Chapter 8

The next morning all the inhabitants of the cabin got up very early, had breakfast and prepared to leave. James handed them a sum of money, and apologized for not being able to give them more. The truth was, James MacKay was a very prosperous man, but his estate was more than fifty miles away from where the cabin was located. In the nearest town everyone knew him from his hermit days, when he only went to town to stock up on what he needed to survive. Everyone there knew him as James, and nothing else. So, when he traveled every year, he carried little money, only what was necessary in case of an emergency. In the town he had credit, and his steward was in charge of paying his bills.

"I hope this sum of money is enough to reach your final destination" said James a little concerned.

"It is more than enough, Mr. James. We will travel directly to my estate, once there, I will begin to investigate what is behind all this. Hopefully, I think we can be there in about three days," Darcy explained.

Once the wagon was ready, James explained to Mr. Darcy that he would travel in the front alone, and William would travel in the rear. So, between the two of them could watch both sides of the road. He also handed him a weapon and he kept another if necessary. Lizzie would ride in the back with her husband, so it would be easier to hide if they encountered danger along the way.

James also wanted the couple to have the opportunity to talk in some privacy, he had realized that things were not well between them, and considering everything that lay ahead, it was better that they resolve their disagreements as soon as possible.

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy sat side by side. Despite that, they did not speak to each other in the first half of the journey. She was still hurt by the comments he had made about her family. She knew that after everything that had happened in the last days, the only solution would be a possible marriage between them, but after seeing and hearing how he acted, she knew that he would never lower himself to marry someone like her. But she also didn't want to marry a man who would despise her for the rest of his life.

For his part, Darcy was still analyzing the words Elizabeth had told him the night before. He knew he had behaved in Hertfordshire, in the way she had said. He was an honorable and generous man to his family, his friends and everyone who depended on him, but he had never stopped to think about how to deal with or relate to those who were not connected to him in some way. He thought a lot about all his interactions with Elizabeth, apparently what he had perceived as flirting were nothing more than a form of reproach. He, who had always wanted to meet a woman who appreciated him for his virtues and not for his money, when he met one who could do it, he showed her the worst side of him. He also realized that he did not even try to woo her, because he had been more concerned with hiding his feelings than with pleasing her. The irony was that he had assumed she admired him, and would accept him because no woman would reject a man with his fortune and connections.

He knew they should get married, he had no doubt that it was the only possible way to protect her. He didn't know how, but last night before he went to sleep, he had sworn to himself that someday she could at least respect him if she couldn't love him. He also thought that they could have a harmonious marriage based on mutual respect.

"Miss Bennet" said Mr. Darcy very quietly, to prevent James from hearing, "I want you to know that I have reflected on everything you told me yesterday, and I have decided that I must do two things to show you that your words have not been indifferent to me. First, I want to apologize for the things that I have done or said that have offended you, in the future I will be much more careful when I express my opinion. Second, as soon as possible, I will contact Bingley, and without revealing what you have confessed to me, I will explain how unfair my advice has been about the situation regarding your sister."

Elizabeth was very surprised to hear regret in Mr. Darcy's words, she did not think he was capable of assuming that he might have been wrong, but she realized that he was extending an olive branch to her, and decided to take it. "You have not been the only one who has judged lightly, I accept your apologies as you have accepted mine" and concluded the conversation with a beautiful and sincere smile, which made Mr. Darcy felt that after all, he could still harbor some hope.

Richard, at Georgiana's request, had moved to live in Darcy house. He only had two weeks left before he had to report to his regiment for new orders. He was very concerned for Georgiana, with Darcy's disappearance, he was the only one who could protect her. The alternatives were his aunt Lady Catherine, or his mother Lady Anastasia, and he really couldn't tell which one was worse. The first, domineering and relentless, would crush the shy Georgiana, and the other vain and superficial, who would expose his cousin to all kinds of scoundrels in search of her fortune. He was busy with those thoughts, when the butler interrupted him and delivered an express message that had just arrived for him. He read it quickly, put it in his pocket and got very nervous. He then left the library in search of Georgiana.

"Georgi, I need to go out urgently and at night we must talk. I'm planning to take a trip and I want to tell you about my plans," the colonel told his cousin, while she looked at him very worried.

"It's fine Richard, Aunt Anastasia asked me to visit her today, so I'll spend the afternoon with her," Georgiana informed the colonel.

