Page 25 of Searching for Elizabeth (A Pride and Prejudice Variation)

—five minutes later—

Elizabeth Bennet felt safe in William’s arms, even though sitting on a horse was usually a bit scary. Just a short time ago, she had been on a horse and utterly terrified, but now ….

She breathed in William’s pleasing scent, sandalwood and cardamom and something more. She leaned into the feel of his beating heart, slower now that they were cantering toward Longbourn. She tightened her grip on his arm, feeling its strength as it encircled her waist.

William had briefly told her that her Uncle Edward had come to Longbourn and that her father had grudgingly given them permission to marry. Then he asked her to tell him what had happened, and she begged for a minute more to calm herself.

Lizzy finally started talking by saying in a low voice, “You found me. Again.”

“Of course,”

William said.

“Did you think I would not come for you?”

A single sob shook her, but her eyes were so dry, they felt itchy. She assured her love, “I knew you would come for me, Will, but I had no reason to suppose that it would be in time.”

He did not answer, and, really, what assurance could he have given? Not knowing about her uncle’s arrival, Lizzy had assumed the plan for a 10:00 meeting with her father would result in William arriving hours later than he had, in fact, arrived..

“Thank you, William, for getting to me so quickly. After Mr. Wickham fell, I tried to wriggle my way to the trail, hoping to be found, but I think I only moved a few feet after what seemed like a long time.”

William asked, “How did Wickham fall?”

at the same time that Lizzy asked, “Did you follow my paper—?”

They both stopped talking, but then William said, “Yes, my love, and you are remarkable. Any other woman and most men would be weeping and panicky, and instead you left me clues. I spotted the tea-leaf ‘W’ and then the teeny shreds of paper. I honestly do not know how you managed any of it with your hands bound so tightly”

Lizzy explained her attempts, and William again said admiring words, but Lizzy scrunched even more into his chest.

“I do not think I deserve much credit,”

she said.

“I have thought of myself as fairly courageous, but I have to admit, I was petrified.”

Kissing the top of her head, William said, “Courage is not lack of fear. It is taking action despite fear. It is managing not to swoon in the face of danger. It is staying as awake and alert as possible. Trying to think of ways to save yourself or help any searchers, even when you are scared, is courageous. You were far more courageous, I believe, than I have ever demonstrated in my life.”

Tremulously, Lizzy replied, “Thank you,”

then proceeded to finally be able to cry. To her surprise, her eyes began to feel better.

When she had cried a few minutes, William said softly, “We are nearing Longbourn. Do you wish to tell what happened to the horse and to Wickham now, before we arrive? Or will you tell everybody, at once? Or you can wait and tell me, privately, later.”

“Telling it just once sounds best,”

Lizzy said.

“I love you, Will.”

“I love you, too, Elizabeth.”

Her arrival at Longbourn was the cause of a tumult of hugs and questions and even a few shrieks. None of the Bennets seemed to give any thought to the fact that Lizzy had been banished from the place just a few days ago, which filled Lizzy with both mirth and anger. But it was really wonderful to have Mary run to her with the hugest smile and the reddest, puffiest eyes she had ever seen.

“Lizzy! Oh, thank goodness! Thank you, Mr. Darcy!”

Lizzy was lowered to the ground by William helping her into her uncle’s arms. She hugged Uncle Edward as fiercely as he did her. At that point, Jane, Lydia, Kitty, and Papa had all reached her and were reaching out to hug her and to pepper her with questions. Mama and Mr. Collins were behind the others but using their piercing (Mama) and blaring (Mr. Collins) voices to make up for their distance.

Lizzy was grateful that William spoke with such authority that everyone both quieted and obeyed his instructions: “Elizabeth has had a harrowing morning. We need to get her onto a sofa with her feet up, and we need to start addressing her need for food and drink and first aid for scratches and bruises and possibly rope burns.”

Uncle Edward guided her to the sofa, and Jane and Mary hurried to gather all the things to care for Lizzy’s injuries. Hill started steeping a fresh pot of tea, and Kitty brought Lizzy a glass of water.

Lizzy heard William inform Papa about Wickham’s death and ask about the magistrate. He also asked if her father knew anything about the implementation of the rescue efforts, so they could let everyone know about Lizzy’s recovery, calling off any further searches.

Lizzy was sipping on some tea with a double dose of sugar, for the shock, Hill told her. William bent down next to her, held her free hand with his own, and told her that he planned to send for the magistrate, Colonel Forster, and the apothecary. He would also direct the church bells to be rung in hopes that searchers would gather in Meryton to hear the news of her recovery, and he would send two of Netherfield’s footmen to ride out to the search parties with the news.

Lizzy clutched his hand.

“Do you have to be the one to go?”

“Actually, I am quite good at delegating. I will send any male servants that are here to accomplish some of these errands, but I cannot send women or girls all over the countryside, can I? And will your father move himself to quickly get done what needs to be accomplished?”

Lizzy’s smile was pained.

“I suppose not,”

she whispered.

“I also think it would be wise for me to buy a common license. I wish to marry you as soon as possible, if you agree, because I do not like the idea of you living here, where you have not been cherished as you ought to have been. What do you think?”

Losing her smile entirely, Lizzy answered, “I do not wish to be here at all, to be honest.”

“You are not thinking of sleeping alone in the cottage, are you?”

William looked incredibly anxious.

A shudder passed through Lizzy at the thought. “No.”

“You could stay at Netherfield with Mary. I could get a room at the inn.”

Lizzy loved that idea, but she protested, “I think that is probably too much trouble for everyone. And too much expense. I suppose I should simply stay here.”

“You should be in a place where you can feel truly safe,”

William said.

“I will get the license, and I will have my valet make arrangements at Netherfield and the inn.”

“And then you will come back to me? I would want you here when I have to talk to the magistrate.”

“I will rush to be back at your side, Elizabeth.”

With a kiss on her forehead, he was gone.