5 – At Longbourn
AN: Again, let me just say how much I appreciate the encouraging comments everyone has made and am open to differing opinions. Thank you all.
If Elizabeth harbored any hope that she alone had heard her mother, it quickly fled when she observed the expressions of those with her. Further discernable wails produced more upheaval as they neared the door. "Oh that insufferable girl! How could I have born such a child?"
Elizabeth's step faltered just enough for Jane to press on into the entryway ahead of her to try to curb the storm that seemed to rage in the house. Her appearance in the door was abruptly greeted by her most anxious youngest sisters.
"Jane! Where's -? LIZZIE!" Their united exclamation produced such further rantings from their mother inside the house that Elizabeth felt her only respite was to turn and flee. Had it not been for the gentlemen behind her, she most likely would have. Her sisters greeted her with an insistent flurry of questions before she could enter any further.
"Lizzie, where you there? Were you with him? Did you also hear about Charlotte? Lizzie, where have you been all this time?"
It was Jane who tried to bring some calm to the situation. "Please, we have guests," she said nodding toward Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. "Let us make our way to the sitting room first."
Jane and Elizabeth were both removing their bonnets as they made their way, Elizabeth bracing herself for the coming deluge. She was not disappointed.
"There she is," dramatically announced her mother. "She has ruined us all!" Her continued wailings were muted just enough to allow her audience the opportunity to react sufficiently.
"Mama, please," Elizabeth said, trying to pacify her mother for the benefit of their guests. Her mother's usual solicitous behaviour in Mr. Bingley's presence was for once completely suspended – an unfortunate development, to Elizabeth's thinking. "To what are you referring? Are you still upset about Mr. Collins' offer? And what of Charlotte and Mr…?"
"Charlotte!" Her mother cried, "Don't mention that name here or anytime in my presence. It shall be heard enough when your father dies and we are all turned out."
"Mama," Jane tried in a supplicating tone, "what do you mean?"
Lydia was only too glad to step forward. "Mr. Collins has made an offer to Charlotte Lucas and she has accepted him." Her eyes were barely containing her amusement. "Can you believe, only a day after Lizzie rejected him?"
No sound could be heard, for even Mrs. Bennet had stilled to observe her second daughter's reaction to this news. The shock affected all in the room, albeit for differing reasons.
Elizabeth was at a loss whether to feel relieved that Charlotte had removed any further attempts by Mr. Collins or betrayed by her quick acceptance of him. Jane's concern was for whether her friend could be happy with such a man. Mr. Darcy was aghast that the man should feel himself worthy even to ask for Elizabeth, but rejoiced she had refused him. Mr. Bingley was relieved Mr. Collins had not set his sights on his angel.
"You see what you have done," hissed Mrs. Bennet, waving her handkerchief at her. "We shall all be turned out, Miss Lizzie, and it shall be on your head."
With her head reeling from what she was hearing, Elizabeth forced herself to focus on her other pressing question, unaware of Mr. Darcy's surreptitious movements toward her.
"But," she started and then swallowed to moisten her now-parched throat, "but I heard someone mention Mr. Wickham's name as we approached." She looked around to anyone who would answer.
"Now that is a gentleman," called out Mrs. Bennet. "A true gentleman is what he is."
No horror could have descended upon Elizabeth more than hearing her mother's words. She was thankful to have support, but was still surprised to hear the voice behind her.
"I beg you, Madam," she heard Mr. Darcy say as he stepped forward, standing next to Elizabeth, "what has this noble gentleman done?" The trace of sarcasm was just discernable in his tone.
"He was in a fight," burst out Kitty, almost breathless, wanting to have her say in this. "You were with him earlier, Lizzie; did you see it? He said he was defending the honor of a young lady and she showed no thanks whatsoever. Did you see who it was Lizzie?"
Elizabeth stared at her sister. No words could pass from her lips, for, as it seemed, her lungs had chosen that moment to cease functioning. Her knees followed suit as a dark cloud descended over her vision; she heard Jane's anxious, "Lizzie!" as she collapsed.
Enjoying the sanctuary of his library, Mr. Bennet was having trouble concentrating on the book in front of him, as the turmoil of his household had been considerably more eruptive than usual. There was barely a knock to be acknowledged before Mary rushed in. "Papa, you must come quickly," she told him. "Lizzie has swooned. It's from all the excitement."
Hearing that his dearest child was in any way impaired brought Mr. Bennet to action. He quickly followed Mary and was taken aback at the sight before him; amid the chaos of the room, his Elizabeth was being cradled in the arms of none other than Mr. Darcy. Her head was against his shoulder and Mr. Bennet was surprised to see such concern pass Darcy's face as he looked down on his daughter.
