Ok, so getting very close. and im sorry, now is when the difficulties start. I know many of you were wondering where Lydia was and if Wickham was going to rear his ugly head...
yep! sorry! cant write a pnp fic without a little Wicky irritants!
......
Sunday April 14th, 2210. 90 minutes until iceberg.
Around the dining salon the gentlemen were rising, their traditional brandy and cigars were calling them. Most ladies stayed at their tables although a few moved towards the stairs, either heading for the first class lounge or the promenade.
Elizabeth noticed Kitty with a few of the younger ladies, oddly enough Lydia was not with them. She did not have time to contemplate as her mother bustled past winking at her rather overtly. She rolled her eyes and looked away, thankfully Mrs Bennet moved to join one of her cronies and they appeared to be heading towards the first class lounge as was their usual after dinner activity. Her father seemed to have disappeared already, probably in to the clouds of smoke that were, even now, likely lingering in the first class smoke room.
Her attention was drawn back to her own party as Mr Bingley rose. He was looking at Jane and appeared, presumably, about to propose a walk. Mr Darcy rose also, having no wish to separate from the ladies, he tried to think of an activity which would just involve his sister and Miss Elizabeth.
At that moment Colonel Astor passed their table.
"I say, Darcy. I had been hoping to have a word. Care to join me for a brandy?"
"Oh." Darcy looked to Elizabeth, he was gratified to notice the slight look of disappointment on her face.
"It is a business proposition. I think you would be very interested."
He was, he had been meaning to talk to Colonel Astor about a few matters, but tonight was not a great night.
"I must retire, brother." Georgiana put in then turned to Elizabeth "would you accompany me?"
"See. The ladies wish for their conversation. We men folk are always in their way!" He laughed and clapped Darcy on the shoulder.
Darcy turned to the two ladies, lowering his voice "I can decline."
"No." Elizabeth said, they had spoken of his business ventures in the Americas and she knew he had wished to discuss some with the Colonel. "I shall take Georgiana to her room, we shall enjoy a cup of tea and wait for your return."
He smiled at her, his voice still lowered and strangely intimate. "Are you certain?"
"Yes, go." She whispered then raised an eyebrow, "but do not be too long."
He nodded and had to bite his lip to stop himself from kissing her as he wished to. Instead he kissed Georgiana on the head and whispered to her before gesturing to Astor to lead the way.
"Well," Lizzie turned to Georgiana "shall we get you back to your tiny cabin?"
Georgiana chuckled.
"Really Eliza, you obviously have not seen the Darcy's suite. It is glorious. Georgiana, I would be happy to escort you back. Eliza might take a wrong turn and you would end up in steerage!" Caroline's voice was as unwelcome as it was misplaced. Neither had indicated they included her in their conversation.
Georgiana looked frightened out of her wits at the prospect of Caroline accompanying them.
"Oh Caro. It is kind of you to be concerned for dear Georgiana." Elizabeth was not going to allow this woman to intrude any further in to their evening. "But I assure you, I know perfectly well where Mr, I mean Miss, Darcy's room is!"
She hooked her arm in Georgiana's, whispered a few parting words to Jane, and walked away. Laughing merrily at the horrified expression on Caroline's face.
"Well, I always knew she was a little harlot!" Caroline exclaimed, turning to her brother. But Charles had wisely used the distraction to whisk Jane away for a stroll out on deck.
..
"Have you been out on deck much?" Elizabeth asked Georgiana as they made their way up towards B deck.
"Oh no. My brother is so kind to me. He had allowed me to stay on our own promenade."
"How would you feel to a short stroll across the front of A deck? You likely haven't seen the ship moving forward through the water."
"Oh, I do not know."
"You do not have to, but I can promise there will be very few people out there now. True it connects the lower promenade deck, but people will not be doing circuits at this time."
"If you think so."
"Come," she leaned in, her tone mischievous. "You braved the wilds of second class, you can brave the forward deck. It overlooks the steerage deck and is directly under the bridge, so we can see what those who are steering this great ship can see."
She turned as they reached the A deck landing and led Georgiana through the doors that opened on to the covered promenade, heading toward the bow. The night air was bracing and there was very little wind. They just stood and watched the boat moving through the water.
"The view from there," Elizabeth pointed to the bow of the boat, "is indescribable. But I was somewhat naughty for venturing there, and I would not suggest it of you." She knew Wickham was in steerage and she had no intention of taking her anywhere near that part of the ship. "Below us is another forward facing deck and then below that is my cabin."
"This view is quite breathtaking. How still is the night air!" She exclaimed.
Elizabeth smiled, "Indeed it is, but it is also rather chilly. I suggest we leave it there and proceed inside. You did mention tea."
"Oh yes, let us do that."
...
They sat drinking tea and chatting amiably for about twenty minutes before Elizabeth noted Georgiana stifling another yawn.
"My dear, please, go to bed. I shall leave a note and see you both on the morrow."
