Author's Notes: Hello All!
Once...again...I apologize for the delay in getting this chapter out to you all. Between college, getting a new full-time job, catching & recovering from Covid19, living in a major American city that was experiencing unrest throughout the autumn and played a MAJOR ROLE in the events of our recent election...writing fanfiction ended up taking a bit of a back burner. Thank you all for your interest in my story and encouraging me to keep with it. I promise, I will NOT. ABANDON. THIS. STORY. Although I might have grand children by the time I'm done writing it, it feels like.
On a more serious note - I received my first ever CAPSLOCK flame and it was not appreciated. I write this story for free, in my limited spare time, for the sheer love of writing and for the characters of Pride and Prejudice. If you can only enjoy stories with perfect grammar and spelling, may I kindly suggest limiting your reading selection to stories that you PAY FOR that have been PROFESSIONALLY PUBLISHED.
I hope you all enjoy this chapter - it is long and dialogue heavy and not the chapter I had meant to write, but apparently Darcy had a few things to say to a few important people in his life!
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In a grand house in Town, Lady Eleanor, Countess of Matlock, sat behind a finely carved desk, diligently attending to an ever-increasing amount of correspondence. Invitations for events in the Little Season were increasing exponentially, as members of the Ton made their way to Town to enjoy the delights of a winter spent in London. The bon ton was already abuzz with sensational gossip, some of which was tied to Countess. While a leading lady of society, and therefore always in demand, her connection to the actress, now heiress, Adelaide Bernard, had risen her popularity to a fever pitch. The Countess would have to examine her invitations quite closely and craft her calendar strategically, rather than attending only those events which would bring her pleasure. While Adelaide's run as Juliet would be brief, it was sure to be sensational, and the Countess planned to capitalize on her investment as much as she was able to. She was deep in the throes of such planning, when a footman announced the arrival of her nephew, Darcy.
She looked up from her correspondence with a warm smile, always glad to see her favorite nephew. Outstretching well-manicured hands decorated in rings, she greeted him, exclaiming, "Fitzwilliam! What an unexpected pleasure! I had thought that you would endeavor to remain hidden away in Hertfordshire some weeks yet!"
Darcy's lips curled at the corners, and with a twinkle in his eye he responded. "If you are thinking of which one of those," he gestured toward the stack of letters before her, "you can coerce me into attending, I must disappoint you Aunt. I have come to Town due to an urgent matter of business and will be returning to Netherfield post-haste."
The Lady released a sparkling laugh, "But of course! That should have been my first presumption! It would quite unlike you to journey to London for pleasure. Please, sit, and I shall ring for tea."
Darcy followed his Aunt's instructions with alacrity and made the usual inquiries after her health. Once they had exchanged all the normal pleasantries two family members might after an absence of some months, the Countess bid her nephew to speak, her curiosity poorly concealed by the rim of her teacup. "Come, Fitzwilliam. Surely you did not trouble yourself to attend me here, only to inquire after your Uncle's gout. As delighted as I am for this little tete-a-tete, I sense your call was not without purpose."
"You are perceptive as ever, madam," replied her nephew with a deep nod. "In truth…I have a favor to ask of you. I am unfortunately not at liberty to give you a full accounting of why I require your assistance at this time, however I assure you my intentions are entirely honorable."
If the Countess was surprised to hear such a request from her nephew, she was too well bred to display it. Instead she spoke calmly and elegantly. "I have never known you to be anything less than honorable, my dear. If you feel you must conceal something from my knowledge, I trust that you have a very good reason to do so. How can I help you, Fitzwilliam?"
"Is it true that you and my uncle will loan of one of the Matlock properties to the actress, Miss Bernard for her mourning period?" He asked evenly.
"Why yes," came the questioning reply, "I presume you read as much in the papers. I plan to give Miss Bernard use of Barton Cottage for perhaps a quarter year at least. I am still arranging the details, but we intended to have her leave Town in the beginning of the new year."
"Excellent. I am most pleased to know she has won your approbation, Aunt."
Such a comment from Darcy could not help but to elicit a delicate arch of the brow from the Countess, despite her efforts to conceal her surprise. While not fulsome praise, Fitzwilliam did not bestow his good opinion on just anyone, and his pleasure in his Aunt doing so could only mean that Miss Bernard had won his approval, no small feat. Lady Eleanor was well aware that her nephew, as well as her youngest son, had become acquainted with the actress a few years prior to the extension of her patronage, but had no inkling that Darcy held Miss Bernard in any kind of esteem.
