Mr Darcy My Saviour
Last time: Darcy turned Aznavour towards Netherfield and urged him on at full pelt, once again.
Lizzie was stopped halfway to her home by Mr. Heralds. He stepped in her way as she was running past the forest trail. He grabbed Lizzie around the waist as she passed. Her nervousness and emotions were causing her to feel light headed. What does he want? Lizzie thought, frightened beyond measure.
"You're so beautiful Miss Bennet. No wonder Monster Darcy is falling for you." He nuzzled her neck and smelt her hair. "Beautiful." Lizzie felt everything building up inside her. Fear, wonder, hurt, nervousness and other emotions; what is going to happen? Maybe mama was right!
"What do you want, sir?" Lizzie's voice trembled as she tried to not make any sudden movements. Her eyes suddenly landed on a discarded branch. It was a thick branch.
"Well, that's easy, Miss Bennet, I want you." As the young man, who she had known since their birth, said that he made a mistake of loosening his grip on her waist. She quickly grabbed the branch, which was lighter than expected, and struck the disgusting man over the head with it and knocked him down to the floor.
Lizzie took her chance and ran the opposite direction to her home. Lizzie looked behind her to see the man still on the floor, but gradually getting up, so she ran faster. It was not until she reached the grounds of Netherfield that she finally stopped, thinking she was safe.
She stayed away from the house, in the brush, a mile north of the Bingley's home. And away from Mr. Darcy… As Lizzie thought this she was grabbed from behind and brought to someone's chest.
"Did you really think you would get away from me that easily?" Mr. Heralds whispered in her ear. A shiver shook through Lizzie's body, not a pleasurable shiver though. A shiver that shows a person knows what is going to happen to them. It was a shiver of realization.
"I'm sorry." Lizzie sobbed to him, begging that he would stop. "Please. Stop. I am sorry." Heralds chucked Lizzie to the floor in a way that ensured that she was facing him, and started striking her body ferociously with his feet. Lizzie screamed and screamed, but to no avail.
He pinned her down with his body and kissed her mouth to silence her. Lizzie struggled against him, but she could not free herself. Is he going to…? Why does this happen to me? Lizzie asked herself as Heralds began undressing her body. No. Please, no! Lizzie screamed in her head. She began slapping the man around the face, however, he connected his fist to her face and Lizzie's thoughts went blank and her world slipped into darkness.
"Let's see if that posh pig wants you now that you are tainted." Heralds whispered to the mangled body that lay in front of him. He quickly runs off at the sound of a carriage, leaving her body, and giving himself a victory, pat on the back as he entered the woods.
Jane woke early that morning, at 30 minutes past 7, to look through the garden for some flowers to brighten up Longbourn House.
Lizzie was not in her room when Jane knocked, thus, Jane could only assume that her younger sister had gone for a walk. When Jane asked Lizzie's lady's maid, the maid said that her mistress left at sunrise, which is around six o'clock Jane thought absently. Elizabeth had promised to be back shortly, but she had not returned as of yet. Jane did not find this unusual, Lizzie often left in that hour to avoid Mrs Bennet's "incessant lecturing", as Lizzie often said.
Jane saw some beautiful flowers just beginning to bloom and walked to them. She knelt down and touched the plants and felt the soft petals against her hand. The feel reminded her of the softness of a new baby's skin.
Mrs. Bennet was awoken at 10 to 12 in the morning by the incessant light that flowed through her ornate glass window. The light caused the colourful glass to cast rainbow patterns across her bedroom floor and bed, thus, waking her up.
Mrs. Bennet entered her washroom and was met by her lady's maid, whose face was consumed by a worried expression. "What is the matter, Helen? You seem worried…" Mrs. Bennet sat on the stool opposite her vanity mirror and watched the maid as she came to attend her Mistress.
"Out with it, Girl! It will not do to keep me in suspense." Mrs Bennet chided the girl of seventeen.
The girl's hands were noticeable shaking as she brushed her mistress's hair and tears began stinging the girl's eyes. How could she tell her mistress that one of her daughters had not returned from her morning walk? Sure, the whole household knew that Miss Lizzie spends ages on her morning walks to avoid Mrs Bennet's incessant nagging. However, she has never been gone for more than two hours and that is what has worried the maids.
"Miss Elizabeth is not here, madam." The young girl began and she watched as confusion crossed her mistress's face.
"That is not unusual child. Lizzie is forever going on walks, which I bid her not to do. She will not be gone for more than two hours." The older woman stated with a roll of her bloodshot eyes. Mrs. Bennet was completely convinced by her own statement that she did not notice the hesitant look on Helen's face. She did notice, however, that the girl had stopped combing her hair.
