Chapter 21: A shock for Miss Bingley

By the time Darcy's carriage reached Netherfield, Richard and the others were back. Mr Hurst was very anxious. Their shooting party was interrupted by one of the footmen bringing news about his wife feeling unwell.

Richard was worried too, he felt that something was amiss.

Once the men saw the carriage, they ran towards it. Mrs Hurst got down and threw herself into her husband's arms.

"Louisa, what is wrong? Are you unwell? What happened? Mr Darcy will you please tell us what happened?" Mr Hurst cried.

"Shall we please head inside? I will explain everything."

They hurried inside.

They entered the drawing-room and Mrs Hurst kept weeping. The others saw that Elizabeth was missing, they knew that something was seriously wrong.

"Darcy, what happened to Miss Elizabeth? Where is she?" Mr Bingley asked.

Before Darcy could reply, Mrs Hurst cried, "They took her away Charles. She helped me escape and they took her away."

"Who took her away?"

"Wickham."

Darcy replied with a grim face. Mr Bingley knew about some of Wickham's misdeeds. Darcy had confided a few things to Mr Bingley previously.

Richard was furious. "What are you saying Fitz? How did he get here?"

"It must the regiment. I last heard from sources in London that he was leaning towards joining the militia."

"Good God Darcy. I am going to kill him."

Darcy quickly explained how he had found Elizabeth's carriage and information about a cottage in the woods.

"Richard, we cannot lose time. We need to find the cottage. We need to get help from someone. If we know about the location of the cottage, we can rescue Elizabeth before Wickham makes his next move."

"Darcy should we not inform Mr Bennet about this? We can take the help of Sir Lucas. He was worried when we left him."

"I do not think that is a good idea. We do not want a scandal. We need to keep this between us and involve very few people as possible. We cannot risk ruining Miss Elizabeth's reputation."

Miss Bingley who was listening intently let out a low laugh.

"Mr Darcy, she is already ruined. It is all her fault. She must have known about the danger in the woods. Because of her, I had to lean down for such a long time."

Darcy was enraged. The room stared at her.

"Miss Bingley, I warn you, do not utter another word about her."

"Why should I not? I am telling the truth. She was taken away by many men and must be staying alone with them. I am sure they would have done something to ruin her reputation by now. I think we should .."

She did not get a chance to complete her sentence. She was shocked by the sharp pain on her cheek. Yes, she had been slapped. By none other than her sister.

"You ungrateful girl. How dare you speak about Elizabeth in such a way? Do you even realise what she has done for us?"

"Louisa, how dare you slap me?"

"I will slap you again if you speak ill of her. Do you even realise that you are safe and sitting here only because of her?"

"What do you mean?"

"Whose idea was it to hide in the trunk space? Tell me. It was because of you I was out in danger and she did everything to protect me."

"Louisa what are you saying?" Mr Bingley asked.

"Charles, she is the most ungrateful creature in the world. I am ashamed to have her as my sister."

Mrs explained how Elizabeth had tried to make her hide inside the carriage and how Miss Bingley chose to save herself instead of her sister.

"If I had hidden in the carriage, I am sure Elizabeth would have escaped from the men. She could have run away somehow. She chose to save me when my sister cared nothing about me."

The entire room was stunned hearing Mrs Hurst's story. Darcy was overwhelmed with admiration and love for Elizabeth.

Mr Hurst was angry. He stepped in front of Miss Bingley.

"Caroline how could you do this? How can you be this cruel? She is your sister for God's sake, with a child in her stomach. I am ashamed to be related to you."

Mr Bingley joined in.

"Caroline, what is wrong with you? If Miss Elizabeth had not helped Louisa escape, she would have been kidnapped too. She could have even lost the child. Do you even understand the ramifications of your actions? And you sit here and talk ill of Miss Elizabeth, what has gotten into your head?"

"I am merely stating the truth, Charles. She is ruined now. Why are you all so worried to save her? Just let her father know. I am sure all the locals will join and bring her back. I hope they do not ask her to leave the place because of her disgrace. She deserved it. "

Darcy turned white with anger. Georgiana was angry as well.

"Bingley ask your sister to stop. She is playing with fire."

"Caroline go up to your room immediately. And you are to stay there till I send you back to London."

"Charles, you can send me back to my room. But that is not going to stop me from telling the truth to the world. If you are planning to save her without spoiling her reputation, that will not be possible. I am going to tell everyone. You cannot stop me."

Mrs Hurst rose from her seat.

"Caroline shut up now. Mother should have corrected you when you were selfish and unkind. She did not. I have been putting up with you despite all your flaws. But you have proven to me that we have nothing between us. If you dare to say one word about this incident or Elizabeth to anyone, I will make you pay."

"What will you do Louisa? In your condition, what can you do?"

"You listen to me carefully. I am sure they will bring back Elizabeth safely. No evil will befall her kind heart. If at all there is any trouble from you, I am going to tell everybody that one of the men compromised you before taking her away. The best part is, I will make you marry one of those thugs. This is a promise on my child Caroline. I will do this. Do not doubt me." Mrs Hurst said with resolve.

The entire room was taken aback by her sudden outburst. Her husband was proud of her.

She looked intense and wild with anger.

Miss Bingley was alarmed by the threat, and realised that her sister was not the same person anymore. She ran upstairs to her room.

Miss Bingley had never feared anything in her life. She had always gotten her way with everyone.

She never thought that one day she would have to fear her very own sister. Yes! Never.