Page 54 of Moments Frozen in Time (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

ELIZABETH

“ W hat might we do to help, Isla?” I asked gently, releasing Fitzwilliam’s arm and stepping towards the maid, who looked pale and uneasy. Her brother hovered a few paces behind her, his expression grim and guarded.

“When we took the position in London, I thought Miss Bingley looked familiar,” Isla began, her voice tinged with a faint Highland lilt. “But it wasn’t until she sent us to accompany you to Scotland that I remembered where I’d seen her before. She had visited the very cottage where you were sent.”

I nodded, in what I hoped was encouragement for the girl to continue her tale.

She paused, her eyes flicking between us, before she continued.

“Once we delivered you there, we planned to disappear. We wanted no more part of it. But Mrs. Bingley—her mother—found us. She told us you were searching for us and that you meant to see us jailed for stealing away your bride. We thought sendin’ that letter to the inn near Dumfries with her location would help, but it did not.

Mrs. Bingley, she still insisted we come here, although I cannae understand for what purpose. ”

At that, her eyes flicked warily to Fitzwilliam, checking for his reaction, and I saw the fear lurking just beneath her carefully held composure.

“You have nothing to fear,” I said gently, speaking before my husband could. “Neither Mr. Darcy nor I hold you accountable for what happened. Unless there is something you have yet to share, we understand you acted under orders and had little real choice. What would you have us do now?”

Isla’s shoulders eased, though the tension did not vanish entirely.

Her voice trembled with gratitude as she answered, “Truly, just knowin’ ye dinnae mean to see us arrested is more than we ever dared hope.

But if—if there might be a place for us, somewhere we could stay together, wi’ honest work and maybe even a reference in time… we’d be that grateful.”

She hesitated, then added with difficulty, “Miss Bingley used the fact that I’d once worked in the cottage—as if that alone proved I was untrustworthy.

I feared that if I displeased her, she’d dismiss me from my position…

or worse. I hoped that if I acted rude or difficult to manage, she might let us go quietly.

But she wouldnae. I think she feared I might speak of how we first met even though I swore I would not. ”

I exchanged a look with Fitzwilliam, then turned back to Isla.

“I believe we could find a place for you both at Pemberley,” I said.

“But if you would prefer something further away, Fitzwilliam’s estate in Scotland is not far from Dumfries.

I do not know if that’s your home, but you might be more comfortable there. The choice would be yours.”

“Truly, madam?” she asked, tears welling in her eyes.

“Our family’s still in Scotland, and we’d be grateful for a position so close to them.

That’s where we were headin’ when we crossed paths wi’ Mrs. Bingley.

Like her daughter, she recognised me from my time at the cottage and near forced me to go with her.

My brother wouldnae leave me behind, so she had no choice but to bring him along as well. ”

I looked at my husband again. When he just smiled and then nodded, I grinned back at him. “Of course,” I said. “The carriage with our servants went on ahead to Darcy House. You will need to travel with us there now; how long will it take you to gather your things?”

“Just a moment, Mrs. Darcy,” Isla answered, and both she and her brother hurried away to collect their things.

“That was… unexpected,” Fitzwilliam murmured once Isla and her brother had gone. He looked as though he meant to say more, but before the words could leave his mouth, the sound of hurried footsteps drew our attention.

Mr. and Mrs. Hurst descended the stairs with uncharacteristic urgency, their expressions anxious as they approached.

“Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy,” Mr. Hurst began, a note of genuine distress in his voice.

“We wished you to know that we had no knowledge of Caroline’s actions.

My wife has suspected for some time that her sister’s illness has been exaggerated, but we had no proof.

After Miss Bennet confronted my brother, some things changed, and as far as we knew, no more letters were sent, but still, we could not prove that Caroline was not as ill as she tried to appear to be.