Mrs. Bennet rose and turned around with anger marring her features. Mrs Bennet snatched the hairbrush out of the girl's hands and placed it down on the vanity with a thud. "What are you not telling me, Helen?"
Helen had never seen her mistress so enraged before and she knew she could no longer hide the truth. "I believe it is better coming from Tulip, Elizabeth's maid, she knows more than I." Mrs. Bennet huffed; never before had she told what to do by a servant. With this thought Mrs. Bennet hurried into her lounging attire and exited her washroom.
Mrs. Bennet was fuming by the time she reached the Lizzie's room. The lady was half expecting her daughter to be in bed, but was disappointed when all she saw was Lizzie's distressed maid.
"Where is my daughter, Tulip?" Mrs Bennet ordered the girl.
"She went for a walk this morning at sunrise which, at this time of year, is six o'clock. That means Miss Elizabeth has been gone for, roughly, five and a half hours; never has she stayed out this late unless…" Tulip cut off, as a lump rose in her throat and her heart filled with dread.
"Something had happened to her." Mrs. Bennet finished for her. "My poor child. Oh my- I feel faint." Mrs Bennet clasped her hand over her mouth and felt palpitations begin to take hold of her. Her mind spun with so many different scenarios that could have befallen her daughter and all ended up with terrible consequences. Mrs. Bennet fell to her knees, with her hand still clasped over her mouth, and began to sob loudly. She felt as though her heart had been ripped from her chest as her fright threatened to consume her.
"Mrs. Bennet, Madam, are you okay?" Mrs. Bennet shook her head as it became difficult for her to gain her breath.
The housekeeper, Mrs. Hill, entered the room to see what all the fuss was about and saw her mistress on the floor weeping and unable to catch her breath. "Tulip, kindly go and fetch Mrs. Bennet's smelling salts and then go and see if you can locate Miss Bennet. I believe that she may be somewhat of a solace for Mrs. Bennet at this moment in time." Tulip nodded and ran from the room. She located her Mistresses smelling salts and sent Mrs. Bennet's lady's maid to give them to Mrs. Hill. Tulip then ran to the garden to locate Jane.
The fair lady was lost in thought as she roamed the extensive garden of Longbourn, until she heard a voice.
"Miss Bennet?" Lizzie's maid called to Jane. Jane looked up and smiled at the girl. "Your mother would like to see you. It is urgent." Jane nodded and slowly got up and made her way to the house.
Maybe Lizzie had returned Jane thought.
"Yes mama?" Jane asked Mrs. Bennet.
At this time Mrs. Hill had managed to get the lady into the parlor and into her favorite chair. It should not come as a shock that Mrs. Bennet was, once again, complaining about her nerves. Never before had Jane seen her mother this wound up.
"Oh Jane! Lizzie is gone. I do not know where she is. I am worried, Jane." Mrs. Bennet fluffed her handkerchief against her face to cool her countenance down. Why does Lizzie do this to me? Mrs. Bennet thought as she tried to calm herself down.
Jane was starting to get a little worried now as well. Lizzie never stays this late on a walk. Jane looked at the clock and realized that it was Midday. Did I really spend that much time looking at one flower? Jane asked herself. Her mind was shrouded with thoughts at the time, thoughts about Mr. Bingley. She had to admit that she was prone to spend hours lost in her thoughts when thinking about Mr. Bingley.
"Mama, I heard that Lizzie had gone for a walk at sunrise. I assumed she was back when I entered the house." Jane stated to her mother.
"I had been told that as well. But here we are and… Well… She's not here." Mrs. Bennet replied to her eldest daughter.
"Does Papa know?" Jane asked her mother.
Mrs. Bennet shook her head, "Mr. Bennet has himself locked in his library."
"I will go and inform him. Is he in the Library, Mama?" Mrs. Bennet nodded her head, as she could not speak, due to her throat closing.
"We will find her, Mama. I promise." Jane guaranteed as she left to find Mr. Bennet.
What if something had happened to Lizzie on her walk? I could not bear to lose her. Why has she never listened to Mama? Lizzie is very emotional at the moment due to being on her… Lady cycles… I have noticed she was more emotional this month, however. Almost as if she is suffering from melancholia. Jane worried the matter further.
Jane has always told Lizzie to tell mama when her cycles are on. However, Lizzie keeps her cycles a secret from Mrs. Bennet because she is afraid she would be assigned to bed and would not be allowed to leave it until her cycles were finished. Lizzie often said to Jane; "Jane, I do not want to be a prisoner to my own bed. I want freedom."
What if she is in trouble…? What if she is expecting and has run away out of fear? That would explain her emotional imbalance. Jane's thoughts were almost hysterical with worry as she wondered where on Earth her dearest sister could be.
No, that is silly Jane. Lizzie would have told you if she was expecting and you know she is also a very sensible young woman. You need to have faith in her. Jane's conscience reasoned with her as her thoughts, edged ludicrousness.
