Chapter 6

When Mr. Bingley arrived at Gracechurch Street, he found Jane and the Gardiners very concerned. The butler explained that the family was going through a difficult moment and was not receiving callers. Still, through the open door of the parlor, he saw Jane sitting in a chair, wiping her tears with a handkerchief while she sobbed uncontrollably.

Mr. Bingley knew that he had been a coward, fleeing Hertfordshire without even saying goodbye, and he had promised himself that he would not miss the opportunity to show Jane that he could be a friend he could trust.

"Miss Bennet, what is the matter? Why are you so despondent? Please tell me how I can help you," said Mr. Bingley as soon as he entered the room without listening to the butler's complaints. He had orders to tell visitors to leave their cards and return later.

Mr. Johnson looked at his master and said. "Sir, I explained to the gentleman that you were not receiving visitors, but he did not listen and..."

"Do not worry, Johnson. I shall take care of the gentleman," said Mr. Gardiner, concerned. He had arrived at the house ten minutes ago after receiving an urgent message from his wife and was still shocked by the tragic news.

Mr. Gardiner asked Mrs. Taylor to please not tell anyone about what had happened to Elizabeth, and they promised they would protect Miss Bennet's identity and reputation. The family wanted the sensitive information not to be known and were unsure they could trust Mr. Bingley.

Although Mr. Gardiner was intelligent and rational, he was in one of those situations where he did not know what to do or where to start to solve the problem. So he thought that perhaps Mr. Bingley could help him because he was one of Mr. Darcy's close friends.

Jane was very nervous when she saw Mr. Bingley but thanked him for his concern. "Thank you, Mr. Bingley, but we are in the middle of a family crisis."

"Did something happen with your parents or sisters?" asked Mr. Bingley, sincerely concerned.

Jane looked at her uncle, and he put his arms around her to comfort her. "Mr. Bingley, sit down and let me explain what is going on. But before anything else, I must ask you to promise me your absolute discretion with this delicate matter."

"Of course, sir. You may be assured of my absolute discretion, and I sincerely thank you for trusting me," said Mr. Bingley, increasingly tense.

Mr. Gardiner informed him what had happened and what he planned to do. "If I have told you all this, it is because you know Mr. Darcy, and I want you to help me contact his family."

"I am absolutely astonished, Mr. Gardiner," said Mr. Bingley. "Please, count on me for everything you need. Not only Miss Elizabeth is in the middle of this tragedy but my best friend. Let us go to Darcy House immediately."

"That is an excellent idea," Mrs. Gardiner said. "Maybe they have information and do not know how to contact us."

"Your friend, Mr. Bingley, risked his integrity to protect my niece. That speaks highly of him," explained Mr. Gardiner excitedly.

"Darcy is a great man, sir. I know that he and Miss Elizabeth are not friends but rather the opposite, and yet he acted like the honorable gentleman he is."

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were very concerned about Mr. Bingley's remark. Mr. Darcy had done what an honorable gentleman would, but they were not so sure he would extend that kindness enough to marry Elizabeth and rescue her from ruin if that incident came to light.

When they agreed on what to do, Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bingley headed to the hall for their hats and coats. Before they left, Jane approached Mr. and Bingley and, with teary eyes, told him in a very soft voice. "Thank you very much for helping us, Mr. Bingley. God bless you…"

"Miss Bennet, I am the one who is grateful for your trust and the opportunity to help my friend. If I have news, I promise to come and give it to you immediately, and if you need a friend to talk to, I want you to know that you can always count on me." Mr. Bingley bowed, and he and Mr. Gardiner set out for Darcy House.

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In Darcy House, the butler received Mr. Bingley and his companion with surprise. He did not know very well what to do or what to say. "Mr. Bingley, the family is not receiving callers. But as soon as Mr. Darcy returns from Kent, I shall tell him you came to visit him."

Mr. Bingley was doubtful if Hunter knew what was happening but assumed that Murray, Mr. Darcy's valet, had told him everything, which was why he was so nervous. "Hunter, is Morgan here? Can I talk with him?"

"Mr. Bingley, we cannot receive you at this time. I hope you understand."

Mr. Bingley knew something was wrong and decided to try one more time. "Hunter, this gentleman is Miss Elizabeth Bennet's uncle, and he needs information about my friend's whereabouts."

At that point, Hunter realized that Mr. Bingley probably knew what was going on and told him immediately. "Please, gentlemen, wait a moment." The butler went to the study, and a minute later, he appeared accompanied by Colonel Fitzwilliam.

"Bingley, how nice to see you, although I wish it were under different circumstances."

