Gentle Reader,
Here is the next chapter. I want to thank you for all the comments so far. I have received many excellent suggestions and comments, and I appreciate them. Thanks for reading.
Grace
The envelope glowed small and white on the dark wood floor of the bedchamber when the women returned to their room hours later. The name "Mrs. Collins" appeared in a flourishing script on it.
"Who might that be from?" Maria Lucas said.
Who indeed? At this point, she would not be surprised if it were from Prince Regent himself. She was still reeling from surprise at Mr. Darcy's proposal, the discovery of the dog, all of it.
"It's none of your business," Charlotte said and swept her sister toward the sitting area and left Elizabeth alone with the letter. She turned it over and saw the bright red D. pressed into the seal and opened it.
Be not alarmed, Madam, on receiving this letter by the apprehension of it containing any repetition of those sentiments or renewal of those offers which were last night so disgusting to you…
Tears sprang to Elizabeth's eyes as she read, and she realized just how hurt and confused she was still by everything that had happened that day.
Mr. Darcy claimed she had judged his character wrongfully. He explained he had observed her sister Jane's attentions to Bingley, and though pleasant, she seemed to lack sentiment that Darcy expected from one in love. As she read, Elizabeth's lips twisted.
And what did he know about the behavior of ladies in love?
She read on.
He mentioned her family, and here Elizabeth began to feel a knowing dread. Although she wished to condemn his opinion as that of an irredeemable snob, she began to see that—though offensive to her family—his logic did make some sense.
Her family, particularly her mother, had been bold and indiscreet in her husband-hunting comments. Elizabeth cringed as she remembered. Darcy also mentioned the behavior of her three sisters and even her father as occasionally lacking propriety, and she reluctantly agreed. Her face flamed again at her memory. She had to admit Mr. Darcy was not incorrect.
She set down the letter and rose to pour herself a glass of water, her hands shaking as she did so. Charlotte and Maria stayed in the other room, giving her privacy. If she were not so miserable, she might have almost laughed at how ridiculous she must have seemed, trembling and pacing the length of the rug while she read. But at this moment, nothing seemed amusing.
Then Darcy's letter discussed Mr. Wickham and her stomach clenched in knots. She read, then stopped, looked up, and went back to reading several times in amazement as Darcy revealed how Wickham refused the livelihood at the church and demanded excessive money from Darcy several times.
No, it cannot be so. Could Wickham be the devil Darcy described?
And yet, with each new line she read, more fear formed within her.
She wanted it not to be so, but suspicion bloomed. She knew there was truth at the core of what Mr. Darcy said about Wickham's vain and capricious character.
Finally, she came to where Mr. Darcy mentioned his young sister, Georgiana, and how Wickham had taken advantage of her youth and endeavored to have her elope with him. She wished to cry out and deny that so awful an accusation could be put to Wickham, whom she thought she knew. But Mr. Darcy's words stopped her and she knew he would not reveal such a story if it were not true, as the shame would be too great.
After reading through the letter again and then a final time, Elizabeth lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling as the shadows lengthened. A sad calm settled in her as she realized how wrong she had been about so many things. Her tears dried in the corners of her eyes. She pictured herself talking and laughing openly with Wickham and then shunning Mr. Darcy after the assembly. She had been so sure of her own opinion, and so wrong.
She truly had been a fool.
How could Mr. Darcy not despise her now? Not that it mattered anymore, she decided as she rose from the bed.
The posting inn at which Darcy and his cousin chose to stop after riding the next day away from Rosings Park was more rustic than they both were used to, but the rooms were clean and Darcy insisted it would meet their needs. What he did not say was that he needed to put as many miles as possible between him and Mrs. Elizabeth Bennet Collins.
Darcy suspected he had no need to tell his cousin, who likely knew his moods better than anyone. So when Darcy returned the night before, late and agitated after he was supposed to meet the Colonel with the dog at Mr. Collin's home, he only knew something was amiss. But he knew better than to ask. Darcy could be worse than a scared rabbit when revealing what bothered him. And the Colonel suspected somehow it involved Mrs. Collins.
So, as they ate their supper, Darcy said nothing, and the Colonel ignored him for forty-five full minutes until he could no longer take it.
"Damnation, Darcy!" He said, then realized that the others in the dining room turned to look at him. He lowered his voice. "Is it your intention to spend this entire journey not speaking or will I be forced to thrash you?"
Darcy calmly swallowed his port but did not look over at his cousin. "Need I remind you of the last time we came to blows, you came away worse off than I?"
"I am a half-foot taller and some 20 stone heavier now. You might not fare so well today."
Darcy merely shrugged and used his knife to saw off another piece of meat. "I still know your weaknesses. Your left ankle. And a tweaked shoulder." He pointed to his cousin's arm. "More importantly, there is nothing I wish to say."
Colonel Fitzwilliam wiped his mouth with his napkin. "How about revealing why you wished to leave Rosings early?"
"I told you I was bored."
"Since when do you seek out excitement? Your idea of a good time is silence and a glass of cognac."
"Shame I cannot enjoy the former here."
Colonel Fitzwilliam frowned. "Fine. Sulk all you want. I know this involves Mrs. Bennet Collins of Meryton and you cannot convince me otherwise."
"Very well." Darcy shrugged again.
Next to him at the table was a young rider in a long, mud-flecked coat. He turned toward them. "Begging your pardon, my Lords. Do you speak of the Bennets of Meryton?"
Darcy rolled his eyes. Could he never escape Mrs. Collins and her family?
"I am sorry to overhear, but I'm sent to carry a message to them. I only stopped to change horses and dash back a pint."
Darcy's expression softened. "Has something occurred to the family?"
