Chapter 4
Darcy quickly assured her, "Your safe now." Seeing the torn state of her dress he quickly began to shrug off his jacket. As she stood silent and swaying in disbelief he settled it around her shoulders, drawing it closed around her. Her hands instinctivly came up to hold it closed. She blinked at him, still fighting the confusion and fog in her brain. Her mind briefly grasped the fact that Mr. Darcy had claimed her toloreable and not handsome enough to tempt him and therefore she was safe physically with him. With this thought in mind, her body relieved of its current source of anxiety and to exhausted to fight the lingering effects of the drug, she collapsed. Darcy in a single step caught her, having been prepared for her to swoon. It was clear to him that in addition to her recent terror, the lethargy in her movements, and her state when his aunt's coachman put her on the post indicated she had been sedated.
"I will never let another misuse you so again, my love," He whispered softly agsinst her hair, burying his face in it and breathing in the reassuring scent of her. He glanced toward the post driver and his partner who had climbed down from their perch and where lifting the passed out man into the coach.
After depositing the man inside and closing the door. The driver with a glance at Darcy, his horse and back at Darcy and the hold he had on Elizabeth cleared his throat and said nervously,"Is she yours?"
"She is," Darxy responded, his voice rough. "She is mine."
"We didn't know what they was planning. Neither of us hold with forcing a woman. Got little girls of our own and well, I'd kill any man that thought to hurt my wife or daughter that way. Same for John here. I assume you will be taking her with you?"
"Yes. My coach is on it's way," Darcy said flatly.
"Right sorry, Sir. I am glad you hailed us and got to her in time. Leastways I hope it was in time," John said.
"We have a schedule to keep and we cannot be staying on to wait for your coach with you, Sir," the driver said nervously. He right away recognized Darcy as the type of wealthy powerful man it was not wise to cross. The driver was confident that the two men laying in a heap on the coach floor would find themselves destroyed, a fitting fate he believed. He had been nervous to leave such a young pretty woman alone with two drunk male passengers and had been relieved when the coach had been hailed. He and John had just decided they should offer the young lady to ride up top with them for her safety and had been preparing to stop.
"I understand. In fact, I would prefer it if you took those miscreants as far away from here as possible. I assume I can get their names and information at one of the previous stops?" Darcy asked.
"They boarded at the same spot as your lady and the inn keeper there should have their information from when they purchased their tickets. We best be going, Sir."
Darcy nodded and the two climbed back up to their perch and drove off. Darcy cuddled Elizabeth's unconscious form closer to him. The realization of what had almost happened to her, hit him and with no further foes to vanquish for her, he shakiky dropped to the ground clutching her to him, fighting back tears. It was thus that his cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam, found him a quarter hour later.
"My God, Darcy," Col. Fitzwilliam said dismounting his horse quickly. He strode to his cousin but when he reached out a hand towards Darcy and Elizabeth, concerned by how still she was, to check for a pulse, Darcy pulled her form closer to himself and away from the colonel. "She was drugged, by Lady Catherine," Darcy said harshly "I will never forgive that woman for the danger she put my Elizabeth in. Never."
"Darcy, what happened?" Col. Fitzwilliam asked in concern.
"I assume you somehow learned that woman had Elizabeth put on a post chaise all alone, sending her off without regard to her welfare or destination?"
"Yes. I first became aware of it when I heard her and Anne discussing it and then when Mr. Collins came to Rosings seeking our help to find his cousin. I passed your coach a good ways back. The last post inn is not far back. We should take Miss Bennet there for her to rest until your coach arrives and we can hire a maid and discuss what to do about this situation. Her reputation has already been compromised because of our family. "
"Lady Catherine is no longer any family of mine," Darcy said harshly. Then his voice softened and he said, "We cannot take her to an inn Richard. Her dress, it isn't in a fit state to be seen. I will not allow vicious gossip an opportunity to start at some inn by a passing maid."
Realizing what his cousin referred to the colonel said hoarsely, "She, has she been violated?" A fury towards whoever dare attack one as lovley and vivacious as her ripping through him with such force, he almost did not register Darcy's denial. He was a firm believer that any man that would violently force himself on an unwilling woman's body, should be sent to the darkest circles of hell.
