Chapter 18 #2
The rest of the day passed painfully slowly.
Each tried to employ their time usefully.
Elizabeth sent a note to Mrs. Gilford, making the necessary arrangements to move the servants and to prepare the house for her and Cece, then she wrote to her aunt Gardiner, and to her father.
Jane stood by her side, with little to do except offer her support.
Darcy read through Elizabeth’s legal papers, then he paid short visits to his sister and the Matlocks.
At noon, they reunited, silently sharing concern and often checking the time.
It was a pleasant day, perfect for a walk in the park, but Elizabeth did not dare expose herself in public.
She had not been allowed to walk since they had left London, more than a month ago.
Her late husband had taken even that small piece of joy away from her.
Around five o’clock, a summer rain began that quickly turned into a storm, and the waiting became even more wearisome. Dinner time was close, but Elizabeth had no appetite, nor patience to even think of eating. The more time passed, the more her worry increased.
Eventually, a carriage stopped in front of the house and Elizabeth ran outside, followed by Jane and Darcy.
It was still pouring, and the doorway barely protected them from the rain or the wind.
Breathless, Elizabeth waited. The first one to exit the carriage was Bingley.
Then Mr. Gardiner and finally the young lady, who stopped and looked around with apparent reluctance.
“Cece!” Elizabeth called with unrestrained joy.
“Lady Barrington!”
Bingley and Mr. Gardiner hurried inside, each holding the young woman’s arms. They entered, already soaking wet, and were met with the warmest welcome.
Then Cece’s gaze froze on Elizabeth's face.
“Dear Lord!” she exclaimed, her eyes glistening with tears. “Lady Barrington...”
“Come, let us enter! All is well now,” Elizabeth struggled to smile. “I cannot believe you are here! I feared we would not find you...When I heard you were thrown out of the house, I feared the worst.”
“How could your ladyship worry for me, when...” Cece tried to speak, her words barely audible through her obvious emotions. “I never imagined...”
“Forgive me for interrupting you, but we should go and change before we catch a cold. Mr. Darcy, would you be so kind as to send a servant with a note for my wife, to inform her that we are safe and I will be home tomorrow? And, if I may be so bold, I would be grateful for a rich dinner. We are also starved,” Mr. Gardiner said.
“Of course, you are right, Uncle. Come, Cece, I have had a guest room prepared for you. We will remain here until tomorrow.”
The young woman seemed stunned. She looked around, her gaze lingering upon Darcy before she answered.
“Lady Barrington, I do not wish to intrude. If there are no other obstacles, I can go to Lady Sedgewick’s house immediately. I am quite familiar with the neighbourhood.”
“Of course, if you insist. But, since I was uncertain of the time of my uncle and brother’s return and the results of their quest, I told Mrs. Gilford that we would return tomorrow. But if you prefer to...”
“It is not that I prefer, Lady Barrington. I shall do as you wish. But I do not want to bother anyone and...”
Darcy stepped forward and only then did Elizabeth remember that Cece was not acquainted with either him or Jane.
She made the proper introductions and Darcy said with the utmost politeness, “Miss Cecilia, you are most welcome! As Lady Barrington’s friend, we are pleased to finally have you here.
We would be delighted to have your company tonight at dinner and on many other occasions. ”
Cece stared at him, dumbfounded. “Thank you, sir. I am honoured to meet you. But...you wish me to join you for dinner?”
It was Darcy’s turn to stare in puzzlement.
“It would be our pleasure unless you prefer otherwise.”
“No...I mean yes...But, sir, are you certain?”
Suddenly, Elizabeth recollected Lady Sedgewick’s statement that Cece had never joined them at dinner when they had company, that she never performed for strangers, nor was she allowed to attend any parties.
As much as she loved and valued Cece, her ladyship had never broken the rule, and Cece had become accustomed to that decision.
Heavy-hearted, Elizabeth tried to smile. “Cece, you must have no doubts that all of us, including Mr. Darcy, are eager and happy to enjoy your company. Let me show you to your room. I am truly happy to have you here.”
“You are very kind...Lady Barrington?” the young woman whispered, as they both climbed the stairs.
“Yes?”
