Chapter 16; the Grand Tour II

Early July

The Fitzwilliam family arrived in Rome. Elizabeth was still deeply hurt from what had happened in Paris - but she had not told anybody about it as not to create worry in her family. After only two days full of sightseeing, shopping and settling in, Elizabeth sat down before dinner to write to Madeline for advice.

Fitzwilliam Rome Residence

Rome, Italy

1811

Dear Maddie

Thank you for your last letter, I greatly enjoyed it!

I need your advice, after my visit to Paris! I met my French cousins, Anne and Daniel: they were veryfriendly, but it ended with Daniel kissing me, against my will - I slapped him soundly for it. Now the problem is I feel I should tell Will but I feel so guilty! What should I do? I love William dearly, but I would never hurt him and I know this will hurt him if he knew. What should I do? I have not dared to speak to anybody about it not even Jane nor Mama.

Except for that incident, the trip to Rome has been wondrous, if a bit tiring. Now we have been in Rome for twodays, and I have never been as grateful as I am to Uncle Gardiner for those books in Italian I got on my birthday and my vocabulary!

Jane is well; she enjoys this trip as much as I do, to be honest. She took to speaking light French as a duck to water; it does appear she has got an affinity for languages – so I am hoping she will take to Italian as well. She got her fair share of attention at the few balls we attended in Paris, which she deserved and more. We are to stay in Rome for around six weeks, so I hope I will receive your answer here or in St. Petersburg at the enclosed address.

I miss you and uncle badly and hope I can see you when we return to Britain in a few months. Give Uncle Edward my warmest regards and a hug from me and my regards to the Bennets.

All my fondest regard

Lizziebeth

She quickly enclosed the letter in an envelope and as she went down to dinner, she put it on the tray.

The first several days were spent shopping, as the weather was much warmer than any of the travellers were used to in Britain, and of course sightseeing including St. Peters church, after Elizabeth's wish, and the Borgia house, the Vatican and other beautiful sights.

Jane did notice that Elizabeth had been worryingly quiet since they departed Paris - and that night she came into Elizabeth's room as her maid was brushing her hair, "Thank you, Melanie. I will take over."

"Yes, Miss. Goodnight Lady Elizabeth."

"Goodnight Melanie." Elizabeth returned as Jane began brushing her hair.

"Lizzie, I am worried for you; you have been in a melancholysince we left Paris."

Elizabeth was silent as she tried to find the words to explain what had happened.

"Lizzie?"

Elizabeth met Jane's eyes and slowly explained.

Jane was angrier than she had ever felt for Mr. Dustiéer's behaviour towards her younger sister/friend. "How dare he?! I am so proud of how you handled it! I cannot guarantee that Mr. Darcywill handle it nearly as well as you do, if I know him!"

"I know, Jane! I wrote Madeline about it." Elizabeth explained.

"Good. I do not really know how to deal with such a thing - besides going to your parents." Jane replied carefully.

"No, not my parents! It would be so disgraceful for them!" Elizabeth exclaimed to Jane's words.

"Lizzie, please be sensible!" Jane implored.

They talked quite late into the night, mostly Jane trying to get Lizzie to put her trust in her parents. In the end Lizzie agreed, but only partly.

In London (A Fortnightlater)

When Madeline Gardiner read the cry for help in the letter, she at once composed a long response full of advice and ways of protecting herself and of course, news of Britain, herself and her marriage to Edward Gardiner and a promise to call on Mr Darcy to explain why Lizzie did not write to him, and make him understand that it did not change the way she felt for him. Edward Gardiner advised a postscript to trust her parents and Jane about everything.

The next day when Madeline called on Darcy house, she found both Mr. Darcy and Captain Fitzwilliam in the study. "Mrs. Gardiner, to what do I owe to this pleasure? How are you and your husband? Content, I hope?" William Darcy asked.

"Mr. Darcy, Captain Fitzwilliam - I am here on Elizabeth's behalf."

"What has happened? You have heard from her?" William asked as he paled dramatically.

Richard asked, "They have arrived safely to Rome; they are to remain there for fourmore weeks before going to Russia. What has happened?"

Mrs. Gardiner explained and both men first were annoyed then flabbergasted to finally furious. "How dare he put a hand on MY Elizabeth? I will run him through!" William exclaimed hotly.

