Chapter 4

The next morning, Elizabeth could see the damage that had been done the night before clearly in the mirror. She had a black eye, and the whole right side of her face was swollen and purple and black with bruises. She sent a message down with Sarah to Mrs. Landsdowne, telling her that she was unwell and would not leave her chamber that day. Rosamond responded by coming to Elizabeth's chamber herself to see if her new friend needed the services of a physician. Elizabeth was not quite quick enough to turn her face away when Rosamond entered, and she was certain that her hostess had seen the bruise; but fortunately she said nothing about it, instead asking what she might do to make Elizabeth more comfortable. Elizabeth hesitated, but then asked if some books from the library be brought to her. If she was going to be trapped in her room for several days, she wanted at least to be entertained.

Darcy looked for Lady Carlisle at breakfast that morning, and was disappointed when she did not appear. He had become accustomed over the last week to breaking his fast with her, and accompanying her on her walks. He supposed she had merely decided to sleep late that morning, and that he would see her later.

But when the day passed, and no Lady Carlisle appeared, he became concerned. Was she ill? He took Mrs. Landsdowne aside and asked after the viscountess.

He thought there was some unease in Mrs. Landsdowne's manner as she replied that Lady Carlisle claimed to be feeling unwell, but did not need the services of a physician. Darcy supposed, by her manner, that Elizabeth must be suffering from some female ailment, and his worry subsided. Still, he hoped he would see her tomorrow.

Watching Lord Carlisle laughing, flirting, and enjoying the day while his wife lay sick upstairs grated at Darcy. He had not missed the viscount's humiliating treatment of Elizabeth the day before, and felt heartily sorry for her that she was married to a man who could not appreciate her wit and intelligence. He had also been disgusted in the last week to see Carlisle paying so much attention to other married ladies and widows, even openly flirting with them right in front of his wife. Elizabeth had not seemed to notice his actions, but Darcy supposed the only way she could survive such humiliation was by ignoring it.

The next day, he expected to see Lady Carlisle at breakfast, but she did not appear. In fact, it was three days before he saw her again. Aside from being slightly pale, she looked well, and when he inquired after her health, she responded quietly that she had only been slightly indisposed. This fit his theory that it had been a female ailment; but Georgiana had never been confined to her room for three days straight because of her courses. However, as she seemed determined to be in good spirits, he decided not to worry about it any longer.

"Are you going riding, Lady Carlisle?" he asked her, seeing that she was wearing a rather ornamented riding habit.

"I would like to get some air, Mr. Darcy. I have spent the last three days cooped up in my room reading," she said with a smile.

"Perhaps I might accompany you, then?" he asked.

"I should be very pleased to have your company," she replied.

They walked down toward the stables together. "Did you bring your horse with you?" he asked.

Lady Carlisle looked slightly uncomfortable for a moment. "I do not have my own horse, Mr. Darcy," she replied. "But I am yet a beginner," she continued at his look of surprise. "I am sure Mr. Landsdowne has a mount I might borrow while I am here. Perhaps I might speak with the stablemaster."

Darcy was shocked that Lord Carlisle had not provided his wife of six months with her own horse. Even if she was a beginner, she would need her own horse to learn on. His opinion of the viscount deteriorated even further.

Elizabeth was glad to be out in the fresh air again. She burned inside with resentment that, once again, she had been forced to keep to her room for days in order not to expose her husband's brutality. She wished she could have come down that first morning and have everyone see what Vincent had done to her; but she knew that no one would do anything. They could not, even if they wished to. She was Vincent's property, according to law, and he could do anything he wanted with her, aside from killing her. Besides, if she embarrassed him in that way, his revenge would be swift and he would hurt her even more than the first time. So, with a sour taste in her mouth, she acted as if everything were all right when she was finally able to join the house party again. Sarah had been able to cover up the remaining bruises with powder so that she only looked a little pale, not brutalized.

