Page 149 of Obligation and Redemption

He was about five miles out from Pemberley house nearing the boarder of the estate, farther than Elizabeth had ever gone, where a deep ravine cut through the landscape in this rocky terrain.

Darcy had always thought this area of Pemberley to be dramatically beautiful, although not suited to farmland or shepherding.

The steep inclines made traversing the grounds treacherous.

He thought it unlikely that she would have come this way, and this far out – and was not even certain what led him here – so was turning around when he caught with his eye, far down below him, a small mound of green against the brown of the winter grasses.

He called out her name as he kept his eye on the colour, but there was no response.

Darcy dismounted; it would be too dangerous to attempt to ride his horse down the slope.

He removed the blankets and saddlebag that he had brought with him in case they were needed.

He was not at all certain that the colour he saw could be Elizabeth’s clothing, but he wanted to be prepared if it were.

The saddlebag contained his ration for the day that he had been unable to consume for his anxiety over his wife’s disappearance.

He made his descent without difficulty and coming closer to the mass, he began to see that the bundle was taking the shape of a person.

With greater momentum, Darcy began to stumble down the hillside, but kept his footing enough to remain upright.

Once at the bottom, he took off at a sprint, as he felt certain that it must be Elizabeth who lay before him, puddled on the side of the ditch that ran at the base.

Oh, my God! Please let her be alive ! He knew beyond a doubt that he loved her; his whole being cried out in supplication for her health and wellbeing.

He reached her in an instant, although it seemed much longer to his afflicted patience.

Falling down to his knees before his wife, for indeed it was she, he turned her body to get a better look, almost too afraid to discover the truth of the situation.

Elizabeth’s clothing was soaked through, still wet from the rain two days previously, likely owing to her layers of clothing and lack of direct sunlight.

A lone button held her jacket together, and Darcy cursed Langston for whatever occurred to bring that about.

Elizabeth’s skin was pale; however, she had sweat beading on her forehead, indicating a fever.

She’s alive! Thank God. He removed his gloves to touch her skin and confirmed that she was hot to touch, despite the cold.

She was shivering; he saw that now. “Elizabeth, my love, it’s Darcy.

I’m here and will take care of you. Can you hear me? ”

He heard a moan deep inside of her just before she opened her eyes.

Seeing she had little strength to even accomplish that, he said, “Do not exert yourself; everything is going to be alright.” He covered her with the blankets, and removing his greatcoat, he wrapped it around her and then looked about as he considered how he might get her to safety.

The side of the ravine was steep to descend but would be near impossible to traverse up while carrying his precious burden.

This area of the park, although well admired, was largely unknown to Darcy.

The rumble of thunder in the distance alerted him to the coming storm and the need to quickly make a move.

His horse along with his pistol remained at the top of the ravine, so Darcy was unable to alert the others of his need for assistance.

He decided that going up the way he came down was not to happen.

Of course, he could go back to his horse on his own to call for aid, but he could not bear to leave Elizabeth’s side.

He looked up and down the water line and saw that he might be able to carry her up the hill further along the way.

Darcy must do something, and this plan seemed as good as any, so crouching down, he put his arms underneath her shoulders and knees.

“Elizabeth, I am going to pick you up. We need to get you out of here before the rain begins.”

Barely opening her eyes, Elizabeth reached her hands up and grasped the lapels of his waistcoat. She held on tightly for but a moment and then seemed to lose her stamina as she fell limp in his arms.

Although a strong man, owing to many hours at Antonio’s and on horseback, the incline and distance began to work on Darcy’s endurance.

And as Elizabeth, though a slender, petite woman, carried the additional weight of her waterlogged clothing, Darcy began to feel the fatigue that would soon leave him incapable of continuing on at his set pace.

The sky was growing darker as the sun began to wane, and the clouds continued to thicken.

Darcy realised that they needed to find shelter rather than attempt the journey home.

He began searching his memory for buildings that might be nearby.

Although there would be no tenant homes around, there may be lodgings used for hunting now and again.

On he walked, his precious bundle close to his chest. Along the way, Darcy began speaking to Elizabeth about whatever came to mind, not knowing if she even heard him.

“I saw Bingley while in town. He asked that I stand up with him and hoped you would do the same for your sister. I told him that I was certain you could not refuse, as close as you are. Truly, I have never seen the man happier. They should be very content together. She is just what he needed to make his life complete. My sister joined me this trip. I cannot wait for you and she to become better acquainted. I think you will be good for her, actually. Your confidence and high spirits will be a fine example for a vulnerable young lady just coming out into society.” On he spoke in like manner, expressing his hopes and expectations for the future, but she continued in silence.

A particularly bright flash of light erupted followed by a loud thunderclap, and Darcy knew their danger.

He hoped his mount had given up on him and returned to the safety of the stables, alerting his staff that he was still out in the elements.

Darcy began to recognise his surroundings and recalled a small but adequate cottage somewhat nearby.

As far as he was aware, the building had not been in use for some time, but Darcy recalled exploring it in his youth and hoped it was still functional for shelter.

He would have to traverse another quarter mile or so to reach it.

His arms and legs were burning, having walked up and down the hilly countryside for close to an hour as he searched for passable routes home.

Then the rain began, a steady downpour that would soon have him drenched without his greatcoat, but he had no concern for himself, only his precious cargo.

His greatcoat would keep her from accumulating any more water, but underneath, she remained soaked through.

Then he saw it up ahead, the shelter for which he had been searching.

He attempted to pick up his pace, but for naught.

He had reached the limits of his endurance and just hoped it had been enough to get her to safety in time.

He approached the door and attempted the handle with his foot, but without success.

“We have shelter, my love. I am going to set you down for just a moment while I open the door.” The old latch relinquished its hold easily enough, and Darcy pushed the door open.

The darkness of the approaching night made it difficult to discern the contents of the small building, but it was dry and contained a hearth to build a fire.

So he returned to his wife and carried her over the threshold, gently setting her down on the wooden floor.

His first task was to build a fire, so he got to work.

There was firewood by the hearth and coal in a basin nearby, so perhaps the cottage received some use of which he was unaware.

Although still warm from his exertion, his hands were shaking, likely owing to fatigue.

Darcy found the flint and began the process of lighting the fire.

It had been years for the young man, but he soon had a small blaze going.

He continued to add fuel to dispel the chill in the air.

Then he returned to his wife who had not moved.

Darcy carried her closer to the fire and then lifted the greatcoat and blankets that had protected her in the rain.

She was still shivering underneath. She must get out of those wet clothes.

Reaching down, he unbuttoned the sole button holding her spencer in place.

Removing that, Darcy was more able to see that her bodice had been ripped.

Anger and remorse fought equally to take control, but he had to stave off those emotions and concentrate on the task at hand.

He pulled off her jacket and turned her to the side in order to reach the back where he unbuttoned her dress and untied her stays.

He had many times dreamt of a scenario such as this, savouring his wife’s femininity, but the reality of this day caused him to forget any such aspirations.

He removed her dress, petticoat and stays, revealing the sight he had come to know in his mind as well as any.

But this time, he noticed the small swell in her abdomen, their baby.

It struck him that her fight was not just for herself, but for their child as well.

Darcy had to believe in Elizabeth’s faithfulness to their vows – that she had not succumbed to Wickham’s charms.