Apologies for the delay, we are on holidays and the beach was more important than today's chapter :-)


Chapter Eighteen


Not having seen her father yet, Elizabeth left the house in the company of Mr Darcy's groom the following morning, hoping this would not be her last opportunity to walk to Oakham Mount before her birthday. As she had hoped, her betrothed was waiting for her at the summit with a smile.

"Miss Bennet," he said formally, yet with a twinkle in his eyes, "I was not sure you would be able to escape and meet me here this fine morning."

"Mr Darcy," she answered with a perfect little curtsy, "I still have my freedom for the moment, as you can see. Young Adam offered his protection while I meandered on my way here."

Darcy waved at his groom, signalling that he would prefer a little privacy and Adam strolled back down the path, far enough so he wouldn't overhear, yet keeping the young lady his master wished him to protect in his line of sight.

Darcy chuckled. "While I am happy to know you are safe, I prefer the solitude we enjoyed in Kent, so I can tell you how much I love you, Elizabeth. How are you dearest, was yesterday truly awful?"

"Not at all, Mr Bennet never left his study after you left. I suspect he was brooding and cursing the unfairness of life while enjoying some of the excellent spirits he spends so much money on. Sadly it means we have no further information to examine to help us predict his next move."

Darcy frowned. "How far would he go to prevent our marriage? I do not want you to be in danger."

Elizabeth sighed. "I doubt he will attempt anything too obvious, as Sir William has warned him of severe consequences, but he is angry and may not be wise. We believe Lydia is safe as he will not spoil his chance of ruining her life, but the rest of us are more concerned."

Seeing Darcy's confused look, she explained with a small smirk: "Mr Bennet has authorised a pleasure trip for Lydia, who has been invited to join a friend this summer. He believes the invitation to have come from Mrs Forster, and that they will follow the regiment to Brighton." She paused, enjoying his wide worried eyes, then laughed. "Lydia will be going to Bath with Louisa as the two of them bonded while I was away. The Hursts will keep her safe, and all it took were vague statements about travelling to a town full of soldiers and maybe trying sea-bathing for him to get attentive; no, more than attentive, Mr Bennet was drooling at the thought of the rumours and scandal that would return before the end of summer." Her voice had turned icy by the end of this speech and Darcy held her hand compassionately.

She inhaled deeply and continued: "We will not leave Lydia unguarded any more than the rest of us of course. Mary has moved into my room and Kitty and Lydia already share theirs. During the day we will make sure never to be alone."

He raised his free hand to gently brush an escaped strand of hair from her cheek. "What do you fear, Elizabeth?"

She raised her head to look at him. "I fear another attempt at tying me to a local man; I fear an attack on the reputation of the younger girls; I fear anything that could send you away."

His eyes were locked on hers as he whispered, "Never, Elizabeth. I will not desert you or let any of your sisters be ruined, no matter what he attempts. Adam is one of my housekeeper's grandsons, the Reynolds are loyal to my family, and now that we are engaged, he is loyal to you as well. He can keep an eye on any visitor who thinks he can importune you. His brother Sam is apprenticed to my coachman and is staying at Netherfield; I will send him to Longbourn so that there is always someone with your sisters if you get separated."

Elizabeth turned to look at the countryside by his side and rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, William. I wish we could run away and never see Longbourn again."

Darcy closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying her nearness. "It remains an option; if we use Bingley's carriage as well as mine, we can take Georgie, your mother, sisters and the Bingleys with us all the way to Gretna Green, although we will be a little cosy."

She sighed and replied. "Do not tempt me, my love."


When Elizabeth returned to Longbourn, Mr Hill told her apologetically that her father had requested she remain inside the house until further notice. "Thank you, Mr Hill, if I am not restricted to my room, could you ask for a tea tray and maybe a scone or two to be brought to the pink parlour, please? I might as well finish my review of the account books. Oh, and another groom will join Adam shortly, could you ensure they are both welcome and informed of any visitor's presence."

The long-serving butler smiled at the young lady, happy to see that some thought had been given to her protection, and hurried to the kitchen to prepare her tray himself.

Before long Mrs Bennet and Mary joined Elizabeth, and her sister smilingly said: "I was right, Lydie is having her portrait done right as we speak. I knew seeing Kitty's progress would be irresistible to our baby sister."

"That was not a difficult prediction, Mary. We all know Lydia."

Mrs Bennet picked the mending basket up before sitting. "Did you manage to see Mr Darcy this morning?"

