Chapter 21

Elizabeth set out for Meryton, her heart beating as wildly as if she were about to go into battle. In one sense, she was. She was about to leave everything she knew behind and embark on a journey that no young lady of good family would have dreamed of taking on their own. Her concern for Miss Darcy was worth the risk. Elizabeth took a deep breath and told herself to stop worrying. She had laid her plans as best she could, thinking them over half the night until she was confident that she had avoided as much risk as she could and found the best chance of saving Miss Darcy. Now, all that remained was to carry out her plan.

She had approximately two hours before the household awakened and was about their day. Her father would find her note in the library, nestled on his favourite plush chair near the window. He would find it before he went into the dining room before breakfast. And she could only hope he would not come after her and cause their family undue stress. Her uncle would take good care of her as soon as she was done warning Mr Darcy of what his sister was about to do.

Elizabeth entered Meryton as the shadows began creeping along the dirt lane. Soon, the sun would rise over the distant hills, and by that time, she would be well on her way to London. She stopped in at the baker's house, just as she had told her father she would do, and the man of the house was more than obliging as she asked him to walk with her in her father's stead.

"It is an early morning for you to be about, Miss Bennet. I would be happy to walk you the rest of the way to the stagecoach, since your father asks a favour of me," he said.

Elizabeth felt guilty for telling such an outright lie, but it would be a valuable safeguard for her reputation, having a man stand by her until it was time for her to get on the stage.

She did not have long to wait. Once she arrived at the stagecoach, she handed her money to the baker so that he might purchase her ticket for her, then handed up her bag to the driver to sit atop the vehicle. Soon, they were bumping along down the country road toward London.

It was a difficult journey, not only because of all the bumping along but for the exhaustion that overwhelmed her. She had slept barely two hours before she had been forced to awaken and be off on her journey. Every time her head tilted in sleep, she was either jostled awake by the coach lurching to the side, or by a snarl from a fellow passenger who did not appreciate her using their shoulder as a pillow.

She took a brief ride in a hackney cab to Mr Darcy's townhouse, and after paying the driver, looked up at the impressive house with a mixture of awe and trepidation. Elizabeth clutched the small bag to her chest, her heart thundering in her ears. There was no turning back now. She had come so far and risked so much. Nothing must deter her from her purpose.

Elizabeth walked up the steps and knocked on the door. A few moments later, an older woman came to answer the door. "Yes, Miss? Can I help you?" the woman asked.

"Yes, I hope so," Elizabeth replied. "My name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I have come to see Mr Darcy on a matter of urgency. It concerns his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy."

The woman's eyebrows went up in concern at the mention of Miss Darcy. "His sister, you say? Has something happened?"

"Not yet," Elizabeth replied. "But she is in grave danger. Please, I must speak to him immediately. If he says he is not at home, will you please tell him it is a matter of life and death?"

The woman looked even more stricken but invited Elizabeth in to wait in the foyer. She tried to stand still, but could not help pacing back and forth as she waited. It was taking much too long for Mr Darcy to come down. Each minute increased the danger that Mr Wickham might run away with Georgiana before he could return to Meryton and intervene.

"How dare you come into my house and tell my housekeeper such fabrications as she has just told me?"

Elizabeth swung around to see Mr Darcy glaring at her from the corridor that led to the rest of the lavishly appointed townhouse. She pressed her lips firmly together as he strode toward her and motioned toward the door. Whatever happened, she must keep her temper long enough to make him believe her. "Do you really think I would lie to gain entry to your home? I have come in good faith, Mr Darcy."

"Good faith?" he scoffed. "I wonder if you even know what that phrase means." He stepped closer, scowling at her. "If you have any dignity or decency at all, you will leave this house and never return."

Elizabeth refused to back down. No doubt it would be difficult to get Mr Darcy to believe her story, but she had to try. If she had said nothing and something happened to Miss Darcy, she could never forgive herself. "I dare to come here because Miss Darcy is about to make the biggest mistake of her life."

"What on earth are you talking about?"

"I am speaking of your sister, whom you left in a den of wolves back in Meryton. She is planning to elope with a young man, and she is being goaded on by that woman who has the audacity to call herself a companion. She does not have Miss Darcy's best interests at heart. Indeed, I wonder if she has ever had anyone's interests at heart, except for her own."

