Posted on: 2008-11-08

Chapter 8

"My dearest," Darcy whispered urgently, sitting down beside Elizabeth and handing her a linen handkerchief. "Whatever is the matter? Is your mother ill? Has there been a death in the family? Please confide in me. You look so very ill! Shall I send for Doctor Blatchford? He and Mrs Annesley went down to the lake with the others."

"Lydia," Elizabeth managed to whisper, struggling hard to regain her composure.

Jane thought the worst and began to cry, grieving Lydia's death. Bingley considerately assisted her to a seat. Elizabeth was all the more perplexed at causing her kind sister such pangs of anxiety. It gave her the strength to tell them that no one had died and to hand the letter to Darcy.

Elizabeth feared the mortification, which he would undoubtedly feel, at her mother's rapture over his fortune. As if his worth could be determined by the size of his estate, or how much interest his investments yielded! But, this dread of Mrs Bennet's words offending him was nothing compared to how vexed he would be over Wickham's misconduct and Lydia's ruin.

Elizabeth tried to mentally practise the right way to release him from their engagement. But the thought of leaving him made her weep all the more.

Cartwright entered and with a low bow, stated, "Mr Bennet. A letter has also arrived for you from Hertfordshire, sir. Forgive my delay. I was not aware that you had returned to the House."

Mr Bennet quickly broke the wax and read his wife's rushed scrawl. He insisted that Jane, who had always had a weaker constitution, drink a cup of soothing Chamomile tea. Mr Bennet then tactfully related Lydia's disgrace to his eldest daughter and Bingley.

Mr Bennet paced the room, silently berating himself. He greatly regretted not heeding Lizzy's prior warnings. Sending ‘the most determined flirt' to Brighton with Wickham's regiment would now lead to them all being publicly disgraced!

As he watched both young men trying to comfort their fiancés, Mr Bennet's remorse was great indeed! How he wished he had never given in to Lydia's tantrums over being allowed to accompany Colonel Forster's family to the coast. The ‘moment of peace' that he had gained for himself had now caused his two dearest daughters to be tainted by association.

Darcy folded up Mrs Bennet's letter and placed it in his waistcoat. He gently squeezed Elizabeth's delicate hand, trying to determine his first course of action. She resolutely dried her eyes and turned to face him.

"In times such as these, sir," Elizabeth said quietly, "I believe it is the accepted custom to free you from..."

"Have you had a change of heart, Elizabeth?" he asked, looking even more alarmed.

"Certainly not!" she quickly replied, "But I cannot expect you to marry me! The derision and mortifications..."

"Every unkind word in ‘the Ton' would be preferable to losing you, my dearest Elizabeth!" he exclaimed, "Last week, I thought you lost to me forever! Wickham," he spat the word, "will not separate us once more!"

"I would not wish to cause you so much dishonour, Mr Darcy," she stated formally and then tried to proceed. Surely, whatever pain it caused her, she had to set him free.

Darcy obstinately shook his head, "I made a solemn and binding promise to you, Elizabeth! You must realise how ardently I love you! I myself am much to blame for this wretched state of affairs! If I had exposed Wickham, after that dreadful business at Ramsgate, then he would not have been trusted near any gentleman's daughters!"

"Do not blame yourself, sir!" Elizabeth exclaimed, "You were protecting Georgiana when you hushed up that awful business! Papa, Jane and I shall leave for Hertfordshire and..."

"You are determined to jilt me?" Darcy asked, not wanting to even let go of her petite fingers.

"There are not words enough in this Library to express how much it grieves me, sir!" she exclaimed, "But I could not live with myself if I insisted upon your marrying me. Think of your relations, your prestige and your connections! Everyone, even you, will come to resent me for the scorn heaped upon your name!"

"Do you love me?" Darcy asked plainly, gazing into her troubled, brown eyes.

"With all my heart," Elizabeth replied softly, "that is why I cannot bear to think of our marriage causing such dishonour."

"Breaking our engagement would cause me so much more grief, Elizabeth. When I overcome this impediment," Darcy solemnly vowed, "we shall marry. I shall correct the mistakes I made in not exposing Wickham's true character. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Elizabeth. We shall not be separated by this calamity!"

Elizabeth again intertwined their fingers and smiled so gratefully that he almost forgot the presence of her Papa and kissed her.

"We shall be married, Lizzy," Darcy sincerely pledged.

"Thank you, Will," she whispered and felt some of the weight being lifted from her shoulders.

Darcy stood up, ready to confer with Bingley and Mr Bennet. They quickly resolved that they would all travel to London the next day. He ordered one footman to bring Mr and Mrs Gardiner to the Library, and another to ask his sister and cousin to meet him in the sitting room. Darcy then hurriedly told Cartwright and Mrs Reynolds to prepare for the party's departure to town a day earlier than planned.

As soon as they reached the Library, Mr Bennet apprised Mr and Mrs Gardiner of the situation. When Darcy expressed genuine concerns that perhaps Elizabeth was not yet well enough to leave Doctor Blatchford's care, they seconded Mr Bennet's suggestion that she and Jane should stay with the Darcys in Mayfair.

Darcy was not sure of the size of their residence in Cheapside. Careful not to cause offence, he somewhat reluctantly offered to house all of the Bennets in his Park Lane home. They immediately insisted that Mrs Bennet, Lydia and the other girls would feel more at ease with their family in Gracechurch Street.

Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner adjourned to another room to write a letter to Longbourn. Mrs Gardiner comforted her two nieces and then swept out of the room to find the nursemaids. It would take much of the day to prepare her children for the journey.

Elizabeth was amazed and gratified by Darcy's handling of the crisis. After embracing her sister, she seconded Bingley's insistence that Jane go and rest. Jane's sleep had been much disturbed during Elizabeth's convalescence. Despite her great relief that Bingley still wished to marry her, all of the emotional turmoil had quite tired her. As they neared the grand staircase, Bingley asked a lady's maid to assist her. He then went in search of Doctor Blatchford, wondering what remedy would be best to help her to sleep.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, meanwhile, waited for Darcy in the sitting room with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley. It was rare for Darcy to summon them to a specific room and so they were all tense, fearing that Elizabeth had taken a turn for the worst. Perhaps her recovery had been too good to be true. Georgiana was therefore delighted when Elizabeth accompanied her brother into the cosy, family room. Elizabeth had taken pains to compose herself, so as not to cause Georgiana any more grief.

She sprang to her feet, "Miss B...Bennet!"

"I thought we agreed yesterday that you were to call me Lizzy," she replied warmly.

"We cert...certainly did," Georgiana replied, reaching for her hand. "Why have you been crying, Lizzy? Are you feeling unwell?" She turned to her brother, "Will, please tell me..."

"Please take a seat, Georgie," Darcy said, and tried to focus on the affection the two women showed each other, rather than think of the pain that discussions of Wickham always brought his sister.

Georgiana escorted Elizabeth to one of the elegant lounges. They both sat facing him as he paced the room, gathering his thoughts.Mrs Annesley offered to ring the bell for refreshments, but Darcy quickly shook his head.

"How may I be of assistance, Darce?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.

Darcy dismissed the footmen from the room and they dutifully closed the large doors.

"All of this must be kept in the strictest confidence, Georgie. I say this, not because I think that you will suddenly become a gossip," he tried unsuccessfully to lighten the mood, "I say this because I rely on you and Mrs Annesley to tell me if any of the servants repeat anything that they should not have overheard."

"You may rely on my assistance and discretion, sir," Mrs Annesley politely assured him.

"I know that, madam, and I am grateful for it," Darcy replied, "The Colonel and I have often remarked on what a fine companion you are for Georgiana," he glanced at his sister, who was nervously smoothing her skirt.

"I must relate a very unfortunate event to you, Georgie. Elizabeth's youngest sister, Lydia, is a girl of your age. Sadly, she is expecting the natural son or daughter of Wickham. He seduced her when she was staying with his Colonel's family at Brighton. I have convinced Elizabeth that I can resolve this situation. I still wish to marry her as soon as possible. We will leave for Mayfair in the morning with Elizabeth and her eldest sister. The rest of their family will stay with the Gardiners."

Darcy paced over and held Georgiana's hand. She was numb with shock; part of her had always wanted to believe that Wickham would never do something so despicable. She had not wanted to believe that he would give kidnappers details about her. Now, he had spun more lies and compromised another young woman's virtue. Georgiana tried to offer words of consolation to Elizabeth. Her brother's fiancé held her other hand and reassured her.

Colonel Fitzwilliam stood up. He added his own soothing words to his cousins. He then paced the room, wishing he could vent his anger against Wickham, "At least we know that he is in a cell in Bow Street! What is to be done first, Darce?"

"I shall send an express to Conductor Watkins and find out the state of affairs. I need to make some other discreet inquiries once we and the Bennets are all in London. Please come with me to consult with Mr Gardiner and Mr Bennet, Richard. If we are to reach Park Lane by Wednesday, I shall have to send quite a few horses on ahead and contract the inns." Darcy turned to the ladies, "Please excuse us."

"Thank you," Elizabeth murmured as he took his leave from them.

Darcy smiled at her fondly. He then followed his cousin out of the room, determined to put his plans into action.

Chapter 9

They made a large party rattling along the Great North Road. Darcy's coach was followed by Mr Bennet's carriage, Mr Gardiner's gig and Colonel Fitzwilliam's curricle. It did not take Elizabeth long to realise why Darcy had insisted on such a large group of outriders, or why his grooms were so well-armed. He was clearly transporting the 30 000 pound ‘ransom' back to the Bank of London.

Elizabeth sat between Georgiana and Jane, opposite Mrs Annesley, Mr Bingley and Darcy. Catching her eye, Elizabeth's fiancé sat forward. He patted her hand and then his sister's. He assured them that they need not look so worried, as he had ‘taken many precautions to keep his treasures safe.' She was delighted when she realised that he was alluding to them, rather than the strong-boxes.

Throughout the first morning of their journey, whenever they changed horses, Darcy and Bingley insisted that the ladies remain in the carriage. On one of these occasions, Elizabeth heard Darcy reassuring an inn-keeper that that his ‘sister' was indeed safe once more. It appeared that news of the abduction had spread for over one hundred miles.

There were times, when they reached steep hills, when the gentleman again alighted. To spare the horses, they would walk up to the peak. Elizabeth always strained her neck to see out the side-glass. Darcy often used this time to confer with her father and uncle. Once or twice, an outrider would approach and the men would stop and scan the horizon.

