AN: I am sorry that I haven't updated this story in a while. As stated before, I have not passed this work though an editor, so any mistakes are mine. I also intended to finish this story while a way on my cruise, however it's turn into an epic. I though this would be the last chapter, but, well, it seems complications are about to occur that will make it at least twice that long. I hope you don't mind.
"Jane," Lizzy whispered as the sisters climbed the staircase on this, their last night at Netherfield, "I confess, I visited Mama's room the first night we were in residence together."
"Mr. Bingley has let the house," Jane sounded unhappy at her sister's impropriety. "It is not yet yours to do with as you please, Lizzy."
"I could not resist when the fever visited you, Jane. Truly, all I could think of was how Mama tended to us as children when such any affliction made us ill," she responded.
"I remember," Jane sounded wretched. "I so much wished she would come through the door and sit at my bedside. You would come into my room, if you were not there already, and we would spend the night together. Oh, Lizzy, I miss her more than I should, for I know my loyalty must lay with Mama Bennet."
"As do I," Elizabeth said. "I own I have found it difficult, these last five years, returning to live at Longbourn, a house I remember only for Sunday lunch and parent's I have little attachment to."
"Surely, the time you spend with Papa, in his book room has aided your transition," Jane commented, a little concerned. "I remember you returning to Longbourn in the days after Mama passed. Papa took pity on you, offering the sanctuary of his novels, so you might grieve without Mama Bennet's interference."
Miss Bennet had been recalled to Longbourn two years prior to Elizabeth joining her. Mama Bennet insisted her girls return at fifteen, so she could prepare them for their coming out. Lady Elizabeth did not believe a young lady should enter society so early, and never to ensure the comfort of their mother in her widowhood. Although she had reluctantly released Jane to Longbourn, Lady Elizabeth refused to allow her Goddaughter to return at the tender age of thirteen, for she had long reaching plans for the young woman.
"By the middle of next year, Netherfield shall be mine to do with as I please," Elizabeth responded with an uplifting smile. She could not wait for the freedom of owning her own home. "Oh, Jane, there were so many memories that poured forth from my mind, even when walking in the gardens. I could not help myself, going up the servants' stairs and remembering. I visited twice on my first night here. No one saw me." Lizzy crossed her fingers behind her back, knowing this to be the truth. Yet, someone had entered Lady Elizabeth's chamber. Realising she could have been caught, it had stopped Elizabeth attempting another visit.
"Promise me, you shall not go again," Jane demanded. Taking her sister's hand in hers, they entered Jane's chamber, where they no longer had to whisper.
"I cannot," Lizzy did not want to lie, yet to make such an undertaking would be impossible. "I will wait until the house is abed before I attempt it. Either way, we must return home on the morrow. I will send a note to Papa and call for the carriage. Oh, Jane, if I stay any longer in this house and I shall not wish to leave."
"Be careful, Lizzy," Jane's worry permeated her tone. "All in Meryton and the surrounds remember Lady Elizabeth and her kindness to us. Although we were but children and not yet out, several families knew of our situation. Mama Bennet and Aunt Phillips, for once in their life, did not gossip, but praised Lady Elizabeth for the care she lavished on her Goddaughter. It will not be long before Mr. Bingley knows of your association with Netherfield. Fostering might occur in the highest circles, but is not often done in Hertfordshire."
"I shall be careful," Lizzy kissed her sister's forehead. "I shall knock on your door when I am done so you may stop worrying."
Returning to her room, Lizzy allowed Bartley to ready her for bed. Climbing beneath the covers, Elizabeth recalled the many happy hours of childhood spent in this chamber. One of her fondest memories occurred at age seven, when she was allowed out of the nursery on the other side of the house. Her birthday present had been the presentation of her own bedchamber. Better still, it had an incredible prospect of Oakham Mount and was situated beside her beloved sister's room. That first night, alone in the large bed chamber, Elizabeth Bennet felt frightened. Jane appeared from the servant's door, furthering terrifying the upset girl. Together they climbed the steps to their Mama's chamber.
"I wondered how long it would take for you to arrive," Lady Elizabeth stated calmly. Seated by the fire in her sitting room, she dismissed her maid. "Come Little Lizzy and Jane-girl, we shall all fit in the big bed. But, tomorrow night you must promise to remain in your own."
"What if there is lightning?" requested Elizabeth.
