Chapter 27: Facing her father

As it neared morning, Elizabeth regained her consciousness. Jane and Georgiana had stayed by her side the whole night. She woke up asking for Darcy.

"Lizzy, I cannot call him now. You can see him when you feel better."

"But Jane, he was here."

"That was a few hours ago. You need rest. The doctor asked you to eat. You need to regain your energy."

"Lizzy, I am so sorry. It is because of me that you are hurt. Why did you have to take my place? I cannot fathom what you must have undergone."

"It is nothing, Georgiana. Your brother saved me. It is not your fault. Please do not cry."

Elizabeth wanted to see Darcy. She did not know what to say to him. But she yearned for his presence. Her thoughts were still muddled. She had to ask Jane many times how long she was gone and how she got hurt. But she clearly remembered Darcy carrying her into the carriage and comforting her. She did not know how to express her feelings to him. The feelings bottled inside her heart alarmed her. She worried about her reputation. Though none of them talked about it, she knew that her reputation was tarnished.

Jane and Georgiana went to change. Jane saw Darcy standing near the stairs.

"How is she?" He asked anxiously.

"She is better. She is resting now. I hope the doctor will be happy with her progress."

"Did she ask for me?"

Jane hesitated. "She did." Darcy wanted to run and see Elizabeth. But he understood the hesitation in her sister's voice. He controlled his emotions.

"I am leaving now to speak to your father. Richard and Bingley will accompany me. I hope he can accept the decisions I have taken."

"My father may not be very welcoming with the news. I hope you can justify your actions. I thank you for saving my sister Mr Darcy. Even though she is hurt, I am glad you brought her back to us."

Darcy felt guilty to accept Jane's gratitude. His Elizabeth was hurt, and he knew he would never be able to forgive himself.

The journey to Longbourn was a quiet affair. Mr Bingley was worried about the anger of Mr Bennet. He loved Jane and was worried about the future. Darcy had never shied away from his responsibilities. He was used to making decisions by himself and had never been in a questionable position before. He hoped that Mr Bennet would that see his actions were for the good.

When they reached Longbourn, the house was silent. The servant took them to the library. Mr Bennet was deeply engrossed in his book. He was surprised to see them.

"Oh! I was expecting to see Elizabeth and Jane today. This is indeed a surprise. Did the ladies at Netherfield drive you all out of the house?" he asked and laughed at his joke.

Darcy was tensed. He knew that he was going to devastate the man with news about his favourite daughter.

"Sir, can we please sit down? I have come here on an important matter."

They saw Mr Bennet frown.

"What is it? Is something wrong with Jane?" He asked in an unsettling tone.

"No Sir. It is Miss Elizabeth. She is hurt. But nothing to be alarmed." Mr Bingley said. Darcy wanted to do all the talking and he stared at Bingley to silent him.

"What? What happened to Lizzy?" Mr Bennet said with agitation.

"Sir, she has been hurt. An unfortunate incident that happened on the way to the picnic."

Darcy quickly explained how the abduction happened and why it happened. He explained briefly about Georgiana and Wickham, and the incident in Ramsgate.

They watched Mr Bennet tense, as Darcy continued to explain how Elizabeth was hurt.

Mr Bennet was silent. Darcy did not know what to make of his countenance.

"Young man, you have some nerve to walk into my house and recite the details of my daughter's abduction as if I was laid to rest several years ago. How dare you?"

"Sir, I did what was best for her. I had the confidence that I could bring her back safely."

"And did you? Did you bring her back safely? You say she is hurt. How badly is she hurt?"

"She has wounds on her shoulder and forehead. The doctor said she would recover."

"And now, what do you expect me to say? Thank you for saving my daughter?"

"I understand your pain. But I did what was best in the circumstances. We had little time and once I knew the location of the cottage, I did not want to wait another minute. I did not want to come to Longbourn and distress all the members of the family. I am sure you can agree that it was done to safeguard her reputation."

"Do not act as if you are the sole authority for the well-being of my daughter. I may not be young and energetic to fight the thugs, but I had the right to know. Whatever you speak of her reputation takes no precedence over my love and affection for her. I sat here the whole night enjoying my book, when she was lying a few miles away from me unconscious. You have no right Mr Darcy. You have no right."

Darcy had expected this, but he thought Mr Bennet would see his reason. He was getting angry. He was still convinced that telling her father immediately did nothing progressive in saving her.

"Sir, did you expect me to knock on your door and have this same conversation when your daughter was in danger?"

Richard thought it was best to intervene. "Please accept our apologies. We should have informed you, but you need to understand that we tried to save Miss Elizabeth without wasting time."

"I need to speak with Mr Darcy alone, can you both leave us to our privacy?"

Both Richard and Mr Bingley walked out. Darcy did not know what to expect.

"Mr Darcy, I am asking you again, have you told me everything?"

"What do you mean?"

"You keep mentioning her reputation, did something happen to ruin her reputation?"

"No Sir. I am sure nothing has. She was abducted and locked up. But Wickham did not take any liberties with her. It is my fault that she was abducted. Had I put him away before, this would not have happened."

"Who else knows about this? "

"Some servants in Netherfield, footmen, and Adam. Officer Deny who helped Wickham also has been sent to London."

"You seem to have the knack for taking care of everything. I wonder why you came to me now. You could have lied to me. Maybe told me that she fell down the stairs. I guess after my recent liking for your company, I would have believed you."

Will he ever stop taunting me?

"I maybe at fault for my decisions. But I have never lied before, and never will. I will not allow you to insult me so."

"Insult? Is that troubling you so? What do you think my Lizzy will undergo now? We can keep everybody silent on this. But can you ease my daughter of the pain in her heart and mind? She is a strong girl, but she does not deserve such an experience in life."

"I understand your worry. I worry about the same. I am ready to do anything for Miss Elizabeth. I assure you that if you are worried about her future, I come forward to claim her hand."

There was no word from Mr Bennet. He let out a low laugh.

"So, you think I am the kind of father who will throw his daughter to any man to save her reputation? You know very little of me, Mr Darcy. I would never dream of asking Lizzy to marry you just to save her reputation. She has been inclined to marry only for the deepest love and I do not care what the world might say. Do not think you can wipe away your mistakes, by offering for her."

"No. You have misunderstood my intentions."

"I understand you clearly. My daughter saved your sister's life. So, you are offering to marry her. I will only ridicule my daughter's character by thinking that she would accept such a trade. I warn you, do not cause further distress to her."

Mr Bennet's words struck Darcy like a lightning.

He stood rooted to his spot.

He is right. What if Elizabeth thinks I am offering marriage just to compensate for her sacrifice for Georgiana? What if she never understands my love for her and rejects me?

A feeling of distress enveloped Darcy. He did not want to force her to accept his hand. He wanted to earn her love and respect. What her father said agitated him. He did not want her to have anything but happiness in life.

What if she agrees to marry me and regrets it later? I cannot see her live a life that was not her choice.

His mind was in a whirl. Darcy never thought that a decision he was certain of when he entered Longbourn, would vanish into thin air as he left the house. Yes! Never!