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Chapter 7

Posted on Friday, 4 February 2005

She had sat silently and deep in thought for most of way back to Gracechurch Street, overwhelmed by feelings that she would have to conceal once she entered her uncle’s house. Although confined in the same coach and sitting inches away from one another, he managed to give her the solitude she seemed to require. It was not an uncomfortable silence – on the contrary, he had never felt closer to her.

But as the horses rounded Chelsea Park and he knew that they would soon reach their destination, he felt justified in intruding on her reverie.

“I know it has been both a relief and shockingly painful experience to see your sister, Miss Bennet. But I hope you found some consolation in the fact that she is doing well – both physically and emotionally. Well, at least it seems that way to me! She must certainly have opened her heart to you in a way that would allow you to judge that better than anyone.”

“Given what she has gone through, her condition is remarkable. I don’t think I would be able to face life so positively had it happened to me,” Jane said softly.

“Your sister is a strong woman with an exceptional gift for optimism. I believe she will overcome this,” said Bingley, wondering if Elizabeth had told her of the understanding between herself and his friend.

“Yes, I believe she shall,” said Jane. “And now that she will be coming to our uncle Gardiner’s, I hope she will gather even more strength from being with her family. The children’s antics alone make one forget one’s troubles.”

“She’ll be leaving Darcy’s? When?” asked Bingley, very surprised and more than a little unnerved by the news. If Elizabeth was ready to remove herself to Cheapside, how long would it be before both she and Jane would be leaving for Longbourn? He had assumed that he would have weeks to regain Jane’s confidence and persuade her of his love – but now?

“Surely it would be easier for everyone concerned if she remained at Darcy’s, Miss Bennet! Your aunt could not spare a servant to see to your sister’s needs and the doctor expenses alone . . .”

“Elizabeth assures me that she no longer needs that kind of care, Mr. Bingley, and one last visit by Doctor Stevens is all that will be needed. You must see that it is not proper for her to be there now that we are here. Besides, I selfishly want her with me,” she said smiling sweetly. But when she noted Bingley’s disturbed countenance, she added quickly, “Not that I am not extremely appreciative of all that Mr. Darcy has done, Mr. Bingley! You must never think that! And your role in all this has been an absolute blessing to us. I can’t bear to think what might have happened had you not found Elizabeth - or come upon me when you did!”

“No, Miss Bennet, the blessing has been mine – for it has allowed us to meet again and become reacquainted. It seems like a lifetime has past since the Netherfield ball, and G-d only knows what you must think of me for having left the way I did, but. . . . . Miss Bennet, . . . Jane, . .. could you possibly envision our renewing our friendship? Is there anything left of the esteem you once held me in that would allow you to consider my petition for your affection? Is there not the smallest cinder that I could possibly hope to fan into flame? It is my fervent hope that there is, Miss Bennet!”

A multitude of emotions flooded her mind – shock, delight, surprise and fear! She suddenly felt very ill at ease and put upon. She loved Charles Bingley! Her esteem for him had never diminished, despite his neglect and the overwhelming evidence that he no longer cared for her! But what was she to believe now? She remembered with terrible humiliation how the people of Meryton had pitied her and gossiped about her as the weeks had dragged on and he had not returned. What assurances did she have that he would not leave her in the same way again? It would be unthinkable to go through it a second time! How could she risk it? Yet wasn’t this precisely what she had hoped and prayed for?

“I am not at all certain of the wisdom in that, Mr. Bingley,” she said softly, “ I never did understand the reason for your sudden departure or your failure to return, so perhaps whatever doubts you had then, might still. . . . “

“No, Miss Bennet, not at all! There never were any doubts - that is, not concerning my feelings for you! I had every intention of returning and asking for your hand, but . . . . I am ashamed to admit that I was weak and allowed others to persuade me that you were not of a like mind. I should have had the courage to approach you and decide that for myself – but at the time I could not bear the thought of your rejection. Yet I assure you that I am not the same man I was then. The pain of losing your friendship has changed me, Miss Bennet – you must believe that. And if you require further assurances, which I clearly understand, allow me to say this now. “I love you, Jane. I always have and I always will. My heart has been yours since the Meryton Assembly and I want nothing more than to have you beside me, always!”

He removed his ring from his finger and placed it gently in the palm of her hand, curling her fingers over it to secure it. “You have my offer, my devotion and a token of my promise in the form of this ring, Miss Bennet. But please don’t say anything now! I can only imagine how surprised you must be, and I want you to take all the time you need to think on what I have said. Just don’t reject me outright; I beg you!”

Jane could barely breathe, let alone speak! She stared at him, her eyes large and moist, her face paled and flushed both at once. After all this time, could it be true?

“Would you allow me to ask your uncle for the honor of courting you while you are in London, Miss Bennet? Would you give me the chance to show you how I have changed and how deeply I care for you?”

The coach had slowed as he said this and Jane was relieved to have the diversion of seeing her aunt gazing out from the kitchen window. It would give her a little time to think, to feel, to grasp what was happening before having to answer so monumental a question.

“My aunt is anxiously awaiting our return, Mr. Bingley,” said Jane, indicating the window and gathering her belongings. He waited for her to reply, and when she said nothing, he felt dejected. Anxious to be out of carriage and out in the open air, Jane gave Thomas her hand when he opened the door. She literally leapt out onto the street, raising her hand to her aunt with a smile.

He followed her silently up the stairs and having exchanged pleasantries with Mrs. Gardiner, bowed deeply and made ready to take his leave. His face wore an expression Jane had never seen before – one so unlike his usual lively, enthusiastic countenance. She could not bear to see him suffer so.

“Well, I suppose I should leave you ladies to prepare for Mr. Gardiner’s arrival home,” said Bingley, managing a pitiful little smile. “I’m sorry that the book was so worn, Miss Bennet. I shall be on the lookout for one in better condition. And thank you, Mrs. Gardiner, for allowing me the pleasure of your niece’s company. Good day,” he said meekly, bowing self-consciously again, before turning towards the steps.

“Mr. Bingley,” called Jane, as he was about to grasp the banister. “Did you not wish to speak to my uncle?” she said shyly. “He should be home momentarily and if you would like to wait for him, you are most welcome to do so.”

A look of happy astonishment brightened his features and he once again beamed like the joyful, optimistic young man that he naturally was. “Oh, yes, Miss Bennet! I should like that very much! You are most generous!”

“Not at all,” she blushed, “Please come in. May I offer you a glass of port?”

“I’m very happy to make your acquaintance, Mr. Bingley,” said Edward Gardiner, pumping the young man’s hand. “Your name is somewhat familiar to me, though I cannot remember where I have heard it.”

“My dear,” interrupted Mrs. Gardiner, “would you be so kind as to help me with something in the kitchen before you retire to the study with Mr. Bingley? It will only take a moment.”

Charles Bingley blushed. No doubt Mrs. Gardiner was going to fill her husband in on all his past sins. This would not be as easy as he had hoped it would be. He had much to atone for – much to explain. He suddenly began to perspire at the thought of being thrown out of the Gardiner home altogether! Perhaps he had been too hasty in asking for an interview!!!

When Mr. Gardiner returned, he seemed somewhat subdued, but nevertheless, friendly enough. He took the decanter of wine and a glass for himself and motioned for Bingley to follow him into his study. Once there, he offered to refill his young guest’s glass before seating himself behind his desk. Bingley gave the elder gentleman a shy smile as he accepted the chair opposite him.

“Is this a business matter, Mr. Bingley?” asked Edward Gardiner, fully enjoying his position as judge, jury and Lord High Executioner.

“No, Sir. It is of a personal nature,” said Bingley after nervously clearing his throat. He took a deep breath and continued. “Mr. Gardiner, you may already know that I met your niece, and her entire family for that matter, two years ago, when I rented an estate in Hertfordshire. We quickly became friends and I believe that the relationship that developed between us was quite significant. I then, very foolishly, left the neighborhood before declaring my intentions and due to some rather complicated circumstances I . . . I never returned. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but my regard for Miss Bennet remained strong throughout that time, and my intention to offer to her now, is genuine. As you are her guardian while she is here in London, I have come to ask permission to call on Miss Bennet and to court her. I have, of course, sought her approval for this, and she has generously consented to my speaking to you.”

With the tips of his fingers pressed together, Mr. Gardiner eyed his young guest closely. He chuckled to himself, remembering his own interview with his father-in-law, so many years ago. Some things never change! But his opinion of this young man counted for naught; he was not Jane’s father. That privilege and all the anxiety that came with it, was not his. He would have to disappoint.

“Forgive me, Mr. Bingley, but what you have told me does nothing to recommend you as a suitor for my most precious niece,” he began. “Leaving a young woman, whom you have wooed before the eyes of her entire neighborhood, to wonder what has become of you, does not sound like the actions of a man seriously smitten. Nor does the fact that you have never returned to Hertfordshire to explain yourself to her – or to see to the running of your estate, speak to your sense of responsibility.” He watched beads of sweat forming on Bingley’s brow. “But all of that is immaterial concerning your present application. It is not for me to give permission or to deny it, young man; only her father can do that. And given your former behavior towards her, I would not be inclined to allow you such liberties in any case! However, you do have my permission to come and visit her here, if you so desire – in the presence of her aunt or myself. It is the best that I can offer.”

Bingley rose to stand rigidly before him. He held out his hand and smiled as warmly as he could, “It is a very kind and generous offer indeed, Sir. – and probably more than I deserve. I fully understand your apprehension, Sir, but I hope that in time I will earn your respect and even your friendship. I do love your niece very deeply, Mr. Gardiner. I would do nothing to hurt her.” He bowed deeply and was about to turn to go when Edward Gardiner called after him.

“Then I look forward to your visits, Mr. Bingley. I like a man who is not easily intimidated.”.

