Chapter 22: The journey
"Papa, papa. I can help you. Give me your hand."
"No, Lizzy. You cannot. You have to let me go."
"Papa, give me your hand, I can pull you out."
"The ground is collapsing, Lizzy. Let me go, my child. I love you!"
She watched in agony as the carriage collapsed and fell down the broken bridge.
"No! Papa! Don't leave me. Please!"
"Elizabeth, what happened? Are you all right? Open your eyes." Darcy was sitting beside her without any idea how to help her. My God! Wake up Elizabeth!
About half an hour ago, he had watched her fall asleep with a book in her hands. It was barely a couple of hours into their journey.
Darcy felt guilty for admiring her when she was asleep. I never imagined I could admire you so much, despite the events of the past. She is indifferent towards me, and I cannot help but feel an attraction towards her.
He was sure that it was not just a physical attraction. He admired her intelligence. Could this be the same woman who viciously trapped me into a compromise? Why am I questioning myself about this matter so often now? He could not come to terms with his feelings.
Suddenly, he was shocked to hear her cry out in sleep.
She had her eyes closed but seemed to be in distress.
"No! Papa! Don't leave me. Please!"
Darcy immediately moved to her side and held her hand. He tried to wake her up. Oh! God! She is in a deep nightmare.
"Elizabeth, what happened? Are you all right? Open your eyes." He said in dismay.
She finally opened her eyes in confusion. "Papa! Papa! I could not save him. He is gone."
Darcy did not know what to do.
I cannot hold her in my arms. I cannot do that. How do I comfort her?
"Elizabeth, you had a nightmare. You are in the carriage. It was a dream."
Darcy watched the agony on her face as she realised her state. She swiftly drew her hand out of his grip. Darcy felt an unexplainable pain in his heart when he saw her struggle to control her tears.
She turned her face away from him, struggling to hide her misery.
"Elizabeth, do you want some water? Is there anything I can do?"
You could have avoided marrying me.
"Please, Mr Darcy, let me be. I am sorry for causing you inconvenience."
"I am just trying to help you."
"I do not need your help."
She is so adamant. He moved to the opposite seat in irritation.
Elizabeth was utterly mortified. What have I done? I have exposed myself to the man who might ridicule my emotions.
She tried hard to compose herself, but the nightmares were getting more miserable day by day. She could not look at her husband's face. What will he think of me? He may think I am trying to gain his sympathy or affection.
She looked at the handkerchief in her hand, as she wiped her tears. This is not mine.
She looked at the initials on it. "F D".
Darcy had given her his handkerchief, fighting the desire to wipe her tears himself. In her state of commotion, she had taken it from him without realising it.
She looked at him seated opposite to her. He looked outside, with a stern face.
She felt a little guilty for being rude to him. Oh! Why did I fall asleep?
Darcy, on the other hand, did not feel angry at her. He had to control himself from pulling her into his arms while she was crying.
Her words echoed in his mind. It must have been a nightmare about her father's death.
He remembered the torment he had experienced when his father passed away. She must still be grieving his loss.
He knew that out of all the people in the world, he must be the one to understand her loss and pain.
They sat in silence till they stopped at an inn for their dinner.
In town, Wickham clutched the letter in his hand with rage. It was from officer Denny.
I cannot believe it. He married Elizabeth Bennet. She compromised him? She was so proper and virtuous. How could it be possible?
He read the letter again.
"Miss Bennet seemed to be as shocked as Mr Darcy about the compromise. There seems to be some maid involved in this. We heard some woman yelling from the balcony. That is how we came to know about their compromise. I even saw her searching for the maid to prove that she had nothing to do with it. But nobody could find her. Mr Darcy looked wild with anger. They somehow convinced him to marry her.
Captain Foster is irked by some complaints he received about you from the women in Meryton. I need not say about your debts. I warn you not to set foot in Hertfordshire again." The rest of the letter had nothing of consequence.
Who wants to go back there? This is all so mysterious. I do not think Elizabeth bennet orchestrated the compromise. Maybe her mother did. Darcy, you deserve this disgrace. You married so low.
But he could not deny the agony he felt in missing his chance with her. The woman I wanted to have, is your wife now. Even now, you have taken away what was mine.
