Hello lovely people
Just to be clear, I am no Miss JA... But you will see several original lines within this chapter (in italics) for our parallel story happens to be at a point where it meets the original exactly in time – for those hard-core P&P fans... yes, it's when Janes letter arrives for Elizabeth with news of Lydia and Wickham. Think of it as a bridge, a bit of a 'lets get us back in line with the original story so we can go on and fill in the gaps' kinda chapter...
He sipped his coffee with ever increasing impatience. What was taking his sister so long? It was an unspoken rule they both shared when any guests were to be found at Pemberley; both the Darcy siblings would breakfast early, allowing them both the opportunity to leave when others arrived. It also gave the two ample time to converse easily between just themselves or sit in companionable silence if their mood was such.
He glanced at the clock. It was not exactly late, but nor did he believe it to be unreasonably early. He had been on his own for almost an hour, surely this was unheard of. For a moment he wondered if he should be concerned, perhaps his sister was displeased with him for leaving her to attend their guests on her own the previous evening.
It had not been his intention to leave his poor sister alone, especially when Miss Bingley seemed even more tiresome than usual. During their first play of billiards, his steward had interrupted the gentleman asking for his immediate attention. Naturally, knowing his man would not disturb him if it was not important, he had followed Me Simmons without hesitation to his study. A young man had been found beaten near death and abandoned within one of the cattle fields. Naturally enquires had to be made. Darcy, fearing the worst, asked for Montague to join him as witness and for advice. Bingley, who had never been a man able to withstand the sight of blood, had opted to remain in the den with his brother-in-law.
By midnight the matter was in no way settled, but the young lad had been safely moved to Pemberley and was being cared for below stairs. Mrs Reynolds was indeed a godsend. Hopefully he would rally through and be able to explain what events had taken place to leave him in such an awful state. Darcy winced as he recalled the poor boys swollen face, his left eye barely visible due to the bulbous swelling. How could anyone do such a thing to another person?
He had to give it to Montague, the fellow was the ideal companion in moments of alarm. A steady presence of both calm and considered action; he had interviewed several of the farm hands and discussed directly with the doctor the poor boy's injuries. Darcy, only too happy not to hear the implicit details, had busied himself directly and began enquiries to try and learn who the lad was and of where he came.
Exhausted Darcy had called it a night about one, leaving Montague writing his reports on the evening's interviews in his study. The man was quite dedicated, Darcy admired his tenacity. If a magistrate was to be sought, there would be no small detail forgot. Upon finally getting into bed, although exhausted, just like the last three nights sleep escaped him. Every time his eyes closed all he could see where the dark eyes of the woman he desired most.
He knew the events of the evening should have been at the forefront of his thoughts, yet he could not help himself. The opportunity to see Elizabeth once more, in the comfort of his own home was a vision he could not help but allow to take over. He could no more control his thoughts than he could his admiration for her. Hence, he found himself second cup of coffee almost complete awaiting his sister's arrival.
"Good morning brother," smiled a fresh-faced Georgiana upon entering the room. "My, how early you are this morning! Goodness you have all but quite finished without me brother!"
"It is not so early," he replied glancing once more upon the clock face. He shifted under his sister's curious gaze; alright perhaps he was rather early.
"Did you at least manage to sleep well?" she asked taking the seat next to him. "I have already spoken with Mrs Reynolds. Such horrid news! There has not been much change in the boy it would seem. Dr Thornton is due to call again mid-morning." She looked at her brother's pale face, clearly he had not slept soundly. Her brow lowered in concern. "You cannot blame yourself brother for events entirely out with your control."
He smiled at her, patting the back of her hand reassuringly. "Do not fret Georgie, I know that. All will be well. Between myself, Montague and Mr Simmons we shall have the matter dealt with directly." Smiling at his reply, he watched her quietly as she broke her fast. Would she think him insensitive if he asked about the matter playing most upon his mind?
He cleared his throat. "Georgie, the letter for Miss... I mean, I see no reason to postpone our invitation to dine. I mean...well, the Gardiner's are due to leave Derbyshire in but only two days."
"I have already written a note as you asked. I too would like to spend an evening in their company." Feeling brave she added; "I find Miss Bennet quite charming."
He smiled at his sister. "I tend to agree."
He was being ridiculous. He was simply inviting them to dine with him at Pemberley, what else could be more nature for a man to invite known acquaintances to his home for dinner? He cleared his throat and pulled at the growing tightness of his collar as he stood outside the Inn at Lambton. He had been standing outside the Inn for almost ten minutes, building the courage to go inside. Would she welcome his call? In truth the letter which he held, addressed to Miss Bennet was from his sister, so in fact he was merely the messenger. Everything would seem quite proper with regards to his sudden appearance at their residence.
