"All alone, the entire way?" Aunt Gardiner's brow furrowed as her hand landed on Elizabeth's. The small guest room at the Gardiners' London home was not the most private place to talk, not with the children and servants traipsing up and down the hallway at any given time, but it was the best they could do. "Had anyone seen you, Elizabeth, you would be ruined."
"I am aware." Elizabeth sighed. A night of poor sleep in a moving carriage - if any sleep at all - was making her tear up faster than she was wont. "But it was the best he could do, with my ankle injured and all."
"And you are certain your parents are immovable about this Mr. Collins?"
Elizabeth flicked away a few tears that escaped her eyes. "I understood Mama's preferences, but I was surprised at Papa's resignation. It was almost as if he - as if he thought it acceptable for Mama to threaten to compromise me or to force me to the altar."
"Perhaps he has his reasons?" Aunt Gardiner was ever like Jane - so eager to see the good in everyone.
"I thought he did. I waited for them, even." Elizabeth twisted the edge of the blanket in her hands. "But there was none. He merely commanded me to save the family from ruin."
"If he knew what you chose instead, he might have other opinions." Aunt Gardiner sighed. "I have always known you to be courageous, Lizzy, but not foolhardy."
"It was not as if I intended to travel alone with a man. I had every intention to take the mail coach and to come here - "
"That is little better."
"If it weren't for my stubborn ankle, I would not have had to inconvenience Mr. Darcy."
"I suppose it was an inconvenience."
"Frankly, I'm surprised he helped me at all."
Aunt Gardiner's frown returned. "And why would you say that?"
"My acquaintance with Mr. Darcy before my flight has not been particularly favorable."
The hand over Elizabeth's tensed. "He is no rake, I hope."
"Oh, never." Elizabeth actually managed to laugh. "I doubt he thinks me worthy of even being trifled with. The man is that proud. But, perhaps by pure Providence, he has proven unexpectedly helpful as well."
"I suppose, if you must leave Longbourn, it is better that you had someone you knew guiding your way."
"I am richer - and safer - for it."
Aunt Gardiner nodded. Elizabeth sighed. She'd tried valiantly to eat some of the bread and soup served to her earlier, but her nerves were still wound up too tight to allow herself any indulgences.
"I am glad you thought to come to us - rather than to anyone else," said Aunt Gardiner.
"I do not think I have anyone else, Aunt."
"Well, perhaps not in London."
"No one in Meryton would have agreed with my decision. Mr. Collins, as ridiculous as he is, is heralded as the heir to Longbourn and welcomed more than he deserved to be."
"A fact you disagree with."
"Heartily."
"Is the man so horrid?"
Elizabeth bit her lip as the question that had repeated itself over and over in her mind as she trudged across the moonlit fields fell from her aunt's lips. "I have always been determined to marry only for love. But what frightens me over Mr. Collins is not just the impossibility of my growing to love him - but how little I can truly respect him."
A sheen of understanding passed over her aunt's gaze. "Indeed. A life with a husband one cannot respect - "
"Is no life at all, is it?"
Aunt Gardiner paused before admitting, "No."
"Then I have made the right decision." It was, perhaps, a decision some might call selfish. But it was a desperate choice of self-preservation. Even Mr. Darcy, for all his pride and solemnity, at least commanded Elizabeth's respect. It still baffled Elizabeth how a man could be so solicitous towards her and so cruel towards a childhood friend - but at least the man had some redeeming qualities. Mr. Collins seemed to have none at all apart from his chance of birth, a chance that only signified due to Papa's unexpected failure to sire an heir.
"Your father might find you here," said Aunt Gardiner quietly.
Elizabeth lowered her gaze. "I know."
"If he demands that we return you to him, we will not surrender you. But if he employs the powers of the law - "
Another tear escaped. "I am aware. My majority is still two months away."
"We can attempt to hide you for two months, I suppose."
"I cannot expect to burden you for so long." Elizabeth clasped her aunt's hands. "You and Uncle are dear to me, and I cannot possibly contribute to your distress."
"I am only distressed because you are."
"I shall find employment. Surely, someone must need a governess or a companion."
"Not all positions are safe - it is not a path one takes haphazardly."
"I can hide in Uncle's shop perhaps?"
"Your father can still find you."
"I - " A fresh wave of tears overcame her, and Elizabeth gave herself up to her sobbing. Aunt Gardiner's arms came around her in a warm, motherly embrace.
"Hush, dear. You are tired. Rest first, and we can sort out the rest tomorrow."
"But what if Papa - "
"He cannot come right away."
"If they read the banns as they threatened to - "
"We have weeks before that matters."
Slowly, with reassuring word after reassuring word, Aunt Gardiner diverted Elizabeth's confused worries until she fell fast asleep.
Storming into Darcy House unexpected, his heart worried and his mind wholly preoccupied with Elizabeth Bennet, was a predicament Darcy had fully intended to avoid mere hours ago. And yet, somehow, in the span of one fateful carriage ride to London, he had decided to stop fighting the inexplicable urge he felt to concern himself with the woman.
The look of betrayal in her eyes as she spoke of her father - not to mention the easy way she had fit into his arms - all stirred in him a desire to keep her. No longer was he determined to extinguish his frustrating infatuation with the witty girl and her fine eyes. Now he wished to protect her, to know her, to make sure that she was never forced to bear burdens that she had done nothing to deserve.
Darcy sighed as he shed his coat and hat. He handed them to an eager, if slightly frazzled, butler while the rest of his staff rushed about to address the various needs created by their master's unexpectedly early arrival.
"Shall we prepare luncheon, Mr. Darcy?" asked his housekeeper, who looked rather worried that she had somehow been remiss in her duties. He supposed he couldn't blame the young woman, seeing she'd only assumed her post in the last six months.
"A light breakfast sent to my rooms shall suffice." Darcy gave orders as he strode ahead. "Have I fresh ink in my writing desk?"
"We shall have it readied immediately, sir."
"Very good."
Darcy climbed the stairs readily, no doubt showing more strength than he actually felt. It was not his first time traveling so long without rest, but having to spend the entire journey confronting his changing emotions towards Elizabeth Bennet had depleted him of energy. He was barely able to keep his eyes open.
"Fitzwilliam," a soft female voice called out just before he reached his room. Darcy stopped.
He turned, trying to smile despite his tired state. "Georgie, how are you?"
"We did not think you would come until tomorrow."
Darcy almost wanted to say that neither did he. Instead, he straightened to face his sister more fully. "Certain events compelled me to leave earlier. You need not alter your calendar on my account. I believe I shall rest today."
"You look unwell."
"Do I?"
"Tired."
"Perhaps." Darcy could feel his smile faltering even as he tried to maintain it. "It has been a tiring journey."
"No dangers, I hope?"
There were none to his body, at least. His heart was an entirely different matter.
How was Elizabeth now? Was she finally able to rest - without the threat of pain or nightmares? What lay ahead in her future? Just because she was able to avoid one unsavory future did not necessarily mean that she would be able to avert other possibilities.
Darcy frowned.
"I am sorry," said Georgiana.
Darcy startled. "Whatever for?"
"You seem very troubled."
He was - but he was not about to let his sweet-hearted sister think that she contributed to his troubles in any way.
"I shall be well in another day's time," he assured Georgiana before bidding her good day.
He could only hope that he actually would be well, without Elizabeth.
A/N: Feelings, feelings everywhere. So many feelings! And for those who would like to try one of my Regencies, Becoming Lady Rodworth is free on Amazon for the next couple of days. You can download it now!