A/N: Sorry it has taken me so long to update. This is only a short chapter, but I thought updating it with a short chapter would be better than waiting for a longer chapter. I'm working on this one straight away and it should be published within the next week. As long as I get lots of lovely reviews. :D
Thanks to everyone who has offered their support. xxx
Chapter Seven- Plans
Darcy had stood before Mr and Mrs Gardiner and gave them the same detailed explanation he had given to Miss Bennett in a letter not so long ago. He explained that he was giving them this information because of what was currently going on between their youngest niece and Mr. Wickham. Once the pieces of the puzzle were put in place, Mr and Mrs. Gardiner looked appalled and as concerned as Elizabeth had.
"What is to be done?" Mrs. Gardiner said, looking at her husband.
The older gentleman put his hand on his wife's. "We go to Brighton and personally take Lydia back to Longbourne."
"But Lizzy..." Mrs. Gardiner said, looking back at Mr. Darcy for a moment than back at her husband.
"She will accompany us, if there are any questions we were simply changing the plans of where we want to tour," Mr. Gardiner explained.
Mr. Darcy looked at the older couple and cleared his throat, saying with determination. "Mr. And Mrs. Gardiner, I feel it is only best that I accompany you to Brighton."
"Mr Darcy I really think you put too much on yourself," Mr Gardiner attempted to reason with the younger gentlemen but the point was fruitless, when Darcy had made his mind up there was no going back on his word.
"Sir my carriage can get us to Brighton faster, without change overs and my contacts will help us locate your niece if we are too late. I would not put elopement passed Wickham," Mr. Darcy insisted in a firm but polite manner. "I assure you argument is pointless, the responsibility is mine sir I must have it."
As he spoke he held his hand out to the gentleman, who, after a glance at his wife and a sigh, he shook Mr. Darcy's hand.
"We will be forever in your debt, Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Gardiner offered, standing and walking over to where her husband sat, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I assure you Madam it's quite the contrary."
"Well I think we should leave as soon as possible," Mrs. Gardiner added, looking at the grand clock situated on the wall opposite to where they were currently situated. It was nearly 11am.
"By the time I get my affairs in order and we pack your things, it will be well into the afternoon," Mr Darcy replied, frowning as he pondered the best action. "Perhaps if we leave as soon as we can we should be able to reach Blackmore in time for a late dinner and can stay at their local Inn overnight."
"Maybe it would be best to wait until the morning and set out then," Mr. Gardiner suggested as he too contemplated their options.
"With respect Mr. Gardiner I would recommend we make haste to get to your niece." Mr Darcy injected politely, looking once again uneasy as his stomach tightened with guilt.
Mrs. Gardiner nodded. "I agree with Mr. Darcy my dear. I would be perfectly happy to travel without rest but I'm not sure how Lizzy will cope with the journey without rest."
Mr Darcy realised that he hadn't even considered Miss Bennett's condition. The mention of her injury only brought up the painful memory of what he had witnessed two nights ago. Whenever he saw the bruises on her face he had to make a conscious effort not to grimace. Even the few occasions she'd let a sleeve of her dress slip and reveal the painful bruises on her wrists he saw, maybe because he knew they were there or because he quite simply because he couldn't take his eyes off the dark eyed beauty.
"The horses will need a rest anyway," Mr. Gardiner agreed. "We shall arrange everything and let the young ladies amuse themselves in the parlour until it's time." Mr. Darcy met Mr. Gardiner's eye and the man smiled reassuringly. "We will come up with an alternative explanation for Miss Georgiana."
Elizabeth sat at the card table with Georgiana, lost in her thoughts as she lost her seventh round of cards. She kept getting distracted by thoughts of Lydia and her family. Despite the fact she had been instructed to keep Georgiana amused while the others made the arrangements for a swift departure, Lizzy wasn't providing very stimulating company. Her heart would grow heavy whenever she thought of Lydia, falling ridiculously in love with Mr. Wickham, the man who would betray her like he'd done Georgiana and lead Lydia and the Bennetts to disgrace and humiliation. They would get themselves out of this situation, they just had to. At least she had Mr. Darcy. The phrase, although didn't pass her lips, made her cringe and she grind her teeth, the action making her wince in pain as it worsened the pain on her bruised cheek. She held a hand to the side of her face and closed her eyes momentarily, relaxing her jaw in attempt to sooth the discomfort.
"Miss Elizabeth, are you alright?" Georgiana asked in concern, shuffling the cards easily in her delicate hands.
Lizzy gave her younger companion. "I'm fine Georgiana; just my cheek's rather fragile at present."
Georgiana gave a sympathetic smile and shuffled the cards expertly and redistributed, bringing the next round. Lizzy barely glanced at her cards as her thoughts drifted back to Mr. Darcy, his gallant and unbreakable determination to accompany them to Brighton. Lizzy's only conclusion for such as action was that he felt her needed to remedy the situation as he had been fortunate enough to prevent such a thing from happening to his own sister. Lizzy glanced briefly at Georgiana, who was concentrating on the cards she held. Lizzy could understand Mr. Wickham's interest in Lydia, the foolish but attractive and charming girl she was. But Georgiana was so gentle, holy unspoilt. The thought that Mr. Wickham could marry someone who deserves such true happiness made her felt sick. But Lydia, despite all thoughtlessness and embarrassing behaviour, didn't deserve such a husband either.
"Miss Elizabeth," Georgiana said, unable to hide her frustration. "What is bothering you?"
"Nothing Georgiana," Elizabeth replied automatically.
