Chapter Six

Elizabeth sat on a small iron bench in the courtyard surrounded by stone paths and garden beds filled with flowers. Elizabeth had discussed with her Aunt that this was where the housekeeper collected the flowers for the many vases throughout the house. It was a mild day outside and Lizzy was pleased to be in the fresh air and solitude. She opened up the first letter from Jane and tucked a stray hair behind her ear as she began to read.

My dearest Lizzie,

I hope you are finding your journey as delightful as you had anticipated. We are all missing you terribly, our father the most I believe. He spends most of his time in his study reading or walking in the gardens. We all can feel the loss of your presence, especially when we sit at dinner and your witty banter is currently unavailable to entertain us.

Our mother spends most of her time upstairs in her room or with her sister; I think she finds her nieces and nephews exuberance a little trying on her nerves. But they are such dear children. I find my days preoccupied with giving them love and amusement. I am enjoying it immensely.

There is a matter of delicacy that I wish to discuss with you as I feel you should be warned. I have battled with myself as I have written this letter whether or not I should tell you, as I'm sure you are thoroughly enjoying yourself and I'm not sure if this will change that. But I felt if anything you should be aware of the situation.

Kitty received a letter from Lydia, who as you know is still with Colonel and Mrs. Forster in Brighton. Lydia wrote about how delighted she was to be receiving very welcome attention from a particular officer. She wrote that she was quite sure that this officer's attention would soon lead to something serious. Lydia said she believed she was in love. Oh Lizzy, it's hard to write this and I hope you won't be hurt. The officer was Wickham.

Lizzy felt as though her stomach had just been ripped from her body as she froze, her eyes staring unbelieving at the page. "It's not possible," her voice let out a horrified whisper and she frantically continued to read.

Lydia wrote in the letter that Wickham had requested they keep their "attachment" secret. That he didn't want to be the subject of gossip while he courted her. But Kitty was too excited and I happened to be in the room when she read the letter. Kitty has sworn not to tell a soul but now her countenance seems jealous of our sister. I'm sorry Lizzy if this upsets you, I was never completely sure of your feelings for Wickham.

After all, I love Lydia dearly but this whole situation could be a complete misunderstanding.

I hope you and our Aunt and Uncle are well and send them our families best wishes.

Your loving sister,

Jane.

Lizzy's throat tightened almost painfully as she read her sister's letter. Could Mr. Wickham really be setting his cap at her thoughtless sister? It was too unbearable to think about. With shaky hands, she put the letter in her lap and hastily picked up the next letter.

My dear Lizzy,

I hardly know what to write but I have bad news. What we have feared is now worse. Our father received a letter from Colonel Forster. It said that although Lydia expressed an "interest" in all the officers he detected a particular attachment to one particular officer. Mr Wickham had been returning her attentions favourably. Colonel Forster felt it only write to inform Mr Bennet of these affections and thought it only proper that Lydia go home.

Oh, Lizzy. I have not yet relieved what I've learnt from Lydia's letter to Kitty. I need your urgent response to know what I should do. I am concerned dearly for our sister's future. Our father has said that he will let her stay another week then return, he said he was in no hurry for Lydia to return home.

Please write to me Lizzy and share your thoughts dear sister.

I wish you a safe journey.

Love Jane.

Lizzy tried not to let the tears roll down her cheeks as she processed the news in her mind. Lydia was in Brighton with Wickham and was not going to leave in a hurry as her father was in no hurry to see her return to Longbourne. Of course not, he wouldn't see the harm in Lydia's usual flirtatious behaviour and he will not let his peace be disturbed.

Lizzy tired to decide what she was going to do then it dawned on her. "My Uncle," she exclaimed emotionally, her voice shaky through the tears she was ignoring. She could confide in her Aunt and Uncle who can take her straight to Brighton and they can bring Lydia home.

She jumped, forgetting her injuries and gasping in pain as she aggravated her hip. She picked up the letters from the bench and turned to go back inside when Mr. Darcy appeared from around the corner of the house.