"Anyone," she mused aloud, as the gears of her clever mind turned with this revelation, "who appreciates the arts with a similar fervor to me, cannot help but to admire her. I quite despaired of the stage when Mrs. Siddons chose to withdraw, but Miss Bernard has breathed new life into the boards. She is quite the talent. I would have sponsored her endeavors for her artistry alone, but as it has turned out, she is a genteel, lady-like, young woman, and I have become quite fond of her. Giving her the use of an otherwise empty cottage for a few trifling weeks should hardly be newsworthy, but the gossip rags are quite attached to following her every movement."
"That is precisely why I need your help, Aunt. You see…" He paused, his brow furrowing as he considered how much he could reveal to one of his nearest relations, whom was also Elizabeth's most generous patron. "In my time in Hertfordshire, I made the acquaintance of a connection of Miss Bernard's, who has sadly fallen gravely ill. As she has not left London in some time, it has been many years since they have been in company together. I know that Miss Bernard is most desirous to attend the sick bed, but she cannot conceive of a means of traveling to Hertfordshire that will not incite the interest of the papers. The notoriety of her profession is one that she will not, in good conscious, bring to the sickbed of such a connection. I thought that as you already plan to assist Miss Bernard in her travels, that you might be prevailed upon to help her journey to Hertfordshire with the loan of your coach. As it is now commonly known that Miss Bernard will travel to the country under the care of the Matlock family, her journeying to Hertfordshire under the Matlock crest will be of little interest."
Lady Eleanor felt a swell of empathy for the young woman, who seemed to be surrounded by tragedy. She tutted, thinking of the possibilities. "It is a manageable enough request. There is no reason why Barton Cottage might not be prepared to receive Miss Bernard in a span of a week, should I send notice with today's post. I am afraid that Sir Gregory and the other investors will not be pleased by a delay of Miss Bernard's performance, but the understudy will simply have to do. That she has already condescended to perform a limited run of performances during her period of mourning for Signore Forelli was magnanimous enough. We cannot ask her to do so while she shoulders two tragedies. I will make Covent Garden see reason. When shall you depart for Hertfordshire, nephew?"
Darcy's dark eyes overflowed with gratitude toward his elder. He knew his Aunt to be both generous and good humored, but he had still feared some resistance to his scheme. "I am eager to be off, as the gentleman's health is precarious, and the roads north are in a poor state. Now that I have secured the use of your carriage, I will present my solution to Miss Bernard. If she is agreeable, I anticipate that all will be in readiness by tomorrow at midday, if this suits your Ladyship."
"Your plan suits me perfectly, Fitzwilliam. I will ensure that my coachman has everything in readiness for your departure. However, my acquiescence comes with a price attached." She paused, her warm, inviting expression schooling itself into the imperial mien of a Countess. "You will disclose the whole of your history with Miss Bernard to me, and you shall do so at once." Darcy's expression was affronted, and he looked as if he wished to protest, but the Countess simply lifted a bejeweled finger as if to silence his very thoughts. "No, nephew, you will not be permitted to dissemble. I understand you cannot tell me anything of Miss Bernard's relations if you are keeping her confidence, but you will fully explain the intimacy of your connection to her, with me. And you will begin that explanation now."
O0o0o0o0o0o0o
"Confound it, Darcy! These roads are positively dreadful! You certainly did not advise me properly when I agreed to this harebrained scheme!"
From the back of a fine grey stallion, the Master of Pemberley grinned impishly. The roads north from London were, as his cousin lamented, in dreadful repair after a series of autumn storms had beleaguered the area for the better part of a week. However, ever since the rain had broken, they had been blessed with unusually fine weather in the region, and Darcy felt invigorated. His traveling companion, who had lately been ensconced in the comforts of an Earl's house in Mayfair, enjoying the delights of the Small Season, was not nearly as appreciative of the sunshine and fresh air.
With a laugh in voice Darcy called out, "Come now, Colonel! Certainly, you have braved rougher terrain than this!"
The Colonel, who had been lagging behind their caravan on an unfamiliar mount, spurred his horse to catch up with his younger cousin. Pulling up beside him he said, with no small humor, "Indeed I have, Cousin. Yet I always had the pleasure of knowing such discomfort might soon be relieved with the possibility of my imminent death. Now I charge forward into battle knowing that at the end of this tedious journey I will be faced not with relief, but with the delights of Miss Caroline Bingley, after having spent several weeks in the country, hosting an invalid and all his relations."
