Page 107 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
E lizabeth’s heart was in a storm of feelings that brought her to the edge of tears.
Her husband had left in the middle of the night.
Now it was full daylight, and still he had not returned.
Travelling from London to Kent and back was a long journey even in the middle of the summer—even worse in bad winter weather.
Her tormented mind measured and counted each minute, and the turmoil of waiting was hard to bear.
She struggled to keep her temper and show confidence to all the others who depended on her. She spoke to the staff, explaining what happened to calm them and prevent gossip—if possible.
Mr Bingley had remained in the guest room in case his help was required.
Mrs Annesley was resting peacefully. Her eye and temple were dark—just as Dr. Taylor predicted—but she was reasonably well, just overwhelmed by the thanks and gratitude bestowed on her, as she could not understand what she had done that was so praiseworthy.
Cathy and Libby slept in Georgiana’s bed, watched by both Miss Darcy and her maid.
Peter had not recovered during the night. He was lost in a deep sleep but not feverish. Elizabeth’s worry as well as Janey’s despair increased with every passing hour. Dr. Taylor and Dr. Philips took turns, one of them always present at the boy’s side.
Elizabeth was burdened by her distress for her husband.
Aside from the natural concern of his travelling so far in the middle of the night, Elizabeth knew he was hurt and in pain—and he had barely rested at all after the accident.
Her only relief was that the colonel and Lord Matlock were there with him—as well as that strange Mr Bourne.
Georgiana also woke while it was still dark outside.
Elizabeth spent an hour with her, sharing their worries and their astonishment about Lady Catherine’s actions, as well as their guilt for the trust they had once placed in the most unworthy man with pleasant manners.
They also discussed—most astounding!—Libby’s extraordinary keenness of mind and Peter’s remarkable courage.
Food and drink were sent to every room, as nobody was inclined to a formal breakfast. Georgiana and Elizabeth, though, had to keep company with Mr Bingley, who ate most eagerly, wondering whether he should stay another day in London or return to Netherfield.
Elizabeth wrote a detailed letter for Jane as Mr Bingley’s attention was not to be trusted.
As soon as the hour was reasonable, Mr and Mrs Gardiner arrived. Soon, the gathering was completed by the arrival of the three Fitzwilliams not involved in the search. And around noon, James Darcy made his appearance, asking to speak to his cousin then to Elizabeth.
“Mrs Darcy, I cannot express how sorry I am for everything that happened. I am so happy to see you recovered! And please let me assure you that I had no involvement in this—and neither did Annabelle Stafford. I investigated this and I am very sure of it.”
“We know that, Mr Darcy. I am sorry if my husband’s suspicions offended you or Lady Stafford. It is certainly not our intention to quarrel with either of you. William is not home, and we do not know when he will return. But you are welcome to keep us company.”
To Elizabeth’s surprise, James accepted, and he was introduced to her relatives. With disbelief, James heard the last details and seemed incredulous to learn of his friend’s involvement.
“Well, to complete your astonishment, just let me tell you how he planned to elope with the youngest Miss Bennet, who is only fifteen,” Mr Bingley said severely. “I say, I believe this man is deranged. He will not end well—I can tell you that.”
In the early afternoon, a carriage stopped in front of the house, and Elizabeth hurried to the window then to the main door. She was disappointed when she did not recognise it, and she unconsciously took a step back into the house, slightly scared of the strange vehicle.
She breathed in relief when she saw her husband step down, and she ran to him, ignoring the chilly air and slippery ground.
“William—I am so happy to see you home! What happened? Are you well?”
“Let us go inside, my dear. There is much to tell.”
Darcy was surprised to see his family and hers together—such a strange gathering, he might have said a month ago. He sat on the settee, carefully leaning back. Elizabeth ordered fresh food and drink then sat beside him. He took her hand in his.
“Darcy, where are my husband and my son?” asked Lady Matlock in distress.
“They are taking Lady Catherine back to Rosings. I lent them my carriage. They will likely be there for two or three more days.”
With a strangely composed voice, Darcy told them all the aspects of the terrible events.
James emptied two glasses in only a few minutes while the Fitzwilliams could scarce believe what they heard. Georgiana listened in silence, her hands and lips trembling, and Elizabeth stared at her husband’s pale face.
“Dear Lord! So Catherine is dead? ” inquired Lady Matlock. “And she planned this whole scheme? But to what purpose? Are you absolutely certain?”
“Yes. Lady Catherine chose to put aside any prudence or wisdom because the only solution for her was the one she wanted. She devised a plan to kidnap Elizabeth—with what final purpose I can only speculate. I believe she wished to simply make Elizabeth disappear by any means. She wished to force me to marry Anne under any circumstances. It had to be her will or no will at all. And she found that idiot Wickham to join her game.”
“And what will happen to Wickham now? Is he still in gaol?” the viscount asked.
“He is, but we do not have much against him. He just did what he was asked to do, took his payment, and left. He is nothing but the worst sort of scoundrel,” Darcy said with sharp anger. The ladies gasped, and Georgiana was tearful.
“I understand why you are upset with Catherine,” Lady Matlock said. “It was an insane plan. God have mercy on her soul.”
“It was as equally insane as it was purely evil, and she thought she could have it done because she was Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and anyone who was not her equal did not matter. And the most terrible thing is that we all—we, the Fitzwilliams and the Darcys—were used to thinking that way too. I had this revelation very clearly today, and I said as much to Uncle and to Robert. And that makes me even angrier.”
“Darcy, I understand you are pained, but such words are neither kind nor fair, and they do no good. I strongly believe our families have always done their share of generous works. We are honest and moral people, and our worth is much valued by everyone who knows us,” Lady Matlock said, trying to conceal her anger and offence.
“Forgive me for not searching for more proper words, but we both know them to be true, Aunt. I shall only speak of myself then. I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child, I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles but left to follow them in pride and conceit. I was spoilt by my excellent parents, who allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing—to care for none beyond my own family circle, to think meanly of the rest of the world. Such I was from eight to eight and twenty, and such I might still have been but for the woman who changed my life for the better. And to this woman I am today married by accident! If not for Elizabeth’s fall and for the rumours spread about Town by this idiot here”—he pointed to James—“and by the other idiot who is in prison, I probably never would have met Elizabeth again and would have lost my chance for happiness.”
Darcy glanced at his wife—who was watching him tearfully—and briefly kissed her hand.
“I fell in love with Elizabeth almost at the beginning of our acquaintance. I loved her wit, her spirit, her confidence after so many years of being surrounded by women who were always speaking for my approbation alone. I knew very soon that she would be the perfect wife for me, but for weeks, I struggled to put distance between us because I considered her unworthy of me. Her situation in life, her lack of connections, I assessed to be so much below ours that I could not see beyond those things.”
He paused again, looking at his astonished audience.
“I severely criticised her family’s behaviour.
I loathed Mrs Bennet’s attempts to find good matches for her daughters without realising that all the mothers in Town were doing the same thing!
I made fun, together with your sisters, Bingley, of their relatives in Cheapside—forgive me, Mrs and Mr Gardiner.
I was so preoccupied in finding faults in Elizabeth’s family that I failed to recognise the faults in mine.
And here I am now, admiring the worthiness of Elizabeth’s uncle and aunt, the nobility of my sister’s companion, the courage and genuine affection of the children of a servant whom I have barely noticed before. ”
His words aroused a palpable tension in the room, and everyone’s embarrassment was apparent. His aunt was about to interrupt again, but Darcy stopped her with a gesture.