A/N - Thank you for the really positive reviews lately. Its really good to hear that people are enjoying this story despite its deviation from the norm. Ive been a bit slow with updates as I am busy writing the end of the story, had some inspiration so I am hoping to get it finished soon then I can work on editing and posting too.
Chapter 28
Elizabeth's aunt and uncle arrived in good time and there was many a spirited conversation to be had that afternoon and evening. She knew she wasn't quite herself but she was putting on her best show and for the most part no one seemed to notice anything amiss.
Her aunt and uncle had some acquaintances in town and they also felt obliged to pay a call to Mr Darcy, having met him last Spring. Elizabeth reluctantly went with them.
Elizabeth had barely seen Georgiana since her sister had left. At first she had been busy catching up on the household affairs, and with her friends in Lambton, having neglected them whilst visiting her sister. After that first encounter with Wickham she couldn't face her young friend for long and only visited for short periods of time.
When they were announced, only Georgiana was present in the music room, practicing.
"Oh Lizzie, how lovely. And this must be your.. Oh I beg your pardon, may you introduce your friends?"
Lizzie smiled "Aunt, Uncle this is Miss Georgiana Darcy, Georgiana this is Mr and Mrs Gardiner, my aunt and uncle as you well know"
She smiled and greeted the guests warmly, inviting them to sit for tea. She sent a footman to fetch her brother who joined them immediately. Darcy and Gardiner entered in to a jovial conversation about fishing and Georgiana berated her friend for not calling more
"I am sorry, you are right I have been neglectful"
"Oh pish, 'tis all forgotten" waved off Georgiana, much to the older lady's amusement.
The five of them spent a very pleasant afternoon talking and an invitation to dine was extended and accepted. Elizabeth noticed that Darcy was shooting her looks with a frown on his face but she tried her best to put more of an effort in to the conversation and he never asked her if anything was the matter. After they left Darcy sat with Georgiana
"Dearest, did you think Elizabeth seemed well?"
Georgiana smiled at the slip in propriety, but she wasn't about to correct him "I noticed no great difference,"
"I am being silly" he tried to forget the flash of fear that had crossed her face as they had issued the invitation and the strange feeling that she was not in her usual spirits.
The conversation in the carriage back to Rose cottage was happy, the Gardiner's praised their host and hostess and were very complimentary about the house and grounds. On their return Elizabeth took care to inform Mr Wickham of their invitation whilst the Gardiner's were present. But he did not seem to mind and did not berate her later for it.
.
Mr Gardiner had been invited fishing the next day so Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth took a stroll through the town and had some tea. On their return walk, she addressed Elizabeth thus
"Don't think I haven't noted your melancholy Lizzie"
Elizabeth jumped "I do not know what you mean"
"Come now Elizabeth I have known you since you were a child and this is not you, what is the matter?"
"I cannot say aunt," she looked at her and her aunt could see the fear
"Worry not my dear, your uncle has fallen for your little act, men are less perceptive to these things usually. I assume you are concerned your husband will find out we have had this talk but I can assure you he will not find out from me. Please Lizzie, you need to share with someone, I will not judge you"
Elizabeth knew she could not tell her aunt everything but maybe she could ease her mind on some things
"I find my marriage is not all I had hoped it would be"
Her aunt linked arms with her and hey continued walking, they were alone on the lane but her Aunt's voice was low none-the-less "does he treat you badly? Be honest"
"Not at first, but recently I have discovered a few things about him and he knows I know. He is not treating me well anymore"
"Has he hurt you?"
Lizzie turned her head away and nodded
"Oh Lizzie I am so sorry. He seemed like such a gentleman when we first met."
"Oh aunt, I have made such poor decisions"
"Nonsense, if he is so bad now we all fell for his act. Do you think your father would have allowed you to marry his man if he had a suspicion of him hurting you? Even your mother would not have stood by."
They walked in silence
"There is nothing I can do is there?"
"By law you belong to him to do with what he will. But Lizzie, know this. If you need, you shall always have sanctuary at our house. He may be able to collect you by law but if he tries that, we have the means of finding you somewhere else to stay. It would have to be away from family and friends but if you decide that would be a better situation for yourself you have my support"
Elizabeth stopped and embraced her aunt. "I thank you. It is good to know what to do if it becomes unbearable"
They continued on to the cottage, both with a mutual understanding to not speak of it again.
