Chapter Nine
Mr Darcy ate with the Fitzwilliam's the following evening. The atmosphere was quite different to any other he had experienced while being in their company. The Fitzwilliam's picked at their food and spoke hardly a word. Darcy, surprisingly, was the one who attempted the most conversation, quite contrary to some people's impressions of him. However, after several fruitless attempts, he gave up.
He left the house about eight o'clock, and entered the Gardiner home substantially later, only after sitting in his carriage for some time, plucking up his courage. For some reason, it felt like this was a turning point in world history and the fate of the universe was all up to him; or like if he didn't make this work out, nothing else would in his life.
"Stop being so melodramatic, Darcy," he said out loud, and bravely got out of the vehicle, marched up to the front door, and knocked.
The butler opened the door. "Mr Darcy," he said solemnly, and led him into the sitting room. Jane sat there alone, obviously nervous. She stood up when he entered. "Mr Darcy." She curtsied.
"Miss Bennet," he replied. "I hope you are in good health?" It was at times like these that he fell back upon silly little questions like that. He could have cursed himself.
"Yes, thank you," she said. "Please sit down."
He felt awkward asking the question they both knew he had come to ask. "Miss Bennet, have you arrived at a decision regarding my aunt and uncle, and your connexion to them?"
Jane looked hesitant. "Sir, I believe I have. Elizabeth, however, is very confused about what she wants to do. She persistently says she will become a governess, or impossible things like that. She is in her bedchamber presently."
"I see," he said, his brow furrowed. He did not really see. "Er – may I ask – why on earth does she want to be a governess?"
Jane rolled her eyes. "She is being very tiresome. She knows she cannot live here for long, and she is scared of going to the Fitzwilliam's, although she doesn't admit it, and has decided that therefore she must be a governess." She blushed. "I apologise for being so forward, but you must understand how it is. She is terrified. When Lizzy is terrified she either faces her problems head-on, or she bluffs her way out of them."
He nodded. "I understand. Do you think – would she come to the sitting room now? I think it would be good to discuss this with both of you present."
Jane got up. "I will go and fetch her."
Darcy sat looking at the rather handsome cuckoo clock for some time. It was a large, mahogany specimen. He followed the hands ticking around – it was about to chime for 8:30 – he counted down, "3, 2, 1..."
BANG! The door flew open and Jane rushed in. The cuckoo chime was lost in the noise. "Mr Darcy!"
He jumped up. "What is it?"
"Lizzy has fled!"
And so Elizabeth had. She was on her way to catch the Post to a friend's house in Bath from where she could doubtless get a job as a governess. She had scribbled a quick note to her sister – 'Dearest Jane, I cannot face the Fitzwilliam's! I am going to a friend. Do not worry about me, I will be safe. I am going to become a governess. I hope you will go to the Fitzwilliam's for I know you want to. All my love, your sister' – and had crept out of the house when no one was watching. She knew it would work, because she had told Jane she had a headache and wanted to rest, and with luck Mr Darcy would keep her occupied until it was too late.
Jane faced Darcy now with tears in her eyes. "The stupid girl! What is to be done?"
"Sit down, Miss Bennet. We will have to think. Of course she must be fetched back." Darcy sat down next to Jane. "Have you any idea where she has gone?"
"Yes and no," said Jane, trembling. "I am sure she has caught the Post. But to where I am not certain. She has a friend in Cambridge who was looking for a governess several weeks ago, and another in Yorkshire. Let me think... there was also one in Brighton, and ... one in Bath."
"Do you know which one it is most likely she has gone to?" Darcy asked, his pulse racing.
Jane thought. "I would say ... Brighton. No! Bath. Lizzy talked about Mrs Neville having several governesses to look for. And Mrs Neville is the closest friend to Lizzy compared to the other possible women." Jane jumped up. "My uncle! I must fetch him!"
"Sit down a moment, Miss Bennet," Darcy said quietly, trying to calm her. "We will call for your uncle soon. So we must assume she has caught the Post for Bath. Now, when did that leave today? It must have been around seven-thirty. Yes, that would be right. So she has been travelling for an hour."
Jane's head was in her hands. "Oh, how unhelpful can you possibly be, Lizzy?" she was saying quietly to herself.
"Do not trouble yourself, Miss Bennet," Darcy said forcefully. "I know what is to be done."
