Page 47 of Suddenly Married

Georgiana covered her mouth in shock. "Fitzwilliam, tell me why Elizabeth did not invite her uncle and aunt to Pemberley.

Why did she have to walk nearly ten miles a day to see her family, while in this house, we were obliged to endure Miss Bingley?

You cannot imagine how that dreadful woman and her sister constantly criticised Elizabeth and her relatives.

But I suppose it should not surprise me, since you and Miss Bingley appear to hold a very similar opinion of them. "

Georgiana was furious. She had never spoken to her brother in such a manner, but she needed to understand his reasons. Mr. Darcy was left speechless. How could he justify to Georgiana that Elizabeth was not permitted to invite her own relations to her home?

"I do not wish to speak of this further. Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds, for the information. I must go now."

Mr. Darcy quitted his study as quickly as he could. Within five minutes, he was in the carriage and leaving Pemberley. He felt a mingling of sadness and shame, and thought the only solution was to flee.

◆◆◆

Elizabeth awoke after ten in the morning with a severe headache and a slightly unsettled stomach.

She attributed it to the strain of the past few days.

When she finally rose, she learnt that her husband had been gone for over an hour.

At first, she wept, certain that he had abandoned her; but after composing herself, she dried her tears and began to plan her future life.

The first thing she would do was leave Pemberley.

It had never been her home, and it was not fair that Mr. Darcy should be obliged to leave his estate merely because he could not bear to be near her.

On the other hand, she did not wish to be a burden to anyone, and thus she determined to ask the Clarks for employment.

She even laughed as she recalled how she had often told Jane that she would never marry and would help her raise her children.

She first spoke to Claire, requesting that she go to Lambton and purchase a ticket on the earliest mail coach bound for London. Then she sought out Georgiana.

"My dear, I must travel to visit my family. You do not know how much I have valued meeting you and spending time in your company. I promise that, as soon as matters are calmer, we shall correspond—if you so wish."

"Lizzy, please explain what has happened. First, my brother departs, and now you. We were a happy family, and now..." Georgiana said, visibly distressed.

"I am sorry, my dear, but your brother must answer your questions.

I can only tell you that I cannot continue living here.

For that reason, I must ask you a great favour.

" Elizabeth could not hold back her tears, and only after taking a deep breath did she add, "I need you to take care of my Dante.

He has been my companion and comfort in moments of sadness and loneliness.

Where I am going, I cannot take him with me, and therefore I must place this burden upon you. "

"Of course, I shall care for him. I shall be his companion until you return."

That night, Elizabeth dined with Georgiana in her room. For the first time, she spoke of her sisters and her life when she lived at Longbourn with her family.

After Georgiana fell asleep, Elizabeth asked her maid to inform Mr. Jackson that she would require a carriage to Lambton at dawn.

She then prepared a small bag containing the essentials—a few mourning dresses and the minimum clothing necessary.

She would take nothing Mr. Darcy had given her, only what she had brought when she first came to Pemberley.

Even her travelling money consisted entirely of her own savings from before her marriage.

Before retiring, she wrote a letter to Mr. Darcy, releasing him from all obligations. Once sealed, she placed it on the small desk in his room.

The following morning, she rose very early, ate a light breakfast, and went into the garden to bid farewell to Dante.

"Take good care of Georgiana, my dear. I shall send for you as soon as I am able. I love you, my beloved Dante." Elizabeth could not help but weep.

When the carriage was ready, she entered it and left Pemberley without looking back.

Hearing Dante's barking in the distance made her heart ache, but she would not turn her head.

That chapter of her life was over, and she was prepared to face the future.

She knew her husband was too proud ever to accept her as she was.

Though she departed with a broken heart, she knew it was for the best—for both herself and Mr. Darcy.

An hour later, she boarded the first of the four mail coaches that would take her to London.

◆◆◆

Mr. Darcy awoke with a severe headache, remembering only that he had drunk more than was prudent the night before. It appeared that his driver and valet had carried him to his chamber. He had been travelling for five days, and it was the fifth consecutive night he had succumbed to drunkenness.

He looked again at the note his friend had left before departing Pemberley, took it up, and read it once more.

Darcy,

I am very disappointed in the way you have behaved towards your wife.

You are a good and honourable man, Darcy, so I find it difficult to understand why you cannot see how deeply you wound her every time you disregard her family.

Dear friend, if you cannot comprehend how much Mrs. Darcy cherishes her family, you will lose her respect and love.

Consider carefully what you shall do, for the future of your relationship depends upon it.

In the remainder of the note, Mr. Bingley apologised for Caroline's conduct, though Mr. Darcy cared little for that at the moment.

After dressing and drinking a strong coffee, he felt somewhat better, though nothing could ease his mind or the heavy burden of guilt.

During the long hours of travel, he reflected upon all that had transpired since his marriage and began to recognise many truths he had previously refused to see.

Whenever he pictured Elizabeth walking ten miles to visit her uncle and aunt, he felt like the most despicable of men.

He felt worse still when he remembered her barely contained tears as he disparaged her family in front of the Bingleys.

Elizabeth had been correct in all she had told him.

He had acted like a coward, fleeing rather than attempting to resolve their differences.

She had never lied to him; he knew her to be honourable and honest. What did it matter if she had not loved him when they married, when she loved him now as deeply as he loved her?

