Page 9 of A Maid of No Consequence (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

ANXIETY AND APPREHENSION

E lizabeth touched her cheek, where her fading bruise was now just a shadow.

“However, three days ago, I was tending to the small kitchen garden when Lord Pollard approached. He tried to lay his hand on my arm, but I put my two hands out like this, to stop him. And he walked into them, so that his chest was…” She stopped to swallow.

“It was that moment that Lady Pollard entered the kitchen garden as well. It looked...incriminating.”

“Did she hurt you again?”

“She tried,” Elizabeth admitted. “Lord Pollard tried to stop her, but not before she pulled at my cap, and my hair within, to toss me to the ground. I believe she may have spat on me too.”

“I will ruin her.” Darcy stood abruptly, clenching his fists at his sides, the chair he had been occupying making a large clanging noise as it hit the floor.

Fitzwilliam righted it, and tried to calm him. “There are discreet ways we can do this, Darcy. But he is an earl, and to prevent any kind of scandal or rumours we must tread lightly.”

“Tread lightly? When a defenceless woman is made to be humiliated at the hands of a cruel, indecent?—”

Once again, Fitzwilliam’s calm voice cut through Darcy’s rising ire. “All true. My blood is boiling to hear this as well, but we must think of Miss Bennet now, and how we can best help her from here.”

“Gentlemen,” said Elizabeth. Darcy could hear a trace of anxiety beneath the calm. “I am truly well, and I thank you for coming. I will find a resolution to my situation. I do not need a champion. I have been?—”

“You have been your own champion, out of necessity. But right now, at this very moment, you do not need to be on your own,” said Darcy gently. “Look around you. There are those who care for your welfare. Let us help you. Allow us to ensure you do not feel quite alone.”

Elizabeth began to weep. Darcy was quick to offer her his handkerchief. Once she had taken it from his outstretched hand, he reached for his chair and moved it closer, sitting directly across from her. “I apologise. I did not mean to make you cry.”

“You never do,” she hiccupped. Waving the handkerchief slightly, “And yet I am now a collector of these, Mr Darcy.”

“There are more where that came from.”

She grinned through her tears, which Darcy found captivating. “Is that meant to warn me or reassure me?”

“Always the latter.”

Darcy heard his cousin clear his throat, spoiling his rather lovely moment with Elizabeth. “This is all well and good, Miss Bennet, but we need to find a solution to your predicament. We can safely take you from London?—”

“I cannot leave London!” There was a slight panic to Elizabeth’s voice. “I must work. Where else would I go?”

Fighting the urge to take her hand in his, Darcy said, “Which of your sisters would you most like to see? We would take you to her. You need the comfort of family right now. And the chance to mend.”

Instead of the desired effect, Elizabeth’s chin came up in a defensive manner. “I am not broken, Mr Darcy.”

“It was never my intention to say that you were. But perhaps seeing a dearest sister would be the salve that your spirit needs?” When he saw Elizabeth preparing to protest, Darcy continued. “Before you raise an objection, please listen to my proposition.”

She hesitated before nodding her acquiescence, and Darcy began explaining the half-formed plan which had been swirling about in his thoughts, its steps and logic taking shape as he spoke.

“I have been postponing my journey back to Pemberley to attend to my estate. Lambton is very near, and it would be no imposition at all to convey you, with a companion of course, for propriety, to the home of your sister, Mrs McHenry. It is more than a three-day journey, and can be tiring, yes, but our carriage is well-sprung, and I would make certain you have proper accommodations, wherever we would stop for the night. We could leave as early as tomorrow morning.”

He took a breath. “What say you?”

“It would not do,” Elizabeth said immediately. “I am an unmarried woman, and it cannot be seen that you take an interest in my welfare.” She lowered her voice slightly, “People would think you had taken a mistress or were importuning your servants.”

Darcy winced, pained by the truth of that. It was the gentle voice of Mrs Partridge that broke through his thoughts. “Pardon me, sir, may I make a suggestion?”

He nodded and saw that Elizabeth had done the same. The housekeeper continued, “To my knowledge, it would not be out of order for a gentleman to escort the daughter of an old family friend to her sister’s home in Lambton. If I am not mistaken, Eliza, Mr Darcy holds your family in high regard.”

“Indeed, I do.”

Elizabeth shook her head slightly. “Even a friend of the family requires a companion to travel with a bachelor.”

Darcy was quick to answer. “As I said, we will find you a companion.”

“And what shall I do once I get to Lambton? Jane cannot, and I will not let her, support me. I must?—”

“I will help you,” he said gently. “I should hope you would trust me by now to know I do not mean to take you on such a journey only to abandon you to your own care. I will see to it that you have all that you need.”

Elizabeth gave him a look that he did not quite comprehend; he offered only a smile in reply. “I will not accept your charity, Mr Darcy. That is, I cannot accept more of your charity. It is already far too generous, taking me to Jane.”

“In Derbyshire, there will be opportunities for you, you have my word.”

“As a governess?”

“Yes, as a governess, and nothing less. I will see to that.”

Elizabeth shook her head slowly. “But why? I am not your responsibility. ”

“But you are my friend. Can I not show a kindness to a friend?” Darcy looked into her eyes, hoping she believed his words. While not entirely untrue, he certainly longed for more than friendship.

“Tea is here,” said Mrs Partridge, gesturing towards Alice and the loaded tray she carried. “May we take a moment to refresh ourselves with some tea and freshly made lemon tarts? Cook always says that decisions are better made after tea, and I tend to agree.”

After a good deal more of conversation, Elizabeth had agreed to Darcy’s plan, but only after she had requested that Sarah be her companion. “That house is not safe for her either, no matter what she may say. If you can find a position for me somewhere in Derbyshire, would there be a chance?—”

“Of course. Gladly,” Darcy said. “I will make the needed arrangements, and all will be done with the utmost propriety, I promise you.”