Chapter Thirty-Eight
T hey were met, once the carriage stopped outside the front door at Longbourn, by an eager Jane and Kitty. The eldest Miss Bennet had sufficient command of herself to wait until Mr. Darcy had dismounted from his horse and, in less worried times, might have been pleased to see his determination to hand Lizzy down. A maid whom they had not seen before stepped down after Elizabeth. She was ushered away to the side of the house by a servant who had come from the house at the sound of the carriage.
Kitty was far less restrained than Jane and danced with impatience for Elizabeth to embrace them. She did so quickly .
“Oh Jane, oh Kitty! Is there any news?”
Her face being concealed by Elizabeth's velvet-clad shoulder, Kitty's answer was indistinguishable but it was not difficult to interpret the miserable shake of the head .
Jane gestured to the house with one hand even as she held onto Elizabeth's arm with the other. “Come inside. I beg your pardon, Mr. Darcy.” Jane made her curtsey, and Kitty, releasing her sister, imitated shyly. “We are grateful that you have returned Lizzy to us. We had not expected to see her so soon as this.”
“Miss Bennet,” he bowed, momentarily taking his eyes off Elizabeth. “Miss Catherine.”
A little intimidated by so haughty a man as Mr. Darcy, Kitty softly spoke to her Lizzy. “Hill came rushing into Mama's sitting room to say that there was an enormous carriage coming up the drive and a gentleman riding beside it — she supposed that Miss Lizzy had returned but we did not think to see you until tomorrow at least.”
“Mr. Darcy was with me when I received your letter, Jane. He knows all and he has been…” Lizzy looked with speaking eyes to Mr. Darcy and could not continue. “It could not have been more than an hour that we departed from Hunsford. Charlotte means to send my trunk on for me. I did not say much. It is possible that she believes Lydia to be ill but I could hardly speak any sense so it is not to be helped.”
“Papa and Mary have left to search. Mary insisted that she accompany Papa so that if possible she might make out that Lydia was chaperoned.”
“Well thought,” remarked Darcy, who had been watching Miss Catherine cling to Elizabeth for comfort .
“It ought to have been me,” moaned Kitty, her expression wretched .
“Now, Kitty,” Jane soothed, “you would not deprive me of the comfort of your presence, would you? Mary will suit Papa's disposition well on the journey. ”
“How does Mama?” Elizabeth enquired as they entered the hall, and she turned as she spoke to take charge of Mr. Darcy's hat and gloves, laying them carefully on the table. “Do come into the drawing room, Mr. Darcy. There is usually a fire in there — it is where we spend most of our time. Kitty, will you ring for tea, dearest? I was warm enough with a hot brick in the carriage, but Mr. Darcy must surely be chilled to the bone.”
He did not look particularly cold to Kitty, but he was a sufficiently imposing figure that she did not remark on it, and she left Lizzy's side to go ahead of them into the drawing room, pulling the bell cord in the corner .
“Mama is not well,” answered Jane, seating herself. “She has not left her room. I am sorry to say we had to urge her to rest with a tincture. She paced so, Lizzy, and went into hysterics at the thought of Mary going from the house, even with Papa. She weeps much and is fearful that we will all be gone if she closes her eyes.”
“Poor Mama. Do not regret the laudanum, Jane — if she rests more peacefully it will be just as well.”
“I cannot like it, but now that you are home perhaps she will be a little easier.”
“What has been done in Meryton to trace your sister's movements, Miss Bennet?” Darcy asked, selecting a seat beside Elizabeth .
“Charles has made a few discreet enquiries, but we did not like to ask too many of our neighbours overtly lest it give rise to conjecture. There is…it is troubling, but it seems that Mr. Wickham has quit his post suddenly. Mr. Denny vows that Wickham went to visit a relative in London. Papa and Mary are making the assumption that they may be travelling together. We cannot say if this is mere circumstance.”
“Wickham!” Wide-eyed, Lizzy looked to Mr. Darcy, and his expression was grim. “Was there any indication of an attraction between them?”