Having put his aunt through such a painful ruse that afternoon, Fitzwilliam Darcy decided it imperative to spend the evening in the bosom of his family. It was the very least he could do for their patience and solicitude during his illness, and besides, Richard needed a buffer between himself and his father. The Earl’s ire still raged at the sight of his son.

He had sent word to Elizabeth of his obligation, promising to stop by her room before retiring, yet urging her to turn in whenever she desired – surely it had been an emotionally taxing day. He smiled as he wrote the short note. There was no hurry now. With his aunt and uncle leaving in the morning, they would have plenty of time to talk, to make plans, to take pleasure in each other’s company. He was sure that he could convince her to stay another week, if not two, and made it his secret mission to give her the grand tour of the house with the objective of stealing a kiss in every room!

When, just before midnight, he finally tapped on her door, Margaret opened it to reveal Elizabeth huddled beneath the counterpane. “Good, she’s asleep! I won’t bother her then, Margaret. Please inform Miss Bennet that my aunt and uncle will be leaving early in the morning, and if she can wait to have her breakfast, we can dine together once they are gone.”

“Oh, Mr. Darcy, please wait. Miss Bennet insisted that I wake her as soon as you arrived, Sir.”

“I do not wish her disturbed, Margaret. There is no point in waking her now; we can talk in the morning.”

“No, no, Sir! She was most emphatic! She said she has to speak to you this evening. I must wake her, Mr. Darcy!”

Darcy was amused at how quickly Margaret’s loyalties had shifted from him to Elizabeth. He knew that the staff had hopes of learning that this kind and generous young woman would soon be their new mistress, but Margaret’s emotions had not waited for the nuptials. Elizabeth was her mistress, the one to whom she felt her true loyalty. His wishes were now only secondary.

“Very well, but if she is to be awakened, Margaret, please allow me the pleasure of doing it,” he said looking at her rather pointedly.

It was a reminder that he was still master of the house, and although she might wish to protect Elizabeth, she would have to accommodate him as well. Margaret certainly knew her place, and curtsying, turned to busy herself on the other side of the room.

He came to bend over her and kissed her brow as he whispered her name. Elizabeth smiled contentedly and snuggled deeper into the counterpane. It was, after all, not an unfamiliar sensation by now. When she did not awake, he stroked her cheek, kissed her nose, and teasingly began nibbling on her lower lip. That sensation certainly roused her! She opened her eyes and smiled dreamily for a moment before carefully lifting herself gingerly to a sitting position against the cushions.

“Oh, thank goodness you are here,” she said, tucking in wisps of hair. “I was afraid Margaret wouldn’t wake me.”

“No,” he chuckled, “you have her complete devotion.”

“Has your poor aunt calmed down a bit, Fitzwilliam? Has she accepted you back into the fold?” she inquired.

“Yes, all is well, my love. She is very forgiving and very devoted to all her family. I am sure that once she gets to know you, Elizabeth, you will quickly become her favorite.”

“I will be content to simply have her acceptance, Fitzwilliam. I doubt that I shall ever have it from Lady Catherine.”

“Then we shall not have to put up with her very tedious company once we are married. A blessing in itself! Now, why was it necessary for me to wake you when we have most of tomorrow to talk all this over? You must be exhausted.”

“I am rather tired from all the anxiety and excitement . . . but tomorrow will be a busy day, Fitzwilliam. I am leaving for Gracechurch Street after breakfast,” she said, lowering her gaze. She had searched for a way to ease him into this doubtless shocking news, but nothing had made any sense. He was not a child; it was best just to tell him.

“You are not serious!” he mumbled under his breath, trying not to arouse Margaret’s attention to his distress.

She smiled a bit apprehensively as she placed her hand on his cheek. “ Now that my family is back in town and aware of presence here, I cannot stay, Fitzwilliam. It is not right. It never was, of course, but I had no choice then. You must see that, my love.”

“I see nothing of the kind. Your aunt can’t possibly give you the quality of care all my servants can provide, and in any case, no one knows you are here. There is no need to change.”

“My sister knows that I am here, and more importantly, so do I. Would you have me fool myself into believing that the liberties we are taking, the intimacies we enjoy daily . . . are proper? Would you feel the same if it were Georgiana staying at the home of her betrothed?”

She had him there, but he would not give in. “Yes, yes I would!” he said defiantly. “If he loved her half as much as I love you, I would see nothing wrong with it!”

“I always knew you to be a generous brother, Fitzwilliam,” she laughed, “but what if Georgiana admitted to having certain intimate feelings when she was alone with her beloved – feelings she was afraid might lead to. . . . . . Oh, you know it not safe for me to be here, Fitzwilliam! Neither of us will have the strength to back away if we continue like this!”

He jumped up suddenly and began to pace, his eyes narrowed in intensity, his lips tightly pressed together. After several turns about the room, he grabbed the bedside stool and turned towards the door. “Margaret, would you kindly give us a bit more privacy,” he said glancing over his shoulder. He placed the stool just outside the threshold and closing the door half way, said, “I assure you your mistress is safe . . . I mean Miss Bennet is safe.”

Margaret nodded, keeping her eyes on the ground. She did not look back for Elizabeth’s approval this time, for she needed to remove herself from her master’s scrutiny before he saw her amusement!

In the dim light, Darcy hadn’t noticed that Elizabeth was still fully dressed under the counterpane. She rose from the bed now and came to sit in one of the chairs by the fire. Darcy replenished the wood, lit the candelabras and came to sit beside her. He was not a happy man.

“Can you wait until my family is gone so we can have at least one meal together,” he said, pouting like a small child. Elizabeth found it most endearing.

“Yes, of course. I would love that,” she replied trying hard not to laugh. “But oh dear, I’m afraid I have already broken the first golden rule of marriage – and we are not yet engaged one full day!”

“And what rule would that be?” he asked grinning, knowing full well that she was attempting to tease him out of his bad humor.

“Never anger your husband before trying to win him over to your point of view,” she said cheekily.

He grasped both her hands and kissed them. “You know I must confront him, Elizabeth. I will not, in good conscience, be able to face your father and present myself as your protector if I do not!”

“I know that. And I am resigned to it, Fitzwilliam – but I would beg you to hear what I have to say concerning the children. It may influence what you decide to do.”

“Elizabeth, I will always listen seriously to anything you have to tell me, and I shall always do my utmost to consider your feelings. You must know that!”

“Well,” she began slowly, “by now you know that I was a governess to two of the Strickland children – Julia, age four and Laura, age thirteen. And it is Laura who has been uppermost in my mind all this time. At times you must have thought that I was inventing reasons to keep this secret, because I first mentioned my father’s health, then my sisters’ futures, then my own reputation – all of which were truly genuine concerns, but none of which carried the weight of protecting Laura Strickland.

Fitzwilliam, I know you will understand. Georgiana lost your father at a similarly young age, but she had you to depend on. Laura will lose her mother, her only true protector, within the next month or two, and being the oldest, the only person she will have to turn to is her father. He is a cold, disinterested sort, but she loves him nevertheless. He is all she has! Her one living grandparent, Mrs. Strickland’s mother, is very elderly and would never be able to care for the children. Laura needs to believe in her father’s goodness. Her outlook on life and her future relationships with men depend on it.” Elizabeth turned to stare blankly into the fire; her eyes grew moist.

Darcy pressed her hand to his cheek. Wishing to say something that would reassure her, he deliberated a moment too long, and she continued.

“Even I, who am my father’s favorite, who love and adore him with all my heart, know what it is to be disillusioned by a parent you hold in such high esteem. You must know how it hurts me to acknowledge that Lydia’s downfall could have been prevented by his actions.”

Darcy’s heart constricted. He was stunned! Surely she meant that he was responsible for Lydia’s situation! He had long carried around the quilt of it and had never believed that Elizabeth could truly forgive him. Yet now it sounded as if she were holding her father to blame!

“My role in that sad business weighs heavily on me, Elizabeth. I know I am responsible for all that has happened to your family and it shames me.”

“You, responsible? Fitzwilliam, that is ridiculous! The responsibility is surely shared by many people, but you – you are the least of all to blame. The ultimate shame lies with Wickham, of course, and although Lydia must bear her share of it, her youth and far too indulgent upbringing must be taken into account. My mother was never the disciplinarian, and so it fell to my father to educate her. I cautioned him about sending her to Brighton, but he would not be bothered to forbid her going! He wanted to spare himself her ill humor for the rest of the summer!”

“But it is I who knew what he was and what he was capable of, Elizabeth! Yet I inflicted him on society to spare my family honor,” Darcy interjected.

“Oh Fitzwilliam! Do you not know that Lydia was ready for such an adventure? Had it not been Wickham, it would have been someone else! Jane and I could see that, but my father was unwilling to let that fact intrude on his piece and quiet . . . . Yet with all his faults I love him so completely, Fitzwilliam! It was my good fortune to only become aware of his failings at an age when I could better deal with them. Laura is just thirteen, and her father’s weaknesses are of a far more serious nature! What makes it doubly painful for her, is that her father’s victims are not faceless women she does not know. We have become very close and she has come to love me, as I love her. What will this do to her? How will she come to terms with a father who values a few moments of physical pleasure above her happiness? To do such a thing at a time when she needs me so desperately! His selfishness is unimaginable to me!” She dissolved in a flood of tears and Darcy simply held her.

They sat quietly embracing one another for the longest time. When Darcy finally spoke, his voice was thick with emotion. “Elizabeth, as you hold yourself responsible for Laura Strickland’s happiness, so will I. She will be my first consideration in everything I do; you have my word on it.”

Darcy’s valet was unaccustomed to being interrupted during their morning routine and made no attempt to conceal his irritation when Perkins knocked on the dressing room door and handed him a letter for his master.

“Could this not have waited?” he hissed.

