An Accidental Elopement

Chapter Five


Mrs. Gardiner's worries were in no way completely removed but having been reassured by the sweet, shy girl in her carriage she was able to turn her attention to her companion. Miss Darcy was in a greater need to be set at ease then herself.

"Do you often go to Lambton," asked Mrs. Gardiner but only received a tiny bob of the head in response.

"As I said, I grew up there and even though I am in town most of the time, I will always find Derbyshire to be the best of all counties"

Georgiana couldn't help but smile at this.

Slowly but surely Mrs. Gardiner wore down the shy exterior of Miss Darcy and they spent the rest of the journey in a pleasant light conversation.


While his sister was still a good couple hours away, the Darcys' carriage pulled up to the outskirts of Lambton.

"Miss Bennet, while I know it is rather warm in here, I think it advisable to pull your cloak back up."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement and understand, quickly made sure her face was covered from those who would wish to peer inside.

The carriage drew to a stop outside the Lambton inn but theirs was the only one.

"Where is your uncle's carriage," Darcy all but shouted.

"Mr. Darcy surely you did not expect that we would arrive at the same time. Unless the switch was discovered in the middle of the night, it was most likely discovered the same time ours was, at day break. Not only that but my uncle's carriage is far slower than yours and to rush would put your sister at risk, a risk my family would not take. We will just have to wait till they arrive."

Darcy was not happy. Not only was his sister still not back with him but a poor country nobody had thought through the situation more throughly then himself.

"Stay covered. I'm going to get us some food and drink," Darcy whispered in a growl.

This caused Elizabeth to roll her eyes but knew to keep hidden regardless. This Mr. Darcy was acting as though it was her fault that her uncle's carriage was slower and less sturdy then his own. She should have reminded him that after plowing the fields she then goes to work assembling carriages for the middle class and it was indeed her fault.

'Please get here soon aunt,' thought Elizabeth. 'I've studies enough of Mr. Darcy's character and am ready to be done with him.'

Darcy returned quickly and the two sat in a chilly silence despite the warmth. The temperature was not falling even though evening was fast approaching. Elizabeth was force to continually dab her forehead.

"Miss Bennet, please do take care to keep your face concealed," whispered Darcy harshly.

"Trust me Mr. Darcy, you are not the only one who understands what is at stake should I be revealed," Elizabeth snapped back. "And I assure you, you are nowhere near being the kind of man I wish to spend my life with."

Darcy started as though he had been slapped...again. He knew he was acting coolly toward her but he felt that comment was rather uncalled for.

"Pray tell what I am lacking Miss Bennet, for I greatly wish to improve myself. Although if it is a title you desire I fear you will be disappointed as I am not in line for one."

"So typical of your class," replied Elizabeth exasperated. "I don't wish for your money or your social standing Mr. Darcy and had you been titled it would not make you one bit more agreeable to me. I wish for love, loyalty, admiration, a man to be my partner, not my master, and certainly one who doesn't look down on everything about me, even my less then high quality traveling cloak (Darcy winced at this). Since you don't even cover one of those areas I doubt very much we would get on well together. And I am sure that had we not been forced into this situation, you would view me as the last woman in the world whom you could ever be prevailed on to marry."

Darcy sat stunned. As the master of Pemberley he was never spoken to in such a manner. But what shocked him even more was the fact she was right. Had he not just spent hours extolling her virtues and thinking how they weren't good enough for him. She was smart but poor, beautiful but no standing in society. When had he let his good principle turn him into being a prideful conceited man?

Feeling nauseous Darcy placed his drink down, no longer wishing for anything to be in his stomach.

The time ticked on slowly as the only sound that now filled their space was that of Elizabeth fanning herself.

Finally, after what seem like many hours later, another carriage pulled up behind them.

"That must he them," exclaimed Darcy as he jumped down from his carriage and all but ran to the next one.

Upon reaching it a very well dressed older woman stepped down and turned to address him.

"Mr. Darcy I presume. I am Mrs Gardiner. My niece and I were just discussing you," she said as she motioned toward her on carriage. "Perhaps you can bring your sister inside while Elizabeth and I get something to drink and eat."

Understanding what this woman was trying to convey, Darcy nodded and returned to his carriage. While disguise of any sort was his abhorrence, in times like these it was an absolute necessity.

"Come Georgiana, some acquaintances of mine wish to meet you," he loudly proclaimed to Elizabeth as he took her hand.

"Thank heavens you are rich Mr. Darcy for I don't see a theater career in your future," whispered Elizabeth.