She was especially pleased to see Mr. Darcy again, and his concerned inquiries soothed her heart somehow. At least she knew there were still good men in the world. Her uncle Gardiner was one of them; but there had been a rift between Elizabeth and her father ever since her engagement. He had sacrificed his favourite daughter, just to spare himself Mrs. Bennet's vituperations. Elizabeth had not written to him or her mother since the wedding, although Mrs. Bennet had written several times, complaining that Lizzy really must bring her sisters to London to introduce them to other rich men. Elizabeth ignored her, but she still wrote to Jane, Mary and the Gardiners frequently. These loved ones did not know the true state of her marriage. She knew that they could do nothing, and it would only grieve them unnecessarily to realize how unhappy she was. She portrayed her life as one of ease and luxury, where she perhaps did not love her husband, but at least they lived together in amicable friendship.

Since Vincent had not allowed her to see any of her family since the wedding, she had not had to lie to their faces. It was much easier to deceive them on paper. She had written long letters while she was confined to her room, telling Jane about her new friends, Mr. Darcy and Rosamond Landsdowne, and about what she had been doing at the house party. She was sure they must have noticed, over the past months, how little she referred to her husband in any of her letters; but they had not mentioned it when they wrote back. If they suspected anything, they kept it to themselves.

Kitty and Lydia had been sent to school. Elizabeth had insisted before the wedding that Vincent provide the funds for schools for her youngest sisters, and that the girls attend, and had it put in the marriage articles. She might as well get something out of the terrible situation she found herself in. Lydia especially was wild and ungovernable, and would surely ruin the family if given enough opportunity. Fortunately, Vincent had seen the same thing, and he had forced Mr. Bennet to agree.

The Gardiners were currently touring the Lakes, and she wished with all her heart that she was there with them, instead of married to a cruel monster and subject to his whims. She dismissed the thought from her mind, however. There was no use wishing for what would never be, and she resolved on enjoying her ride with Mr. Darcy.

The stablemaster had picked out a gentle mare for her to ride, and a stableboy retrieved Darcy's splendid stallion. Elizabeth observed the spirited animal with some apprehension. "I hope you are not wishing for a gallop today, Mr. Darcy. As I said, I am still a beginner."

He chuckled softly. "We shall go as slowly as you wish, Lady Carlisle," he said as he mounted. Elizabeth had a little bit more trouble mounting into her sidesaddle, but once she was settled, the two set out.

Once she and Vincent had reached his country seat, Campton Manor, Elizabeth had taken it upon herself to learn to ride. She had never been much of a horsewoman, but she found the stable hands were willing to teach her. She had wanted to master an activity where she could escape from her husband for a time. Her walks were definitely one method, but she had enjoyed riding over his lands, once she became a competent enough rider. It also helped her visit Vincent's tenants more easily. She had been ashamed, at first, of how poorly Vincent's tenants lived. She had not wanted them to see her as an extension of him. Fortunately, the Campton Manor tenants had seen that she was a kind lady and truly wished to help them. She was accepted among the tenants as she had not been by Vincent's neighbours.

The visits from neighbours took up much of her time. Many of them sneered and were contemptuous of her because of her background, and since Vincent did nothing to protect her from their rudeness, she had to protect herself. These snobbish neighbours did not bother her; she was able to deal with them with little trouble. She had admitted to herself that she hated her husband; why should she attempt to impress his friends? They were as vapid and insolent as he.

The sun was bright and the breeze was pleasant in the warm air as she and Mr. Darcy rode at a slow pace. Elizabeth had been reading a new book while confined to her room and wanted to know the gentleman's impression of it.

"Have you read Wordsworth's most recent publication, sir?" she asked. "I admit I spent the last three days devouring the book."

"I have not. Is it good?" He turned to her.

"It depends on if you like poetry."

"I do, although it depends on what kind. I do not care for romantic drivel. My sister Georgiana loves that type of thing, but I find it remarkably insipid."

