AN: The enthusiasm for the story has warmed my heart. I wished to answer a question about my posting schedule. I planned to post at least once a week and likely more. It depends upon my beta and my writing speed. I have several chapters ready, so no one will have to wait too long for the first ones.
This brings me to something I failed to mention in my first posting. I want thank my beta Phryne Fisher for her great work. Any mistakes are my own.
Lastly, the question of who dies is answered in this chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 2
As dawn lightened the sky on the next morning, Elizabeth arose despite having gone to church late the night before. She slipped from the bed and padded to the fireplace, stirring the embers and adding fuel when she reached it. Moving to the window, she peered out to see that it was going to be a clear, if cold, day. A walk was what she needed, but she decided to return to bed until the sun was a bit higher in the sky.
About a half hour later, Elizabeth sat in the kitchen, drinking hot tea before she ventured outdoors. Cook was familiar with her early morning rambles and was quite used to serving her a cup and even a muffin or some other bit of food before Lizzy left for her walks.
Thanking Cook, Elizabeth left the kitchen, donning her heaviest pelisse and her bonnet. Hill opened the front door for her. He, too, was used to her early morning walks. As she stepped out into the courtyard, she took a deep breath, enjoying the cold, crisp air. She allowed the quietude to wrap around her. The pain of her recent loneliness lessened as she stood still and took in the beauty of the frosty landscape.
As she walked aimlessly, Elizabeth could not help but think of another day that started out just as lovely, but without the solitary silence of this one. It was the day after her father's cousin and heir, William Collins, had arrived.
Speaking to Jane, Elizabeth had suggested a walk into Meryton to avoid being in the company of unctuous Mr. Collins, but it was not to be. Her younger sisters eagerly invited themselves along, and their mother insisted that Mr. Collins accompany them. As she was later to find out, the man wished to court Elizabeth's good opinion. He consented with a great deal of words.
The conversation during the walk had been rather one-sided, with a great deal of praise for Collins's patroness and her grand home of Rosings Park.
By the time they reached Meryton, Elizabeth was fully ready to leave the man's presence, but he seemed determined to stay by her side at all times.
Lydia and Kitty had rushed ahead of the group when they finally entered the high street of their little market town. The rest caught up with them when the two youngest sisters stopped to admire some cloth displayed in a shop window. However, the fabric did not hold their attention long.
Ever on the lookout for soldiers, Lydia was the first to spy one of the officers from the _shire Militia that was quartered in Meryton for the winter. She called out loudly to the lieutenant who was speaking with another, unknown man.
Mr. Collins made his disapproval known while Jane and Elizabeth followed their sisters in hopes of keeping them from completely abandoning propriety. Lt. Denny introduced them to the handsome gentleman as Mr. George Wickham, who was to take a commission in the militia.
Admittedly, the newcomer was an attractive man, but there seemed to Elizabeth to be something false about him. His charm was too practiced and his smile too polished to be genuine. She felt uncomfortable with his attentions to her. Turning to suggest that they visit their aunt Phillips, she heard the sound of hoof beats before she saw that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were riding in their direction.
Mr. Bingley greeted Jane first, saying, "We were riding to Longbourn to inquire after your health."
Mr. Darcy did not exactly smile at her, but his expression was warm and pleasing until he saw Mr. Wickham. Mr. Darcy's face turned red and stony while Mr. Wickham paled before he greeted Mr. Darcy.
With only a nod in return, Mr. Darcy turned his horse and rode off. Mr. Bingley hastily bid them all farewell before he followed his friend.
More than ever, Elizabeth distrusted this Mr. Wickham and was actually grateful that Mr. Collins insinuated his way to her side as they made their way to the Phillips's home. Lydia was more than happy to take Mr. Wickham's arm as she peppered him with questions about himself.
Later that evening, the Longbourn party, minus Mr. Bennet, arrived back at the Phillips's for a night of cards and a bit of hot supper. Aunt Phillips had invited the officers, much to Lydia's delight.