Ignoring her commit, Darcy lead her quickly after the other two ladies into a private sitting room in the inn.

Throwing off her hood Elizabeth ran to her aunts arms.

"Oh aunt, I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to see you."

"The feeling is mutual my dear. Your uncle and I were worried sick over your safety. Thank you for taking such good care of my niece sir," she turned to address Mr. Darcy.

The two woman continued their greeting of one another as Darcy turned to his sister that seem to be shrinking away from him.

"Georgiana," said Darcy keeping his emotions in check. He wished to cry out and crush his sister in a hug but a display of that sorts was beneath his leave of society. "I am glad you are safe," he said grasping her hand. "I was greatly worried that something awful had befallen you. I can't express my joy in seeing you well."

At this Georgiana started to cry, "How will you ever forgive me? This is all my fault."

Darcy grasped both of her hands and squeezed it reassuringly. "No my dear sister, I would never blame you of this."

Seeing the distraught young girl, Elizabeth hoped to elevate some of he worries. After all she would soon by leaving with her aunt and placing this all behind her. "Would you do me the honor sir of introducing me to your sister?"

"Of course, Miss Bennet may I introduce my sister Miss Georgiana Darcy."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Having spent the last day with your brother I am happy to see the woman who claimed all of his worry."

"Thank you Miss Bennet although I don't know if I deserve it," whispered Georgiana.

"I'm sure you do. Your brother thinks so and as you know he is never wrong," Elizabeth replied casting a challenging raised eyebrow toward Mr Darcy.

"Well it seem that no harm is done, we should all best be on our ways. Do I have you assurance Mr. Darcy that this will be kept quite," Mrs Gardiner ask.

"I assure you it will be madam. I have just as much at risk I assure you."

Mrs. Gardiner smiled knowingly at the young man as her niece opened the door slightly, eager to leave the room.

"Did you hear that Mr. Darcy has taken a mistress," asked the first voice that wafted down the hall.

"I dunno if I believe that. Mr. Darcy?"

"It's as true as I'm standin here. Tried to pass the young lass off as his sister but at least three different people are sure that was not Miss Darcy that drove away in his carriage last night."

"They still don't know who I am or where I'm from," whispered Elizabeth hopefully to the three shocked faces behind her. "Ruin may still be avoided."

"Any word on who the lucky lady is?" Continued the conversation from down the hall.

"Word has it its Maggie Gardiner née Murphy's niece for Hertfordshire."

"The one that was stayin here? Well she was a bonny lass at that but I still can't believe it. She seemed such a classy well brought up young thing. Why would she settle for bein a mistresses?"

"Well rumor has it that her father's estate is entailed away and she virtually penniless. Anyways I sent an express to me wife's brother. He's an under-gardener for the Long family in Hertfordshire. See if he knows anything else about this Bennet girl."

At this Elizabeth realized the final nail was in her coffin as word was already on its was to Hertfordshire informing her neighbors of her downfall.

"Maybe they just done run off together. They were headin for Gretna Green. Maybe the lass caught his eye and his heart. He just wanted to claim her for his own."

"Believe that if you want my friend. That's the same day dreamy story my Annie's been tellin around too, but mark my word, Mr Darcy wouldn't married anything less then the daughter of an earl with a very heavy purse, just like his father."

"Well at least he'll have somethin pretty to warm his bed at night."

Elizabeth shut her eyes and the door. She couldn't listen any longer without becoming physically ill.

Slowly turning she looked up, her eyes met with Mr. Darcy's. No doubt his pale expression mirroring her own. What now? Would the man she had just finished insulting save her from ruin. Or would he take the slap on the wrist by society for his scandalous affair and have it be forgotten the next day while Elizabeth and her family were left with the consequences. Would she prefer that to a life of unhappiness with this man? Her mother would wail but her father would support her. Maybe she could be sent to the former colonies freeing her family and herself. What was to be done?

"Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy said with and air of confidence that was not reflected his face. "Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

AN: I want to apologize for my sad attempt at trying to type a working class accent. Again I want to thank all my reviewers and readers. I am so happy you're enjoying my story and so wish I had time to personally thank each one of you. Again this story is complete, just trying to edit my chapters in what little free time I have. Whole story should be posted by end of October or early November at the latest (barring any unforeseen circumstances).

Disclaimer: Pride and Prejudice belong to Jane Austen. This story is protected under copyright law and is not allowed to be used, copied, or republish without written consent from the author.