Elizabeth and Mr Darcy parted with her mother upon reaching the lane that would take the woman back to Longbourn, and continued back toward Netherfield together. The two walked in silence, each taking the time to digest what they had both learned, until Elizabeth could keep quiet no longer. "Pray Mr Darcy, is your sister someplace safe?" She saw the startled look on his eyes and hurried to continue. "I know that she is somewhere she would be physically kept safe, but what about her mental and emotional wellbeing? This would be hard on any young girl, and I just wanted to ensure she was being completely cared for."
The man cleared his throat, as if trying to regain control of his emotions, before speaking. "I left her with our aunt and uncle, my mother's brother and his wife. She is also with her new companion." He spoke awkwardly, and she could see the inner turmoil behind his eyes.
"Tell me more about your aunt and uncle, are you close to them?" She really wanted to ask him about his sister, boy feared he would take it as her fishing for information to use against the poor girl.
"My Uncle is the Earl of Matlock..." she listened as he spoke of the man and woman who had taken over for the siblings parents after each had passed. It was clear the man loved his aunt and uncle and felt loved by them in return. However, she couldn't help but worry how members of the Peerage would react to such a scandal. It was not uncommon for young girls to be sent away after events like this, and she could see how that would hurt the man before her who clearly loved his sister.
As the two crossed the courtyard and moved toward the house a stable boy came up an relieved Mr Darcy of the reigns to his horse. Once orders were given for the beasts care, and a coin tossed to the lad for his trouble, the two headed toward the house.
The peaceful companionship they had found was shattered upon their entrance, as Miss Bingley's voice carried from the main sitting room. "And to think, all the time we spent trying to act as friends with her." The laughing tilt in her voice spoke of the great joy she found in this news. "I don't know what pleases me more, that his marriage prospects within the ton are practically non existent, making me his best option, or that to save face he will have to send his sister away, and I will not have to waste my time caring for her. Can you imagine how exhausting it would have been to have to play the loving sister to such a dull, mousy girl. Mrs Caroline Darcy, Mistress of Pemberley and Darcy House in London, how well that sounds."
Gently placing a hand on his arm, she guided him away from the doorway before they were seen, the sounds of the Bingley sisters' giggles seemingly chasing them as they went. Upon arriving at the library, she gently led him inside, thankful to see a maid dusting, and asking her to remain in the corner of the room for propriety sake, as she led Mr Darcy to the other side so they could converse without being heard. "I apologize for not acting sooner, you should not have had to stand there and listen to such things being said about your poor sister." The pain that crossed his features brought strange emotions up within her, but they felt so out of place she struggled to place them.
She was surprised when he turned to her with anger clouding his features. However, when he stopped and truly looked at her the anger melted away. "Forgive me Miss Bennet, I find my having difficulty grasping the concepts you and your mother spoke of earlier. As you have seen, there are not many who would share this outlook."
"More the pity for them." She responded, accepting the apology as he seemed truly contrite. "Perhaps this time to come will prove beneficial to you, and will allow you to find out who your true friends are." She saw him give nod, but they were interrupted before either could say anything more.
"Darcy! There you are, I rode out after you when you left. Truly, you were in no state to be alone, I quite despaired when I could not catch up to you, nor find you." The concern so clearly shown on Mr Bingley's face made Elizabeth ache for her sister. Jane would not have an easy decision ahead of her should the man offer for her. Truly, Mr Bingley was a good match for her sister on an individual level, however, his sisters completely counteracted any suitability he may have. She would not wish those harpies on anyone, least of all her favorite sister.
"I was fortunate enough to be found by Miss Elizabeth and her mother. Both ladies were responsible for seeing me returned safely as you see." He then looked at her, staring deeply into her eyes, making her pulse race, though she knew not why. "I am truly in their debt."
"Tis no more than we would have done for any of our friends." She struggled to find words, so confused with everything she was doing.
"We are then?" She would have sworn he sounded hopeful, but wondered if she was imagining it.
"I do not see how we can be anything but after this morning." She then blushed, but knew not why, "Besides, one can never have too many friends."
"Especially when they stand to lose many." The pain, anger, and guilt on his face had her wanting to do anything to dispel it.
"Can they truly be considered friend is they are so easily swayed by one misstep, caused by misplaced trust?" She asked, hoping to lend some comfort.
"Miss Bennet is right. Anyone who truly knows you and Miss Darcy will know she is not to blame for this. Why, if I ever find out who did this I will be right there alongside you and Fitzwilliam when you exact punishment." The sincerity in the man's face seemed to calm Mr Darcy, and she felt Mr Bingley grow even more estimable in her eyes.
