Page 92 of Obligation and Redemption
“My aunt told me to relate that should you need to speak with him in order to discern his aptitude as an escort, you may come visit, or if you would not go there, you could invite him here. But I can assure you that I have travelled between Longbourn and Gracechurch Street on many occasions without one single mishap. Surely, you can have no other reason to say no.”
“Why are you so anxious to go to your former home?”
“You have to ask? I see that you truly do not know me.” There was silence between them with only the ticking of the clock and the crackling of the flames in the fireplace filling the void.
Darcy took in a deep breath, knowing the repercussions of saying no on their already tenuous relationship.
“You may go with your uncle, but I want to know how you will be travelling. If I in any way disapprove, then I reserve the right to change my mind.” Elizabeth wondered why he would care so much about the details.
“Thank you. Shall I summon my uncle to come here to meet you, or will you call on him at his own home?”
“You may invite him here for a morning call tomorrow. Is there anything else, Elizabeth?” After she indicated that there was not, he continued, “Then I will see you at dinner.” She stood and left the room.
The following day brought her uncle to call on Mr. Darcy about his niece’s trip to Longbourn.
After finding the arrangements for travel to be agreeable, Darcy bade him a farewell and returned to his study.
Elizabeth had some last minute shopping to complete before their trip to the North while Darcy had to meet with his solicitor.
He would have plenty of time to call on his family after Elizabeth left for Longbourn and so chose to stay around Darcy House until then.
With the expectation of seeing her family again, Elizabeth’s mood improved considerably.
Her appetite was somewhat restored, and the Darcys enjoyed congenial conversation over supper.
They spoke about Pemberley and the plans related to their travel North.
It would take three days to arrive due to the late start on the day of the wedding and the short span of daylight expected this time of year.
Darcy assured her that he had rooms along the route reserved and that they would enjoy a large suite, each with their own accommodations.
He would send ahead most of her wardrobe, which Janette was to complete packing before she left with Elizabeth for Longbourn.
“Mr. Darcy, I do not need Janette while with my family. I can use Sarah. That will give Janette more time to prepare for our departure.”
“I have already arranged for Janette to join you at Longbourn. I sent an express to your father telling him of your early arrival and that your lady’s maid would need a place to sleep. Your uncle was in agreement and so everything is settled.”
Elizabeth thought to argue the point but then decided that she would not win, and she was too happy with the prospect of going home to let a difference of opinion and her husband’s officious nature get her down.
She silently decided that she would share her maid with her sister, Mary; Janette would have Mary looking beautiful on her wedding day.
The thought made Elizabeth smile to herself.
Seeing her happy expression, Darcy mistakenly thought that perhaps she was pleased with his efforts .
THE SUN WAS SHINING brIGHTLY, so Elizabeth asked her husband if she could go on a walk with Clark, the footman.
He agreed, with the stipulation that she would not be gone more than an hour.
She donned her outerwear and was about to set out; however, she remembered that she needed to find a gift for Mary and Mr. Collins before she left the following day.
She assuaged her disappointment with the thought that she would be back at Longbourn tomorrow and then on to Pemberley.
She would have many opportunities over the next few months to get in her exercise.
On her way to her room to change, she heard a man’s familiar voice coming from her husband’s study.
The door was partly opened, and Elizabeth would have continued on her way, except for overhearing her sister’s name mentioned in context of the recent ball by Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“I was surprised to see your friend, Bingley, there. I assumed he would be in Hertfordshire courting the angelic Miss Bennet.”
“They are not courting. He has not returned to Netherfield since my wedding, I believe.”
“I am surprised.”
“Why should you be? Bingley has plenty to keep him entertained in town. He has likely forgotten all about her by now.”
“Then his sentiments have greatly changed since he and I last spoke.” Darcy made no response, so he continued, “The man told me that he intended to make her an offer of marriage. I know that he can be rather capricious, but I was sure he was sincere in his affections. His face was beaming with the very idea.”
“He may have been, but sometimes Bingley needs guidance; he doesn’t always know what is best for him.”
“You didn’t do what I think you did, did you?”
“If you mean did I warn him away, I did. ”
“Darcy! Why on earth would you do such a thing? She is your sister now, and he, one of your dearest friends. What would drive you to separate them?”
Elizabeth could not believe her ears. What caused her husband to do such a despicable thing? She listened on.
“James, you met her family. You know how vulgar they can be. Bingley’s compliant nature would not allow him to protect himself from their unrefined influence.
Mrs. Bennet would have him sponsoring the two youngest girls in London society.
They would make a laughing stock out of him and his reputation, which I might add is tenuous at best already due to his link to trade.
Mrs. Bennet would be at his doorstep at every whim.
No, I could not let my friend suffer such a fate.
It was done and done for the best. I have been kinder to him than I have myself.
” Elizabeth was in shock; she had to cover her mouth so as not to make an audible gasp.
“You think that you can just play God with your friend’s life? This is preposterous. Bingley is of such a humble nature that he probably took your advice as gold.”
“He doesn’t know what’s good for him, and he trusts my judgement.
Bingley may have disregarded my advice, though, if not for his own uncertainty about her feelings for him and her mother’s proven matchmaking schemes.
How could he ever know if she truly cared for him or was just pressed by her mother to make the match. ”
“Like you and Mrs. Darcy.”
“I would not have him in a marriage where there was no true affection or regard. Unlike me, he is like a puppy that gives loyalty unconditionally and craves attention. He could not be happy in an unrequited union. I have saved him from a most unpleasant match.”
Elizabeth could not listen to anymore. She quietly went to her room and wept for her sister who was made to suffer at the hands of Elizabeth’s own husband.
How could he have been so cruel and with no remorse whatsoever?
There can be no justification for what he has done!
She pulled out the beginnings of her journal, untying the ribbon, and released all of her resentment within its pages.
Elizabeth’s love for her dear sister, the kindest of all people, the most deserving of happiness, drove her on.
Elizabeth would gladly give up any possession and any hope of her own prosperity to have Jane’s joy restored.
How could Elizabeth ever be content in a marriage to such a man, who could be so vicious in his dictates?
She had to stop herself from packing right then and leaving for the Gardiners immediately.
How she desperately needed to be with her family, away from her heartless husband.
Elizabeth never made it out to buy Mary a gift.
Instead, she sent Janette to find something fitting for the occasion.
A dinner tray arrived which she could not bring herself to touch; verily she did not want anything provided by the charge of Mr. Darcy.
If he came to her this night, Elizabeth was determined that she would not capitulate to his desires.
Darcy did not come to her room, and not for want of desire, but he was concerned about her health and in light of their last joining, he did not want to cause more discomfort for her so soon.
He had received word of her indisposition and the need to send a tray to her room.
Elizabeth was to leave for Hertfordshire the following day, and he began to regret agreeing to the scheme.
He sent word to the cook to prepare a basket of food to take on her journey and requested a meeting with her lady’s maid.
During the meeting he asked that she would let him know by express how Elizabeth continued to fare.
He also charged her with giving Elizabeth extra care, so that she would recover for the journey to Pemberley.
He had noticed over the past few days that Elizabeth had lost weight.
She was no longer filling out her gowns recently purchased; he rarely saw her eat more than a trifling when they shared a meal.
He began to suspect that perhaps she might be with child and experiencing the ill effects.
Uncomfortable with such a question, but desiring to know the truth, he asked Janette if Mrs. Darcy had experienced her courses recently.
He was informed that she had about two to three weeks ago when Janette had first come on.
Then Darcy had the idea to have Janette keep records of Elizabeth’s menses, and so he charged her to do just that.