The cousins had departed London to make their way to Netherfield, an estate residing in Hertfordshire, a county a little less than half a day's journey from the city. Slightly behind the gentleman, the Fitzwilliam family carriage lumbered down the muddy lane, jostling occupants both inside and out, despite being a well sprung conveyance in excellent condition.
Darcy's eyes were on the coach as his cousin spoke, and biting back a sharp bark of laughter he answered, "If I have withstood the attentions of Miss Bingley since Michaelmas, I have every confidence you will be able to hold strong for a duration of two or three days, Richard."
Ricard followed the direction of his gaze. "I suppose there are worse fates than being flattered by a pretty woman, no matter how insincere her regard." He answered with feeling.
Darcy sighed heavily, guessing at the remarks the Colonel had left unspoken between them. Being close in age, their parents had often brought the cousins together as playmates, and the bonds of their boyhood friendship had made their relationship more like brothers than cousins. Darcy's father; seeing how garrulous Richard helped to ease the way in society for his shy and quiet heir, and how fiercely he defended both the Darcy children, had made their connection all the closer by making Richard joint guardian of Darcy's younger sister, Georgiana.
It was Colonel Fitzwilliam who had dragged Darcy back into society after the death of his father, forcing him to rattle away like the other young men of their class. In fact, it was Colonel Fitzwilliam who had brought him to the dinner party where Darcy had properly met his beloved for the first time. The Colonel, (though he had only been Lieutenant-Colonel then) had gone with him to nearly every one of Adelaide's At-homes. Of the two of them, it was Colonel Fitzwilliam who had principally spoken to Miss Bernard and had often drawn Darcy into their discussions in the early days. He had been with Darcy through nearly every moment of his original "courtship" of the actress. Until Darcy had confessed his failed proposal to Constable Gantry, and later, Bingley, the Colonel was the only soul on Earth who knew of Darcy's spurned affections, save the lady herself.
Now, some two years after Darcy's humiliation and heart break, the Colonel found himself escorting the woman who had spurned his cousin's suit, to be a guest at the house where his cousin stayed, in his family's carriage. That his mother would wish to be of service to Miss Bernard was not completely surprising, she often played favorites with members of the lower circles of society, finding herself little pets she could dote upon. As she was wild for theater, and Adelaide was both talented, and a remarkably pleasant and intelligent companion, Lady Eleanor's patronage was not concerning. What did make Fitzwilliam anxious was that Darcy should wait upon Miss Bernard so, despite the vehemence of her rejection and a separation of many months' duration. He knew his cousin well enough to imagine that he might hold onto some lingering affection for Miss Bernard interminably, but that he should remain so completely in her thrall with years now behind them! He was quite concerned for his cousin and could not like the mission that he found himself on…especially when the General of this event had conveyed so little of his plans to the soldiers.
Hearing Darcy's sigh, the Colonel realized that speaking on this topic would be a necessary evil. "What would you have me say, Fitz?" He asked, adopting Darcy's childhood moniker. "I know I have a romantic bent, but I thought you more sensible than me! When I wrote to you about my parents' patronage of Miss Bernard…I meant to warn you that encountering her in London would be inevitable, not encourage you in a renewal of your address! Have we not spoken of this topic innumerable times? Did we not agree that Miss Bernard did you a significant kindness in declining your proposal, as she is completely unsuitable to be your wife?"
Darcy pulled his eyes from the carriage, to meet his cousin's concerned gaze. "I assure you Richard, I have not forgotten a single conversation we have had regarding Miss Bernard's eligibility. Indeed, even if I had, Miss Bernard would be sure to remind me of the difference of our respective stations herself. She is hardly insensible to what sort of scandal an alliance between us would lead to."
Ricard's bright eyes rounded in astonishment. "You stayed in Town but a single day, and you have addressed her already! Neigh on two years of putting such feelings behind you, undone in the work of mere moments! How fitting that Forelli should have painted her as the Goddess of Love!"
"Behind me?" Darcy scoffed, his ire building. "Is that what you have imagined all this time? That my affections for her were little more than a schoolboy's crush? Allow me to correct your assumptions…I have never put Adelaide Bernard behind me. For your sake, for Georgiana's, for the good of everyone I employ, to ensure the wellbeing of all those who rely upon Pemberley…I learnt to live with her ghost. But my feelings could not be confined to the past and kept under regulation there…I have carried her in my heart every day since we parted that fateful April."
