that Elizabeth had been desperate—her father intended to force her to marry Collins.” Bingley shook his head. “I cannot fathom it. To force your own daughter into marriage against her will? What sort of father does such a thing?”
The sort who refused to share his favorite daughter with anyone who would take her away. A foolish one. But Darcy said none of this aloud.
“As it is, Collins is now spending considerable time with Miss Mary, who refuses to be pressed into a quick engagement. She is a sensible girl whose heart will not be turned by practiced flattery.”
Darcy well knew just how sensible Mary Bennet was. “When is your wedding to be?”
“We have not yet set a date. Jane wanted to wait until Elizabeth could be found, but…” Bingley grew pained.
“It has been nearly two weeks with no further word. Mr. Bennet has all but given up the search. He says Elizabeth is of age in a few days anyway, and once that happens, he has no legal right to compel her to return.”
Bingley was correct. Elizabeth would reach her majority in less than a week now. December seventeenth. Their wedding day.
“Darcy, I know that you found the Bennets to be less than pleasing company, especially Miss Elizabeth. Despite this, I was hoping, that you might agree to stand up with me at the wedding? I know it might be months away, but you are my closest friend, and it would mean a great deal to me.”
Darcy swallowed. Elizabeth less than pleasing? Never!
“Of course,” Darcy said, the words coming easily even with the deception they concealed. “I would be honored.”
He would stand up with Bingley, as a married man, with Elizabeth at his side. In less than a week, the secret would be revealed. Bingley would know that his friend had been the one to spirit away Miss Bennet’s beloved sister, had married her while Bingley mourned her absence.
Would Bingley forgive him? Would Miss Bennet?
“Thank you, Darcy. That means more than you know.” Bingley set down his glass. “I should return home. I am dining with Caroline and the Hursts tonight.”
After Bingley had gone, Darcy remained in his study, staring into the fire. The weight of what he had done—what he was doing—pressed upon him heavily.
He had saved Elizabeth from an unwanted marriage. He had offered her a life of comfort and security. He had given her the choice her father would have denied her.
But he also caused pain to innocents; her sisters suffered because he had taken Elizabeth away.
That evening, Darcy dined at Matlock House, where he discovered Elizabeth in the music room with Georgiana. His sister played while Elizabeth turned the pages, and the scene was so domestic, so peaceful, that some of his earlier guilt eased.
Elizabeth looked up when he entered, and her face brightened.
Over the past weeks, she blossomed. Under his aunt’s tutelage, she gained confidence.
Under Georgiana’s gentle guidance, her French had improved, and her playing at the pianoforte had become polished.
But more than these external accomplishments, Elizabeth had grown comfortable with him, with his family, with the life she would soon step into.
And somewhere along the way, Darcy saw her affections grow for him.
It was there in the way she smiled when he entered a room. In the way she sought his opinion on matters both trivial and important. He could sense it in the way she leant into him when they stood together, as though his presence brought her comfort.
“William,” Elizabeth said. “We did not expect you until dinner.”
“I finished my business early.” He stood beside her, and she shifted closer, her fingers brushing his hand. “How was your day?”
“Your aunt has declared me competent,” Elizabeth said with evident pride. “High praise indeed from such a demanding instructor.”
“She told me this afternoon that you exceeded her expectations,” Georgiana said. “She said you have a natural aptitude for organization and a firm hand with management without being unkind. Those were her exact words.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed with pleasure. “I am glad to hear it. I have been terrified of disappointing her.”
“You could never disappoint us,” Darcy said. He wanted to tell her about Bingley’s visit, about her sister’s emotions. In doing so, it would dim the happiness in her eyes.
Instead, he asked, “Would you take a turn with me in the garden? There is a matter I wish to discuss with you.”
They walked together in the fading light, the December air cold enough to require their coats. Darcy offered his arm, and Elizabeth took it without hesitation. “What did you wish to discuss?”
“Bingley visited me today.”
Elizabeth’s step faltered slightly. “Did he?”
“He is betrothed to your sister Jane. He also told me of your disappearance, and how heartbroken your eldest sister has been.”
Elizabeth’s hand tightened on his arm. “I am pleased that Jane will have a happy future. I hope that Mr. Bingley has been able to cheer the family, too.”
“I know. But Elizabeth, listening to Bingley…”
“Do not dare feel guilt, Fitzwilliam Darcy. My father and mother should bear the weight of the turmoil in their household, not you. Any fear, disappointment, or dismay belongs to them, not us.”
She was correct. He adjusted his thoughts before continuing. “I have been thinking. You will reach your majority in six days.”