A wide smile broke out on Lady Elizabeth's lips. "Then I shall allow you to break that promise."
Pleased at the remembrance, Lizzy dosed. The flash of lightning across the sky woke her suddenly. No longer afraid, she sighed, seeing the unexpected light as an omen. It was time to go and revisit her happy childhood and come to terms with the last memory of this house. On that night, when Lady Elizabeth took her last breath, Lizzy's fate had been sealed. She would need to wait six year before returning to Netherfield, when she would become the legal owner of the estate. Until then, the income would be amassed to await her coming of age.
With these melancholy thoughts, Elizabeth jumped out of bed. Placing her robe about her shoulders and a shawl on top, she felt warm enough to brave the cool night air. Following a much-worn path with a new candle, she easily made the journey up the stairs. Pushing the wood panelling aside, Lizzy once again entered her Mama's bed chamber. The scent of roses and wood smoke hit her olfactory nerves. The smell grated as it was not a favourite of Lady Elizabeth. She preferred lavender or jasmine.
Surprisingly, a fire had been set in the grate. Now blanketed, a soft, defuse light cascaded into Lady Elizabeth's bed chamber and, presumably, her private sitting room beyond. The two spaces shared the single chimney, yet Lizzy could only glimpse the leg of a settee softly illuminated by the flickering flame framing the fireplace. Blowing out her candle, she drank in every detail denied her on that last visit.
"Miss Elizabeth," a whisper reached her ears.
"I think I have gone mad," Lizzy stated, looking around the space and finding no one. Yet the fire required servants to be set and lit. Someone had uncovered this chamber and taken care to keep the flames burning. More curious than afraid, Elizabeth ventured further into the room. She needed to know who had invaded the space of her much-loved Mama.
"Who is there?" she asked accusingly, a sudden anger springing from the sadness encompassing her heart.
"Be not alarmed," the voice came again, this time she could distinguish the direction.
Cautiously, Elizabeth approached the door connecting the bedroom to the sitting room. Biting her lower lip with indecision, she gathered her courage. Anyone who took the time and effort to warm and light this chamber, had to at least suspect her connection. It now became imperative know how much of her history had been uncovered. Worried more for her future and less of her respectability, Lizzy carefully pushed the door open and peered through the crack. Empty, at least from her limited view, she could see no one on the other side. Standing to her full height, Miss Elizabeth Bennet decided to meet her fate head on. Boldly she stepped into the unknown, not caring for her reputation.
"Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Darcy stood behind the door. Fully dressed, he had not yet retired for the night, hoping this young woman might appear and answer his many questions.
"It seems," Lizzy enunciated guardedly while pulling her shawl closer, "you have me at a disadvantage, Sir."
"So it would seem," Darcy responded with a thoughtful smile. "You need not fear for your reputation, or that I might compromise you, Madam. I have taken pains to ensure there are no servants about at this late hour. Indeed, I have moved to this floor to maintain my own respectability."
"Nothing could be further from my mind," Lizzy returned, still clutching her shawl.
Taking Mr. Darcy's words at face value, Lizzy placed meaning on them. It seemed he did not want to risk the reputation of two young women staying on the same floor, or have Miss Bingley unwarranted visit to his rooms. She knew Miss Bingley had become desperate enough to compromise Mr. Darcy, given the opportunity. Yet, the sudden and shocking thought entered Lizzy mind, should anyone walk in on them, they would be forced to marry. This assumption drained all the blood from Elizabeth face and made her legs weak. In such a case, Mr. Darcy, or man whom she married would take Netherfield from her.
"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy swooped in, catching the woman before she fell. Shocked at her pallor, and the unaccountable tears falling down her cheeks, he led her to chaise. "What has happened. You look as though you have seen a ghost."
Watching her reactions closely, large hazel eyes that he admired so much turned on him. Glistening with unshed sorrow, Lizzy muttered, "I believe I now know how Lady Elizabeth felt when her father refused his permission to marry the man she loved and insisted she marry is heir instead."
This, Darcy's mind exploded in rage, is the missing piece I require. Now the express I received from Mr. Forayer late this evening makes sense. But that I did not have to wait like a thief in the night to have my theory proved correct. Linley shall be here tomorrow, for there is more at stake than Miss Elizabeth could ever imagine.