Kitty spoke then. “Mary remarked after we had visited Lucas Lodge that his enquiries after Lydia made her uneasy. I did not listen, Lizzy!” Kitty's lip trembled. “If I had encouraged Mary to take her concerns to Papa, none of this would have happened.”
Darcy shook his head and answered gently, “There is no use dwelling on what might have been, Miss Catherine. At the very least, if she does travel with Wickham, she has a certain protection. Forgive me — I suppose he will have known of your change in fortune?”
Paling, Jane nodded. “We have tried to be discreet, but Lydia…she is in some ways far too trusting. It is her youth, I suppose.”
“Perhaps we will hope that we may yet have her home without any damage to her name.”
“You do not think she is safe somewhere with a neighbour as…as a careless jest? The Lucas family, perhaps?” Lizzy knew it was a desperate hope but she asked nonetheless.
Kitty shook her head. “I walked to the Lodge myself and put it about that Lydia was abed with a very bad cold. They did not indicate that she was with them.”
“Besides which, Lizzy, you know Lydia is spirited but she would surely not conceal herself in the neighbourhood to watch us worry. She is not malicious. No, I fear that Papa and Mary have the right of it and that Mr. Wickham has taken her — perhaps to Scotland.”
“Yes,” said Lizzy, thoughtfully, “she is headstrong and foolish but there is nothing in her that would enjoy seeing us like this. Neither is it like her to play a joke and not be present to see its effect.”
Hill entered with the tea tray and Jane busied herself with pouring Mr. Darcy a cup before handing one to each sister .
“Where is Bingley now? I should like to offer my assistance in the search if you will permit, Miss Bennet.”
“He is at Netherfield this morning, sir, but you have already done so much for us in returning Lizzy.” It was obvious that Miss Bennet could not think more highly of Mr. Darcy for this good deed. “We ought not burden you with our troubles.”
“It is no trouble, madam — I have a younger sister myself and can perfectly comprehend your feelings to find her gone. Bingley will accommodate me at Netherfield, I am sure. If Miss Lydia has left in the company of Mr. Wickham it should not be too hard to find evidence of it, and thus we may pursue.” He held up a hand. “I ought not to speak too much there, madam; I fear giving you false hope if I am in error. ”
Beside him, Elizabeth shifted in her seat, evidently following his train of thought .
“I fully trust Mr. Darcy, Jane. Let us not turn away his help. Only think what it would mean if he could do anything that might enable us to find Lydia and bring her home. ”
Jane nodded, herself moved to tears once more by the welling in Elizabeth's eyes. Mr. Darcy, also observing it, made an aborted movement in her direction before checking himself, and his arm dropped back to his side. His dislike of seeing Lizzy overcome was evident. Unable to comfort her as he apparently wished, he stood .
“I am afraid you have been desiring my absence. I will find Bingley and discover what might be done.”
Elizabeth set aside her cup and stood. “I will see you to the door, sir. Jane has already thanked you, Mr. Darcy, but I…I cannot speak my gratitude — it is too great.”
He shook his head abruptly before bowing to the other ladies. “Your gratitude is unnecessary. I would not have you believe you owed me anything, Miss Elizabeth. ”
“Come,” she said, “I will walk out with you to the door, sir. I must thank you at least for producing me a maid at such short notice as was had. The Collinses could not have spared Hetty, I know.”
Kitty made as though to stand also, until, catching her eye, Jane quickly shook her head. Miss Catherine Bennet stared after Lizzy and Mr. Darcy as they exited the room. Once Kitty felt they were far enough into the hall to be out of earshot, she whispered to Jane, “I thought she did not like him, Jane — she was so certain he was a proud, conceited sort of a man and he did not think her pretty enough to dance with. You know he did not.”
Jane stood and put her arm about her younger sister's shoulders. “She may not have liked him but people change their opinions often, particularly when they are mistaken, dearest. We will let them alone for a moment, I think. He has done us a great service after all.”
“It seems he wishes to do more yet.”
Jane sighed. “Yes, indeed. I only wish he may be successful.”
