"Stay here. Wait."
That had been the extent of his instructions before Mr. Darcy disappeared into the house. Elizabeth clenched her fists as another wave of pain shot through her leg. If she were any more capable of moving, she would have chased after the man to clobber him. Who did he think he was - commanding her like that?
But he had been gentle with her, and he had listened - at least eventually. And his insistence that her family be informed about her whereabouts had abated under her insistence. It was not ideal, but at least the exchange proved that he did not completely disregard her opinion - not the way her family did.
A fresh wave of tears threatened to overcome her. How she had managed to decline from a carefree maiden from a happy, if imperfect, home to an injured fugitive was difficult to conceive. And yet here she was.
And the only person she could hope for as an ally was a man she had once thought disdained her - a man who was now either preparing for her deliverance or off to report her to the magistrate. Being helpless was a most undesirable condition.
The sound of horses startled her, and Elizabeth turned behind her just in time to catch sight of Mr. Darcy's carriage pulling up outside the servant's entry, a striking pair of bays at its helm. She barely had time to express her surprise before the man himself had stepped inside the house and, once more, unceremoniously lifted her off her feet.
"Mr. Darcy," she hissed when a faster-than-expected turn out the door aggravated her ankle. Her hands tightened around his neck of their own volition.
"Forgive me," he said lowly, moving as efficiently as ever. "Discretion and efficiency are of utmost importance."
Elizabeth bit her lip to avoid groaning aloud as Mr. Darcy rushed them the brief distance between the door and the carriage. His groom, dressed in dark, discreet clothes like his master, already had the door open. Without a word, Mr. Darcy deftly carried her into the carriage and gently laid her down on the front-facing bench before occupying the other side himself. The door snapped shut, Mr. Darcy promptly latched it, and the groom immediately had them on their way.
It wasn't until a good couple of miles had passed before Elizabeth felt her breathing fully return to its normal pace.
She swallowed. "You can drop me at the coaching inn."
"Not if you wish to arrive in London safely," he answered in the dark.
"I cannot oblige you further, Mr. Darcy."
"Consider it a favor then - for sparing my conscience. I cannot bear it if any harm were to befall you due to my neglect."
"You cannot always protect every person you meet."
"Perhaps not." He sounded almost deeply grieved by the thought. "But I can try."
They fell silent for a few more moments. Elizabeth could tell, even with just the occasional glimpse through the carriage curtains, that they were passing Meryton by. If any word were to get out about her traveling through the night alone with a man, she would be wholly and truly ruined. She hardly knew what to think of such a fate.
Mr. Collins would not marry her, at least. But any potential for respectable employment as a governess or companion would also evaporate.
"You mentioned discretion earlier, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth spoke softly, inadvertently increasing the intimacy of their setting. "I hope I can rightfully expect the same from your servants regarding this journey."
"Certainly." His voice was clipped, but not angry. "I made the mistake of hiring poorly before. I avoid it at all costs now."
A part of her wished to ask what sort of past experience rendered him so grave - and whether he was like this only with servants or with anyone. A different part of her decided that it was unwise to provoke a man who currently held her lifelong well-being in the palm of his hand.
He did not have to face social ruin for having spent a night traveling with a lady. He did not have to seek employment to ensure his own future. He also, incidentally, was not too injured to transfer himself from one location to another safely.
Curious as she was, Elizabeth was hardly foolish.
"Thank you for your assistance," she said instead, choosing to be reconciliatory. "I must admit to being impressed at how quickly you have managed to arrange our travels."
"I was already slated to leave. It did not require much to adjust the departure by a few hours."
"You were?"
"I - I was."
"Just yourself then?"
"No, that was - not the intention."
Elizabeth frowned, uncertain how exactly to interpret his limited revelations. She fumbled a bit with her dress, its hem already inconceivably ruined by her fall. She would have to mend it. Lord knew when she would ever be able to afford a new gown again. "I was not aware that the Bingleys had plans to quit the neighborhood."
"It was a rather recent decision."
"One would think that after the success of the Netherfield ball that they would only be more content to remain in the neighborhood. I hope we have not offended them."
"I do not think - there was any offense."
Once more, Mr. Darcy sounded oddly cryptic. Elizabeth sighed. She hardly knew what to think of everyone anymore. First, her beloved Papa had insisted she marry Mr. Collins. Then afterwards, the austere, judgmental Mr. Darcy had become her unlikely savior and traveling companion.
She could only hope she would not arrive at London only to find her uncle an ogre and her aunt a tyrant.
"Poor Jane shall be sorely disappointed," Elizabeth murmured, her voice mostly covered by the sounds of the moving carriage. "I hope their departure is meant to be of a short duration."
Mr. Darcy did not reply - not for another two minutes.
"You have reason to believe that Miss Bennet - shall be the most disappointed party." His statement was spoken almost like a question. His uncertainty astonished her.
"Of course! Who else? Lydia, for all her love for frivolity, can easily find her distractions elsewhere. It is Jane whose heart is at risk."
Again, he took a good while to reply. "I see."
Elizabeth yawned, unable to deny the tiredness that was fast overwhelming her. She tried to stifle it, mostly in vain. "Forgive me. I fear I am everything indecorous tonight."
"You are in the midst of a life-changing journey. The fatigue is natural. You must rest."
"I need my wits about me."
"Then all the more, you must rest. I have the curtains drawn for your safety. Rest. You may trust in my gentlemanly conduct."
Elizabeth almost laughed. His assurance was welcome, she supposed - but it was not as if she posed any sort of temptation for him. She very nearly teased him for his statement that first night at the Meryton Assembly - but, once more, she refrained. It was not particularly pleasant to have to curtail her words this way, but it was a habit she would have to grow accustomed to if she were to eventually live under another man's roof.
The thought was sobering - but not quite sobering enough for her to regret running away.
The horses neighed loudly as they increased their pace upon reaching the main highway.
"We will reach an inn soon. Do remain concealed while I acquire us some food for the way," said Mr. Darcy, once more solicitous and high-handed all at once.
Elizabeth dozed off before she could say another word.
A/N: Yey ODC talking!