"Yes Mama, and he will be sending a second groom over to watch over my sisters if I am not with them."

Fanny nodded. "Good, good. I have sent Jane a note about you being confined to the house for now, and I expect she will visit daily. The girls can go to Netherfield often to spend time with Miss Darcy while you remain here with me so that the poor child is not neglected; she does not know the neighbourhood and will need friends. Our coachman can pick up Maria Lucas on the way too."

Mary sat back in her chair with a pout. "So we just wait? I do not like it, it feels like there is a storm coming and we are not preparing."

Elizabeth smiled sadly. "We have prepared, sister, but I do not like the wait any more than you do."


The Bingley carriage deposited Jane at Longbourn soon after midday and took the three younger Bennet sisters to Netherfield for a few hours.

Mr Bennet surprised his family by sitting in the parlour during Jane's visit, preventing open discussion, yet not participating.

"I have received an amusing letter from Louisa, from London," Jane stated, attempting to ignore her father's presence in the room, "she described some of the parties they attended. I must say that I felt tired simply reading about their exertions, Caroline has been rekindling connections with so many of their former friends in the city, and making many more new acquaintances. I do not think Mr Hurst will survive many months at that pace before he begs his sister to settle down."

Elizabeth laughed. "Miss Bingley was always a far more social person than her sister or brother-in-law, and while she has changed her expectations and attitude, she remains the same person in essentials. I suspect she is thriving in all that bustle of activities."

"She is, and Louisa is very happy for her. I am however glad that this first season in town is under the Hursts' care rather than ours. Oh, I will not begrudge the time we will spend with her in the autumn when we join her to allow Louisa and her husband some time to visit his parents of course."

"Nobody would suspect you of such a thing, Jane, you were always the kindest sister." Elizabeth patted her sister's hand affectionately.

The afternoon passed quickly and Elizabeth completely ignored Mr Bennet, not glancing in his direction once, not acknowledging his presence in any manner, nor mentioning him at any point. She knew he was aware of her slights and would be angered by them, but she was already tired of waiting for him to make the first move. Angry people were not wise, so she would make him as angry as she could and hope he would act before being fully prepared; then he would make mistakes, just as he did at chess. In the meantime, provoking him was certainly highly satisfactory and enjoyable.


After several slow days being confined to the house, communicating with Mr Darcy via notes carried by one of the Reynolds brothers, Elizabeth intensified her attacks on Mr Bennet's patience. To the amusement of her sisters, she dedicated hours each morning to practising romantic songs on the pianoforte, choosing many pieces often associated with marriages. During meals, Elizabeth would cheerfully discuss her progress with designing her wedding dress with Catherine's help, her plans for yellow flowers at church and many other details regarding a June wedding. Through it all, she did not talk to her father, did not look at him and did not reply to any snide comment or mocking remark; she did not greet him, and would reply with as few words as possible to direct questions.

Mr Bennet was growing more and more frustrated by her sunny attitude; he had to act, and fast as rumours were bound to start with Darcy staying at Netherfield Park.

Barely two days later, he was ready for his offensive. Opening the door to the music room where Mary was practising while Elizabeth worked on embellishing a shawl for Catherine's birthday by adding flowers, he gruffly addressed his middle child. "Will you stop this infernal racket, I have had enough noise and disruption for today."

Surprised, Mary closed the instrument and stood to retreat to her room. Bennet was not finished. "Get out of the house now, and don't come back for a half hour at least, so that I do not have to hear you."

Elizabeth, having folded her work neatly as he spoke calmly addressed her sister. "Take Sally with you, Mary dear, and if you do not mind the exercise, could you walk to the farm by the weir to check on old Mrs Smith?"

Before Mary could answer, Bennet shouted, "You will do no such thing! I am the master of this estate, not you, Miss Lizzy! You will go to your room while your sister obeys my order and gets out, now."

Mary all but ran out of the room, hurrying to find her bonnet and a light coat. Elizabeth disdainfully glanced at her father and sedately followed her sister out of the room, turning towards the staircase as if retiring to her room, leaving a smug Bennet behind. Elizabeth did not climb the stairs, however, but quickly made her way to the kitchen to ask for the servants' help and send words to the stables.

Mary Bennet was crying silently and walking towards the old swing at the side of the house when a hand roughly grabbed her wrist, extracting a cry of pain and fear from her. She turned to see who was holding her in that manner.