What kind of fool was he, that after treating his wife so poorly, instead of feeling grateful for the love she had given him, he preferred to imagine himself the injured party?

He saw now that he had done nothing to win her affection.

On the contrary, he had been constant only in his criticism and avoidance.

He had assumed that she must love him and be content as Mrs. Darcy simply because he desired it so.

Indeed, he had hardly spoken to her until he had announced their engagement.

If she had married him, it was to protect her family.

He knew full well that she never spent her pin money and that the only gift she had ever requested was a stray dog.

His Elizabeth was indeed a treasure—one who had loved him despite all his faults and had shown it in countless ways.

"Harris, tell the coachman we are returning to Pemberley at once," Mr. Darcy said eagerly. He was prepared to beg Elizabeth's forgiveness if necessary, and to allow her to invite her family to Pemberley. Above all, he wanted her pardon.

After three days of travel, he chose to ride the last few miles on horseback to hasten his return. He reached Pemberley nine days after his departure, a full week after Elizabeth had left for London.

The moment he entered the house, he went straight to his wife's chamber. Finding it empty, he summoned Mrs. Reynolds.

"Where is my wife?"

She was astonished to see him, especially in his present state—dirty and weary from hours of riding—and she hesitated to deliver her news.

"Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy left a week ago."

"What? Where?" he asked desperately.

"Mr. Jackson conveyed her to Lambton, and from there we believe she intended to take a mail coach to London. That is all we know."

"You should not have allowed it. My wife—travelling alone—exposed to who knows what dangers."

"Sir, with respect, we servants cannot prevent such a thing."

"Yes… I am sorry. Thank you."

"Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy left a letter for you on the desk in your room."

He went in search of it at once, opening it impatiently and reading it several times before he could fully absorb its contents.

Mr. Darcy,

By the time you read this letter, it will have been some time since we last spoke.

I wish to inform you that I release you from all your obligations as a husband.

Moreover, I believe you should use your connections to annul our marriage.

I am now convinced that you never truly loved me, for I am not a woman of whom you could be proud.

I was willing to accept all your conditions, to keep my family at a distance, and to speak to them only in the street, if by doing so I might have a happy life by your side once I knew I loved you.

But after long reflection, I have realised that you never cared for my true self.

To be Elizabeth Darcy, you required that I forget Elizabeth Bennet—and I have discovered that I cannot.

I am sorry if I have hurt you; believe me, it was never my intention.

I wish you nothing but the best, and once our marriage is annulled, I hope you will find a woman you can be proud of and love for who she truly is.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bennet

'No, my love, I shall never annul our marriage. Tomorrow I shall set out to find you, to tell you, and to prove to you how much I love you.'

Mr. Darcy knew he did not deserve a second chance, yet he would never surrender. Even if it took years, he would win back his wife's respect. She was the only woman he could love, the future mother of his children, and the rightful Mistress of Pemberley.

That night, he slept in her bed, recalling the happiness they had once shared—until his foolish pride had come between them.

The following day, he explained to Georgiana why Elizabeth had met the Gardiners at the Lambton Inn and why she had never invited her family to Pemberley.

Georgiana was greatly disappointed, but seeing that her brother was willing to change, she gave him her support and wished him well.

The following day, Mr. Darcy explained to Georgiana why Elizabeth had met the Gardiners at the Lambton Inn and why she had never invited her family to Pemberley.

Georgiana listened in silence, her expression gradually hardening.

"Fitzwilliam," she said at last, "I cannot conceal my disappointment.

To think that my sister felt obliged to walk so many miles to see her own family, while under this very roof we entertained persons who spoke ill of her—this pains me more than I can say. "

Mr. Darcy lowered his gaze. "I was blinded by my own pride and prejudices. I see now how wrong I was, and I am determined to amend my conduct."

"I hope you will," she replied earnestly. "Elizabeth is a woman of rare worth, and she deserved far better from you. If you truly mean to change, then you have my full support."

He met his sister's eyes with renewed resolve. "I shall not rest until I have regained her respect and affection."

"Then," Georgiana said softly, though her voice trembled, "I wish you success with all my heart."

◆◆◆

After several days of arduous travel, Mr. Darcy at last arrived at his destination.

Before knocking upon the door, he adjusted his coat and hat, feeling a distinct unease, for he did not know how the family might receive him.

He supposed, however, that they would at least maintain a degree of civility; after all, it was he who provided their financial support.

He longed to see Elizabeth and could still recall the pallor of her countenance during their last conversation.

There had been a certain vulnerability in her gaze which, to his mind, rendered her even more beautiful.

It had been more than a fortnight since he had looked upon her, and he desired nothing more than to be with her—to embrace her, to kiss her, and to put an end to all the misunderstandings that had divided them.

At last, he knocked. Almost immediately, the door was opened by a maid.

Somewhat surprised—for he had expected Mr. Hill—he observed her look of uncertainty.

Handing her his card, he was shown into the parlour, where he waited with growing impatience, noting that the room appeared altered since his last visit.

Presently, a voice exclaimed, "Mr. Darcy, what a surprise!"

"Mrs. Collins," he replied, somewhat taken aback, before asking, "Pray, may I speak with Mrs. Bennet?"