"I cannot fathom what you are saying, Miss Bennet, and still less what you are doing here. You may go now. I have not the least interest in listening to your ravings."

He turned on his heel and was about to leave, but Elizabeth stepped quickly forward. With a daring she had not known she possessed, she gripped his arm. "Please, you must listen to me, Mr Darcy."

She let go of his arm, but he did not try to leave again. Elizabeth took a deep breath and started to explain. "A man by the name of Mr Wickham came into town shortly after you'd gone —"

"Mr Wickham?" Mr Darcy snapped. "Mr George Wickham?" he asked.

"I believe so. Apparently, the young man has known your family for some time." Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying to master her anger. She had hoped for better — had hoped that he would recognise the risk she was running for love of Georgiana and honour it. Instead, he was all but snarling at her with contempt.

It did not matter, in the end. If he would only save Georgiana, he could be as rude to her as he pleased.

∞∞∞

George Wickham.

Darcy instantly stilled when he heard the name. "Yes, George Wickham has been connected to our family," Darcy replied, narrowing his eyes. He ought to have known that Wickham would not simply accept the money he requested in exchange for the living of Kympton and leave them in peace. Some part of him had known it could not be so simple.

He had not imagined anything like this. Wickham dared involve Georgiana in his schemes — it was past imagining, and he had not the least doubt that it was true. Darcy cursed his foolishness in entrusting Georgiana's safety to anyone but himself.

Elizabeth frowned, looking concerned. "Are you well, Mr Darcy?" she asked. "Your cheeks are white as a shroud."

Darcy shook his head, trying to breathe and think before he made any rash decisions.

She must have mistaken his silence for a further gesture of contempt. Elizabeth turned to leave. "I will go now. I only wanted to come and warn you. Please be assured that I would not have taken such drastic measures if there were any other way. A letter would have been too late in reaching you." She hung her head. "And I feared you would not open it if you saw my name written on the front. I am truly sorry if I have caused you any trouble. Good day."

She had nearly reached the door when Darcy came to his senses. "Wait!" He walked toward her, stopping a few feet from her. She seemed surprised that he had spoken. "Where will you go?"

"I have said everything I needed to say, Mr Darcy. I will not bore you with my presence, which I know is so odious to you. You need not concern yourself about me. I have plans to stay with my aunt and uncle this evening and return home by the morning stage."

"Do not do that."

"Why ever not?" she asked.

"Come back to Meryton with me. If what you have said about Mrs Younge is true — and I am beginning to believe that I trusted in the wrong woman all along — I would have your support when I confront Georgiana. She could use a friendly face. A genuine one." He held his breath as she seemed to war within herself, weighing out which was the correct decision to make.

"I came alone, Mr Darcy. It would not be proper for me to go back to Meryton with you in your private coach." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

She was right, of course. He thought for a moment. "I will enlist one of my maids to come along as an escort. That way, your reputation will be protected."

Elizabeth bit her lower lip, seeming to hesitate. No wonder, after how rudely he had treated her. Darcy bit his lip, wondering how he might convince her. The idea of Elizabeth riding back in the public stage alone and unprotected seemed almost unbearable.

"It will be more comfortable to ride home in my coach, and that way you will not have to return without protection, as you would on the public stage." He let out a breath. "Indeed, I am surprised beyond measure that your father allowed you to travel here on your own."

"My father did not know. At least, he learned of it when he awakened and read my note this morning, but by then it was too late for him to stop me, as I was halfway to London by that time." She raked her teeth over her lower lip again. "I assure you I would not have risked so much, but I knew my haste was imperative if Miss Darcy was to be saved from ruining her life with that man."

Suddenly, Darcy felt like a fool. How had he misjudged Elizabeth so completely all this time? No doubt, his dislike of the young lady had been spurred on by Mrs Younge's lies, and none of them had any foundation in the least. For the first time since they had met, he allowed himself to really see her. There was surely nothing of perfect symmetry in her face, nor of extraordinary beauty.

Why, then, could he hardly bring himself to look away? Why did she seem lovelier each time he saw her?