"Well, isn't it nice to see you all alone, Miss High-and-mighty Mary?" Mr Goulding junior was sneering at her, holding her firmly far too close to him. "I would have preferred to compromise your snobbish older sister, but you look a little like her, enough to do nicely in her place. Now..."

He never completed that sentence as two young men reached him from behind, freeing Mary and forcing her attacker to his knees.

Mere moments later, Mary found herself tightly caught in Elizabeth's embrace. "I am sorry it took me so long to join you, are you hurt, dearest? Did that monster harm you in any way.?"

Relieved at the swiftness of her rescue, Mary returned her sister's warm hug before answering. "My wrist is likely to be bruised, but I am otherwise unharmed. Adam and Sam were so fast, I barely had time to realise what had happened before I was free and safe."

Goulding started protesting, having recovered his wit. "Get your servants to let me go and I will keep our little tryst quiet." he sneered.

Elizabeth stood in front of the man. "I sent for Sir William before coming to my sister. Mr Hill is clearing the pantry and as soon as you are securely detained, Sam here will ride to Haye Park to bring your father back before fetching the apothecary to look at my sister's wrist. There will be no hiding your attack on a defenceless gentlewoman, Mr Goulding. You were never out of sight, and I have many witnesses who will not hesitate to talk, so your blustering threats are useless."

Without giving him a chance to reply or listening to his desperate pleas, Elizabeth took a shaken Mary back to the house, in search of their mother.


While Elizabeth was comforting a crying Mary and relating the events to her mother and younger sisters, a different type of drama was taking place only three miles away. Mirroring what had happened to Miss Mary three miles away, Miss Darcy's practice at the pianoforte was interrupted when a loud voice was heard from the entrance of Netherfield.

"Where is my nephew? You will take me to him directly, I must speak to my nephew Darcy."

The harassed butler barely had time to announce her before Lady Catherine De Bourgh swept into the room. "Here you are, Darcy, and Georgiana. Well, don't just stand there, girl, come and greet me properly." After accepting a shy kiss from her niece, she turned to her nephew. "Well, Darcy, do your duty. I suppose that this gentleman is your friend and that lady his wife, my future niece's sister."

Recovering from his surprise, Darcy completed the introductions and Mrs Bingley invited their unexpected visitor to sit.

"Elizabeth told me many things about you, Mrs Bingley, although I must tell her she was incorrect; while you are very pretty, you are not more beautiful than her as she told me."

"Aunt Catherine!" Darcy exclaimed.

Jane chuckled. "You will hear no disagreement from me, your Ladyship, I have always found my sister to be stunning, and I am delighted your nephew agrees."

"Good, that girl loves you, it is proper that you return the feeling."

"Aunt Catherine, why are you here?" Darcy interjected.

"Georgiana's letter to Anne contained such news that I decided at once to come here and resolve the matter to my satisfaction. Your sister has been here for eleven days without seeing your intended since the day of her arrival. That will not do, Darcy, and I will not wait until June to welcome Elizabeth to my family. Georgiana needs a sister; Anne needs a female cousin closer to her age; I must get her presented to Her Majesty properly in May as the dates have now been set. "

Before the conversation could progress, the butler returned to inform Darcy that one of his coachmen was asking for his presence and help.


Longbourn was a frantic hive of activity. The apothecary had been the first to arrive, Darcy's young coachman having come upon him just before reaching Haye Park. Mr Jones examined Miss Mary carefully and confirmed that she had suffered no break or long-term injury but added that the strain of the attack on her young nerves should not be ignored. He prescribed a special herbal concoction to be taken before a long restorative rest for the young lady who was still held tightly by her distressed mother.

Next, an irate Sir William, accompanied by the constable from Meryton, had officially arrested young James Goulding and briefly collected statements from Elizabeth, Mary and the servants who had been present. Mr Goulding Senior arrived in time to assist the magistrate with his son's interrogation, which was taking place in the windowless pantry where the man had been detained. Mr Bennet remained in his library through it all.

Finally, a nearly frantic Darcy was brought to the parlour where the ladies sat. "Elizabeth, Miss Mary. Sam came to Netherfield to tell me what happened with your neighbour, are you both well?"

Elizabeth stood and rushed to him, unable to talk as the rage that had held her together while she dealt with the situation earlier finally melted away and heavy sobs escaped her as Darcy held her tenderly in his arms. It was entirely improper, but none of the other ladies had a mind to separate them when Elizabeth needed the comfort only her betrothed could bring so badly.