Without waiting for anyone else's instruction, Darcy asked Jane to lead him to Elizabeth's room. They all watched as Darcy left, ascending the stairs with Elizabeth in his arms. So focused were they all on Elizabeth that no one but Mary was aware that Mr. Bennet was surveying the scene until Elizabeth was gone.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, was struggling to fight the dark cloud that had enveloped her. She knew she had been falling but was not aware of hitting the floor. Instead, she was feeling cushioned and then a feeling of floating on nothing. As her head was being supported, she inhaled a familiar scent that she had only recently come to associate with feeling protected.
Sounds came from her, but no words as she tried to communicate. She must have displayed some agitation, for a voice she connected with the scent emerged into her consciousness.
"Do not fret yourself," the voice said, "all will be well." She felt herself incline closer to the voice and then felt something gently brush across her forehead as she also became aware of Jane's voice. She was not entirely ready to relinquish this protected feeling when she felt herself being laid down and instinctively reached out to prevent any desertion (an action noticed by her sister). Her probing hand was met by a larger, firmer hand that held on while she was being settled in.
"Just rest," the voice said in a gently commanding manner, "and I shall call on you in the morning." She felt herself relax as the hand stayed hers next to her and she sensed more activity around her.
Jane whispered her appreciation to Darcy as he hesitated by the door for one last parting look at Elizabeth before abruptly exiting and returning downstairs. The previous cacophony that had accompanied his departure from the scene was now met with a solemnity akin to a crypt (the master of the house having dictated a reign of silence). Bingley met him and indicated that they were to meet said master in his library.
The two younger gentlemen entered the library and, at Mr. Bennet's nod, closed the door. "Gentlemen," Mr. Bennet began, as he was sitting and indicating they should as well, "I thank you for your attention to my daughters. I'm sure you will understand my desire for some explanation."
A silent agreement passed between the two as Darcy stood. "Mr. Bennet," he said almost standing at attention, "I must apologize for not bringing to your attention earlier the nature of Wickham's character. Having known him since childhood, I am well aware of what he is capable of and should have warned you against his association with your daughters much sooner." He waited for some response from the older gentleman who only signified with a nod that he should continue.
"Wickham has a reputation of being careless in his handling of money and in his dealing with young ladies. It was unfortunate that Miss Elizabeth was innocently thrust into the middle of a situation related to both." Mr. Bennet's nonchalant manner was replaced by one of more urgency as he leaned forward waiting for Darcy to continue.
"Wickham has a weakness for cards, Sir, and frequents all such places to accommodate his vice. One of those belongs to a certain duke, who came to Meryton today, accompanied by several of his men. It was while Wickham was in the company of Miss Elizabeth that the duke's men found him and brought them both to the duke."
Fear washed over the face of Mr. Bennet, losing all expression. "My Lizzie," he barely uttered, "was she …?"
"She is unharmed, Sir," Darcy reassured, stepping forward, "physically, though as you may assume, she was unsettled. However," and with this Darcy's gaze looked distant, "throughout, Miss Elizabeth displayed a forbearance and decorum few ladies could have sustained in any similar situation." Both Mr. Bennet and Bingley noted the admiration Darcy displayed, Mr. Bennet being the more stunned of the two.
"How did the two of you …" asked Mr. Bennet, breaking into Darcy's reverie.
"We had just arrived in Meryton," interjected Bingley, "when we saw Miss Elizabeth and Wickham being escorted by four men off the main road at the end of the town. We followed them to the duke's carriage."
Fortunately, Mr. Bennet's decanter was within easy reach, as well as four glasses. He offered his guests a drink, which they accepted out of politeness, neither one requiring one nearly as much as their host did. Once he had taken a sip, he indicated for either one to continue their narrative.
"The duke was seeking settlement from Wickham for his debts," Darcy continued.
"What amount was that?"
Darcy sighed, "Sir, it was an amount sufficient that the duke thought his personal attention was required."
Mr. Bennet nodded, accepting that was all the explanation he would receive on that detail. "And he was able to pay it," he asked suspiciously.
Bingley made to answer, but Darcy cut him off. "Bingley was able to provide the loan to Wickham immediately." Darcy looked at Bingley, requesting his silence on any further details, to which Bingley silently consented, but did add his own comment.
"While securing the amount, I encountered Miss Jane who was in search of her sister. Not wishing her to find Miss Elizabeth at that moment, I persuaded her to remain at the bank until I returned for her."
Mr. Bennet was suddenly agitated. "Are you saying you left Lizzie alone with that pack of wolves?"
Both gentlemen responded quickly. "No, Sir, no, please," they tried to assuage him. "We asked the duke to let her accompany Bingley to the bank," Darcy explained, "but he would not have it, as he had become," he slightly hesitated, "the duke had become fond of Miss Elizabeth." Another sip from Mr. Bennet's glass.