"Pray excuse me, I feel I must go check on my sister now." She curtsied as the two bowed, and quietly left the gentlemen to talk, knowing both probably needed it.
Her mother arrived early in the afternoon, with her younger sisters in tow, to see for herself how Jane fared. After spending some time tending to her eldest daughter, she and all the girls, minus Jane of course, made their way to the parlor to visit with the Bingley sisters, and Elizabeth was pleased to see her mother try to moderate her exuberance. It was clear the conversation with Mr Darcy this morning had had some effect on the woman, though not enough to curb her sisters' wild behavior.
However, she did realize her mother was more cognizant of the Bingley sisters' barely hidden disapproval every time she or any of her daughters currently spoke. It was hard to see her mother, usually so confident, even when lacking a keen understanding of the world, slowly starting to withdraw into herself with every biting word. Especially knowing her mother was accustomed to this behavior from her own husband. Seeing her hurt brought out a sympathy she had never had for the woman, much to her own shame. She was thrilled to see the woman come alive again when asked about the neighbors who had called while she had been away, and fought back the daggers she wanted to throw with her glare every time one of the sisters tittered at her mother's expense. Instead, she turned on the sofa next to her mother, took her hands in hers, and the woman seemed to return to herself, though with much more restraint.
How she wished Mr Darcy could have been there to see it, for she was sure it had been brought on my his earlier conversation, but he and Mr Bingley had ridden out after luncheon, claiming estate business. Elizabeth highly suspected it was more to do with escaping Miss Bingley and her thinly veiled insults of Miss Darcy, partnered with her cloying attempts to gain the attentions of Mr Darcy.
"Good Lord, look at that carriage there, coming up the lane just there." She was broken from her revelry by her youngest sister's voice. "Kitty, Lizzy, come and look at this carriage, have you ever seen such a drab thing in all your life?"
Knowing it was best to acquiesce, for Lydia would continue to pester until she got her way, Elizabeth excused herself to join her sisters at the window. Sure enough, there was a rather drab looking carriage heading their way, but there was something about it that seemed off to her. It was definitely old and outdated, it rode smoothly which spoke of diligent upkeep. The horses seemed a bit on the older side, older than their own carriage in fact, but not enough to be a danger when pulling a carriage, nor easily harmed by over exertion, and were obviously well cared for. "Do you recognize the carriage?" She asked Miss Bingley as she too came to look out the window to see what all the fuss was about.
"Of course I have not, I would never associate with such a low station." How quickly her tune changed as a young girl, dressed in absolute finery stepped from the carriage. Excusing herself from the room, then rushing out, her sister on her heels, neither of them remembering to close the door as they left.
"Mama, I must say, I am surprised at the change in you today. Though that is not to say it is an unpleasant surprise." She was favored with a bright smile from her mother for her comment.
"I confess hearing what Mr Darcy said this morning about what is considered desirable in the ton when it comes to a bride, and you and Jane are both all of that and more. I would never forgive myself if I were the reason a man you loved left you." She found it hard to come up with words to reflect how much her mother's words meant to her, but voice from the entry hall saved her from having to respond.
"Miss Darcy, we were not expecting you." Miss Bingley's voice easily carried as the entry hall was right outside the parlor.
"We apologize madam, but my charges aunt felt it best she was returned to her brother." Elizabeth watched her mother rise in a huff and march toward the door, clearly upset with the coldness exhibited in their hostess's voice.
"I'm sure she did, and I can't say that I'm surprised given what we all know." Elizabeth could hear the young girl begin to sob, and had to restrain her mother from interfering...for now at least. "It shows good good judgement in my opinion."
At that moment one of the footmen entered with a trunk over his shoulder. "On no, put that back on the carriage, our guests will not be staying." Miss Bingley was quick to instruct the man, "I'm sure you understand, it would be most improper, not to mention scandalous to welcome someone who has fallen under our roof."
At that statement, Elizabeth released her mother's arm, stepped back, and ushered her out the door. "Why I never..." the shrillness of her mother's voice reached a whole new level, and she couldn't help but think it added a nice affect. "Nathan, put the trunk back on the carriage, but then instruct the driver to take Miss Darcy and her friend to Longbourn, I will have all of my girls follow in our carriage. I will not have my innocent daughters exposed to such...such...such"
"callous..." she supplied, while Lydia chimed in with "harpies..." when her mother seemed to search for a valid description.
"Such callous harpies." Her mother finished. "Now Lizzy, you will return with your sisters, send for Mr Jones and I will stay here to oversee your packing, and travel back with Jane if Mr Jones approves, or stay here to care for her if he does not. I not have my daughters subjected to such a lack of Christian civility one moment longer."
