12. Chapter Twelve
Chapter Twelve
T he next morning, Elizabeth was up before the dawn, pacing and wringing her hands till her knuckles ached with the constant, nervous twisting. After breakfast, every carriage that passed caused her to start up, hoping it was either an express letter, Mr Darcy, or Lydia herself to dispel her visions of ruined reputations and a distraught Mrs Bennet.
At the earliest possible moment that was deemed acceptable in the eyes of society, Mr Darcy arrived with a grave countenance.
“Where is Mr Gardiner? I believe we should consult with him.”
“Why, my uncle is on another of his business trips. He left just a few moments ago. What is it? Please, I am going mad with concern for Lydia!”
“It seems you may have been correct in your guess as to the identity of the harlequin last evening. I had a return to the express letter you wrote to Brighton last night. Forgive me, I took the liberty of having it directed to my London residence in the case that our concern was unfounded. It appears that your sister told everyone that she had been summoned back to Longbourn. Did you have any knowledge of this?”
“No! I have read through the letters that Mary sent to Jane, and she has made no mention of it! Mary is a meticulous, dogged correspondent. I doubt something of that import would escape her notice.”
“I included in the express an enquiry to Colonel Forster into the current state of Mr Wickham.”
Elizabeth took a sharp, hissing breath in. This idea was new to her. Shocking not because she doubted it, but surprising that she had not thought of it herself. Both her sister and Mr Wickham were perfectly capable of throwing all considerations of family and honour aside to make a bold, foolish escapade that would no doubt end badly for her sister alone.
“Yes?”
“My former childhood friend apparently disappeared from his regiment just a day prior to your sister supposedly returning to Longbourn.”
Elizabeth groaned and covered her face with both hands, allowing herself this sliver of self-pity before blinking back hot tears of angry despondency. “Then we merely await the post to confirm that she is not at Longbourn. I do not doubt the facts that we will learn, though. I suspect that my father and mother believe Lydia still in Brighton, safe under the negligent care of Colonel and Mrs Forster. Foolish girl!”
“Do not judge her too harshly. Much less foolish young ladies have been lured into believing themselves in love with Mr Wickham.” Mr Darcy reached a hand out and placed it gently on Elizabeth’s back. The feel of it lightened her heart, for it had begun to sink even lower under her sudden realisation that this severe error by her sister may very well dampen the enthusiasm of even the most ardent lover.
She leaned against his chest, allowing herself one shuddering sob as he kissed the top of her head and pressed her closer.
“I shall remedy this, my dearest Elizabeth,” he murmured.
“ We shall remedy this, sir,” she said as she pressed away firmly from his warm embrace. “Your previous offers of your hand do not oblige you to further yourself any more in this humiliating tangle that my sister may have got herself into. In fact—” Her throat tightened and her pulse raced suddenly, as if she were standing at the very edge of falling into the maw of a terrible beast of dark and shadowy sadness that could not be escaped. “—if you feel that it would be in your best interest to withdraw the kind offers that were made previously, I will not hold you to any obligation, for I never formally accepted them. You are free to walk from this house, and we need never meet again, except by chance, in society. I would not be the means of injuring your reputation or bringing disgrace—”
Her sensible, respectful speech that had been growing weaker with each passing word was suddenly halted. Elizabeth found herself in the powerful, unyielding embrace of Mr Darcy, his lips silencing her efforts to release him.
He pulled away reluctantly, keeping her firmly in his grasp. “It is true, you made no formal declaration of acceptance. But, Elizabeth! Your eyes, your lips. They are not ruled by such dogma. They are not telling me to go and never return.”
“But, I refuse to formally accept you unless I can salvage my sister. I will not be the means of ruining you and your sister with such an unworthy relation.”
“Then you do accept me? If we can mend this? Together? You consent to be my wife?”
“I will make no answer till we can resolve this. Besides, shall you be happy with a siren for a wife?”
“Yes. And you need never sing another note if the mood does not strike you. Though the halls of Pemberley would be poorer for it, I think.”
“I begin to think that it is you who possess the greater powers of enchantment, Fitzwilliam.”
His brows raised in startled joy at the sound of his name crossing her lips. “And why is that?”
“To have worked such a transformation in my opinion of you, in such a brief span of time.”