The rider tapped his hand to an envelope in his coat pocket. "I do not know the exact contents of the message. But I do know it is an urgent matter regarding one of the daughters."
Darcy leaned back, wondering for a moment at what price the young man might be bought. He shook away such thoughts. Such behavior was below him and he could not do it.
"What's your price to see the letter?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, smiling.
Apparently it wasn't below his cousin.
Darcy was taken aback. "Fitz, what do you mean?"
Colonel Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes. "Darcy, I've known you your whole life and I've never seen you like this. You fasten your gaze to Mrs. Collins when she is present so steadfastly, it's almost embarrassing. Don't get me wrong. She's a lovely girl and seems to have a kind, spirited character. A true diamond, if you will. I do not know what misconception separated you, but I'm willing to go to any measure to set this to rights."
Darcy looked disgusted. "And you believe resorting to bribery will remedy this?"
Colonel Fitzwilliam shrugged and scratched the back of his neck.
"I'll have no part in it," Darcy said and stood up.
Richard raised his hands up as if in surrender. "Relax, cousin. I was making a jest." He gave a sideways glance at the rider. "Mostly."
"Do not make tepid jests at her expense," Darcy said as he straightened his coat and walked away from the table.
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at the young rider. "Do you truly not know the contents of the letter?"
The rider's eyes darted around. "I may have heard rumors…"
The Colonel sighed and clapped the rider on the shoulders. "Well, I suppose you should be on your way now, shouldn't you? Mind if I walk you out?"
Darcy narrowed his eyes and peered at his cousin. "You're certain of this information?"
Colonel Fitzwilliam stood across the room, leaning against the hearth and crossing his arms. "As certain as I can be. Let's just say the rider's tongue was loosened by coin. It involves a Bennet daughter and that devil, Wickham."
Darcy blinked as he absorbed the information. If it were true, it was terrible for the Bennets. "Yes, and considering Georgiana…" he knew he need not say more because his cousin understood to what he referred.
"Which Bennet sister?"
"The rider thought her name started with an L. Louisa? Lydia?"
"Lydia," Darcy said quietly. Darcy clenched his fists. "Damnation, I should have ended Wickham when I had a chance."
His cousin nodded. "You cannot do much good for your sister if you're imprisoned for murder."
"But it may have prevented this," Darcy said.
Colonel Fitzwilliam sighed. "So what are your plans?"
"To town. I must find him and remedy this if I am able. It's the least I owe the Bennets. She may not marry me, but I cannot let her family be so degraded."
The Colonel smiled a bit. "You are lucky I like you. I'd not traipse all over Britain for anyone else."
"You forget I pay for everything."
"True." The colonel crossed his arms. "But I would happily watch you thrash Wickham for free."
"Then you'd best accompany me."
"Letter for Mrs. Elizabeth Collins," Lady Catherine's butler announced coolly as he entered the large sitting room where Elizabeth, Charlotte and Maria Lucas all sat, embroidering and trying to look engaged in it.
Elizabeth took the letter from the silver tray, recognizing Jane's handwriting. She felt a flicker of excitement to hear from her. How she longed to tell Jane about the proposal from Mr. Darcy, but she decided waiting to tell her in person was preferable than explaining it by letter. She was pleased they would be leaving Rosings in a few days and going to London to get Jane, and they both would return together to Longbourn. That would give them plenty of time to discuss everything at length.
However, Jane's first words caught Elizabeth off guard.
Dearest Lizzy,
I have the very worst news in the world. I wish I did not have to write this now. But it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you our terrible news. Lydia has left home. We have learned she has run away, and we believe she most likely is accompanying our former friend, Mr. Wickham, on her way to Scotland. Several members of the militia–including Wickham–came through Meryton last week and Lydia, Kitty and friends were invited to dine at the Forster's home. I am recalling the details told in a letter from Aunt and Uncle Gardiner today so I do not know the particulars. I cannot guess what she might be thinking, although she did leave a short note that indicates she fancies herself in love with Wickham and will soon be married. Lizzy, she is ruined! And all of us with her!
Elizabeth gasped as she read the words. Charlotte and Maria looked up at her as when she did, and she ran from the room and upstairs to the privacy of the bedchamber to reread the letter. There had been too much. Mr. Collins, Jane and Bingley, Mr. Darcy's dubious proposal, and now this. They would all be ruined once news of Lydia's behavior got out.
Someone knocked lightly on the door. Charlotte poked her head inside. "Lizzy, is something the matter?"
Elizabeth tried to wipe away her tears. When Charlotte saw her face, she closed the door and came to her. "What is it? Is someone injured?"
Elizabeth could only cry for a moment, wretched. "I need to return to Longbourn as soon as possible," she managed to say between sobs. Charlotte nodded and held for her a clean handkerchief. "I cannot tell you why just yet, for it is not my story to tell, but I must pick up Jane and all of us must return home."
Charlotte nodded kindly. "Of course, Lizzy. I will tell Maria we will leave tomorrow and inform Lady Catherine. You should write to Jane now and tell her we will be early."
Elizabeth nodded, still attempting to dry her tears. Charlotte was a practical friend and would face Lady Catherine in her stead, which she appreciated heartily. She sat alone in her bed, wondering quite what had occurred that everything around her seemed to become so terrible. Was this more punishment for marrying Mr. Collins without being in love with him? She sighed and wiped her tears. It must be so. That was the only thing that made any sense to her. She had tried to help her family and now they were all being punished for it.
Her only small consolation was that she had turned down Mr. Darcy before this latest blow, so she would not have endured the inevitable rejection when he learned of her family's impropriety. How right he had been about her family, she considered bitterly. Once again, he was correct and her family was in the wrong.