Elizabeth was grateful that Mrs Annesley considerately used this time to encourage Georgiana to tell Jane more about ‘the Ton'. Elizabeth was relieved from her share in the conversation. She used these opportunities to ponder on what she had overheard the night before. She did not want to alarm the other ladies by telling them what she herself ought not to know. She also felt a little foolish.

The previous night the gentlemen had not retired at their normal hour. Lizzy had been lying in bed, waiting for the sound of Darcy or her Papa's voices and steps outside the door to Lady Anne's suite. It was comforting, after her ordeal, to think of them being so close by.

When she had heard the clock strike eleven, she began to fret even more. All sorts of scenarios about why they tarried so long began to trouble her. What if Darcy, Bingley and Fitzwilliam had just now received further intelligence from Conductor Watkins? What if they had formed some honourable pact to revenge themselves on Wickham? What if they came up with some plan which would lead to their violent deaths? It had taken her so many months to understand Darcy's true character and express her love for him! She could not bear to think of losing him!

Elizabeth had tried to tell herself that her overactive imagination had simply got the best of her. She had tossed and turned for another hour, but then stood up. Unable to get to sleep, she had hurriedly donned a robe and slippers. Elizabeth had then crept back down the grand staircase, fancying that even the carved figures found her musings ridiculous. She had then stood nervously beside the door to the billiards room and tried to summon the courage to go in.

The Colonel's voice, raised in anger, had startled her,
"No, Bingley! Were you not listening when I tried to convince Darcy against this foolish notion! Neither you nor Darcy will go to Edward Street. If the Bow Street Runners have not found out any more about Slater's connections with Mrs Younge, then I doubt you can! It is preposterous that she would harbour the felon who Wickham alleges killed her daughter!"

There was the sound of a snooker ball being hit and then Elizabeth heard Darcy's voice, "Mrs Younge's morals are so loose, that one dare not apply a mother's sympathy to her actions!"

"I still think we are much better leaving the apprehension of that scoundrel to Conductor Watkins," Colonel Fitzwilliam was heard to say, "You are right to worry about safety of your ladies, gentlemen, but we must focus on what to do to help Miss Lydia Bennet."

Elizabeth had then heard her father say the unthinkable, "Perhaps Edward was right earlier. We could ask the magistrate to release him so that he could marry her. Whatever his punishment for the thefts and his despicable involvement in the kidnapping plot, at least Lydia's child would not be born out of wed-lock."

"I think Darcy's plan of her going to..."

But Elizabeth had not been given time to hear of her fiancé's plan. Her shocked gasp had not been lost on the room. Was this really how the gentlemen were going to resolve the situation -- marry her naïve sister off to a man awaiting trial in Newgate? Elizabeth backed away, pulling the coat more tightly around her cold arms.

Darcy had marched out into the gallery, ready to discipline a nosy servant. When he saw Elizabeth, the storm of his countenance had immediately calmed.

"Did you have a bad dream, Lizzy?" he had whispered, reaching out to gently tuck a curl behind her ear.

Elizabeth had been too embarrassed and shocked to admit the truth. After comforting her, Darcy had insisted that he and Mr Bennet would see her off to bed. He had assumed that she had heard very little of their conversation, and assured her that the ladies would all be quite safe on their journey to London.

"Lizzy?" Jane was saying, breaking into her reverie, "You look quite pale. Would you like Mrs Annesley to fetch Dr Blatchford?"

Elizabeth looked around the spacious carriage, surprised to be there in daylight, instead of in the darkened corridor of the night before. "No, I thank you," Elizabeth quickly told her sister, "I assure you I am quite well. I am just a little tired."

"We could break our journey soon, if you wish," Darcy said solicitously, following Bingley into the coach.

"I thank you for your kindness," she replied, smiling, "but I am fine, sir."

Elizabeth noticed the frown lines creasing his forehead. His concern for her well-being was touching. She endeavoured to make him smile and was relieved that Bingley seemed of the same mind as her. He told the ladies several delightful tales about the ‘jaunts and scrapes' he had encountered since befriending Darcy. Jane smiled, Georgiana giggled and Darcy chimed in with occasional witticisms. Elizabeth could see why her fiancé valued Bingley's friendship so much.

The next time that they stopped to change horses, Elizabeth tried to ‘stretch her legs.' She desperately wanted to speak with Darcy alone. Elizabeth attempted to reassure Darcy that she was an ‘excellent walker'. He hesitated, but then he looked out at the lonely heaths and plains, as if Slater and other brigands were lurking there. A look of such alarm marred his features that she quietly acquiesced to his wishes. Elizabeth resumed her seat, watching out the side-glass as he and Bingley had a long debate with Colonel Fitzwilliam.

After a pleasant lunch at a country inn, they again entered Darcy's coach. The Gardiner's and their children had lifted their spirits, but Elizabeth noticed that Jane was soon looking pensive. She tried to distract her sister from her worries about Lydia by playing "Eye-Spy". Bingley, worried about Jane's dejection, despite all of Doctor Blatchford's herbs and cordials, delightedly joined in. Darcy was a little bit more hesitant, but he could not resist the opportunity to spar with Elizabeth. Georgiana, after prompting from Mrs Annesley, also managed to take her turn without too much awkwardness.

In the late afternoon, during another stop to change the horses, both Georgiana and Jane fell asleep -- one on each of Elizabeth's shoulders. Darcy and Bingley returned to the coach. Their voices hushed as they took in the affectionate picture. Mrs Annesley offered to take Elizabeth's place, but it would be improper for Elizabeth to sit beside the gentleman. Besides, Elizabeth was sure that Jane and Georgiana had not slept well either the night before. She did not want to risk waking them.

"I have had plenty of practice," she told them, as the coach continued towards their lodgings, "Being one of the eldest of four sisters and having several young cousins, I often find myself being thus employed."

"Are you sure your neck is not getting jostled about?" Darcy inquired attentively, "Bingley and I can ride with Fitzwilliam or your father."

"I thank you, but I am quite well," Elizabeth said, a little self-consciously, "I would not wish to commandeer your equipage, sir!" She smiled, but it did not quite reach her eyes. Elizabeth did not like to think of him studying the bruising on her neck. Although the contusions around her eye and throat had almost entirely healed under his physician's care, she still wanted to look her best.

Mrs Annesley was a very perceptive and gracious companion. She leant forward with a soft shawl. Bingley reached out an arm to brace her in case the carriage was suddenly buffeted by a wind or the wheel hit a rut. Mrs Annesley gently placed the shawl around Elizabeth's neck, carefully draping the ends under Jane's forehead and Georgiana's chin.

"Thank you," Elizabeth murmured softly, gingerly tracing one of the small flowers on the green brocade, "It is a beautiful design."

Mrs Annesley smiled warmly, "Green is Miss Darcy's favourite colour. Master brought it back for her from his last journey to the Lake District."

Much to Elizabeth's delight, Darcy and Bingley then spent much of the late afternoon describing all of the places she wished to visit in that part of England.

Darcy had carefully chosen an inn, ‘The Woodlark' which stood on a quiet lane, half-a-mile away from the Great North Road. After supper that night, Darcy led her up the stairs and kissed her hand at the door to her suite. Elizabeth smiled and thanked him for all of his kindnesses to her family.

Darcy thanked her for loving him, for humbling him and then, to hide his embarrassment at such a speech, gave a low bow. Darcy straightened up and told her that he had men who would patrol the lane. She was preparing to broach the subject of his plan for Lydia, when her father cleared his throat from the bottom of the stairs. Elizabeth did not wait for her Papa's sardonic remarks about how this was at least the fourth time that she had farewelled Mr Darcy and the gentlemen for the night. Elizabeth wished them both a good rest and then reluctantly closed her door. She heard Darcy assuring her father of his men taking shifts guarding them during the night.

He need not have worried; however, the night was largely uneventful. The next day was much the same as the last. Indeed, their only ‘catastrophe' was five year old Archie spilling his soup on six year old Jemima's favourite frock. This ‘disaster' was soon rectified by Mrs Gardiner's nursemaid, Sally.

As that Tuesday drew to a close, Elizabeth found herself in a cosy room in ‘The Wheatsheaf' at Alconbury Hill. She dismissed Lucy for the night and carried a candle over to the dressing table. She sat brushing out her hair and reminicising, for some time, about Darcy's considerate efforts to put her family at ease.

The inhabitants of the inn all stomped or tottered up the stairs to their beds. Elizabeth was not tired. She had dozed off in the late afternoon sun and woken, the next time the carriage stopped rocking. With amazement she had realised that instead of reading ‘100 miles to London' the road markers now showed that they were within ‘70 miles' of their destination. Darcy had found her teasing remonstrances of Jane, for letting her sleep and miss seeing Sawtry Abbey highly amusing. He had promised to take her on a picnic there after a ‘certain, blessed event.'

Elizabeth smiled at the memory as she curled up in the soft bed. She began reading a novel from Pemberley's fine collection. The storm clouds, which had been gathering that evening, gave way. Heavy rain thundered against the inn's roof. There were crackles from the logs in the fireplace as drips fell down the chimney. Elizabeth stretched and tucked the warm quilt under her chin. Lucy had told her that it was a Darcy family heirloom and that the family always travelled with their own bed linen. Elizabeth treasured all of Darcy's loving gestures as she went back to her book, admiring the heroine's tenacity.

Elizabeth's candle suddenly blew out, plunging the room into darkness. She sat up, waiting for a flash of lightning to illuminate her way to the fireplace. That way she would not stub a toe as she relit the wick. When the thunder did peal and the lightning illuminated the room, however, Elizabeth sat frozen, shocked; staring at the window panes. She was convinced that she had seen a man's face there. She clutched the quilt more tightly around her slender form and tried to convince herself that it was not Al Slater. The next time the lightning flashed, there was no one there. Surely she had imagined it!

Elizabeth slowly stood up, wrapping the quilt around her shoulders. She fumbled for the candle and padded over to light it from the fireplace. She walked cautiously over to the small window and peered out. Holding the candle up, she looked hesitantly from side to side. There was no one balanced there.
Glancing down through the sheets of rain, at the muddy lane, she could see one of Darcy's footmen. He had a musket in his hands and was standing under the eaves of the stables.

Thinking she had let her mind play tricks on her, Elizabeth returned the candle to the small table. She then turned to settle herself back in the bed. Then the floorboards next to her door suddenly creaked. Elizabeth nerves had been frayed past their breaking point. She opened her mouth and an ear-piercing scream escaped past the lump in her throat. She pictured Al Slater leaning over her, his callused hand brushing against her décolletage, his putrid breath warm against her face.

The door flew open and one of Darcy's footmen burst in. As soon as he realised that she was not in mortal peril, the young man bowed and apologised for disturbing her slumber. He then made a hasty retreat as Darcy and Mr Bennet both stumbled into her room.