Mr. Bennet was sitting by his fire reading a book of Astrology when a knock interrupted his tranquil silence. Mr. Bennet rose to his aching feet and made the walk to his study door. When he opened the door, he was welcomed by the face of a very distraught Jane.
"Papa, Lizzie is missing." Jane revealed to her Father who seemed to age a hundred years as he took in her news.
Shock ran through Mr. Bennet's ancient body and it very nearly collapsed from the intensity of his fear. Seeing this Jane lead her father to a seat for him to sit down in and got him a glass of brandy.
Mrs. Bennet entered Mr. Bennet's study and broke into tears. Mr Bennet reached for his wife and they comforted each other until the rest of his daughters entered the room. They were ignorant of what was going on. They had not been told anything. They had just followed the sounds of weeping, which came from their father's study, to find out what had happened. They assumed it was only their mother weeping, however, when it turned out to be their father too, they were not prepared.
"What has happened, Papa?" Mary asked her father as she clutched to her bible. Mr. Bennet was about to reply when there was a knock at the Main door.
Mrs. Bennet looked at the clock on the mantel of the fireplace. It was only 1 o'clock in the afternoon. "Who is it? Are any of you expecting anyone?" Mrs. Bennet asked her daughters; all of them shook their heads. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet looked at each other with the same question in their eyes: Is it Lizzie?
Mrs. Bennet rose to her feet and ran to the front door; Mr. Bennet followed.
Mrs. Hill opened the door and the visitor was greeted with the image of a hopeful Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
Bingley watched as their faces dropped and watched Mrs. Bennet become distraught. She excused herself and went to her chamber. Mr. Bennet invited Bingley in and took him to the living room.
Jane had placed herself in the seat by the window hoping she could see Lizzie walking through the gardens. She turned from her post when she heard the door open.
Lydia and Kitty both stood upon the entrance of their dear Papa and Mr. Bingley. Jane's body sunk as disappointment hit her like a stack of books.
I guess it wasn't Lizzie. Jane began to cry for her younger sister. Never has she been away this long, never. Lizzie where are you? Jane's thoughts cried. She, of course, did not receive an answer.
Bingley was watching Jane as he entered the room and he couldn't help but notice the disappointment. Is she expecting someone else? Bingley began to think that she didn't want him here. However, when she began crying, he knew it wasn't for another suitor that failed to turn up on time. It was something of great importance. He did not like seeing his angel cry. Angels should not feel sad, only happiness.
"Papa, what is going on?" Lydia cried at her father, she was getting desperate. Where is Lizzie? She will sort this out. Lizzie always does. Lydia thought as she and Kitty looked at their normally strong Papa and emotionally distraught sister.
"Lizzie…" Mr. Bennet began, but was cut off by a clogged throat. Tears sprang from his eyes and spread over his wrinkled cheeks. The younger sisters began to panic.
Lizzie? What is wrong with Lizzie? Kitty thought in a panic.
Has she been hurt? Is she dead? Lydia thought hysterically.
Lizzie? Dear God on high! Please be safe sister. Please. Our father in heaven, watch over our sister no matter what her circumstance. Mary's thoughts prayed.
"Lizzie is missing. She has been missing since early sunrise. She told her lady's maid that she will be back shortly, however she has not returned for several hours." Jane said to help her father. The whole room went silent and then several sobs broke out around the room. Jane finally looked at their visitor properly; maybe this was not the best idea to tell the news in front of Mr. Bingley, Jane thought solemnly.
"We must begin a search. She cannot be far. Do we know which way she took?" Jane shook her head at Bingley. Bingley looked to Mr. Bennet, who was already half way out of the door, and ran after him.
Mr. Bennett made his way to the stable and had a horse saddled. He told the stable boys to get a horse, if there are not enough horses, the rest will have to walk, and search the grounds for Elizabeth. "Jimmy!" Mr. Bennet called to a young boy who was standing at the stable door.
The boy came scattering over to Mr. Bennet. "Fetch as many male staff from the house as you can and tell them to help scour the land. I will to Meryton and get as much help as I can. After you have completed my order I want you to go and sit with my daughters. To keep them company. Now go!" Mr. Bennet urged his horse out of the stable.
Meanwhile, Jane had entered the courtyard as Mr. Bennet had entered the stable. Mr. Bingley had one of his carriage horses taken off of the carriage and had it saddled. Jane walked to him and touched his shoulder. Bingley turned at the touch and saw his angel looking at him with sad eyes.
"Find her and keep safe." She whispered to him and then walked to her father who had just left the stable.
"Jane, you must stay here and look after your sisters and your mother. I have asked Jimmy to come and sit with you. I promise to send someone if we find anything." He kissed her head and led the men to the gates.