Jane looked up. "What, sir?"
"I will follow her tonight and bring her back."
"Would you?" Jane said joyously.
"Of course," he said. "Now, she is not yet twenty-one, is she?" Jane shook her head. "Good, then there will be no legal problems in bringing her back against her will."
"Sir," Jane said suddenly, as if struck by a point. "I don't know if – that is, I'm not sure if Lizzy will – if she will consent-"
Darcy laughed. "You don't think she will agree to come back with me? Don't worry, Miss Bennet. I can handle her."
Jane didn't look convinced, but she nodded. "Thank you so much, sir!"
"Don't thank me until I bring her back," Darcy said, grim again. "I must leave immediately. Goodbye, Miss Bennet."
"Goodbye," said Jane. "I must go and inform my uncle of what is happening. Good luck."
Darcy strode out the door and into the night. He instructed his groom to "spring 'em" and was driving off in an instant.
*****************
Elizabeth sat in the coach clutching her bandbox, looking tentatively at the people around her. There was an old woman opposite who kept a suspicious eye on her, as if she were some convict or slattern trying to corrupt them all. Next to her on the right was a tired mother with two small, noisy children. Elizabeth thought that perhaps she should try to help, now being embarked upon a career as a governess, but decided she should enjoy independence as long as she could – and she was so tired! Next to the old woman across from her was a very nervous man who glanced around them with the look of a trapped hare. And next to him was a middle-aged man with a twisted smile who was eyeing Elizabeth hungrily. She didn't like him. She scowled whenever he looked her way on purpose, but his grin only became wider. So she turned to the left and looked out the window, seeing nothing in the blackness, thinking about what Jane's reaction would be, and wishing more and more that she hadn't come. She felt very alone.
The coach stopped after some time. They must have been driving for two hours, decided Elizabeth. They were at an inn where they would stay the night. Elizabeth got sleepily out of the coach and carried her small amount of baggage inside. She could hardly wait for bed. After standing bleary- eyed for what seemed like hours, the innkeeper pointed her up the stairs to a room, and she trudged up. Just as she opened the door, she felt an arm grope at her shoulder. She woke up at once and spun around.
It was the man from the coach. "Hello, my pretty," he said, grabbing her elbows. Elizabeth was only conscious of a desire to kick and scream, but he had pinned her down on the doorpost and was covering her mouth. 'Oh no, oh no, oh no,' she thought, 'what am I doing here?'
"I've been watching you," the man said, before being knocked to the floor from a blow like a sledgehammer. "Ow!" he cried pathetically and looked up.
"If I wasn't so level-headed," said Mr Darcy in a voice that trembled with anger, "you would be dead now. Get up."
The man stood, clutching his head, shying away from Mr Darcy.
"Leave now. If I see you again you will regret it." The man left and Mr Darcy turned to Elizabeth. "Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth was torn between admiration, embarrassment and annoyance. She looked at the floor.
"Why are you here?" he said in a tired voice.
She looked up. "I should think it's obvious from my letter, sir! I am going to become a governess."
"No," he said, "why are you here?"
Elizabeth sighed and the truth fell out. "Because I'm too scared of becoming a Fitzwilliam."
"I thought so," said Darcy. "However, you must believe me when I say that becoming a governess is much more frightening than becoming a Fitzwilliam. I have come to take you back."
Elizabeth was annoyed. "Have you? Well, I am afraid you have no jurisdiction over me, sir!"
"No, I don't, but you will come back with me whether I do or not, Miss Bennet," Darcy said. "Do you know how worried your sister is? I would have thought you would act your age rather than being so impossibly juvenile that your only option is running away!"
She was a little humbled. "I am sorry," she said in a whisper.
He smiled. "Don't trouble yourself. Are you tired?"
"Yes," she said matter-of-factly.
"Well then, we will stay here tonight. I must warn you that there is no point in running away again."
"I wouldn't," she said. "I am very ashamed of myself."
"It's a mistake that can be easily fixed," he said gently.
"Thank you for coming."
"Goodnight, Miss Bennet."
"Goodnight." She shut the door and flopped down on her bed, groaning at herself. She was so embarrassed. Again, she had been the tempestuous child, acting before she had thought. He must think her so rude and thoughtless, after last April's wild accusations when he had proposed, and now, running away. It was something Elizabeth had never considered before. She was so ashamed. She felt as immature as Lydia or Kitty. She couldn't stop thinking about it.