Darcy reached her first and embraced her. He spoke soothing words about how her ‘nightmare' was over. He insisted that she sit in a chair by the fire while he sent a servant for hot milk. She could hear him telling others on the landing that ‘all was well'.

Darcy returned and entreated her to drink the warm beverage. Elizabeth watched his Adam's apple moving up and down as he caught his breath. Apart from his emergence from the pond at Pemberley, it was the only time she had seen him without a cravat. Elizabeth tried to focus on these minor details, instead of the leering face she was trying to convince herself that she had not seen at the window.

Mr Bennet crouched over and tucked the quilt around her. Noticing the book on her bed, he tried to lighten the mood, "Now, now, Lizzy, don't tell me that was another shriek due to Mrs Radcliffe?"

Elizabeth finally found her voice and solemnly entreated them both to listen to her, "Maria Edgeworth's novels rarely inspire fear, Papa. In fact, I was reading of Belinda's betrothal to James Jackson. A stormy wind blew out my candle. When the lightning flashed, I thought I saw a man's face at the window. Just now, when the floorboards creaked outside my door, I panicked. I am sorry for waking you both up."

Darcy paced over to the window and motioned to the footman patrolling the inn-yard, "I assure you that you are quite safe, Lizzy. But, to be on the safe side, I will summon two more men to check the mews and..."

Perhaps it was the late hour, but she found his patronising tone particularly irksome, "Will you simply humour me when I express a fear after we are married? I assumed that you respected my intelligence. Do I not get any say in how you determine my sister's fate?"

Darcy looked stunned and was about to ask her to explain herself, when her father raised his voice.

"Lizzy!" Mr Bennet exclaimed, "That is no way to speak to Mr Darcy. He has been nothing but kind to your sister. Jane admires him a great deal."

"I meant Lydia!" Elizabeth replied and then studied the pattern on the quilt, "I am sorry. I just feel that one of you could at least consult me about what you plan to do for Lydia. I did not mean to behave so abominably. I resent myself for looking so ridiculous earlier. Fancy screaming in that manner..."

Darcy turned to order the footman posted near the door to take a lantern and check the inn-yard for intruders. He then turned and gently tucked a tendril of Elizabeth's soft hair back behind her ear, "Please accept my apology, Lizzy. I am so accustomed to making all of the decisions for my sister. You know her nature and her age. It will certainly be different between us. Of course, I wish to hear your opinion. What would you have us do for Lydia?"

Elizabeth watched gratefully as both men pulled chairs up to the hearth beside hers. Her Papa's white night-cap glowed in the soft light, as he stoked the fire. Elizabeth gathered her thoughts. She sipped the last of the milk and placed the mug on the low table beside her. Darcy sat quietly, admiring the way that the firelight brought out the auburn tones in her luscious hair.

Elizabeth began by apologising for eavesdropping on the men's conversation. She added, "I do not wish for her to marry Wickham and I think we can all see that she would try the patience of even the most devout Mother Superior. I believe that sending her ‘abroad' to have the child would be for the best."

"You two are of the same mind, then," Mr Bennet smiled.

Darcy nodded, beaming at Elizabeth, "I am glad to see that I have you as an ally! We do not need to fasten another manacle around Lydia's ankle. Why - Wickham's crimes may lead to him being transported to the colonies! I am trying to convince your father to send her to a reformatory school in another county. For the sake of subterfuge and for their own benefit, your younger sister's could also attend the institution. They could keep Lydia company in her confinement and also broaden their own horizons!"

"What are your objections to such a scheme, Papa?" Elizabeth asked, sitting forward to warm her hands by the fire.

Mr Bennet looked away and spoke hoarsely, "I could not hope to repay one-tenth of the cost of such an endeavour. Also, the child would then be placed in a school or home somewhere. If Wickham is unable to pay for its upkeep for the seven-years mandated by law then there is another mouth, which I do not have the means to feed."

Elizabeth glanced at Darcy who shrugged dejectedly. "Papa," she said, reaching for his hand, "You know that I do not believe that either you, or my kind fiancé here, should blame yourselves for not stopping this great shame from occurring. If, however, Mr Darcy wishes to behave charitably towards Lydia's child, why would you restrict him? You will do what you can to help, and together, this situation will be resolved."

Mr Bennet studied their earnest faces and then shook Darcy's proffered hand. He stooped down to kiss his daughter on the cheek, before making his way over to the door. Darcy caressed her cheek and then followed Mr Bennet out onto the landing. He smiled fondly at her before wishing her goodnight. The door clicked shut and Elizabeth stretched. She padded over and made herself comfortable on the bed. She fell asleep listening to Darcy and his footmen discussing how there was ‘no sign of any intruder.'

"What an intruder!" Caroline Bingley exclaimed the next evening, "Miss Eliza is such a scheming ‘adventuress'!"

She was sitting at Mr Hurst's dining table in his Grosvenor Street townhouse. She had just finished relating the shocking news to her sister's corpulent husband, but then began all over again when Louisa returned from berating the cook.

"Oh, Louisa, you have returned at last! Now, I had just finished paying a call on Miss Grantley in Park Lane. It was raining so hard that I could barely see across the way into Hyde Park. Moffat rushed off to the barouche to fetch me an umbrella. A fine-looking curricle rounded the corner and I recognised the Earl of Matlock crest. It was followed by a handsome coach. They headed for Derby House..."

"What is so extraordinary about Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam arriving in town?" Louisa asked, reaching for her soup spoon, "It would be just like Charles not to write to us and tell us the gentlemen's plans!"

"It is not the gentlemen I am trying to tell you about!" Caroline exclaimed in exasperation, "It is the ladies! Dear Georgiana and Mrs Annesley will not be the only ladies enjoying his hospitality! Shall I make you guess who he brought with him? Whose trunks were being unloaded as I stepped in to the barouche?"

Louisa raised her eyebrows and almost spat out her last mouthful of turtle soup, "No! He would not! He should not!"

Caroline nodded, "Yes! Miss Eliza and her eldest sister have... invaded!"

"Darcy must have serious designs on Miss Eliza," Louisa observed, "I am not sure why you are so excessively diverted -- is not this more a tragedy, than a comedy?"

Caroline smirked, the orange plumes of her hat almost tickling Mr Hurst's nose as she leant her head to one side. "It is a farce, dear sister! ‘The Ton' will eat Miss Eliza alive! I shall be at hand to show Darcy what a truly accomplished lady is like!"

Their shrill laughter did carry on the breeze for some distance. It did not, however, quite reach Mr Darcy's townhouse. Not that he had even spared Bingley's sisters a thought. He was far too busy enjoying showing Elizabeth and Jane through Derby House. As the clouds began to clear, he pointed through one of the Palladian windows, telling them about the fine walks one could enjoy in Hyde Park.

Cartwright entered the third-storey study and informed them that the lady's rooms were now ready. Darcy reluctantly took his leave of them. Elizabeth and Jane were then shown down to their second-storey bedchambers. They were across the hallway from each other. Georgiana appeared with a young maid. She shyly introduced them. Jane was touched at the Darcy's kind attentions to her comforts. There were soon giggles coming from the bedchamber.

As soon as she entered, Elizabeth knew that this beautiful room had belonged to Darcy's mother. The same warm colour scheme as that of Lady Anne's suite at Pemberley greeted her. There were so many elegant and neo-classical furnishings to admire. Lucy soon appeared to help her dress for dinner. It was while the ladies' maid was styling her hair, that the commotion downstairs reached Elizabeth's ears.

Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam had insisted on being part of the plan to resolve Lydia's situation. They had unpacked their belongings while the horses were changed, and then taken Doctor Blatchford to Cheapside. It appeared that they had not returned alone. Elizabeth could hear her youngest sister's cacophonous voice from two stories away! She excused Lucy and then rushed down the stairs.

"I demand that you take me to see him, Darcy, you pompous prig of a..."

"Lydia!" Elizabeth exclaimed, almost tripping on the bottom step.

"Stay back, Lizzy!" Darcy said in alarm.

"Stay back from what?" Elizabeth asked, but the question was unnecessary. As soon as Lydia wheeled about to face her, Elizabeth could see that it was not only her eyes that were blazing.

It was little wonder that Lydia had been quickly removed from the Gardiner's four children. A spotty, copper coloured rash marred her gaunt-looking face.

"Oh, Lydia," Lizzy murmured, stepping forward to help her sister over to a chair, "My poor sister."

Lydia shrugged off her arm, "I may not have been very well, but, Lord, I am well enough to see my George! You can be the first person to congratulate me when I am Mrs Wickham! Where is he? Bingley and these others have been no help, whatsoever!"

Elizabeth tried to soften the blow of the awful news she would have to relate. "Wickham is in Newgate Prison, Lydia. He is suspected of theft and of plotting to kidnap Miss Darcy. I was hurt when the men he knew came to take..."

Lydia turned to Darcy, "You have filled my sister's head with lies!" she spat.

"Do not dare to speak to him like that ever again!" Elizabeth rebuked her, "Wickham is a scoundrel! Look what he has done to you! You were not carrying a child before you went away with his regiment! Nor were you sick!"

Darcy reached out a restraining hand, not wanting Elizabeth to get too near the contagion, "What pox has he given her, Doctor Blatchford? What can be done for Miss Lydia?"

Doctor Blatchford apologised to Elizabeth for his need to speak ‘matter-of-factly', "I am afraid that Miss Lydia has syphilis. Some young men think that if they lie with a virgin, it will heal them of this scourge. It merely passes it on to the poor creature he has seduced. We shall not catch it just from speaking with her, but I feared it would be too much for the Gardiner's children to bear. I can have her admitted to the ward at St Bartholomew's for mercury treatments as soon as you wish." He looked around at their shocked faces.

Lydia defiantly turned her back on him, still unwilling to admit that Wickham was not her ‘angel.'

Posted on: 2008-11-11

Chapter 10

A warm breeze blew the front door of Derby House shut. Darcy postponed dinner and dismissed Mrs Lovell and the servants. He tried to exhort Elizabeth's youngest sister to adjoin to the parlour. Doctor Blatchford wished to properly examine her, but even his ‘bedside manner' was unsuccessful. Lydia rudely and stubbornly refused these attempts to have her retire to the private room. It appeared that she had already caused quite a scene at the Gardiner's -- refusing to answer Darcy's physician's questions, or allow him to better assess her symptoms.