"Be careful, Papa!" Jane called to him.
Bingley came to her side and whispered "I will look after him." Then rode off with the other men trailing behind.
Jane entered the house and went to the parlour, upon entering she found her sisters, Lydia and Kitty, sitting and crying in a huddle. Mary was rocking back and forth as she clutched her bible to her bosom, and recited the Lord's Prayer under her breath. Jane sighed and gathered her two youngest siblings in a hug for comfort and reached for Mary, who gladly welcomed the embrace.
Jane whispered "They will find her and everything shall be better."
Lydia and kitty clutched Jane's waist tighter and Jane hugged Mary tighter to her shoulder.
Mrs. Bennet walked in and Jane opened her arms to her mother who ran into the hug. Their sobbing frames made Jane feel weak and vulnerable because Lizzie is normally here to help her. I hope they find her soon. Jane thought as she continued to comfort her family.
Jimmy entered the room shortly after Mrs. Bennet and clung to the large chest of draws that stood in the doorway. He did not want to admit that he was scared for Miss Lizzie, but knew that he could not deny it. He was too infatuated with her for any denial of such things. I wish I could help the search… But I promised Mr. Bennet that I would look after his girls and that is what I shall do. Hopefully they find her soon.
Bingley came crashing through the doors of Netherfield, after three hours of searching for Miss Bennet, with a terrified look on his face. He brought a concerned Darcy and a confused Mrs. Winter, the housekeeper, into his study. Darcy watched as his, normally jolly, friend collapsed into a chair exhaustedly. Darcy began to feel worried as he noticed his friend's eyes begin to water.
"What is it, Bingley?" Darcy asked agitatedly. He had never seen his friend act like this.
Bingley sighed and felt the tears leave his eyes. He already felt a brotherly bond towards Miss Bennet and he was so worried about her. It didn't help things that a thunderstorm had just begun. Thunder roared, lightning crashed, and rain pounded with a deadly vengeance confirming that something dreadful is afoot. Bingley looked at his friend and housekeeper with sorrowful eyes. "Miss Bennet is missing."
Mrs. Winter covered her mouth as she began to cry. The Bennet's were a well-respected family throughout Hertfordshire and the thought of one of the counties gems going missing is a desperate issue. "How long, sir?" Mrs Winter asked as she removed her hands.
"Yes Bingley, How long? I am sure Jane could not have gone far…" Darcy tried to reason with Bingley. Darcy assumed it to be Jane because Bingley appeared so lost.
Bingley shook his head. "It is not Jane, who is missing… It is Elizabeth. She has been missing since sunrise this morning." Bingley watched as Darcy's façade broke and his face crumpled in anguish.
"I saw her this morning though, and she seemed fine. More than fine, even! I- I don't… Understand." Darcy said as he felt his wall come crashing down. It was his fault. He should never have been rude to her. He should have seen her home safe instead of running away from her. He should have protected her from this outcome. Why was I so blinded by past mistakes? From the moment I saw her I convinced myself that she was going to be a mistake. But time proved that she was not. It proved to make me even more attracted to her. I am a sorry excuse of a man. Darcy reprimanded himself. I need to save her and prove to her that I actually have a soul. I could not bear it if she thinks of me as a man without a soul. However, I would not be surprised because I wasn't showing her any different. Darcy thought as he hobbled out of the room and down the stairs to the great door. One question filled his head as he limped his way down to the stables and that was; why would she leave?
"Darcy! Where are you going?" Bingley called as he followed his friend to the stables. Thunder and lightning crashed again. Darcy grabbed his horse and mounted it. Thankfully the reigns had been kept on since his ride earlier, however… the horse wasn't saddled.
"I am going to find her, Bingley. I can't help but feel this is my fault." Darcy looked to his friend and broke his façade once again and this time he kept it down. It was time to face his fears. "I am worried Bingley and I am terrified for her safety. What condition may I find her in, if I find her at all?"
Recognition swept over the Bingley's face. "You love her." He stated as he revealed the unvarnished truth of Darcy's feelings.
"I do not know, Bingley; but I hope, and want the chance, to figure that out." Darcy admitted to his friend. "I have been a complete codger. I have pushed her away by insulting her, both inside my head and out in the open. My past disappointments caused me to be completely rude to her and all she has ever done is smile at me or help me. I am a complete fool." Darcy lets go of Aznavour's reigns and buried his face in his hand.
Bingley had never seen this powerful man look so helpless; except once when Darcy had come back from Ramsgate. "I am certainly not going to counteract that statement. Go. I will wait for your return in my study." Darcy nodded and urged his horse out of the stable and rushed across the grass in the ever pounding rain.
He thought of only one thing the whole way; I will find you, my Elizabeth. I will find you.