Chapter 5

Elizabeth returned to Longbourn deep in thought, pondering all she had learned that morning. Mr Darcy intended to follow up with the other trustee, but she felt confident, as he did, that the lady he described was definitely her. She knew his father was dead, but she wondered if this other trustee had known her real parents or the grandparents who had left her the estate. Her feelings were in turmoil—partly elation, given Mr Darcy's statement that he desired to enter into a courtship with her, but a more significant part of her was angry and upset with the Bennets and this secret they had kept from her.

"What do I do now?" she thought. "Knowing what I now know, how do I face Mr and Mrs Bennet and continue to treat them as I always have?" These thoughts and several others pushed her possible courtship with Mr Darcy to the back of her mind as she turned these other thoughts round and round in her head.

She entered the breakfast room where most of the family, at least the female contingent, was gathered. Her slipping in was largely unheeded in the noise of the room, and she sat down after serving herself from the sideboard. However, she struggled to eat much, and Lydia eventually noticed her silence.

"What is wrong with you this morning, Lizzy?" she cried loudly, gathering the attention of all at the table. "You are barely eating, and you look like you have been crying."

Elizabeth looked up at Lydia's words. "I am well, Lydia, just a little tired from my walk."

"Do not waste our good food," Mrs Bennet said sharply, eyeing the girl carefully.

"Yes, madam," Elizabeth responded, looking back down to her plate and forcing herself to finish the rest of the food she had taken.

The conversation returned to the discussion of the coming militia—and all the officers that would come with it—and Mr Bingley at Netherfield. Mrs Bennet encouraged Jane to do whatever she could to ensure Mr Bingley continued to pay her attention and suggested she flirt and act in a way that would entice him to propose. Jane blushed scarlet at such talk and bashfully listened to all her mother's suggestions. Finally, breakfast was over, and everyone was dismissed to their individual pursuits. Mary went into the music room to practise the piano, Lydia and Kitty went to their room to get bonnets to redo, and Jane and Elizabeth went into the sitting room to work on their sewing.

Elizabeth remained contemplative throughout the morning. Jane occasionally attempted to engage her in conversation, but Elizabeth had little to say in reply. After lunch, she retreated into her room, claiming a need to rest, but really, her mind was engaged with the news from the morning. Honestly, she was unsure which thought to deal with first—Mr Darcy wanting to court her or the information about her parentage and the inheritance.

After a few minutes of contemplation, she decided she simply could not deal with the question of her not being who she thought she was and instead chose to focus on Mr Darcy. Her first impression of him had been that of a haughty man, but then she had overheard his conversation with his friend and began to feel compassion for his frustration and pain. Since that night, they had met nearly every day at Oakham Mount, first by accident but obviously now by design. Elizabeth considered briefly that if anyone became aware of these meetings, they could be forced to marry, and she wondered what Fanny Bennet would do in that instance. She also wondered what the Bennets knew about her inheritance. While Mr Bennet was intelligent enough, he was lazy and likely would not have bothered reading her grandfather's will in its entirety. Mrs Bennet would not have understood it, even if she had bothered to read it. What would they know about the stipulations of her inheritance?

She realised her thoughts had drifted back to her circumstances and focused them back on Mr Darcy—the very handsome man who had told her that morning he wanted to court her, had wanted to court her for some time, but was concerned about how her aunt nad uncle might receive the request.

Later that afternoon, she broached the idea of visiting London with Mr Bennet. She still called him Uncle Thomas, and it was not wrong to do so, but it felt strange now, knowing that things were not as they seemed. "Uncle," she began, hesitation over the familiar name that now felt so … wrong, "I was wondering if I might be permitted to go to London to visit the Gardiners soon. Aunt Maddie wrote that she is expecting again, and I would like to be of aid if I can. I know she writes that she is well, but her last confinement was difficult. If you allow me to go for a time, I could help with the children while she rests. It has been some time since I have visited London, and with the guests at Netherfield presently, my aunt is distracted and would not miss me."