The Colonel released a low whistle. "I see I have hit a sensitive point. I knew you were still affected by her, but I never dreamt it was to such an extent. I am thankful that Miss Bernard remains steadfast in her refusal. She shows a great deal of wisdom in refusing the chance to elevate her circumstances…the lives of everyone are much simpler when we do not quit the spheres in which we have been brought up."
"She is a gentleman's daughter!" Thundered Darcy, a black look flashing across his countenance. Lower he added, "In marrying me, I do not see Miss Bernard as quitting her sphere, but rather as taking her rightful place amongst it."
Another man might have intimidated by Darcy's scowl, but the Colonel only looked thoughtful. "Is she indeed?" He asked, "And what of her mother's family? Is she the natural born child of someone in our circle?"
"No!" Darcy spat, "She was once Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longborn, the perfectly respectable second daughter of a middling country squire and his wife."
"I suppose we travel to Hertfordshire to seek her father's consent, eh Darcy? I do not know what elaborate tale you have woven to involve my mother in this scheme, much less to command my involvement in your endeavors, however I doubt even her liberal attitude will rejoice in such a union."
Darcy pulled his mount to an abrupt stop, forcing his cousin to do likewise. With a glance behind him, he could that the carriage would take several minutes to catch up with them. With all the self-assurance that his years as master of a grand estate had instilled in him, he looked at his cousin sharply. "Though I was not in a position to divulge every detail to my aunt, she is perfectly aware of the purpose of this trip and was satisfied that she could be of some use to Miss Bernard. Come Richard, let us finish this argument here and now, for it is petty, and more importantly, completely immaterial to our purposes in bringing Miss Bernard to Netherfield Hall. I give you leave to say your piece, and then I shall speak my own, and by the time Miss Bernard has caught up to us, we will have peace between us, for all our sakes. Now out with it man!"
Now it was Richard's turn to sigh. "Very well Darcy, as I am here at your pleasure, if you wish to have it out on a muddy road then so we shall! I like Miss Bernard very well, she is perfectly charming, lively, good-natured, intelligent, and there is no man in London that would dare to deny her beauty. But you are a Darcy! You are from an ancient line, with family ties that gives you connections to nobility on both sides of your family. Even if Miss Bernard had never taken to the stage and remained the second daughter of a middling country squire, a marriage between you would still shock society. But she is not merely a country gentleman's daughter anymore cousin! However respectable she was at birth, and no matter how well I have always liked her for her own sake, we cannot simply ignore that this gentleman's daughter has been living quite publicly in a profession that was exclusively the work of harlots for many generations. She may have been respectable once, but she will always be an actress Darcy. I know you still care for her, and I do not mean to discredit her worth, for she is an admirable woman, but do you have no care at all for your sister's prospects? Even if you are willing to forsake the wishes of all your family…surely you would not wish to harm Georgiana's future? If you marry Miss Bernard, there will be a scandal attached, and all your family will share in that shame, but none will be more affected than Georgiana."
"May I ask," Darcy said calmly, "if you have any other objections outside of your belief of how my sister may be impacted by my marrying outside our circle?"
"Outside our circle? Darcy, she is outside of anyone's circle now!"
He answered with only a stern look, awaiting his cousin's reply. Richard appeared thoughtful once more. "Very well…in truth I do not. You know that I do not particularly care about preserving the distinction of rank. If my parents will support the match, there will be many doors in society which will remain open to you, if only out of curiosity. In time, the worst repercussions of the match would fade as new scandals arise. As regards the match itself, in temperament I believe that the pair of you are well matched enough to make a go of it. You would certainly enter the marriage state with far more affection than most couples can boast. I can only hope it would be the sort of attachment that would be able to withstand the derision of the world at large."
"I am very glad to hear you speak so," Darcy answered, looking somewhat relieved. "for I love her, no matter what name she chooses to go by. You must remember, cousin, that I have labored with all these same anxieties since I first felt myself becoming attracted to her, all those years ago. Any argument you could use to attempt to dissuade me from my course is one that I have already told myself a dozen times or more. Indeed, you and I have talked about all these obstacles at length in the past. I believe I have a much greater sense of the importance of the decision of who I take as my bride than you can possibly begin to comprehend. It is my burden to shoulder, not yours." He smiled slightly. "Now Richard, consider this. Miss Bernard has just begun a year of mourning for Signore Forelli, that we both know she shall see to completion. Georgiana is to make her curtsy to the Queen in the Spring. She shall be a marriageable age herself quite soon. Do you think, after all that has passed, that I cannot wait another Season, or even two, to make Miss Bernard my wife? I shall wait a lifetime if she requires it of me! You may rest assured that I will not rush to the alter before Georgiana is settled, however sorely I am tempted."