"I... how dare he ever try to hurt my sister?! That bastard, if father does not call him out, I will!" Richard was truly scary when he lost his temper completely as he did at present.

Mrs. Gardiner calmed Richard enough to listen as she further explained all which had happened, "Oh I knew my sister was a true Fitzwilliam!" Richard chuckled.

William smiled slightly but asked: "Why did she not write me about it?"

"She does not want to hurt you, Mr. Darcy. She is still vulnerable."

"I know, but we... I love her. I never want her to feel like she cannot come to me with everything." William said.

Madeline said, "She knows that she can come to you with anything, Mr. Darcy, but you have to remember all that has happened to her the last two years. She does not want to hurt you, and she was afraid that it would hurt you, if she did tell you. She cares deeply for you."

Rome

After her talk with Jane and a short if meaningful talk with her mother, she felt much better.

Then Mary-Rose, Jane, Elizabeth and the Earl and Countess went walking around a small but colourful market, which had been Jane's wish so she might buy some trinkets for her siblings and parents.

As Jane and Elizabeth were looking at some trinkets, Elizabeth moved to look at some other items and bumped into a young man, "Oh Dio mi scuso signore! lo sono terribilmente spiacente!" she exclaimed. (Oh gosh I apologise sir! I am dreadfully sorry).

The man regained his footing and replied in English: "A worthy try, miss. There is nothing to apologise for."

"You are English, sir? And a naval officer too if I am not wrong?" she asked carefully.

"Yes, born and bred British. Will you allow me to introduce myself?"

She nodded; he removed his hat, bowed and said, "Commander Frederick Wentworth, at your service ma'am."

She made a light curtsy and said: "Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam, Commander Wentworth."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Elizabeth. May I ask of news from England? I have not been home for a long time."

Elizabeth gave all the news she could include comments on international matters. Frederick Wentworth was amazed at how insightful his new acquaintance was about international matters. He was on leave for a month before he was due to return to his position on HMS Victory.

"MayI ask where you hail from, Lady Elizabeth? And let me compliment you on your very insightful knowledge." he continued with a smile.

He was a handsome man with very blue eyes and blond hair, and a friendly smile: he was tall, a head taller than she, and had good manners and he could not be more than five and twenty years old.

"I hail from Derbyshire, Cmdr Wentworth; I have had indulgent parents and a good governess to teach me. Where do you hail from, sir?"

He dragged himself out of his thoughts, "My family has had different homes, but the last was in Portsmouth. We were three siblings in my home: my elder sister and brother, Sophia and Edward and myself." he said.

He knew from her fashionable but simple look that her family must be someone with wealth, not that it mattered to him. He liked her knowledge, her friendliness, and her careful manners but he could see a wit in her eyes.

"We are five siblings in my home: Two elder brothers and two elder sisters. I am the youngest."

Atthe same moment, Jane came over and linked her arm with Elizabeth's and asked: "Who is this man, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth said: "Jane, this is Commander Frederick Wentworth of the British Navy. Cmdr. Wentworth, this is my companion and best friend, Miss Jane Bennet."

Frederick Wentworth bowed and said: "Miss Bennet."

Jane curtsied and said: "Commander Wentworth."

Jane held his glance with a firm one of her own.

Just then the Countess came over and saw a young man with her daughter and Miss Bennet, "Elizabeth, would you mind introducing this man to me, and explain what you are conversing about?"

Elizabeth looked at her mother, before she said, "Mother, this is Commander Frederick Wentworth of the British Navy. Cmdr. Wentworth, this is my mother, the Countess of Matlock."

The Countess gave a nod, as the Commander bowed politely to her and said, "It is a pleasure, Lady Matlock."

Elizabeth said cautiously, "I was merely giving Commander Wentworth news from England, Mother."

The Countess said, "I do believe it would be more proper to continue this exchange of news in other circumstances. Commander, I do hope you will take tea with us tomorrow afternoon?"

Commander Wentworth was a little shocked but quickly schooled his facial expressions, "I would be honoured, Lady Matlock."

The Countess said, "Then we will look forward to seeing you at three o'clock. Elizabeth, will you give him the address?"

"Yes, Mother." Elizabeth replied, and she quickly scribbled the address down and handed it to him,

"Thank you, Lady Elizabeth. I will look forward to tomorrow." He said, with a light bow when Miss Bennet dragged Elizabeth away.