“All is well now? Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bingley told me what happened and it was so difficult to believe such horror. And now that I see you...This is...”
“We have much to discuss, Cece! I have many things to tell you and even more to enquire about. But you are here now and yes, all is well now.”
∞∞∞
Half an hour later, they reunited in the dining room.
The grand table was elegantly arranged but only half occupied, as they all gathered close to each other.
It was a moment worthy of celebration. Another consequence of Lord Barrington’s cruelty had been mended and, even if they expected many more, for the time being, they could breathe in relief.
The grief that had burdened them for a long while slowly dissipated. There was no room for joy and laughter yet, but hearts were lighter and spirits higher.
Elizabeth looked at her companions—some of the people most dear to her.
It was a mere dinner amongst friends, yet she felt strangely anxious.
With a tightness in her chest, she comprehended the reason: it was the first time she had attended a dinner in many weeks.
Perhaps only the third time since her husband had imprisoned her at the Barrington estate.
“Lizzy?” she heard Jane’s soft voice. She startled and replied, without considering her words.
“This is my third dinner.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment. It was inconsiderate of her to bring up such a tormenting subject, ruining the others’ enjoyment.
“It is nothing—do not worry, Jane. Let us eat—I cannot remember when I was last so hungry,” she attempted to jest. However, she failed to relieve her companions’ concern and puzzlement.
She felt Darcy’s stare upon her and her eyes briefly locked with his. It was enough to see that he understood her unwilling confession. His dark gaze, filled with grief and compassion, was heavy to bear.
The palpable tension lasted until Mr. Gardiner broke it. “Now this is a proper dinner for starving people! And an excellent wine, indeed!”
“I am very hungry too,” Bingley admitted. “But more than the food, it is so lovely to be here—all of us together. I remember how worried and nervous Elizabeth was yesterday. But we found Miss Cecilia quite easily.”
“True,” Mr. Gardiner said. “And the property is lovely—not a small cottage at all!”
“Lovely!” Bingley agreed. “Darcy, this steak is delicious! The best I have ever eaten.”
“You have eaten it many times before, Bingley. But hunger always enhances the taste of any dish,” Darcy smiled.
“I shall not argue with that,” Bingley admitted.
The conversation improved—mostly conducted by Bingley and Mr. Gardiner, with some help from Jane and Darcy. Between tasty courses and good wine, words flew freely.
Elizabeth spoke little, still troubled by painful reflections.
Not so long ago she used to enjoy talking, teasing, jesting, being in the middle of every conversation.
Now, several months after she had become Lady Barrington, her mind seemed frozen by a perpetual anxiety that barely allowed her to speak or move.
For an instant, she wondered when she would laugh again.
Next to her, Cece was equally silent, scarcely ate and obviously struggled with the company.
“Miss Cecelia, are you unwell?” Bingley asked unexpectedly.
The young woman looked at him in apparent surprise.
“Unwell? No, not at all…”
“You are very quiet and I thought…”
“Thank you for your kindness, sir. I am quite well.”
“But you have barely eaten,” Elizabeth said affectionately.
“Neither have you, your ladyship.”
“True,” Elizabeth admitted. “It seems we both lack appetite…”
“I hope the meal is to your liking, ladies,” Darcy interjected.
“The meal is excellent, sir. Like everything in this house,” Elizabeth said.
“Thank you, Lady Barrington. I hope Miss Cecilia will also find her short stay comfortable enough.”
The young woman shifted on her chair with apparent distress.
“Mr. Darcy, it is an honour for me to be invited to remain overnight and to dine in this company. Please do not doubt that I am more than comfortable.”
“I am glad to hear that,” Darcy said and Cece continued.
“I am begging all of you, do not worry for me. I am just trying to adjust to this situation… It is beyond belief. I never expected that someone would take so much trouble to search for me. I was certain that…”
She paused and drank a little water. Elizabeth watched her with compassion and guilt.
“You were certain that I had abandoned you, were you not?”
Cece looked at her with growing distress.
“I was certain that my presence was no longer required. When Lord Barrington came and demanded that I leave, I…”
She paused, troubled that her words had been too unguarded and revealed too much.