A/N: Okay I know I've taken forever with this chapter and I apologise to all the loyal readers who have been waiting so patiently. This chapter is quite slow, but I needed to set the scene for all the excitement that I promise in the next chapter, which I'm writing right away because I've been stuck with this chapter. Any suggestions about how I should write the Lydia/Wickham vs. Lizzy/Darcy confrontation? Please read and review. Thanks. xxx
Chapter Eight: Carriages
Darcy found his eyes constantly wondering to the fair young woman sitting opposite him. Her usually warm brown eyes were tense with concern and fear, something he had sworn to do everything in his power to prevent. They had been on the road for two hours, the Gardiner's had been asleep for the past hour. Darcy had found their mild conversation distracting and had been disappointed when they had dozed off. It was difficult to think of something other than their current situation. Elizabeth sat in silence, looking out the window deep in thought. Darcy was spending the time of solitude replaying the events of the previous days, from the terrible events of Elizabeth's attack to discovering the situation that was developing between Wickham and her youngest sister. He seemed completely tied to Elizabeth, not just in his heart but in their present situation. He had sensed all the while Elizabeth's desire to untie herself from him, wishing to leave Pemberly as quickly as possible. Not to mention her unwillingness to accept his help. Her wishes would be his first priority if he wasn't bound by his duty and his honour to do the right thing.
His eyes left the green hills of the Derbyshire countryside and examined her face, her high cheekbones and her delicate jaw obviously tensed. The faint bruise on her cheek a harsh reminder of what she has been through, making him grimace. Darcy always knew Elizabeth was a strong woman, but the way she has held herself together over the past few days had made him admire her even more.
Elizabeth looked away from the window, feeling his graze and met his eyes. They were silent for a moment; Darcy didn't know what to say. I'm afraid all the proper upbringing and lessons on etiquette didn't really cover this situation.
"You should try and sleep," he said at last, in a quite tone.
"I can't sleep in carriages," she replied in an equal tone, looking over at the Gardiner's. "Besides," she added. "I don't think my mind is ready to rest."
"Do not trouble yourself," Darcy replied reassuringly. "I believe it will work out well."
Darcy feared in truth that if they weren't fast enough, Wickham would run away with Lydia. He couldn't even say in good faith that Wickham would intend to marry her, seeing as she had no fortune. Darcy couldn't bring himself to share such thoughts will Elizabeth, who's only concern at present was her sister's embarrassing behaviour and possible marriage without parental consent.
"Do you really believe that Wickham would elope with Lydia?" Elizabeth asked after a moment of silence.
Darcy met her eye. "Yes Miss Bennet. I'm afraid I would believe Wickham of being capable of it."
He watched her complexion become paler and she looked away, gazing out the window as her eyes became glazed with unshed tears. Darcy desperately tried to think of some way of consoling her. But unfortunately elopement was the better option. "You have to remember that they aren't expecting us," he said at last. "I'm sure we shall arrive at Brighton to discovering them courting, enjoying the festivities of the town."
Elizabeth's face was graced with a bitter smile and Darcy wondered what she was thinking. "Will we be travelling through the night?" she asked after another moment of silence.
Darcy shook his head. "We shall stay the night at an Inn in Blackmore overnight. We should arrive there at about ten thirty."
As he spoke the sound of heavy drops of rain hit the roof of the carriage, causing the pair to both look outside as rain suddenly hit the road hard and heavy. "Maybe eleven," he added, knowing how the weather was bound to slow down the horses.
Darcy and Elizabeth spent the next few hours in companionable silence, the rain continuing to pour heavily on the ground. The sun had just set behind the majestic hills of the countryside, and the light was beginning to disappear, making it harder for Darcy to estimate how close they were to Blackmore. He pulled out his pocket watch to check the time, gaining Elizabeth attention as she turned her head and watched him. "It's 7.20," he said, looking at her.
Elizabeth smiled and said a small thank you, then shifted in her seat with a grimace, she appeared to be uncomfortable. The road had become unsteady, the carriage suddenly jerking from one side to the other. "Are you alright?" Darcy asked with concern.
"Yes," Elizabeth answered. "This road must need some work done to it." She laughed a little, shifting in her seat and rubbing her hips with her hand.
"I think the rain is making the road worse," Darcy replied, he knew for experience that horses can be ridden as well when they are struggling against muddy ground.
The road worsened, the carriage beginning to sound considerably unsteady as Mr. Gardiner was pushed unceremoniously into the younger man sitting beside him. This roused Mr. Gardiner and his wife, both of them waking up to see what was going on.