Elizabeth sat to the side as she did not care for cards, which gave her some respite from the attentions of Mr. Collins, who had been invited by her aunt to play a game of whist. However, she did not realise that her relative solitude would attract another. Mr. Wickham bowed to her with a smile and sat across from her but close enough to speak without being overheard.
He had begun by asking how long Mr. Darcy had been in the area. After receiving the knowledge that he had been at Netherfield for about a month, he wondered aloud how Darcy was liked in the neighbourhood.
Elizabeth answered, "He is a gentleman who keeps to himself but is polite and respected in Meryton."
"I am happy that he is behaving so well..." He paused to glance around. "He is not always a gentleman."
"Is that so?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow in scepticism.
"You have met with likely the one person who will give you a true account of the man," Wickham said with a smooth smile. "We were raised together at Pemberley. My father was steward to the late George Darcy who was also my godfather. He was very fond of me. In fact, I believe he loved me. When my father died, the elder Mr. Darcy saw to my education, including sending me to Cambridge. His wish was for me to serve in the church. When my godfather died, his son refused to grant me the living when it became available."
Unwilling to show her true feelings on the subject, Elizabeth asked, "Why did you not pursue your claim in the courts? Why has he not been publicly shamed for such actions?"
"Alas, there was such informality in the will as to give me no recourse in the law." He gazed down as if saddened by the fact. "And as to your other question, he may be someday, but not by me. Until I can forget his father, I cannot shame the son. I do hope that you will keep what I have said to yourself. It would not do for the tale to be made public."
After giving her assurance of secrecy, he smiled.
He was about to speak further, when Lydia came upon them, having finished her game of lottery tickets.
"Mr. Wickham, we are about to form a line for dancing," Lydia declared as she batted her eyelashes. "Do you dance?"
"I love to dance," Wickham said with a smile. He turned as if he would ask Elizabeth to join him.
However, he was too slow. Lydia grasped his arm and pulled toward the other side of the room. Mary was at the pianoforte, having just finished playing a song.
"Mary, play a merry tune, so that we might dance," Lydia ordered.
Mary reluctantly complied and several of those attending gathered in the cleared side of the room.
For once, Elizabeth was glad for Lydia's lack of manners, since she was not willing to spend any more time with that particular officer. It also pleased her that Mr. Collins was busy trying to play whist. From the sound of it, he played quite poorly.
A few days later, when she had fled the house early to avoid Mr. Collins's company, she met Mr. Darcy riding near the path to Oakham Mount.
"I am surprised to see you out so early, sir," Elizabeth said with a curtsey.
After dismounting and securing his horse to a tree, Darcy winked and then bowed. "I believe that you might have an inkling of why I am not at Netherfield."
"I wonder if it is the same reason I am not at Longbourn. You mean to avoid someone?"
"As astute as ever, Miss Bennet," Darcy said with a laugh. "Before I ask who you are avoiding, may I join you on your walk?"
"Of course, you may, and the answer to your question is Mr. William Collins," she said, disgust evident in her tone. "He is my father's cousin and heir. He talks a great deal without saying anything of import. Mainly, he goes into raptures over the condescension of his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh."
"He is Lady Catherine's parson?" Mr. Darcy was surprised at the revelation.
"Indeed, he is." She sighed. "He is looking for a wife from among my father's daughters. Now you know the full reason why I avoid his company."
"Lady Catherine is my aunt, and knowing the kind of clergymen she has chosen in the past, I would not wish such a husband on anyone." Glancing at her, he said, "Surely your parents would not force you to marry him."
"My mother would indeed, for she wishes to remain at Longbourn." She smirked as she said, "I am certain that my father would not. He only allows Mr. Collins to stay because he enjoys observing his foolishness."
"I hope that the man does not importune you greatly," Darcy said with feeling.
"I have no fear of him, only I wished to avoid being in his company today." She hesitated before she continued. "I would like to ask you a question, but I fear I might upset you."
