Chapter 14 Reconciliation
Mr Collins had proposed in the most abominable way imaginable.
Her mother had resorted to threats to force her into accepting. It was all too much and Elizabeth did what she thought was best, she ran.
Not towards Oakham Mount, it was well known as her favourite haunt. She was not of a mind to be found, not for a very long time.
Her father had a hunting lodge in the woods. It was the direction she chose although it was a long stretch to travel on foot which is why there was a need for a lodge in the first place.
Lady Fortune was not with her, neither was Zeus, the Greek weather god. Half an hour into the woods and the rain started pelting down. Elizabeth took cover under a tree but it rained so heavily, the barren branches provided little protection. The cold crept into her bones when she stood still. She should have taken a coat but the shawl was all she had the wherewithal to grab in the crucial moment of departure. She had to press on. It would take her at least another couple of hours to get to the lodge. As it turned out, fifteen minutes was all she was afforded before her journey was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"You look like a drowning cat."
"Thank you! I believe that is the nicest thing you have ever said to me."
"Surely not, I have complimented you many times."
"In your thoughts?"
"I must have mentioned your beautiful eyes on one occasion or other."
"I assure you, you have not. I would have remembered."
The compliment warmed her heart but offered no relief for her shivering body.
"Where are you heading? Perhaps I could escort you there."
"I doubt it, Mr Darcy, and I would rather not say."
"Have I interrupted a secret rendezvous? If so I must insist to accompany you back to your father."
Elizabeth shuddered in revulsion.
"You are as far off the mark as you could possibly be, Mr Darcy. Have a good day, I must press on."
Elizabeth turned her back and strode swiftly away quelling an urge to run. She heard nothing from behind for a few minutes. It did not last, Mr Darcy had decided to follow.
"If you explain your reason for wandering the woods in this appalling weather, I might let you continue on your foolish errand."
"I could say it was none of your concern, Mr Darcy."
"And I could just throw you over the back of my horse and have you safely ensconced in your home in ten minutes."
Elizabeth halted and turned towards him.
"If you do, I will never forgive you. Not only would I be forced to ride a beast I fear but you will sentence me to a lifelong unwanted marriage. The very same you wanted to prevent Mr Bingley to enter. Albeit he would marry the most beautiful and sweet creature on all of England while I am left with the most odious excuse of a man I have ever met. Not to forget his overbearing patroness who according to him deems no triviality too small to not interfere."
"You could come with me to Netherfield. I am certain Georgiana would enjoy your company and you could mediate a truce between brother and sister. I doubt your parents would come to Netherfield and air their private affairs."
"You obviously do not know my mother..."
"With Bingley in town, he left early this morning, your mother will be cautious in stirring up trouble before he has returned safely or I will remind her that I might persuade him otherwise. I am not used to brook opposition, I can be intimidating when needed."
"It is a forty-five minutes walk to Netherfield from here."
"Is your destination closer?"
"No, it is a couple of hours left to my father's hunting lodge."
"I cannot in good conscience leave you here, unprotected. You need a dry change of clothes much sooner than that or you will surely catch a cold. It was not long ago you lay delirious with fever at Pemberley. You must ride with me until we reach the more travelled paths were I will dismount and walk the rest of the way."
"It is not proper..."
"You would rather fall ill?"
"You will get wet, my clothes are soaked."
"Have you not noticed? I am already wet. My greatcoat protects my inner garments, a soaked damsel will not matter."
"I am afraid of your horse," Elizabeth whispered.
"This gentle soul? Your fears are misplaced, Miss Elizabeth. He is like a lamb in horse clothes and he is Tempest's best friend. My dog is very discerning in who he befriends..."
Mr Darcy dismounted to aid Elizabeth up into the saddle. He flung himself up behind her and her frightened expression made him grab hold of her waist and hold her tight until he could feel her relax a little. A swift canter brought them quickly out of the forest, half a mile from Netherfield.
Darcy jumped off and set a brisk pace while Elizabeth held on for dear life.
At the edge of the garden, he lifted her down and ushered her before him to the main entrance. He threw Swiftsilver's reins to a waiting groom and hurried up the stairs.
"Where is Georgiana?" he inquired of the Netherfield butler as soon as they entered the door.
"In the music room," the butler replied while he tugged Mr Darcy's wet greatcoat off him.
To Elizabeth's surprise, his attire underneath was dry, just as he had implied. She wanted one of those for her next ramble out of doors. She was shivering at the moment and could no longer feel her toes.
"Come," Mr Darcy urged her forward.