"Dear oh dear," Mr. Gardiner tutted, looking out the window at the worsening weather.
Mrs. Gardiner took hold of Lizzy's hand. "I shall be glad to be at Blackmore, "she commented to her niece, looking a little nervously out the window.
The carriage suddenly jarred and stop abruptly, sending Darcy and Mr. Gardiner forward in the seats. The horses made noises of protest outside and the carriage sunk suddenly under Darcy. Elizabeth gasped and gripped the side of the carriage.
"What happened?" Mr. Gardiner asked, using his walking stick to tap the roof of the carriage to gage the driver's attention.
Darcy pulled the window of the carriage down and stuck his head out of the window, ignoring the rain pouring down. He looked down and immediately saw the problem. "It's the wheel," Darcy explained, looking back in at the others. "It's sunk into a hole in the ground."
"Oh dear," Mrs. Gardiner replied.
"You'll have to get out, sir," the driver called from outside and Darcy saw Elizabeth glance outside looking concerned. Mr. Gardiner opened the door and was assisted by two coachmen as Darcy jumped the door and jumped out; ignoring the ankle deep mud he landed in. Elizabeth appeared at the door as Darcy turned around. She looked down at the mud on the ground but seemed determined to help herself down. Darcy quickly stepped towards her to stop her.
"I'm afraid we are all going to end up in covered in mud, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth stated with a polite smile. Darcy ignored the rain beating down on his hair, making it difficult to see her.
"But I'm afraid jumping down is dangerous in this weather Miss Elizabeth," Darcy insisted, placing his arm around her back holding onto her waist. Elizabeth had no option but to put her arms around his shoulders as he pulled her against him, putting his other arm under her knees and got her out of the carriage. He kept her pressed close to his chest as he stepped around the hole in which the wheel was stuck, staring into her face as the rain hit it. Elizabeth stared back; he felt his heart jump as her gaze went briefly to his mouth before up into his eyes.
Darcy set down at the back of the carriage, where the roof extended just enough to provide a little protection from the rain. He lent his hand against the carriage next to her head, unable to speak for a moment. He realised with dread, the way the rain had already soaked through her clothes and hair, her face moist as she breathed heavily with the cold, that Darcy was reminded of the day she'd refused him. This strange power she had over him, angering him, hurting his feelings yet he still had to hold himself back from her.
"Thank you," she whispered in the smallest voice Darcy had ever heard her use.
Darcy was suddenly angry with her and turned away, walking around to inspect the damage. He heard the Gardiner's talking on the other side of the carriage but focused his attention on the wheel. The driver and coachmen were beside him and the attempted to push the wheel out of the hole.
"It's no use sir," the driver said after the fourth attempt. "We shall need to get behind the carriage and push the carriage."
"Yes you are right, Saunders," Darcy agreed and they moved to the back of the carriage, Elizabeth automatically moved out of the way. Darcy didn't look at her; he focused on the task at hand, wanting to fix the carriage while there was still some light. Mr. Gardiner rendered assistance with pushing the carriage and with some time and difficulty; they succeeded in pushing the carriage out the hole and back onto the smoother road, just as the rain subsided to a gentle drizzle.
The coachmen cheered and the driver checked the horses. Mr. Gardiner called his wife over to get back into the carriage. Darcy turned as saw Elizabeth was standing about twenty feet away, gazing into the distance. He walked silently over to her, wondering why she'd walked so far away.
"Elizabeth," he called out, obviously startling her. She jumped and turned to him, fear etched on her face and tears in her eyes. "What's the matter?" he asked with concern.
Miss Bennett went to speak but couldn't, just stepped towards him and pressed her face into his shirt. Darcy's hands immediately went to her elbows and moved up her arms, she was frozen. "You're freezing Miss Bennett," he said as he removed his coat. She stepped back and allowed him to drape his coat over her shoulders.
"Forgive me, Mr Darcy," Elizabeth said as she smoothed her hair out of her face.
Darcy beckoned her towards the carriage and she starts walking quickly but Darcy easily matches her strides. "It's the location," she said absently, looking towards the carriage. "This time of day."
Darcy had no idea what she meant but before he could ask they were back at the carriage, the coachman opening the door for her. She turned to him with an apologetic expression. "It's the same as....that night. Just brought back the memory that is all."
Darcy took her hand and helped her into the carriage, feeling all anger for her disappear.
