Chapter 8
Mr Gardiner’s carriage picked up Darcy and his trusted man from the meeting point — the fishing stream.
Darcy seemed slightly surprised at seeing Elizabeth, as though he had assumed she would not join them after all.
He sat on the bench opposite them, said, ‘Thank you,” and then was silent for a while.
“How long will it take us to reach Gretna Green?” Elizabeth asked.
“I would say around three days. Am I wrong, Mr Darcy?” Mr Gardiner replied. “We shall have to rest for two nights. I hope we can find some decent inns on the road.”
“You are correct, sir,” Darcy said. “There is a reliable inn, where I have personally stayed before, in Preston, fifty miles away. The Old Dog. The problem is we left Pemberley very late so, even with the benefit of a long summer day, I doubt we could cover the distance before it gets dark. So, we shall have to look for an inn in Manchester tonight. Wickham is probably a few hours ahead of us, but no doubt he thought he would have even more time.”
“But Mr Darcy, we should press on for as long as necessary!” Elizabeth protested. “The longer we travel tonight, the better chance we have of reducing their lead and catching them!”
“Perhaps, but I cannot agree to travel during the night. I will not put your safety at risk, Miss Bennet, nor Mr Gardiner’s.”
Elizabeth tried to argue, but Darcy continued decidedly, “We may leave tomorrow morning very early if that is acceptable to you both. And I trust we can ride faster than them, as we can change horses whenever necessary. We have two coachmen, so we do not need to rest at all during the day but stop for refreshments only. However, I would like to stop at the main inns on the road anyway and enquire as to whether Wickham and my sister have been seen.”
“Of course, that would be the best course of action,” Mr Gardiner agreed. As for asking at the inns, we should claim Wickham is a friend and we plan to meet him but are uncertain of his whereabouts.”
“Good thinking,” Darcy said.
“Sir, may I ask…do you know when they left Pemberley? And do you happen to know whether Miss Darcy took anything valuable with her? Has her maid noticed anything? Can we safely assume Wickham will have enough money on him?” Mr Gardiner continued.
“I would guess that they left last night, at the very latest at dawn. We retired rather late, as you know. He certainly was aware we had guests. They must have waited until the entire household retired and were sure all had fallen asleep. As for my sister, yes, I assume she took her pin money. I never check how much money she possesses or how she uses it. But as she has not had many occasions to spend any, I can, unfortunately, suppose it is much of it.”
“Therefore, he might change horses rather often, too,” Mr Gardiner uttered. “There goes an advantage I thought we had on him. Hence, we may gain some time only by reducing our resting time as much as possible, without neglecting our safety.”
“That would be a correct conclusion, Mr Gardiner. I…”
“Yes?” Elizabeth encouraged him, seeing as Darcy seemed troubled by a sudden thought.
“In the event we do find them before reaching Gretna Green…what should I do? Can I just grab my sister and force her to come home against her will? If I did that, even though it is my prerogative as her guardian, even though it is for her well-being and future happiness, will she ever forgive me? I might save her from a life of misery and grief, but what if I lose her affection, trust, and respect forever?”
The man known as the best master and landlord, who took care of so many others depending on him, who was always self-confident and in charge of everything, used to making decisions for everyone and to whom everyone turned for counsel, was asking for advice.
He appeared vulnerable, exposing his deepest fears and doubts.
Any traces of pride, arrogance, or disdain were long gone.
“It is to your credit that you care so much for your sister’s feelings, Mr Darcy.
You may at least talk to her and be certain it is really her wish,” Elizabeth answered with warmth and sympathy.
“You should reveal to her everything that was kept hidden until now, so she may make an informed decision.”
“Everything…even what might hurt her?” Darcy repeated.
“Yes,” Elizabeth answered. “You believe you are protecting your sister from the pain caused by the truth. But without it, the pain caused by ignorance might be even stronger and last for a lifetime.”
“I am not going to argue with you, Miss Bennet. I know you are right, and I am grateful for your support.”
Engrossed in his own thoughts, Darcy was in no disposition for conversation, and the other two respected his privacy, occupying themselves with reading or speaking in soft tones to each other.