“No, Mr. Bingley’s instructions were to give it to Mr. Darcy as soon as he awoke. At least he is out of his bath!” replied Perkins.

“Give it here,” said Darcy impatiently. “Please wait, Perkins. There may be a reply.”

He unfolded the note and read:

Darcy,

I learned late last night that Strickland is a member at Bartleworth’s. It seems he gained admittance there only because his late father-in-law arranged it. Strickland’s fortune is not his own; it was attained through marriage and subsequent business dealings with his father-in-law. As you wish to be introduced to him in an informal social setting before you confront him, I thought this might be good news. The only problem is, I don’t know anyone who is a member of this particular club. Do you?”

Charles

“Yes, my uncle!” he whispered to himself, and bolted out of the barbering chair. “Perkins, are my aunt and uncle up yet?”

“Oh yes, Sir! They were heading down to breakfast just a moment ago.”

“Good G-d! Get me dressed immediately,” he shouted at his surprised valet. “Hurry man! This is urgent!”

“You’re up awfully early, Darcy,” said Lady Matlock as she offered her cheek to her nephew for a kiss.

“Yes well, I could not have you dine alone on your last day here. In fact, I was thinking how silly it is for you to leave now that I am fully recovered. Could I not persuade you to stay another few days?”

“Goodness no, my dear Darcy,” said his uncle. “My business affairs need tending to and my steward is making all sorts of threatening noises. We shall be back again in the spring before you leave for Kent. It is bad enough that your aunt insists on procuring one more bonnet before we head home. That shall delay us at least an hour or two.”

“And what will you do with yourself, uncle, while my aunt is shopping?” asked Darcy hopefully. “Will you take your leave of your friends at the club?”

“I hadn’t thought of that, Darcy! Excellent idea! Better than sitting about a milliner’s shop reading a book!”

“May I come with you, then? I admit to having an ulterior motive. I wish to be introduced to a gentleman (his stomach turned at the phrase) named Arthur Strickland. Do you know him per chance?”

“Strickland? What would you want with that odd fellow? Gambles a great deal! Makes me uneasy.”

“I do not wish to befriend him, I assure you, uncle. Bingley is thinking of going into some sort of partnership with him and I wish to check him out before my friend does anything foolish. Would you know if he comes to the club in the morning?”

“Good Lord! Strickland opens the place! It’s as if he cannot get out of the house fast enough! Unless his wife has taken a turn for the worse, I’m sure he’ll be there – and even if she has, it may make no difference! Yes, by all means, come along and I will introduce you. But keep yourself out of any dealings with him, do you hear. I don’t trust him!”

“I shall heed your advice, uncle,” said Darcy, astounded that he had been able to arrange the meeting so easily.

“Splendid! It is good to know that someone in the family has respect for my opinion!”

“You look absolutely beautiful in that color, Elizabeth!” Georgiana bent to kiss her as Margaret put the finishing touches on her hair.

“Well, all the credit goes to you then, for you were the one who chose it for me,” laughed Elizabeth.

Georgiana blushed. “I didn’t mean to compliment myself, Elizabeth. But I’m glad the color suits you so well. I had a feeling that it would.”

“And I am sorry to tease you. It was so kind of you to take such pains with these gowns. I will think of you every time I wear them. Has your brother asked you to fetch me for breakfast? I didn’t think the Matlocks would be on their way so soon?”

“Actually, Fitzwilliam did send me up to give you this note. I’m afraid he had some early morning business to attend to. He was very apologetic, and said he would return as soon as possible.”

She handed Elizabeth the note and turned to look out the window as she read it.

My Love,

In an odd sort of development I learned that my uncle and Strickland belong to the same club. This may be my only opportunity to meet the devil in an inconspicuous way, and I must get close enough to him to discover where he is most vulnerable. Please forgive me! I shall be back as soon as I can and beg you to wait.

Your Fitzwilliam

Elizabeth folded the letter and stifled a sigh. And so it has begun!

“Well, it seems we have some precious time to spend together, Georgiana. What shall be do?”

“Fitzwilliam insists on showing you the house himself, so I have been forbidden to give you a tour. But we are permitted to go into the music room and amuse ourselves. So ….. why don’t we ring for some coffee and fruit to be served in there. I would love to play the piece I have been practicing for you.”

“That sounds lovely,” said Elizabeth, rising to link arms with her sister-to-be. “I was hoping to hear you play before I left.”

Elizabeth nervously eyed the clock on the mantel. Her patience was all but spent. She had enjoyed Georgiana’s little recital, had giggled through all the mistakes she had made sight-reading the duet they were attempting to play and had finally agreed to a fresh pot of coffee and a scone. But now it was time; she would wait no longer.

“I think I should gather my things and ask Perkins to arrange for a cab, Georgie. I promised Jane that I would be there by noon. It is already twenty to twelve.”

“Oh please wait just a bit longer Elizabeth! I am sure Fitzwilliam cannot help the delay. He will be so upset to find you gone.”

“I’m sure he will. But perhaps it will help him to consider his priorities!” she said archly.

Georgiana paled and began to tremble.

“Oh Georgie, do not look so stricken! I love your brother with all my heart and although there may be times when I wish to throttle him – like at this very moment – I would never contemplate leaving him” She smiled and took Georgiana’s hand. “And you must not take too much pity on him and tell him that I am not so very angry after all. He deserves to suffer for a while. This was not the morning for him to go running after Strickland! Unfortunately, there will be plenty of time for that!”

Georgiana smiled meekly. She knew so little of the ways that men and women dealt with one another. She only knew that she loved them both and could not bear to see either one of them unhappy.

A footman had brought down the small trunk that Georgiana had lent her and on it lay the small needlepoint reticule that she had bought for her. When Elizabeth picked it up, she could feel from its weight that her thoughtful new sister had discretely made sure she was not without funds. Tears came to her eyes. Was it fair to leave this sweet girl to bear Fitzwilliam’s foul mood?

“It is so hard to see you go!” cried Georgiana.

“But you know I shall return before very long – that is if your brother ever finishes his dealings with Strickland! I suppose all we poor damsels in distress can do is sit by and wait!” she said with a smile, and kissed Georgiana good-bye. “And once we arrange for an explanation, you can visit me in Gracechurch Street. Just promise not to bring Caroline Bingley along, or I shall have to close the door on you.”

“Oh Elizabeth! How can you tease at a time like this?”

“It is the very best time for humor, Georgie. Remember that!”

Perkins and Margaret helped her get seated comfortably. Margaret tried not to cry. How could the master allow Miss Bennet to leave this way? Georgiana kissed her one last time, and allowed the footman to close the door. She was off.

As the Hansom rounded the corner, a handsome barouche with the Darcy crest passed them slowly enough for her to see Fitzwilliam’s eyes widen and his jaw drop as he recognized her. She stifled a smile and looked straight ahead.

Love before retribution, Fitzwilliam!

Chapter 8

Posted on Tuesday, 22 February 2005

As soon as Darcy tapped the hood of the carriage, James brought the horses to a stop and twisted round to get directions from his master.

“Turn quickly and overtake that cab, James,” he said heatedly, “but be careful not to . . . No, wait! If you give chase the driver may panic and only pick up speed. I don’t want Miss Bennet jostled about. . . . No, let us go home. I shall make a visit later on this afternoon.”

“Yes, Sir,” said James, rather disappointed. Like most of the Darcy staff he knew all about the famous Miss Bennet, but had never seen her, of course. How he would have liked to have overtaken the cab and gotten a glimpse of her!

Georgiana was pacing about nervously, waiting her brother’s return. But she did not have long to wait for he entered the house not five minutes after Elizabeth’s departure.

“Fitzwilliam! Oh dear! I’m afraid you just . . . . .”

“Yes, we passed one another going round the bend. Was she very angry when she left?” he inquired as he handed his hat and gloves to the servant and took off his great coat. His demeanor was calm, but Georgiana knew him well enough to see the storm clouds brewing behind his eyes. To whom did she owe her loyalty? She struggled to find an answer that would not betray Elizabeth or inflame her beloved brother.

“She was upset, of course, but I believe the lateness of the hour had a great deal to do with her leaving. She had promised to be at the Gardiner’s by noon.”

“And no doubt she had been seething the entire morning.” said Darcy.

“Oh no,” replied Georgiana, genuinely surprised. “We actually had a lovely morning. We played and sang and ate and talked. It was only at about eleven that Elizabeth grew impatient for your return. She did not wish to take her leave without seeing you.”

“You need not be so diplomatic, Georgie. I can well imagine how furious she was with me. But my absence could not be helped and she will simply have to accept that.” he said quietly. “Bingley will be paying Miss Bennet a visit this afternoon, no doubt. I shall accompany him and reassure her that I am not angry with her for leaving before my return.”

Georgiana blinked and tried to hide her surprise at these words. “But how will you speak to her, Fitzwilliam? It may be impossible to take her aside.”

“No, I may not be able to explain in so many words, but I believe my heart can reach hers,” he said, smiling reassuringly at his sister. “Not to worry, Georgie. Elizabeth may wish to strangle me at the moment, but I know our love is secure.”

“Throttle you,” murmured Georgiana.

“I beg your pardon?” asked Darcy.

“Oh, nothing,” answered Georgiana hastily. Her cheeks were suddenly flushed.

“Did you see him?” she asked, as much to steer his attention away from herself as to find out what had occurred at the club.

“Yes,” said Darcy softly. “It was most disturbing. He looked like any other man in the room. He had arms and legs - a rather good-looking man, actually,” he murmured almost to himself. “I thought when coming face to face with evil incarnate, I would recognize it; but I did not. I would not have been able to pick him out from the others.”

He was suddenly transported to that very moment.