After a few moments, she stood back a little, taking his hand shyly in both of hers. "Pray excuse me, William, the past weeks have been difficult. I thought I was ready to deal with anything Mr Bennet planned, but this… this, I just cannot… Not my Mary, I simply cannot accept this."

Lifting his free hand to dry a lone tear on her cheek, Darcy inhaled deeply before answering. "You could not have expected such a cruel action, my love. It stops today, one way or another."

Darcy turned to address the other ladies. "Mrs Bennet, would you and your daughters accept to join us at Netherfield Park today, immediately even? I would feel safer knowing Miss Mary can rest under the protection of Mrs Bingley and my aunt who arrived today, and I will not leave the rest of you unguarded any longer."

Mrs Bennet nodded. "Kitty, Lydia, can you go to the kitchen and gather the herbs required for Mary's tea from Cook? Tell Mrs Hill she is needed here, Sally too if you see her, then hurry and pack a small valise each." The girls ran out to get everything ready.

"Elizabeth, ask Sally to help you pack for Mary, you and I; when you and your sisters are ready, go directly to Mr Darcy's carriage, I am sure the two boys who have looked after you and Mary so well will be happy to help with the bags. Mr Darcy, could they escort my daughters to Netherfield directly and come back for you and me? I need to know what will happen with Mr Goulding before I leave." Mrs Bennet's face was grim.

Elizabeth shook her head. "No, Mama, my sisters will go, and Jane will look after them, but I am staying with you. I cannot explain, but I feel I need to know what Sir William has to say; they attacked us because of my engagement and threatened one of my sisters to ruin my happiness. William will keep me safe."

"Very well, Lizzy, we will go together as soon as your sisters are safely on their way. Mary, my love, you must promise me that you will go and rest as soon as you reach Netherfield, your sisters can explain everything to Jane and Charles on your behalf."


In less time than Darcy thought possible, the three youngest Bennets were safely on their way with all the essentials the five ladies would need for a stay of a few days.

When Mr Hill escorted the two gentlemen to the parlour, Sir William walked straight to Elizabeth and patted her hand lightly. "My dear Miss Eliza, I am once more grateful that The Good Lord gave you so much strength of character. Your quickness of mind prevented much grief today."

Mr Goulding faced the ladies bravely, "Mrs Bennet, old friend, for I hope you will still be willing to call me a friend after today. I cannot ever apologise enough for the actions of my foolish son; there is something wrong with the boy, I am certain of it, and I promise you that he will be severely punished, although I would be grateful if it was not made public, for the sake of his innocent siblings. How is your Mary faring?"

Darcy approached the gentlemen and bluntly asked. "And what will you do about your son? I do not feel comfortable with him remaining where Miss Mary could be in his presence at any point."

Mr Goulding looked at him, surprised. "And what is your involvement with the Bennets, sir?"

Elizabeth replied on his behalf. "Mr Darcy and I will be getting married as soon as I am of age and his servants were involved in my sister's rescue." She held the older man's eyes until he sighed.

"James will be sent away. I have cousins in Ireland who run a large sheep farm; they want more help, as their family is small, with only one son and two daughters, and they are getting older. It will be a hard life, but the alternative is too difficult for me to face. I will work with Phillips this week so that all is done properly, but Haye Park will go to his younger brother. James may never come back to Hertfordshire; his mother will be sad, but it is all for the best, I am sure you will agree." The man appeared defeated and older than his five and forty years.

Sir William interjected. "With the witnesses available, Young Goulding could also be taken to a court of law. As Miss Mary is a gentlewoman, he could face deportation if found guilty. This is a decision your family must make."

Elizabeth looked at her mother who simply nodded in answer. "My sister's wrist will heal, and her spirits will, in time, recover. I am angry at your son's actions, even though I can guess he was not the mastermind behind this attack. But my anger is not important, Mary would not wish for your family to be ripped apart by a trial, or by the horror of a deportation. If you guarantee that James will not be welcome back in this neighbourhood, then I believe Mary will not wish to press charges."

Seeing the tightness in her daughter's posture, Mrs Bennet decided that it had all been enough. "Sir William, I cannot continue today, and I want time to discuss what to do about him," she waved her hand in the direction of her husband's study, "with my brother Phillips. Could you take us to Netherfield; I do not even want to stay here until Mr Darcy's carriage returns."