"You may ask anything you wish, although I may not wish to answer," he teased.
Nodding, she spoke. "The other day when we met in the street in Meryton, my sisters and I had just been introduced to Mr. Wickham."
"And I suppose you noticed our cold greeting, and wish to understand the reason?"
"That is part of it." Again Elizabeth hesitated. She searched for the right words. "He was present later that evening at a card party given by my aunt Phillips. He singled me out for conversation, and proceeded to tell me a fantastic story. Knowing you as I do, I did not trust his tale of hardship at your hand."
"George Wickham was the son of my father's steward. The late Mr. Wickham was an honourable and capable steward, so that when he died my own father saw to his education. We played together as children, but as he grew older, I found him to be cruel and dishonest. He is a wastrel of the first order. My father never saw this, whether by choice or because Wickham is a charmer. Did he also claim that I denied him the living that my father had planned to give him?"
"Yes."
"I imagine he did not tell you that, not wishing to be a clergyman, he asked for the full value of the living be given to him, along with the thousand pound legacy left him by my honoured father. He signed away any claim to the living for three thousand pounds. I hoped that I had seen the last of him, but three years later when the living became vacant, he was back asking for it. As you might expect, I refused and sent him away."
Shaking her head at the audacity of Wickham, she replied, "I knew that he was dissembling, but I did not realise the extent. You should make this known, or else he will spoil your reputation in our village."
"I would if not for circumstances that I wish to remain secret." By this time, they had reached the summit of Oakham Mount, and he began to pace.
Elizabeth stood and watched him stride away from her, only to turn and come back, three times before he seemed to come to a decision.
"Miss Bennet, might we sit on the log over there. I have something I feel I must share with you, but I ask for your complete confidence in the matter."
"If you wish to tell me something that you do not wish to be made known, I shall say nothing to anyone about it." Elizabeth followed him to the downed tree that everyone who visited the mount liked to use as a bench.
Mr. Darcy proceeded to explain how Mr. Wickham attempted to convince his young sister to elope with him and how the plan was foiled by Georgiana, who sent an express to her brother before Wickham could execute his plans.
Mr. Wickham and his partner in the plot, his sister's companion, were both sent away immediately. When his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam was apprised of the incident, he threatened to hunt the villain down and kill him. Darcy had had to convince the colonel that if he did so, he would go to the gallows.
Elizabeth had been dismayed that such a man was in their midst. "Could you not at least make the people of Meryton of his character? It might save some other young women from ruin."
"It would be a difficult task, seeing that Wickham might become aware of my interference. I believe that he would have no qualms about spreading lies about my sister." Darcy sighed, feeling the hopelessness and guilt of the situation.
"Could you at least talk to my father? You would not need to speak of your sister. You could tell of his past misdeeds and warn him about the perils of association with him to young girls such as my sisters," Elizabeth all but pleaded.
Seeming to ponder her questions for several moments, Darcy finally spoke. "I shall speak with your father if you think it will be of use."
Thanking him profusely, she stood to return to Longbourn.
After these moments of contemplation, Elizabeth found that she had rambled down the lane toward the road to Meryton. As she did not have a destination in mind, but wishing to be away from the house, she continued in that direction. The sound of hoof beats broke the silence. Looking up, she saw a rider turn into the lane before her.
When the young man saw her, he reined his horse to a stop.
"Pardon me, Miss," he said rather breathlessly, "I'm looking for a Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
"I am she," Elizabeth answered quickly.
"I have a letter for you," he said as he pulled something from his satchel. Jumping down from his horse, he held out the letter.
"I do not have money with me to pay you," she said with regret.
"No need, I've been paid and told to wait for your answer."
"In that case, you must come with me to the kitchen. I am certain that Cook will have something for you to eat and drink while you wait for me to write my reply."
As they walked in silence back toward the house, the groom met them and took the young man's horse to the stable.