Colonel Fitzwilliam quietly related the story. It seemed that Lydia had only agreed to accompany the gentlemen to Mayfair in the mistaken belief that she could berate Darcy into showing her ‘where my George really is.' Lydia believed that her Papa was telling ‘horrid tales' to punish her for agreeing to a ‘secret engagement' and ‘being round' with her ‘fiancés child'. She did not believe Mr Bennet when he told her of Wickham's arrest for theft and involvement in the kidnapping plot.

Bingley turned at the sound of slippers on the stairs. He saw Jane and Georgiana approaching, and hurried up there to warn them. They took his advice, and decided to wait in the second-storey sitting room, until Lydia had been examined by Doctor Blatchford.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, meanwhile, tried to reason with Lydia. Despite his easy manners and considerate offers of refreshments, she turned her back on him. Lydia could be heard muttering to herself, in an effort to drown out his account of Wickham's duplicitous character. Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged troubled glances.

The physician stepped forwards and handed Darcy a letter from Mr Bennet. In keeping with his desire to prove to Elizabeth that he did indeed value her intellect, he held it where she could also read it.

19th August, 1812
Dear Sir,

I had the misfortune, on arriving in Cheapside, to find my wife in hysterics over a rash that has suddenly stricken our Lydia's features. After consulting with your excellent physician it appears that Lydia has been concealing this symptom of ‘French disease' for some weeks. Liberal amounts of powder had been employed, as had those infernal fans, which that libertine stole for her.

You are a man of the world and must assume, as I did, that it was indeed Wickham who has besmirched her with this dreadful ague. She does not think it possible, but she knows little of such matters. I was ever so grateful to the Colonel and Bingley for their prompt offer to transport her to a Hospital. I understood from your most excellent Physician that he would consult with you before admitting her in a ward.

Please assist my dearest Lizzy, and my tender-hearted Jane, in their grief over this most unfortunate turn of events. I apologise for not coming this evening to do so myself. It would be neither prudent nor kind for me to leave my wife and younger daughters at present.

I prayerfully hope that you and Lizzy can make Lydia see sense. She must forget that foolish rogue! How little of permanent happiness could belong to a couple who were only brought together because their passions were stronger than their virtue? Please help my daughter to realise her great need for expeditious treatment.

Yours &c. Thomas Bennet
Grace-church Street.

For Elizabeth's sake and out of a sense of how --but for the Grace of God -- this could have been his own sister, Darcy approached Lydia. He spoke politely and offered her his arm. She was so awe-struck by this unexpected kindness that she accepted it. Colonel Fitzwilliam excused himself and went in search of Georgiana, Bingley and Jane. Elizabeth, pleased by Darcy's humble ministrations to her ungrateful sister, quietly followed her fiancé and Doctor Blatchford.

After seating Lydia on a beautifully upholstered sopha, Darcy handed her a glass of port from the sideboard. Elizabeth politely declined any refreshments. She took a seat beside Lydia and reached for her hand. Doctor Blatchford followed Darcy's lead and sat down on the sopha opposite the ladies.

"Miss Bennet," Darcy addressed her formally, deciding that he must model the honesty and etiquette he wished for her to adopt, "I must entreat you to accept an apology. My hauteur in Meryton encouraged many people to believe my former friend's version of events. If I had publicly refuted his claims and allowed Mr Wickham's true character to be known, then no gentlemen's daughter would find herself in this predicament."

Elizabeth's tentative smile was all the reward he needed. He consoled himself with it, while weathering a barrage of insults from Lydia.

"Please do not weary yourself, Miss Bennet," he began again, when she paused to sip her drink. He then proceeded to relate to her a true and painful account of Wickham's dealings with his family -- ending with the most recent attempt to secure Georgiana's dowry.

Lydia looked shocked and particularly rallied against the suggestion that her ‘fiancé' would make an offer of marriage to another woman. She repeated the lies about Georgiana which Wickham had long circulated. Just as Darcy was losing his patience with Lydia, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He glanced up to see his sister silently standing there.

A tear slid down her cheek, "I do so wish to be of assistance, Will. Please introduce me to our guest."

Darcy hesitated and then made a formal introduction. He was shocked at how resplendently poised his sister seemed. Georgiana seated herself beside Elizabeth's sullen sister and proceeded to give her own account of Wickham's actions. Lydia reluctantly nodded a few times, surprised at how similar her own early acquaintance with Wickham had been.

Georgiana opened her small silk reticule, "This is the fan that he gave me at Ramsgate. For some months I kept it, thinking that he was truly in love with me."

Lydia reached out and opened it up, "Lord! It is almost identical to one of the ones he gave me!"

Darcy found it odd that this fashionable, yet trivial, item, held sway for Elizabeth's sister. More than all of their rational arguments, it convinced Lydia that there may be some truth in their account of Wickham.

"Last w...week," his sister continued, "G...George really did propose to me again. He made it sound like, after her ordeal, no respectable man would ever marry Lizzy. He told me that I must convince my brother and cousin to allow us to marry. George said that, as my husband, he could use my dowry to set up a home where we could keep Lizzy safe. George told me that he loved me. He says all kinds of things, you see, but he does not really mean them. I am sorry to say, Miss Lydia that he has also made you false promises. He has made you sick. He has left you to carry his child. You must allow my kind brother and your excellent sister to help you."

Georgiana then quietly slipped out of the room, crying quietly. Darcy rose and rushed off to comfort her. Elizabeth squeezed Lydia's hand and quietly encouraged her to allow Doctor Blatchford to examine her. Elizabeth remained by her sister's side, while Darcy's physician poked and prodded at his patient. She was relieved when Lydia slowly began to answer his questions.

Elizabeth was shocked to learn that Lydia had become secretly engaged to Wickham ‘after that freckly, horrid Mary King left Hertfordshire.' This meant that he had begun his seduction of her youngest sister at Easter.

Doctor Blatchford put his instruments away and spoke clinically and directly to the young woman. He was pleased that Elizabeth was so sensible and attentive. It made him feel more at ease when addressing Lydia. "You mentioned that you found it hard to use the privy about a week after your first union. That is because you had a chancre on the...point of contact. While this was healing, and you no doubt felt relieved, the secondary stage of the illness invaded your body."

"What does the secondary stage entail?" Elizabeth asked, looking worriedly from her sister to the doctor.

"You can see for yourself, Miss Bennet. Despite being at least four months along, your sister has gained little weight. Her belly naturally protrudes where the infant gestates, but I do not believe the child is receiving adequate nutrients."

Lydia was alarmed, "I have had little appetite, but I have forced myself to eat, sir!"

"This condition is like vampirism, Miss Lydia. The scourge feeds on all that sustains you. It makes your cheeks gaunt, your joints weak and then this horrible rash spreads. This eruption, the ‘flutterings' and the feverish headaches have nothing to do with your child. The young man has infected you with syphilis."

Lydia took Elizabeth's proffered handkerchief, "But Wickham was not sick. He did not have much rashes!"

"I assume that his condition is in a period of latency, child. It has been known to last thirty years, but in most cases, the third stage soon develops and the patient develops tumours and loses their mental faculties. Some of his recent aberrant behaviour may be an indication of this," Doctor Blatchford paused, "Now, now, do not cry, child. Fortunately for you, Mr Darcy is willing to provide the best care available."

"What treatments are available?" Elizabeth asked, grasping Lydia tightly to her side.

"Lydia will be placed in a long box. Her head will poke out one end. Mercury will be placed in the box and a fire will be kindled under it. The mercury will vaporise and, this along with blood-lettings, should remove the ill humours from her body."

Elizabeth rocked Lydia back and forth, just like she had when her sister was quite small.

Doctor Blatchford broke the stunned silence, "We must prepare to admit Miss Lydia into a special ward at St Bart's. I will summon your eldest sister. You must say goodbye."

Loud sobs suddenly racked Lydia's body and Elizabeth desperately tried to comfort her, "I don't want to die! I don't want to die!"

"You may not die," Doctor Blatchford replied calmly, "But you shall not be able to see your family for some weeks. The infectious ulcers will soon burst and we do not want anyone else to become ill. Also, the mercury treatments will sap all of your strength."
Doctor Blatchford quietly left the room and went to inform the others of his findings.

"I thought he loved me," Lydia repeatedly moaned as Elizabeth rocked her back and forth.

"I love you," Elizabeth said tearfully, stroking Lydia's thinning hair, "Mama, Papa, Jane, Kitty and Mary all love you. We shall all write to you everyday and Darcy will see that you want for nothing."

Jane stumbled into the room, already blinded by tears, and rushed over to embrace her sisters. Elizabeth continued to comfort them both until she felt Darcy's hand on her arm. She glanced up and he solemnly told her that the arrangements had been made. He had even had the foresight to send an express to Grace-church Street. Elizabeth wiped her eyes and expressed her gratitude.

Georgiana embraced Jane as Darcy and Bingley led Lydia out to the Colonel's curricle. Elizabeth insisted on staying with Lydia until the last moment before her departure. As soon as the men had seated Lydia beside Doctor Blatchford, Elizabeth tucked a shawl around her. She whispered a hopeful prayer as she kissed Lydia's cheek. Darcy took his fiancé's arm and patted her hand.

Elizabeth was relieved when Lydia quietly thanked Darcy for his benevolent assistance, and gratified at how Darcy solemnly wished Lydia well. Elizabeth stood there quietly for a few minutes as the small equipage carried her sister away. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam returned to the house, eager to comfort Jane and Georgiana. Darcy waited patiently beside Elizabeth, his fingers stroking her gloved hand on his arm.

"I thank you for all of your ministrations to Lydia, Will, and I do not want to hurt you," Elizabeth began, turning to look up at him, "but I cannot marry you at such a time."

Darcy's brow furrowed and he looked highly displeased, "I would not expect you to marry me while your sister is so very ill!" He took a deep breath to regain his temper, "I am sorry. What I mean is, I will not think of obtaining the special licence or announcing our engagement until after Lydia is recovered."

As they walked back into the house, Elizabeth tightened her hold on his arm, "I must profusely apologise for angering you, sir. I merely meant that..."

"Please do not make yourself uneasy," Darcy replied quickly, "We have had a very trying evening, and I snapped at you out of fear."

Elizabeth was always surprised when he admitted to some vulnerability, "Of what were you afraid, sir?"

"I was worried that you were about to once more end our betrothal out of some misguided sense of shame."

"Oh," was all Elizabeth could manage; her relief that his ire had been raised out of love for her was palpable.

Their party of six were quite subdued that evening. Mrs Lovell, and Darcy's other servants were eager to please. The many dishes of the belated dinner were exquisite. Elizabeth found it difficult to swallow, however. Her heart seemed to be in her throat.