Standing in the open doorway, Elizabeth stepped a little closer to Mr. Darcy than was strictly proper .
“I am sorry you must ride Albion again so soon after bringing me back. ”
“Think nothing of it. You did not quail at crossing the few miles on foot to visit Miss Bennet when she was ill.” He tried to make her smile. “I suppose you think me a feebler horseman than you are a walker, Elizabeth.”
She did not remark on the fact that he made free with her name in private — she found a warmth suffusing her when he did so in such tones. Perhaps it was the novelty of an unrelated man addressing her personally that made her feel as though his voice enveloped her when he spoke. She recalled with perfect clarity how it had felt when he had put strong arms about her in the lane at Hunsford, and although it made her cheeks warm, she regretted only that she could not ask him to do so once again. His nearness had been so comforting .
“I wish you a safe ride, sir. ”
Mr. Darcy bowed very properly over her hand, and departed .
Elizabeth stood like a silly little miss in the open doorway long after he had ridden away, and her reflections then gave way to yet another bout of tears. Some minutes later, Jane appeared beside her .
“I had thought I might have wept enough in the carriage, you know. Half a day in a closed carriage ought to be sufficient to release these wailings — yet it appears that my eyes are a fountain that simply will not run dry, even when I want the tears to cease. Mr. Darcy procured a maid for me from his cousin and I am sure she must think me a very tragic creature. I suppose Hill will have charge of her for now.”
Shrewdly guessing, Jane kissed her cheek. “Perhaps the tears are for different causes, Lizzy. You would not be the first young lady in England to cry for her family and then over a gentleman in the same day.”
Elizabeth turned reddened eyes to her. “It is no use, Jane. It is simply too much to hope that any good might come after this. If Lydia does not return, then we will grieve. If she is with Wickham and she does return, who is to say that all of us might not be shunned by society?”
“Do you think Mr. Darcy would be turned away from you because of an imprudent marriage? He who followed you to Kent and has been so constant in his affections for you? Trust him a little, Elizabeth.”
“I trust him entirely, Jane. How could I do otherwise? You were right, of course — he is an excellent man and I…well. He has done so much.”
“For you, my dear Lizzy. He has done so much for you .”
“Regardless, even if I hope that what he has done is done for love of me, it is still no good. We do not know if Wickham has enough honour to marry Lydia or if he just means to ruin her and coax money out of us for his silence.”
“Do not speak so, Lizzy,” protested Jane, distressed by this new thought. “We are dealing with possibilities; nothing is certain yet. You will not marry him, then?”
“He has not asked me nor would I expect him to. If Lydia has ruined herself, how could I hope that such a man would join his life — his unbesmirched life — to mine? No, I have finally felt what it is to put a gentleman's well-being above my own and in truth,” she added mournfully, “I wish I might feel a little less for him. ”
“Come back to the fire, Lizzy, and have another cup of tea. Do not abandon hope just yet, dearest — it could still turn out well enough.”
Elizabeth shook her head firmly. “I cannot see how that may be. We do not know where Lydia is. She is so young, Jane, and so frighteningly fearless. Where is she, do you think? You must tell me all that has happened before you all found that she was missing.”
They sat together for an hour before venturing upstairs for Elizabeth to change her dress and step into her mother's bedchamber. Mrs. Bennet was a pathetic sight to see. Even as she slept it was clear that she was restless, and her pretty face was wan and now lined with trouble .
“She looks as though she has aged ten years, Jane,” whispered Lizzy, stepping forward to tidy the covers and press a kiss to her mama's cheek. “There now, Mother, I am home and have brought help. We will not be cast down, you see. ”
Hill, the faithful housekeeper, stood beside her mistress's bed, ever watchful .
“Will she wake soon, Hill?” Lizzy enquired .
“Mrs. Bennet may come about enough to swallow a spot of broth, Miss Lizzy — Cook has been adding to it all day in the hopes to tempt Miss Lydia's appetite, which is sadly affected by her cold.”
