-1Mr Darcy was sure that he had just escaped from another rejection by Elizabeth Bennet. Upon reflection he had come to the understanding that Elizabeth was yet again about to refuse his addresses when Jane Bennet had discovered them. He now thought that he had much to thank Jane Bennet for. She had interrupted them and he had managed to escape from the embarrassment of a second blow. He now watched Pemberley house from the top of the hill where he had initially decided to return to make those addresses. How foolish he had been to imagine that he had changed so considerably in order to encourage affection in Elizabeth Bennet. Oh, how that woman had tortured him! He had obviously not changed his character enough to meet Elizabeth's standards and to Darcy that was degrading enough. He was only pleased that Elizabeth had not had her own opportunity to converse her own feelings on the matter, those had been made apparent before she even had to refuse him. Mr Darcy gazed once more at his home before he kicked his heels into the flanks of his steed and steered it away from Pemberley and Elizabeth Bennet.
Mr Darcy had no intentions of returning his horse to Pemberley now, as he raced through Lambton, encouraging the steed faster he only concentrated on Netherfield. There he had a good apology to make to Charles Bingley and also congratulations to issue. Of course he was envious, Charles Bingley now had everything he could ever desire in Jane Bennet. What did he have? A love for a woman who had no intentions of returning it. Mr Darcy concluded that he had the most paramount reasons in the world to be envious.
"Mr Darcy proposed!" Jane Bennet had screeched in excitement.
"Yes Jane and you did not allow me time to accept those proposals! Now what must he think!"
"Oh dear, he will not think any worse of you for not giving a reply." Elizabeth Bennet however thought differently and as she left her sister in her own room Elizabeth raced through Pemberley. Pulling the shawl even tighter around he shoulders she dashed down the staircase to the entrance hall.
"Where is Mr Darcy?" She demanded impatiently of the footman.
"The Master has departed Pemberley, Miss. He will not be returning for a number of weeks." Elizabeth's heart sunk at these words.
"Where has he gone?" The footman shook his head.
"I know not, Miss." Elizabeth turned sombrely back toward he stair and climbed them again. There at the top she met Jane, who had a confused look upon her countenance.
"Mr Darcy has gone, Jane." Elizabeth said as she passed her sister. "I will never see him again." Jane Bennet watched as her sister walked down the corridor back to her room. She did not follow her, Elizabeth would wish to be alone, Jane could do nothing to prevent her sisters obvious sorrow.
Elizabeth Bennet laid silently upon her bed for a short time before sorrow overcame her. She had finally, at the last moment, decided that she did hold affection for Mr Darcy. Yet at the moment when she could have accepted him she was forced to watch him walk away forever. The torture of watching his figure disappear deeper into Pemberley broke Elizabeth's heart. Yet the fear that she would never see him again was greater. Elizabeth Bennet had come to realise that Mr Darcy was the only gentleman that she would ever be able to love. Now with him gone she was resolved to living life as a spinster. Of course she was envious, Jane had a fiancé whom she loved, what did she have? A man who she loved greatly and who she would never see again.
Georgiana Darcy was rather surprised the next morning to find her brother absent despite the Gardiners and Bennets departing for Hertfordshire. She had surmised that he had been detained by business and would not be able to see their visitors before their departure. It was therefore, Georgiana's duty which he took happily. Yet she noticed something amiss. Elizabeth Bennet who she noted was usually very alert and bright was very downcast and appeared as though she had not slept. Georgiana noted that she remained silent throughout breakfast and always seemed as though her mind was focused on alternative matters. Even as Georgiana bid her guests farewell, Elizabeth only offered a small farewell and issued thanks for her generosity before situating herself in the carriage, her eyes downcast.
"I fear that Miss Elizabeth is unwell this morning." Georgiana said to Mrs Gardiner.
"No indeed, Miss Darcy. More emotional at leaving Pemberley I imagine." Georgiana smiled slightly before bidding Mrs Gardiner goodbye and stepping back to watch the carriage disappear.
Elizabeth Bennet remained silent for most of the journey to Hertfordshire, only occasionally commenting on passing scenery or the weather. Jane's soft hand occasionally fell onto her own in concern but Elizabeth only smiled before returning her concentration to the passing scenery. Jane Bennet was concerned at least but she could do nothing to assist her sister out of this depression.
Elizabeth Bennet also remained passive upon arrival to Longbourn, she greeted her family well enough but quickly retired to her room with a book. Mrs Bennet who was too preoccupied congratulating her eldest daughter on her approaching marriage, did not notice. Mrs Gardiner however, took the stairs to Elizabeth's room where she found her sitting in the window seat looking out into the countryside.
"What is, Aunt?" Elizabeth asked with concern as her Aunt closed the door to her room. "Does Mama want me?"
"No." Mrs Gardiner said as she took a seat next to her favourite niece. "I am concerned Lizzy."
"Whatever for?" Elizabeth asked with a nervous laugh.
"You have not been yourself today, something is amiss. Even Miss Darcy commented that you were not your usual glowing self this morning."
"I must write to her and apologise to her for my actions, I found myself a little unusual this morning."
"You look as though you have not slept, Lizzy and your mind has been concentrated elsewhere all day." Elizabeth nodded softly.
"I do confess that my mind has been rather preoccupied Aunt." Mrs Gardiner knew immediately.
"Mr Darcy? Is that what you have been dwelling on?" Elizabeth sighed slightly.
"Oh, Aunt! Everything has not gone to plan."
"What do you mean, Lizzy?"
"Mr Darcy renewed his addresses to me, Aunt." Mrs Gardiner smiled slightly.
"I knew he would!" Elizabeth shook her head strongly. "You refused him?"
"No not at all! I did not have the opportunity to accept nor decline. But I fear that Mr Darcy has the impression that it was to be a refusal."
"I do not understand, Lizzy."
"We were disrupted by Jane before I was able to accept his addresses."
"Mr Darcy will understand. Surely he will wish for a response from you concerning this matter."
"No, if he did he would not have departed Pemberley late last night before I could speak with him. I looked for him in order to show him that I did wish to be his wife, but he had taken my first response as rejection. Now I will never see him again, I am resigned to being an old maid." Mrs Gardiner held her niece close for a while, feeling her emotions.
"Mr Darcy will come to understand, Lizzy. Please give it time, you will be his wife I assure you." Elizabeth shook her head but was unable to say anymore. She had thought of nothing but Mr Darcy since he renewed those addresses, she now needed to concentrate on her future instead.