(2)
Darcy, still annoyed with himself for failing to send men after the lady-thief, rode into Lambton the following morning to speak with the magistrate and ascertain whether anyone else had experienced a break in lately. He learned that Pemberley was alone as far as Mr. Dibbins knew, though Darcy wondered if she simply had not been caught before.
She must have been wily to get past Pemberley's staff. He had checked the window latch, and there had been no scratches that indicated a forced entry. Nor had any other door or window on the first two floors. No one had seen or heard anything. He could tell that she had been through his entire desk and safe, and yet he could find nothing missing. He struggled to believe she would have come for the ring alone, with so many other things of value left behind. Why had she not pocketed the other jewelry if that was what she was after? Why not his great grandfather's dueling pistols? Surely someone would pay a pretty penny for those.
She had been after something else. But what? Information? What information of value could he have? His investments and contracts? Why go through all the subterfuge to get them? He had nothing to hide.
And finally, why would she have apologised?
As he left the magistrate's office, he thought he saw a woman who looked just like Elizabeth Bennet walking on the other side of the street.
"You are going to end up in Bedlam, you fool," he muttered to himself as he watched the lady walk slowly.
Elizabeth Bennet never walked with a measured gait. She flew on her feet. Still, that bonnet was just like the one she wore when she had walked to Netherfield the previous autumn and again at Hunsford. He hesitated, then decided to cross the street to see. He would be the only to know if he was wrong.
The lady walked into the post-office and he hesitated. He had never had a reason to visit a post-office before. Would he be recognized and required to fabricate an excuse for being there? He decided to wait outside for her to reappear.
Elizabeth had never felt so terrible in her life. Her ribs were still wrapped, but they ached with every step she took. Her hip had a large bruise forming, and it felt bigger every minute. Her right shoulder was not fairing much better. She could not take a deep breath for fear of fainting. She knew she should not be out, but she desperately needed to send her letter, and her aunt and uncle had left for their visit before she had awoken for the day. They needed to keep up the appearance of pleasure travel.
She eased down the street and entered the post-office. She walked to the counter and smiled at Mrs. Trent.
"Another letter, Miss Bennet?" the lady asked curiously.
"Yes ma'am. My father cannot travel anymore, and enjoys reading stories of mine. We visited Pemberley yesterday, and he will want to hear of all of the grandness."
The lady appeared to accept her excuse and took the letter, to Elizabeth's relief. It was one of her biggest worries, sending too many letters from the same place. That was why she and her father had chosen to have her send her messages through him. He would forward them to the Secretary himself. It was beyond suspicious for a young lady to write to a man so unconnected to her.
As she walked out the door, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She started and tried to move away, but faltered from the pain of moving too quickly. When she saw that it was Mr. Darcy, she was so shocked that she nearly swooned for the first time in her life.
"Miss Bennet!" Darcy cried as he reached out to catch her. His hand caught her upper arm and she cried out in pain. He let go quickly, only to have her nearly collapse. He reached out a second time and wrapped both arms around her in a loose embrace.
"Miss Bennet, are you injured?" He asked, concerned. She stood very still in the circle of his arms, carefully holding herself up by bracing her forearms against his chest. Her breath was coming in short, pained gasps, and she did not answer.
"Miss Bennet?" he asked again. Though worried for her, he could not deny that he drew immense pleasure from holding her in his arms.
"A moment, please," she whispered, staring straight at his chest, her face hidden under the brim of her bonnet. She took a slightly longer breath, and then pulled back to stand on her own. Darcy felt disappointment fill him, though he knew she could not stand so close to him in public. He offered his arm as his own consolation, hoping she would take it. She did.
He looked more closely at her face as they walked slowly, now that he could see it. She was very pale.
"Miss Bennet, forgive me, but are you unwell?"
She smiled slightly in response, "Nothing that will not be better in time, do not be concerned. I merely slipped on one of my rambles and injured my shoulder in the fall. It is painful, but I am told it will heal."
"I am grateful to hear it. How did you come to be in Derbyshire?"
"I am here with my aunt and uncle on a tour of the county. We were at Pemberley just yesterday. I am surprised to see you in town this morning; we were told you would not arrive until today, and that you would be with a large party."
"I arrived yesterday, a day ahead of the rest, to speak with my steward. I wanted to free up my time for my guests."
"How very thoughtful of you," she replied with her quirked smile.