But sleep overcame her thoughts after a while, and Elizabeth slept until later than usual the next morning. She went downstairs, yawning slightly, and entered the inn parlour. Mr Darcy stood up from the breakfast table at her arrival. "Good morning, Miss Bennet. Did you sleep well?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Yes, thank you." She sat down at the small square table and looked around. "Has the Post left?"
"Yes," said Darcy. "I informed them that you were a runaway and they left without you."
"Did you?" she cried, mortified.
His eyes twinkled. "No. I thought you should recognise teasing when you heard it, Miss Bennet. You being so experienced at it."
"A hit acknowledged, sir," Elizabeth said, smiling reluctantly. "What did you tell them?"
"Merely that I was your brother, that we had met completely by accident here, and that you therefore changed your plans to go to Bath as your first design in going to Bath was to see me."
"Oh, very clever," said Elizabeth. "And so you avoided scandal." After a moment, she spoke again in a softer tone. "Thank you very much."
"It's a pleasure," he said, watching her carefully. They both suddenly felt a little embarrassed, and looked away. "It's a comfortable inn," he commented.
"Yes," she said vaguely, not quite knowing to what she was replying.
"Will you be ready to leave in an hour or so?" he asked.
"I can leave to the minute, if you desire it," she said. "My luggage is entirely complete."
"Good," he said, and devoted himself to his coffee, feeling the awkwardness of the intimate setting even more.
As for Elizabeth, she couldn't help feeling the same. 'This is how it would have been should I not have refused his proposal in Kent,' she thought. 'I should be eating breakfast with him quite naturally, travelling with him as a matter of course... This is all too strange.'
"We will not travel in all speed back to London," he said. "My horses are tired, so we must take things slowly. I sent a message to your sister first thing this morning, so she will not worry."
Elizabeth wasn't quite sure she liked his authoritative manner, but didn't feel in a position to challenge this. After all, he had a very good reason for saying what he did. She nodded and sipped her tea quietly.
*****************
Mr Darcy ate with the Fitzwilliam's the following evening. The atmosphere was quite different to any other he had experienced while being in their company. The Fitzwilliam's picked at their food and spoke hardly a word. Darcy, surprisingly, was the one who attempted the most conversation, quite contrary to some people's impressions of him. However, after several fruitless attempts, he gave up.
He left the house about eight o'clock, and entered the Gardiner home substantially later, only after sitting in his carriage for some time, plucking up his courage. For some reason, it felt like this was a turning point in world history and the fate of the universe was all up to him; or like if he didn't make this work out, nothing else would in his life.
"Stop being so melodramatic, Darcy," he said out loud, and bravely got out of the vehicle, marched up to the front door, and knocked.
The butler opened the door. "Mr Darcy," he said solemnly, and led him into the sitting room. Jane sat there alone, obviously nervous. She stood up when he entered. "Mr Darcy." She curtsied.
"Miss Bennet," he replied. "I hope you are in good health?" It was at times like these that he fell back upon silly little questions like that. He could have cursed himself.
"Yes, thank you," she said. "Please sit down."
He felt awkward asking the question they both knew he had come to ask. "Miss Bennet, have you arrived at a decision regarding my aunt and uncle, and your connexion to them?"
Jane looked hesitant. "Sir, I believe I have. Elizabeth, however, is very confused about what she wants to do. She persistently says she will become a governess, or impossible things like that. She is in her bedchamber presently."
"I see," he said, his brow furrowed. He did not really see. "Er – may I ask – why on earth does she want to be a governess?"
Jane rolled her eyes. "She is being very tiresome. She knows she cannot live here for long, and she is scared of going to the Fitzwilliam's, although she doesn't admit it, and has decided that therefore she must be a governess." She blushed. "I apologise for being so forward, but you must understand how it is. She is terrified. When Lizzy is terrified she either faces her problems head-on, or she bluffs her way out of them."
He nodded. "I understand. Do you think – would she come to the sitting room now? I think it would be good to discuss this with both of you present."
Jane got up. "I will go and fetch her."