Darcy quietly informed their friends that he would not be publicly announcing his engagement due to Lydia's predicament. Bingley then solemnly related that he and Jane had also decided to postpone their nuptials. Their acquaintances would assume that the party had returned to ‘the Ton' because of Lydia's illness and the shocking business at Lambton. Darcy did not need to remind his guests that they would have to be discreet about many details.

For Georgiana's sake, Elizabeth and Jane did not retire as soon as they wished to. Mrs Annesley had already taken a quiet supper and retired for the night. They did not want to leave Georgiana alone to fret. They sat in the pleasantly appointed drawing room, quietly reading Psalms and Poems to each other, until the gentlemen returned from Darcy's study. Elizabeth was relieved when Darcy insisted that they all retire for the evening. As much as she loved being with him and their friends, she needed a time of solitude where she could reflect on the day's events.

Lucy appeared a few minutes after Elizabeth had entered the luxurious suite. She bustled about, preparing her master's fiancé for bed. Lucy tried to distract Elizabeth from the news of her sister's illness by showing her the amazing, new water-closet.

"I have never used one myself, madam," Lucy said, marvelling at the contraption. "Mr Darcy's late father had it installed when Lady Anne was convalescing here. There is also one in the Master's suite."

"It is certainly different to a chamber pot," Elizabeth observed, "Thank you for explaining it to me. I should never have known it was tucked away back there. "

"Oh, and are not the lights of Mayfair the brightest, too, Miss Bennet?" Lucy asked pleasantly, as she turned down the bed.

Elizabeth walked over to one of the large windows and peered out into Park Lane, "Oh! I did not notice earlier!" she exclaimed, "There are gaslights all the way along the length of Hyde Park! On my uncle's street, they don't have anything this grand!"

"They are a wonder," Lucy agreed, stoking the fire, "Do you require anything else, madam?"

"No, thank you," Elizabeth replied and politely dismissed her. She stood for some time looking out at the tall lamps, hoping for brighter days for Lydia and all those she loved.

Chapter 11

Thursday did indeed dawn bright and clear, but Elizabeth's spirits were not cheered by the pleasant weather. She dreaded the inevitable post-engagement meeting of her mother and Darcy. While she penned a quick letter of encouragement to Lydia, Elizabeth thought about how she could delay it.

Even picturing Darcy's mortification at Mrs Bennet's ‘flutterings' made Elizabeth feel ill. By the time, she had sealed the letter Elizabeth had fixed on a plan whereby she could see her Mama on her own. Surely she should at least try to instruct her mother on how best to relate to Darcy.

Before Lucy even appeared, Elizabeth had already begun her toilette. The lady's maid apologised profusely for being ‘late to rise'. She gently tightened Elizabeth's stays and helped her to don a peach morning dress. Elizabeth assured her that she had simply arisen much earlier than expected. Lucy then diligently followed her instructions and went to assist Jane.

Elizabeth checked that there were enough coins in her reticule and then made her way down the hallway. She rushed down the stairs, hoping that as he had at Rosings, the Colonel would already be at table. The sun was glinting off the ‘Morning Chronicle' as he sat in the breakfast parlour. Elizabeth was relieved to find him alone.

He stood to greet her, "Good morning Miss Elizabeth! What is the reason for all this haste? Has Bonaparte invaded?"

"No, no," Elizabeth smiled warmly, declining the seat that Phipps offered her, "Colonel, you mentioned last night that you had business to attend to, before you returned to your parent's townhouse. I assumed that you would be patronising the Bank of England."

"You assumed correctly," Fitzwilliam replied hesitantly.

"May I please go with you?" Elizabeth asked, hastily tying the strings of her bonnet.

"Good morning, Mr Darcy," Mrs Lovell said, as she bustled into the room directing two maids, "Good morning, Colonel. Oh, that is a becoming colour, Miss Bennet."

Elizabeth quietly thanked her and reluctantly turned to see the troubled look on her fiancé's face.

"A word, if you please, Miss Bennet," he said briskly, motioning to the door.

Elizabeth noted the grim line of his mouth and the rigidity of his posture. She smiled apologetically at the Colonel and then followed Darcy out into the vestibule.

"After your assurances last night," he stated formally, "I believed that you were no longer in a hurry to leave."

Elizabeth had not intended to cause him such anxiety, "I merely wish to see my mother bef..."

"Naturally, that was to be our first call this morning!" Darcy exclaimed abruptly, "As charming as he is, I do not see why you would prefer my cousin to accompany you."

Elizabeth was so stunned. Despite all of his wealth and education he really was quite insecure. "You misunderstood me, sir!" she said at once, "I was not going to insist on the Colonel escorting me at all! I was merely asking him to take me as far as the Bank of London. I can take a hackney-coach from Thread-needle Street to my Uncle's home."

"That is preposterous!" Darcy exclaimed, "At least, I can take comfort in knowing that Richard would never have agreed to such a scheme! I assume that I should be relieved that you had not planned to walk!"

"I once carried an urgent message from my Uncle Gardiner's warehouse to the Guild Hall, and that is a much further distance!" Elizabeth exclaimed, "I am quite capable of finding my way around that borough!"

"I do not doubt it," Darcy said, lowering his voice as two footmen descended the stairs behind them, "You shall, however, never go there alone again. I will not risk losing you. Al Slater is still out there, Lizzy!"

Elizabeth reached for his hand, "I should not have alarmed you so the other night, Will. I merely let my imagination get the better of me. I know I am quite safe here, and it is not as if any rogue would follow me around in a hackney-coach!" she squeezed his hand, "I conceived of this plan because you have endured enough mortification for one week. My mother will be intolerable. I was even planning on making excuses for Jane and Bingley. She will either fawn over your friend and ignore you; or flatter you to the point of vulgarity!"

"You are not ashamed of me?" Darcy mumbled, his thumb stroking her gloved hand, "You merely wish to spare me from your mother's... manner?"

"Why on earth would I ever be ashamed of you?" Elizabeth asked incredulously.

"Then I should like to come," Darcy replied softly, "I have planned a full day for us."

She smiled and took his arm. They walked in to the breakfast parlour together.

"Good morning, Richard," Darcy said, gently pushing Elizabeth's seat in, "There will be no need for you to change your plans. Bingley and I shall personally accompany the ladies to Cheapside."

"As you wish, Darce," the Colonel replied, passing Elizabeth the plate of pastries.

Elizabeth thanked him and selected one for her plate, "In time," she told the Colonel, "my fiancé may not think London has so much dissipation and vice as the editors of the Chronicle."

"You are familiar with it?" the Colonel asked in surprise, "Most ladies merely read the society gazettes!"

"Oh, I see I am in error. Perhaps I was being naïve about London after all," Elizabeth teased him. "If a woman has the misfortune of knowing anything, she should certainly conceal it as best she can."

"You are lively, Miss Elizabeth!" Colonel Fitzwilliam exclaimed, "I cannot wait until my Mother and Aunt are told of your betrothal!"

Darcy sipped his tea, "I think Lady Matlock will find Elizabeth as refreshing as I do! As for Lady Catherine, she will..."

"Think me quite impertinent!" Elizabeth exclaimed, "She will wonder at what nefarious scheme I used to entrap you!"

"I am much more worried about the genuinely nefarious schemes of some of the town's vile citizens." Darcy countered.

Elizabeth sipped her tea and arched an eyebrow, "And do they all reside closer to the warehouses surrounding St Paul's?"

Darcy studied his fiancé's countenance to be sure that she was not genuinely offended, "I did not mean to imply that respectable people like the Gardiner's were ‘vile citizens.' I merely meant that there are many people, in all quarters of London, who seek to harm others for their own gain."

"They are not all barbarian mercenaries," Elizabeth conceded wryly.

"I shall use rational arguments to convince you not to ever venture out alone." Darcy began to count them off on his fingers, "One, it has only been five months since Prime Minister Perceval was assassinated as he entered the House of Commons. If our highest elected official is in danger in Westminster then what hope does a young lady have? Two, there have been several murders on Lower Thames Street since..."

"Three," Elizabeth said, again trying to lighten the mood, "The Luddites may decide to charge up from the Midlands and wreak havoc!"

"Oh, I would pay a hundred pounds to hear you say that in my Aunt's presence, Miss Elizabeth!" the Colonel exclaimed, "Let's see. Four, the Peninsular War may reach our shores before supper."

"Five," Elizabeth added, relieved that Darcy was at last smirking at them, "I may lose my bonnet in a gust of wind! You know my principal happiness depends on it!"

Darcy chuckled, "Well, at least I was willing to be rational!"

"I merely want you to see that you are not following the tenets of your sex. Have you not heard that if anything disagreeable is going on, then it is a gentleman's prerogative to get out of it?"

Darcy shrugged, "Your mother has been unpleasant to me before. I will conduct myself in such a way to please you, madam. I need not fear either her approbation or scorn."

"Oh, I do not deserve you!" Elizabeth exclaimed happily, "But I shall not tell you so too often. Then you may start to believe me and set your hat at someone more worthy!"

"You are the first woman he has ever set his hat at!"
Colonel Fitzwilliam exclaimed, laughing at the idea.

Darcy was awed by the mirth dancing in Elizabeth's eyes. He looked down at his plate and then reached for the newspaper.

Colonel Fitzwilliam leant towards Elizabeth and spoke in a dramatic whisper, "You may have realised that Georgiana is not the only shy Darcy. Is it any wonder that people think them too aloof?"

Darcy rolled his eyes, "Is it any wonder, Richard, that people think you too amiable for your own good?" Darcy made a show of ignoring their laughter by loudly turning the page of the ‘Morning Chronicle.'

"Well, sir," Elizabeth smiled at the Colonel, "As your cousin has had enough of our teasing, we will need to find another target."

Fitzwilliam looked uncomfortable, "I do need to warn you about something, Miss Elizabeth."

Elizabeth was alarmed at his sudden change in mood, "There was not bad news from Doctor Blatchford? When he brought the curricle back, did he say that Lydia..."

"No, no! No bad news at all," Colonel Fitzwilliam quickly replied, "I just want you to be on your guard against the less kind ladies of ‘the Ton'. I say this before Bingley joins us because..."

"You think his sister will be my chief antagonist?" Elizabeth asked.

The Colonel nodded, "As the two of you are not announcing your engagement, Miss Bingley will continue her attentions to Darce and..."

"Good morning," Bingley said, springing into the room, "What a fine day it is! Did you sleep well, Miss Elizabeth?"

"Yes," Elizabeth replied, "I thank you, sir."

"I do hope your sister is well," he replied, opening his gold watch to glance at the time.

