8 months later…
Dusk slowly settled over the murky lanes of Cheapside. As Elizabeth peered out the window, she waited for him. Her uncle presumed their niece longed for the greenery and hills of Longbourn; they assumed Elizabeth worried about the state of her sisters' futures after recent events. Her aunt knew, of course. Too much had passed during their stay at Pemberley. But what neither of her caretakers could ever understand is how another letter, currently hidden in the folds of her dress, changed everything for her once more.
A sudden hand on her arm cleared the fog in Elizabeth's head.
"Lizzie, love, it's time for dinner." her aunt said in the gentlest of tones. Lizzie's spirits had not been what they were-not since Lydia.
"Did you not hear the bell?" Mrs. Gardiner inquired as she tucked her hand into Lizzie's and led them to the informal dining room.
"No, aunt, I must've been in my head again." Looking down, she smoothed the folds of her dress and tucked away the wayward strands of hair from the events of the day.
Elizabeth looked back to her former post at the window. She could just barely see the rising glow of the oil lamp outside, and her lips lifted just slightly as she envisioned Tom, the street's urchin, scurrying up the lamp posts to light the street. He was always running late.
But that's not who Elizabeth was waiting for.
The candles had slowly lowered as they partook in a rather informal dinner. Elizabeth loved the life her aunt and uncle had created. How they cherished authenticity and grace in all manner of things. Elizabeth adored her cousins, and she could not imagine adhering to the formal tradition of separating the children's meals from the adults. How else could she giggle as her cousin failed to hide parsnips in his napkin?
But now the children were abed, and the mood of dinner turned reflective.
Mrs. Gardiner cast a furtive glance between Elizabeth and her husband. Truly, Mr. Gardiner's optimism was a dearly loved, though at this moment, insensitive trait. But he could not understand how it feels to be a woman, and how a woman's livelihood depended on others' opinions. Elizabeth's aunt, through years of feminine understanding, suspected Elizabeth carried more in her mind than her recent heartache this evening.
"Well, I think this is far better than we could've hoped," her uncle Gardiner proclaimed as they enjoyed dinner.
Lizzie unexpectedly joined the conversation; she had been quiet since the loss of her friend.
"Yes, I daresay we ought to be grateful for whoever discovered them. Are you sure there is not any clue to the identity of the person?" Lizzie wondered, but her eyes burned with her lie. She was now in possession of the identity of the very person who saved her sister.
"Unfortunately, dear, we are just as much in the dark as you are. Mr. Bennet refused to offer any details of the sort. How I wish I could have found them!" Mr. Gardiner would pay quite a sum to find the person who discovered Lydia and Wickham and arranged the details of Lydia's welfare.
"Edward, you know your health would not have permitted such strain. It is a fine thing that someone discovered them. Very noble of them, indeed." Mrs. Gardiner agreed. "But, Lizzie, now that Lydia's situation is handled we must reunite your family. With Jane at the mercy of Miss Bingley and Mary at Rosings, we must ensure the name of the family endures this scandal."
Mr. Gardiner harrumphed.
"I do not think we should rush. The less uproar in Longbourn, the quieter the scandal becomes. Lizzie, you know you are welcome to stay with us here in London and pursue all the offerings of London. Why, is Georgiana still in town? I heard you were becoming rather close?"
At the mention of a Darcy, Elizabeth's lively countenance dimmed. The letter burned in her pocket. How could she ever face anyone at Darcy house again with the knowledge she now possessed?
"Though I am indebted to you - both of you - for taking me in like this, I must return to Longbourn at once with Jane. Mama will need as much distraction as possible to prevent her calls to the neighbors" Elizabeth was firm.
Mr. Gardiner was quick to rebuttal, but Mrs. Gardiner placated both of them.
"Stay just a week longer, Lizzie." Mrs. Gardiner rationed, "You will be dearly missed, and now that Jane is allowed to visit again we can all say goodbye properly."
Elizabeth hesitated, then agreed. It would be hard to argue for her return without exposing why–or rather who–pushed her out of London.
Squealing, the Gardiner children tumbled into the grass in search of the ball. The weather was unusually agreeable this morning. The sun peeked through the floating clouds, and there was just enough hint of warmth to remind Earth's occupants Spring was near.
Now more than ever, Lizzie longed to trek the grassy hills of Meryton.
"Ella, James, you will be a fright when we return home and therefore make your mother very frightening indeed!" But Elizabeth couldn't fault their sport, not with the weather so fine.
