Chapter 2 #2
Mr Gardiner drew a slow breath as he glanced down at the letter once again.
His voice was subdued when he replied. “She urges us to return to Longbourn, even as she admits there is little to be done at present. Her chief concern, I believe, is gaining Elizabeth’s comfort and companionship for herself, and she trusts that my wife will be better able to restrain my sister than she is presently able to do. ”
His gaze dropped briefly to the letter before lifting again.
“There remains, however, the more pressing matter of determining what is to be done about Lydia. Jane writes that Mr Bennet departed on Tuesday and was expected to return by Monday at the latest. As the letter was misdirected, it is entirely possible that they have already reached Longbourn, since this letter seems to have been written sometime the week before.”
Darcy did not hesitate. “If you will write to Miss Bennet—or, if you prefer, to your brother Mr Bennet or even Mr Philips—I shall send my messenger ahead of us to give the Bennets notice of our coming. He may be able to return with any reply, so we might know precisely what awaits us at Longbourn.”
“Awaits us?” Elizabeth repeated, lifting her head for the first time in several minutes to look at the two gentlemen.
Surprise seemed to break through her distress, and her breath caught softly, as if hearing him say ‘us’ had unsettled her somehow.
Her eyes were still bright with tears, her cheeks flushed from weeping, yet Darcy could not look upon her without thinking her beautiful all the same.
He moved at once, lowering himself before her and taking her hand with deliberate care, seeming to wish to anchor her to him and take some of her distress upon himself.
“Yes, my love,” he murmured. “Did you truly imagine that, having at last gained your agreement to marry me, I would permit you to cast aside our understanding so easily?”
His thumb brushed lightly over her fingers as his voice steadied.
“You have promised to be my wife, Elizabeth, and I intend to hold you to that promise—not from pride or anything so foolish, but from my complete devotion to you. If you wish, I shall send to London for a special licence, and we may be married the moment it is secured. Or, should you prefer, I will write to the rector at Lambton or Meryton to obtain a common licence, and we shall be married within the se’nnight.
The particulars are of no consequence to me—the time or the place—so long as the end is the same, with you as my wife, my dearest girl. ”
“But what of Lydia?” Elizabeth whispered, unable to look away from him, her voice trembling between hope and dread.
“That, too, we shall face together,” he replied without hesitation.
“Do you not think that the news of our marriage will do much to soften the consequences of Miss Lydia’s supposed poor conduct?
Your neighbours know your family well. They may yet be persuaded that Mrs Bennet’s account was coloured by alarm rather than strict truth.
Surely they could be persuaded that she misbehaved, but that she did not act in a scandalous manner.
Besides, we do not know yet what did happen. ”
Her fingers tightened in his. “But what if she allowed that man liberties?” Elizabeth whispered. “What if she is with child?”
Darcy’s expression did not falter. “Then we shall deal with that when we know it to be true,” he said firmly. Rising, he drew Elizabeth with him and folded her into his arms, heedless of her aunt and uncle’s presence. “Do not carry this alone, my dearest. Allow me to stand with you in it.”
Mrs Gardiner, watching them, pressed a hand briefly to her lips, her eyes glistening as relief softened her features. She turned away a moment later, as though to grant them privacy, though she did not move far.
Meanwhile, Mr Gardiner studied Darcy with a measured, thoughtful gaze. At last, he inclined his head, the tension in his expression easing. The gentleman said nothing, but his quiet approval was unmistakable.
Elizabeth leant into Darcy’s embrace, the warmth of it easing the tightness in her chest. After a moment, she drew back just enough to meet his eyes.
“Very well, sir,” she said, a faint echo of her former teasing in her voice, even as her eyes still shone with unshed tears.
“Write to the rector in Meryton, and we shall marry once we arrive there. Perhaps your own rector might send his endorsement as well, which may ease the obtaining of a common licence. I wish Jane to stand beside me—along with my aunt and uncle, and the rest of my family.”
Darcy agreed readily with her plan, and the four spoke together for several minutes longer until each turned to the tasks that could no longer be delayed.
Within moments, Darcy had summoned a messenger from the inn and dispatched him to Pemberley with precise instructions: his trunks were to be made ready at once, and his largest and finest carriage prepared for immediate travel.
While Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth set about packing what little was required, Mr Gardiner seated himself at the small writing table, Jane’s letter laid beside him as he composed several notes.
These, too, were entrusted to the same messenger Darcy intended to send ahead of their carriage, ensuring that word would reach Hertfordshire before they themselves arrived.
Before long, the time came for Darcy to take his leave.
“I must first speak with Georgiana,” he said, his tone gentle but resolute.
“She deserves to know my reasons for departing so abruptly. Since Wickham is presently in Brighton, I shall ask her to join us in Hertfordshire if you have no objection. It will require my sending the Bingleys away from Pemberley, but I wish my sister to be with me for my wedding.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied without hesitation.
“Your uncle’s carriage will depart shortly,” Darcy continued, “but we shall follow within a few hours. By this evening, we shall all be together again at the Old Bell in Derby, and tomorrow, if you are willing, I hope you will ride in my carriage with Georgiana and me.”
Elizabeth smiled, relief softening her features. “I should like that very much,” she said. “Your sister is delightful.” Then her expression faltered, a sudden trepidation overtaking her. “But what will you tell her about our hasty departure? Will she not be distressed by the mention of… of him?”
Darcy’s smile gentled further. Taking Elizabeth’s hand, he raised it to his lips. “I will speak to her myself,” he said quietly. “She is stronger now, and she will feel only compassion for Miss Lydia.”
“And where will you stay in Hertfordshire?” Elizabeth asked, the practical concerns returning as she regained her equanimity.
“Are you quite certain it is wise for you to follow so soon? With my aunt and uncle there with their children, Longbourn will scarcely have room for you and your sister. The inn is hardly suitable, and I know of no other lodgings in the area.”
“I shall have my man make enquiries at once,” Darcy replied, already considering the matter.
“I will also speak with Mr Bingley about the possibility of our staying at Netherfield.” A faint wryness entered his expression.
“My only hesitation is that he will insist upon accompanying me—and where Mr Bingley goes, his sisters are sure to follow. Miss Bingley, I fear, would render everyone unhappy, whatever the circumstances of our arrival. Whatever happened is surely to be deemed worse than it actually is with her present.”