Darcy scrambled into the longboat, crying his thanks to the crew as they lowered him down. A man o' war had given him passage from Alderney, hailed for him by men of that island whom he had convinced of the urgency of his return to England. The captain of the ship he had likewise importuned shamelessly with the tragic tale of separation from his bride. They had agreed to drop him at Southend-on-Sea, a mere day's ride from Hertfordshire.
As the man rowed him into the harbor, Darcy's mind anxiously settled on the next stage of his journey. A horse, a decent change of clothes for when he presented himself to his new family. He could easily draw sufficient funds for these in town.
The sailor tied up to the dock and Darcy was onshore in a heartbeat. Grateful to be back on English soil, he lifted his eyes up for a moment in silent praise. God had blessed him with his life. And, by God, he would do what was right with that life.
A day passed in welcome quiet at Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet had called on her sister to inform her of her daughter's marriage and widowhood, so those cries could be heard only in Meryton, though to be sure the whole town heard them.
Elizabeth concentrated on keeping her tale consistent with what she had decided to make public. And keeping any knowledge of the promise of rich dowries and estates far from her sisters' and mother's ears. She had no wish to disappoint them if it proved impossible to manage the business of it.
She reviewed the letter her father sent to Colonel Fitzwilliam, addressed to Rosings for lack of a better-known address, and saw it sent. The marriage announcement was placed, and the next day would see it published.
It was not impossible to keep her younger sisters from speculating on what their sister's marriage might mean for them, for Bingley's imminent arrival together with the departure of the regiment from Meryton was distraction enough for twice as many silly young girls.
Elizabeth pondered the decisions before her. Should she press Colonel Fitzwilliam to honor the agreements Mr. Darcy had laid out? She worried that to do so would lay her open to every accusation of grasping avarice. But it would be for the betterment of her family. Her responsibility toward them seemed clear.
She was on the verge of taking up one or more of the documents once again, when Jane entered, bent on persuading her to talk a walk. She gladly abandoned her labors for the respite of a turn about Longbourn.
The Phillips had invited them to dinner, but Mrs. Bennet was unclear if Elizabeth's mourning prevented her from attending and if the mourning extended to the whole family. She contented herself with encouraging the girls to dress in dark colors, and deciding that a family dinner with the Phillips was acceptable, even for a new widow. So to Meryton they drove. Mrs. Phillips received Elizabeth with a note of fawning that ill became her and make the object of her attentions quite uncomfortable. In consideration of the family's mourning Mrs. Phillips had invited no officers, which disappointed Lydia and Kitty dreadfully, and the rest of the family must spend the evening listening to their bemoaning the lost opportunity, so inopportune in light of the regiment's departure.
Elizabeth was relieved of the duty of relating gossip by her mother, who happily filled in any details found wanting with a rich mixture of conjecture and wishful thinking, relying on her daughter only for an occasional endorsement. For that, a nod sufficed.
As the Bennets were bundled back into their carriage, Denny and Wickham approached to pay their respects. The two younger sisters hastened back out to greet them.
"Is old Darcy truly dead?" Elizabeth heard Wickham inquire of Lydia, who eagerly agreed. "Oh yes. He married our Lizzie then fell off the ship on the way back." "She must be terribly sad. Pray give her my condolences."
"Oh, I don't think she's all that sorry. Who could miss such a terrible, proud man?" Lydia said, dimpling at the red-clad man.
"That will do," said Mr. Bennet shortly, beckoning to his daughters. "Come now, Lydia, Catherine." Kitty started at this, realizing the threat implicit in his use of her full name, and pulled her sister from Wickham's arm.
"Good-bye now, we shall expect to see you soon!" Lydia cried as the horses started.
Elizabeth hid her face in the upholstered wall as they clattered home.