The next day

Soon they sat down fortea, and the Countess asked: "May I ask what the navy is doing in Italy?"

"We are merely patrolling the waters, Countess." he replied politely.

Elizabeth said: "Speaking of the military and the war, my brother, Captain Fitzwilliam, has just gotten an extended leave."

The Countess calmly said: "Elizabeth enough."

"Yes, Mama. I apologise." Her sister and companions smiles got him to understand that Elizabeth might be reproached but it was never seen as harsh and apparently happened quite often.

Lady Mary-Rose turned to him and said: "I take it that you are on leave, sir?"

"Yes, I am Lady Mary-Rose. I am spending what remains of my leave, which is about three weeks, here in Rome."

Mary-Rose asked, "How did you run into Elizabeth? Or should I ask how she ran into you?"

A laughter was clearly seen in her eyes, and humour in her voice.

"Your sister bumped into me at the market, Lady Mary-Rose." he said as his eyes met Elizabeth's eyes which were full of humour.

Elizabeth smiled at Cmdr. Wentworth and said: "I was awfully clumsy and nearly tripped poor Commander Wentworth as I looked for things for the family at home."

"But Lady Elizabeth did make a very charming apology and in very proper Italian too." Cmdr. Wentworth said.

The Countess said: "My daughter has had a thorough education, Commander Wentworth. Elizabeth is clever, and she is able to speak quite a few languages."

"Five languages, Mama." Mary-Rose said: "I have heard you speak French, Italian, and I know you studied German with Mrs. Gardiner."

"And I speak a bit of Latin and Spanish, but I am not very good at it." Elizabeth said.

Cmdr. Wentworth said with a smile, "You are then one of the most accomplished women I have met in a long time, Lady Elizabeth."

Elizabeth said, "Thank you, Cmdr. Wentworth." Though she noted he had a faraway look in his eyes.

"It is a very proper compliment, Commander." the Countess said.

Wentworth smiled, "Thank you, Countess. Your daughter is a compliment to your family, Countess Matlock."

After Cmdr. Wentworth left, Elizabeth hurried to the silver tray which held the letters. Three letters were for her; one from Maddie, one from her brother and, lastly, one from William. She wondered what William could write about, but she was looking forward to reading her brother's letter - Maddie's letter was though still the most important.

Elizabeth read Maddie's letter, and was extremely happy with the advice from Maddie, and 'Uncle' Edward - they were right, she had though already told her mother about what had happened in Paris.

Richard's letter was as always full of mischief, news and stories, even if the tone was more serious than normal, as he asked into her health; he had heard what happened from Maddie together with William. Elizabeth became slightly nervous as to what William's letter would contain.

Darcy House,

Grosvenor Square,

London

1811

My Darling Beth,

I cannot tell you how worried I became when Mrs. Gardiner shared what happened in Paris with Richard and I. I was so worried about you, and how such an event could have affected you! I will not deny that I want to strangle Daniel Dustiéer with my own hands after what he has done! Richard was livid, and I will admit to thinking in the same way as he at the time. I am so sorry I was not there to prevent such a thing from happening, Beth!

I suppose you have long since left Paris for Rome and to be honest, I am glad for that! How do you like Rome? What have you experienced? Georgiana and I are going home to Pemberley next week and will remain there for a time. I will admit to looking forward to seeing Pemberley again, even if it has only been a few months.

I am tasked to send Bingley's warmest greetings to Jane - he is completely lost in her, Beth, and I do not know what I can say to him. Well, when I think about it, I do not think I can say anything, since we are in the same situations, I guess.

Max and Marina have hardly shown themselves since their wedding. But they did attend a dinner here the other night, alongside Richard, Jonathan and Rachel. Max was practically glowing with happiness, but I am to send you their love.

Georgiana is off from school: she is missing you a great deal, though she misses your family greatly too. I look forward to your next letter, Beth, as I am missing you greatly.

I am yours

William

Elizabeth could not believe that William blamed himself for what had happened in Paris! It was so like him to blame himself, and it was horrible especially as it had all been her fault, by being too familiar, but then she had manned the yards and told Daniel off! She would definitely write William and one for Georgiana and perhapswrite Maddie again.

"Elizabeth, come on, we are for a drive around the city."

"Coming, Jane." she called back and rushed out of her room.