Mr Darcy helped her out of the carriage. She felt utterly out of place in this grand estate. Waiting on the doorstep was an elderly woman, with two servants. The elderly woman's face when she saw Elizabeth emerge from the carriage in her filthy state, turned from joy to astonishment. Elizabeth shifted nervously on her feet. Although she felt safe at this precise moment, the silence did not fool her. The bright light bathed them in an orange glow, which filled her with some sort of reassurance. She felt unnerved as could not see past the lights that surrounded the estate. That thing was still lurking nearby she could feel it.
"Mrs Reynolds please tend to Miss Bennet's needs." Mr Darcy ordered.
The older woman stepped forward and swept Elizabeth into the house without a moment's hesitation. She marvelled at the sight of Pemberley she had never seen such a grand house, only Rosing's but she always felt that house was on display, it never had the sense of a home. She took in her surroundings as Mrs Reynolds guided her up the stairs, who was instructing the servants to prepare some clothes, but most importantly a bath. Trying her best not to feel too awkward with her position and state, she decided to pay more attention to the pictures and portraits that hung up on the walls. She memorised the layout of the house while being escorted through it, knowing that it may come in use later that night. She was a restless sleeper and she doubted she was going to be able to sleep tonight. Thinking along those lines, she formed a simple plan. She could ask where the library was, and then she would be fortunate enough to find it on her own.
Elizabeth was unaware that she was being scrutinized by Mrs Reynolds who at first was shocked by Miss Bennet's appearance was more unnerved by the girls calm state. She thought the girl to be a fortune hunter, who had purposely thrown herself at Mr Darcy, he being a gentleman would have assisted the girl in any possible way. As she led Miss Bennet to the room where her bath was being prepared, she was devising a plan in which it would involve finding out about the girl and if necessary removing her from Mr Darcy's presence. Mrs Reynolds did not like to get involved in Mr Darcy's affairs. However, she still felt as though he was still her responsibility, as though he was still that grinning five-year boy she once introduced to when she had first came here, not the sombre man he was now. Though she loved him dearly, he had not been the same since Wickham harmed, Miss Georgina. Mrs Reynolds has blamed herself as much as she blamed Miss Younge, she was a good judge of character but she had been mislead by both Wickham and Mrs Younge.
Elizabeth led her to a guest room where a bath was waiting and she was most eager to jump into it. Though it would be highly improper to dive into the bathtub, she believed she would have to, if she did not get out of her dress soon. Eventually she felt the warmth of the bath against her skin, she leaned back in ecstasy, and such a simple thing that occurred everyday made her quiver in joy. She had been so close to becoming food for a creature, not but one hour ago, it was no wonder she could find delight in a simple hot bath.
Once cleaned and dressed, she became determined to find answers about that creature and to find out where Mr Darcy was. Mrs Reynolds who was watching her as the servant finished putting the last touches in her hair, had been present the whole hour she had been getting ready. Once the servant was finished and had left them alone, Lizzy set about asking the woman before she could disappear.
"Mrs Reynolds." She called the woman's name before she had reached the door to escort Lizzy down to Mr Darcy – he can wait. She thought.
"Miss Bennet." The woman replied turning towards her. "I hope you find the dress to your satisfaction?"
The question threw Elizabeth and she could not help but laugh, she had not even noticed the dress once she had put it on. Yes, the dress was very pretty and expensive but she cared for none of that, she was in the thrill of the chase and wanted to know more about the creature lurking in the dark. Mrs Reynolds was surprised by Elizabeth's outbreak of laughter, so Lizzy set about explaining herself.
"I apologise Mrs Reynolds, I did not mean to offend you. On the contrary I find the dress very beautiful and have never worn anything quite like it." Now Mrs Reynolds seemed shocked, but she quickly disguised her emotion. "I do not know what you think of me Mrs Reynolds I can't help but imagine what you thought of my first appearance, however I have more serious question to ask and it has nothing to do with fashion."
"I understand." Mrs Reynolds said slowly, taken aback by the girl's quick wit. She suddenly warmed to the girl she cared not for fashion, if she was not a woman seeking fortune then why is she here?
"You understand?" Lizzy could not hide the doubt from her voice. "Forgive me, but I do not understand I find it hard to believe you understand."
"I think you will find that our minds are not on the same track, please I wish to know what your questions are."
"I'm not sure where to begin and I'm afraid to speak my mind for I think you'll believe me insane. However I shall convey to you how I came to meet Mr Darcy tonight and from there ask questions." Therefore, she explained to Mrs Reynolds how Elizabeth had come into Mr Darcy's presence.
The woman's face was a mixture of emotion as Elizabeth retold her tale. Shock was her first feeling, followed shortly by fear, concern then again fear. For Elizabeth did not know the terrible danger she had inflicted upon the house of Pemberley just by being here. She could not believe Mr Darcy would help the woman now that the creature had set its sights upon her, was he mad to bring the young girl here. Was he trying to doom them all?
