Author's note: Thank you all of the reviews thus far. I do want to address something that has been coming up by my readers and that is Elizabeth's lack of nourishment. Please keep in mind that the letter sent to Mr. Darcy with concerns about her not eating or drinking anything was written by a 16 year-old who was worried about her new acquaintance, perhaps uncomfortable with her duties as mistress of Pemberley and wanting her brother home. Obviously, Mrs. Reynolds had a better understanding of Elizabeth's actual eating and drinking habits which left her unconcerned about her health. Mr. Darcy also understood this and knew that his sister while well-meaning was perhaps exaggerating or not well-informed about Elizabeth's condition. This is why he put so much faith in the decisions being made by Mrs. Reynolds.
Chapter 7
A full seven days after arriving at Pemberley, Elizabeth awoke and was immediately aware of a floral aroma that was new to her surroundings. When she opened her eyes, she was pleasantly surprised to find that along with the tray that had been brought up with her breakfast there was also a vase full of flowers that she could only assume had been cut that morning from the gardens. She also saw a small stack of novels and a note written in the most elegant hand from Miss Darcy informing her that there were a great many more novels available in the library that could be fetched for her if it pleased her.
Elizabeth stared at the thoughtful gifts and immediately felt weighed down even further with guilt in how inconsiderately she has been behaving towards Miss Darcy as the mistress of the house. She had been nothing but selfish in practically sleeping away the days for nearly a week straight, wallowing in her own distress. While she had rarely actually seen any of the house staff, she knew that they had been in the room taking care of her, bringing her food, keeping the fire burning and now bringing her comforts that she truly did not deserve.
After washing up in the basin that was left and getting herself dressed Elizabeth cautiously made her way out of her room and into the hall. Although she had been most exhausted when she had been brought to Pemberley, she vaguely remembered the way that she had been brought up to the guest quarters of the large estate. As she was descending the stairs she was greeted by Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper.
"Miss Bennett," Mrs. Reynolds began, "How are you feeling? Miss Darcy has just sat down to some breakfast if you would care to join her?"
While she was not feeling much like socializing, Elizabeth she knew that she needed to acknowledge Miss Darcy and apologize profusely for her behavior this past week. With a small nod Elizabeth allowed herself to be led into the dining room and greet Miss Darcy who rose from her seat to meet her.
"Miss Darcy," Elizabeth began with a voice raspy from disuse, "Pray, I beg your apologies for my keeping to my room these past several days."
Georgianna's eyes widened and she stated, "Oh no, Miss Bennett. There is nothing to apologize for. You are most welcome here and you are most welcome to spend your time here in any manner that would serve to help you in your current state of grief."
Elizabeth felt herself flush and feared that she would resume crying once more but was almost grateful that she was just too exhausted to cry. Or perhaps she simply had no more tears left. Either way she was grateful to not put her distress on such a display in front of her young hostess.
Recognizing the pain on Elizabeth's face Georgianna spoke again, "Will you join me for some breakfast?"
Elizabeth only nodded and took up a seat across from where Georgianna still stood at her own place. As she looked at the incredible amounts of food on the table in front her, she fought against the nausea that threatened to overwhelm her. Instead, she decided that she would try to just sip at some tea.
"Did you like the novels I sent up for you?" Georgianna asked after a few moments. "If you'd prefer something different, I can show you the way to the library to choose one for yourself."
"Oh no. I liked them perfectly well," Elizabeth said reassuringly. "Although I must confess to wishing to see where they were housed. I have heard so much about the great library here at Pemberley that I long to visit it."
Georgianna smiled and promised to show her as soon as they were done with their meal. Georgianna could not help but notice how Elizabeth still had eaten no food but was somewhat encouraged that she had drunk some tea.
The library was more amazing than anything Elizabeth had ever seen. She remembered hearing Mr. Darcy once discussing with Mr. Bingley about how important it was not only to have an extensive library but to also build upon it. It seemed to Elizabeth that there could not possibly be any way to build any further upon this library for they surely had at least one copy of every book that had ever been written.
Elizabeth and Georgianna passed the afternoon by perusing the library and becoming better acquainted with each other. It wasn't until Mrs. Reynolds appeared to inquire if they would like some tea that Elizabeth had even realized how long they had been in there. They decided that they wanted to take tea in the library to not interrupt their literary adventures.
They had barely begun to sip at their tea when they heard raised voices in the hallway outside. Suddenly the doors to the library were thrown open and Mrs. Reynolds breathlessly announced the arrival of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Lady Catherine immediately greeted her niece by saying, "Miss Georgianna, I must beg of you to leave this room at once. Your very reputation is at stake by mere association with this girl."
Georgianna looked frightened but stated in a trembling voice, "Aunt Catherine, Miss Bennett is a guest here at Pemberley by my own invitation."
"A notion no doubt inspired by Miss Bennett's own gift of trickery and deceit," Lady Catherine said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "You will leave this room at once."
Knowing that it was fruitless to argue with her aunt, Georgianna gave an apologetic nod at Elizabeth and walked quickly from the room wiping tears that had already begun to fall.
When her niece had cleared the room, Lady Catherine finally addressed Elizabeth. "I do not know how you managed to ensnare my nephew and his sister, Miss Bennett, but you are not welcome here. Your very presence is poison to this great family, and it will not do."
"I assure you, Lady Catherine that I have no idea what you presume to accuse me of," Elizabeth said defiantly.
"Do not trifle with me, Miss Bennett. You have thrown my nephew into the path of kidnappers and murderers. Have you no consideration for his safety or those of his family?" Lady Catherine countered.
Elizabeth stood in shock at the words that Lady Catherine shrieked at her. She had to admit that she had never considered that the situation would be dangerous for Mr. Darcy or his sister.
"I did not ask Mr. Darcy for his assistance, nor have I done anything to encourage his continued behaviors towards the capture of Mr. Wickham," Elizabeth whispered.
"Oh, do use your head, Miss Bennett," Lady Catherine scoffed. "I know that you came here to Pemberley to beg his assistance when your scandalous sister first ran off with Mr. Wickham. Did you think that he would turn his back once the situation became more dire? No, Miss Bennett, I believe you knew exactly what you were doing. And for that reason, I will now have you dismissed from this house immediately."
Lady Catherine walked to the door and found one of the house servants whom she summoned immediately. "You there! Come at once." A timid looking young woman entered the room hesitantly. "Miss Bennett is leaving immediately. Please show her to the door and then arrange to have her belongings sent at once to her home in Hertfordshire."
Stunned into silence and finding it hard to catch her breath, she allowed herself to be led to the front door. In a daze she stepped outside and felt the sun's warmth upon her face. As she began to walk aimlessly away from the house, she felt the tears that she hadn't been able to shed earlier begin to stream down her face.
Suddenly desperate to put as much space as possible between her and her troubles she began to run. She put no thought into where she was running, she simply ran as fast as her legs would carry her. The tears blurred her vision making it impossible to see as the brambles attacked her face and arms, but she didn't slow her pace.
The large branch seemingly came out of nowhere and struck her straight in the face. She was thrown hard onto her back by the force of it and had the wind knocked straight out of her lungs. Looking up at the canopy of trees above her as she tried to catch her breath, she only just saw the boot seconds before it impacted forcefully to the side of her head. The sound of cruel laughter rang in her ears as her vision blurred and everything went black.