Mrs. Hurst did attempt to persuade her sister to reveal what she knew several times in the last few weeks, but Caroline still refused to speak in her presence. ”

Mrs. Hurst stepped in quickly. “When our mother arrived yesterday, I knew something was amiss. I have not spoken to her in years—not since she caused a scene at our wedding. She and my father were long separated before his death, and I kept my distance afterward. I once believed she and Caroline had grown close during her supposed stay in Yorkshire, but clearly, that was a lie. As you have obviously learnt, it seems Caroline was in Scotland instead—giving birth to the child of a stable hand from her school. I cannot begin to express how appalled I am by what has been revealed today. I feel as though I have aged a decade in the last hour. ”

I looked to my husband, who gave a silent nod acknowledging their words.

“Thank you,” I said, addressing Mrs. Hurst. “It is… difficult to know what to believe when so much has been hidden, but I appreciate your candour in this matter.”

Mrs. Hurst hesitated before continuing. “Please believe me when I say that Mother and Caroline are not done. Mr. Darcy’s warning may have rattled them, but it will not be enough to stop them entirely.

They are determined to secure influence and will cling to any opportunity to do so.

My brother…” she paused with a sigh. “Charles will follow their lead, as he always has.”

“We, however, will not,” Mr. Hurst added firmly.

“We leave in the morning for my family’s estate.

My wife tried to be a good sister, and we stayed on here at her brother’s request, but this—this has gone too far.

I will not allow them to drag my name down with theirs.

Do whatever you must. You have our support. ”

Fitzwilliam inclined his head before stepping forward and offering his hand.

“Thank you, Hurst. Should we see you in town, and you are not accompanied by Miss Bingley or your brother, we will greet you. But know this—we will not hesitate to cut them if they approach us. My aunt, the Countess of Matlock, will do the same. We have already written to her. You can be certain she has more sway in society than Miss Bingley will ever dream of possessing.”

His voice hardened as he added, “I will do whatever it takes to protect my wife—especially from a scheming harpy who would lie, manipulate, and deceive to climb above her station.”

“I applaud your efforts, sir,” Mr. Hurst said gravely.

“We could not say so earlier, but allow me now to offer our congratulations on your marriage. My wife and I had observed the growing closeness between you and Mrs. Darcy and fully expected an announcement following the ball. Clearly, circumstances took a different turn, but I am pleased you were able to recover your intended and make her your wife before returning to Netherfield. ”

“Yes,” Mrs. Hurst added warmly. “Our heartfelt congratulations to you both. May your marriage be long and filled with happiness.”

“Thank you,” I replied simply.

Our conversation was soon interrupted by the arrival of the Dunbars and their belongings. Fitzwilliam directed the footmen to load their bags onto the carriage, and after exchanging brief farewells with the Hursts, we departed Netherfield at last.

Isla took a seat inside the carriage beside Jane whilst her brother climbed up to ride beside the coachman.

During the journey, Isla spoke only occasionally, her nervous glances out the window betraying her fear of being discovered and somehow forced back into the Bingleys’ service.

Jane, ever kind, offered gentle reassurances, but it was clear Isla was unaccustomed to such treatment—particularly from those above her in station.

That, I vowed silently, was something we would remedy in time.

The remainder of the journey to London passed in near silence, the earlier tension easing with each mile that carried us farther from Meryton.

Yet, as the city’s familiar silhouette rose in the distance and the sky turned a soft, silvery grey, a different sort of unease began to take hold of me.

The air grew thicker with coal smoke and the faint tang of impending rain, and with it came the flutter of nerves I could not quite suppress.

As the carriage veered off the main road and into a quieter, cobbled street lined with grand townhouses, I shifted in my seat and peered out the window.

These were nothing like the modest dwellings in Gracechurch Street where I had always stayed when I visited my aunt and uncle.

The homes here were much finer, their facades gleaming bright even in the late afternoon sun.

I drew a breath, slow and steady, and tried to quiet the voice in my head—the voice that wondered if I would truly belong here.

This world suddenly seemed far removed from my past existence at Longbourn.

Fitzwilliam, seeming to be ever attuned to my thoughts even without words, reached for my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

“We are nearly home,” he said gently, his voice a balm to my composure. “Just there.”