Wow there were so many mixed feelings about the last question too! I want to thank everyone who reviewed, it is good to hear from you.
Here we go again:
Elizabeth looked down at the letter that Darcy had placed in her hands before smiling at him slightly. He returned the smile before turning away from her and walking to his sister who was very contented to finally have her brother home safely.
Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana's excitement for a moment before gently opening the letter and gazing down at her Aunt Gardiner's familiar writing. Elizabeth had to admit that as she sat in a chair in the Pemberley drawing room that she was relieved that Darcy was safely returned to her. She was however, quickly diverted by her Aunt's letter and the disappointing information it held. It read:
My dearest Lizzy,
Please be assured that if I was in any position to give you the information you require then I would surely fulfil that wish. On this occasion however, I have been requested to maintain my silence and assure you than any information regarding Lydia's marriage to George Wickham should be granted by Mr Darcy. His involvement in the matter is of a serious nature which can only be revealed by himself. I am assured Lizzy that Mr Darcy is a very generous man, I am therefore, sure that if you asked him of his own involvement, he would not refuse to oblige you.
Your loving Aunt Gardiner
Elizabeth sighed slightly as she refolded the letter and placed it softly upon her knee. She had thought that the one person capable of giving her the information she desired would be her Aunt. Unfortunately, Mrs Gardiner seemed to be obliged to the same secrecy that Lydia seemed to think necessary. Therefore, Elizabeth could not help but admit to herself that she was disappointed by her Aunt's reply.
Dinner on the evening of Mr Darcy's return was a very quiet affair, Darcy himself sat watching his wife in silence contemplating on her concerned countenance. Meanwhile, Georgiana sat in perfect silence watching her brother and his wife. She did not understand why they had both left Pemberley during the Bingley's visit but most importantly she did not understand why Elizabeth had been so withdrawn since her return to Derbyshire.
"Elizabeth, are you unwell?" Georgiana finally asked. Elizabeth's eyes rose to the young woman quickly and Georgiana immediately saw her new sister's pale complexion.
"Would you be so kind as to excuse me?" Elizabeth said as she pushed her chair back. "I have a headache." Georgiana looked at her brother quickly as Elizabeth fled the room.
Elizabeth rushed into the foyer quickly, heading in the direction of the stairs. She did not unfortunately see Colonel Fitzwilliam walking toward her until he called her name. She turned slowly to look at the gentleman as he stopped in front of her.
"Richard! Forgive me, I did not see you. I hope that you are well my dear cousin." Elizabeth said.
"I am very well Elizabeth I thank you." She nodded at this before curtsying to him slightly.
"Excuse me, Darcy and Georgiana are at dinner I am assured that they will be with you soon." She turned to the stairs at this and slowly walked up them, aware of the Colonel's curious eyes following her.
Fitzwilliam situated himself comfortably into Darcy's study to await the gentleman himself. Yet as he sat in the luxury of Pemberley he could not help but think of Elizabeth. His seeing her on the stairs made his heart go wild but when he saw her pale complexion he was unsure if to mourn for her of to be curious.
Fitzwilliam did not wait long before the door opened and Darcy walked in.
"Fitzwilliam! How good of you to call upon us, I have been deprived of your good company these few weeks." Fitzwilliam laughed.
"I heard that you were away in London, Darcy so I did not call." Darcy nodded smoothly before taking his usual seat opposite his cousin. "I did see Elizabeth on my entry into the house."
"Yes, she excused herself from dinner, complaining of a headache." Darcy said mockingly.
"She did look ill Darcy! Has your situation improved?"
"Yes it has, I feel that she no longer hates me which is much more satisfactory."
"Did you inform her of your feelings?" Fitzwilliam asked with a smile.
"Of course not, when do I ever use your advice, Fitzwilliam!" The two gentlemen laughed.
"I am pleased that you are both more contented. I would hate to see either of you unhappy, you are both so well suited!"
"She does seem more contented with her situation, she can bear to look at me now."
"I can only bear to look at you Darcy so it is a vast improvement in relationships!" Fitzwilliam laughed loudly as Darcy stared evilly at his cousin. "Could you live contently like this, Darcy?"
"Of course I could but I could be more contented knowing that Elizabeth was happy. I could never force her to stay with me, however much my heart begged for it. I do have to say that in the present situation she is coping well."
"The present situation?"
"You do remember George Wickham?" Darcy asked.
"How could I forget that scoundrel?"
"I left Pemberley in order to rescue Elizabeth's sister, Lydia from Wickham's clutches."
"My goodness Darcy! I admit that I am not surprised."
"I must contradict you for no matter how well I knew Wickham's character I was shocked and surprised."
"How did Elizabeth react to such news?"