The carriage kept up a hasty pace, the turning of the wheels and the clatter of the horses’ hoofs being the loudest sounds.
They were on a quest that had only a slim chance of being successful.
What troubled everyone but nobody dared voice was the fear that Miss Darcy may have already been intimate with the scoundrel and — the worst outcome — that there might even be consequences.
In such circumstances, whether she decided to marry him or not, her life would be ruined, and the scandal polluting Darcy’s name would be unavoidable; but it would be the guilt that would burden Darcy that would be unbearable.
They eventually made their first stop at an inn to change horses and eat something in haste.
The next hours passed mostly in awkward silence.
Elizabeth looked out through the window, watching places pass that she had never seen before, but for the first time she was not captivated and did not enjoy the view.
Unlike her usual self while travelling, she had little curiosity and interest in her surroundings, so preoccupied was she with Darcy and his sister.
His concern and sadness etched lines of worry on his handsome face and broke her heart.
“Mr Darcy, have you been to this part of the country before? I remembered you mentioned you had,” Mr Gardiner attempted a conversation.
“Yes. Several times,” the answer came curtly.
“It is beautiful, is it not, Lizzy?”
“Yes, it is…” she replied with such equal indifference that Mr Gardiner gave up the subject.
They continued until it was almost completely dark outside, and only then did they stop at the Wagon and Horses in Westhoughton, although Darcy was most reluctant to stay in an area where there were rumours about the Luddites being in full unrest.
Darcy hurried down from the carriage, helped Elizabeth to step out, and then rushed inside to speak to the innkeeper.
Elizabeth stretched, welcoming the standing position as her feet and back felt quite numb, and realised she had never ridden for so long without a break. She and Mr Gardiner followed Darcy while the two coachmen attended to the horses.
“They did not stop here,” Darcy came to inform them. “Fortunately, the inn is rather empty, and there are enough spare rooms. I have asked for dinner to be sent to my room if that is convenient for you.”
“Yes, of course,” Mr Gardiner agreed.
“I have also asked for the service of a maid. She will show you to your chambers and assist you with everything you may need. I am going to check on the coachmen and will join you soon. Dinner should be ready in half an hour.”
The tasks he had to accomplish, including seeing to his servants’ comfort, brought back a glimpse of the Mr Darcy she had come to know. For the moment, his sense of duty had won over his own fears.
The maid showed Elizabeth to her room — simple but clean and large enough.
She did not care about the details, and thanked the maid, assuring her she would ring if she needed anything.
As soon as she was alone, she took off her bonnet, gloves, and spencer and lay on the bed.
It too had clean sheets and felt very comfortable, and those were the only things she cared about, as tiredness started to engulf her.
Without sleeping much the previous night, with all the emotion of the first hour of the morning and the torment that followed, as well as the long journey with only one hasty stop, Elizabeth could not decide whether she was more exhausted or hungry.
She let her thoughts run to Miss Darcy — who was surely in a similar inn somewhere.
As little as she knew the girl and her relationship with her brother, Elizabeth believed she must surely be worried, fearful, and ashamed, and she wondered how much Wickham was taking advantage of her and how much, if at all, she was aware of it.
It was very likely that he would attempt to consummate a marriage that had not taken place yet, to be certain of his success and especially to gain the upper hand against Darcy.
But would he dare force himself on her? Or was he relying on his power of seduction and charming ways?
That notion sickened and enraged her at the same time.
She recalled his practised smile which had beguiled her, as well as his tales of woe that she had believed — despicable, poor excuse for a man that he was!
“Lizzy? Dinner has been brought up,” she heard Mr Gardiner calling her, and she arranged her appearance briefly, passing her palms over her wrinkled skirt and then checking her hair before she opened the door.
“Come my dear, we are starving,” he said, leading her towards the third room on the same floor.
Darcy was pacing the room, ignoring the table full of dishes. At their entrance, he invited them to sit before finally taking a chair himself.
“How early should we leave tomorrow?” he enquired, glancing at Elizabeth.
“As soon as you wish, sir. I shall be ready at dawn.”
“Good. Miss Bennet, we have tea, but I also asked for some port to be brought up. Perhaps you would like a little? It would surely help you sleep better.”