"She was not left alone with them, at any time, Sir," Darcy further explained, "as I could not have done that in good conscience." Mr. Bennet seemed relieved as he took yet another sip.
"And Wickham's fight," he asked, assuming he knew the answer even as he spoke (for he had heard in the previous uproar of Wickham's injuries).
"The duke felt Wickham needed to be reminded of the importance of repaying debts quickly," Darcy quietly asserted.
Mr. Bennet seemed resigned as he asked, "And I suppose Lizzie was witness to that as well."
"She was there, Sir," Darcy responded, remembering that moment, "but her eyes were averted."
Mr. Bennet gazed out the window before focusing on the two gentlemen before him, studying one in particular.
"I wonder," he asked, his eyes fixed on Darcy, "had Elizabeth not been in Wickham's company," Darcy blanched, realizing the question coming, "would you have intervened, Mr. Darcy?"
Darcy fully understood the deeper question Mr. Bennet was asking him and had been contemplating it since Wickham had asked him that same question before his departure. He found himself still fighting with the answer.
Not wanting to commit himself, he chastised himself for his cowardice as he answered, "I would not want to see any gently bred lady in such a situation as that, Sir."
Mr. Bennet merely smiled, allowing himself to believe he knew the truer answer than the one given. A silence ensued in the library as each man weighed his own thoughts.
"Sir," Darcy spoke with a solemn tone, "because of Wickham's statement and subsequent actions, I believe it in her best interest to ensure Miss Elizabeth not be alone away from the safety of Longbourn. My concern is also based on the attention the duke exhibited toward her."
"The duke?" Mr. Bennet was unnerved.
"He was most attentive to her, Sir."
Mr. Bennet sighed, "I shall speak with her and I thank you—both of you—for your aid in this situation." He glanced out the window. "I suppose it would do no good to expose Wickham. To refute his boasts would subject Lizzie to undue scrutiny and damage her reputation in this town of gossipmongers."
A lingering silence threatened to descend on the library once again.
"Sir," Bingley broke in, nervously standing as he addressed Mr. Bennet, "in securing the payment for Wickham's debt," he began, "while maintaining the secrecy of the reason, I am afraid there were assumptions made at the bank." Both Mr. Bennet and Darcy looked at Bingley with confusion.
"That is, Sir," he cleared his throat, "I believe it was thought I was planning to make a purchase on behalf of Miss Jane, Sir." Neither man was comprehending, requiring the already nervous Bingley to further explain.
"I believe they think I was purchasing a ring for her, Sir." Both men looked at him with alarm.
Only slightly less nervous, Bingley continued, "While that was obviously not my intention at that moment, Sir, I cannot say that the idea is completely foreign to me or would be objectionable." He started pacing and spoke further as his companions remained in stunned silence. "I plan on returning to London shortly, Sir, and in the intervening time, would like to call upon Miss Jane to determine if her feelings are in agreement with mine." There, he had said it and heaved a sigh of relief.
A sly smile eased across Mr. Bennet's face. "You are welcome here at any time, Mr. Bingley." Turning to Darcy, he added, "As are you, Mr. Darcy."
He rose and escorted them out of the library. On their approach to the entrance of the house, they were greeted by Kitty and Lydia.
"How is your sister," asked Mr. Bennet trying to sound casual.
"She is recovering," responded Kitty brightly.
"Who knew she was so in love with Mr. Wickham," giggled Lydia.
Mr. Bennet's response was swift, but measured. "My dear girls, it would do you well to avoid that man's company at all cost and never mention his name in this house again." They stared at him open mouthed. "I will advise your mother and your sisters of the same." They mutedly nodded, still in bewilderment.
"I assume Miss Jane is still attending to her sister," asked Bingley. The girls both nodded, not quite recovered. "Please tell her that I should like to call on her tomorrow, if she is open to it."
"That will be no problem, Sir," responded Mr. Bennet, clapping the man on the shoulder. "As I said, …" he left the statement unfinished as he looked at both gentlemen, silently reaffirming the invitation he had given in the library.
Bidding their adieus, the two gentlemen mounted their horses for their return to Netherfield with greatly changed plans from what they had originally.
They rode in silence for a short while before Darcy asked, "When do you plan to return to London, then?"
The gleam in Bingley's eye would have been answer enough, had Darcy not been looking forward.
"I am in no hurry," he said, trying to repress his growing mirth. "And yourself," he asked impishly.
Darcy tried to remain solemn, "Neither am I."
AN: When I first thought of this story, this is where I planned to end it with only a brief epilogue (and the reader could conjure up any further details). But, look for a little bit more in the next few days (I'd like to finish before I go away for Christmas). Thx, ee