The Earl had proudly introduced his nephew round and there were many in the group who were truly anxious to meet the distinguished Mr. Darcy. They spent close to an hour conversing with his uncle’s friends, discussing politics, news from abroad and some interesting developments in the investment arena. Darcy would not have it appear as if he had come deliberately to meet Strickland, but when the opportunity presented itself, he bowed respectfully and forced himself to look the man in the eye. With Richard obliged to report to his commander that morning, his uncle’s presence was a G-d send. He might not have had the strength to rein in his temper without the Earl’s jovial banter in his ear. And he could neither let his uncle nor Strickland know the fury that raged in his breast. He kept himself focused on the difficult task ahead.

His plan had been to feign interest in one of Strickland’s business interests and propose that he stop by one morning to learn more about it. Oddly enough, Strickland was so absorbed at the gaming table – incredible, for that hour of the morning – that Darcy could not get him aside for some time. Within the span of an hour, the man lost a substantial amount of money and yet could not tear himself away. He feverishly puffed on his cigar and kept sinking deeper and deeper into debt! It was pitiful to watch, but it gave Darcy further insight into the man’s character. It seemed Strickland had more than one vice that could be detrimental to his family!

When Strickland was finally wrung dry and appropriately humiliated by it, Darcy made a bid for his attention and distracted him with flattery and a pretense of admiration. Darcy’s interest and apparent regard was a balm to the stupid man’s pride and he took the bait, inviting Darcy to stop by at any time to discuss a possible association.

Darcy had not thought of the inevitable physical contact, but there, suddenly stretched out before him was Strickland’s hand. He had no choice but to grasp it, and looking down for a moment, saw the offending sapphire ring. This was the instrument that had torn at Elizabeth’s face. This was the hand that had so mercilessly struck her! He thought his stomach would turn over and onto the man’s boots, but oddly enough, it was his rage that held him together. He forced a weak smile, excused himself, and strode quickly out onto the veranda, gasping for air.

He was sickened by the situation and his role in it, but reminded himself that the morning’s objective had been accomplished. Strickland now knew his name, his face and his place in society. He would have easy entry to his home, and better still, the brute would eagerly come to any place he suggested. Now he could work out his scheme, certain that his prey would willingly participate in his own slaughter. He took some deep breaths, went back inside to take leave of his uncle, and noting the time, hurried home.

“Lizzy! What a wonderful surprise! . . . . Jane, come quickly. Look who is here!” shouted Madeline Gardiner before embracing Elizabeth and drawing her into the small foyer. “Come in, come in! I’m so happy to see you my dearest! Why did you not write and tell us you were coming?” However, once her beloved niece had stepped in out of the shadowy hallway, Mrs. Gardiner could see that there was something terribly wrong. Elizabeth did not look at all well; she was pale, thin and . . . Was that a bruise on her chin and a scar beneath her eye?

“Dearest child,” said her aunt, “Have you had a fall or some sort of accident? You’re holding yourself so stiffly. What is wrong, Elizabeth?” her aunt asked anxiously.

“I knew I wouldn’t be able to hide it from you for very long, aunt. Yes, I have had an accident – of sorts.”

Jane had come flying out of the bedroom at that moment, pretending to be astonished at the sight of her sister. She hugged her enthusiastically, being careful only to squeeze her shoulders. “Oh Lizzy! Thank G-d you are home. I’ve missed you so!”

“Dearest Jane! How happy I am to see you! I’ve missed you all so much! I thought it would be exciting to go on holiday over Christmas, but . . . I was sorely disappointed! One must have one’s family about them on the holidays. It just isn’t the same without the people you love!”

“Now Lizzy, let me take your . . . . My, what a beautiful pelisse! It must be new. Did you get it while you were away?”

“Yes, it was all part of my pitiful holiday saga, I’m afraid.” Elizabeth’s balance suddenly faltered and she reached out for her sister’s shoulder for support, saying, “I think I should like to sit, aunt. The trip back to London was quite exhausting.”

They helped Elizabeth to the sofa and positioned her with cushions to support her back. Then Jane left them to chat while she arranged with Jenny for some tea.

“Now tell me everything Lizzy. How did it happen?”

“I’m afraid Mama would be quite furious with me if she found out, aunt. Please promise to keep my secret,” she said grinning, her eyes taking on that very cheeky sparkle that was hers alone.

“Elizabeth! What sort of little conspiracy are you brewing?” asked her aunt.

“Well, …. You know how Mama gets when I don’t behave as a proper young lady should,” laughed Elizabeth. “I’m afraid it was all my own fault! I was playing a game of tag with Julia . . . Unfortunately, it was in a room full of heavy furniture, and when I lost my balance, I crashed most painfully into the corner of a desk. I broke two ribs and bruised myself most shamefully. The Strickland’s were terribly kind, but obviously I was of no use to them for the rest of the journey.

Then, would you believe it, aunt – when I thought myself well enough to travel and we were finally on our way, my trunk became dislodged in a storm and fell off the coach! The wind was so loud that none of us were even aware of it until we reached the next town. Mrs. Strickland insisted on purchasing two new gowns for me . . . . and the pelisse. Wasn’t it generous of her? These are so much finer than I would have picked out for myself. And I was awfully grateful to break our journey for yet a few more days, for the bumpiness of the coach was very hard on me That is why I have come to you, aunt. I had at first intended to journey all the way home, but my bones, it seems, are yet too tender for such jostling. Traveling is far more painful than I ever would have imagined. If I may stay here and rest a week or two, I am sure I will recover enough to make the journey home in relative comfort.”

“My dearest child, you know you need not ask! Of course you must let us care for you! Your uncle and I will see to it that you get all the rest you need and your sister will be here to entertain you. How fortunate that she came to London to await your arrival.” Mrs. Gardiner gently took her niece's hand and stroking it, inquired, “Shall I call a physician for you, Lizzy?”

“No aunt, truly – there is no need. I have seen several along the way and all concur that it will simply take time and that rest is the best and only medicine. In fact, once we have had our tea, I think I shall lie down for a while. I am quite fatigued – but so very happy to be here with you,” she added, leaning forward to embrace her aunt. It was indeed good to be among the people she loved on Gracechurch Street!”

When the gentlemen arrived, Madeline Gardiner was both honored and surprised to see Mr. Darcy on her doorstep. She had, at one time, had great hopes of seeing him betrothed to her niece … for it had been her distinct impression on that wonderful evening at Pemberley, that his heart belonged to Elizabeth.. But with Lydia’s disgrace, everything had changed. It could not be expected that his distinguished family would allow itself to be aligned with one that had suffered such a catastrophe! Seeing him here now, honoring them with a visit, was truly astounding! Surely he could not know that Elizabeth had just arrived in town?”

“Mr. Darcy! How wonderful to see you again! To what do we owe this great honor? “ she said, immediately regretting her choice of words and reddening.……”Not that you are not always welcome, Sir,” she added, painfully flustered and embarrassed! “Forgive me, Sir, I suppose I was just so happily surprised.” She motioned for them both to sit down, trying to regain her composure.

But Mr. Darcy remained standing and grinned at her good-naturedly. “You have every right to be surprised, Mrs. Gardiner. I am sure that I was the last person on earth you expected to see today. But when I heard that Bingley had met Miss Bennet and was paying you a visit this afternoon, I had to come along and pay my respects. I remember with such pleasure and satisfaction the lovely evening we spent together when you visited Derbyshire” He stepped forward and bowed to her, and then turning to acknowledge Jane, bowed deeply and took her hand.

“Miss Bennet! It has indeed been a long time since we have seen each other. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to meet with you again.”

Jane curtsied and smiled. “How do you do, Mr. Darcy,” she said, lowering her eyes.

“I hope that your family is well, Miss Bennet. Were you at home for Christmas, or were you here throughout the holidays?”

“We were all in Hertfordshire for Christmas, Sir, but I traveled back with my aunt and uncle after the New Year. Everyone at Longbourn was well and in good spirits when we left them, Sir.”

“I am glad to hear it. I know your sisters would not have wanted you away at such a time, especially Miss Elizabeth – and your dear parents, of course.”

“No, of course not,” interrupted Bingley, taking Jane’s hand from Darcy’s grasp and guiding her to sit beside him on the sofa. Once he had her all to himself he continued enthusiastically, “And it is our very good fortune that you have returned to London at this time, for there are still such wonderful festivities to enjoy! I wish to speak to you about your plans for the next few weeks Miss Bennet,” he said, lowering his voice to almost a whisper, his eyes now focused only on hers.

Darcy grinned and seated himself in the chair closest to Mrs. Gardiner. “May I ask about your husband, Mr. Gardiner? He is in good health, I hope.”

“Oh yes, I am happy to report that he is. Although he has been working very long hours this winter, and I am always after him to take some relaxation.”

“Has he had a chance to do a little fishing since we last met? He is a very skilled angler and I know he enjoys ……”

But as he spoke, the swish of fabric and the soft caress of slippers against the carpet suddenly caught his attention, and as his eyes darted past Mrs. Gardiner’s shoulder to the door, the palpitations of his heart increased. He rose abruptly, his countenance suddenly grave.

“Miss Bennet!” he said, looking shocked and oddly embarrassed. He bowed quickly, and straightening, added, “I was not aware that you were also in town, Miss Bennet. This is a lovely surprise.” He tried to smile and held out his hand, as if inviting her to join them. Then suddenly feeling rather foolish, he brought the offending hand to join the other and began twisting the ring on his smallest finger.

“Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth, acknowledging him rather formally with only the slightest of curtsies and barely the hint of a smile. As soon as their eyes met, she lowered hers again, and stood, as if glued to the spot, uncharacteristically silent and apprehensive. For all her earlier indignation, she was now suddenly ashamed of her behavior.