"No. I got there in time. But those vile bastards ripped her dress. One of them was holding her while the other was, was fondling her. She was struggling against them, but Lady Catherine must have given her some type of sedative that was hampering her efforts. Had I of been minutes later, they might have," Darcy broke off as a shrudder racked his body. He could not even give voice to what he might have interrupted instead.
"Thank God, Darcy," Col. Fitzwilliam said. "She was spared that. You are right though, it would not be good for a chambermaid at the posting inn to start rumors about her, but we still need to discuss what we are going to do about the situation. " As he watched the way his favorite cousin and best friend craddle Elizabeth to him, Col. Fitzwilliam realized he could not save Elizabeth's reputation with an offer of marriage. It would kill his cousin.
Furthermore Elizabeth and Darcy, he realized, were likely an ideal match. Her liveliness would draw him out and ease his manners, where as she would benefit greatly from his knowledge and experiences. The two could not be anymore ideally suited. Elizabeth might dislike Darcy currently, but given his rescue of her, and their complementing personalities it was likely that familiarity would not breed contempt, but rather the opposite. Could he ask his cousin to watch over her if he was sent to fight again? His cousin was an honorable man and prior to witnessing the almost desperate way Darcy craddle her to him, he would have said there was none he trusted more. Now he realized to do so would lead to eventual misery for all. Elizabeth would come to appreciate and care about Darcy, but she would be tied to him and Darcy would be in love with her to his dying day. It would be unfair to put them all in a situation where someday Darcy's intrinsic honor would fail and he would be tempted by his cousin's wife. Realizing the marital felicity he had briefly envisioned was not to be his, Col. Fitzwilliam felt a melancholy settle over him. In an attempt to overcome it, he said gravely, "Lady Catherine made her promise never to enter an engagement with you."
"What?" Darcy demanded stricken.
"At the parsonage this morning. She visited, fought vocally with Miss Bennet, insulting her and demanding she promise not to agree to an engagement with you. She agreed but Lady Catherine felt her word was not good enough and that she might go back on it so she had Miss Bennet forcibly removed from the parsonage."
"Her reputation. Lady Catherine has put her in a most intolerable position. She needs to marry to restore he reputation but Elizabeth is an honorable lady, she would not go back on her word once given," Darcy exclaimed. The two cousins sat in silence for a few minutes and then Darcy said, "Why would she agree to such a ridiculous request? Could she truly have given up all hope that I would offer for her? She is not the type to allow anyone to browbeat her. I had intended to finish the estate business and then after courting her for a few days make a formal offer."
Col. Fitzwilliam ran a hand through his hair and said softly, "She agreed becuase she believed that you two had a mutal dislike. According to Miss Lucas Wickham has been spreading his lies, evidently even to Miss Bennet."
"That wretched beast. First he targets my sister and now he imposes his lies on Elizabeth? I should have told her the truth after our dance. I should have made her see. She is so trusting and compassionate. It would not have been in her nature or inclination to suspect him, especially after I left her behind."
"She liked you before Wickham lied to her you believe?" Col. Fitzwilliam asked carefully.
"Yes. We had quite a few memorable debates. It was during those days in Hertfordshire that I first fell in love with her. I will have to explain to her the truth about Wickham," Darcy said softly, "and re-gain her affection."
"Miss Lucas said that she overheard Miss Bennet tell Lady Catherine that she would not consent to an engagement with you becuase you were arrogant, concieted and had a selfish disdain for others," Col. Fitzwilliam said gently to his cousin and awaited his response in silence. He knew his cousin and while Darcy was a good man, her description of him was frightfully accurate. If Darcy truly loved her, as the colonel had come to realize since finding them, he would be willling to change his behavior to win her. Darcy was if nothing else loyal, consistent and determined.
"I cannot offer for her to save her reputation," Darcy said with conviction after a moment of silence. Col. Fitzwilliam sat shocked at this unexpected statement, but before he could suggest himself as an alternative, Darcy spoke again. He said, "Since we can have no engagement, I can see no other alternative then for me to take her to Scotland to marry right away without an engagement. "
"Will she agree to go to marry in Scottland?' Col. Fitzwilliam said in shock at his cousin's pronouncement.