Georgiana could not conceal her surprise when they entered.
"Look what I found in the garden. Miss Elizabeth was on her way to visit you when she was caught in the rain. I had hoped you could lend her some clothes, order a bath and see to her comforts."
Georgiana regained her equilibrium after the initial shock admirably and assured her brother that Elizabeth was in safe hands.
He bowed to his sister and conveyed something through his eyes that only his sister understood before he left.
Georgiana hurried Elizabeth to her chamber and ordered a bath to be drawn.
"I would not inconvenience the servants..."
"Nonsense, Elizabeth. You will be ill if we cannot get you warmed up. Besides, my brother cares for you. I would hate to see him more injured than what I have brought upon him."
"Oh, you have got it all wrong, I am afraid. I am not in your brother's good books. I was running away from home when he came upon me in this bedraggled state. His apt description was a drowning cat...
He is too much of a gentleman to let me die of cold in the woods and came up with the scheme of this visit. If you want me gone, I will leave immediately. It was never my intention to impose upon you nor your brother..."
"I know it is not my business but why would you run away from home? Oh, were you on your way to a clandestine meeting and my brother intercepted you?"
"Quite the contrary. I was running from an unwanted suitor and my persuasive mother. Neither was inclined to accept my rejection of his proposal."
"Oh my..."
"My thoughts exactly..."
"One should never be forced into an unwanted union. I know I complain about the state of Mrs Young's boarding house and I am not favourably inclined towards living in a tent but I do not regret marrying George. I love him with all my heart and everything that I am. He may not love me as much as I love him but he is kind and cares deeply about my wellbeing. I have to live with the consequences of my actions but I know my own mind. I do not repent marrying Mr Wickham but I do regret the injury I have caused my brother. He has not acted as I would have thought at all. He has not called Wickham out or beat him to a pulp as I feared but he suffers his own perceived faults in silence. It is awful to watch."
"Your brother should not blame himself. It was my poor judgement and horrible advice that led you astray..."
"You and my brother have much in common. You both blame yourself when the truth is that nothing you could have done would have made any difference. I was set in my course of action, long before I met you and I wilfully deceived my brother. I knew Mr Wickham would be at Ramsgate. It was I who followed him there, I who hired Mrs Young. I knew she would do my bidding. She was a teacher at the seminary I attended and told me her great sorrow. Forced to marry a man her mother had settled upon, forsaking the love of her life. She sympathised and agreed to be my accomplice. Cohorts in crime if you will. I own my destiny, Elizabeth. Nothing you or my brother could have done would have changed the outcome."
Elizabeth was stunned silent. She looked at the defiant set of jaws Georgiana shared with her brother. Secretly wondering if Mr Darcy would be as fierce in his love as his sister. It would be some fortunate lady he eventually chose as his bride. Someone he had not yet met...
The bath had been drawn, a maid came to fetch her.
"Thank you, Georgiana. You have alleviated some of my guilt and I understand you much better know. I am sorry I treated you so coldly in Gretna Green. I did not know what to believe and not how to act."
"Coldly? You gave me a thorough tongue-lashing I have yet to recover from! I was hurt, Elizabeth. We were the best of friends, yet you thought so little of me and even less of Captain Wickham Yet, I suppose it is I who should apologies for leaving you at Gretna Green. Mr Wickham was not pleased when I recounted your concerns to him. He thought it a suitable punishment to leave you behind. In my defence, I knew my brother would not abandon you. He is much too decent but we shall leave the rest of our concerns until you have had your bath, Elizabeth. Hurry while the water is still hot, I can see that you are shivering... My maid will be at your disposal and she will find a gown that suits you."
"Thank you!"
Elizabeth was undressed by Milly, Georgiana's maid, and sank into the water. The maid washed her hair, refilled the bathtub with a pail of warm water and left her to soak.
Elizabeth exhaled, ready to forgive herself her folly. Not to forget though but kept in the far recesses of her mind as a lesson learned. It was time to let go of the guilt in a matter that could not be altered.
XxX
Mr Darcy paced back and forth in his chamber, it was ridiculous. Even he himself acknowledged it.
Fretting about someone insignificant who had no connection to him but she had shivered unstoppable the entire ride home to Netherfield and she been so ill at Pemberley. Mrs Reynolds, not prone towards hysterics, had admittedly feared for her life. The effects of that bout may still be lingering... Her frame felt so small in his arms. It was uncanny how her presence could feel so large yet her shape was so lithe...
The water from her gown had seeped through his gloves, she must be wet to the skin...