“I will. What are you proposing?”
“What if Jane and Mary could be here? For the wedding?”
Elizabeth stopped walking. “Is that even possible? If Jane comes to London, she will see me. My father would know where I am before I reach my majority.”
“Not if we time it carefully.” Darcy turned to face her, taking both her hands in his.
“What if I were to suggest to Bingley that Jane and Miss Mary come to London to meet Georgiana? To begin shopping for Jane’s and possibly Mary’s wedding clothes?
They could stay at Matlock House as Georgiana’s guests. ”
“How soon could they come?”
“Not until the afternoon prior to our wedding. We would keep you hidden until the next morning. Before we leave for the chapel, we invite Bingley, whereupon we reveal everything. By the time Mr. Bennet learns where you are, you will already be my wife, beyond his reach.”
Elizabeth stared at him, her eyes wide. “You would do that? Risk everything for Jane and Mary to be here?”
“I would do it for you,” Darcy said. “I know how much you love your sisters. I know how much it pains you that Jane is suffering because of our choices. If there is a way for her and Mary to share in your joy, should we not take it?”
Tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes. “I do not know what to say.”
“We will be careful. Bingley need not know the true reason for the invitation. He will think I am being generous to his betrothed. He is aware of what his sisters are like. He would not want either Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst to take charge of their orders at the dressmaker. He would appreciate having them this close, I have no doubt. And did you not mention a favored aunt and uncle who live in Town? Might they want to witness your wedding?”
Elizabeth pulled her hands free and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, William. You are the best of men. The very best.”
He held her close, breathing in the scent of her hair. “Is that a yes?”
“If you think it can be done safely, then yes. I want Jane and Mary here. I want them to know I am happy and safe. I want Jane to stand up with me.”
“Then I shall call on Bingley tomorrow and make the arrangements.”
They returned to the house hand in hand, and Darcy knew that whatever risks this plan entailed, it was worth it to see Elizabeth’s face glowing with hope and happiness.
The following afternoon, Darcy presented himself at Bingley’s townhouse. His friend received him in the study, surprised but pleased by the unexpected visit.
“Darcy! To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“I have been thinking about what you told me yesterday,” Darcy began. “About Miss Bennet’s heartbreak over her sister’s absence.”
“It weighs on her terribly.”
“I have a proposal that might help, at least in some small way.” Darcy settled into a chair.
“Georgiana is in Town, as you know. She is eager to make the acquaintance of your betrothed, and I thought—what if Miss Bennet and perhaps one of her sisters came to London for a week? They would stay at Matlock House. Georgiana would benefit from their company, and Miss Bennet could begin shopping for the wedding in earnest. Perhaps Miss Mary would like to accompany her? She seems to have the same interest in music as my sister.”
“Darcy, that is extraordinarily generous. But I could not impose—”
“It is no imposition. I have already spoken with my aunt. She has taken charge of the arrangements, and she would welcome the company. Besides,” Darcy added carefully, “it would be good for Miss Bennet’s reputation in society to be seen under Lady Matlock’s protection.
Your sisters would be…jealous, perhaps, but it would remind them that your betrothed is a gentleman’s daughter, regardless of her lack of fortune. ”
Bingley’s attitude shifted at the mention of Caroline. “You are not wrong. Caroline has been making pointed comments about Jane’s connections. This would certainly give her pause.”
“Then it is resolved. Extend the invitation. Do not allow Mrs. Bennet to replace Miss Mary with either of her two youngest. My aunt would not be pleased.”
“An excellent suggestion.” Bingley stood and extended his hand. “Thank you, Darcy. This means more than I can say. Jane will be overjoyed.”
“My aunt has appointments until the sixteenth. If they arrived in mid-afternoon, this would be pleasing to the Matlocks.”
“Then I shall leave for Meryton tomorrow to extend the invitation. We will be back in London on the sixteenth.”
“Excellent. Have them come directly to Matlock House when you arrive. My aunt and Georgiana will be expecting them.”
As Darcy left Bingley’s house, he felt both exhilaration and trepidation. The plan was set in motion. Elizabeth would be overjoyed to be in the company of her sisters again.
That evening, Darcy explained the plan to Elizabeth and Georgiana over dinner at Matlock House. Elizabeth sat beside him, her hand finding his beneath the table as he spoke.
“I shall keep them occupied before and after your wedding,” Georgiana said eagerly. “We can shop, visit the museums, take tea.”
Darcy squeezed Elizabeth’s hand, and she turned to smile at him—that tender smile that never failed to make his heart race.
In six days, she would be his wife. Whatever came after, they would face together.