“My niece has only just arrived, Mr. Darcy. She has had a difficult journey and was resting a bit before supper,” said Mrs. Gardiner, moving quickly to her niece’s side and putting a protective arm around Elizabeth. She could only imagine what the poor girl was feeling on seeing Darcy again!

“Come sit in this armchair, Elizabeth,” she said, adding an extra cushion to support her back as she urged her down into the seat. “Are you warm enough, my dear?”

“Yes, aunt, I am fine. You needn’t fuss so. Truly.”

“My niece has met with a little accident, Mr. Darcy, and despite her brave assertions, I fear she does need a bit of looking after.”

“Miss Bennet!” came Mr. Bingley’s booming and jovial voice. “Now my pleasure is complete!” he beamed as he straightened from his bow. “Your sister mentioned nothing of your coming to join her!” He turned to look at Jane accusingly, a teasing grin upon his lips. She responded in kind.

“You have hardly allowed me the opportunity, Sir.” She gave him a bashful smile, surprised at her own boldness in speaking to him in such a way before the others. Blushing profusely, she lowered her glance, but could not contain the giggles that burst forth, and the object of her amusement soon joined her in unabashed laughter. Mrs. Gardiner smiled at the happy couple. Only Darcy and Elizabeth sat solemnly and anxiously eyeing one another.

“What is he thinking?” Elizabeth ached to know! His eyes had that intensely determined look and yet underneath it, she could see that he was wounded. She had noted earlier, when he had tried to smile at her, that the edges of his mouth had managed to turn up, but the muscles at the corner of his eyes had refused to follow suit. He was angry with her. She could tell. And now, in this awful, awkward situation, she saw that he had every right to be! After all that he had done for her, after the intimacies they had shared and the exquisite declaration of his love, she had jumped on his first transgression and had responded so arrogantly – so cruelly! What must he have felt on seeing her self-righteous smile as their carriages passed in the street? No wonder he hadn’t come after her! Her wretched pride! It could be the undoing of all the unexpected and undeserved blessings that had come her way the past few days! What had she done? She dared not look at him.

“Indeed, it is true,” said Bingley, finally having regained control of himself. “I have not allowed you a word in edgewise. My excitement stems from this sudden idea of mine. I’d very much like to invite you all to the theater tonight.”

“Tonight?” said Mrs. Gardiner, startled.

“I know it is last minute, Mrs. Gardiner, but I have just learned that Miss Bennet adores “A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream”, and yet has never seen it performed. And as it happens, Darcy and I saw the most exquisite performance of it only last week. Darcy,” he said, turning to address his friend, “You haven’t promised the box to anyone else, have you?”

At the shake of Darcy’s head, Bingley continued, “Tonight is the last performance before the troupe moves on to Brighton and it would be a shame for you to miss it. Please, Mrs. Gardiner, I promise you a wonderful evening, and now that Miss Elizabeth is here . . .”

“I’m very sorry, Mr. Bingley, but it is precisely because of Elizabeth that we must decline your kind invitation. She is in too fragile a state to go anywhere this evening and we would not dream of leaving her on her own. She has just arrived, Sir, and we intend to spend a quiet evening together until she is ready to retire.”

“Oh but aunt, that is why it makes perfect sense for you to go!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “Do not decline this invitation because of me! I shall probably be asleep even before the dishes are cleared and then you shall wonder why you did not seize the opportunity. Please accept! I know how much uncle Gardiner enjoys Shakespeare and he would be tickled with the invitation.”

“Absolutely not, Elizabeth! Our place is with you. There will be other opportunities, other plays, and other amusements. Do you not agree, Jane?”

”Yes, most certainly! I would not think of leaving you, Lizzy, and though I know you will be disappointed, Mr. Bingley, I ask you to understand.”

They sat in a somewhat uncomfortable silence for a moment before Darcy self-consciously cleared his throat and said, ‘If I may be so bold as to offer an alternative suggestion, Mr. Gardiner. As Miss Bennet is of the opinion that she will want to retire early, and you are concerned about her being alone, I would like to propose the following. When my sister hears that I have met Miss Bennet today, she will be quite envious and very anxious to see her. If you would allow me to bring Georgiana here for a short visit when Bingley comes to call for you, we could keep Miss Bennet company until she tires and you could enjoy the evening knowing that she is with friends. I promise that we shall not tax her strength. We shall leave as soon as one eyelid begins to droop.” His smile was sincere – without a hint of expectation.

“Well done!” thought Bingley, chuckling to himself.

Elisabeth had been watching him in admiration as well, and now knew it was her turn to encourage the arrangement. Yes, they needed some time alone – so very desperately. She had only left his house that morning and was already regretting her decision.

“It would make me so happy to see Georgiana again, and although I know there will be many other opportunities aunt, I think Mr. Darcy’s proposal is a perfect one. It is not very often that you are invited to enjoy such a fine production from a comfortable box above the stage, and I will be so pleased to have the honor of Miss Darcy’s visit.”

It was these words that Elizabeth knew would have the greatest impact on her aunt’s thinking. After all, the Darcys of Derbyshire had always held a most revered place in Mrs. Gardiner’s heart. If they were willing to come to Gracechurch Street to keep her niece company, would it not be rude to refuse them? These fine people, who had always moved in such different circles from her own, were now seated in her parlor, offering their friendship and kind attention to a niece whose family had sunk very low indeed. Was it not in Elizabeth’s best interest for her to encourage the relationship? Indeed, was it not her duty as a devoted aunt to do so? Yet, was such an evening visit, with her relations out of the house, proper? Yes, Miss Darcy would be there, but was her presence enough to satisfy propriety?

“If you would prefer that I deliver my sister and then return to fetch her, I would be most happy to do so,” said Darcy as if reading her mind. “I understand if you think it inappropriate for me to be here without you or your husband present. I would do nothing to put Miss Bennet’s reputation in jeopardy.”

Mrs. Gardiner blushed. The last thing she wanted was to have Fitzwilliam Darcy think that she did not consider him trust worthy or honorable. “It is not that . . . But it is a rather delicate question, Sir, and one that I would wish to discuss with my husband. If my nieces are inclined to accept your kind offer, then I shall leave the last decision to him. Would that be agreeable to you, Mr. Darcy?”

“Yes, indeed, Mrs. Gardiner. I shall arrive with my sister at the same time as Mr. Bingley, and if Mr. Gardiner feels that it is best for me to leave, I shall depart with you and fetch my sister at a prearranged time.” He looked intently at Elizabeth. At least they would not have go to sleep without having had a chance to work this out.

Darcy instructed James to head out even before the Gardiners and the eldest Miss Bennet were comfortably seated in Bingley’s carriage. He had his coachman circle the neighborhood a bit, allowing a half hour or so to go by before returning to Gracechurch Street and the Gardiners’ flat.

When Elizabeth opened the door, he stood before her holding a bouquet of roses. Neither smiled nor spoke. Elizabeth stepped aside to let him enter and as he removed his hat he bent to kiss her cheek and murmured, “Will you forgive me for leaving you alone for so long this morning? You must know that I would have rather been with you, than anywhere else on earth.”

“Oh Fitzwilliam,” she said, her lips trembling, I should never have …..”

“Brother! You’ve returned already? Elizabeth and I were just about to have our tea and some of those lovely little cakes we brought. Surely it is not time for us to leave already,” protested Georgiana.

“No, Georgie, not just yet, but Elizabeth and I must have a few minutes to talk privately.”

“Then I shall check on the children and read them a story or two. I know they are still up from the giggles and squeals I’ve been hearing,” said Georgiana. “Would it be alright to bring them some milk and cake, Elizabeth? Then they’ll be too busy eating to be wondering what is happening in the parlor.”

“You think of everything, Georgie! Thank you!”

No sooner had the parlor door closed behind them than Fitzwilliam Darcy wrapped his arms about his beloved and kissed every inch of her face and neck.

“Dear G-d, your uncle trusts me,” he murmured between kisses. “He thinks I’m a man of honor and here I am taking such liberties after all my lofty assertions. This is the effect you have on me, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth laughed and pushed him away teasingly. “You see, the woman is always blamed in the end – for everything!”

He pulled her close once more and kissed her tenderly. “You had every right to be upset with me this morning,” he then said softly. “For it was I who begged you to stay so that we could breakfast together, and then I left you … to starve.” He grinned.

She was about to give him a saucy reply when he silenced her with another kiss and then continued. “The circumstances were such, Elizabeth, that I had to seize the opportunity before me. While I was still in my barbering chair a letter arrived from Bingley. He informed me that Strickland had a habit of frequenting my uncle’s club early in the day. I knew I had no other acquaintances to introduce me there and my uncle, unwittingly made it possible. Here was an opening I could not let pass, my love. Do you understand?”

“No, indeed I do not, Fitzwilliam!” she said, putting some distance between them. “Why would you want to meet him in such a public forum?”

“I must get to know the man and his weaknesses if I am to hurt him with as little effect on his family as possible. And already I have seen what a danger he is to the very people that depend on him! Were you aware of his addiction to the gaming tables, Elizabeth? The man is mad! He could easily find himself in debtor’s prison in a week – unless he has an unlimited source of funds! He lost seven hundred pounds this morning! What can the man be about? Were you ever privy to any difficulties over money between the Stricklands?”

Elizabeth started at Darcy’s description of the situation. “Dear G-d,” she gasped. “I had sometimes heard him ranting at poor Mrs. Stickland over the household expenses. He wanted her to economize on everything that pertained to herself and the children, and often said the most horrid things about his mother-in-law. My impression was that he saw her as a source of funds and expected far more than he received. He openly detests the old lady and can’t wait for her demise. He must be expecting a large inheritance!”

“Elizabeth! If Strickland is entrusted with the money earmarked for the support of his children, G-d only knows what he will do with it once his wife has passed on! What an absurd situation this is! We have no business meddling in the affairs of these people, and yet if we remain silent their children may end up penniless!”