Lord hope he hoped they would accept. Two more days. Two more days before she left him. Two more days before this unforeseen chance to recommend himself to her person was cut short. His feelings were as they had been previously in Kent, though his pride and arrogance he granted had been altered forever. He took a deep breath and made his way inside.
"Oh! Where, where is my uncle?" cried Elizabeth, darting from her seat as she finished the letter, in eagerness to follow him, without losing a moment of the time so precious; but as she reached the door it was opened by a servant, and Mr. Darcy appeared. Her pale face and impetuous manner made him start, and before he could recover himself to speak, she, in whose mind every idea was superseded by Lydia's situation, hastily exclaimed, "I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr. Gardiner this moment, on business that cannot be delayed; I have not an instant to lose." "Good God! What is the matter?" cried he, with more feeling than politeness; then recollecting himself, "I will not detain you a minute; but let me, or let the servant go after Mr. And Mrs. Gardiner. You are not well enough; you cannot go yourself." Elizabeth hesitated, but her knees trembled under her and she felt how little would be gained by her attempting to pursue them. Calling back the servant, therefore, she commissioned him, though in so breathless an accent as made her almost unintelligible, to fetch his master and mistress home instantly. On his quitting the room she sat down, unable to support herself, and looking so miserably ill, that it was impossible for Darcy to leave her, or to refrain from saying, in a tone of gentleness and commiseration, "Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take to give you present relief? A glass of wine; shall I get you one? You are very ill." "No, I thank you," she replied, endeavouring to recover herself. "There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn." She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could not speak another word. Darcy, in wretched suspense, could only say something indistinctly of his concern, and observe her in compassionate silence. At length she spoke again. "I have just had a letter from Jane, with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from anyone. My younger sister has left all her friends—has eloped; has thrown herself into the power of—of Mr. Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton. YOU know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to—she is lost for ever." Darcy was fixed in astonishment. "When I consider," she added in a yet more agitated voice, "that I might have prevented it! I, who knew what he was. Had I but explained some part of it only—some part of what I learnt, to my own family! Had his character been known, this could not have happened. But it is all—all too late now." "I am grieved indeed," cried Darcy; "grieved—shocked. But is it certain—absolutely certain?" "Oh, yes! They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced almost to London, but not beyond; they are certainly not gone to Scotland." "And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her?" "My father is gone to London, and Jane has written to beg my uncle's immediate assistance; and we shall be off, I hope, in half-an-hour. But nothing can be done—I know very well that nothing can be done."
Darcy looked at the woman before him, his heart wretched by her distress. The desire to wrap her in his arms, to offer her comfort and hold her close was overwhelming. What could he do? How could he help? Lord this was all his fault! He was aware of her still speaking but through his own thoughts he was too distracted to respond. Where would Wickham go? Who would he turn to for assistance in a matter such as this? There was no way he would marry the girl. Whatever had possessed him to do such a thing? With a girl of no fortune or prospects. Could this mean that Wickham was in fact in love with the girl? Somehow he could not quite bring himself to believe such a happy outcome. He scolded himself, think man think!
Elizabeth looked at Darcy, desperate to hear his thoughts.
He seemed scarcely to hear her, and was walking up and down the room in earnest meditation, his brow contracted, his air gloomy. Elizabeth soon observed, and instantly understood it. Her power was sinking; everything MUST sink under such a proof of family weakness, such an assurance of the deepest disgrace. She could neither wonder nor condemn, but the belief of his self-conquest brought nothing to her consolatory to her bosom, afforded no palliation of her distress. It was, on the contrary, exactly calculated to make her understand her own wishes; and never had she so honestly felt that she could have loved him, as now, when all love must be vain.
He found himself to be pacing the room, deep in thought; an over whelming feeling of desperation gripping at his chest. Was it not enough he had allowed this man to hurt his sister? That he due to selfish pride had hidden his true nature from the world? But to allow Wickham to ruin the younger Miss Bennet and through her, her entire family... To hurt his Elizabeth. He could listen no more; he would allow it no more.
"I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence, nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my stay, but real, though unavailing concern. Would to Heaven that anything could be either said or done on my part that might offer consolation to such distress! But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for your thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my sister's having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley to-day."
Elizabeth looked at him perplexed through her distress.
"Forgive me, my reason for calling, I have a letter from my sister to invite you and your aunt and uncle to dine this evening at Pemberley; but I am certain such a happy event can no longer take place."
"Oh, yes. Be so kind as to apologise for us to Miss Darcy. Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible, I know it cannot be long." He readily assured her of his secrecy; again expressed his sorrow for her distress, wished it a happier conclusion than there was at present reason to hope, and leaving his compliments for her relations, with only one serious, parting look, went away. As he quitted the room, Elizabeth felt how improbable it was that they should ever see each other again.
Within the hour, Elizabeth found herself, seated in the carriage, and on the road to Longbourn. Her heart and head were heavy. Not only for Lydia and the fate of her family, but for the man she only just realised she had lost.