Chapter 41
Darcy stood in silence as Elizabeth’s trunks were being loaded into the carriage when he heard someone call him.
“Darcy, will you not introduce us to your betrothed?” Lord Greystone boomed as he walked out of the inn.
Darcy was reluctant but could not see a way out of the introduction. He knew of the Earl’s unhealthy penchant for gossip, and his presence confirmed that Darcy’s actions from last night would soon be in all the gossip sheets of London. He introduced Elizabeth to the Earl and the Countess.
“Miss Bennet is the niece of Mrs. Hardwicke, and is in mourning for the death of her uncle,” he explained.
“So you are already connected to the Darcys,” the Earl commented with a charming smile for Elizabeth.
“We only became acquainted last September, your lordship,” Elizabeth responded.
“You have known each other for more than six months now; I was imagining it a whirlwind romance,” the Earl answered suggestively.
“There is nothing dramatic about our acquaintance. While I did get carried away last night, it was mostly in response to my worry about Miss Bennet’s well-being in the unexpected storm,” Darcy answered, trying to quell the speculation in the Earl’s expression.
“So you are going back to Willowmere?”
“Yes, Miss Bennet’s cousin has met with an accident and has been asking for her,” Darcy answered in a clipped voice.
“Of course, of course, I do plan to call on Mrs. Hardwicke to convey my condolences. I hope to meet with you soon, Miss Elizabeth,” the Earl replied as the carriage was finally ready for Darcy and Elizabeth to board.
They were soon out of the driveway of the inn and travelling towards Willowmere. Elizabeth finally broke the silence, “Is Margaret very ill?”
“She has a fever and some bruises, but the apothecary assures that she will fully recover.”
“I feel guilty for leaving the house before saying goodbye to her. I was angry at my aunt’s unjust behaviour, but I should not have neglected Margaret, she has gone through so much already.”
“You are hardly to blame for your reaction. You have been devoted to your aunt since your arrival and her doubting your understanding must have been hurtful.”
“It was not just that. I would have ignored my bruised ego in favour of my aunt’s judgment but her harsh judgement of your character was intolerable.
She still considers it a folly on my part to trust you, but if there is anything I am completely assured of, it is your honourable character.
My aunt’s prejudice towards you is an uncomfortable reminder of my own insensible and foolish behaviour. ”
They sat in silence for a while before Darcy finally spoke, “Miss Elizabeth, I am grateful for your maid’s candour and for allowing us to journey in privacy. She is right that we do need to talk.”
“Sally has been with us since her childhood; she is much more outspoken than any maid and all the more dear to me,” Elizabeth replied with a smile.
“Will she then come with you to Pemberley?”
“Oh! I… I have not considered that,” Elizabeth answered flustered.
“I would not wish to pressure you in any way, but after my conduct last evening we may have to marry sooner than later,” Darcy finally said, voicing what had been on his mind for the whole night.
“I do not think I would mind, sir,” Elizabeth replied with a smile. “I assure you that though I was completely shocked by your greeting, it was not unwelcome,” Elizabeth continued in a rush, blushing deeply, unable to meet Darcy’s eyes.
Darcy could not have hoped for a better reaction and had Elizabeth looked up, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, became him.
“So, am I to take it that you would welcome such reunions in the future?”
“It was hardly a reunion; we had not been apart for more than a few hours but I was flattered by your worry on my account. I wrote you a letter explaining everything. I had asked Sally to place it in Mrs. Ashcombe’s room with a note asking her to give it to you, but surely she had not seen it in all the confusion with Margaret’s disappearance. ”
“You wrote me a letter!” Darcy could not keep the wonder out of his voice.
“Well, I am a letter in your debt after all,” Elizabeth responded alluding to his letter after the Hunsford proposal.
“Do not remind me of that monstrosity. I cannot believe the presumption with which I wrote and some of the sentiments expressed.”
“You were disappointed and rightly so; there was not much amiss with it and it has become quite dear to me.”
“If you want to keep it, that will be your prerogative, but I hope you understand that I no longer hold on to those sentiments.”
“That letter is dear to me for it is the true turning point in our relationship. I read it so many times that I could probably recite it verbatim. You are a reticent man and it showed me a depth to your character that I had never before realised. Throughout my journey from Kent to Willowmere, I kept reliving the whole of our acquaintance and was deeply sorry for the way I had behaved.”
“Elizabeth, I hope you will not blame yourself any more. If you were prejudiced against me it was my own fault. I should have been more open, if not in Hertfordshire, at least in Kent, when I was sure of my regard for you,” Darcy responded, taking Elizabeth’s hand in his.
“While I would gladly suffer any hardship for Margaret’s sake, I shudder to think how my aunt will react once I am back at Willowmere. She would not allow us a moment together.”
“Well, about that, I hope you understand that we will soon be in all the gossip sheets in the country. By evening, I am sure London would be abuzz with my conduct. Mrs. Hardwicke may consider herself vindicated in her judgement.”
“Oh! But it is summer, there will not be many people in town and we are some distance from any place of note.”
“I was recognised, Elizabeth—by multiple people. Your aunt may well ban my entrance to Willowmere.”
“She would never attempt that, you being the master and all,” Elizabeth said with a teasing smile.
“I am not worried about aunt Sarah; her opinions are of no concern when it comes to my matrimonial plans but if, as you say, the gossip will soon spread then my aunt and uncle Gardiner along with Jane would surely be alarmed. Longbourn is also not far from town and I shudder to think what Papa would make of it.”
“I sent a letter to Mr. Bennet, asking for his consent only yesterday. Maybe we can send an express to town. I am sure my sister will be alarmed once she hears of the gossip.”
“This is a disaster,” Elizabeth clasped her fingers.
“I am sorry, dearest. I…”
“Do not apologise; it is not only your actions but mine as well which will come back to haunt us. Jane had suspected your interest in me from the time Bingley returned to her but I have been reticent in my letters. Even in Meryton all my neighbours and relations knew of my dislike of you, but nobody is aware of my changed opinion.”
“They will all think I compromised you to force your consent,” Darcy finally replied with a shocked expression.
“Do not worry, I will stand with you and correct everyone’s account. They will soon learn the truth,” Elizabeth answered with a teasing smile.
“I think I will need your protection for some time, dearest,” Darcy answered, thinking of the myriad of reactions from his relatives and acquaintances.