"Oh no, Elizabeth, he was most particular, I was to entertain you until he could return and speak with you!"
"Well. I cannot think he meant to keep you awake like this. I shall stay if you wish, but you must go to bed." Elizabeth had no intention of staying in their room without Georgiana for company, but she could see that Georgiana would stubbornly stay awake unless she seemed to give in.
"Well, I am rather tired. It has been such an eventful day. Oh but it has been wonderful. Meeting you has been." She stopped herself "I have had a lovely day."
Elizabeth squeezed her hands "me too, my dear."
She saw the girl off to bed, she rang for her maid and Elizabeth sat, tidied the tea tray ready for collection and then thought she would write Darcy a note. She could await him in the reading room, or the lounge. She did wish to speak to him, about Lady Catherine and what happened between them earlier.
She was interrupted from her musings by a knock. Frowning she opened the door to find Jenny stood nervously in the corridor. "Oh Miss Lizzie, thank goodness. I was worried Miss Jane had the wrong room. This is for you." She held out a note.
"What is the matter?" Lizzie instinctively took the note offered.
"I cannot say miss, but I have a note for Mr and Mrs Gardiner also, although I was instructed to deliver this to you first."
"Thank you Jenny." She took the note and Jenny hurried on her way to deliver the other.
Elizabeth puzzled over the note then tore it open, frowning at Jane's untidy scrawl. She was usually so neat.
...
Lizzie,
Please hurry to our cabin on receiving this note. I returned here with Kitty a few minutes ago.
She went to her room and then came to me in a terrible state. Lydia was supposed to be there you see. When I suggested she had been delayed, well, Kitty burst in to tears. It turns out she was with Wickham in steerage and you know they lock the gates at ten.
I have sent a message to our uncle to see if he will check for her in second, just in case Kitty was mistaken. Please, you know the ship so well. Mama is beside herself and I have never seen Papa so shocked.
We need your help.
Jane.
...
Elizabeth's hand went to her mouth and she sat down from the shock that the letter had caused. Lydia, in steerage, with Wickham! What had the girl been doing down there?
She sat for a moment, allowing the emotions to overwhelm her fleetingly before taking a deep breath, blinking back the tears that threatened, and rising.
She made towards the door, then recollected she would need to leave a note. Looking around she spied a desk with neatly stacked paper. The sound of the door interrupted her and she stepped towards it.
"Mr Darcy." She began, before he had taken more than a step in to the room. "Forgive me I must away this moment. There is a situation I must attend to immediately, forgive me." She made to walk past him but his large frame was partially blocking the small door.
Darcy immediately perceived her troubled spirits.
"Of course I will not detain you if you must go," his voice was rough with emotion. "But might I be of assistance?"
Elizabeth, foolishly, looked up in to his eyes. Dark pools of concern gazed down at her, far too close for her equanimity. Her feelings, such as they were, had undergone such a tempest over the last day and they were raw from the effort. This afternoon in his company had alerted her to the possibilities, as well as the swirling emotions associated with desire. It was all too much.
She felt her eyes filling with tears as she looked up at him. What had Lydia done? What was Wickham about? Was her reputation ruined? Was their family to be tainted by association? Just as she had begun to allow herself to hope, these events would surely lower her in this man's eyes!
Darcy, on perceiving her unshod tears, moved forwards, kicking the door shut behind him and enfolding her in to his arms. "Shhhh" he whispered, kissing her hair and cradling her cheeks. He murmured sweet nothings as she allowed a few tears to fall before she took a breath and composed herself.
"You will wish me away." She dropped her voice less Georgiana still be awake. "My sister seems to be carrying on some sort of liaison with..." She steeled herself for the inevitable censure "with Mr Wickham." She held his gaze and saw the look of shock swiftly followed by confusion and worry, but no censure, in his gaze.
"I have not the details. I know not how long, although I met him a few days ago. But she was with him tonight and has not returned from steerage. You know they lock the gates. I am worried she will not know her way back."
"What is to be done?" His tone was serious, but he did not seem angry.
"Jane awaits my Uncle and I. My uncle will search second, in case they are there. She begs me to find a way down to steerage with my father."
"We must go at once. I do not know how she will fare if she is in the male end of steerage, let us hope they are together in the family section."
"But, surely you do not mean to accompany me?"
He looked at her blankly then cupped her face again, bringing his face to within inches of hers. His face soft with emotion and concern. "You cannot think I would allow you to go there alone? At this time of night?"
She just blinked in confusion.
"A foolish sister will not scare me away, I would be the worst sort of hypocrite if it did, dearest loveliest Elizabeth." He smiled and then became more serious "unless, you do not wish for my help?"
It was Elizabeth's turn to reach up and caress his cheek, the slight feel of stubble against her fingers. She smiled softly as she contemplated the man before her. "I would welcome your assistance and your company."
They stood, noses almost touching, gazing in to each other's eyes, for a few moments before the urgency of the situation reasserted itself and they both moved towards the door.
...