# Chapter 13 - Elizabeth
Elizabeth could not stop her fidgeting, which would normally have drawn a response from her aunt, but it went to show the extraordinary circumstances as Mrs. Gardiner did not admonish her. Not even when she abruptly stood from her perch on the edge of her bed to pace her small room. It was so small that her route consisted of four steps to the left, turn, four steps back, turn. At one point she stopped and crooked her head to listen, but the voices in the Gardiner's room next door were muffled and she could not make out any words. With a sigh, Elizabeth turned and traveled her route again.
But she could make out Wickham's words he yelped and shouted after a loud crash. Elizabeth stilled and turned to her aunt who shared her horrified expression. She could not imagine either of the men, her uncle or Mr. Darcy, to be the type to pummel a man to gain their way. Wickham had most likely just fallen over in the chair. But why would he have fallen over, except to escape a flying fist?
She chewed her bottom lip and sat back down on the edge of her bed next to Mrs. Gardiner. After worrying over the implications of the noises, Elizabeth turned to broach the subject to her aunt.
A perfunctory knock, that had Elizabeth whip her head to the door and then it was opened by Mr. Gardiner. "Please come to our sitting room. We have news."
It was quiet as they traversed the worn hallway with its creaking boards, surely it had not been this long. And still no one spoke as they descended the staircase, the bannister worn by generations of hands rubbing it. Had the number of steps doubled? Never could she remember waiting with such bated breath before. Except maybe for a Christmas holiday when she was younger. Much younger.
Finally, they were all in the small room, and Mr. Darcy turned towards them after shutting the door to the private sitting room.
"Mr. Gardiner, do not keep us in suspense any longer. What have you learned from that horrible man?" Mrs. Gardiner wrung her hands, a movement Elizabeth could not recall having ever seen her do before.
Mr. Gardiner sighed and rubbed his face. "It pains me to inform you, but he had no intention of marrying Lydia."
Both women sunk onto the nearest chairs. Elizabeth closed her eyes but then pinned her uncle with a stare. "Did he have any explanation for his actions?"
Her uncle shook his head and waved at the younger man standing near him. "He stated that the militia life did not agree with him. Quitting and leaving by himself did not seem as exciting as finding a companion to join him on his travels." Elizabeth flattened her lips. "He had every intention of meeting his friends in the North, if he had any still left, to provide assistance at procuring new employment." Mr. Darcy nodded to the women. "What he had told you was truthful, but traveling with Lydia was not what he had expected and he abandoned your sister."
Mrs. Gardiner finally spoke. "We are fortunate nothing untoward occurred during her travel to Hertfordshire."
"We are indeed," Mr. Gardiner exclaimed. "For abandoning her alone I would like to see that man whipped."
Her jaw dropped, Elizabeth had never heard her uncle speak in such severe terms. But that did not signify that she did not wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments. She wondered if Lydia knew how fortunate she had been, that she had not been abducted and taken to London for nefarious purposes. Or accosted while at the post stop with no funds, no bags and no companion.
"Did he express any remorse whatsoever?"
Mr. Darcy lowered his eyes at Elizabeth's question. Mr. Gardiner sighed and shook his head. Elizabeth leaned back against the sofa with a huff.
The crackling of the fire was loud in the silence. It was not surprising, yet still shocking a man that had all semblance of a gentleman could behave in such a deplorable manner towards a young woman. Especially so that he also expressed no thoughts of remorse.
"I will write to my brother-in-law and sister directly and send the news express. No need prolong their agony."
Mr. Darcy nodded, muttered a hasty valediction and quit the room, without a glance at any of the other room's in habitants, including Elizabeth. She quietly followed her aunt and uncle back up the staircase while turning over her betrothed's behavior in her mind. The shocking situation with Wickham had preoccupied her, but she did not think she had slighted him in any manner.
The only conclusion she could draw, that had any logic, was that he was thoroughly regretting they were betrothed now that Wickham would be his brother in law. Elizabeth bit her bottom lip but then raised her head and swept into her room. What was done was done and she would not spend any time pondering the thoughts and behavior of Mr. Darcy.
She ignored the sour feeling in her chest as she wrote Jane to share particulars that would likely not be included in Mr. Gardiner's missive to Mr. Bennet. Elizabeth was not sure how they would pass the days until her father and sister arrived, she was sure only they would travel north for the nuptials. Though Mrs. Bennet would be cross she could not attend the first wedding of one of her daughters. And that brought her mind back to the situation of Wickham tied to a chair and guarded in the inn, hidden from the world. How ever would they pull this off without him escaping or their reputations getting ruined?
"With just the two of them traveling north," explained her uncle, "it would be quite easy to present the trip as a father accompanying his married daughter as she traveled to join her husband. That will give credence to the story that Lydia and Wickham were already wed. And with us touring Derbyshire it would make sense that Mr. Bennet would join us and then travel back with us to Hertfordshire." He nodded twice. "Yes, that story will suffice."
"But how will we keep Wickham hidden, and quiet for such a length of time? And how are we all to share one room?" Elizabeth inquired.
And there was a more concerning matter that she did not mention, how were they to keep quiet on the subject around Mr. Darcy's sister? Elizabeth felt uneasy keeping such a secret from the young, innocent girl. The same girl Wickham had tried to seduce and elope with years earlier.
"Wickham can not stay here at the inn," stated Mr. Gardiner who frowned. "That is something I need to discuss with Mr. Darcy."