Elizabeth’s distress was acute. Her mind leapt irrationally from one possibility to another. Until that very moment she had felt that the children belonged with their father. Blood was thicker than water, after all! But now? . . .What was to become of them? Who could possibly take them? Where would they go? She suppressed her immediate instinct to suggest the obvious. As good and as noble a soul as Fitzwilliam was, she could not expect him to make such an overwhelming commitment. And in truth, she selfishly wanted her time alone with him, as he surely did with her. Their children too, if G-d was so good as to grant them, deserved their undivided love and attention. Certainly Fitzwilliam’s experiences with Wickham were proof of that! No, as much as she loved them, she could not envision herself as their permanent guardian. But then what on earth could they do to help them?

“Good G-d, Fitzwilliam, is there anything to be done?” she cried.

“Well, we will need a great deal more information about his finances, to be sure. The sources of his income interest me, as do the terms of his mother-in-law’s will. But getting that sort of information is very tricky, at best,” he said, his grave countenance mellowing. “Given the right motivation I could be imposed upon to look into it,” he grinned.

She raised herself on tip-toe, fully prepared to show him how much motivation she was willing to supply, when he tenderly caressed her cheek. “Elizabeth, if we are to do this thing, then we must do it right and we must do it together. This is an undertaking that will require patience, forbearance and perseverance – as well as the ability to discuss these things in private.”

She was nodding enthusiastically, but his speech was not yet done. “Elizabeth, I hold your aunt and uncle in far too high a regard to continue deceiving them in this way. This situation will demand easy and frequent communication between us and I have no time or patience for the games we will need to play if we continue on in this way. They must be told of our understanding, at least, though I would wish for them to know it all.”

“Then we shall tell them all,” replied Elizabeth, tears brimming. “One night of this charade has shown me that you are right. It would be impossible to continue in this way! And whatever you would have me do, Fitzwilliam, I shall do. Just help me protect these children.”

Chapter 9

Posted on Wednesday, 2 March 2005

It was indeed a surprise when Mr. Darcy appeared after luncheon on Saturday with tickets to a special performance of Pinocchio for that very afternoon. Jenny, delighted to be given such an easy and entertaining task, whisked the happy children away with coins jingling in her pocket for an after theater treat for them all. The Gardiners were naturally excited as well, thinking that Mr. Darcy’s desire for a private meeting could only mean one thing. But Mr. Bingley’s arrival a few moments later, and Darcy’s request that the three gentlemen retire to Mr. Gardiner’s study, was most perplexing.

Jane poured the tea, and the ladies gathered at one end of the dining room table to talk.

“I wonder what this mysterious meeting is all about, Lizzy!” said Mrs. Gardiner, giving Jane a knowing wink. “Have you been entrusted with any prior knowledge of it?” she teased.

“I have, Aunt, and unfortunately, I must relate to you the same sad tale that Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are about to tell my uncle. I beg you to forgive us for deceiving you,” she said, suddenly finding it impossible to contain her emotions, and clasping her aunt’s hand. “I’m afraid Jane and I have lied to you about everything, but it was all my doing and all at my insistence!” cried Elizabeth.

“That is not true, Aunt. I began deceiving you even before we came to London," cried Jane, not allowing her sister to take all the blame. “I had a terrible feeling that something had happened to Lizzy after I read her letter, but I dared not speak of it – as if voicing it would make my suspicion true. I should have shown the letter to Papa at the time. Instead, I kept my fears to myself and came to London to search for her.”

“Child, what are you talking of? We all knew that Lizzy was away with the Stricklands!”

“No, Aunt. That was my first deception. The Stricklands never left London,” murmured Elizabeth gloomily. “But at the time, I saw no other way but to hide myself and my secret from the world.”

Mrs. Gardiner sat stunned and motionless as Elizabeth tearfully related her terrifying experience and the events that followed. What she was hearing seemed out of the realm of possibility! Could it be that while she and the children were singing Christmas carols on the post to Hertfordshire and anticipating a lively holiday dinner at Longbourn, her poor niece was freezing and painfully fighting for her life on a desolate London street? It seemed too incredible and terrible to contemplate!

Jane supported Elizabeth throughout the ordeal. She held her sister’s hand, encouraging her to stop now and then to catch her breath or sip her tea. Mrs. Gardiner continued to stare at her, a veil of shock and sadness clouding her vision. How could this be? Surely Elizabeth was relating a terrible dream!

Jane picked up the narrative to describe her painful confrontation with Nanny and her accidental meeting with Mr. Bingley. “He took me to see Elizabeth when we pretended to be at the bookseller’s. I cannot tell you how relieved I was to see her, Aunt. As horrified as I was to learn of what she had endured, I had imagined even worse, and was simply glad to have my sister back, alive and whole.”

At these words the three of them fell into each other’s arms, weeping and clasping one another in a desperate embrace, and there they remained for some time until they became aware of the gentleman huddled around them. Elizabeth looked up to see her uncle, his face pale and eyes red and swollen.

“My dearest Lizzy,” he mumbled with trembling lips, “Mr. Darcy tells me that you have miraculously survived an appalling experience. Let me look at you, my sweet girl. Are you really all right? . . . Oh, but how can you possibly be!” he cried, answering the question himself. “How can you not be forever altered by what he has done!”

Elizabeth threw her arms around her uncle’s neck and hugged him. “I am changed . . . it is true, but I will not let Strickland ruin my happiness forever.” She shot a quick glance in Darcy’s direction and realized that he had, as yet, said nothing of their engagement. “I always knew that such men existed in the world, though I never dreamt that I would meet up with one myself. I have now seen men at their worst and at their very best, Uncle,” she said, raising her eyes adoringly to Darcy, “and I suppose I am not the carefree girl I once was. But I am stronger now and determined to become the woman I have always dreamed of being. Please do not be anxious for me, dear uncle – I am whole, I assure you.”

Mr. Gardiner shut his eyes as he stroked the head of his beloved niece as it rested on his shoulder. When Darcy and Bingley had first told him of the attack, the rage that had boiled up within him had restricted his breathing and it had taken Bingley's quick thinking to revive him. Had he not slapped him on the back and then forced his head to his knees, he might have succumbed to the shock. The young man then wisely diluted a glass of port with water and bade him drink until he felt his normal breathing restored. Mr. Gardiner now made a great effort to compose himself, only to break down most embarrassingly in front of his young guests. But searching for his handkerchief, he glanced up briefly to see Darcy standing by the window, his fists tightly clenched, his red-rimmed eyes fighting back tears. Edward Gardiner suddenly felt a kinship so strong with these young men, that knew he would soon be calling them both nephew. In the midst of tragedy, G-d had provided for a hopeful future!

Fitzwilliam Darcy took the liberty of putting a consoling arm about Mrs. Gardiner and said softly, “I believe a little sustenance will help to revive us all, Mrs. Gardiner and I hope you will not be offended that I took the liberty of asking my cook to prepare a cold repast for us. We came unannounced, after all. James has the baskets in the coach. May I get them?”

Mrs. Gardiner was too overwhelmed with sadness to do anything but nod, and as Elizabeth was still in her uncle’s embrace, he turned to Jane and asked, “Could I impose on you to put the kettle on and set the table, Miss Bennet? I shan’t be a moment.”

She smiled at him warmly and nodded, moving quickly towards her aunt, who was obviously in much need of distraction. “Aunt Gardiner, Mr. Darcy is bringing up the supper; will you show me which table linens you wish me to use? And shall I make the Earl Gray or the Darjeeling?”

Getting her aunt thus involved in the preparations Jane had the opportunity to discover what was going on in her mind. “Dearest aunt, Lizzy truly is on the mend – you need only look at her to be assured of it,” she said. “I can see that you are in utter despair over this, Aunt Gardiner, but Lizzy would not wish you to be so for anything!”

“I cannot help but hold myself responsible, Jane. Your uncle wished to take the later coach so that Elizabeth could travel with us, but I convinced him that if we arrived so late, the children would be tired and terribly irritable at dinner. As Elizabeth had a traveling companion, I did not see the harm in leaving her. But had we waited for her . . .” she buried her face in the palms of her hands and wept.

Elizabeth, who had left her uncle’s side and come to assist with the setting of the table, overheard her aunt’s last words and loudly protested her assumption. “Oh Aunt Gardiner! Do not think that you could have prevented it for a moment! It is true that had we arranged things differently you would have come after me when I failed to arrive at the station. But by then, the damage would have already been done, and G-d only knows if you would have found me! And even had his knowledge of our traveling together postponed the attack, he would have found his chance! Please do not blame yourself or add any more sadness to this wretched affair. Too many tears have been shed over this already.”

Mrs. Gardiner allowed herself to be comforted by niece’s words and sweet, pleading smile. Elizabeth was always so sensible and optimistic! And she had a way of making everyone around believe that her view of the world was the correct one.

During the first part of the meal, all that could be heard was the clatter of china and the murmured thank-you’s of those asking for this or that platter to be passed. With no one to serve, they helped one another to the delectable dishes that had been so artfully prepared in the Darcy kitchen. And the food, and the pleasant, quiet company did much to restore some measure of calmness to their agitated minds and hearts.

Darcy took a sip of his wine, and eyeing Elizabeth with barely a hint of a smile, put his glass down and said, “Although I shall never look at Strickland’s deed as anything but base and despicable, G-d, in his great mercy, seems to have balanced great pain with great joy.” He reached for Elizabeth’s hand while everyone else at the table froze in anticipation. “Bingley here, not only played the role of rescuer, but of cupid as well, and I feel truly blessed to be able to announce our engagement to you all – barring any objections by Mr. Bennet, of course.” He smiled so proudly that his face radiated joy. Elizabeth beamed at her beloved, and everyone jumped up from their seats to exclaim their delight and congratulate the happy couple.