"You are determined then, to marry her?"
"As long as there is a chance Elizabeth will accept my hand, I shall offer it to no other. The only person who will stop me from marrying her is the lady herself. We understand each other much better than we once did, and while I do not believe her affections yet rival my own…she does care for me, Richard. However, there are several circumstances that she believes must prevent an alliance between us, and she claims that she is not at liberty to marry me, nor anyone."
Darcy glanced down the lane once more, and seeing that the carriage had gained considerable ground, he clicked his heels lightly, spurring his horse into movement once more, his cousin following suit.
Richard frowned. "I can perfectly understand her trepidation in marrying so much above her own station, those misgivings are only natural in such an uneven match. However, I can hardly credit what circumstances would possibly prevent a woman such as Miss Bernard to form such an attachment, if she is desirous of the match."
"And that brings us to the purpose of this sojourn into Hertfordshire, cousin, the reason I have drug you out for a ride on these abominable roads. It is certainly not to seek Mr. Bennet's consent…but rather to solve his murder and find justice for another Bennet relation who was lately assaulted and left for dead. Miss Bernard will not consent to marry me until she has satisfaction for the crimes against her family…and I mean to assist her, with your help."
0o0o0o0o0o
Elizabeth had never been prone to sleeping in carriages – her energetic nature made her a light sleeper even in the best of circumstances, and the motion of a carriage often made her feel ill. The Matlock carriage was well-sprung and well-appointed, surely amongst the best quality of vehicles she had ever been transported in, but the road to Meryton, full of mud and ruts, challenged its engineering quite frightfully. Even if she had been able to rest in a carriage, as her lady's maid Paulsen had done for the past hour or more, there were too many feelings attached to this journey to allow her mind to be still.
Seven years ago, she had wearily trudged down the same path, her wild curls stuffed inside the cap of one of the sons of a tenant family at Longborn estate. She had marched on to Town in the cover of darkness, the tails of her Grandfather Bennet's great coat dragging in the mud, slowing her. She staved off what little hunger she had with stale tea cakes which had been set aside for the chickens, and bruised apples that had been destined for the pig's trough. What little money she had had been sewn to the inside of the ill-fitting trousers she wore, and the cold metal of the coin had stung. She had followed this road to Town because it was the only route she could be sure to travel that would not lead her astray, as she had only been to Town twice prior to running away and did not know the way well. She had to pack her meager belongings with the utmost discretion and had only risked stealing the map of London from her father's collection, knowing she would easily become lost in the capital without one. When she set foot on the lane that would lead her from her respectable life as a gentleman's daughter, she had cast one look over her shoulder back in the direction of Longborn and vowed that one day when she was ready to avenge her father, she would return.
That day had arrived. With each passing moment, Elizabeth and her entourage drew closer to Netherfield Hall. The journey had been so slow going that she had hardly noticed at first how familiar the rolling hills were becoming, until they had rounded a bend and she spotted Oakham Mount in the distance. It was undoubtedly a pleasing prospect, one of the most popular attractions in the Bennet family's corner of Hertfordshire, but the sight had never elicited a gasp from her until this day. She was grateful for the black veil elegantly draped on top her bonnet, for if anyone had peered into the carriage at that moment they would have been unable to see the tears which freely rolled down her cheeks at the realization that she truly was being reunited with the home of her youth.
The carriage had already passed through the village, and Elizabeth had peered at the market town in wonder. So very little had changed in Meryton since the day she left that she almost felt herself a girl of fourteen again. Yet she was so altered from the girl who had patronized these shops with her elder sister, she also felt herself to be an intruder – life in Meryton had not changed with the absence of one young girl….why would Meryton want her back again?
With that bleak thought in her mind, Elizabeth felt the carriage lurch dramatically to the right, and then heard horses fast approaching. For a few moments, she listened to the murmur of the gentleman talking amongst themselves, and after a few moments more of delay, thought to exit herself and see what the fuss was about. However, her plans were circumvented when the coachman opened the door of the carriage, and Elizabeth was greeted by the sight of handsome Darcy standing in the lane, handing the reigns of his horse over to the staff. He walked toward her with a serious look in his eye and said calmly, "It appears that the most recent rut in the road has done some damage to the front axle. I am told we are little more than a quarter mile from the turn to Netherfield Park, and the park is but another mile until we reach the Hall. The Colonel has road on ahead to inform Bingley of our troubles…I thought you might be desirous of stretching your legs after the journey."