Darcy went quiet for a minute, trying to decide what that quirk meant. He would have presumed to know it was flirtatious teasing last spring, but he had learned his lesson.
"Pemberley is very beautiful," Elizabeth commented after a long silence, surprising him.
"I am glad you think so," he replied, feeling a warmth fill him.
"I have never seen a house so happily situated, nor one for whom nature has been allowed to do so much. It truly looks as though it sprang from the ground itself, it fits so perfectly into the landscape. I like it very much and - " she suddenly stopped speaking and blushed, then turned her face away.
"I must say that I agree," Darcy replied gently, understanding her embarrassment. "I could not claim impartiality, however."
He felt her relax slightly as she graced him with a sweet smile, "I would be disappointed if you felt anything less."
Darcy felt his heart clench at what was quite possibly the first true smile she had ever gifted him. He wanted so badly to continue their conversation, but knew that so many topics would be awkward for them both. He did not wish to make her feel any more embarrassed.
She was also quiet, and Darcy cursed himself for his inability to think of anything to say. Between his surprise in seeing her, the feelings she brought to the forefront of his mind, and his distraction from the lady-thief, he found himself unable to focus.
"Where are you staying?" he asked, finally remembering her travels.
"The Rose and Crown," she replied, nodding at the building just up the street.
He nodded, "And your aunt and uncle, they are not with you today?"
"The Gardiners are visiting friends. I was not feeling up to a full visit, and chose to stay behind and take care of my correspondence."
"Would you," he hesitated, "would you be willing to introduce me to your uncle and aunt during your stay?"
This time her smile was brilliant, and Darcy could not help but smile in return.
"If you do not have plans for the morrow, I would be happy to send a carriage for you to come to afternoon tea. If you are willing, I would very much like to introduce my sister to you while you are here." Darcy hesitated, and then chose to add, "Mr. Bingley and his sisters are also of the party."
"I would be delighted," Elizabeth replied, after a few moments hesitation. "I should like to meet your sister, and I would enjoy Mr. Bingley's company again. I can speak to our plans, as well. We had intended to view the countryside tomorrow. I will confirm with my aunt and uncle, but I can tentatively agree to your plan. We will send a note to Pemberley this evening."
Darcy felt relief that the mention of Mr. Bingley had not upset her. "Thank you, Miss Bennet, I very much look forward to tomorrow."
Darcy left her at the inn with a feeling of anticipation for seeing her in his home on the morrow. While he had wished to bring her there as his wife, he would content himself with seeing her there at all. Hopefully he could show her that her reproofs had been attended to. He wished her to at least think well of him, but whether or not he could hope for more would be seen. He hoped that this thief did not continue to cause trouble and throw a cloud over her visit.
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief when Darcy walked away from her. It was difficult to pretend she was comfortable in his presence. The combined awkwardness of their history and the secret he had come so close to uncovering made her nervous. His mannerisms were not suspicious and he seemed genuinely happy to see her, though. She had not been found out. Hopefully he had not gotten a good enough view of her the night before to make the connection. She knew that she should probably avoid him, but she did not want to arouse his suspicion that way. She had no expectation for them, but she also would like him to know that she no longer thought so poorly of him, that she believed what he had told her in his letter. His wanting an introduction to her aunt and uncle, and for his sister, were great surprises to her. If he was going to make an effort to be more congenial, she wished to see it.
That evening, her aunt and uncle agreed that there should be no danger in seeing him again, if he had not been suspicious. They agreed that acting naturally was the best way to prevent suspicion, whereas leaving abruptly or avoiding him would raise questions.
Elizabeth and the Gardiners went to tea the following afternoon in the best-sprung carriage any of them had ever used. Her aunt and uncle were still feeling the compliment of being noticed at all, and began to wonder if the gentleman was susceptible to their niece's charms. The afternoon confirmed it, much to their consternation. While they would normally be delighted for their niece, in this instance it made them uneasy for fear of his making the connection they could ill afford.
Mr. Darcy was everything amiable toward them, however, and seemed truly delighted to introduce his sister to them all. There was some awkwardness when seeing Mr. Bingley, but in general he appeared delighted with their company. Elizabeth thought she saw a wistful expression on his face when he looked at her, and she was delighted on Jane's behalf, thinking he was likely thinking of her. Whether it was enough to send him back to Netherfield would be seen, but perhaps it was.
