Chapter 24 #3
Elizabeth could bear no more. She turned and ran as fast as she could.
The moment she reached Longbourn, she hurried to her bedchamber, locked the door, and broke down in tears.
She buried her face in the pillow, doing everything in her power to keep her sobs quiet, determined that neither Jane nor the rest of the family should discover what had happened.
◆◆◆
“Marcus, please. You promised me that you would not do anything. Do not make me regret telling you what happened with Thomas.”
Eleanor was desperate. The previous day, she had claimed to be unwell and retired to her room. Her meeting with her brother had left her consumed by anguish and sorrow.
Marcus, however, knew her too well not to realise that something was terribly wrong. The following morning, after allowing her time to rest, he gently insisted that she tell him what had happened. At last, she agreed, but only after making him promise that he would do nothing rash.
“And how do you expect me to remain calm after what your accursed brother said to you, Ella?” Marcus exclaimed.
“I am sorry, my love, but I can bear no more. There is only one way to put an end to this. I shall call him out. Once I have dealt with him, I shall surrender myself to the authorities. It is the only way I can protect you both.”
Without waiting for a reply, Marcus strode from the room. He went directly to fetch his pistols, determined to ride to Longbourn and put an end, once and for all, to the man who had brought so much misery upon their lives.
“Marcus, please!” Eleanor cried after him.
But her husband did not stop.
At the same time, back at Longbourn, Elizabeth felt too distressed to remain indoors and searched for any excuse to leave the house.
“Father, I am not feeling very well this morning,” Elizabeth said quietly. “If you have no objection, I should like to go for a walk. I believe the fresh air may do me some good.”
Mr Bennet looked at her more attentively than usual. Her face was unusually pale, and there was a sadness in her eyes that he could not explain.
“You do look rather unwell, Lizzy,” he said with concern. “Very well. Go and take some fresh air. I daresay you will return feeling much improved.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Only do not stay away too long. I should like you to help me with a few matters before Mr Andrews arrives.”
“Yes, Father. I shall not be long.”
She walked for more than an hour, reflecting upon everything she now knew about Marcus and Eleanor's love story.
At first, she had been overwhelmed by learning the truth of her birth in such a manner.
Yet, when she looked back, she realised that, somehow, it had not come as a complete surprise.
All her life, she had felt sorrow at believing herself the daughter of two people who scarcely tolerated one another.
Now she knew that she was the child of a great love that had endured despite time, separation, and suffering.
Eleanor Bennet was an intelligent and generous woman who had suffered a terrible injustice.
Marcus was an honourable soldier and a national hero.
As Elizabeth walked, she found herself laughing one moment and weeping the next.
Almost without realising it, her steps had carried her to Netherfield.
From the moment she had awakened that morning, she had felt an irresistible need to see the Sinclairs—to be near them.
Upon entering the house and seeing Mrs Taylor speaking nervously with her husband, she immediately asked, “Good morning, Mrs Taylor. I know it is rather early, but... might I see my... aunt?” Elizabeth asked.
Mrs Taylor looked at her with concern. She had heard the raised voices coming from the Sinclairs' bedchamber and hoped that Elizabeth's presence might help.
“Mrs Sinclair is not feeling well, Miss Elizabeth, but I believe it would do her good to see you.”
Elizabeth's heart tightened at once. She could not help fearing that Mr Bennet was somehow responsible for Eleanor's distress.
The moment she entered the bedchamber, she found Eleanor weeping uncontrollably.
“Elizabeth... my Elizabeth... Please speak to Marcus. Tell him not to go. Please... stop him.”
Elizabeth did not ask a single question. She simply nodded and hurried from the room. Deep down, she already knew what was happening.
She found the butler in the hall.
“Where is the general?”
“He has just gone to the stables, Miss.”
Marcus had already mounted his horse and was about to ride away when he heard Elizabeth calling after him.
“General! Please... wait!”
He drew his horse to a halt and turned to watch her running towards him.
“I am sorry, my dear girl, but there is something I must do immediately. You will understand in time.”
“Please, General!” she called out. “Come down from your horse. Let us speak first. Perhaps matters are not as hopeless as they seem,” Elizabeth pleaded, struggling to catch her breath.
“Goodbye, my dear girl.”
Marcus gathered the reins, ready to ride on, but before he could do so, Elizabeth stepped beside his horse, looked up at him through her tears, and whispered,
“Please... Father. I do not want to lose you just when I have found you.”
Marcus became utterly still.
For several long moments, he could neither move nor speak.
At last, he slowly dismounted, laid his pistols upon the ground, and gathered Elizabeth into his arms.
“My dear girl... my precious girl. There is nothing your father would not do for you. Nothing.”
Father and daughter clung to one another, weeping silently, neither of them aware of how much time had passed.