Once inside the kitchen, Elizabeth asked Cook to serve the young man some food and drink. Before she left, she took the servant aside and begged her to keep the express rider's presence from her family. Something told her that secrecy was going to be important.
Not wishing to wake Jane, since they were sharing a room while the Gardiners were visiting, Elizabeth took the missive to the still room off of the kitchen. Once inside, she shut the door and broke the unfamiliar seal.
The letter was written in a light feminine hand. Elizabeth searched for the signature. It read "Miss Georgiana Darcy." She gasped and returned to the top of the message and read:
Dear Miss Elizabeth Bennet,
Please pardon my breach of etiquette in writing to you, a person I have not met as yet. However, I feel that I know you very well after everything my dear brother has told me about you. As per his letter to your father upon his departure from Hertfordshire, he informed Mr. Bennet that Mr, Bingley and he would return to Netherfield .
However, there was a terrible accident two days before Christmas. My brother, Mr, Bingley, and his sister Miss Bingley had gone to a concert. They were on their way home. They were hit broadside by another carriage. That driver was very drunk, and his vehicle hit the Bingley carriage on the side in which the two siblings were sitting. They were killed immediately.
My brother was thrown out of the carriage and has many injuries, including a concussion and a broken leg and arm. He has not fully awakened, despite the doctor's treatments. Apparently it is not uncommon for someone with head injuries to be in a coma or suffer from delirium, but Mr. Prichard is worried about his fever, and how he cries out for you, Miss Elizabeth. Mr. Pritchard thinks that if he is not better soon, Fitzwilliam's thrashing about may do him great harm.
I have discussed this with my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, and he agreed with what I wish to ask of you. Please, Miss Elizabeth, would you come to London and visit my brother? I am not expecting a miracle. He may still not recover, but I am positive that your presence will bring him peace.
I have paid the express rider for any message you might wish to write. I hope to hear from you soon.
In great hope,
Georgiana Darcy
Stunned by the news, Elizabeth stood, unable to move for a long moment. She had actually felt the blood drain from her face at the thought of Mr. and Miss Bingley's deaths and Mr. Darcy's serious injuries. Soon the idea, both of the agony Jane would experience once she was made aware of Charles Bingley's fate, and the terror building in her own heart at the possibility that Mr. Darcy might succumb to his, caused a cascade of emotion that threatened to overwhelm. Her eyes stung, and her heart raced as she nearly swooned with the horror of it all.
However as she stood fighting the waves of emotion, the more rational part of her began to devise a way to get to Mr. Darcy. What if I can help to save his life? I could at least give him comfort and solace to make him rest easier.
Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth swallowed back the tears, not permitting them to she showed any sign of distress, someone in her family was bound to notice. Forcing her mind to the subject of getting to Town, she decided to go to her father to get his permission before she sent a reply to Miss Darcy. Jane and the Gardiners would not have a problem with her changing her mind, as her aunt and uncle had extended to both her and her elder sister.
She knew that if her dear Jane knew of the tragedy while still at Longbourn, her sister would not be given the time to mourn. Mrs. Bennet would decry the deaths as if she were the one who suffered the loss. Her mother might even try to keep both sisters at home, so that she could have company in her grief. No, it was best that she wait until they reached Gracechurch Street to inform Jane.
Again tears stung her eyes, but Elizabeth blinked them back quickly as she stuffed the letter into her pocket and left the still room. She hurried to the breakfast room, in the hopes that her father had risen. It was a relief to find her father sitting at the table. He greeted her with a cheerful smile.
"Ah, Lizzy, I am rather surprised that you are back so soon from your morning stroll."
"I went out for a short time, but I wanted to ask your permission to accept Aunt and Uncle Gardiner's invitation to go to Gracechurch Street with them tomorrow. I am certain that they will not mind that I have changed my mind at the last minute," Elizabeth tried to sound nonchalant, but was not certain she succeeded.
"Why the sudden change of heart?" he asked, concern clear in his voice.
Elizabeth hesitated while trying to think of a reason that would satisfy her father without revealing the complete truth.
