Chapter 9:
Lizzy allowed Mrs. Reynolds to lead her upstairs, she was too tired to resist, too tired to ask to speak with Mr. Darcy alone, and too tired to think. The promise of a proper bed, a warm bath, and sleep was too tempting. Mrs. Reynolds walked a bit ahead, her skirts rustling as she went. The sun had by now fully rose and the rooms were lit up with natural light. Lizzy did not think she had ever seen such a beautiful home. It was grander than anything she had ever seen and it was so minimally but tactfully decorated, that the structure spoke for its own beauty, it did not need embellishments.
Lizzy did not even try to remember the way that Mrs. Reynolds went, she guided her up the wooden staircases, which felt soft and luxurious to the touch. Lizzy felt her finger glide through the wooden handrail, even the staircase was beautiful. Lizzy did not think she could take in any more details—her eyes were shutting, her head was pounding, and her heart was aching. She needed to speak to Mr. Darcy but she was exhausted and all she wanted to do was succumb to sleep in a proper bed.
Her feet led her where Mrs. Reynolds' busy skirts rustled to, and they came upon a door that was engraved with gold trimmings. Mrs. Reynolds paused for a moment, took a key out of her apron and opened the door, revealing a beautiful room that seemed to not have been in use for many years.
"Mrs. Darcy" said Mrs. Reynolds, grabbing Lizzy's attention and her guilt, "This room has not been in use in some time. We did not know to prepare it—I shall have the maids clear the air at once. In the meantime, shall I draw a bath for you?"
"That would be splendid, I thank you" said Lizzy, finding her voice. She was led to a room that connected to the mistress' bedroom by a door, and hastily maids came rushing in, their faces downs, unsure of the new mistress' temper, carrying water, scented oils and rosewater to perfume the bath.
Lizzy allowed herself to be tended to, not realizing how much she needed to be cared for. A maid helped her into the warm bath, which felt like heaven, after a week of making due with a basin of water for essentials. Lizzy inhaled and drifted into a relaxing sleep with the smell of roses perfuming her body. The maids poured more warm water in, keeping the temperature toasty and simply lovely.
Lizzy smiled, thanked them and rested her head backwards, where they had place a towel for her neck. She closed her eyes and fell asleep feeling for the first time in a week, at peace and at rest.
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Meanwhile, in the master's study, Mr. Darcy was sitting at his desk, reaching for things in a familiar manner, though he could not say that he remembered them exactly. He reached under the desk and pressed a lever which released a drawer that contained his most trustworthy gun.
"Ah" he said, lifting it out and putting it on the table.
"I see you are remembering" observed the Colonel, standing by the window, keeping an eye on the outside, while observing his cousin.
"Not quite" said Mr. Darcy, not elaborating. He was not a man of many words and the Colonel smiled, happy to see that his cousin was back and safe.
"We have to discuss the Wickham" said the Colonel, still standing, a hand nearby his pistol should any need arise.
"Please sit. We both had a long journey. Mrs. Reynolds will be sending some refreshments" said Mr. Darcy, still searching for something but not quite knowing what. That is how his memory felt these days—there was something in his reach but he did not know where to grab it from or how to reach for it. It left him feeling awfully frustrated.
"How are you feeling, cousin?" asked the Colonel, helping himself to some port. Richard looked at Mr. Darcy closely, examining him.
"I do not think I have stopped to think how I feel" said Mr. Darcy with a wry smile, "At the moment very tired. Where is Georgiana?"
"I sent her to Lady Catherine, I felt it safer to have her removed from Pemberley once you had gone missing. I sent some of my men there and gave Georgiana clear instructions to stay indoors."
Mr. Darcy nodded. "I never forgot her—perhaps her name but her light blue eyes and soft smile accompanied me through my darkest times" he said, his voice threating to choke. "How did you find me—I mean, how did you find us?"
Mrs. Reynolds knocked, interrupting them, and bringing in a tray of tea, biscuits and some cold meats. She served it all on his desk and curtsied, leaving the men alone, once again.
"I knew it was Wickham at once, I searched the gardens and found footprints and I could see resistance. It did not take much to follow them. I set out a mere twelve hours after you, convince that he would try to take you both into Scotland, where he could get away with more. I do not know who he had working for him, however, he clearly offered them quite a bit of money for them to risk such an atrocious crime" began Richard, as Mr. Darcy quietly listening, "I first sent word to Pemberley to prepare for your imminent arrival—I was not to fail."
Mr. Darcy cracked a smile, "Ever the Colonel" he muttered, both of the men laughing.
"Quite" he said, looking and feeling proud, "I sent Georgiana to Lady Catherine, with some excuse that she wanted to see her."