Elizabeth smiled beatifically and held out her hand to be assisted down. "I should like that very much, Mr. Darcy."
After handing down both Elizabeth and her maid with gallantry, Darcy offered his lady his arm. She took it gingerly, intimidated by how desirous she was to feel his support and be near his heat. How often, in the space of their absence, had Elizabeth imagined walking and talking with him like this? How many times had she fantasized about a different version of her life, a reality in which she was nothing more than a gentleman's daughter, and he an erstwhile suitor? Now that he was before her, it was very difficult to ignore the wishes long held by her heart…even in the face of the difficult…no, impossible...situation before them. She could not be distracted by love on a quest for vengeance. Now was the time for justice, not romance!
They walked at the edge of the lane, pacing some yard away from the carriage, remaining in sight of Elizabeth's chaperone, but well out of earshot. Darcy broke the silence between them, asking her gently, "Are you anxious for your meeting with your sisters this evening? You have been separated for an absence of some duration."
The actress released a hollow laugh. "Anxious hardly feels an adequate description, Mr. Darcy, but I can think of no better term for describing the current state of my heart. You can not understand how much I have longed for this day, and how often I doubted if our reunion would ever be possible. Since the day I walked out of Longborn, my soul has cried out to return. "
He rested his other hand upon hers where it lay on his arm, squeezing it comfortingly. "I have no wish to mitigate your pain by comparing it to my own, but I hope you understand that you are not alone…I too once walked away from someone I loved…and my soul cried out to me to return every day of our separation. I too, feared a reunion with my love would never be possible."
Her eyes peered up at him brightly through black lace, her heart swelling. His dark eyes poured forth with such warmth and devotion that Elizabeth could very nearly feel his affection envelope her. Her steps faltered with the sheer power of it.
His voice was thick when he spoke. "Your sisters are just as eager and as nervous for the reunion as yourself, I assure you. I can not be more pleased the providence saw fit to bring Bingley to Hertfordshire, and I along with him. That Bingley's friendly nature would force me into conversation with your sister…"
Elizabeth's eyes flew back to the carriage behind them, her lips pursing slightly. "I am closer now to my sisters than I have been in almost a decade, yet I have never felt further away. I should like nothing better than to lift my skirts and run all the way to Netherfield, I feel as if I cannot wait another moment to be off! But Adelaide Bernard has a reputation of impeccable manners to uphold…and certainly no call to soil her petticoats in a rush to arrive at the great house. There is nothing for her there, after all."
Darcy felt his pulse quicken. His mind's eye envisioned a tussled Elizabeth running toward him, her wild curls flying about her neck in her haste, black skirts balled in her fists to reveal the comely shape of her athletic calves, her chest rising and falling with gasping breaths as she reached him, cheeks flushed and eyes brightened by exercise. "You are correct of course," he said, swallowing, "you cannot rush off to Netherfield without giving away the game. I'm afraid that you must content yourself with my company until our rescue arrives."
"In any other circumstance, I would be quite content with you alone, Darcy…but I confess these restrictions chafe. I had lived so long as Adelaide Bernard that I grew used to the many chains that surrounded such a life…the further we remove into Hertfordshire, the more I feel Lizzy Bennet longing to break free! I once roamed these hills and woods at my leisure. I ran when my legs desired it, climbed trees when my eyes wished for a better view, waded in the stream on hot summer days…what I would give to have those freedoms once more! Town exhausts me. I would gladly trade in my life as Adelaide for quiet country living once more."
The Master of Pemberley wore a thoughtful expression. "Such freedoms could be yours, as the Mistress of Pemberley."
Lizzy tilted her head back with a merry laugh. "Do you believe women have freedoms in marriage, Mr. Darcy?"
"A married woman certainly has more freedoms in society than a maid – from the colors she is permitted to wear, to the activities she is permitted to partake in. However, it was not my intention to make commentary on society at large…but rather your specific desires for the sort of life you would choose for yourself were it in your power, Elizabeth."
"How can you speak so?" She laughed again, but this time with a flippant tone. "How can the Master of Pemberley – he holds dominion over half of Derbyshire…address the topic of marriage without making commentary on society at large? Sir, you are a member of the upper ten thousand. You ARE society-at-large. Your response to my postulations displays that nicely. I speak to you of desiring freedoms…and you speak to me of what colors I may wear should I become your wife? You may have heard me…but you have not listened!"