Lizzy met the housekeeper's eye. “A terrible thing, to have a bad cold. ”
“Aye, Miss Lizzy — so I have been telling everyone who has called at the house. Not one of the housemaids will go into the sickroom, for fear of taking ill themselves. Miss Kitty suggested that they would want to stay clear. ”
Elizabeth almost smiled. “How glad we are to have you with us, Hill.”
The eldest Miss Bennet warmly agreed. “Indeed, Hill, you rejoiced with us when good fortune came and you care for us still when we are so worried. It is a blessing to us that you take such care of Mama so loyally.”
“We may come about, Miss Bennet, if we all do our smaller parts well. ”
There was a great effort made that evening between the three sisters who remained at home to treat one another kindly. They each took a turn to sit with Mama without complaint. Jane had good charge of the household and thus there was very little for Lizzy to do but wait for news to come .
That same night, a boy came bearing a note from Netherfield, Jane glanced at the precise penmanship on the neatly folded page .
“It is not from Charles,” she said with certainty. “Here, Lizzy, you read it. My eyes are a little weary this evening.”
“I can see that they are tired,” returned Elizabeth dryly, well aware of Jane's intention, “given the half a dozen candles you require to embroider that screen.” She received the note, however, and examined it. “Well, if it is not from my dearest future brother-in-law, it must be written by Mr. Darcy, unless, horror of horrors, Miss Bingley has come to Netherfield.”
A laugh was quickly suppressed by Miss Bennet. “I am not aware that Miss Bingley has come to visit her brother and I can only suppose that her hand is not so masculine as that. Read it, Lizzy — it may be that Mr. Darcy has something of import to relate.”
Netherfield
Enquiries were made this afternoon of Mssrs. Gribben and Hartle, who confirmed that a chaise had been hired by Mr. Wickham for the very night it is supposed that Miss Lydia quit Longbourn. It is unlikely that he would go to such an expense for himself if riding was an option and thus we conclude that the vehicle was intended to carry another occupant.
Bingley and I intend to depart at first light to see what news may be had on the road to Scotland, given that we now possess a description of the carriage and horses. Should we encounter Mr. Bennet and Miss Mary we will naturally furnish them with this information and continue on the search with greater manpower.
God bless you .
Fitzwilliam Darcy .
If Jane noted Elizabeth linger over that short note before folding it carefully up and putting it in her pocket, she refrained from comment, only nodding when Elizabeth remarked, “I suppose if we are to be hopeful, we know her to be protected at least to Scotland even if she is with him. I will go up to take Kitty's place for an hour now. We may safely leave Mama to Hill's care overnight. You might tell Kitty, Jane — it will be better if Mama does not overhear, should she wake.”
Lizzy walked slowly up the stairs to her mother's room and tapped lightly on the door. Kitty answered it and said, “Did I hear someone at the door, Lizzy? What news?”
“None good, I am afraid. Go down to Jane now, Kitty, and have a little supper — she will tell you. I will sit with our mother until it is time to go to bed.”
“I think she will wake again soon — she grows quite restless.”
“Good. I may be able to have some conversation with her.”
Mrs. Bennet did indeed stir from her forced sleep after a quarter of an hour had passed, and she looked with bleary eyes at Elizabeth .
“Is it you, Lizzy? I had thought perhaps it was Lydia.”
“That will be on account of it being so dim in here. I will light a few more candles and then you will see more clearly.”
“Not so many lights, Lizzy — if you only knew how my head aches.”
“One more then, and after that you must sit up and have a little food. There is a very fine Indian tea which you might enjoy also.”
Mrs. Bennet was not currently disposed to be cajoled. “I do not think I will like the tea, Elizabeth — my heart beats so that I feel I will surely be ill if I take anything.”
“Come now, Mama. I have travelled many miles today in the hope of seeing you and you must oblige me by having a cup with me. You need not touch the cheeses or the hams that Hill means to bring on a tray, for all that there is an excellent cheddar I brought with me. Lady Catherine de Bourgh recommended I purchase some of that cheese in Hunsford, you know, and although she is in many ways a dreadful woman, her tastes are well enough.”