Mr. Darcy raised an eyebrow, highly doubting that Lady Catherine would fall for such a tale but they had no choice.
"I do not think she is aware you were taken, but I do know she is quite shrewd and does not believe both you and Miss Elizabeth left on the same day, completely unannounced" he said, foreboding.
"It matters not" said Mr. Darcy, nonchalantly, "As we are now married."
"Indeed" said the Colonel, unsure if he should say more. Elizabeth had said she would tell him when they arrived at Pemberley and he knew that Darcy would seek her out and he could only pray that the truth would come out before more damage could be done. Technically they were already married, but Mr. Darcy was not aware that it was only technically not on purpose.
"So then how did you find us in Scotland?"
"Well" said Richard, hesitating if she should say more on Elizabeth but decided better to let her speak for herself, he knew she was more than capable of doing so, "I had my men search every hospital or find out if any strangers had been in town and I found Miss Murphy, I visited her the day after you had left, but she would not tell me your whereabouts. I knew she was lying and I knew she had already been asked that question by someone else, which meant that I had to find you quickly before Wickham. And so I did, I followed Miss Murphy home and then I saw Elizabeth speaking with Wickham and I knew I needed to get you out fast. I called my men, barged into the room, and we drove into the night."
"Well, that is quite a story" said Darcy, feeling proud and thankful for his cousin, "I thank you" he said, a rare manifestation of his emotions.
"Always, Darce" said Richard, smiling widely. He always craved approval from those he admired and Darcy was well, the example to follow.
"Where is Wickham now?"
"That, I do not know. I left a man or two there to report back. I believe tonight we shall have an update, in the meantime, we should rest. Once we know his location, we must act with haste" said Richard, taking a chug of the port and making a sound of enjoyment as it went down his throat.
Mr. Darcy nodded, likewise finished his drink and stood up, only to find he had a headache and held on to the desk for support.
"Are you unwell?"
"Tired" said Mr. Darcy curtly, clutching to his head. Richard raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "I shall go bathe and then lie down."
"Darcy" said Richard, having hesitated but feeling it were prudent to speak, "I believe Elizabeth is very tired. You should let her rest."
If Darcy did not have a pounding headache he would have gotten angry and perhaps express his dislike at being addressed thus but instead he looked at him with a menacing smile and said, "Cousin Elizabeth."
Richard chuckled, happy to see the effect this "marriage" was having on his cousin. He did not allow himself to think on if they had consummated it—it seemed unlikely, but he knew that if he were married to Elizabeth and he were finally home, he would not wait for much longer.
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Lizzy allowed the maid to done on her a nightgown of Miss Darcy's, braid her hair, and help her into the now freshly made bed. She was about to close her eyes and drift into sleep when a knock on the connecting door disrupted her.
"Hmm?" she asked, her eyes still closed.
Mr. Darcy heard her muffled response and smiled, she must be tired. He had likewise bathed and changed his dirty clothes and he was fully intending on sleeping but he found that his bed felt rather empty.
"I have become accustomed to your presence" he said by way of greeting. He had his robe tied around him, he looked fresh and clean, and ever so handsome. Lizzy gave him a weak smile, as he approached her bed and gave her a kiss on her forehead.
"Fitzwilliam we need to talk" said Lizzy, standing up and gathering the courage she needed to have.
"Yes my dear, oh you are shivering!" he said, when he sat on the bed and lightly touched her arm, "Are you unwell? My darling you have been so brave. Please rest we can talk another time" he said, with soothing words. Lizzy had opened her mouth to speak but then closed it, losing herself in his touch.
"Oh are you nervous? I would never impose on you. I know we have not had a proper wedding night and I intend to rectify that immediately. However, that time will not be today" he said softly. "However, I do have one request, I cannot sleep without you next to me."
"How did I not know you were so wonderful?" asked Lizzy, her eyes watering.
"I do not have the pleasure of understanding you" he said with a smile, he reached for her legs and lifted her into his arms, delighting in the feel of her.
"After I sleep" she said, losing her voice at the nearness of his chest on hers, "We must talk. There is much I wish to say...about what happened in Scotland."
"Yes, my dear, but first, we both need sleep" he said, kicking the door that adjoined the rooms to open it, and bringing her into his bed, where he placed her softly down, covering her with the blankets before taking off his robe and joining her. He leaned over and caressed her cheek, and before losing the courage, he asked, "May I hold your hand?"
"Of course" said Lizzy, giving him her dainty hand and smiling as he took her hand into his, rested his head on his pillow and closed his eyes. He was more than ready to rest and finally allowed his body to succumb to sleep.
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