"I need some time away from Mama," she said while she stared down at the table in front of her.
"Is she berating you because you refused my idiot cousin Collins?" Mr. Bennet asked in sympathy.
"It does get very tiring to hear how I have failed the family; how I will be the reason she will have to leave her rightful home when you die," she agreed.
"Well, I cannot say that I shall enjoy being without reasonable and intelligent conversation while you and Jane are both gone, but I completely understand why you wish to leave." He took a sip of his tea and said, "You make sure that the Gardiners still wish for your company, although I doubt they would rescind the invitation. Once they agree, pack your trunks."
He grinned and added, "Perhaps you will be willing to return by Eastertide."
Elizabeth stood quickly and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Papa."
While waiting until her aunt and uncle came down to breakfast, Elizabeth wrote a quick reply to Miss Darcy, explaining that she would try to come to Darcy House as soon as she could once she reached Town. It would be ready once she received agreement from her aunt. She was grateful that her mother and sisters were late in arriving at the table. Her aunt Gardiner gave instructions to the maid about the children's meal after greeting her niece.
Once the maid went to the kitchen, Elizabeth spoke. "Aunt, I hope you do not mind that I have changed my mind and wish to accompany you and uncle to Town."
"Of course not, I am delighted! I was quite disappointed when you first said you would not come with us." Her aunt smiled and took a sip of her tea. "Is there a reason for your change of mind?"
Mr. Gardiner seemed engrossed in the newspaper, so Elizabeth leaned closer to her aunt. "One reason is to avoid Mama's lament about my not accepting Mr. Collins's proposal. The other is important, but I cannot speak of it now. I promise to tell you as soon as we reach your home."
"I completely understand your wish to evade your mother's constant bemoaning about Mr. Collins." Mrs. Gardiner patted Elizabeth's hand. "I am certain your other motive will be sensible as well."
Elizabeth quickly kissed her aunt's cheek and thanked her.
After receiving such a pleased response from her aunt Gardiner, Elizabeth went to the kitchen with her letter before going to her room. Jane was also pleased that her closest sister would be accompanying her to Town and helped Lizzy with the packing. Soon her trunks were ready for the next morning's early departure.
The Gardiner's carriage left Longbourn at first light the next morning. Elizabeth had not slept well the night before for worrying about Mr. Darcy.
She knew that she would have to tell her relatives when they reached Gracechurch Street. This would likely be the most difficult task she had performed in a great deal of time. She understood that Jane would be broken-hearted, but at least, she would have their kind aunt to comfort her during the initial mourning. Her hope was that she did not have to force the issue when it came to visiting the Darcys.
If her aunt and uncle would not allow her the use of the carriage, Elizabeth planned to hire a hansom to take her there. She was grateful that her father had pressed some extra funds into her hands as they said farewell that morning, for it would give her ample resources to make the trip to Darcy House.
Happily, the Gardiner carriage was a large one, what with three children and four adults, it could have been crowded. For the first part of the trip, the children chattered away about the holiday and the joys of Christmas. The adults listened but contributed little to the conversation.
Finally, after a half hour, the little ones began to fall asleep due to the early departure and the rocking of the carriage. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were next to slip into slumber, followed by Jane. Because of her worry for Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth had no desire to nap. Instead, she thought back to her stay at Netherfield when Jane was ill.
As she had expected, the Bingley sisters were coldly polite to her face at first. It was not, however, until Mr. Bingley invited her to stay to nurse Jane that Elizabeth felt true hostility from the younger of the two women.
Small remarks about her lack of refinement meant little to her, especially after Mr. Darcy's comment with accompanying sly wink about a truly accomplished lady needing to add extensive reading to those talents voiced by Miss Bingley. It took great self-control on Elizabeth's part not to burst forth in laughter.
Another time during her visit, Elizabeth took a walk with Mrs. Hurst when they met Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Hurst hurried to join them and linked her arm with his.