Elizabeth laughed. "I must agree with you, sir. Although I will admit to having enjoyed a gothic novel or two in my time. But you cannot call Wordsworth drivel, surely!"

"Certainly not. I enjoy his poetry immensely. I shall have to see that Pemberley acquires a copy."

"Does Pemberley have a good-sized library?" she asked. She would assume it did, with how knowledgeable of literature Mr. Darcy seemed.

"It does. I am very proud of it. It is the work of many generations."

"How I wish I could see it," she sighed. "Unfortunately, Lord Carlisle does not do much reading, so his library is sparse."

"There is always time to acquire more," he said.

"Certainly," she said. The truth was that Vincent despised how intelligent Elizabeth was, and would not allow her to add to his library. She had had to sneak books into her rooms bought with her pin money. Fortunately Vincent rarely came into her rooms, so he had not yet discovered her private stash.

Darcy looked uncomfortable at her response, and she realized he must be remembering Vincent's words on the day they had visited Hailes Abbey. She was mortified once again, but fortunately Darcy changed the topic.

"I would enjoy hearing about the new Wordsworth volume, if you care to tell me, Lady Carlisle."

They spent a pleasant hour discussing Wordsworth and their other favourite poets. Elizabeth offered to lend Darcy the volume she had read. "It is from the Landsdownes' library. I am sure they will not mind if you borrow it next."

"That would be wonderful. Then we can discuss it together," he said.

"Very well. When we return, I will get it for you from my room."

They returned to the stables in time to find several of the other guests getting ready to set out, including Mr. and Miss Bingley. "Oh, Mr. Darcy!" the latter cried. "We had hoped to catch you in time to go riding with us! You are just in time."

"In fact, I have just returned from a ride, Miss Bingley. Hurricane is tired and I would not wish to wear him out."

Elizabeth held in her smile at this equivocation. They had ridden so slowly that Darcy's magnificent steed could not possibly be tired. But she understood his motivation.

Miss Bingley looked at if she wanted to make some excuse to stay behind with him; but she was in her riding outfit, and the stable boy had already brought her horse around. Darcy stopped for a moment to speak with Bingley, whom Elizabeth had learned was his friend, and she saw Vincent and Mrs. Godfrey laughing and flirting together as they left on their own ride. As usual, he ignored her. Elizabeth knew the two were having an affair and wondered with mortification if the rest of the house party knew too.

She made her way to her room, where she called for Sarah to help her change. After she had donned the extravagant gown and jewelry Vincent had chosen for her, she grabbed Wordsworth's volume and went to find Mr. Darcy.

When she entered the drawing room again, she did not at first see Mr. Darcy. But Mrs. Landsdowne was there, and Elizabeth greeted her with a smile. Rosamond looked serious as she came forward and took Elizabeth's hands.

"I hope you are feeling better, Elizabeth," she said.

"Much better, thank you," said Elizabeth.

Mrs. Landsdowne seemed to hesitate. "I hope you know that Freddie and I are your friends. That if you ever … need help, or just someone to talk to, that we will support you."

Her eyes were earnest, her voice serious, and Elizabeth felt herself blush with shame, even as warmth filled her heart. Rosamond clearly knew at least part of what was going on in her marriage, and wanted to help. The fact that she could not really do anything of substance was immaterial. She was showing her support.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said in a wavering voice. "I appreciate that very much, Rosamond." She cleared her throat, and attempted to change the topic. "Have you seen Mr. Darcy? I promised to lend him this volume."

"I believe I saw him just sitting down to have some tea in the morning room."

"Thank you," said Elizabeth. "Perhaps when I get back we could work on our needlepoint together?"

"That sounds lovely," said Rosamond.

Elizabeth spent the rest of the day until dinner sitting with Rosamond and chatting about various things. She knew she could not confide with the Landsdownes about her true situation; but it was a lovely thing to have such a friend.