Jane even let out a small giggle and proceeded to dart away as the miscreants chased their cousins. Jane seemed even more beautiful in the London park. Her blonde hair fairly glistened, and there was a glow of peace that hadn't graced her countenance since the first troubles of Lydia. The two sisters had longed for one another's companionship for months.
Jane reminded her of another lady of grace and fair hair. Elizabeth burned as hope blossomed in her chest. Maybe, she could go to Georgiana and explain the whole sordid affair. They had already confessed so much, that Lizzie wondered if she could admit just how far her family had sunk below the expectations of the gentry.
Yet, the idea sunk into the bottom of her chest, where dread lived. Admitting to Georgie was one thing, but sinking even lower into Mr. Darcy's eyes seemed unfathomable.
"Lizzie" Jane's voice suddenly rang out, an air of caution that had Elizabeth darting around to face her beloved sister.
And there they were. The Darcy siblings.
Elizabeth's eyes hungrily devoured the site of the Darcy heir. Mr. Darcy looked out of place in the park, his blue velvet jacket and Buckskin breeches altogether too refined for the less fashionable park Elizabeth and Jane opted for this morning on their outing.
His jaw was freshly shaven and taught. His eyes were unreadable. Yet, Lizzie, committed to memorizing his features these past months, noticed the softening of his lips, and the crinkle around his eyes. Her heart fairly soared to see him at ease with her family. Despite their circumstances.
Miss Darcy fairly skipped to her dear friend Lizzie. Their last encounter had left worry and sadness in her heart, and she stayed indoors at Darcy house for days. She mourned the loss of such a blossoming friendship, and, she dared to hope, a future sister. But, Fitzwilliam encouraged her to show Miss Bennet the same openness and affection she received, regardless of their last conversation.
Lizzie tensed in Georgie's embrace, then sank gratefully into it. There was a beat of emotion that swept all parties, and Jane, being Jane, gracefully smoothed the encounter over.
"Miss Darcy, I believe? I know we have yet to be formally introduced, but Lizzie has told me so much about you I feel we are friends already" Jane's gentle tones were so becoming Darcy almost missed the insinuation.
"Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to see you both after some time. Miss Bennet, my apologies, may I introduce my sister, Miss Darcy" Mr. Darcy's ears burned pink as formalities concurred and bows were dipped.
Georgie released Lizzie and turned her attention to the eldest Bennet sister. "Oh, Miss Bennet, it's so nice to finally meet you. I have such love for your family even though I've only formally met a third of these Bennets!"
The party laughed gaily, and Lizzie vowed silently that she would find every excuse to avoid Georgiana meeting her entire family. Such a commotion several Bennets would stir might require the vapors. Jane and Georgiana became acquainted in lowered tones, allowing Mr. Darcy to turn his attention to the one who plagued his thoughts constantly.
"Are you well, Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy's question came abruptly, though he had convinced himself on the journey here he could master a perfectly casual tone. He struggled to maintain eye contact with the delightful creature in front of him, afraid of all she knew and had yet to discover. He noticed the darkness under her eyes, the hollow of her cheeks, and the sharpness of her collarbones. Gone was the vibrant nymph in Pemberley's secret meadow; he ached.
Jane and Georgie's quiet conversation faltered, then picked up in interest, both sisters desirous of their siblings' felicity after a challenging winter.
Elizabeth cleared her throat, the sudden loss of words uncharacteristic. "I am quite well, thank you. The weather is very agreeable. I find it hard to stay indoors."
"Yes, this weather suits you-" he paused. Blast it, he had no desire to talk of the weather, though he was grateful for her lifted spirits. He dared take a step closer. "Miss Elizabeth, may I call upon you soon at Gracechurch St?" he remembered the term Cheapside would be offensive and took pains to remember the correct address, "I believe there are some matters that may need — illumination"
Lizzie fought to keep her breathing regulated. Shocked at his directness, emboldened by his closeness, and pained by his involvement in recent events, she fairly shook. The letter, still tucked in the folds of her dress, whispered its contents to her.
"Mr. Darcy, I would be honored. I have no prior commitments this afternoon if you are free"
Jane, sensing her sister's discomfort, stepped in. "Miss Georgiana, may I also invite you to Gracechurch Street this afternoon for tea? We have been so newly acquainted, I feel we have much to entertain."
Georgie looked at her brother and eagerly acquiesced. The children were called from their study of tadpoles–Elizabeth cursed the pond water clinging to the children's hems– and the group separated ways with a promise of the afternoon.
"Lizzie," Jane's tone was more severe than her sister had heard before, "there seems to be much in need of — illumination." Elizabeth's blush turned so fierce it could be seen from across the pond.
Soon, she told herself, she would have her answers soon.