Elizabeth frowned at the words she had just penned, glistening as they dried catching her eye as she thought to what her uncle had said. It was another reason why it was unsettling Mr. Darcy had departed quickly. Was her betrothed not even going to provide assistance in the matter? But he had hunted down Wickham's location, which showed he was not averse to helping. She tossed her head, she could not make heads or tails of the man's behavior.
A maid knocked on the door then handed a note to Mr. Gardiner. "For you, sir." She handed him the stationary. "The servants are in the hall awaiting your instructions."
Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner shared confused glances. Mr. Gardiner raised his head from reading the note and smiled. "That is the problem solved then. Mr. Darcy has sent servants to accompany Wickham to his mother's house where he will be guarded until the wedding."
That was an easy solution and relief settled upon her, she she was still uneasy. Mr. Darcy could have brought the news himself. Dread grew in her chest. But there was nothing to be done for it now. She had to marry him to save her, and her family's reputation. And it was too late for her heart as well, she had already lost it to him.
But no matter what that man thought, she raised her chin, she would treat their upcoming marriage with the same regard as if she was marrying the man of her dreams. Which had been Mr. Darcy for quite some time.
The trio quit their private sitting room and watched Wickham as he was helped down the staircase to the waiting carriage. The poor man had suddenly taken ill, was the story they shared with any onlookers. Though Elizabeth was sure several had cottoned on that there had to be anther reason, as there were far too many servants.
The next day was Sunday and they departed the inn to walk the short distance to the little church in Lambton. Elizabeth had not expected Mr. Darcy to wait for her by the front doors, but some sign that he still planned to marry her, or even had some affection, would not go amiss.
They entered the church nodding at some of the people, and old friends of Mrs. Gardiner, they had met. She noticed Mr. Darcy and Georgiana's heads in the first row. Elizabeth glanced away and followed her uncle and aunt in a pew. Her fingers dug into her hymnal as she sighed. It would be a long service.
She fiddled, someone coughed, then Elizabeth looked up again and stilled. Mr. Darcy was in profile. It looked like he was searching for someone, her. Hope leaped in her chest but then the pastor walked to the lectern and Mr. Darcy faced forward again.
The service seemed to last an interminably long time, though she was sure only the usual time had passed. At the conclusion of the service, as the wooden pews creaked while congregants prepared for the service to be finished, the pastor announced he had Banns to read. Elizabeth's heart skipped. But the Banns were read for the upcoming nuptials of Lawrence Ahearn and Nora Malvey.
Elizabeth bowed her head, hope dying in her chest, as the hard edge of her hymnal dug into her fingers. The pastor then announced the Banns for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. She felt a blush creep over her cheeks as Mrs. Gardiner squeezed her hand. She could not contain her smile, even as loud whispers filled the air.
The congregation exited the church by pew, the front pews departing first. Mr. Darcy shared a glance and small smile with her as he walked by with Georgiana, followed by Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley and the Hursts. Elizabeth composed herself before it was their pew's turn to exit and face the scrutiny of the locals.
She had just exited when her uncle moved, and she saw Mr. Darcy standing to the side almost surrounded by well wishers. His friends were standing near him, but Miss Bingley was standing closest to him. She stepped closer then stilled at what she heard.
"Much felicitations to you and your betrothed, Mr. Darcy. She must be something special for you to offer and finally settle down." An old woman stood in front of him now looking at Miss Bingley. "I am so pleased Pemberley will have a mistress again and you will do such a fine job, Miss Bennet, I can tell."
Elizabeth had a perfect view, in between the crowd surrounding Mr. Darcy, to see the effect the woman's words had on Miss Bingley. Quickly she covered her mouth before laughter could escape.
"Pardon me, this is not my betrothed but my friend's sister, Miss Bingley. My betrothed," Mr. Darcy desperately looked over the crowd, "is exiting the church yet or is lost in the crush here. May I introduce Miss Bingley?"
A hand squeezed her arm, and Mrs. Gardiner's whispered voice laced with amusement reached her ears. "Oh, dear. You had better go and stand by your man."
As Elizabeth pushed through the well wishers, relief and pride shone on Mr. Darcy's face. "Here she is," He raised an arm and held her arm in his, as she reached his side. "May I present my betrothed, Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Hertfordshire."
Elizabeth greeted the townspeople and accepted their well wishes for some time until all that were left were the Gardiners, the Darcys and Mr. Bingley, who answered a questioning look from his friend while running his fingers through his hair. "Ah, my sister Caroline felt unwell and returned to Pemberley with the Hursts."
She bit the inside of her cheek and lowered her head to curtail the smile threatening to show.
"I would invite you to Pemberley for luncheon but I must leave. I am departing to London for business."
Raising her head, she was caught by Mr. Darcy's intense stare. She blinked and glanced at Georgiana who was standing next to her brother. He grabbed her hand and squeezed. Then with valedictions and regrets that sudden business was taking him away from her, he departed for his carriage with Mr. Bingley and Georgiana.
Sorry for the horribly long delay in finishing this chapter. Right after I posted the last chapter I got exhausted and chilled for 2.5 weeks. Covid again? I tested negative several times so who knows. After that I got a used car I didn't like, but it would tide me over until I found a Camry XLE. I donated the old Camry to a wheels to work non profit. But what I didn't realize, was how it would irritate me that the car had no cupholders. And electric things kept going wrong. Then I found a Camry XLE, for a price and mileage I wanted and drove 4 hours to get it. Lost money on that deal with the trade in. UGH. But I love my new used car! Anyway, I have got to get this published and make money! I spent my money on the car(s).