"I cannot ask her. Asking her and gaining her agreement to do so would still constitute entering a short unofficial engagement, I cannot risk that her honor would forbid her from doing even that. Elizabeth is too good. I will not put her in a position where she has to go back on her word. Unlike Lady Catherine I recognize that Elizabeth is not the type to go back on an agreement no matter what. And I will not loose her because of it or because of her current view of me. I perhaps was not at my best in Hertfordshire. Her accusations may have some merit," Darcy mused knowing that he had been in a foul mood when he arrived in Meryton. "She is mine. I cannot bear the thought of not being in a position to see to her care and protection. Even with a man servant attending her, there are countless dangers in traveling post. Alone, drugged and defenseless she has been exposed to even greater danger. Her father's estate is entailed, had I of continued in my foolishness of trying to forget her and her father died, she would have been alone without any protection other then the foolish parson and some tradesman. Never again will I leave her to be so unprotected and vulnerable. My name and my resources will allow me to ensure her comfort and safety as my wife, as well as that of her sisters and mother someday. I was foolish enough to believe this winter that I could only offer for her if I was not who I am. The second I saw her again I knew I would marry her no matter the drawbacks of her situation in life and differences in our stations. Now I thank God I am not some middling squire, Elizabeth deserves only the best. The quality of horse of a middling country squire could never have reached her in time," Darcy said brokenly.
As Darcy once again lapsed into silence, Col. Fitzwilliam looked at him considerably. His cousin was acting out of character, what he had suggested was little better then kidnapping, but the more he thought of it, the more he saw the advantages of Darcy's suggestion. Surely any animosity Elizabeth had felt about Darcy would be overcome in close proximity and the gratitude for his rescue of her. Afterall had he not realized that particular drawback to his own union with her, that exposure to Darcy would lead to her caring for him. His cosuin's plan of courting her for a few days and proposing was ludicrous. The colonel suspected that there was more to her dislike then Darcy leaving Hertfordshire and Wickham's lies, but what better way for Darcy to win her heart then as her husband? It would give Darcy opportunities to show her his true self that were not available during the normal course of courtship. Col. Fitzwilliam mentally shook his head in disbelief, not only was he going to accept his cousin's suggestion, he was going to actively support the removing of a gently bred lady from the protection of her family, something that apparently was lacking anyways, to elope to Scotland. Or more accurately he should term it, he was going to aid his lovesick cousin in kidnapping a young lady and orchestrating a marriage without the consent of her or any of her relations, Col Fitzwilliam thought wryly. He and Darcy had gone from foiling an elopement to planning one in less then a year. The circumstances of course were very different. The treasure Wickham had sought was pounds and pence, whereas the treasure Darcy sought was Elizabeth, a treasure Darcy had determined was priceless. Wickham would have gained Georgiana's fortune and cast her aside; Darcy had no intentions of casting Elizabeth aside, but rather to put himself in a position to see to her protection and care always. His sentiments were far more noble then Wickham's greedy aspirations.
"Well we had best make plans for how to go about this," Col. Fitzwilliam said. "Her family will need to be notified that she is safe, Darcy. This might surprise you, it certainly did me, but her cousin, Mr. Collins was in fact not only concerned about her safety, he was upset over Lady Catherine's actions. I suggested that the Collins remove to Mrs. Collins family home for a while. I do not think the bumbling fool will be able to stop himself from censoring his former idol in his bitter disappointment over her actions, which will bring Lady Catherine's wrath down on them. It would be unfair to leave them concerned for her. And I imagine Mr. Collins will be quick to alert her father of this happenstance. He seems to be inclined to replace his idol of Lady Catherine, with his, as he called him, esteemed and wise cousin. He also gave voice to the consideration that the rector at Longbourn was elderly and perhaps if the living there became available, his cousin would grant it to him, allowing him to be closer so that he could be guided by his council. The man needs a leader to follow, and evidently Miss Bennet's father is his choice now that Lady Catherine has let him down."