"You're not with me," Georgiana stated, as someone quite clearly used to attention and having her own way was growing exasperated by Lizzy's absentminded behaviour. Lizzy felt sorry for the girl, who had no idea what was really going on. "Are you unhappy about leaving Pemberly?"
"Of course," Lizzy replied quietly, smiling warmly. "I think anyone privileged enough to stay at Pemberly would be unwilling to leave."
"Is there something in particular that you are pained to leave?" Georgiana emphasised the word 'something', withholding from say the true word she wished to use.
Lizzy looked down, feeling her throat tighten and took a deep breath, quickly looking back up at Georgiana with a shy smile. "You company of course Georgiana," her voice was genuine and warm.
Georgiana sighed and put down a winning hand of cards. Lizzy praised her and offered to shuffle the next round, feeling that her friend deserved some decent company before Lizzy left.
"You will write to me Georgiana," Lizzy said, looking at her. "I have valued the time spent with you here most especially, despite the circumstances." Lizzy felt the blood drain from her face as images of the men who attacked her flashed in her mind and her leg twinged painfully in memory.
"Do you think your nephew is very unwell?" Georgiana asked curiously and Lizzy was snapped out of her thoughts.
Lizzy smiled and dealt the cards, shaking her head and replied reassuringly, "I don't believe so. But my Aunt is such an attentive mother that the children miss her terribly. I think any child needs their mother when they are sick."
Although they had agreed that using the excuse of a sick child was a better alternative than the truth, Lizzy didn't want Georgiana to worry unnecessary.
"My brother used to stay by my side when I was sick," Georgiana commented with a smile, the mention of her brother immediately catching Elizabeth's attention.
"Really?" Elizabeth enquired, curious despite herself.
"Oh yes," Georgiana offered with a grin at the memories. "He wouldn't leave a nanny to take care of me, although I had one. He would sit by my bed and monitor my condition, as well as keeping me entertained. I hated being confined to a bed."
Lizzy could definitely sympathise with that, despite the fact she'd only been confined for one day, she'd still hated it.
Mr. Darcy entered the room, looking quite pleasant as he gave his sister a small smile, her eyes warm. "My sister was a rather difficult patient Miss Bennett," he said, looking from his sister to Elizabeth, his manner always gentlemanly.
Elizabeth glanced at Georgiana, distracting herself from his deep soulful eyes to grin at her friend. "I see, she neglected to mention that."
Georgiana looked most indignant. "I was a perfectly behaved patient," she agreed in a shrill voice, glaring at her brother.
Lizzy laughed, ignoring the pain in her cheek as best as she could. Georgiana gave in and laughed too, giving Lizzy the chance to relax her face and bring her hand to cup her cheek, an action she disguised as simply changing position as she rest her elbow on the table. She slowly looked up at Mr. Darcy, who was looking down at her in obvious concern; all humour left his handsome features.
Recovering himself quickly, Mr. Darcy cleared his throat and said, "The carriage will be ready in ten minutes Miss Bennett, everything is ready to leave."
Lizzy looked at Georgiana, who had lost all happiness from her face. "You must promise to return Miss Bennett," Georgiana said immediately taking her friend's hand.
Elizabeth looked up at Mr. Darcy before smiling at her friend. "I promise this won't be the last time we see each other, Georgiana." Lizzy hoped it was a promise she could keep.
The party had assembled out the front; Mr. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner were checking that all was in order while Mrs. Gardiner helped Elizabeth walk down the steps as she held Georgiana's hand on her free side towards the carriage pulled up outside the front.
Georgiana hugged Elizabeth quite unashamedly, an action which Lizzy returned warmly, looking over her shoulder to see Mr. Darcy looking her them with a small smile from the carriage, then returned to speaking to one of the drivers.
"I'll write as soon as you leave," Georgiana said as they separated, continuing to hold onto Lizzy's hands. "So you have something to read when you get home."
"And I shall reply as soon as I've read it," Lizzy replied. "I will miss you, Miss Darcy."
Mr. Darcy had approached them, silently watching their exchange.
Georgiana looked sadly from Lizzy to Mr. Darcy, then back with a sigh. "I feel like you are my sister."
Lizzy felt her cheeks becoming warm and she replied, "I feel the same way. We shall meet again, never fear."
"We really must be going," Mr. Gardiner insisted, cutting their farewell short as Lizzy quickly hugged her and turned to leave Mr. Darcy to say goodbye to his sister.
Elizabeth walked carefully to the carriage, turned back slightly to look at the magnificent house that in her heart Lizzy never wanted to leave. But there was something more than pure architectural apprehension that kept her heart at Pemberly, something she knew when she allowed herself to feel honestly. She didn't turn to look at Mr. Darcy and his sister, instead watching as Mr. Gardiner's helped his wife into the other side of the carriage.
A footman opened the door for her with a formal smile and she gripped the side of the carriage. She bit back a gasp when she felt a warm hand on her waist and another take her hand. Mr Darcy held her and took her weight as she lifted herself into the carriage, his large hand easily keeping her steady as she sat down. His hand remained in hers until he too was seated opposite her inside the carriage. They both looked down at their joined hands and they simultaneously pulled away rather hesitantly.
Lizzy avoided his gaze and looked at her Aunt sitting beside her. "Are you comfortable Aunt?" she asked in an attempt to start some conversation.
"Yes dear," her Aunt replied, smiling at her niece. "I've brought an extra cushion in case your leg bothers you, so don't be afraid to speak up."
Lizzy rolled her eye and sighed. "I'm perfectly well, don't concern yourself with me."
Mr. Darcy lifted her hand and knocked on the roof and the carriage started moving down the lane. Lizzy moved forward to wave to Georgiana, who looked quite happy as she watched them leave.