"I agree, Fitzwilliam," said Mr. Bingley. He introduced Mr. Gardiner, and the Colonel asked them to accompany him to the study for a more private talk.

"I am afraid I do not have good news at the moment because I only found out last night what was happening. Earlier this morning, I spoke to my contacts, and a patrol of private investigators is on their trail."

"Please, Colonel, tell me how I can help," Mr. Gardiner said almost desperately.

"At the moment, sir, we are doing everything possible to locate them. But I promise I shall let you know if I need your help. Now I have the difficult mission of talking to my cousin and telling her about her brother's situation."

"I already sent an express mail to my brother-in-law and asked him not to tell my sister and her younger daughters to avoid worrying them." Mr. Gardiner was ashamed to admit that his sister could not keep a secret, especially when she was nervous.

The men continued talking for several more minutes. Richard was giving them all the details of the leads that the investigators were following and told them that they estimated that in two or three days, they would find the fugitives and be able to rescue his cousin and Miss Elizabeth.

But the kind and cordial conversation was interrupted by one of the most unpleasant people Richard had ever met. The man entered the study unannounced even though Mr. Hunter told him neither Mr. Darcy nor Georgiana was home.

"Fitzwilliam, what are you doing sitting at my nephew's desk," Patrick Darcy said in his usual pedantic tone. That man had always been envious of his cousin George Darcy because he always thought he deserved to inherit the immense Darcy fortune.

Richard knew that gentleman was not there by chance, and to not reveal anything that might alert him to the complicated situation they were experiencing, he said as warmly as he could. "Mr. Darcy, nice to see you. My cousin Darcy is out of town, and he let me stay at his house for a few days. But please, come in, let us drink, and tell me if I can help you with something until my cousin returns."

Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bingley realized Richard was in an uncomfortable situation and decided to leave. But before they left the house, Hunter told Mr. Gardiner to give him his address because the Colonel wanted to be able to talk to him more privately. The truth was, he did not trust Patrick and knew that if he found out anything, he would use it against his cousin Darcy.

For his part, Patrick knew something strange was going on at the Darcy House. So he would do whatever he could to discover the truth.

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After walking for almost six hours, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth finally reached a small town. Elizabeth realized that the gentleman was worse every moment and that he urgently needed to rest.

Fortunately for them, there was a small and modest inn at the entrance of the town. They immediately headed there in search of rooms where they could eat and rest.

Mr. Darcy walked without realizing where he was and could not register what was happening around him. But Elizabeth noticed that this town was not like the ones she knew and that something strange was happening. All her suspicions were confirmed the moment she entered the inn. Most of the men there looked like ruffians with problems with the authorities. Elizabeth did not know enough about the world to understand that the town was a kind of no man's land that highway robbers used as a refuge.

"Mr. Darcy, I think you should better sit down and let me talk to the innkeeper. You do not look well," Elizabeth explained.

"No, my love, let me come with you," he said, half awake and delirious.

Their presence did not go unnoticed, and more and more eyes looked at them with growing interest. Elizabeth was grateful that Mr. Darcy's clothes looked worn and dirty; otherwise, everyone would have realized they did not belong in a place like that.

"Please stay here. I shall be less than five steps away from you in case you need me."

"No, my love, now that I have you, I cannot lose you," he said as he kissed her hand where she still wore the ring.

"Please, Mr. Darcy, we can discuss this subject later. Everyone is looking at us, and I am afraid we may have more troubles than we already have," Elizabeth murmured in his ear.

Mr. Darcy came to his senses and coldly replied. "Alright, Miss Bennet."

Elizabeth smiled at Mr. Darcy so it would not show how worried she was. Evidently, he had a very high fever, which was probably why he could not measure his words.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and approached the innkeeper to ask if they had two rooms available. But when she was trying to talk to the innkeeper, a man began to look at her like that ruffian had done several days before.

"Get out of here, Adams. Can you not see that the lady already has a man to care for her? I am Mrs. Arnolds, my dear, and I am one of the owners of this inn, so welcome."

"Thank you, madam. I..."

"Before you tell me why you are here, please let me congratulate you, my dear. Not everyone captures a male as captivating as yours," said Mrs. Arnold, looking at Mr. Darcy with much interest.

Elizabeth tried as best she could to hide her discomfort. She knew she had to conceal her and Mr. Darcy's origin, or they would be in deep trouble. That is why she responded cheerfully, almost imitating her sister Lydia.