"She was distressed of course, but that was expected. She went forthwith from Pemberley to Longborne to be with her family. Fortunately Lydia was found along with Wickham and they were encouraged into matrimony."
"So it has ended well?" Fitzwilliam asked.
"I would not admit that it has ended well for the young lady in question is now joined to Mr Wickham, who dysfunctional her life is now going to be. I am sure, Fitzwilliam that you can imagine."
"Yes I can, I do feel for the lady for she is sure to have a terrible life with such a man. Is he still to be based in Brighton?"
"No, he has joined the regulars and is now situated in Newcastle. Hopefully there he will find no society to match any other he has encountered. Perhaps from this he will learn not to gamble and lie with women who are not his wife!"
"I would also wish for such a thing, but George Wickham is not such a man."
"Yes I agree." Darcy said as he pushed his hands through his hair in exhaustion. "I feel that I should go to Elizabeth and inquire of her health Fitzwilliam, will you wait for my return." Darcy stood at this and looked down at the Colonel.
"No Darcy I shall beg you to excuse me now, good evening."
"Good evening Fitzwilliam, call again soon."
"I will Darcy, you can be assured of it." Darcy smiled at his cousin before the both left the room.
The gentlemen separated in the foyer, Darcy walking up the stairs while Fitzwilliam walked out of the house. They both knew that the information that had been spoken of during the course of their conversation would never find its way into society. They both knew that if such information did find a way into society the consequences would surely be the destruction of the Bennet name as well as the Darcy's.
Darcy knocked gently on Elizabeth's door and waited patiently for a reply. She did not come to the door but instead her soft voice called from inside of the room for him to enter. He smiled slightly to himself before swallowing roughly and walking into the room.
Darcy immediately saw his wife sat on one of her chairs, holding the letter that he had brought from London. He knew that she looked ill, he had seen it the moment he saw her but he did not understand why for her sister was well and out of danger after all.
When she finally raised her eyes to look at Darcy he saw the pain reflected in those brown orbs that he had come to love as dearly as the woman herself.
"Elizabeth are you ill?" He asked as he rushed to her side and looked down at her pale face.
"No I am not ill, Fitzwilliam." She said as she smiled up at him.
"Have you received some unpleasant news?" She laughed again at his question.
"No, not unpleasant news just slightly disappointing."
"Do you wish to talk about it?" He asked softly as he took the chair next to her.
"You are the only person who can aid me."
"What do you mean, Elizabeth?" Her eyes met his at this and surprisingly, she smiled.
"I learnt that you were involved in my sister's wedding for you were present there. I do not know of what means you were involved but if you will I would like to know of such dealings." Darcy smiled slightly.
"Your Aunt is a reliable source Elizabeth." Darcy said as he laughed.
"You must not blame my Aunt, she refused to inform me of your dealings, it was Lydia who betrayed at first." Darcy laughed again before relaxing back in his chair.
"I so wish that you did not ask me to inform you of such dealings, for they were not as heroic as I would like."
"You are refusing to inform me?" She asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"No, I am not refusing you Elizabeth. I mealy meant that I do not wish to inform you of it at this moment in time."
"When will you inform me?" Elizabeth asked. Darcy laughed at her eagerness.
"I am waiting for a letter of great importance. When that such letter has arrived, you may ask me the question again and then I will offer you an answer that is true to my heart." Elizabeth looked away at this in disappointment for she knew that Darcy was the last person who could inform her of such dealings. However, it was not to be and Elizabeth felt hurt.
When Elizabeth felt him stand and walk to the adjoining door she finally built up the courage to speak.
"Did you pay Wickham's debts?" Elizabeth asked strongly. Darcy stopped and turned to look at his intelligent wife and smiled.
"No," He said as he shook his head. "Your Uncle Gardiner did." Darcy said nothing more than this. Instead he opened the door and closed it roughly behind him, shutting Elizabeth out from his mind and his heart hopefully, for long enough to claim some sleep.
Elizabeth however, sat up long after Darcy had left the room. She could do nothing but think of the situation of her family and what harm they had done to the Darcy name, the name which had become so precious to herself mainly for the reason that she shared it with Darcy.
Elizabeth had only just sat at her dressing table when the door burst open into her chamber and a maid came rushing in.
"Forgive the intrusion ma'am, but you have a guest." Elizabeth sighed slightly.
"Apologise to my guest but I am not receiving at this time of the evening."
"Forgive me ma'am but the guest is Lady Catherine."
I'm cruel stopping there aren't I? Be assured that I will update soon. Sorry this one is so short but the next one will obviously be longer.
Q. Do you think that Colonel Fitzwilliam goes to Pemberley in order to see Darcy or to try and see more of Elizabeth?