Mrs Reynolds quite forcefully propelled Lizzy through the door of the study into the path of a pacing Mr Darcy. He looked at her with haunting eyes, as Mrs Reynolds announced them. Lizzy could not help but think if the announcement was necessary any more since they had barged into the study and he could see who they both were.
Mrs Reynolds asked for a private audience with Mr Darcy, who seemed reluctant to leave her, but did so on seeing the glare that Mrs Reynolds was now directing at him. Left alone in the study, Lizzy strode over to the table to examine the books, which had an air of abandonment about them. She looked at the first book that was open for her eyes to inspect. There was a drawing of a Griffon; the next page went into detail about the fictional creature. Did Mr Darcy believe me to stupid enough to think a Griffon chased me? She could not help but chuckle at the foolish notion. She turned her attention to the next book. A Werewolf, now she had to restrain her laugh that was threatening to break forth with force, I know there are no such creatures! She thought, or so she believed.
On sight of the third book Lizzy paused, she knew there was something strange about the creature. The sketch of the creature was not the one that had attacked her, but it drew her attention. She flicked through the pages of the book, not giving much thought to what was on the pages. She stopped her fingers ready to turn the page over; her heart had ceased beating at the sight of the drawing before her. It was the creature; the drawing was crude and revealed little other than that she had already seen. The tell tale sign of the tail. The shape of the body along with the terrible white eyes that glared out from the page at her, gave the sketch a sense of realism that she found unnerving. She read the details on the side of the page, there was little to read but what she did read caused her body to tremble in fear and her heart to begin to pulse rapidly against her rib cage.
"The creature?" Mr Darcy questioned, his warm breath whispered against her ear, sending more shivers down her spine. She nodded slightly.
He stood inches behind her, peering over her shoulder at the book she held in her hand, not caring for the improper closeness they both found themselves in. There was nothing proper about this and the thought that Elizabeth might have been killed only hours before, only heightened his lust for her. He took in her scent as she tried to read the book in her hands, though she found it difficult to concentrate with him in such a close proximity to her. She stiffened as she read the last small chapter, lost for thought, Mr Darcy knew where this was going to lead to and stepped slightly away from her, to allow her space and the room to turn and look him in the eyes.
"Mr Darcy..." she began but she became lost for words when she saw the musket he was carrying.
"We must be ready." He said following her gaze that had dropped to the gun in his hand. "I see you have found my father's journal."
"Your father's?" she asked looking down to the journal in her hands.
"Indeed he took great enjoyment in recording mythological creatures of course he never truly believed in them he would always fantasize about what these creatures would be like if they were real. Unfortunately he met such creature while out in the dark, he was not as fortunate as you."
"Your father was killed by the creature that attacked me?"
"Indeed he was, it made little sense for the creature to kill him, but it was done none the less." He glanced outside the window as though expecting the creature to appear.
"From your father's research, his says the creature only ever attacks one victim except on one occasion, but the journal ended there."
"The journal ended because my father was not able to finish his research. Before my father's death a man called Mr Bridge became prey to the creature in question, he managed to escape. Nevertheless, it seemed that the creature was not through with him. It abandoned its attempts to kill Mr Bridge as the man found safety in a tavern." Mr Darcy informed her; he gently took the book from her and settled in on the shelf in safety.
"Like when I came across you, the creature did not attack us?"
"Very much so." Mr Darcy agreed.
"Then the man survived?" She asked hopeful.
Mr Darcy met her eyes. "I'm afraid not."
"Then pray tell me what happened. I must know." She demanded, he shifted uneasy, probably does not wish to frighten me. She thought to herself. "Mr Darcy since my life is at stake, I demand to be told the whole story and not teased with these little trifles of information." She snapped.
Slightly stunned by her tone of voice he enlightened her with the gruesome story. "On reaching the tavern, he believed himself to be safe; he was a creditor from Lambton, a very respectable man everyone knew who he was. Though the Tavern was near empty when he arrived, he was able to procure protection from those present. My father included. It appeared that he was safe, this was a delusion and an hour and half after the attack the creature returned, striking anybody who stood to defend Mr Bridge. Fortunately, my father survived the attack, but did no manage to return home. His carriage was forced off the road later that night on the way home, he entrusted his journal to his stewed, who he had told to stay hidden and to relate his tale. My father believed he had a theory to what this creature was I am afraid I did not decipher his journal and I cannot see what these attacks have in common. Many people stray out at night especially from the tavern, but only few have ever been attacked."
Elizabeth was unsure how to react to the story, she dropped on to a seat. Not only would her being here bring death to those who would protect her. Nevertheless, Mr Darcy was aware of this and yet he had saved her from that creature, he could have left her out in the dark. She felt sick at the thought that people would die needlessly for her.
"I know that was a gruesome story and I am sorry to bring you pain." He said.
"You knew the risks and yet you are happy to allow me entry to your home, to risk your life and your servant's sir?" She stated, confused at his actions.
"Those servants who do not wish to risk their lives have been taken down below to the servant quarters, those remaining are waiting."
"Waiting, sir?"
"Miss Benet, the creature is coming."