In her ire, Lizzy's pace quickened, and Darcy rallied his tired legs to keep up with her. Her agitation was plainly written across her handsome face, and Darcy cursed his foolish tongue for having upset her. He had promised himself that he would not push his suit at this time. This journey to Hertfordshire had little to do with him and his own selfish desires, and everything to do with Elizabeth, her sisters, and bringing justice and peace to the entire Bennet family. Yet after nearly four-and-twenty months of repression, his feelings were bursting at the seams. To hear her speak of her longing for a country life, knowing full well that he could provide her with such a life, if only she would accept his offer, pained him more than he could rightly describe.
After what felt an indeterminable period of tense silence, Darcy paused in his step, turning to face her. He spoke with some gravity. "Forgive me madam. My passions cause me to allow my tongue to betray the orders of my more logical mind. Please…be assured. I have heard you, and I have listened. I am not one of a thousand stuffed shirts who believe the fairer sex to be less capable of reason and logic than my own. You are beautiful, Elizabeth. Heaven help me, I believe you are the most beautiful woman I have ever beheld. But it was the brightness of your mind which drew me to you, not your pleasant face or appealing figure." He paused briefly, turning his words over in his mind before speaking the rest aloud. "In leaving Longborn and joining Forelli's household, you have done what few other women have been able to accomplish in our society…you have achieved a level of independence that others have yet to dream of. With the inheritance you have received in his passing, you no longer need a protector of any kind to provide for you. Yet, you have told me that you…that you love me, Elizabeth. However, you are unwilling to give that independence up for love's sake."
He was looking down at her again, his dark eyes warm, yet pained. Elizabeth felt herself tremble from the power of such a gaze, his passion magnetizing her. "I am sorry." She murmured, looking anywhere but at his eyes. "I do care for you…indeed, my feelings are true and of some duration. Knowing you feel as you do…it was not fair of me to share my heart with you, knowing I would be unwilling and unable to fulfill your wishes. It was cruelly done, and if I could recant now and be believed, I would do so in an instant. I will never be a wife…and I certainly can not be Mrs. Darcy of Pemberley. My only hopes for the future are those of sisterhood."
"You have always been stubborn." Replied the gentleman with a dispirited shake of his head. "I am beginning to realize that you decided long ago that your only way forward in life – in all it's complexities, was to go at it alone. You can hardly be blamed for such a decision; it was perhaps the most natural response to all you have suffered. After all, who have you had in your circle that could be relied upon? Your parents' left you in the hands of incompetent guardians, who placed you into the care of a most unworthy individual. What surprises me is that in your stubbornness, you have closed your eyes to the support that surrounds you. You are by no means unprotected or friendless. You could have everything you want in life…the guardianship of your sisters, an annulment for Mrs. Collins, justice for your father's death, as well as a life of quiet country living with a husband who knows you fully and values your character…but only if you can accept the support of those who care for you."
For once in her young life, the actress was rendered speechless. Her plump lips parted and shut several times as they searched for the words of a rebuttal. Yet there were non to be had. Outside of revealing her given name to Forelli, Elizabeth had never unburdened herself to another person since the day she had left Longborn. She had spent many moments of the past seven years feeling alone, had lived her life behind the mask of a character she had constructed for herself. And what, exactly, had that secrecy done to aid in accomplishing her goals? Before Forelli had passed, she had been no nearer to her goals of vengeance and reunion than she had been the day she arrived in London…and it was thanks to Forelli's efforts, not her own, that she had rekindled her relationship with her Uncle Gardiner. There she stood on a muddied lane in Hertfordshire, all those dearest to her but a mile away…thanks to Mr. Darcy's cleverness, and none of her own.
"I am here…am I not?" She finally answered, sounding somewhat shaken. "I am not wholly incapable of accepting help where I need it."
"No, not wholly incapable." Darcy replied softly. "But you think in terms of limitations…of all that you might potentially lose by aligning yourself with me. I think of possibilities of all the promise that such a future could hold for us."
Lizzy blushed brightly beneath her mourning veil. "How our friends in London would laugh…to hear of your role as the dreamer, and my unyielding practicality. I daresay no one would suspect the taciturn and proper Mr. Darcy of having such a romantic bent. I am afraid I can yet see beyond the very many obstacles that would prevent our forming such a union. I have certainly heard a great deal of Pemberley over the years, and I am sure that the park has woods and groves enough to satisfy even my enthusiasm for them. I have also heard of Pemberley's grandeur. To be mistress of such an estate would be a responsibility I am wholly unprepared for."