He laughed lightly. “You mean to go from your former, abysmal opinion of me to—” His mouth shut, seeming afraid of letting the word escape him.
Elizabeth leaned closer to whisper in his ear, “To love?”
He groaned and swept his mouth to hers. Once their lips parted, Darcy leaned his forehead to hers, smiling. The sound of voices from the hall caused both of them to turn their gazes towards the drawing room door. Before they could part, Mrs Gardiner stepped in and halted in deep shock.
“Elizabeth! Mr Darcy! What in heaven’s name?”
Elizabeth pulled from her love’s embrace and ran to her aunt, taking up her hands. “You have discovered Mr Darcy and I at the beginnings of…of an understanding .”
“I see.” Her shock faded to be replaced by a wry sort of grin. “Though I must confess I had some vague suspicions. You are not quite as unmistakable as your friend Mr Bingley, but I do not think either of you were as clever at concealing your sentiments as you may have believed.”
“I apologise, madam,” Darcy said with a small bow. “Things were still unsettled until quite recently.”
“But they remain unsettled!” Elizabeth declared. “I meant what I said.”
“What’s this?” Mrs Gardiner asked, glancing between Darcy and Elizabeth.
“I have what may be some shocking news to convey. We await some confirmation, but I believe you should be informed.” Elizabeth took her aunt’s hands in hers again and led her to be seated. A quick retelling was sufficient to change Mrs Gardiner’s mood from joyful to concerned.
“And, I refuse to allow our friendship to proceed to something more till we are able to resolve this with Lydia!”
“So, we await the letter from Longbourn to confirm this? Then it may be nothing but a figment of your imagination that causes delay in your courtship.”
Elizabeth looked up at Darcy, unable to allow herself this grain of hope. Too much was conspiring to cause her to fear the worst.
Darcy stayed through the day, chatting with Mrs Gardiner when she had a moment free from her household and mothering responsibilities, and attempting to calm Elizabeth’s nerves while they waited uncertainly for a letter from Longbourn. Mr Bingley had arrived and taken Jane for a walk. But Elizabeth, far too apprehensive of missing the letter’s arrival in the post, remained home with Darcy. Both Jane and Mr Bingley gave them slightly surprised looks as they left, accompanied by a maid, but said nothing.
When the letter did arrive, it contained nothing good. Everyone at Longbourn was clearly under the impression that Lydia was still happily ensconced at Brighton. It was a terrible blow.
“We must send word to your mother and father at once,” Mrs Gardiner said with a flurry of activity towards her writing desk.
Elizabeth pulled Darcy to the other side of the room and, in a low voice, said, “I fear that we will be too late by the time everything is confirmed and my father is roused to action! Even if he comes to London, I do not know what he can accomplish. Papa, though in many ways a caring parent, is not a man of action. If Wickham is behind Lydia’s residence here, they may bolt before anything can be done.”
“What will ease your mind, Elizabeth?”
She placed her hand on his forearm. “She must be confronted! I will go to the theatre now. It is just past five, and the performance begins at half past six. I may be able to reason with her. Though her sense is sparse, perhaps her feelings for her mother can be worked on. Once she is aware of the very great danger she is in, and the harm and distress she is causing her family, she may be brought round.”
“And if she is not?” Darcy asked in a practical, yet gentle tone.
“Is there a chance that Wickham may be made to marry her? My uncle and father may be able to procure enough of a dowry to persuade such a man.”
Elizabeth thought Darcy was looking at her in an indulgent way, clearly not believing for an instant that Wickham’s cupidity could be sated by any sum her family could gather.
“If I would be permitted to contribute to the dowry as well, then maybe—”
“That would be an outrage! You will do no such thing. Pay for the missteps of my sister? Indeed not.”
He cleared his throat, pausing to consider. “Though I hold your uncle and your father in the greatest respect, I am uncertain if such a sum is within their means.”
“Do not be ridiculous, Fitzwilliam. I think a few thousand pounds is within their ability.”
“Elizabeth, since I have had unfortunate dealings in this particular arena, I hope you will be guided by me. I would be shocked if Wickham asked for less than ten thousand pounds.”
She felt her mouth gape open as she took a step back. “What? You cannot be in earnest!”