Mr Bennet agreed readily since Mrs Bennet had been complaining just the day before about how unfair it was they had to care for their niece. That lady was becoming more fractious the closer it came to Elizabeth reaching her majority. While it was still months away, Mrs Bennet was angry that those funds they received for her care would soon stop. "You may go; ask Edward to send the coach halfway if he can. Although, keep your ear out for anyone else who might be travelling to London soon—perhaps someone else can fund your travel for once."

After that casual dismissal, Elizabeth determined never to return to Longbourn from this visit if it could be helped. She did not know why suddenly, after so many years of it, this simple dismissal hurt so much more than before, but she would speak to Mr Darcy about helping her find a way to London that did not cost her uncle a farthing. He might receive that stipend until August, but after that, the Bennet family would be entirely on their own. What to do about her cousins was a different matter, but Mr and Mrs Bennet would receive no further assistance from her or her estate if she could help it.

At Netherfield, Mr Darcy was also thinking of his meeting with Elizabeth that morning while he bathed. "She seemed interested in the idea of courting me," he murmured to himself. "She has so much to consider; how will I get her to London and away from the Bennets?"

"What was that, sir?" his valet asked.

"Oh, I did not realise I had spoken out loud, Roberts. I am nearly certain Elizabeth Bennet is actually Miss Elizabeth Tomlinson, the daughter of my father's old friend. We spoke this morning, and while I cannot yet ask her for a courtship, I intend to marry her once we have figured out how that can be arranged. I need to speak to Mr Elliott to see what can be done about several matters related to her guardianship."

"Congratulations, sir, on finding the lady you want to marry. Might I suggest you not mention it outside this room for now? And it may be best to depart sooner than you originally intended, particularly if you can convince your lady to visit London to court her there. Miss Bingley has begun to ask questions about your rooms being locked and is frustrated that she has been unable to 'persuade' you to marry her."

His valet's emphasis on the word 'persuade' made Darcy look at him with interest. "What do you know, Roberts?"

"Mrs Nicholls has told me Miss Bingley has on several occasions attempted to obtain a key to your rooms and is annoyed that one has not been given to her. She claims that as mistress of the house, she is entitled to every key, but Mrs Nicholls has reminded her she is only acting as mistress since the house is leased. As I am certain you have seen, she regularly attempts to dismiss the servants so she can be found alone with you, but they have been well compensated to ignore such commands,"

"Why has this not been mentioned before?" Darcy asked in a sharp voice.

"Mr and Mrs Hurst took care of some of these arrangements, and some have been handled locally. Apparently, the neighbourhood greatly admires Miss Elizabeth, and your interest in the lady has been noted. They also despise Miss Bingley and find her harsh and rude, but appreciate your more welcoming attitude."

Darcy grimaced. "Well, I appreciate the efforts made on my behalf, but next time, I would prefer to know about them sooner. Let me know if you need additional funds to compensate anyone on my behalf."

"Mr Hurst has assumed responsibility for managing the affairs, and Mrs Hurst has been discreetly keeping Mrs Nicholls informed of any pertinent matters," the valet explained, pausing briefly. Upon a glare from Darcy, he continued, "Mr Bingley is well aware of Miss Bingley's endeavours to compromise you. Though he offers no support to her cause, he has refrained from interfering. He even finds amusement in her aspirations toward you, though, as I said, he has not attempted to stop her. However, if she is successful, he would undoubtedly attempt to insist on your marriage to her."

Darcy started with that knowledge. "He has said nothing to me, and I have told him many times I would not marry his sister under any circumstances. It is galling that Mr and Mrs Hurst are proving better friends than Bingley."

"He wants her married but is unwilling to completely sacrifice his connection to you by overtly aiding her efforts. Neither was he willing to claim any prior knowledge of the attempt, but still…" the valet trailed off as the feeling of betrayal sunk more deeply into Darcy's mind.

"I would not have expected it of Bingley, but I am uncertain why I am surprised to learn that my amiable friend proves so unsteady regarding his sister. He has forever given in to her," Darcy replied. Sighing, he asked his valet a question in his frustration. "I need to depart as soon as can be arranged, but I will need to see what can be done about Elizabeth—now that I have found her, I do not want to lose her so soon. And I must wait until I receive Elliot's next letter before I can leave this area."