Miss Bingley was less happy to see Elizabeth and her aunt. She attempted to undermine Elizabeth a few times with barbed comments, but the group as a whole was too determined to enjoy the visit to allow her much room. Both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley had no patience for her. Miss Darcy could believe no wrong of a lady whom her brother wished to introduce to her, and Mrs. Hurst was beginning to recognise that perhaps Elizabeth Bennet was about to capture the prize her own sister so badly wanted. Not wishing to alienate such a connection, she was less willing than previous to join Miss Bingley in her attempts.
For those pleased participants, the afternoon passed too swiftly. With much regret, they said their adieus and Darcy walked Miss Bennet and her relatives back to the carriage. He surprised them by choosing to ride back to the inn with them.
For Darcy, he could not bring himself to separate from Elizabeth. She had been genuinely warm, and he had felt a powerful hope forming in his breast. He was pleased with the manners and obvious good breeding of her aunt and uncle, and was determined to show that to her.
Their pleasant conversation continued on the ride, which was all too short for Darcy. They pulled to a stop in front of the inn, and he helped Elizabeth down. She was leaning more heavily on him than he would have expected, but he attributed it to the same fall that had injured her shoulder.
Darcy was walking them toward the inn when Elizabeth's boot caught on a rock in and she tripped. Instead of righting herself as he expected, she simply collapsed. He reacted quickly and reached out with both arms to catch her and she cried out in agony. Instead of pulling her up, he knelt and led her gently to the ground. She sat and he felt her breathing increase pace again, coming in short gasps.
"Miss Bennet!" he cried, her aunt and uncle coming up to them quickly. He glanced up and saw fear in their eyes. He turned back to her with more concern, assuming they knew something of her injuries that he did not.
He watched her reach a hand up to cover her mouth and leaned in to look at her face. She was weeping from pain. He reached out and touched her sides in order to help her up and to a more comfortable seat only to feel her flinch away.
"Miss Bennet? Did you injure more than your shoulder?" he asked in concern. "You are moving as though..." he trailed off and looked at her quietly. She glanced up with what looked like fear in her eyes now. "You have fractured ribs," he finished, the thought hitting him.
It could not be.
He saw her uncle move protectively toward her and assist her to stand.
He could not believe it, but the evidence was too obvious when he thought about it. She had arrived the day of the break in. She had toured Pemberley, which easily could have been for discovering the layout. She had injured the same side that the thief had. She was more intelligent and fit than most women he knew. She was the right size. While he could not believe it of a gentlewoman, he realised that it was the perfect way to hide. No one would believe it unless they witnessed it themselves.
Elizabeth had felt Darcy freeze for a moment while he knelt next to her. When she had glanced up, he had looked astonished, and when he had spoken of her ribs he had sounded distant. After her uncle had helped her stand, she had glanced briefly at him, only to see a stony look that terrified her.
"Miss Bennet," Darcy said stiffly as he stood and took a step back, "there was a burglar at Pemberley the night before last. A woman, shockingly enough. I discovered her in my study and I believe she may have damaged her ribs in her escape. Ironic, is it not?"
Elizabeth felt her lips quirk into a sad smile. "Very," she replied warily.
"If I asked you if you knew anything about that event, would you deny it?" he asked coldly.
Elizabeth chose not to respond. She could not bring herself to lie to him.
"You do not deny it," he said, shocked that it appeared to be true. "You let me invite you into my home. You let me endanger my sister by introducing you to her. You threw yourself back into my path, knowing..." his voice trailed to a whisper, and she could hear the betrayal in it. She wanted so badly to deny what he was saying, but did not think it would matter.
"Neither you nor your sister is in any danger from me, nor anyone connected to me," she replied.
"If I asked what you were there for, would you tell me?"
"I cannot."
He watched her quietly for moment, and then spoke with hurt in his tone, "I have never truly known you, and I never will, will I? Even if I had behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner, if I had not caused you to despise me, there was never hope, was there? Are you anything like you pretend to be?"
Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears, and she tried to think of some way to convince him otherwise. To find some way to hold on to the hope that had newly begun to form in the past day, even knowing the nearly insurmountable history she carried.
He spoke before she had the chance. "Good day, Miss Bennet," he said tersely. He turned on his heel, leapt into his carriage without using the steps, and slammed the door behind him.
She heard him call out to his driver, and then they were down the street and gone.