The sun was setting on Grosvenor square when Lord Fenwick's carriage arrived back at its' home. Elizabeth was asleep on one seat, and Henry gently tried to wake her. "Dearest, I am going inside to speak to Fenwick and Bingley. Please, wait here for me."
Elizabeth nodded sleepily and shut her eyes once more.
Henry was greeted by Lord Fenwick. "Where is he?" Demanded Henry.
"In my study, accompanied by your friend Mr Bingley." Replied Fenwick.
Henry then relayed the entire tale to Lord Fenwick, who became furious. "My own sister nearly met a similar fate with a fortune hunter," he spat. "Scum of the earth! He ought to be strung up for what he did!"
Henry silently agreed, but quickly replied "Think of how that might affect my poor sister! She has been traumatised enough as it is. I do not want our families problems laid out for all the world to see and comment on."
Lord Fenwick conceded his point.
"I have an idea," ventured Henry, proposing Wickham join the militia.
Fenwick nodded slowly, agreeing that the discipline would do him good.
"Leave the arrangements to me, my boy. I know a hardy Colonel or two that could make life difficult for a scoundrel like him. Consider it retribution for my sister, as well as the blackguard taking my carriage."
The pair shook hands.
"Please, allow my carriage to escort you and your sister home. She has been through too much in one day to travel via hire cab."
Henry thanked him profusely for his help.
"Not at all, son. I was just as eager to hide my own name being involved in such s scandal. Rest assured the secret is safe with me. I shall inform Mr Bingley that you have escorted your sister home, and I hope that you will give her my very best wishes.
Henry bowed to the man and returned to the carriage.
Elizabeth and Henry returned to the Gardiners home just as supper was being served.
"Henry! Elizabeth!" Cried Aunt Gardiner. "We were wondering when you'd return! Thank goodness you let our footman know you were planning to ride out to Blainstowe Castle today- or we would have worried!"
Henry caught Mr Turnclock's eye and detected his subtle head nod. Henry bowed his head in appreciation.
"So, how was the castle? Worth seeing?" Asked their Uncle. "I've been tempted to take your aunt, but a four hour round trip hardly seems worth it for one lot of ruins!"
"No," said Elizabeth softly "it's not a journey I'd wish to make again."
The rest of the supper conversation centred around more picturesque scenery. Mrs Gardiner had grown up in Derbyshire, and declared it the prettiest county of all.
"Derbyshire?"
Everyone looked at Henry.
"Do you know of an estate there called Pemberley?"
Aunt Gardiner did indeed know the estate, and spent five full minutes praising it for its beauty, its size and its proud, honourable family. It seemed that Aunt Gardiner had grown up in the neighbouring village and was very familiar with Pemberley.
As Henry escorted his sister upstairs he explained his interest in Derbyshire. "Mr Bingley's friend Mr Darcy- I wrote to you about him- he is the master of Pemberley. I didn't realise it was such a grand estate."
Elizabeth simply nodded, and went to her rooms, exhausted.
What Henry did not tell Elizabeth was that Darcy knew about the elopement attempt. That such a powerful, influential man knew of this family secret unsettled Henry slightly, but he placated himself by remembering Darcy's promise of secrecy. Surely such an honourable, important man would keep his word.
As much as Elizabeth had enjoyed her time in London - save the last day- she was never so happy to be back home at Longbourn. She had missed her sisters and parents dearly, and had a great deal of information to impart on the latest fashions in town, as well as how the Gardiners were faring. She left the Gardiners as a firm favourite niece and kept regular correspondence with her aunt. After half a day, however, Mrs Bennet's constant laments that Elizabeth had returned so soon! And so unattached to any gentlemen! had worn thin. Each disparaging remark about Elizabeth not finding a husband in London instantly transported her back to that carriage and re traumatised her. Henry watched it all with agonising eyes, but without revealing Elizabeth's confidence there was little he could do but swiftly change the subject.
After a few weeks at home, it was time for Henry to again return to Cambridge and commence his second year of schooling. The farewells were much the same as the year before, but Elizabeth held on to her brother for longer. He kissed Elizabeth on her forehead and whispered "all will be well, dearest. Be brave. I know your courage always rises when faced with difficulty."
And then he was gone again.
Everything returned to normal at Longbourn, much to Elizabeth's discomfort. She was not back to normal- she had come back from London as a different person, and couldn't tell anyone why. She looked at the world differently now, she was much more cynical. She did not trust people, nor give them the benefit of the doubt. Elizabeth Bennet had been forced to grow up.
Henry Bennet sat having dinner at Bingley Lodge. The pair were nearly at the end of their second year at university, and Henry was looking forward to getting back to Longbourn to visit his sisters and parents. Understandably, Henry had quashed any of his mothers suggestions to have a sister visit him in London, and decided travelling back to Hertfordshire would be the surest way to quell his mothers insistence on having his sisters join him in town.
He was brought out of his reverie by Miss Bingley's grating voice.
"So Mr Darcy, when are we to meet Miss Georgiana?"
Fitzwilliam Darcy shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He'd become a regular guest at Bingley lodge, whenever Bingley himself was in town, but barely tolerated Caroline Bingley. Miss Bingley was the epitome of the kind of women he hid from in London. He hated that estate business brought him more and more frequently into London to meet with solicitors.
"I do not anticipate bringing her to London anytime soon, so I dare say you shan't meet her for a while yet."
Or ever, Darcy added silently. He did not want his sweet, innocent sister corrupted by the mercenary mind of Caroline Bingley.
The table fell silent for a minute.
"I say, Charles, weren't you considering touring the countryside for a vacant estate to purchase? Perhaps we could start in Derbyshire, since Mr Darcy quite raves about its beauty." Miss Bingley tittered.
"Splendid idea, Caroline!" Bingley beamed.
"And since we'd be travelling past, surely we could visit you at Pemberley, Mr Darcy? I confess I have been most anxious to see it, having heard so much about it."
I'm sure you have, thought Darcy grimly, his lips drawn thin. He did not appreciate being backed into a corner like this, but he had no choice. Despite her appallingly bad manners at practically inviting herself, Caroline Bingley was to visit Pemberley, and therefore, meet his sister.
Darcy of course extended the invitation to Henry Bennet, who graciously declined, as he was to head to Longbourn over summer. Darcy suspected Henry Bennet realised the invitation was forced, and in choosing not to exploit this, he'd shown his good manners. Despite that unfortunate almost elopement a year ago, the man must have some good breeding in him. Henry Bennet was beginning to rise in Darcy's esteem.