No, enough! The rain had cleared. He would take Swiftsilver into Meryton and buy some supplies. That should take his mind off unsuitable subjects.
Mr Bingley's stable hand did not lift a brow at his request of saddling Swiftsilver an hour after he had unsaddled him. For that Mr Darcy tossed him a shilling and headed towards the small town. Not unlike Lambton, the village near his home of Pemberley.
He went to the bookseller first although it was merely a disguise to work up the nerves to go where he had initially intended.
With a book under his arm as fortification and a pleasant exchange with the bookseller later, he crossed the square to Meryton's seamstress shop. The town's gentlemen tipped their hat at him but to his surprise, several of them stopped him for a chat. He was not used to being addressed by slight acquaintances but rather politely shunned. The habitants of Meryton had somehow gotten the impression he was approachable all of sudden.
Sir William headed his way in eager strides, Darcy stifled a sigh. The man was amiable but had a tendency to let his mouth run on.
"Mr Darcy, how fortunate to find you here. Have you heard? It is all over town, Miss Lizzy is missing."
He must have appeared quizzical because Sir William elaborated, not that the man needed an excuse.
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet has not returned from her usual morning constitutional. Her parents are worried about the encampment so close but I am under the impression that another pressing matter might be foremost in their mind."
Sir William winked at him like he thought Mr Darcy was in on the secret.
Had he behaved with so little discretion the previous night to garner expectations? They certainly had not needed much encouragement in Mr Bingley's case. Damage control might be needed.
He seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.
"I am certain I do not take your meaning because Miss Elizabeth is currently visiting my sister. I believe they made the arrangement last night at the ball."
"Oh, that is a relief to hear. Her mother must have risen late as usual and not been informed about her daughter's prior engagement. She is rather excitable but a dear friend of my wife," the man added quickly.
Mr Darcy nodded in acquiescence, hoping that would be the end of it, it was not.
"May I applaud you for singling out or dear Miss Lizzy last night? She is not as beautiful as her sister but her heart is pure as gold, Mr Darcy. It must be difficult growing up beside a beauty such as Miss Jane..."
Mr Darcy was appalled, demeaning Miss Elizabeth to a lesser beauty than her sister? There was nothing ordinary about the girl in any respect.
How shallow to remark upon it. Was this the moral modern society was built upon? Valuing beauty over the mind like his sister choosing good looks and charm over substance. Wickham choosing money over honour. Was he any better, striving for a bride of wealth and connections? Perhaps he should settle for someone who did not bore him to death by insipid conversation...
He had to rein in his emotions lest it would show on his countenance but he had to give the man a proper set down.
"I have no idea of what you are talking about. Excuse me, I have an errand to run for my sister."
Giving Sir William a curt bow of the head, he continued to the seamstress's shop. He had no idea if she had what he was looking for but it was his only option in this quaint little town.
The square was milling with officers. He could hardly find a spot for his horse around the watering hole. He opted to leave him with a young lad who with a little reimbursement promised solemnly to let his horse drink as soon as there was an opening.
As he suspected, the seamstress had a little bit of everything. The shop was owned by a Mr James, the seamstress's husband, who came running when he spotted Mr Darcy.
"Mr Darcy! Mr James at your service, how may I help you?"
He looked around, utterly embarrassed but he had come this far...
A lady stood on a podium in the back. Young ladies flitted around her, pinning her hem at the right length. For some reason, he pictured such intimate moments to be held in a room at the back, preferably behind closed doors.
He had escorted Georgiana a few times to her modiste in town but never had he witnessed such a spectacle.
Ribbons hang from the ceiling and the walls were covered in drawers marked with things like velvet, muslin, cotton and Irish. Nowhere was there a drawer marked stockings.
"I need a pair of ladies stockings. It is for my sister," he hastily added as it might not be obvious. He wanted to add additional excuses but clamped his mouth shut lest he reveal too much.
"Certainly, behind my desk here. Does she want white or perhaps these pale pink ones?"
Mr James held up two pairs with very little difference in their colour in Mr Darcy's opinion.
"I am a little at loss here, Mr James. Which one would you recommend as the most common choice?"
"The young ladies often prefer white ones while a more mature or married lady might opt for something of colour."
"Right, I will have the white one."
"Only one pair, Mr Darcy? These delicate garments tear easily..."
"Right, I will have three pairs then."
"Anything else, Mr Darcy?"
"Yes, a shawl. A warm one as the parlour in Netherfield has a draft from the windows."
"It is an admirable trait that you care so much for your sister's comfort."
"Yes, well. She is very dear to me."
