Author's Note: I have updated sections in chapter 1-4 based on feedback I have received. Thank you to those who pointed out continuity errors or other issues. I hope I have fixed them, and I hope what I have added has made the story better.
Again, I started this story over because I was struggling with where/how to go next. I plan to keep releasing about 1 chapter a day until I either finish, or I get behind with what I have already written. I felt like the original story began in the middle and needed to flesh out the beginning better before I could continue. It is obviously a work in progress and I welcome helpful feedback. Please let me know what you think.
Chapter 5
The Gardiners arrived precisely on time the next day. Much to his surprise, Darcy found himself anxiously awaiting their arrival, particularly looking forward to seeing Miss Gardiner again. Georgiana was to join them, at least for a part of the visit, and Darcy wanted his sister to meet this young lady. Though they were several years apart in age, Darcy felt Georgiana would benefit from befriending the older girl.
"Welcome," Darcy said, as the Gardiners disembarked from the carriage. After Mr. Gardiner helped his wife down, Darcy stepped forward to assist Miss Gardiner and led her into the house. Once inside, servants helped them remove their outerwear, and Darcy noticed the slight bruising around Miss Gardiner's wrists and on one cheek. Her hands were clean, though, like his, they possessed a few defensive wounds. Once again, Darcy felt an immense sense of release that he had come upon her and Wickham the day before and even more so that he had arrived before Wickham could have caused more damage to the young girl.
Finally, Darcy escorted his guests into the drawing room where his father and sister waited. He performed the introductions, and soon, the elder members of the party were in a deep discussion, while Georgiana and Elizabeth spoke of some accomplishments Georgiana was only beginning to learn.
As Darcy was not involved in either of these conversations at the moment, he watched his guest and his sister as they spoke together. He watched in astonishment as Miss Gardiner effortlessly brought out his typically shy sister and the two quickly formed a friendship. Of course, he had noticed the same trait in the young lady the day before, since when they travelled to Lambton, he quickly became very much at ease with her. Their conversation had flowed without trouble, despite their short acquaintance.
Darcy was unused to being so at ease with a lady upon an initial acquaintance. The feeling was peculiar, but being with Miss Gardiner felt instinctive. Before he could contemplate the matter further, someone addressed him directly.
"Brother, Miss Gardiner has never learned to ride. Do you think you could teach her while she is in the area?" Georgiana looked at her brother, her eyes filled with anticipation, even eagerness, as she made her request.
"Miss Gardiner, I would gladly teach you if you care to learn. My father suggested last night that we invite you and your family to stay with us at Pemberley for the rest of your stay. I have little doubt that this is the subject of their conversation even now. If you wish to learn, it could easily be arranged," Darcy offered.
He saw trepidation in her face, and he reached out to softly touch her hand. "Miss Gardiner, the decision is entirely up to you, but I can guarantee that we will take excellent care of you."
"If my uncle agrees to your father's request, I will allow you to teach me. I am uncertain how good of a student I will be, but I will try. I do not have a riding habit, so I do not know if that will prevent me from learning," Elizabeth said quietly, in a voice less confident than the one she ordinarily used.
"You will not need a riding habit. Do not let that stop you from learning. It is a useful skill and even living in London, you may find there are opportunities for you to ride at other times," Darcy implored and Elizabeth nodded her agreement.
Just then, the elder Darcy stood and walked to where the young people were standing. "Miss Gardiner, your uncle agreed to my request that you all stay at Pemberley for the rest of your visit. However, I have a few questions for you, and I would like you to join your uncle and me in my study. Son, I would appreciate it if you would join us as well. Mrs. Gardiner has offered to keep Miss Darcy company while we speak."
Darcy looked over at his companion before speaking. The only thing that betrayed her anxiousness about this conversation was a slight indrawn breath that she could not hide. Intuitively, he realised his father had not noticed it. He offered the young lady his arm as he led her to his father's study behind the other two gentlemen. It quavered slightly and he lifted his free hand to gently squeeze hers resting on his arm.
"All will be well," he whispered. "My father and I spoke again yesterday after I returned from delivering you to your uncle, and he finally heard what I had attempted to tell him for all of those years about Wickham. Your uncle expressed his desire to hold Wickham accountable without drawing attention to you or ruining your reputation, and I am certain that this is what this is about. How are you holding up after yesterday?"
She drew in a breath and Darcy watched as she closed her eyes for a moment. Without thought, his free hand came up to cover hers on his arm. "You do not have to speak of the incident if you do not wish it."
"I am well enough," she breathed. "Though I spent most of my childhood wandering the countryside near my family home, I never imagined that I would encounter anything like that. My uncle warned me to be careful when I was out walking, but the innkeeper assured me I would be safe enough. He did not cause any lasting harm to me."
Darcy scoffed. "While I have little doubt the outward signs of your encounter will not be lasting, I feel certain you will remember this far longer. Acting like it never happened will not help you heal."
Elizabeth tilted her head to look at the man standing beside her. "How do you know that?"
"Though I was only fourteen when my mother died, the memories of her loss have never faded. Pretending that I was fine only prolonged the pain. It was Mrs. Reynolds who taught me it is better to confront such wounds rather than hide them away."
"I am thankful for my aunt and uncle, but I have often felt like an orphan. It was hard to be cast aside by my mother and father as I was." Again, Elizabeth found her easily confiding in this gentleman.
A silence settled between them, filled with the weight of shared vulnerabilities. As they reached the study, Darcy gave her hand another reassuring squeeze before releasing it. The elder Darcy and Mr. Gardiner had already taken their seats, awaiting the pair.