Ensuring a foot of space between them, Darcy asked softly, "will you not tell me your troubles."
"I suspect," Elizabeth's head came up, their eyes meeting. Strangely she did not feel the shame she should have, being in the presence of a man, not of her family, late at night in an isolated part of the house. It had been so long since anyone showed sympathy to Lizzy, she felt rather overwhelmed Mr. Darcy should be the only person to be kind to her. "You know as much as anyone has the right to know."
"I suspect," Darcy responded in a similar tone, "in the retelling, you will find resolution."
"You may be correct, Sir," Lizzy managed a wain smile as she dried her eyes on her sleeve.
Letting out a groan, Darcy reached into his pocket for his handkerchief. Handing it to Miss Elizabeth, he suspected she would require it very soon. The unshed tears remained in her fine eyes.
"Lady Elizabeth Forbes was the only child of the Earl of Rutledge. As such the Earldom was to pass to a distant cousin. Not such a dissimilar story to the Bennet's, is it Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth did not know where she received the energy to tease. Perhaps it only delayed the inevitable sorrow.
For his part, Darcy remained silent, understanding her wit to be rhetorical. Yet he demonstrated his understanding by a nod of his head. Encouraging her to continue, Darcy did the unthinkable. As if she were Georgiana, his younger sister, he held her hand and squeezed to give encouragement and strength so she might endure.
"Like my father, Lord Forbes intended his daughter to marry his heir and keep the family estate. You see, Lady Elizabeth fell in love with a young sailor on the cusp of her coming out. Of course, Lord Forbes would not allow his daughter to consider such a union. The young man had neither wealth nor connections. Captain Axley left England to make his fortune. Mama, that is to say Lady Elizabeth refused to be presented unless her wish to marry for love was granted. When her father flatly refused, she could not wait for her majority and the freedom it would bring, as well as her mother's fortune. Captain Axley returned to England a month before Lady Elizabeth's majority, having made his fortune. They anticipated their wedding vows, only to find Captain Axley's leave cancelled. Mama, believed her father behind this act."
"He never returned," Darcy stated. Twice now, Miss Elizabeth had referred to Lady Elizabeth as Mama. Could she be the illegitimate daughter? He speculated, as it would explain so much. Yet Elizabeth disabused him of that notion with her next sentence.
"I see what you are thinking, Sir. Mama introduced Miss Grayson to her husband, a man of consequence whose estate had been gambled away by his father. The dowry from Netherfield's sale aided the marriage and gave Lady Elizabeth a country home far from the prying eyes of her father. Mama's son was born very early in her tenure at Netherfield and passed almost immediately. Lord Forbes managed to keep the sordid affair from the social elite as his daughter had moved into her country estate after publicly refusing the hand of Viscount Linley. As Mama had little time for anyone associated with her father or his circle, she cared not."
"Mama Bennet and Lady Elizabeth could never be more than acquaintances with their very different characters. I do not know why Mama Bennet allowed Lady Elizbeth be become my godmother. I suspect Mama transferred the love she could not demonstrate towards her lost son to me. In temperament, I believe we are similar, which fortified the bond. When Mama Bennet struggled with three daughters and a fourth confinement, Mama convinced her to foster her girls out, promising to raise them."
"Lady Elizabeth became you surrogate mother," Darcy guessed.
"Yes. I returned to Longbourn only after her passing," at those words, Elizabeth's tears, held at bay so long, broke free.
"I grieve for your loss, Miss Bennet," Darcy stated. He knew what is was to lose not one but two parents.
Nodding, Lizzy held the borrowed handkerchief to her eyes. "Papa allowed us to remain for the entirety of our childhood on the condition Jane and I return after Sunday services and dine with our parents each week. Mama would come in her grand coach and return us to Netherfield as the sun set. Jane and I spent many happy years in this house."
"With frequent trips to London," Darcy added.
"Yes," Lizzy managed to untangle her hand from his, now the worst of the sadness had been expelled. Strangely, telling of her unconventional childhood relieved some of the heartache as Mr. Darcy seemed to understand. "Mama always gave us some excuse. I was thirteen before I understood it was to check on her investments and give Jane and I the pleasure of the masters. I remember that summer, Lady Pembroke and her son, Viscount Linley came to stay for some weeks."
"Miss Elizabeth," Darcy knew this would prove to be one of the most difficult confessions. "will you not trust me with the entire truth, now you have conceded so much?"