Mr James showed him a selection of woollen shawls, he chose a deep red one with mustard yellow flowers and green leaves. It would not suit his fair sister but she was not the recipient he had in mind.
XxX
Mr Darcy knocked on his sister's door after establishing that she was not downstairs. Georgiana opened up the door to let him in but seeing Miss Elizabeth comfortably seated on Georgiana's settee, he opted not to disturb the ladies. Georgiana needed a friend and Elizabeth had proven to be a staunch protector of those she cared about. If not occasionally misplaced... He was not the one Georgiana had needed protection against but the young Miss seemed to have understood that without too much input from himself.
He handed Georgiana the wrapped package of shawl and stockings whilst his eyes betrayed him, stealing glances at Elizabeth. She looked well, brushing her long hair by the fire. She had not heard the knock and startled when she flipped her hair to the other side and caught a glimpse of him on the threshold. Her feet were bare and she hastily tucked them under her skirt. The gown was one he recognised as Georgiana's. Even when sitting down, he could tell it was a bit longer than needed.
"I am not here to disturb your visit with your friend but I have bought you something. I thought it might be needed."
Another stolen glance at Elizabeth, understanding suffused his sister's countenance. She smiled and expressed her gratitude. Mr Darcy left their company with an incline of his head.
Georgiana ripped the wrapping off the package and three pairs of silk stockings fell out from atop of a beautiful shawl.
"I believe these are meant for you, Elizabeth. He gave them to me but as you can see, the colour is all wrong for me, it would suit you much better. He probably noticed your torn stocking as well. Nothing escapes him, he has an uncanny ability to know what is needed."
Georgiana handed her the shawl and one of the pair of stockings. Elizabeth blushed bright red at the thought of Mr Darcy noticing her legs. The gown must have travelled upwards when they had ridden in twosome on his horse...
"No, it was a thoughtful gift from a doting brother to his dearest sister. I cannot accept."
"Nonsense, Elizabeth. You need to borrow stockings regardless and I chose to give you one of my superfluous new pairs. The shawl is an apology gift from me who left you at Gretna Green with nary a thought for anyone else but myself. Please, let me make amends this way."
"I cannot wear the shawl. What must your brother think of me if I appear before him in his recent gift to his sister?"
"My brother likes you very much, I do not for one minute believe this was intended for me. No, it is yours, Elizabeth, to do as you please."
Elizabeth held the shawl in her hands, it would do no harm in trying it on. Her hair was still wet and cold.
The soft wool felt like an embrace. Closing her eyes, she could feel Mr Darcy's warm body behind her on the horse. How appalled he would have been if he knew where her thoughts tended. Fortunately, no one would ever know...
"Are the rest of your party leaving for London soon?"
"I do not believe so, I have heard nothing about it."
"Oh, your brother mentioned it at the ball. It was possible that they would close up the house and follow Mr Bingley to town..."
"I certainly hope not, I would not enjoy living in a tent."
"No, neither would I but my mother swears we are to live in the hedgerows which are even worse, I imagine."
"Why would she say that?"
"Because of the eligible suitor I rejected this morning. My father's estate is entailed away from us poor females. The heir presumptive is Mr Collins who I danced the first set with at the ball. He is your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh's parson until my father perishes and he will inherit. My mother believes he will throw us out of Longbourn the very next minute.
In reality, there is a dower house for us to live in but our expenses will have to be cut short. Not exactly living in the hedgerows but close enough in my mother's eyes.
It is why I was out in the rain when your brother happened upon me. I was not on my way to Netherfield but a hunting lodge far into the woods. He deemed me unsuitably dressed for such endeavour and here I am."
Elizabeth threw out her hands and gave Georgiana an apologetic look.
"I am sorry to intrude upon you, unannounced."
"Think nothing of it Elizabeth. I am glad you confided in me. I have missed you, Elizabeth. We were such good friends in Ramsgate and had a lot of fun together, did we not? I admit with George away for most of the day and every night, I am a tad bored."
"You do not find Miss Bingley's company entertaining?"
Elizabeth sipped her cup of tea to hide her smile.
Georgiana rolled her eyes.
"I would like for you to stay with me for a few days, Elizabeth. I am in dire need of company."
"In that case, I need to send a note to my father before he sends out a search party. I really did not think this through..."
Elizabeth sighed, she had hoped that her days of rash decisions were over but it seemed ingrained in her nature. Hopefully, her mother would not descend on Netherfield to haul her back to Longbourn and Mr Collins as soon as she learnt of her whereabouts.