He limped to the table and reached for his glass of whiskey. I shall have my time Darcy. I shall.
Elizabeth and Darcy rested for the night in an inn. The next day, they started to Pemberley. Darcy was happy that it was the final stretch of their journey.
I still have not revealed anything about Emma. I need to. We will reach Pemberley in a few hours. He cleared his throat, and Elizabeth looked up from her book.
"I need to share some details about Pemberley."
Elizabeth looked at him sarcastically. How very nice of you to finally tell me about your estate, Mr Darcy.
"Is it about my responsibilities as the mistress?"
"No. It is about my..our family there."
Our family?
"You must know about my sister Georgiana."
"Forgive me. I do not know anything about your sister. At least not from you."
"She is sixteen. She is shy and very fond of music. We lost our mother when she was a baby. My father passed away five years ago."
He must have taken over the estate at a young age.
"There is one more person in the family I wish you to know about."
Elizabeth looked at him in surprise. One more? Who?
Darcy hesitated.
"Emma. She is three years old."
Oh! God! He has a child?
"Emma is the daughter of my cousin Anne. I am her guardian. She has been under my care since she was born. Her mother died a week after her birth."
Good God! Poor child.
"Your cousin Anne? I do not understand how she is related to you."
"She is the daughter of Lady Katherine."
"The one you severed tied with?"
"Yes."
"Mr Darcy, You seem to want to tell me about the child under your care, but I feel you are not telling me all the details. Why did you not tell me before? Did you think I would walk away from this marriage just because you have a three-year-old in your care?"
Darcy was astonished by her frankness.
"I did not know the right time to talk to you about this."
"And you decided it would be best to tell me about her when we are a few hours away from reaching your estate."
"I did not plan it this way. I am not great at articulating such matters. You do not have to take any responsibilities with her."
Elizabeth felt angry.
"You thought I would consider her as a burden. Didn't you? That is why you were uncomfortable to disclose the details about her."
"I did not say anything like that." Darcy said in anger. She has a way of challenging me. I cannot remember having such verbal battles with anyone in my life.
"You do not have to say, Mr Darcy. Your actions speak louder than your words. What about her father?"
"He died."
"Oh! God! Poor child." Darcy could not deny the emotion in her voice.
"What about your aunt? Why is she not involved in the upbringing of her granddaughter?"
"Because she was against Anne's marriage. She married for love."
There is more to all this. He is not divulging more than he wants to.
Elizabeth had so many questions in her mind but was tired of his indifference in answering her.
A three-year-old girl. How sad to have lost both her parents.
She looked outside the window in deep thought about the child. She was captivated by the beauty of the country. There was a beautiful stream along the road, and she could see the water glimmering in sunlight.
Darcy noticed the smile on her face and knew she was admiring the scenery outside.
She loves the outdoors.
He stopped the carriage to her surprise.
"I thought we could stretch our legs for a few minutes here."
He must have seen me look at the stream. I wonder how keenly he observes me?
They got down, and she walked towards the stream. She had heard a lot about Derbyshire from her aunt, and she was intrigued by the beauty she had witnessed so far. She looked at the stream and immediately removed her slippers. She dipped her feet in the cool water.
Though he stayed a good distance away from her, Darcy's eyes were on her the whole time. He smiled at the beautiful picture in front of him.
Her chocolate curls shined in the sun, and he watched her play with water like a child.
Maybe she still is. She is just twenty-one years old.
Elizabeth noticed her husband looking at her and got up self-consciously. She wore her slippers and walked to the carriage.
Why am I so keen on making her happy? I cannot understand myself.
In a few hours, they reached Pemberley. Elizabeth was captivated by the first sight of the beautiful building. She saw the building's reflection on the lake and could not find words to do justice to its beauty.
Darcy could not wait to see his sister and niece.
We are finally here!
He handed her out of the carriage, and Elizabeth looked at the building before her. She could not help but feel a little intimidated. It is indeed a grand estate. No wonder Miss Bingley tried her best to secure him.
She looked at the serious face of her husband standing beside her. She heaved a sigh. I dearly wish Miss Bingley had been successful in her pursuits.
I had not planned on keeping away the plot about Emma for so long. But it happened so during my writing. Most of you guessed it right. Thank you for all your reviews. Stay safe.