Darcy simply levelled his gaze at her, his expression stony with bitter experience. He shot a hand out and steadied Elizabeth by the elbow as she took another wobbly step towards a chair, reaching out her unsteady hand.
Mrs Gardiner had called the footman and given him two letters. “Well, that is done. I have also sent one to my husband, asking him to hurry his return, if possible. If I recall, it was a tedious, shady business with a customs agent that may require his presence for several nights.”
“We must act soon, aunt. Else they might flee. Mr Darcy and I will return to the theatre tonight. We will leave as soon as I am dressed.”
“You cannot do such a thing, Lizzy! It is unheard of.”
“I agree with Mrs Gardiner,” Darcy said.
“I am determined. You can either help me or leave me to my own devices.”
Mrs Gardiner and Darcy looked at each other, silent.
“Good, that is settled,” Elizabeth responded with a nod.
“I will go as well,” Mrs Gardiner said.
“And I will write a brief missive to Colonel Fitzwilliam. He can escort you, madam, and be available if anything goes amiss,” Darcy added.
Jane and Mr Bingley returned from their brief walk, cut short by a light drizzle. The lady’s maid who had accompanied them went upstairs to prepare gowns for Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth.
Jane was surprised at Elizabeth and her aunt’s eagerness to attend another performance of the pantomime. Mrs Gardiner had mentioned including Jane in what was to occur, but Elizabeth was more familiar with Jane’s tendency towards advising caution and was certain she would attempt to change their minds. “Jane will tell us we should wait for Papa and my uncle. By the time we are done waiting for everyone, Wickham may have already absconded to another city or country with Lydia! My trust in Jane is without reservation; however, quick thinking and action are not something she finds easy. We will tell her all as soon as Lydia is safe.” Her aunt had conceded the point, and it was decided that Jane would be informed after the performance.
“I do not think I will accompany you,” Jane said mildly. Mr Bingley visibly perked up at this bit of intelligence. “I am not as fond of the theatre as you two seem to be and am feeling tired and damp from our walk. Besides,” she said with a small sigh, “I am several letters in debt to Mary and must make up for that.”
Mr Bingley turned to the general company and gave a small bow. “I must be off. I do have several errands for Caroline that need my attention.”
He turned to Jane specifically and added, “But I hope to see you all very soon. Very soon indeed.”
Elizabeth stole a glance at Darcy as she repressed the urge to smile at Mr Bingley’s sorry attempt at artfulness. She imagined that she, her aunt, and Darcy would not be gone for long before Mr Bingley returned to make some discreet conversation with Jane.
A frown pulled the corners of her mouth down as she recalled their current distress. Hopefully, she and Darcy would be able to sway the tenacious, defiant will of Lydia Bennet. She groaned softly at the very thought.
“Is all well?” Darcy asked.
Elizabeth only nodded, watching Jane depart upstairs to refresh herself and change out of her walking clothes.
“Yes,” she muttered, taking his hand in hers as they were alone for a moment. “I am not looking forward to attempting a rational discussion with my young sister, though it must be done.”
“Some would say that you are a formidable power as well. As I recall, it takes dedicated persuasion to soften your opinions. Especially of men.”
“But in a case such as yours, there was such merit there to begin with! And I should hope that my innate sense is greater than Lydia’s. I love her, but she is as stubborn as a walking boot stuck in a muddy meadow!”
He laughed, reaching up and tracing her cheek with the tip of his finger. “Something tells me that you speak from experience. I recall so clearly when you came upon us suddenly at Netherfield whilst we breakfasted. Your hems were shockingly muddied, as Miss Bingley kept reminding at every opportunity.”
“Did she? I will not lower your opinion of me by saying what I think of that particular lady.”
“You will be happy to hear it had quite the opposite effect of the one she hoped for. Every time she brought it up, all I could recall was the flush of your cheeks and the brightness of your eyes.”
Elizabeth stepped away from him, narrowing her gaze. “You take delight in distracting me. I must run upstairs to prepare for another evening at the theatre.”
Before she could lose herself in his arms once again, Elizabeth hurried out of the room and up the stairs, a strange blend of bliss and dread in her heart. If she could not persuade Lydia to return with them, all her happiness would be at risk.