Darcy sat looking at the rather handsome cuckoo clock for some time. It was a large, mahogany specimen. He followed the hands ticking around – it was about to chime for 8:30 – he counted down, "3, 2, 1..."
BANG! The door flew open and Jane rushed in. The cuckoo chime was lost in the noise. "Mr Darcy!"
He jumped up. "What is it?"
"Lizzy has fled!"
And so Elizabeth had. She was on her way to catch the Post to a friend's house in Bath from where she could doubtless get a job as a governess. She had scribbled a quick note to her sister – 'Dearest Jane, I cannot face the Fitzwilliam's! I am going to a friend. Do not worry about me, I will be safe. I am going to become a governess. I hope you will go to the Fitzwilliam's for I know you want to. All my love, your sister' – and had crept out of the house when no one was watching. She knew it would work, because she had told Jane she had a headache and wanted to rest, and with luck Mr Darcy would keep her occupied until it was too late.
Jane faced Darcy now with tears in her eyes. "The stupid girl! What is to be done?"
"Sit down, Miss Bennet. We will have to think. Of course she must be fetched back." Darcy sat down next to Jane. "Have you any idea where she has gone?"
"Yes and no," said Jane, trembling. "I am sure she has caught the Post. But to where I am not certain. She has a friend in Cambridge who was looking for a governess several weeks ago, and another in Yorkshire. Let me think... there was also one in Brighton, and ... one in Bath."
"Do you know which one it is most likely she has gone to?" Darcy asked, his pulse racing.
Jane thought. "I would say ... Brighton. No! Bath. Lizzy talked about Mrs Neville having several governesses to look for. And Mrs Neville is the closest friend to Lizzy compared to the other possible women." Jane jumped up. "My uncle! I must fetch him!"
"Sit down a moment, Miss Bennet," Darcy said quietly, trying to calm her. "We will call for your uncle soon. So we must assume she has caught the Post for Bath. Now, when did that leave today? It must have been around seven-thirty. Yes, that would be right. So she has been travelling for an hour."
Jane's head was in her hands. "Oh, how unhelpful can you possibly be, Lizzy?" she was saying quietly to herself.
"Do not trouble yourself, Miss Bennet," Darcy said forcefully. "I know what is to be done."
Jane looked up. "What, sir?"
"I will follow her tonight and bring her back."
"Would you?" Jane said joyously.
"Of course," he said. "Now, she is not yet twenty-one, is she?" Jane shook her head. "Good, then there will be no legal problems in bringing her back against her will."
"Sir," Jane said suddenly, as if struck by a point. "I don't know if – that is, I'm not sure if Lizzy will – if she will consent-"
Darcy laughed. "You don't think she will agree to come back with me? Don't worry, Miss Bennet. I can handle her."
Jane didn't look convinced, but she nodded. "Thank you so much, sir!"
"Don't thank me until I bring her back," Darcy said, grim again. "I must leave immediately. Goodbye, Miss Bennet."
"Goodbye," said Jane. "I must go and inform my uncle of what is happening. Good luck."
Darcy strode out the door and into the night. He instructed his groom to "spring 'em" and was driving off in an instant.
*****************
Elizabeth sat in the coach clutching her bandbox, looking tentatively at the people around her. There was an old woman opposite who kept a suspicious eye on her, as if she were some convict or slattern trying to corrupt them all. Next to her on the right was a tired mother with two small, noisy children. Elizabeth thought that perhaps she should try to help, now being embarked upon a career as a governess, but decided she should enjoy independence as long as she could – and she was so tired! Next to the old woman across from her was a very nervous man who glanced around them with the look of a trapped hare. And next to him was a middle-aged man with a twisted smile who was eyeing Elizabeth hungrily. She didn't like him. She scowled whenever he looked her way on purpose, but his grin only became wider. So she turned to the left and looked out the window, seeing nothing in the blackness, thinking about what Jane's reaction would be, and wishing more and more that she hadn't come. She felt very alone.
The coach stopped after some time. They must have been driving for two hours, decided Elizabeth. They were at an inn where they would stay the night. Elizabeth got sleepily out of the coach and carried her small amount of baggage inside. She could hardly wait for bed. After standing bleary- eyed for what seemed like hours, the innkeeper pointed her up the stairs to a room, and she trudged up. Just as she opened the door, she felt an arm grope at her shoulder. She woke up at once and spun around.