Their laughter filled her head as they held her down, their hands tearing at her dress as she cried out for help. "It's not your money want." They sneer as she struggled and kicks at them.
"No," Lizzy cries out as she wakes, opening her eyes and gazing at the extinguished candle on the wooden bedside of the Inn bedroom. She rolls onto her back and rubs her face, lying still for a moment to let her breathing go back to normal. Lizzy sat up, hugging her knees to her chest and looking towards the window, the morning light peering through the thick red curtains.
They had arrived at the Inn at gone midnight, the landlord kindly giving Mr. Darcy rooms as he was a valued customer. Mr. Darcy had explained that he often used this Inn as a stopover and Lizzy could see why. It was quiet, simple but very comfortable, nothing like the elegance she'd experienced at Pemberly, but the simple comfort of the bedroom had reminded her of the one she shared with Jane at Longbourne.
Once Lizzy had a moment to recover from her nightmare, she remembered where they were headed and why, so she quickly got out of bed and dressed into a cream dress comfortable enough to travel in, taking a brief moment to observe the improvement in her hip. She didn't feel any discomfort at all when she walked. Lizzy took that as a good sign as she packed the things she'd used last night.
She saw the time was only 7.30, but she'd observed during the days she spent at Pemberly that Mr. Darcy was an early riser so she left her bedroom and headed across the hall to the small parlour that Mr. Darcy had also rented for the night. Lizzy walked into the room to find Mr. Darcy sitting at the circular dining table, reading a newspaper.
He stood when he saw her. "Good morning Miss Bennett," he said with a polite smile, the usual formalities returned to his grace.
"Good morning Mr. Darcy," she replied in a strong voice, walking over to the buffet table to see what there was for breakfast. "Do you sleep well?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you and yourself?" he replied as he turned the page of his paper.
Elizabeth thought briefly about her nightmare but brushed it against, pouring the hot tea into a cup. "Quite well, thank you," she replied to be polite.
She walked over to him with the cup in its saucer and a milk jug of milk. She placed the saucer and poured some milk into the cup. "Milk but no sugar," she asked, remembering the way he liked his tea from Pemberly.
Darcy looked at her a little surprised. "Thank you," he said with a warm smile which made Lizzy blush. She turned from him and walked over to pour herself a cup, wishing her aunt and uncle would appear soon. There interaction this morning was quite domesticated, but Lizzy didn't know how else to act to the man who was being so kind to her family.
Mr and Mrs. Gardiner walked into the room, smiling and bidding the pair good morning. Mr. Gardiner sits down beside Mr. Darcy who passes him the morning paper. Mrs. Gardiner walks over to the buffet to inspect the breakfast. "This looks lovely," she says warmly.
"You must allow us to pay for our share of the bill," Mr. Gardiner adds.
"Sir, it was my suggestion that we stay here," Mr. Darcy said formally. "I would feel very bad about asking you to pay for something that was not your idea."
Lizzy sat down beside her uncle with her tea and drank quietly, listening to her uncle complain about the current headline in the paper. She was restless to leave, knowing she won't be at ease until she was at Brighton with Lydia.
"What would you like for breakfast, Lizzy?" Mrs. Gardiner asked as she put some sausages onto a plate.
"Do we have time for breakfast?" Lizzy replied impatiently as she looked at her uncle then her aunt. "Shouldn't we be leaving?"
Mrs. Gardiner turned to look at her with a disapproving look. "My dear girl you ate nothing for supper last night. What kind of guardian would I be if I let you skip another meal?"
Mr. Gardiner put down his paper as Mrs. Gardiner place a plate of food in front of him. "Besides, I doubt an extra half an hour is going to make a difference to our journey," he added and his wife smiled warmly at him.
Lizzy looked defeated at Mr. Darcy, who said normally, just drank his tea.
"Didn't you want to write to Jane before you left here this morning," Mrs. Gardiner asked as she sat down at the table with her own plate of breakfast.
Lizzy stood up immediately. "I completely forgot!" Mr. Darcy barely had time to stand up before Lizzy was walking towards the door.
"Lizzy would you please calm down," Mrs. Gardiner insisted. "At least eat something."
"I will once I've written a quick note to Jane." She replied and walked out the room hearing her Aunt's sigh of disapproval.
The final stretch of the journey was the worst. Lizzy could feel their travelling was drawing to a close and was anxious to see the outcome. However, she tried her best to remain calm and composed as her behaviour was displeasing to her guardians. After writing a short letter to Jane and taking it to the post, she was convinced rather forcibly to eat some toast. Mr. Darcy left to supervise the packing of the carriage, leaving the Gardiner's free to scold their niece as though she was their own daughter.