“I knew it! I just knew it!” cried Mrs. Gardiner, forgetting about Elizabeth’s tender ribs and hugging her too tightly. “I knew it from the moment you introduced us to Mr. Darcy at Pemberley. You, my dear, gave no hint of your relationship, but it was written all too clearly on this young man’s face,” she said turning to Darcy and taking his hand. “I am only sorry that it has taken this long and required so much pain for you to find each other again. May you only know happiness from this day forward,” she said tearfully. Darcy bent to kiss her cheek in acceptance of her blessings on their marriage.

The others followed with equal expressions of enthusiasm for the union. Edward Gardiner smiled broadly and put a paternal arm around Darcy’s shoulder, while Jane Bennet pressed her new brother’s hand and blushed as he kissed her cheek. Elizabeth accepted Bingley’s good wishes but could see that underneath his warm smile, there lay a hint of envy and sadness. He was certainly happy for them, but wished to be in that very situation himself – and thus far, Jane had not given him an answer.

When they sat down again to resume their meal, Mr. Gardiner inquired as to when they intended to travel to Hertfordshire for Mr. Bennet’s consent. “Oh Edward,” scolded Mrs. Gardiner. “Lizzy must first be strong enough to travel!”

“Yes, that is of course, the first consideration,” said Darcy solemnly, “but seeing to it that Strickland gets his due, and that other important concerns are dealt with, may delay us. Besides wanting to reveal the truth to you and being so eager to have you share in our joy, we have come to you for help and guidance. I would naturally want to see Strickland exposed, humiliated and locked up for the rest of his days, but my beautiful bride-to-be is devoted to his family and has convinced me to find another way to deal with him – one that will do as little harm to the family as possible. And as if things were not complicated enough, in my very first encounter with the man I discovered that he has a severe gambling problem – one that is sure to be as dangerous to his family as his more personal vices. Incredibly, our first and most urgent goal is to protect and secure the future of his children. The punishment of the man himself has become secondary. It is absurd, I know,” said Darcy, seeing Edward Gardiner’s eyes widen with surprise, “but it is the only way Miss Elizabeth Bennet will consent to being avenged.”

“But that seems nearly impossible, Lizzy!” said her aunt. “Anything done to hurt the father will surely have some effect on his children – be it the loss of his reputation, or financial security, or incarceration.”

“It will not be easy, Aunt, but I have faith in Mr. Darcy’s ability to find a solution. He knows that I would prefer that nothing be done at all if it cannot be done without hurting the children. But it seems that now that we are aware of the seriousness of the family’s situation, there is really no choice but to try and help them. Fitzwilliam and I both fear that Strickland may bankrupt the family with his folly, and with Mrs. Strickland on her deathbed, the children will be in a terrible predicament.”

“Are there no family members that may be persuaded to take the children once their mother dies? Strickland may not be able to cope with them on his own and may prefer to be unencumbered,” said Mr. Gardiner.”

“Indeed, I believe he would,” said Elizabeth most emphatically, “but I only know of Mrs. Strickland’s sister who lives in Scotland, and with whom the family is not at all close. There seems to have been a break in their relationship some years back and they only hear of one another through Mrs. Bromwell, their mother. I doubt that we shall have any luck there.”

“I am convinced that time is of the essence concerning any inheritance that may be coming from Mrs. Bromwell or from Mrs. Strickland herself. First we must find out how the wills have been set up, and then see what needs to be done. I have figured out a way of obtaining the name of Strickland’s solicitor, but I need the name of Mrs.Bromwell’s. Elizabeth,” he said, suddenly turning to her, “have you ever met her?”

“Why yes. I have been to her home several times, as I went along on all the visits that included the children.”

”In your opinion, is she of sound mind? Do you think she can be spoken to and reasoned with? If so, we must get an interview with her immediately,” said Darcy.

Elizabeth could not hide her astonishment. “But Fitzwilliam, she will have heard Strickland’s side of the story concerning my leaving. She will never agree to see me, or believe a word I say, for that matter.”

“Perhaps, but on the other hand, she may know her son-in-law for what he is, and not be at all surprised on hearing your side of it. Did you come to know any of her servants well enough to find out Mrs. Bromwell’s true opinion of Strickland? We might get a clue there,” Darcy concluded.

The only servant I had any contact with was a Mrs. Ravensworth, her lady’s maid – who seems to spend all her time with the old lady. But I cannot say that our relationship was such that I could easily approach her on a subject that might compromise her loyalty to her employer.”

“Ravensworth,” repeated Bingley, “That is not at all a common name, is it? And my dear cook shares that very name. I wonder if they are related? If they are, we may get an opening there.”

“That is an excellent thought, Charles,” said Darcy, “Speak to her this evening if you can and let me know in the morning if there is a connection.”

“Once you have the names of the solicitors, let me see what I do to obtain the information you need. I have some acquaintances that may prove to be very helpful,” offered Mr. Gardiner.

“Excellent, Sir! I knew you would be invaluable in our necessary detective work,” replied Darcy.

“Well then, is that what we have become? – a little band of detectives and avengers?” asked Mrs. Gardiner, smiling for the first time since being told of Elizabeth’s suffering.

“Indeed we have, Madam,” said Darcy, “and for the present I charge you with the most important task of all – building up the strength of my beloved Elizabeth. For as the rest of the family is never to know of this wretched business, she must arrive home the picture of health and contentment.”

Darcy was about to turn the page of the newspaper he’d been reading when James twisted round from the coachman’s seat above him and said, “There he goes, Sir! He’s leaving the house now.”

Darcy lowered the paper just enough to watch Strickland enter his carriage and settle himself comfortably in his seat before giving his man the order to proceed. Even once he is out of sight I should wait a bit to be sure he doesn’t return for something he’s forgotten. thought Darcy and sat back to finish the article he’d begun. But his mind would not allow him to focus on the words.

He knew he had no justifiable reason for being there, but something was driving him to see the household situation for himself. He needed to see the faces of the children he was trying to protect, but more than that, he wanted to assure himself that Laura Strickland was not fearful of her father’s advances. With his wife so ill and helpless, the devil could easily abuse her without anyone being the wiser.

He folded up the paper, picked up his walking stick and disembarked from the carriage, walking slowly and deliberately toward the house. From a side yard came the voice of child talking and singing to herself. He approached the gate of the neat, garden courtyard to see an adorable little girl, ( this must be Julia, he thought,) twirling about with her doll, inventing a sing-songy ballad as she danced about. She seemed happy enough for Darcy to be heartened. Surely if the little child were this carefree and easy in her play, things could not be so very bad within the house.

Julia stopped when she saw him standing there smiling at her. She had obviously been taught to be wary of strangers, for her little body stiffened and she remained where she was, looking at him apprehensively.

“Please excuse me for interrupting your beautiful little dance, Miss, but I’m looking for a Mr. Arthur Strickland. Am I at the correct address?” asked Darcy, giving her a playful grin and respectful bow.

Tickled by the honor, she skipped over to the gate to give him her curtsy and replied, “Yes Sir, I am Julia Strickland, but my Papa just went to his club. He won’t be back for hours.”

“Ahh, It’s too bad that I missed him,” said Darcy, smiling at her warmly. “Allow me to introduce myself, Miss Strickland. My name is Fitzwilliam Darcy and I am a rather new business acquaintance of your father’s. I think I had better go inside and leave my card with your butler then.”

“We don’t have a butler anymore,” said Julia, “but Mattie will open the door and take your card, Sir,” she said, looking a little disappointed to be losing his kind attention. “Do you have little girls of your own at home?” she asked as she accompanied him towards the front of the house, the fanciful wrought iron fence between them.

“No, I am not yet a married man,” replied Darcy, “but I hope to be very soon, and I would indeed be grateful to have a sweet little daughter like you, Miss Strickland. Your Papa must be very proud of you indeed.”

On closer observation, Darcy now noticed that the child’s frock was soiled, not from recent play, but from having been worn day after day. Her hair, which was swept up in a pleasing style, was matted in places however, and her fingernails needed grooming. Darcy’s heart sank.

Julia Strickland shrugged her shoulders and then kicked a pebble with her foot. “Papa says I’m spoiled,” she said, a guilty expression on her dear little face. “I don’t always obey as quickly as I should, and Papa gets very angry with me. So does Laura. She says I’m always in the way.”

“But surely you must be busy with your lessons and such. Does not your governess keep you well occupied?” he asked. “Where is your governess, by the way? Should she not be out here looking after you, Miss Strickland?” He had stopped walking and had turned to study her.

“I don’t have a governess anymore, either. She left us just before Christmas. Papa says she is an ungrateful, selfish girl who left us because she could get more money working for someone else. He says Miss Bennet never really cared for us at all. . . . But I know the real reason that she left. It was because of me; I was too bothersome and difficult. I didn’t work hard enough at my lessons and made the worst messes. I don’t blame Miss Bennet for leaving, but I do miss her. I thought she loved me,” said Julia, her eyes filling with tears.

The lump in Darcy’s throat would not allow him to respond immediately. So this is how it was now that Elizabeth was gone. The man was obviously skimping on household help, his wife was dying and his children were being made to fend for themselves. What could he say to this darling child to lighten her heart? He could not reassure her that her governess missed her as much as she did her, but he could try to lessen her pain. With the fence between them, he squatted down to face her.

“Miss Strickland, as I told you, I am not yet a father, but I have been my sister’s guardian ever since our parents died when she was a little girl. And I have hired many a governess or music master to work with her. I assure you, Miss Strickland, governesses do not leave their positions because their charges are sometimes naughty. If they did, they would soon get the reputation of being unfit for their positions. This Miss Bennet of yours must have had a very good reason for resigning her post, and I doubt very much that it had anything at all to do with you. Besides, I can’t imagine that a sweet and sensible girl like you could ever do anything to make her so cross as to want to leave you. Quite the contrary, Miss Bennet probably misses you very much.”

