Chapter 3
"Mr Darcy!" exclaimed Jane.
"Miss Bennet," he bowed shortly.
"What brings you here, sir? Have you got news on what happened to our Lizzy?"
"News? What news?" Upon closer look, the man looked rather haggard, as if he hadn't slept all night. Clearly he was very worried.
"So she is here then?"
"Yes, she is, but…"
"Good," relief suddenly flooded his face. "Mrs Collins was very worried. Miss Elizabeth left yesterday without a word. Only in the evening Mrs Collins found a letter in Miss Elizabeth's room stating that she had left for London to go to her aunt and uncle. This morning when I visited them, they told me that she had left. I promised to ride to London immediately to see if she had arrived safely. So that is why I am here."
Now Mr Gardiner spoke up. "Jane, would you care to introduce this young man to us?" Jane quickly did so.
When they all sat down, Mr Gardiner said: "So Mr Darcy, you said Lizzy left Kent yesterday? Do you know the reason? For as far as we know, she was due to come to us only next week. We are most confused, for she did not come to our house, but I found her just a few hours ago, near the docks. At first I hardly recognised her. She was wearing a sailor man's clothes and looked as if she hadn't eaten for weeks. On top of that, she could not remember anything. She did not even recognise me. She is asleep now upstairs."
Worry was now visible on Mr Darcy's face. "This sounds strange! Something must have happened during the night. For if she left yesterday afternoon, under normal circumstances, she should be able to reach London before nightfall."
A piercing scream was heard from upstairs.
"Lizzy!" Jane jumped up and, followed by the others, ran upstairs. For the moment everyone forgot that Mr Darcy was a stranger in the house and had no apparent reason to go upstairs to see Lizzy.
"Lizzy, what's wrong?" Jane was speaking even before she entered the room.
Elizabeth was sitting against the headboard, hiding under the counterpane, looking very scared. Her look was nearly wild when she saw the people that came into her room.
Jane sat next to her on the bed.
"Oh Lizzy, you are awake! Did you have a nightmare? Something awful must have happened to her!"
But Elizabeth only retreated further. "Who are you?" her voice a bit harsh. Jane seemed to be taken aback.
"Elizabeth, you did not remember me, but I hoped you surely would remember your sister?" Mr Gardiner said, soothingly.
"My sister? I cannot remember anything! What happened? My head!"
Now her aunt came forward. "Shh, dear. We will find out what happened to you. Do not worry. You are safe here! If you do not remember me, I am your aunt Gardiner. This is your sister, Jane. And… oh. Mr Darcy? This is Mr Darcy and as far as I know you were in his company when he visited a friend in Hertfordshire and I think you met him as well in Kent?"
The gentleman nodded.
"Yes, Miss Elizabeth. Yesterday you fled from Hunsford in such a hurry. Your friend Mrs Collins was very worried and I offered to go to London to ascertain that you had arrived safely. It seems you have arrived, but I do not know what happened between the time you left there and arrived here."
Elizabeth only looked more confused. And then grabbed her head with both hands, as if it hurt terribly.
"Come dear, let me help you lay down," Mrs Gardiner's voice was soft and soothing. "You are clearly not well yet. Try to sleep. Tomorrow we will talk further."
"Could I have some food first please?" the voice sounded meek and subdued for a moment.
"Of course dear. You must be very hungry. When have you eaten last?"
Elizabeth tried to find the answer. "I think yesterday evening?"
Quickly she was provided with some food, which she devoured. Then she went back to sleep.
Her sister, aunt and uncle, and Mr Darcy went downstairs. They were greatly puzzled at Lizzy's state of being. What could have happened that she looked like this? Why did she not remember anything?
Mr Darcy assured them that she looked healthy last time he saw her. "…Although, when I saw her last, it rained. Maybe she got so wet that she caught some illness?"
They all decided to leave it for now. Hopefully Elizabeth would feel better after a good night's sleep and they would try to solve the problem on the morrow.
Mr Darcy left after being invited to come back the next day.
None of the people involved slept much that night. Elizabeth seemed to frequently wake up from nightmares, shouting things that they did not understand.
One of those times, Mrs Gardiner went into her niece's room to calm her down, only to find her still asleep but deep into a horrible dream it seemed. With one hand the girl clutched the chest to her body and with the other she was holding a snuffed-out candlestick as if it was a sword. "Go away, Lord Beckett! I am a pirate king and I command you to desist. You will never have the chest!"
Mrs Gardiner raised her brows in confusion. She had no idea what her niece was talking about! Gently she woke up the girl.
"Elizabeth, shh, it was only a nightmare. You're safe. No one will steal it from you."
The girl looked more frightened when she opened her eyes. She dropped the candlestick, but the chest stayed in her hands.
"Lizzy, maybe your dreams help you with your memories! You talked about Lord Beckett. Who is he?"
Now a glint of triumph was visible. "Lord Beckett is dead. He sunk with his ship."
"Ah, and how do you know about that?"
"Because I was there," this last was now spoken with conviction.
Mrs Gardiner nodded as if she understood, but she was even more confused. Maybe Elizabeth was still dreaming. Or talking about her dream. How very strange!
"Do you want something to drink? Or some food perhaps?"
"Ah yes. Some bread please? And water."
The maid who was still in the room, went out to get the items and then came back. Elizabeth once more ate as if she was starved. Then she felt she could sleep again.
Her aunt wished her goodnight and left.
But Mrs Gardiner could not sleep. Lizzy's odd dreams and odd behaviour really troubled her. She resolved to send for a physician on the morrow.