"He is to be Jane's husband, if she is not married for love before she turns three and twenty," Lizzy's voice broke. "You see, Mr. Bingley is her last chance to find a suitable man on her own. On the eleventh day of June next year, she will travel to London and meet her soon to be relations. One month later, she will marry and become the Countess Rutledge in time."
"And so the cycle repeats," Darcy could not but see the irony, even if he had the wrong sister.
"Yes," Lizzy swallowed hard, "and no. I have meet Viscount Linley many times while staying with my Aunt and Uncle in Cheapside. He is an amiable young man, unlike his father. The Earldom will do well under his instruction. When Mama refused the position of Countess, she wished a woman of good sense to take her place. Lady Elizabeth found a woman who would maintain appearances and keep the estate solvent, even whilst married to Lord Pembroke. I understand the Current Earl is not much longer for this world and his son, for all intent and purpose, has been managing as best he can."
"What is his price for your sister," Darcy hated to ask the question, but felt it must have a bearing on this sordid tale. "It cannot be below fifty thousand pounds."
"It is not," Lizzy answered, "although if she marries for love, her dowry is only fifteen thousand. Jane knows nothing of these particulars and Mama tied the principle in investments that mature slightly before our combined birthdays."
"I assume you are to inherit Netherfield next June," Darcy stated, attempting to digest all this information. "I suspect you will take the remainder of the investments no matter who your sister weds?"
"Mama always said, 'Jane-girl, you are destine to marry, bear a brood of children and be happy no matter your situation in life. It is your duty for you character is such." I scare disagree, for Jane has such a sweet temper and cannot think ill of anyone."
"Then Miss Bennet loves Bingley?" Darcy finally tied the distraught woman's threads into a comprehensible fact.
"My sister is a fair way to being in love with him," Lizzy truly looked into Mr. Darcy's eyes and noticed the sincerity there. "I hope I have not misjudged you. Jane and Mr. Bingley must find their way to each other without our aid or obstruction."
Waring within himself, Darcy felt he must tell the truth. "Miss Elizabeth, we may soon be cousins through marriage, if Miss Bennet is to wed Lord Linley. He is my cousin, the son of my father's sister, Lady Pembroke."
Understanding how Mr. Darcy's suspicions might have arisen, and why he stared at her, Elizabeth found a curiously sad smile covering her lips. "Oh, it is a tangled web we weave, is it not Mr. Darcy?"
"I confess, Miss Elizabeth," he found the words tumbling from his tongue, "I though you my cousin's prospective bride and that you would do well together. Linley has known of his betrothal for many years. It was the dearest wish of his mother, to unite Lady Elizabeth's Godchildren in matrimony and save what is left of the Earldom."
"Oh," her eyes opened wide in shock.
"There is more at stake than you can know," Darcy stated. "Lady Elizabeth Forbes was wise not to marry the current Earl of Rutledge. He is a man of weak character and weaker morals."
"It is as Mama feared," Lizzy cried, standing to pace the floor. "He has all but bankrupted the Earldom, even with the good sense of Lady Pembroke to moderate his actions."
"It is fortunate my cousin has the wisdom of his Mother's Darcy blood and access to my father's teaching on how to manage an estate. Linley shall be a good master," Darcy pronounced, "and bring Rutledge back to their former glory, just as Lady Elizabeth wished."
The pair fell into an uncomfortable silence until the clock struck two am, when Elizabeth knew she must go. Bidding Mr. Darcy a good night, she rushed to the servants' door and slipped through. She had much to think on. It would be another sleepless night, while Lizzy considered all she had learnt.
Jane, she suddenly realised, is not Lady Elizabeth's Goddaughter, so how could Lady Pembroke wish to unite Mama's Godchildren? That would mean…
"Lizzy," Jane whispered, sleep still clouding her mind, "is that you?"
"Oh, Jane," Elizabeth went to her sister. Throwing off her wrap and gown, she climbed under the blankets. "I should not have gone to Mama's chamber's tonight. I know you are too good to say I told you so."
"Sleep, Lizzy," Jane soothed, much as she had when they were children, "it will all look brighter in the morning."
So Darcy is now aware of the truth, or at least he believes so. I am working as fast as I can to complete this, but cannot contract to a posting schedule as I write when real life allows me. These days that is not that often.