"Miss Gardiner," Mr. Darcy began with a gentle but firm tone, "our purpose here is to ensure justice is served and your honour is preserved. Your uncle and my son have spoken to me about what happened with my godson yesterday, and I agree it is wise to speak to the magistrate on your behalf. The magistrate may want to speak to you, but your uncle will be there with you when he does so. Your uncle will also move your family to Pemberley, so we might offer our protection until Wickham is caught."
Elizabeth could not hide her gasp at that statement. "Am I in danger?"
Darcy patted the hand resting on the sofa between them. "It is merely a precaution, Miss Gardiner. We can better protect you and your family, should Wickham attempt to revenge himself once he learns my father will no longer support him."
Elizabeth nodded, her expression resolute yet vulnerable. She looked first at the younger gentleman beside her as though for reassurance, before nodding and turning to speak to the father. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I appreciate your kindness and assistance in this matter."
Mr. Gardiner leaned forward, his face etched with concern. "Elizabeth, you must know that none of this is your fault. We will handle this with the utmost discretion to preserve your reputation. We are far from London and apparently Wickham's antics are apparently well known in Lambton and the surrounding areas."
Elizabeth's eyes flickered with gratitude. "Thank you, support means more to me than I can express."
Darcy's father nodded. "You are under the protection of my family now, Miss Gardiner. We will see this through together."
As the conversation turned to practical matters of dealing with Wickham, the young Darcy watched Elizabeth closely. Despite the gravity of the situation, he felt a glimmer of hope that he had not felt since his mother died. When he looked into her eyes, he silently vowed to stand by her, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
After luncheon, the magistrate arrived as invited and he spoke first to the elder Mr. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner, before inviting the younger Darcy and Elizabeth to join them. The two young people shared their versions of what happened the previous day while the magistrate took notes.
"Unfortunately, George Wickham is well known in this area and has few friends," he said, casting a wary glance at the Master of Pemberley. "Once it becomes known Mr. Darcy is withdrawing his support, there will be several others who will be interested in helping ensure he is caught quickly and punished," the magistrate said once Elizabeth finished telling her story. "It is possible that what he did to you will not even need to be mentioned."
Darcy noticed his father's face at these words and wondered if he was feeling shame or some other strong emotion at these words. He wondered how the conversation between his father and the magistrate had gone earlier and felt a little grateful that he had not been a party to it. Knowing his father prided himself on being a good landlord and diligent landowner, it must be difficult for him to hear that the people in town had known of Wickham's misdeed, but had feared saying anything to him about them due to their perception that he would protect his godson. Darcy was unsure if he could broach this topic with his father later, but hoped that his father would bring up the topic so he would not have to.
Soon, the magistrate departed and Mr. Gardiner returned to the inn to arrange for payment and for their belongings to be packed up and brought to Pemberley. His wife accompanied him, but Miss Gardiner and Georgiana made plans to walk around the gardens. The younger Darcy decided to join the girls, both to provide protection, but also because he enjoyed the company of each. The three walked for an hour around the gardens of Pemberley, pointing out to Elizabeth anything of interest. They spoke of the flowers they saw, the history of the estate and gardens, and anything else of interest to the trio.
Finally, they returned indoors when they saw the carriage returning from Lambton with the Gardiners and their luggage. Elizabeth was shown to her room, where she dressed for dinner, and then joined the family again for dinner, which was just as interesting as all the previous conversations.
After the meal, they gathered in the library, since it had been mentioned at dinner how much Elizabeth enjoyed reading. She and the Gardiners were astounded at the collection of books in that room.
"You may have to force me from this room when it is time to depart. I have never seen such a grand room and so many books. I am uncertain if I prefer it or Hatchards, although at least here, perhaps I might look at any book I like?" Elizabeth said with a smile at her host.
The elder Darcy grinned. "You are welcome to read any book you wish, and even take them to your chambers to read them there, instead of being confined to this room. We have a similar library in London, though perhaps not quite as large, and when we are in town, you should visit it. Fitzwilliam will be attending Cambridge this autumn, so we will travel to London in September. Georgiana and I will stay for a month or two before returning to Pemberley for the holidays and we will all be in London in the spring. We will invite your family for a visit when you are in town and we would be delighted to have you all come again next summer. Perhaps then, you will bring your other children, Gardiner."
Darcy was surprised by this invitation but did his best to mask it. When Mr. Gardiner nodded in reply, he stood and made his way toward Elizabeth.
"I do hope you will visit us in London," he said. "The library there is not as large as this one, but still, it is enjoyable. Might I make a recommendation for something to read?"
He suppressed a smile when Elizabeth smiled up at him in reply and he led her to a shelf containing several novels he had read to Georgiana. "I know that you mentioned enjoying reading novels. Have you read Robinson Crusoe?" he asked.
"I started it once, but I was not able to finish it," she said, her voice saddened, causing Darcy to look at her carefully. "I had just begun it when I was sent from Longbourn. I had not picked it back up, since my uncle did not own it, but perhaps now would be a good time to start it again."
"Georgiana and I read it last year and she thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a favourite of my father's as well, so it would be enjoyable if we read it aloud in the evenings. Of course, you are welcome to read it on your own, if you prefer."
Her smile warmed him. "I would be delighted to hear it read aloud. You and your father have similar voices and I think they could be rather soporific when reading a novel."
He laughed lightly. "I am uncertain I have ever been told I am boring quite so charmingly," he teased.
Elizabeth brought her hand up to cover her mouth as she giggled. "That is not at all what I meant, sir."
"Come, Miss Gardiner, I will make the suggestion to my father and see what he says. If our elders agree, then we might read for an hour or so before we all retire."