"We will also need your mother's assistance with the ton. Given the irregularity of our union, it will be necessary to establish Elizabeth in society and ensure the gossips have no reason to whisper about the state of her virtue before our marriage took place," Darcy said. "Perhaps it would be best if you, recruited her and your father to my side and took care of informing Elizabeth's relations, while I take her to Scotland. Elizabeth and I can make for my small holding near by to pass the night. It is about a day's journey from Rosings Park to Camwood, and we are atleast headed in the right direction. We should be able to make it there by late tonight. The house is small but it has a skeleton staff and would be better then putting up at an inn."
"I assume you will travel to your estate in Scotland and marry her there rather then head for Gretna Green?" Col. Fitzwilliam asked.
"Yes. My Uncle Edmund's estate you know is along the route we will take from Camwood. Even if he is not in residence his staff know me and will allow us to stay there. It will require traveling long hours to make it, but at least it will be one less night spent at an inn." Elizabeth stirred and nuzzled her head into Darcy's chest before stilling again. It was the first time she had moved since succumbing to uncosiousness. Looking down at her, Darcy said, "I wont fail her again. It is my fault Lady Catherine endangered her."
"Darcy, you had no idea that after detecting your partiality for Miss Bennet that Lady Catherine would act in such a heinous way, or that Miss Bennet would end up in the dangerous situation as she did after Lady Catherine sent her off."
"It does not matter. I will give her the protection of the Darcy name. My aunt's scheme to destroy her reputation will fail."
Col. Fitzwilliam chuckled and said, "Lady Catherine enjoys being of use to others. Just think you would have proposed to Miss Bennet and given what her current feelings for you were thanks to Wickham, she would have turned you down as easily as she gave Lady Catherine her word not to engage herself to you. Now becuase of Lady Catherine's interference, her marriage to you is a must to save her reputation."
"You really believe she would have turned me down?" Darcy ask with a frown.
"Do you believe her to be mercenary? " Col. Fitzwilliam countered with.
"No. And she is to honorable to marry a man she despised. My wealth and connections would not have enticed her to marry me." Darcy sat silently and then said, "Perhaps this is wrong. I would give anything to have Elizabeth at my side and in my care, but to trap her in a marriage with a man she despise-"
"No, cousin. I have thought about this," Col. Fitzwilliam said interrupting him. "A memeber of our family has attempted to destroy her reputation and place her in jeapordy. The solution, according to society is that she marry. It was our family that placed her in this position so it is up to our family to rectify it. I cannot marry her. You are my closest friend, more like a brother than my own. If I were to marry her our relationship would be destroyed. I refuse to let a lady, no matter how fetching, come bewteen us. When I am sent off to fight, the only man I could ever imagine asking to look out for my wife's welfare would be you. I strongly believe that with proximity and exposure to the real you, not the tongue tied brooding version that was in Kent, she would come to care for you. Yet if I married her to restore her reputation, she would be tied to me. I am convinced it is a recipe for diaster and misery. Therefore it has to be you. Besides you might wish to be noble and let her go if necessary, but frankly I do not think you could manage to do so."
Darcy thoughtfully said, "You are right. I would struggle to see her with any other and even with you, a man I hold in the highest regard, I would find it difficult to be assured that you cared for her as she should be cared for. I would rather know that she was my responsibility even if it meant Pemberley will likely go to one of Georgiana's children, like it would if Elizabeth married any other."
"Georgiana's children? " the colonel asked.
"I would like nothing more then a true marriage with Elizabeth, but I will not force one on her. Even if she comes to have affection for me someday, her experience today might make it impossible to enjoy an intimate relationship as my wife."
"She was not violated. It may take time Darcy, but with patience and understanding I think she would eventually welcome you to her bed. She is a gentlewoman, she understands the importance of an heir. As your wife she would believe it to be expected if her."
"The second she tumbled out of the coach and into my arms she became mine to protect and care for. I would not wish her to lay with me because it was her duty. And I can assure you, if our marriage was to be a true marriage, she would not be welcoming me to her bed. She would be in my bed every night where she belongs. Her bed would be only for birthing our children, but they would be created in mine, in ours," Darcy said passionately.
"I suggest then, you woo your bride and seduce your wife," Col. Fitzwilliam said with a wicked grin. "For now though let us see to her safety. I believe I have caught sight of your coach."