"I cannot express how grateful I am that you came to warn me," Darcy said, his voice softening in humility. "You have risked your own reputation, your own safety, all to save Georgiana. I am infinitely in your debt — and I would count it a great mark of favour if you would allow me to escort you home to Longbourn and help explain anything that your father might require."

He waited with bated breath. If she refused once more, he would let the matter lie. But he sincerely hoped she wouldn't refuse. It would be at least a small repayment of the great debt he owed her. Not to mention that the ride back to Meryton would give him a chance to get to know her better, without the clouds of Mrs Younge's lies hanging over them.

"Very well. I will go with you," she finally agreed.

"Thank you, Miss Bennet." He breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to ring for his housekeeper. When she arrived, things were set in motion for them to depart almost immediately. "Please have some refreshments sent up for Miss Bennet. I assume you have not had the chance to break your fast yet this morning?"

Elizabeth's cheek flushed. Darcy suppressed a grin. The colour was remarkably pretty on her, but he ought not to notice anything of the kind.

"I had a plum from the orchard when I was leaving Longbourn this morning."

"Oh, my dear, you must be famished. Please follow me to the dining room and I will have something prepared for you right away." The housekeeper took her away while Darcy climbed the stairs to the second floor where his suite of rooms was located and instructed his valet to pack for a journey.

A half-hour later, Elizabeth had replenished her strength with a cup of tea, a piece of buttered toast, and some fruit from the kitchen. A young maid was waiting at the front door when Darcy came to collect Elizabeth from the dining room and let her know that the carriage was ready to depart. Sarah was a very good girl, the housekeeper had informed him, and would look after Georgiana once they had reached Meryton. She looked vastly proud at being asked to provide chaperonage for their guest.

"Right this way, Miss Bennet," Darcy said, gesturing her outside. The butler opened the door and a pair of footmen stowed their things on top of the carriage while they climbed in and made themselves as comfortable as they could. Elizabeth looked tired. No doubt the weary hours of travel weighed heavily on her. And yet she had not objected against immediately climbing back into a coach except in concern for propriety, had not had a thought for her own comfort.

"You were very brave to come here and tell me about Georgiana. I must once again offer my deepest thanks." Darcy looked at her intently, feeling how inadequate words were to convey his thanks.

Elizabeth gave him a small smile. "I did what any other friend would do under the circumstances, Mr Darcy."

A few moments of silence passed, and Elizabeth seemed in danger of nodding off when Darcy spoke up again. "You have a great love of books, do you not? I remember my sister saying you were a great reader."

Elizabeth's brows went up. "That is too generous, perhaps. But I must own I am fond of books."

He dug in his leather pouch and brought out three books. "I believe she said you liked the novels of Mrs Radcliffe? I had my butler find a few of her works before we left."

He handed her the novels, and she looked up at him in surprise. "That was very kind of you, Mr Darcy."

Darcy watched her choose one of the books and start to read. Yes, he was sure now that he had misjudged her. She had shown extraordinary courage in coming to him. Far from being self-serving as Mrs Younge had said, she had been a better friend to his dear sister than the one who had been her companion. Anger welled up inside him and he looked out the window at the passing scenery to try and hide his foul temper from the ladies. When they arrived in Meryton, Mr Wickham would see just how unreasonable he could be.

∞∞∞

Elizabeth stole a glance over the top of her novel as they drove. She was relieved to have exited the bustling city and be out on the road again. It was strange how different everything looked. That morning, she had been a bundle of nerves, wondering how she would be received at Mr Darcy's abode. And indeed, her imaginings had not been far from the truth. But Mr Darcy's attitude toward her had changed from night to day in a matter of minutes. No doubt her revelation that Mr Wickham was the culprit in the plot was what had convinced him she spoke true. He seemed to sense her eyes on him, and looked her way, giving a small smile.

She glanced away, pretending to read her book. Her heart thundered in her chest at having been caught staring at him. From what she had seen displayed over the last hour, Elizabeth was now sure that all the discord between them had been only misunderstandings and the result of Mrs Younge's malice. Surely he was every bit the gallant, protective brother Miss Darcy had originally described. Even now, she was unable to stop the subtle change that was coming over her heart. Mr Darcy was surely one who could be trusted, and ten times the man Wickham was.