Meanwhile in Cheapside the Gardiners butler was opening the door and leading three guests, Mr. Bingley and his two sisters, into the drawing room. Caroline had informed Louisa about the meeting with Jane at the Darcy house, and they both decided that it was best not to leave Charles with Miss Bennet without the supervision of one of them. They still could keep control of the situation, if they were informed of everything that was going on between them. In addition, Caroline wanted to be able to extract information about the whereabouts of Eliza Bennet, she needed to know what was happening.

Jane did not feel comfortable, now she could see the other side of the Bingley sisters, the one that Lizzie had seen so clearly from the beginning. Since they had entered the drawing room, Caroline and Louisa filled her with compliments and told her how happy they were to see her again, despite the fact that not very recently they had implied the opposite with their actions. She could also see the other side of Mr. Bingley, he showed a lot of interest when he was in front of her, but she had no doubt that at any moment, and with the correct persuasion, he would forget about her again without caring about her feelings.

After talking of unimportant things finally Caroline asked, "Dear Jane, how is Miss Eliza, you are so close that I am a little curious that she is not here with you visiting your uncle and aunt."

Jane got a little nervous and it was Mrs. Gardiner who replied, "Elizabeth is spending a few days with one of her best friends. When that visit is over, she will meet Jane here at my house". Tea arrived at that time and that did not allow Caroline and Louisa to continue questioning Jane.

Mr. Bingley suddenly spoke to make an invitation, "Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, I would like to invite you and your husband, to come to dinner with us one of these days," it was clear from the faces his sisters put, that he had not discussed this invitation with them.

Mrs. Gardiner, who knew Jane very well, realized that she did not like the idea, so she told him that they were busy this week, but that they would let him know when they were available. After talking for a few more minutes, the visitors said goodbye and left. The only one who was happy was Mr. Bingley, for all the women the meeting had been very uncomfortable and they were happy that it was finally over.

When the Bingleys were seated in their carriage and ready to go, Caroline was the only one who noticed that in that moment Colonel Fitzwilliam was knocking on the Gardiners' door. Surely something was going on and she would find a way to find out.

At the Matlock residence, Georgiana was playing the piano, her aunt had asked her to play some of her favorite pieces. After a moment she told her that she had something to do, and would be back in a few moments. Georgiana continued playing, it relaxed her a lot to do it, she knew that at night she would have a conversation with Richard, and assuming that they were bad news, she was very tense. So absorbed was she in the music and her thoughts, that she didn't notice someone approaching until she heard his voice.

"Dear Georgiana, you don't know how glad I am to see you, I thought that I would never have the pleasure of being close to you again" George Wickham said with a caramelized voice.

Once they got to town, James asked William to take care of the wagon, while he and Lizzie went to find out what time the next mail coach was leaving. When William finished and walked to find them, he saw Elizabeth and James engaged in a conversation that seemed very important. James was speaking and Elizabeth was listening and nodding. When they saw him approach, they changed the subject, so he would not know what they had been talking about.

"William, I'm sorry but the next mail coach is out tomorrow. The good thing is that the Inn has enough rooms available, so you can spend the night here and leave early tomorrow. We already bought the tickets," said James.

"It was what I expected. I guess, it doesn't make much sense for me to write to our families, if we will travel together with the post. As soon as we get home, we will send an express to inform them of everything that have happened," Mr. Darcy reported.

After a few minutes of conversation, James said that his wagon was loaded with the things he needed, and that he would be leaving for the cabin.

"William, thanks for helping me with the firewood, I hope you don't have major problems the rest of the way. Best of luck in all that comes," said James fondly.

"Mr. James, you have all my gratitude. I respect your decision to keep our identities hidden, but I would love to be able to give you my name, so if you need help, you can come to me." Darcy told James as he shook her hand tightly.

Elizabeth for her part could not help but hug James tightly and thank him for everything, "Thank you very much, I will never forget you, and you will always be in my prayers" James for his part was very touched with Elizabeth action, and whispering in Lizzie's ear said, "please don't forget what I told you."