"I think that my lady's maid may be lavishing her with attention, sir." Elizabeth replied, "I arose early and Lucy quite missed the opportunity to fuss over my hair!"

"I am sure that your sister needs little adornment!" Bingley declared, "Of course I did not mean to imply that you do, Miss Elizabeth! You are just as angelic!" he added quickly, not wanting to give offence.

"Here's another young man that is too amiable for his own good!" Darcy muttered and Colonel Fitzwilliam almost spat out his tea.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, excused herself to go and help her sister and Georgiana prepare for the journey to Cheapside.

Colonel Fitzwilliam stayed long enough to farewell Georgiana. When she embraced him for the second time, he exclaimed, "I shall only be around the corner in Berkley Square! No doubt I will see you later in the week." He then politely took his leave of them.

While the ladies and Bingley finished their breakfast, Darcy went to speak to the grooms and inspect the carriage. Mrs Annesley saw that Georgiana felt pained by the Colonel's departure. She offered to change her plans and accompany the party for the day.

"No, I thank you," Georgiana replied, "My brother insisted that you visit your nieces, Mrs Annesley. I shall spend a pleasant day with the Miss Bennets."

As Darcy handed her into the carriage, Elizabeth hoped that the day would, at the very least, not be too unpleasant. Georgiana insisted that she should sit in the middle, allowing Jane and Elizabeth to view the city streets from the side-glasses. Darcy beamed proudly at her. Bingley appointed himself as their tour guide. He pointed out several places where illustrious personage lived. As they travelled through Covent Gardens and other suburbs of ill repute, Elizabeth held her tongue. She was tempted to add less illustrious anecdotes, of which she had read, to Bingley's genteel observations.

As they turned onto Grace-church Street, Jane pointed out a row of large buildings, "Our Uncle Gardiner owns those warehouses there, beside the East India Trading Company."

Georgiana smiled politely, "It is certainly a hive of activity!"

"I am afraid that there is a lot of dust and noise," Jane said apologetically, "but my Aunt Gardiner has a very pleasant parlour and you shall soon forget all about it."

"Oh, p...please do not make yourself un...uneasy on my account," Georgiana stuttered.

They pulled up in front of a neat row of terrace houses and a groomsman opened the door, "Number 19, sir?" he asked.

Darcy nodded and stepped out of the carriage. He handed Elizabeth down and then offered his other arm to Georgiana. Bingley then escorted Jane up the narrow steps.

"Jane! Lizzy!" Mrs Bennet gushed as soon as they stepped into the Gardiner's drawing room, "Oh, we did not expect you! Mary and Kitty have taken the children down to the Monument! Oh, my dear girls, did you see our Lydia? Well, of course you did! Oh, my poor child!"

Mrs Gardiner and Mr Bennet politely welcomed their other guests. Elizabeth affectionately returned her mother's embrace and prayed that she would not try and greet their guests in the same manner.

Darcy stepped forward and bowed formally, "Mrs Bennet, allow me to extend my deepest sympathies over your youngest daughter's illness. I trust that under Doctor Blatchford's care, she will soon be restored to you. May I introduce my sister to you?"

To Elizabeth's relief, her mother was quite stunned by Darcy's formal mode of address. She stuttered her thanks and then merely stood rigidly still.

Georgiana curtseyed and haltingly said, "All of my prayers and best wishes for Miss Lydia's full recovery, madam."

Mrs Bennet looked dumb-struck, "Oh, thank you ever so much, Miss Darcy! It is such a pleasure to meet you. What a fine thing for my girls to be your guest in Mayfair!" she clutched at her bosom, "Well, I never! I would not have taken such a genteel girl to be Mr Darcy's sister! Oh, and Mr Bingley, I knew my Jane could not be so pretty for nothing! When shall the happy events take place?"

"Mama!" Elizabeth exclaimed, most ashamed of her for implying that Darcy was not a gentleman, "We have decided to postpone the weddings until after Lydia is well enough to attend. Now, let us leave our guests to enjoy Papa and Mrs Gardiner's hospitality. I must speak with you about..."

"Postponed? I was just now telling your father that we should publish the matter at once! Oh, my dear Jane!" Mrs Bennet exclaimed, turning from one to the other, "My poor Lizzy!" She stepped forward and touched Elizabeth's cheek.

Mrs Bennet fingers grazed the tender skin near Elizabeth's left eye. Elizabeth's sharp intake of breath was not lost on the company. Darcy stepped forward to offer his assistance.

"Lord, Lizzy! We must put some Gowland's Lotion on that at once! Oh and your neck is bruised! Your Papa did not mention that!" Mrs Bennet exclaimed, "You will never be as fine-looking as Jane, but you could at least try to look your best. The ‘quality' shall think you ever so ‘rough and tumble'!"

"Your daughters are both two of the handsomest women of my acquaintance," Darcy countered, assisting Elizabeth and his sister to the lounge, "I assure I have done everything in my power to help her to heal after her ordeal. Indeed, I would expect you to compliment her on her bravery!"

Darcy then paced over to the window and stood looking out into the busy street. It took him several minutes to master his temper. He cared little about being personally affronted, but was angered by how little Mrs Bennet valued his precious Elizabeth.

Thankfully, Bingley was soon able to draw Mrs Bennet into a more pleasant conversation. So, when Darcy next turned around, Mrs Gardiner and Mr Bennet had made the other ladies feel more at ease.

Elizabeth's apologetic countenance soon prompted him to go and sit close by her. His kind attentions soon had her smiling once more. Before they left, Darcy extended an invitation to the Gardiner's and the Bennet's. Sunday afternoon was decided on as an excellent time for a picnic in Hyde Park. Darcy offered to send a coach and a curricle for their journey across the city. Mrs Gardiner and Mr Bennet gratefully accepted and Mrs' Bennet's effusions on the matter were like a whirlwind.

"I am so sorry, sir," Elizabeth murmured, as soon as they were seated in his equipage once more.

"We are all in one piece," Darcy attempted a smile.
"Lizzy! Lizzy!" Mrs Bennet bellowed, rushing up to the door of the coach. She waved two letters above her head.

Darcy tapped on the carriage's roof four times with his walking stick. A groomsman walked around and opened up the door. Sparing Elizabeth the inconvenience, Darcy crouched in the doorway and politely accepted the letters. Mrs Bennet then repeated her rapture at seeing them all again on Sunday. Darcy again patiently took his leave of her. Darcy handed Elizabeth the letters and then sat back quietly beside Bingley. Mrs Bennet stood waving enthusiastically after them.

They were passing Lincoln Inn's Fields before anyone other than Bingley or Jane spoke again.

"It was a p...pity not to have seen your dear cousins again, Elizabeth," Georgiana ventured, worried by her brother's protracted silence and Elizabeth's nervous posture, "and I very m...much look forward to m...meeting your sisters."

"Thank you, Georgiana," Elizabeth replied, "Kitty will want to ask you about nothing but balls and Mary is prodigiously interested in music."

Jane, Georgiana and Elizabeth then had a pleasant, if somewhat stilted, conversation about the Bennet sister's personalities and hobbies.

"You need not stand on c...ceremony, Elizabeth," Georgiana said after a while, "We sh...shall not be offended in the least if you r...read your letters. When, Will is away and I r...receive one from him, I open it at the first opportunity."

Darcy stopped silently berating himself for losing his temper and upsetting Elizabeth. He smiled at his sister, "I am glad you like my letters so much, Georgie," Darcy then tilted his head at Bingley, "Someone often mocks me, saying I spend too long thinking of four-syllable words and the like."

Elizabeth smiled at Bingley's attempt to look innocent of such a charge. She turned to Georgiana and pretended to console her, "Do not be alarmed, Miss Darcy! His sister praises your brother's penmanship, so much so, that all of Mr Bingley's offences are soon forgotten!"

"Perhaps you should read your letters, Elizabeth," Darcy said pointedly, "I seem to remember you promising to stop teasing me at breakfast."

Elizabeth sighed dramatically, "Alas -- I fear I cannot read them -- not with an audience to see how either vexed or diverted I shall become! Both are from Hunsford Parsonage -- one from Charlotte and one from her husband. I have been delighting myself with conjectures and suppositions about the content of the latter, which I fear the former will warn me not to take seriously," Elizabeth replied.

Darcy was bemused, "You shall have to explain yourself to Georgie. My sister does not quite know how to take such a speech."

"With a grain of salt, of course, Georgiana," Elizabeth said, turning to her. The carriage jolted a little and they laughed all the more. "My cousin, Mr Collins, is the vicar at Hunsford. I believe you may be connected with his noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh?"

Georgiana giggled and nodded, her face lighting up at the banter between her brother and Elizabeth.

"Well, I am afraid that my father's estate is entailed on the male line, so Mr Collins is to inherit it. Do not trouble yourself with such matters -- we do better to think of ribbons and gowns. So, Mr Collins, unable to make amends by marrying one of the Bennet girls, has carried off my good friend, Charlotte, to Kent!"

"Why was he unable to m...marry one of the Bennet girls? People marry their c...cousins all the time!" Georgiana exclaimed.

It was indelicate, despite the fact that she expected that Bingley and Darcy knew much of the story, to directly answer such a question. Jane leant over and whispered that Lizzy had refused his hand and that is when he had proposed to Charlotte. Georgiana blushed and thanked Jane for telling her.
To break the awkward silence which followed, and to show that she trusted Georgiana with her confidences, Elizabeth opened Charlotte's letter. She read it aloud, just as she often did with her own sisters.

16th August, 1812
My dearest Lizzy,

I was much alarmed to receive your last. Indeed, I am sure that you have given scant details so as not to vex me further! I am relieved to hear that you are safe and recovering well. Mr Darcy and his sister are to be praised for such diligent and gracious attentions to you. Please pass on my best regards. Remember me also to your sister and Mr Bingley.

I was most concerned to hear that Lydia did not return from Brighton in the best of health. I received a letter to this effect from Lucas Lodge. Hopefully, Mr Perry's tonics will soon have her running about once more.

I will not sport with you by describing the weather or the goings-on in the village. I write merely to tell you that I am praying for you as you recover. Such a dreadful business!

My husband has insisted on writing his own missive. I know that you will not take his words to heart.

God bless you,
Charlotte Collins

"She sounds like a de...delightful friend," Georgiana commented.

Elizabeth smiled and then opened Mr Collins' letter with a flourish. She began reading aloud but, by the third line, her voice tapered off. She was soon wiping the tears from her eyes.

