Page 50 of Moments Frozen in Time (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

The next day dawned bright and clear, in stark contrast to the knot of unease that twisted in my stomach.

The sunlight streaming through the window mocked the heaviness we felt as we boarded the carriage for the short journey to face both the Bennets and the Bingleys.

Fitzwilliam and I sat in silence for much of the ride, our fingers tightly intertwined, drawing what comfort we could from each other’s presence.

I could not say whether what we felt was a restless anticipation to have the matter behind us or the simple tension of knowing that neither visit would be pleasant.

Perhaps it was both. The road ahead was smooth; again, a contrast to what the day held since what awaited us at the end of it felt uncertain and fraught.

Our carriage drew to a halt before Longbourn just past nine in the morning, a little over an hour after our departure. It was early yet for callers, but that had been our intention. We hoped to catch my parents unguarded and unawares.

If their habits had not changed, Mr. Bennet would be tucked away with his books and indifference whilst Mrs. Bennet was likely above stairs, bemoaning her losses and ruing the unwed state of her remaining daughters .

As we descended from the carriage, the front door opened, and there stood Mrs. Hill. The housekeeper hurried forward, her eyes shining and her smile wide with relief.

“Oh, Miss Lizzy—begging your pardon, Mrs. Darcy—I can hardly believe it!” she exclaimed, her voice thick with emotion as she reached for my hands. They trembled slightly in mine.

She pulled me into a warm embrace. “We were so worried, all of us. No one knew where you had gone, and when the truth came out—well, it was a dreadful thing. No one could say where you’d gone, and what with that awful Miss Bingley silent in bed at Netherfield, I feared the worst, dearie. Many of us did.”

Her words struck a tender place in my heart. Mrs. Hill had always been kind to me, more motherly at times than my own mother. I gave her hands a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you, Mrs. Hill. I was fortunate that Mr. Darcy did not stop looking for me,” I replied, allowing the housekeeper to pull me into a brief, tight hug.

When she pulled back, she beamed at me, her eyes shining with her tears.

“And now you are married to such a fine gentleman! We heard bits and pieces—Miss Jane told me a few things—but it was never clear what had truly happened, only that your poor Mr. Darcy was searching high and low whilst… whilst others did nothing.”

Her voice faltered, and I saw the disapproval in her eyes. Like so many in the neighbourhood, she was aware of the role my parents had played in my disappearance and that they had made no effort to find me or to set things right.

“I worried for you every day,” she went on. “Thank goodness Mr. Darcy took your sisters with him to Pemberley—such a kindness from a man with no obligation to do so. I do hope to hear from the young misses in the future.”

I glanced towards the parlour door and lowered my voice.

“Mr. Darcy cared deeply for me before I disappeared and had already asked me to marry him. He should never have had to bear the burden to search for me alone, but I will be forever grateful that he did. We did spend a few days at Pemberley, and you will be pleased to know that my sisters are all very happy.”

Mrs. Hill nodded solemnly. “He could have walked away from you without another thought, and no one would have blamed him. He certainly had no obligation towards your sisters, but he is a good man.”

“Indeed,” I replied softly. “He is the very best of men. And now, we are married—and I could not be happier.”

She showed me into the sitting room where my mother received visitors, leaving us there alone. A moment later, Jane hurried into the room, immediately reaching to hug me tightly. Our embrace lasted several moments before she finally stepped back.

“Mr. Hill brought my trunk down yesterday and was prepared to have it attached to your carriage nearly as soon as you arrived,” she began after greetings had been exchanged.

“I have not told Papa or Mama that I planned to leave with you, but, as I said in my letter, I do not wish to remain here any longer. I thought I was helping at first, but now I can see that it has been in vain.”

I could only nod in reply before the door opened and Mrs. Bennet swept in, her expression a mix of surprise and indignation.

“Lizzy! How on earth did you get here?” she exclaimed. “What will the neighbours say—returning like this after being off who knows where for so long? I—” Her words caught in her throat as her eyes fell on Fitzwilliam standing calmly beside me. Her face paled.

“What is he doing here with you?” she demanded, her voice shrill.