"Thank you, Mrs. Arnold. It was not easy for us to be together with my dear William because my boring father wanted to separate us at all costs, but as you see, he could not," Elizabeth said with a silly smile. Then, she looked at Mr. Darcy and blew him a kiss from a distance as she smiled coquettishly at him just as Lydia did at the officers who were camping at Meryton.

Mr. Darcy felt that everything was turning around and was no longer sure if he was sleeping or awake. So when he saw that Elizabeth smiled at him and blew him a kiss, he stood and went to where she was.

"Is something wrong, my sweet love?" he asked, looking at Elizabeth with the eyes of a man in love.

"No, darling," Elizabeth answered, unable to help but blush.

"These newlyweds are all the same. It is your fortunate day, my dear. I have the last room available with a rather small bed, but it can fit two," Doris Arnold said, winking at Elizabeth.

Adams looked at Elizabeth's ring with much interest. It seemed quite expensive, and he wanted to learn more about the mysterious couple. "And that ring, madam? Your new husband is very generous and must have a good position in life to buy such a jewel."

Elizabeth felt like Mr. Darcy hugged her possessively from the waist but did not protest. "Well, I do not think he bought it, if you know what I mean. But that does not matter to me. My Papa always said that my William was not a good man, but I did not care for his opinion. You know, many men fear him, and I feel so proud of him for that. Someone told me that he won this ring at a poker table from one of those rich men who think they are clever because they studied. Is it true, my dear, that you are more clever than all those rich fools?"

"Yes, my dear," answered Mr. Darcy, who at the time thought he was at a beautiful ball and everyone was admiring his new wife.

"It seems to me that your husband has celebrated a great deal, madam," said Adams, hinting that Mr. Darcy was drunk. "I shall be here for several days; if your husband is looking for work, tell him to talk to me. Tall, strong men like him always scare men trying to be brave."

"Thank you, sir! I shall tell my husband when he feels better," Elizabeth said nervously.

"Miss Benn..." Mr. Darcy tried to say, but Elizabeth immediately silenced him.

"Mrs. Arnold, my husband and I need a room because the carriage we were traveling to London had an accident, and we have been walking for several days."

"I understand, but you still have not told me your names to put on the register," Mrs. Arnolds said.

"We are William and Lizzy Gardiner," madam. Elizabeth said the first names that came to her head to get out of the uneasy situation. She also listened to Mr. Darcy's agitated breathing and began to cough again.

Fortunately, the room was ready, and in five minutes, they were there safe and secure for the moment. Elizabeth saw that Mr. Darcy could no longer stand, and she helped him lie on the bed. He was visibly feverish, and she knew she should do everything possible to decrease his temperature. So she helped him undress until he was left in just his pants and shirt.

She asked for water and used a towel to moisten Mr. Darcy's forehead and neck to bring down his fever. But it did not help him much. He was delirious, saying things that did not make much sense. He mainly talked about his sister and asked her forgiveness over and over again.

"My love, my sweet love, even though you hate me, I love you so much," said Mr. Darcy as he kissed Elizabeth's hands. "Thank you for being with me and taking care of me. I knew you would be the best wife I could have."

Elizabeth did not know whether to laugh or cry. Mr. Darcy's declarations of undying love made her very uncomfortable. She could not deny that the gentleman had a very handsome face and was extremely attractive. She had slept against his chest and knew it was solid, but looking at it, she realized it was like the statues in museums.

"My love, you are here?" asked Mr. Darcy desperately.

"Yes, Mr. Darcy, I am here. Please promise me you will try to sleep, and I promise I shall not leave your side," Elizabeth said as she wiped the damp cloth over his face and body.

After more than half an hour of trying, Elizabeth managed to lower Mr. Darcy's fever. He was exhausted and was finally able to fall asleep and rest.

Just as Mr. Darcy fell asleep, a servant brought two plates of food and some sweet wine. Elizabeth was hungry and ate the stew, which was quite good. She also managed to get Mr. Darcy to eat and drink something before falling asleep again. Once night fell, Elizabeth felt the weight of the entire day and was exhausted. The room was small and did not have a fireplace but several blankets.

She knew that she had no choice but to sleep in the same bed with Mr. Darcy if she did not want to freeze to death. So it occurred to her that she would use the gentleman's coat to separate his side of the bed from hers.

When she took the coat to accommodate it, something fell. She took the still-burning candle to find what was and put it back in the pocket. But when she got a better look, she realized it was a letter.

"What is this? A letter for me? Elizabeth asked herself in astonishment.

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Thanks to everyone who leaves comments and enthusiastically follows the story.

In the next chapter, Elizabeth will find out more than one truth!

See you soon!

Saludos,

Yo