16th August, 1812

Cousin Elizabeth,

It was with much displeasure and sadness that I heard of your recent abduction in Derbyshire. A very shocking business indeed! How anyone could mistake you for one of the Darcys beggars belief! What addle-pated rogues they must have been! The niece of my fine patroness is surely so highly-bred, genteel, above reproach and graciously poised!

I am relieved that you were little harmed. Loss of virtue in a female renders her untouchable and you would have then remained a spinster and a burden on your family. I fear there may still be some stain on your character. Why, you were absent from your family and friends for two days! At least now, if you are ever so fortunate as to receive the attentions of a suitable gentleman, you will be less haughty and more willing to bend to his will.

Lady Catherine, in yet another display of magnificent condescension, took the trouble to listen to my account of what I knew of your ordeal. She agreed with me that it is not time or opportunity that determine intimacy; it is disposition alone. Mr Darcy, as an upstanding gentleman, will do his duty by you, as someone who aided his family, but that shall be the end of your ‘adventure.' Your natures are too disparate to hope for more. I say this for your own good, Cousin. Many young women scheme to ensnare men who are of much too high a rank for them. I hope to put you on your guard against such blatant attempts to come to his notice in the future. It does not befit a Christian lady to do so.

Yours &c.
William Collins

Posted on: 2008-11-15

Chapter 12

Mr Collin's letter became quite crumpled as Elizabeth wiped another tear from her eye. Her peals of laughter unsettled Georgiana. Bingley, too, worried that Elizabeth was near apoplexy! Jane's attempts to reassure them, however, were not heard over Elizabeth's giggled repetition of a few key phrases.

Darcy realised that there may be a sense of shame underlying Elizabeth's mirth. He phrased his question carefully. "May I read it in its entirety?" he asked shifting forwards in his seat.

Elizabeth patted the tears away from her cheeks and slowly regained her composure, "I suppose you should read it, sir. Lady Catherine will undoubtedly berate you all the more when you announce our engagement. You must keep in mind, however, that my cousin is narrow-minded and pompous. You must give me your word that you will not take his slights seriously." She passed the letter to her fiancé, who took the opportunity of clasping her hand for a few moments.

Darcy then took the unprecedented step of ripping the letter in half, "You know that it is complete and utter nonsense motivated by vindicate spite, Lizzy!" he exclaimed.

Elizabeth nodded and thanked him for this assurance of his love. She agreed with him that they should put the letter out of their minds. Darcy watched her as she chatted with Jane, Georgiana and Bingley. He worried that she looked a little pale. Particularly after her mother's performance, he surmised that she had exerted herself quite enough for one day.

"Perhaps we should head back to Derby House, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy said, during a lull in the conversation, "You could rest while Bingley, Jane, Georgiana and I, call on his relations."

Elizabeth was in no hurry to inflict such a fate on Jane. She locked eyes with him once more, "I assure you, sir, I am quite fine. I was a little surprised by my cousin's vitriol, but it really was quite comical. He knows so little about either of us! I am a little worried about what would happen if he knew of Lydia's true situation, but I am not feeling unwell."

"Do not dwell on your tedious cousin's ramblings, madam," Darcy replied, "I still think you need a rest before our call in Grosvenor Street. We shall have enjoy some refreshing ices first."

Darcy tapped the roof of the carriage four times. The coach slowed and then pulled over on the side of the busy cobble-stoned street. He addressed the footmen who opened the door, "Please tell the postilion to change routes. I wish to stop at Gunter's before proceeding to Mr Hurst's."

The young man bowed and they were soon off again. Bingley resumed his commentary on the sights of western London. Darcy was very attentive to his fiancé. Elizabeth smiled warmly, hoping to convince him not to worry about her.

Jane asked her fiancé about the famous parks in the area. He mentioned several fresh and beautiful spots in Green Park. Georgiana then excitedly told them about all of her favourite walks in Hyde Park. Her shyness returned as soon as they entered Gunter's.

The Berkley Square confectioner's was frequented by many fashionable people. Darcy smiled reassuringly and took his sister's arm. Elizabeth beamed fondly at him as she took the other. Followed by Bingley and Jane, he expertly led them through into a large, colourful parlour.

Glass cases along each wall contained row after row of handsome jars of preserved fruits. There were tables with fine canisters of candied sweetmeats of every possible hue. Other tables were piled high with pyramids of tartlets and pastries. This was all reflected in ornate pier glasses.

Darcy led them over to table and they were soon all eating delicious ices. The cool treats were a welcome relief on the bright, summer's day.

Jane told Bingley and their party a delightful anecdote about their young cousins. When Georgiana's quiet, lilting laughter was not heard among the others, Elizabeth realised that her betrothed's sister was no longer listening to their conversation. She glanced over as the younger woman suddenly stiffened her posture. Georgiana was peeking furtively at a nearby table. A cavalry officer and two lavishly-dressed women, wearing ridiculously decorated hats, were studying their group.

Elizabeth leant over and patted Georgiana's hand. "I cannot help thinking," she whispered, "that it is more natural to have flowers growing out of one's head than fruit. What do you have to say on the subject?"

Georgiana giggled, thinking the ladies' hats quite silly, but felt too awkward to reply. The spell had been broken, however, and she returned to her refreshing treat. Elizabeth caught an adoring glance from Darcy when she straightened up. He had barely even noticed that there were other people in the room. His attentions were fixed on Elizabeth and her affectionate care of his shy sister.

"How lovely it will be to see Mary and Kitty on Sunday," Jane remarked and Bingley readily agreed.

"Oh, I quite forgot!" Elizabeth exclaimed, opening her reticule, "I must post my letter to Lydia."

"I will have one of my men take it to Doctor Blatchford's residence," Darcy replied, taking it from her hand. He also took the letter which Jane had written. Darcy stood up to go and arrange for them to be taken to his physician's house in Piccadilly.

"Darcy!" a booming voice called, "What the devil! You must set my mind at rest about that dreadful business in Derbyshire!"

Elizabeth noticed her fiancé wince slightly. She soon realised why Georgiana had seemed so wary of the women in the hats adorned with fruit. As Darcy turned to welcome Major Tilney, he also politely greeted Miss Grantley and her companion, Mrs Trumpington. Miss Grantley was a close friend of Caroline Bingley's; their mutual hobby was malicious gossip.

Elizabeth stood between Jane and Georgiana as introductions were made. Major Frederick Tilney walked forward with a slight limp. Miss Grantley rudely whispered several times to her chaperone. Mrs Trumpington appeared to agree with everything her charge said.

"Miss Jane Bennet and her sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, live near Bingley's Netherfield Hall in Hertfordshire," Darcy explained, finding it very irksome that he could not introduce the women as their fiancés.

"Which beauty do we thank for coming to your delightful sister's rescue?" Major Tilney artfully asked.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet was taken in her stead," Darcy said quietly, hoping that his tone would put an end to the delicate subject.

The Major gave a low bow, "It was a selfless and brave act from one of the fairer sex, madam. If I can be of any assistance while you recover, please do not hesitate to name it."

A polite smile graced Elizabeth's face, "I assure you that Mr Darcy and his sister have generously provided for all of my needs."

"We had better continue with our morning calls," Darcy said abruptly and his party soon took their leave of the others.

"Have I offended you, sir?" Elizabeth asked, after a few minutes of tense silence in the carriage.

"Not at all, madam," Darcy replied absent-mindedly. He wished to have a few precious moments alone with her to explain himself, but it was not possible. This frustrated him all the more.

Darcy's well-appointed, private coach was soon outside Mr Hurst's extravagant town-house in Grosvenor Street. If Darcy had been able to hear its occupants' commentary on their arrival he would have been even more unsettled.

Caroline and Louisa peered from behind a fine satin curtain and looked down their noses at the Bennet sisters.

"Darcy does not pay Miss Eliza any special attentions," Louisa observed, noticing that he had extended an arm to both his sister and Caroline's rival.

"Oh my - what a poor creature she is!" Caroline warbled triumphantly, "Peach! Nobody in town is wearing such a shade this season!"

"Miss Bennet's jaconot muslin makes her quite the Plain Jane," Louisa tittered.

"As usual our dear Georgiana is the picture of gentility! That scalloped lace on her bodice is divine! She will do well for our Charles."

"Her brother will soon come to his senses about Miss Eliza's scheming ways and begin his addresses to you, Caroline," Louisa confidently predicted.

As they heard footsteps approaching they quickly resumed their seats. A short butler opened the parlour door and then announced the arrival of their brother and other guests. After they were all seated and refreshments had been served, Louisa prompted Caroline to address her rival.

"It is such a relief to see you looking so well, Miss Eliza," Caroline said.

"I thank you;" Elizabeth said politely, "Mr Darcy has made prodigious efforts to aid my recovery."

"Oh, that is as it should be!" Louisa exclaimed, "You were ever so brave!"

Bingley was quite pleased that his sisters were apparently making amends for their past incivilities to Elizabeth. Darcy and the others silently assumed that it was all part of some scheme.

"How are all the other Bennets?" Caroline asked disingenuously, "They must be eagerly awaiting your return to the country."

Jane sipped her tea and said simply, "Our parents and sisters are all in town. Lydia is ill and Mr Darcy has generously recommended her to the care of his physician."

They both exclaimed at how benevolent Darcy was. To prevent further inquiries about Lydia's condition, Bingley changed the subject, "We met Miss Grantley, Mrs Trumpington and Major Tilney in Gunter's."

"Oh, dear Miss Grantley!" Caroline exclaimed, "She is a truly accomplished young lady! Did she tell you about her new pianoforte, Miss Georgiana?"

Georgiana shook her head and stammered a response, making herself as small as possible on the settee.

"I am sure it shall be the talk of Surrey!" Louisa exclaimed and then turned to the Bennet sisters to explain, "Her father, Lord Grantley has an estate in that lovely country. He had the most exquisite instrument shipped to Wonersh Park for her birthday. Mrs Trumpington is the widow of the vicar from near there. Lord Grantley is the patron of the living. He graciously offered a place to the poor woman as his daughter's companion. Miss Grantley quite dotes on her!"

"They seemed like very fashionable ladies," Elizabeth commented, smiling to herself at the memory of their extravagant hats.

"They certainly are!" Caroline agreed, "Lord Grantley is a very distinguished gentleman. He owns a magnificent house in Hanover Square," Caroline added.

Darcy stood up and paced over to the window. He watched as Phipps returned from delivering the letters to Doctor Blatchford. Darcy was annoyed by Bingley's sister's snobbish prattle. He saw it as an attempt to intimidate the Bennet sisters. To end the lull in the conversation, Jane inquired about Major Frederick Tilney.