James went in search of his wagon and set off back into the woods while Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy watched him left. Mr. Darcy took the small suitcase in which they carried their few possessions, and went with Elizabeth to find a room at the Inn. As they walked toward the Inn, Elizabeth noticed two men leering at her. She supposed that they thought she was a simple peasant, so they did not feel the need to hide their prying eyes. She felt revulsion, and instinctively took Mr. Darcy's arm. Before entering the Inn, he asked her.

"Miss Bennet, I want to ask you if you prefer to say that we are brother and sister, as you suggested before," he consulted her, trying this time not to make decisions without asking.

Elizabeth thought about what had just happened, and she did not hesitate twice when she said, "I think we can continue being husband and wife", and she smiled at him hoping that he would agree. He told her that there was no problem, that he thought it was the best way to protect her.

When they entered the Inn, Mr. Darcy spoke to the receptionist in the usual way that he did in a situation like this, without remembering that no one knew him, and his circumstances at the moment were very different. "Hello, I want to request the two best rooms you have, to prepare a bathroom for me and my wife, and bring us something to eat to our rooms."

The receptionist, who along with her husband was the owner of the Green Forest, could not help but look suspiciously at this man who asked for things, who clearly was not going to be able to pay. Elizabeth realized what the lady was thinking, and also knowing that they did not have enough money for those luxuries she intervened. "The truth is, darling, none of that is necessary". She put her hand on Mr. Darcy's arm, and continued, "We are just married and my husband wants to give me the best. A simple room is enough if we are together my dear husband" and looking at the lady added, "We will eat with the rest of the passengers at the time you tell us that the food is served" while saying that she was staring at Mr. Darcy.

He understood perfectly and realizing his mistake, he added, "Thank you dear for being so understanding, I really have the best wife in the world." The receptionist was amused to see the scene in front of her and remembered when she was a newlywed.

Twenty minutes later they were settling into a small room, with a modest bed, with a small window, and no fireplace. To clean themselves, they had to go to a small hut where there was a water pump connected to a well and they could take a bath with cold water.

Finally, after a long day, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy sat down to dinner in the common dining room. While they had dinner, they talked amiably about many things, a little about their plans for the next few days, and Elizabeth decided to tease him a bit.

"Mr. Darcy, I swear I had a hard time not laughing when you came in, and started giving orders like you owned all this, the face with which Mrs. Buchanan looked at you!" Elizabeth said as she couldn't help but laugh.

Mr. Darcy also laughed and explained, "When I was twenty-two I had to take over a huge estate, and a number of other complex businesses. At first, many did not take me seriously because of my youth, so I had to show confidence when speaking, and I guess I'm used to talking like this, even without realizing it.

"I understand, it must not have been easy to handle a fortune of ten thousand a year, and all the responsibilities that come with that, at such a young age." Elizabeth imagined that many would have tried to take advantage of him seeing him so young, and felt sorry for him, at that age, most of the men in his social class were just enjoying life.

"The truth is that ten thousand a year is only what Pemberley produces, my family's businesses extend far beyond that. It's actually more than double of that sum". Mr. Darcy wanted to share everything with Elizabeth, before having the conversation about their future. Elizabeth was surprised to learn how wealthy Mr. Darcy was, even more than she could have ever imagined.

Finally, they went to sleep since the next day they should get up very early. When they got to the room, Mr. Darcy left the bed for Elizabeth, he would sleep on the floor. The blankets were divided and they tried to sleep. The room had no fireplace and the cold was unbearable.

When Mr. Darcy felt Elizabeth shivering, got up, lit the candle and asked her "Miss Bennet, are you fine?"

"I don't know-Mr. Dar-Darcy, it's very-very cold" said Elizabeth

Mr. Darcy covered Elizabeth with the blankets he was using. Seeing her make the gesture for him to lie down beside her, he blew out the candle and crawled under the covers. Elizabeth, like some nights ago, snuggled into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. After about ten minutes, they both fell fast asleep, hugging and happy. Elizabeth, because she was no longer cold; and Mr. Darcy, because he was with the woman he loved in his arms.

At that very moment, three heavily armed men entered the Inn and asked for a room to spend the night.

Thank you for your comments, I read and I appreciate them very much.

Para los que me leen y son de habla hispana como yo, les quiero decir que he tenido una especie de revelación. Lord Matlock es tan malo en esta historia, que se me parece villano de telenovela, sólo falta que Elizabeth quede ciega y vuelva a ver y la completo jajaja :)

Saludos,

Yo