"You really must calm yourself, Lizzy," Mrs. Gardiner reprimanded as she checked their belongings, while Lizzy sat on the window seat observing the packing of the carriage. "Not only will it only cause you more distress, you will concern Mr. Darcy, who is already doing so much to help."
Lizzy was immediately made uncomfortable by the mention of his name. "Mr. Darcy need not concern himself with me; I dare say he hasn't noticed any change in my behaviour."
The two coachmen arrived to take their trunks downstairs and Lizzy silently watched Mr. Darcy pet a horse while her Aunt gave instructions to the coachmen. She didn't notice her Aunt walked over and stand beside her.
"The gentleman is being very good to you," her Aunt pondered thoughtfully as she followed Elizabeth's gaze.
Elizabeth looked up at her Aunt. "Mr. Darcy told you of Mr. Wickham's past, what grievance he has caused Mr. Darcy and his family."
When Mrs. Gardiner didn't seem to pick up on Lizzy's point, the young woman pressed on. "Mr. Darcy feels a sense of obligation towards our situation, not to mention brining some justice to Mr. Wickham."
"The lowt deserves to be publicly disgraced," Mrs. Gardiner said with disapproval, moving away from the window and walking over to the dresser.
Lizzy felt a physical ache in her stomach as she once remembered using very similar words when discussing Mr. Darcy to Wickham. How could she have been so foolish?
"My dearest Lizzy," Mrs. Gardiner said with a warm smile. "Do you truly believe that Mr. Darcy is going to such lengths to help us purely to bring Wickham justice?'" Lizzy thought about what her Aunt had said for a moment, then Mrs. Gardiner added. "Do you think he would go to the same lengths if it wasn't you're sister?"
Lizzy's eyes shot up to meet her Aunt, who had a calm, knowing expression. She couldn't bring herself to say anything. Mr. Gardiner walked into the room and Lizzy took the opportunity to change the subject. "Can we leave now Uncle?" she asked eagerly taking a step towards him.
"My dear kid when will you learn patience?" he asked with a hearty laugh. "The carriage is almost ready, I'm sure it will be fine for you and your Aunt to make your way down."
Lizzy passed Mrs. Gardiner her coat before putting on her own coat and bonnet. The pair then left their Uncle in the room and walked down the stairs. "I'm sorry Aunt," Lizzy apologised. "But I can't trust Lydia to make the right choices."
"If you remember, Lizzy. Georgiana was also fooled by Wickham's charms," Mrs. Gardiner pointed out in a quiet voice.
Lizzy looked at her Aunt in surprise. "But at least Georgiana is smart, sensible young lady with the decency to confide in her brother."
"Do you really have such a low opinion of your own sister," Lizzy's Aunt looked understanding but a little reprimanding.
"There are very few people I love in this world and even less I think well of," Lizzy replied with a shy smirk. "I love my sisters but I'm not ignorant to their faults. If Lydia had an ounce of Georgiana's integrity and good sense we wouldn't be in this situation."
As they reached the bottom of the stairs Mrs. Gardiner immediately walked ahead out to the carriage and Lizzy saw Mr. Darcy standing next to the stairs looking at her. Her face reddened as she realised what he might have heard.
Lizzy's eyes left the buildings the carriage drove past as they made their way to the main town of Brighton. Her gaze met Mr. Darcy who was looking at her looking regretful.
The carriage pulled into the military training area, Lizzy scanned the faces of the group of marching soldiers but not recognising a single face. The grand house was situated in the middle of camping tents and marquees, the house larger than Longbourne but by means close to the grandeur of Netherfield or Pemberly.
The carriage stopped outside the large stone stairs leading up to the house and Mr. Darcy got out of the carriage and held his hand out for Miss Bennett. She loved the feel of his warm, strong hand in hers as he assisted her out of the carriage. She saw that her guardians were getting out of the carriage on the other side and quickly used the opportunity for a moment with Mr. Darcy.
"Mr. Darcy," she said quickly in a hushed tone. "If I don't get the chance I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you've done for me and my family. I don't think you'll ever know what to means to me that you've been here."
The last sentence slipped out before she could stop herself and surprised spread across his face. Lizzy looked down embarrassed, only to see their hands are still intertwined in an embrace that looked all too natural.
Lizzy let go of his hand and turned to face the house, finding herself face to face to none other than Mr. Wickham.