"Oh, he is a charming gentleman!" Caroline exclaimed, "His father is General Tilney, who owns Northanger Abbey, which is close to Bath. His sister, Eleanor is married to Mr Edward Winston, the Earl of Gloucester. There's a younger brother, but he chose the church as his profession and has, therefore, not much distinguished himself. Major Frederick Tilney was wounded on the Walcheren Expedition of '09. After his recovery, he left the regulars and has since distinguished himself as part of the Blues."

"He belongs to the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards," Bingley explained to Jane and Elizabeth.

"Such an elite regiment!" Louisa remarked, "He was married to Miss Burlington, whose father owns much of Piccadilly. Unfortunately she died in childbirth, so there is yet no heir for Northanger Abbey."

Darcy suddenly turned around, "I am afraid that I have some business to attend to after luncheon, so we must make take our leave."

"We thought you may like to walk out with us this afternoon," Caroline began to say.

"Miss Elizabeth Bennet is still recuperating and must rest," Darcy maintained.

They politely farewelled Bingley's sisters and made their way to the coach.
As soon as they were seated, Elizabeth tried to catch Darcy's eye.

"I assure you I quite well," Elizabeth asserted, "If our friends wish to take a turn in Hyde Park, then..."

"I have asked Doctor Blatchford to attend you after luncheon," Darcy announced, "I shall be meeting with Conductor Watkins to discuss the progress of his investigation."

Elizabeth nodded and sat back as the coach's horses began to trot. She was sure there was something else on Darcy's mind. It was his sister who illuminated her on the subject. While the finishing touches were made to the luncheon, Elizabeth was admiring a portrait in the dining room. Georgiana slowly approached her and tentatively embraced her. Elizabeth was a little surprised by the affectionate gesture from her shy friend.

Elizabeth tenderly caressed her cheek, "What has unsettled you so, Georgie?"

The younger woman haltingly said, "Earlier, you asked Will if you had of...offended him. He was not a...angry with you. He does not ap...approve of Major Tilney. I heard him telling Bingley that the Major is a rake. I think Will would prefer to delay my ‘coming out' for de... decades."

Elizabeth was relieved that she now had a better understanding of Darcy's reactions, "He loves you very much, Georgie. He is much like a father to you; wishing to protect you from any further harm. Do you have a particular regard for Major Tilney?"

"I do not seek his notice of me," Georgiana blushed, "And I do not wish to ‘come out' before Will thinks it best. He always does what is right. I just wish that he and Colonel Fitzwilliam did not think of me as being a small, fragile China doll."

"I am sure that after Conductor Watkins' investigation is completed and my sister's health improves, your brother will be much more at ease. I am sure that your cousin will be first in line to dance with you at your ‘coming out' ball," Elizabeth replied.

"Oh, you are a t...treasure!" Georgiana gushed, hugging Elizabeth.

"I could not agree more," Darcy said fondly, captivated by the picture they made as he entered the room.

Elizabeth smiled as he assisted her to a chair. She wished she could wind forward the clock to Georgiana's seventeenth birthday. By then, she would have the joy of being Darcy's wife.

Chapter 13

Darcy handed his hat and gloves to Phipps and then entered the sitting room. "Bravo!" Darcy exclaimed, as his sister ended Für Elise with a flourish, "That was worthy of the Medici Chapel in Florence, Georgiana!"

"I do not believe that Mr Beethoven would think so!" she blushed, "Thank you ever so much for your kind approbation and for the new music books. How was your meeting with Conductor Watkins?"

Darcy rested both hands on the pianoforte and surveyed her inquisitive countenance. He eventually said, "There is not as much progress as I would have liked. Please do not press me for details. I do not wish to quarrel with you."

Georgiana sighed and then nodded, "I know you will do what is right. I only wish that you would realise I am not quite such a little girl anymore. Of course, I could not ask for a better brother."

"Nor I a better sister," Darcy smiled, "May I ask a favour of you?"

"Certainly," Georgiana replied, standing up from the instrument.

"Decorum dictates that I cannot attend Miss Elizabeth's appointment with Doctor Blatchford. Will you please see how much longer her examination shall be?"

Georgiana graciously smiled and walked out of the sitting room. Darcy pulled the small gift from his waistcoat, admiring the ribbon. He hoped that Elizabeth would be pleased with it. Georgiana soon returned; her face was flushed from rushing back down the stairs.

"What is it?" Darcy asked at once, but Georgiana was only able to stutter that Elizabeth was not in her room.

"Please do not become agitated," Darcy told her, putting the small parcel back in his pocket, "She may be undergoing the examination in her sister's room."

"Mr Bingley t...took Miss Bennet and Mrs Annesley out to pr...promenade in Hyde Park," Georgiana replied, "and Cartwright said that Doctor Bl...Blatchford had not yet arrived. There have not been any callers."

After enlisting Mrs Lovell and Cartwright's help, Darcy began a search of the townhouse. Servants were soon calling out that there was no sign of her in the study, the dining room, the breakfast parlour or any of the other rooms on the first floor. She was also not found in any of the bedchambers on the second storey. Lucy called down from the servant's quarters that her mistress was not on the upper level. Phipps and Cartwright rushed out to check the wilderness and mews. They soon returned without her. Elizabeth was nowhere to be found.

Darcy was becoming increasingly alarmed, "When did you last see Miss Elizabeth?" he asked his sister.

"About half an hour after you left for Bow Street," Georgiana replied, "Surely, she would not have gone out walking on her own!"

Darcy rushed out into Park Lane and down the basement steps towards the kitchen. Surely one of his staff had seen her in the last three hours! As he passed the downpipes and water tank, Darcy caught a glimpse of her prone figure in the courtyard. He rarely ventured into what had been his mother's ‘inner sanctum' during her illness. Darcy did not realise he had been holding his breath, until he saw that Elizabeth was merely sleeping. She looked so peaceful and he backed quietly away - not wishing to disturb her. He accidentally tripped on a book, which must have fallen from the bench beside Elizabeth. Darcy quickly righted himself but the sound woke her with a start. A confused smile graced her face and then she began to apologise profusely for destroying the volume of poetry.

"I am afraid that I must bear the blame for that, Lizzy," Darcy replied, retrieving it for her, "I rather panicked when I came home and could not find you."

"That was no reason to punish Mr Cowper!" Elizabeth smiled, trying to smooth out the book's pages, "I am sorry that I caused you anxiety. I must have exerted myself more than I thought. Doctor Blatchford said that such recoveries take time. I wonder why he has been so delayed. I hope that Lydia has not taken a turn for the worse. I thought myself quite clever to have found a way of going outside..."

"Without going outside," Darcy finished for her, "Yes. My father's grandparents planned for Derby House to have many amusements, including this small, private garden. My mother cultivated the herbs and flowers." He smiled wistfully, "May I have the pleasure of your company in the sitting room, Elizabeth? I am afraid that Georgiana thought you had been carried off by gypsies," Darcy remarked.

Elizabeth knew that his fears were far more realistic. Darcy's visit to the Bow Street Office would surely be weighing on his mind. She decided that he would tell her about it in his own time. Elizabeth took his arm and they returned to the main house, much to the relief of Georgiana and the servants. In the sitting room, Darcy took the book from her as she sat on the settee beside Georgiana. He walked over and placed it on the mantelpiece and then turned to face them.

"I obtained gifts for you both while I was out," Darcy announced. He reached into his right waistcoat pocket and then handed the small parcel to Elizabeth. Darcy ignored Georgiana's protests that she did not require a gift. He handed her a long, thin box from his other pocket.

"You are too kind!" Elizabeth exclaimed happily, noting that the peach ribbon was almost the exact shade of her gown.

He tried not to sound too impatient as he said playfully, "It is customary to remove the bow to see the gift."

Georgiana, meanwhile, had opened the new set of watercolour pencils and quickly embraced her brother. After thanking him several times, she rushed out to find her sketchbook.

Elizabeth looked at the beautiful gold chain nestled in the delicate rose petals, "For my amber cross," she murmured and wiped a tear from her eye.

"Please tell me that I have not plagued you with some horrid recollection," Darcy said suddenly, misinterpreting her tears. He sat down beside her and took her other hand in his.

"Oh, not at all!" Elizabeth exclaimed, "I am merely awed by how truly considerate you are. I had not thought about replacing the chain that... was broken. "

Darcy brushed his lips against the soft skin of her hand, relishing being able to touch her. Elizabeth blushed and then hesitantly lifted his hand to her own lips. She placed a tender kiss on his knuckles and then rested her head against Darcy's shoulder. Elizabeth seemed to fit right there. Darcy felt so much joy at having his affections returned. He quite forgot himself as he thought about spending the rest of his life with the woman he loved.

Cartwright broke the spell, clearing his throat in the doorway, "Doctor Blatchford has just arrived, sir."

Darcy stood up. "Show him in," he told his valet.

Elizabeth was carefully re-tying the ribbon on her gift when the physician entered the sitting room. Georgiana bustled in and showed him her brother's latest gift as she greeted him. Doctor Blatchford admired the watercolour set politely and then asked to speak with Darcy privately. Elizabeth immediately protested that if it concerned Lydia's treatment she wished to be told of it directly. Darcy thought the worst and was about to insist on Georgiana leaving the room. He then thought better of it. He did need to trust her with more responsibilities and she would be of comfort to Elizabeth.

Doctor Blatchford waited for Darcy's nod and then took a seat opposite Elizabeth and Georgiana. Darcy paced for a moment, worry lines creasing his forehead and then closed the sitting room doors. Darcy walked over and reached for Elizabeth's hand. He stood quietly, his eyes on Doctor Blatchford.

"I have news of the worst kind, Miss Bennet," the physician began nervously, "Personally; I advocate the ideas proposed by Doctor Alexander Gordon on the matter. He believed that clean linen and better ventilation in lying-in rooms were necessary. I am also afraid that not all midwives are trained as well as they could be."

Elizabeth was confused. In her shock, she said, "You said that Lydia was only four or five months along. The baby is not due until after Christmas."

Doctor Blatchford sat forward and continued in a sympathetic tone, "I am afraid that her body was too weak to bear many of the mercury and blood-letting treatments. Her child became still and midwives were sent for to help. After the miscarriage, I was allowed in to check on her. I read your letters to her and comforted her as best I could. I am afraid that she lapsed into a puerperal fever during the night. Despite the forceps used during the delivery, some portion of the afterbirth was retained and gangrene claimed the life of your poor sister this afternoon."

Tears blurred Elizabeth's vision as she tried to stand up to deny that such an awful fate could befall her sister. She only realised she was falling when she felt Darcy's grip tighten on her. He gently picked her up and his troubled eyes were the last thing she saw before everything went black.