It was the man from the coach. "Hello, my pretty," he said, grabbing her elbows. Elizabeth was only conscious of a desire to kick and scream, but he had pinned her down on the doorpost and was covering her mouth. 'Oh no, oh no, oh no,' she thought, 'what am I doing here?'
"I've been watching you," the man said, before being knocked to the floor from a blow like a sledgehammer. "Ow!" he cried pathetically and looked up.
"If I wasn't so level-headed," said Mr Darcy in a voice that trembled with anger, "you would be dead now. Get up."
The man stood, clutching his head, shying away from Mr Darcy.
"Leave now. If I see you again you will regret it." The man left and Mr Darcy turned to Elizabeth. "Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth was torn between admiration, embarrassment and annoyance. She looked at the floor.
"Why are you here?" he said in a tired voice.
She looked up. "I should think it's obvious from my letter, sir! I am going to become a governess."
"No," he said, "why are you here?"
Elizabeth sighed and the truth fell out. "Because I'm too scared of becoming a Fitzwilliam."
"I thought so," said Darcy. "However, you must believe me when I say that becoming a governess is much more frightening than becoming a Fitzwilliam. I have come to take you back."
Elizabeth was annoyed. "Have you? Well, I am afraid you have no jurisdiction over me, sir!"
"No, I don't, but you will come back with me whether I do or not, Miss Bennet," Darcy said. "Do you know how worried your sister is? I would have thought you would act your age rather than being so impossibly juvenile that your only option is running away!"
She was a little humbled. "I am sorry," she said in a whisper.
He smiled. "Don't trouble yourself. Are you tired?"
"Yes," she said matter-of-factly.
"Well then, we will stay here tonight. I must warn you that there is no point in running away again."
"I wouldn't," she said. "I am very ashamed of myself."
"It's a mistake that can be easily fixed," he said gently.
"Thank you for coming."
"Goodnight, Miss Bennet."
"Goodnight." She shut the door and flopped down on her bed, groaning at herself. She was so embarrassed. Again, she had been the tempestuous child, acting before she had thought. He must think her so rude and thoughtless, after last April's wild accusations when he had proposed, and now, running away. It was something Elizabeth had never considered before. She was so ashamed. She felt as immature as Lydia or Kitty. She couldn't stop thinking about it.
But sleep overcame her thoughts after a while, and Elizabeth slept until later than usual the next morning. She went downstairs, yawning slightly, and entered the inn parlour. Mr Darcy stood up from the breakfast table at her arrival. "Good morning, Miss Bennet. Did you sleep well?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Yes, thank you." She sat down at the small square table and looked around. "Has the Post left?"
"Yes," said Darcy. "I informed them that you were a runaway and they left without you."
"Did you?" she cried, mortified.
His eyes twinkled. "No. I thought you should recognise teasing when you heard it, Miss Bennet. You being so experienced at it."
"A hit acknowledged, sir," Elizabeth said, smiling reluctantly. "What did you tell them?"
"Merely that I was your brother, that we had met completely by accident here, and that you therefore changed your plans to go to Bath as your first design in going to Bath was to see me."
"Oh, very clever," said Elizabeth. "And so you avoided scandal." After a moment, she spoke again in a softer tone. "Thank you very much."
"It's a pleasure," he said, watching her carefully. They both suddenly felt a little embarrassed, and looked away. "It's a comfortable inn," he commented.
"Yes," she said vaguely, not quite knowing to what she was replying.
"Will you be ready to leave in an hour or so?" he asked.
"I can leave to the minute, if you desire it," she said. "My luggage is entirely complete."
"Good," he said, and devoted himself to his coffee, feeling the awkwardness of the intimate setting even more.
As for Elizabeth, she couldn't help feeling the same. 'This is how it would have been should I not have refused his proposal in Kent,' she thought. 'I should be eating breakfast with him quite naturally, travelling with him as a matter of course... This is all too strange.'
"We will not travel in all speed back to London," he said. "My horses are tired, so we must take things slowly. I sent a message to your sister first thing this morning, so she will not worry."
Elizabeth wasn't quite sure she liked his authoritative manner, but didn't feel in a position to challenge this. After all, he had a very good reason for saying what he did. She nodded and sipped her tea quietly.
*****************
