Chapter 14 #2
“I do not! We were friends and relatives to Barrington! We did everything together. He had no secrets from us! He owed us a large amount of money and we have been patient enough! We have already been deprived of what should have been ours, we cannot lose our own money,” St. Claire replied.
“I stand by these two gentlemen! She should sell her jewels and pay the debts!” Lady Augusta cried.
“Such a demand is laughable and painful to watch,” Elizabeth said coldly.
“Have I not already stated that the entire inheritance will be used legitimately? If there is some stipulation within the documents signed by Lord Barrington that would cover demands such as yours, the trustees will comply with it.”
“How dare you mock us? This is a matter of honour, which requires a discreet and immediate solution, for the respectability of the name of Barrington! His widow has gained an enormous fortune from his death! It is her duty and her responsibility to pay his debts to us at the very least!” Lambert continued angrily.
His voice was loud, demanding and discourteous.
Before any of her friends had time to intervene, Elizabeth slowly lifted the dark veil that covered her wounded face. She looked straight at St. Claire and Lambert, then daringly stepped even closer to them.
“Mind your tone when you speak to me, sir! You just declared that you did everything with Lord Barrington, so you just admitted, in the presence of all these witnesses, to being his accomplice! You should know that these circumstances are the result of his wicked plans, and are not my fault! Do not ever trouble me again with this matter and do not provoke me to speak of honour, respectability, duty or responsibility! I have never seen any evidence in your behaviour that you are familiar with any of those concepts!”
Her outburst astonished and silenced everyone in attendance.
From her side, Darcy watched her intently.
He was the only one who had seen her in a similar state of perturbation, that day at the parsonage.
Back then, he had been the reason for her distress.
Now, he was next to her, ready to protect her if she needed his support.
“Insolent, ungrateful country nobody! I curse the day my son met you!” Lady Augusta said in a low, spiteful voice.
“You and I both, Lady Augusta. Cursing that day is the only thing we have in common. And while you offend me further, you should consider that I am now the mistress of all!” Elizabeth concluded as she pulled down her veil and exited majestically, ignoring the crying and whining behind her.
She entered the carriage and as she sat, her strength evaded her. Hidden from view, her hands began trembling in her lap, while tears burned her eyes.
Jane and Mrs. Gardiner joined her moments later, sitting on either side.
“My dearest Lizzy,” Jane whispered, her own torment obvious.
“Do not worry, my darling, we are here,” Mrs. Gardiner tried to comfort her. “I can only imagine how hard that must have been for you. We are here now.”
Outside, Bingley, Darcy and Mr. Gardiner were still talking to the other gentlemen. From inside the house, five maids and two male servants—all very young—approached shyly, carrying small cases. They stopped a little distance from the carriage, waiting.
Darcy leaned toward the carriage window, addressing Elizabeth.
“Lady Barrington, I would suggest we all return in one carriage and leave the other for the servants. If you agree, my coachman will take them to my house and my housekeeper will find a way to accommodate them until you decide how you wish to proceed.”
Elizabeth hesitated, overwhelmed by emotions.
“Mr. Darcy, how long will you allow us to abuse your kindness? This is too much…”
“Not at all, I assure you,” he replied. “Anyone would have done the same, and I am sure Bingley will offer to host them too. But I trust my staff implicitly and I dare not suggest troubling another household with this delicate matter.”
“Lizzy dear, it is your decision. But I can see the wisdom in Mr. Darcy’s proposal,” Mrs. Gardiner said. Elizabeth tried to gather her thoughts, her eyes locked with Darcy’s.
“We will invade your house entirely, Mr. Darcy. The discomfort you will suffer will be significant. We might have even more people to accommodate from the townhouse. I want to have everything settled today for those who need protection. Lady Augusta and those two men…I fear they are capable of anything…We could take them to Lady Sedgewick’s house, and I know there are several other houses where they could be employed over the coming days.
But for now, I only wish them to be safe. ”
“We will do as you wish. Please do not worry about my comfort, when you are carrying such difficult burdens and have shown so much bravery in confronting your enemies. Your character is extraordinary, Lady Barrington, and we can only support you the best we can,” Darcy said, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.
“Very well, sir. I am grateful for your kindness and thoughtfulness,” she finally agreed. “But please do not call me Lady Barrington.”
He bowed his head, briefly. “Forgive me, Miss Bennet. I shall keep that in mind.”
A trace of a smile lit her tearful eyes, but the veil did not allow him to notice it.
Minutes later, at Darcy’s request, the first carriage departed with the young servants.
The solicitors and trustees entered the second carriage, then finally the third one took Elizabeth and her party towards London.
She looked back for a while, overwhelmed by her emotions, still incredulous that the last few hours had been real.
The nightmare had ended. She was not trapped any longer, but she was not completely free either.
She could not return to her old life, as she was now responsible for so many others.
Miss Bennet was gone forever, despite Mr. Darcy addressing her as such.
Although late in the afternoon, it was still a bright day when the party arrived back in London. During the journey, the conversation was scarce and Elizabeth had time to regain her composure. She felt exhausted but anxious to accomplish the most urgent tasks.
“I would like to speak to Cece,” she said. “And then I will visit the townhouse.”
“Lizzy, if you do not need me, I will go home; the children must be waiting for me.”
“Of course, Aunt. Thank you for standing by my side. I shall be fine now.”
“I will remain with you, Lizzy. You may need my company for the rest of the day,” Mr. Gardiner declared.
“So will I,” Jane said.
“Should I come with you?” Bingley offered.
“I do not think it will be necessary,” Elizabeth answered. “Both houses are quite near, so we will walk. It should not take long.”
“Then Darcy and I will wait for you at home. At his home. Or ours?”
Elizabeth hesitated a moment, then met Darcy’s eyes briefly.
“If Mr. Darcy approves, I would remain where we are for another couple of days.”
“I would be honoured to host you until you move to your own house, Lady Barrington. Miss Bennet…”
“Thank you, sir.”
Elizabeth felt more gratitude than she could express, more than he was willing to accept.
She felt safer and stronger knowing she could depend upon him.
Darcy was genuinely concerned, although reserved.
He was always near, without intruding. He paid attention to her signals and intervened only when it was needed.
With him at her side, she knew she was not alone.
Four months ago, she had rejected him and thrown him out of her life.
He had returned when her life was in danger and his mere presence enhanced it.
She could hardly call him family, or even a friend. And yet, he was more than both.