I lifted my chin and met her gaze evenly.

“Mr. Darcy searched for me after you and Miss Bingley conspired to have me sent away,” I said, my voice steady and clear.

“When he found me, we were married soon after. The only reason I am here now is to inform you and Mr. Bennet of that fact. After this, I will take my sister, and we will leave Longbourn—for good. Neither of us has any intention of ever returning. The only contact we will have with either of you is the annual amount that Mr. Bennet agreed to send for the care of my sisters.”

As if summoned by my words, Mr. Bennet entered the room just as I finished speaking, his expression bewildered.

“What is this?” he asked, frowning. “Did I hear you correctly—you are married? And what was that about money for you and your sisters?”

I turned towards him. “Per the contract for guardianship you signed, Mr. Bennet, six hundred pounds per annum will be paid to Mr. Darcy for the care and education of your younger daughters. An additional four hundred will be sent to Mr. Phillips for the support of Jane and me. Both men will ensure the funds are used properly—for the benefit of your daughters. When they marry, they will continue to receive that same amount from you.”

For a moment, both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were too stunned to respond. Then Mr. Bennet spoke, his voice low with disbelief. “You expect me to give away so much. That is half my annual income.”

“Yes,” I said coldly. “And yet, only you and Mrs. Bennet will remain here at Longbourn. One thousand pounds per annum is plenty to see to your care. Why should my sisters and I have nothing from you after a lifetime of neglect? Why should Mr. Darcy bear the cost of caring for and educating your daughters when that duty is yours by right?”

I paused, letting the words settle. “Perhaps you have always ensured we were clothed and fed,” I continued, “but that is where your care for us ended. You gave us no proper guidance. No instruction beyond the minimum you were obligated to do. The responsibilities you failed to meet were shouldered by others—first Grandmama Bennet and then by Mrs. Gardiner or others. You callously signed my sisters’ guardianship over to Mr. Darcy without even reading the contract through.

You allowed me to be sent away, not knowing or caring where I was sent, just that you would have peace if Mrs. Bennet was allowed to manipulate others in the hope that Miss Bingley might have allowed Jane to marry Mr. Bingley one day. ”

Neither parent replied. Mrs. Bennet still looked as if she might faint, whilst Mr. Bennet simply stared.

I straightened my spine and looked my father squarely in the eye.

“From this day forward, your daughters will be cared for by those who truly value them. However, you are still responsible for a share of that burden. Perhaps, in the process, you and Mrs. Bennet will finally learn some measure of economy. It is not as though you are being overwhelmed with social engagements since you are being shunned by the neighbours, nor do you have daughters left in need of husbands.”

“Jane still needs a husband!” Mrs. Bennet cried, latching on to the only part of my speech that mattered to her.

“Mr. Bingley will do very well for her, and she will remain close to Longbourn. I do not understand why you speak as though she will not still be nearby. Once they are engaged, there will be no end to the social events we shall attend, both here and in London!”

“You are mistaken, Mama,” Jane said quietly but firmly, speaking for the first time since our parents entered the room.

Her voice, usually so gentle, carried an unexpected authority that silenced even Mrs. Bennet.

“My trunks are already loaded onto the Darcys’ carriage.

I am going to London with Elizabeth—and I have no desire to return to Longbourn.

As for Mr. Bingley, I have no intention of marrying him, no matter what you may claim. ”

Mrs. Bennet’s mouth opened in horror, but Jane continued, calm and unyielding, “I cannot say for certain how much Mr. Bingley knew of his sister’s plans, but I no longer believe him innocent.

You know I have not returned to Netherfield in over a fortnight, and in all that time, he has never called on me here.

There is no understanding between us. Your belief in our engagement is unfounded. ”

Without waiting for a reply, Jane turned and swept from the room with such dignity and grace that, for a moment, I could picture her as a queen dismissing a tiresome court. I fought to keep the grin from my face as I turned back to our parents.

“Good day,” I said simply and nodded once in farewell. Then I, too, swept from the room, Fitzwilliam at my side. He did not bother to conceal his smile.