"Let us go into the avenue so that there will be room for us all to walk together," Mr. Darcy remarked.
"Oh, no," Elizabeth protested, "I am going to return to the house to check on my sister, and the picturesque would be ruined if I were to join you."
As the three walked on ahead, Mr. Darcy glanced back to see Elizabeth wink quickly before she made her way to the house.
Later during the visit, the final full day to be precise, Elizabeth visited Netherfield's sparse library while trying to avoid the hostess. She found it increasingly difficult to not snipe back in kind to all of the disparaging remarks the Bingley sisters made about her extended family in trade. Her aunt and uncle were loving people who had allowed both her and Jane to come to London when times at home became too difficult to bear. Aunt Gardiner had especially been instrumental in teaching the two eldest sisters the poise and manners that their own mother had failed to do.
Inside the library, Elizabeth found a volume that she had not read in a long time and quickly became absorbed in it. So involved in the book's plot was she that she failed at first to notice when Mr. Darcy entered the room and took a seat near her.
Elizabeth finally looked up when Mr. Darcy coughed.
"Are you taking ill, sir?" She knew full well that he had done it to get her attention.
"No, Miss Bennet, I...," he hesitated as his face reddened, but he smiled when he saw her sly wink.
"As I have said before, you are very quick, Miss Bennet," he complimented as he sat near her. "I am only just learning how to discern your teases from when you are being serious."
"I do not think that you have much experience in this area," she stated.
"My cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam is a great tease, and he has often told me that I need to laugh more. As you well know, I can seem very stern and humourless at times," Darcy sighed and leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "When I am comfortable with someone, I find it much easier to find the humour, but I am not able to read new people as well as I would like."
"I did observe your sternness at the assembly, but even then you expressed yourself with wit and understanding of those around you." Elizabeth could not quite agree with his assessment of himself.
"Ah, but you were and are an exception," Darcy admitted with a slight lifting of his shoulders. "I felt as if I have known you for a long time, even before we actually spoke. I cannot explain it, but there it is."
Elizabeth was ready to question him further, but they were interrupted by Miss Bingley who swept into the room, feathers waving and perfume wafting.
"Mr. Darcy," Miss Bingley chided mildly, "I have searched nearly the whole house only to find you in this dusty, inadequate room. I do not know how you can abide to be in such a place when your own libraries are so vast. It must pain you greatly."
"On the contrary," Darcy began, but was cut off when Miss Bingley discovered that Elizabeth was also in the room.
"Miss Eliza," Caroline sneered, "How dare you come to disturb Mr. Darcy?"
"As it was, Miss Bingley, I disturbed Miss Bennet," Darcy interjected.
"I see," Miss Bingley answered, unable to think of a rejoinder. "I merely came to tell you that tea is ready in the green parlour if you would care to join us."
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet," Darcy said as he stood, "Are you able to tear yourself away from your book, so that you might join everyone?
Knowing perfectly well that Miss Bingley had not actually invited her to have tea, she smiled sweetly. "Why, thank you, I would enjoy that very much."
As he offered his hand to assist her in rising, his eye twitched ever so slightly, but Elizabeth recognized the wink. Placing her hand on his arm, she allowed herself to be guided out of the library and to the green parlour.
Throughout the journey to Gracechurch Street, Elizabeth could not keep her mind and heart from worrying about how Mr. Darcy might be faring. Would he still be alive when she arrived? Would she truly be able to make a difference in his state of mind? Even after the rest of the family awoke, she could contribute little to the conversation, other than a few words or a nod of the head.
Her aunt finally asked, with some concern in her voice, "Are you well, Lizzy? You have been unusually quiet during this trip."
"I am well," she said, "I just have a great deal to think about. I shall speak of it with you once we have more privacy."
Jane also looked anxiously at her sister. "I hope you will allow me in on this discussion."
"Yes, I will, dearest Jane."
Mrs. Gardiner nodded and turned to stop the youngest of her children from standing on the seat.