“Do you really think so?” asked Julia, gazing up at him with hopeful innocence. It was as if his kind words were the first she had heard in a long time. Her little face brightened.

“I am sure of it,” said Darcy, his need to assess the situation within growing stronger. “Perhaps you should come inside to play, Miss Strickland, if there is no one available to watch you just now.”

“Oh, it’s all right; I’m allowed in the courtyard by myself. I’m not pestering anyone out here,” she said. “Since Papa is not home to meet with you, Sir, would you have time to push me on the swing before you go? No one ever pushes me anymore.”

“Didn’t your Miss Bennet teach you how to pump with your legs,” asked Darcy, knowing full well that that was just the sort of thing Elizabeth’s independent nature would encourage her to do.

“Yes,” admitted Julia, the most charming blush on her cheeks. “But it’s so lovely to be pushed now and then. Miss Bennet always pushed me a little – even once I had learned how to pump.”

“I cannot promise, but I will try,” said Darcy, tipping his hat, and proceeding up the stairs to knock on the door.

He knocked several times, each time a bit more forcefully than before, and still no one came to the door. He allowed for a longer interval between knocks and waited patiently until, finally, an exasperated young woman swung the door open and asked breathlessly, “Yes, can I help you?”

Thinking that this was the young serving girl named Mattie, Darcy simply nodded. “I’ve come to see Mr. Strickland. Would you give him my card and ask if he has the time to see me?” he said, not wishing to acknowledge his previous conversation with Julia. “The name is Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

“I’m sorry Sir, but my father is not at home,” said the young lady, suddenly conscious of her disheveled appearance, and trying to smooth her rumpled gown. “But I shall tell him that you called, Sir,” she said as she reached out for the card.

He handed it to her and then bowed respectfully. “Forgive me Miss Strickland, I didn’t know to whom I was speaking. I do appreciate your relaying the message to your father, Miss and I’m sorry for having disturbed you. I obviously pulled you away from some important task.”

There was a sudden loud crash from the floor above and after a moment’s silence came the loud and piercing cries of a child, frightened and in pain. A door opened, allowing the sound of convulsive coughing to escape, and the shrill voice of a woman could be heard at the top of the stairs.

“Laura! How could you leave your brother! Come and fetch him immediately. I cannot be in two places at once! He is your responsibility until I finish with your mother.”

Clearly he was in the way here, and resolving to take his leave, was about to say good-bye when Laura Strickland raced up the stairs murmuring, “Yes, Nanny,” leaving him by the open door. He let himself out and was about to close the door behind him when he saw her emerge again at the top of the stairs with a runny nosed, teary eyed little boy with a bleeding cut on the sole of his foot. She raced down the stairs, ignoring Darcy completely, and headed for the flight of stairs that obviously led to the kitchen, for she yelled, “Cook, Cook, you must help me! Jonathan has a piece of glass stuck in his foot!”

Darcy watched as the little tyke squirmed in her arms, making it almost impossible for her to hold onto him. He instinctively followed her down the stairs, ready to catch the child who was arching his back and flailing his arms wildly.

“Here, let me help you,” said Darcy, taking the tot from her and securing him against his chest in such a way that he could see his sister, but could barely struggle. Darcy held the wounded foot firmly and seated himself on one of the kitchen stools. Cook came running with a basin of warm water and some toweling, first soaking the injured foot, then examining it. With tweezers in hand, she proceeded to pick out the shards of glass. Jonathan struggled to kick, but Darcy spoke to him soothingly, and eventually, the exhausted child relaxed in his arms.

“I can’t see if I’ve gotten them all out,” said Cook. “My eyes are not what they used to be. Run to your father’s study and get his magnifier, child. We can’t leave any splinters in.”

Laura flew up the kitchen steps and Cook took a long hard look at Darcy for the first time. “Forgive me, Sir, but who might you be?” she asked, not impertinently, but without shame or hesitation.

“Fitzwilliam Darcy, Madam, a perfect stranger,” was all he said, and she smiled at him while wiping Jonathan’s sweaty little face with a clean rag.

“So Master Jonathan, what will you come up with next to frighten your old Cook half out of her wits, aye?”

Darcy now loosened his grip on the boy and he reached out his pudgy little hand for Cook to kiss, by way of apology. This was obviously not the first time he had been in her loving care and he obviously trusted her. She rinsed the rag, wiped his fingers and went to the pantry shelves to fetch some biscuits. On returning, she handed one to him, but before he could bring it to his mouth, she said, “Aren’t you going to share that with this fine gentleman who made you feel so much better, Johnny? He is our guest, you know.”

Jonathan studied the biscuit, then twisted his little torso to look up at Darcy. He held the sweet out to him. Darcy chuckled, thanked him and bit off a piece, declaring how delicious it was, while Jonathan stuffed the rest in his mouth.

By this time, Laura had returned with the magnifying glass and Cook eyed Darcy sharply, letting him know to hold the boy fast. She prodded the open wound a bit with a needle, and relieved to find nothing, finally let the foot go. Jonathan thrust it against Cooks mouth.

“So you expect me to kiss it better, do you?” she said, laughing and covering it with kisses. “Well, first come the kisses and then come the bandages – and you better not be pulling ‘m off, young man. Your sister will get your shoes and stockings, and you are not to run around in your bare feet.”

Darcy picked up the magnifying glass and amused the boy with it, while Cook wrapped his little foot and his sister ran back up the stairs for his shoes. He thought of how young Laura Strickland really was, and the responsibilities that had been suddenly thrust upon her. Surely there were servants that started their working lives at her age, but they had grown up accustomed to the idea. From what he could gather, Laura Strickland’s life had changed drastically since Elizabeth had fled the house, and things were getting more and more difficult each day.

Jonathan was happily settled on Darcy’s lap as his sister dressed him. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for all your help,” she said. “It would have been so much harder had you not been here to hold him. He is getting so strong that soon I won’t be able to restrain him at all.”

“There is no need to thank me, Miss Strickland. I was glad to be of service. May I ask after your mother, Miss Strickland? I know she is not well.”

“No,” said Laura, lowering her head as well as her voice. “She is having an especially difficult day, and the doctor is due at noon. Nanny was trying to wash her before his arrival and had left my brother to my care. I’m afraid I didn’t do a very good job of looking out for him.”

“You mustn’t be so hard on yourself, Miss Strickland. You simply came down to answer the door. Are there no other servants in the house to help you?”

“There is one other – Mattie. But she is outside boiling linen.”

“Well, I’m sure your father will be home shortly to speak to the doctor, and then you will have his assistance,” said Darcy, smiling warmly.

Laura Strickland just looked him. Her silence and her bewildered gaze said everything. Her father wasn’t going to trouble himself to be present when the doctor arrived, and he had never been, nor did she ever expect him to be, of assistance to anyone in the house. The situation was abominable!

Jonathan was now on his own two feet, ready to run wild and get into more mischief. But each time he stepped down on his sore foot, he cried, “Ouchy! Ouchy!” and soon he was pleading to be lifted and carried about. Laura picked him up and balanced him on her hip, as if she had done it all her life. She carried him up the stairs with Darcy following, still carrying the magnifying glass.

“I shall leave you now, Miss Strickland. I sincerely hope you get a chance to rest and perhaps read a bit today. This must be a difficult time for you to keep up with your studies.”

Laura smiled – but it was a resentful, sarcastic smile. “I hardly get to read or play my piano now,” she said. “Miss Bennet would be quite upset with me,” she murmuring to herself.

“Miss Bennet? Was she your piano teacher?”

“No, she was my governess until a short while ago. But she had to leave.”

“Had to leave? Why? Did your father dismiss her?”

“No, but there were circumstances that made it necessary for her to leave. I understand that she had to go .. . .but like a spoiled child I am still very angry at her for leaving us. Things were so good while she was here, and she was a truly wonderful teacher. But now . . .”

Suddenly Julia came bouncing into the foyer from a side entrance crying, “Laura, you are finally down! Can you and Jonathan come out and play with me now? I’ve been waiting for you.” Her face was aglow with happy anticipation.

“Really Julia! You are so selfish! All you can think about is your own amusement! Your brother just cut himself, and now I have to find a way to occupy him so that I can help Nanny with Mama. Can’t you play by yourself for five minutes!” Laura shouted at her sister.

Julia’s smile vanished, her eyes watered and she said softly, “I’ll come up and show Jonathan some picture books while you’re with Mama, Laura. I’m sorry to be so much trouble to you. I don’t mean to be,” she sniffled.

Laura’s anger turned into remorse. “I’m sorry, Julia,” she said bending to stroke the unruly wisps of hair off her sister’s brow. “I’ve become a terrible ogre. I shouldn’t shout at you. I know you have no one to play with and nothing to do. Come let’s go up and see Mama. We’ll cheer her up if we smile.” And turning to Darcy she said, “Thank you again for all your help, Sir. I’ll tell my father of your kindness.”

”Perhaps it would be best if you simply told him that I stopped by,” replied Darcy, and understanding his meaning, she nodded and continued up the steps.

He was about to close the door when he realized that he was still holding the magnifier, and reentering the house, moved to put it down on the table. But as soon as the idea struck him, he found himself wondering about, looking for the door to Strickland’s study. Once inside, he strode to his desk, taking pains to cast all thoughts concerning it away, and placed the magnifier on it. There on the desk lay a pile of letters whose letterhead he could not help but recognize. He perused the top letter and smiled to himself. Well, now that he knew the bank that Strickland dealt with, things could progress more quickly. This had been a very informative visit indeed – not that he could tell Elizabeth much of what he had discovered; for it would truly break her heart.

Continued in Next Section