Her mind had been so engaged she'd actually forgotten him. In a moment of selfishness she allowed the realisation of how this would affect Mr. Darcy. He will see her forever as an embarrassment and will want nothing more to do with her. She'd barely given herself the chance for hope and as quickly as it came it was taken away. Her anguish came out as a sob when her eyes met his dark, penetrating gaze and she quickly turned away from him, covering her mouth with her hand as more tears rolled down her cheeks.

Darcy felt a chill run down his spine at the sight of Miss Elizabeth in such obvious distress. Her face had gone red and tears ran down her high cheekbones to her delicate jaw. Her lips were red and swollen in a way that under different circumstances would have been very attractive. She let out a choked sob and abruptly turned away from him.

Darcy quickly approached her. "Miss Bennet," he called out in concern and as he reached her he stood in front of her. She made no effort to move, just stared down at the letters she held in her trembling hands.

"Good God," he couldn't help but exclaim in alarm. "What's the matter?" He hadn't seen her this distressed since the night she'd been attacked. She opened her mouth but all she let out was a shaky breath that almost sounded like a whimper of pain.

"Please sit," he said softly and took her elbow. They sat down beside each other and Lizzy looked away, taking a deep breath.

"It's my sister," she said quietly with a more composed voice. Darcy's mind immediately went to Jane and his collar suddenly felt tight. "Lydia," she added and Darcy's memory brought the picture of an immature, flirtatious young woman he'd seen dancing many times at assemblies and balls.

Elizabeth looked composed but her grief seemed to be replaced with a grim determination and a hint of anger in her eyes when she finally looked back at him. "As you probably she's in Brighton with the Forsters.... and the officers?" she spoke the statement as though she was asking Darcy a question so he nodded in understanding. "Well..." she continued. "My sister has grown a secret attachment to a particular officer, who's returned her attentions with what she believes to be mutual affection."

Darcy's furrowed his brow in confusion and Elizabeth quickly added in a slightly shaky voice. "She's throwing herself into the power of Mr. Wickham. You know him too well for me to tell you the rest."

In an instant Darcy knew exactly why she was upset, her own sister was at risk of being in the exact situation he'd saved Georgiana from. Their eyes met for a long moment as they needed no words to communicate what they were both thinking.

Elizabeth's eyes seemed to be on the brink of letting tears escape again and Darcy spoke. "What has been done?'

She scoffed and replied, "Nothing. No one knows there's any harm in it. My parents think that he's a perfect gentleman who will marry Lydia and her needless embarrassing behaviour will come to an end. Something we will all be grateful for."

Darcy watched in pain as she closed her eyes and tears slowly rolled down her face. "This is my fault," he said in self-loathing. Elizabeth opened her eyes with shock and went to protest. "If I'd made his conduct known the world none of this would have happened." He explained in a bitter and apologetic tone.

"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth replied. "You're not to blame. This is Wickham's doing." She looked down and added. "I might have prevented it. All I needed was to have been more open with my sisters."

After a moment of silent contemplation and loathing Elizabeth took another deep breath and said, "I need to go to Brighton. This instant!" She met his eyes and added, "I need to tell my Aunt and Uncle. They will understand and can take me and we can prevent this from happening. I know they will keep this secret to themselves."

Darcy realised that Elizabeth was asking his permission to relieve what happened between her Aunt and Uncle. In the back of his mind he was surprised that she hadn't at least revealed the information to Jane, a sister she seemed so close to.

He went to reassure her when the familiar voice of his sister from the house made his blood run cold and Miss. Elizabeth gasped in shock. Georgiana appeared from around the corner, her bright face smiling warmly in our direction as Elizabeth hastily wiped her eyes.

"There you two are," Georgiana said, looking at them with curiosity.

Miss Elizabeth's face lit up with a false smile as she turned to face Darcy's sister. Georgiana frowned and looked carefully at her new friend. "Miss Elizabeth are you alright?"

"Of course," Elizabeth said with a smile. "Actually… I hurt my injury when I was walking out here. That's why we are resting on the bench."

Georgiana looked pitifully at Elizabeth. "Oh you poor thing."

Elizabeth stood awkwardly. "Would you assist me with coming up to my room? I think I should rest my injury."

Georgiana put her hand on Elizabeth arm and the pair walked carefully back into the house.

Darcy took a moment to gather his thoughts then walked with determination into the house, having decided to discuss their situation with the Gardner's himself.