Darcy grimaced. "Yes, any number of society women have been brought up to manage an estate such as mine, as well as to paint screens, embroider handkerchiefs, plan entertainments…what have they learned which you are incapable of learning yourself, should you have a need for it? Your education was quite different than the average woman's, but it certainly was not lacking, nor is your intelligence. You merely have other, more unconventional accomplishments, ones which I admire greatly."
She laughed again, this time with a touch of self-mockery in her voice. "I can play and sing and recite poetry with such passion as to bring a man to tears, certainly. I am able to charm a man in French, Italian, and German. I can draw and paint, I can identify many of the constellations and planets…amusing skills, certainly…. but I would not be a credit to the Darcy name. It pains me that you keep pushing this matter…can you not see that I reject your suit because of the very great regard I hold for you? You must have better stock for a wife than an actress who has not been prepared for the life you offer."
"I confess, I can not see it." Darcy replied, lurching away from her. "Your left your home and started a new life for yourself when you were barely out of the school room…yet you do not feel equal to the challenge of becoming my wife? It is insensible Elizabeth. There could not be any woman more capable of meeting the challenge of becoming Mrs. Darcy than one as self-sufficient and fearless as you. There are obstacles to overcome…certainly. There would be scandal to weather. We need not marry tomorrow, or the following week, or month, or even year. I could wait for you forever if you but offered me a shred of hope. Two years I have longed for you, two years I have wished for nothing more than to have you by my side. I have no desire to walk this Earth alone, I too wish for a helpmeet and confidant I can rely on to traverse the trials and tribulations of life with. Elizabeth…if it was the Lord's design for us to bear our burdens separately…then why did we meet and fall in love?"
Before the lady could reply, a hearty bellow was heard from some distance down the road. "Mr. Darcy, sir!" Called the voice. The pair of would be lovers glanced behind them toward their disabled carriage, where the coachmen gestured with a merry wave. A horse-drawn cart was turning onto the lane from the path of Netherfield, accompanied by a grinning Mr. Bingley.
The couple turned around to rejoin their party with alacrity. Bingley was smilingly dismounting as they approached. With an extravagant bow he said, "Miss Ben-Bernard, welcome to Netherfield! We are most delighted to host you with us for this break in your journey, and hope that you will find your stay comfortable, despite this inauspicious beginning."
Elizabeth returned his greeting with an equally dazzling smile. Conscious of those who surrounded them, she could not fully express her thanks for being invited to Bingley's home, but rather hoped her gratitude would be apparent in the warmth of her address. "I am most pleased to have been invited Mr. Bingley, more pleased than I can possibly say."
His kind blue eyes gave her a knowing look, but his words were addressed to Darcy. "Colonel Fitzwilliam wished to return for your party, but Caroline would not hear of it, and insisted he rest and change. She wished me to remain at the house, so that I could properly greet your arrival, but I was far too anxious to share the good news and decided to ride out myself."
Darcy had been handing Elizabeth into the cart but turned his head on sharp swivel with his friend's words. "Good news, Charles?" He asked eagerly.
"Good news, indeed!" The sandy hair fellow cried with joy in his voice, "The very best sort!"
"Good God, out with it, man!" Darcy spat, his nerves rising.
Charles laughed boisterously. "I beg your pardon Darcy, I did not mean to dissemble, I am only as astonished as I am excited by this most recent development. The fever has broken, Darcy! The Reverend may yet live!"
Elizabeth gasped, a slender hand rising to cover her pretty mouth. "Oh! God is good, Mr. Darcy, is he not!? We must make haste; I am sure you are both eager to return to Netherfield."
Darcy could not suppress the broad grin that split across his handsome face. "Yes, Miss Bernard," he said with feeling, "God is very good, indeed."
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Author's Notes: Well there you have it - a dash of romance and a bit of good news to tide you all over until the next update. With Elizabeth, Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam arriving at Netherfield, we have now entered the OFFICIAL final leg of this tale. Next up - a reunion between sisters - yes for real this time, I promise.
As always, THANK YOU for reading and encouraging my creative efforts. I am an amateur doing this writing for the love of it. I appreciate constructive criticism immensely, and I love hearing all your thoughts about the characters and the plot!