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Chapter 45

45

E lizabeth sighed early the next morning as the Bennet coach set off to convey her, Mary, Jane and Mama, to London. However would her aunt and uncle fit them all in comfortably?

And why on earth was there such a rush to get them all away just for the week or so before the wedding? Surely it would be possible to keep them safe in Hertfordshire? The place was full of footmen, and she hadn't even tried to go for out a walk.

But the Bennet carriage held the four ladies. The Darcy carriage was following them, with Georgiana and her companion. Even the Hurst carriage was going to town, with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst on board.

They were surrounded by armed footmen, several officers, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam and even Papa, all on horseback. It made it look as if they must be carrying a fortune in gold to tempt highwaymen.

She rolled her eyes, and heard Mary chuckle. "Come on, Lizzy, you need your sense of humour back. I do agree, this seems way too much drama for a single deserter — who is probably on his way to America right now!"

Elizabeth glanced at her ruefully. "It makes me wonder what it is about this particular deserter. If it was someone random, yes, then it is far too much to justify this … this evacuation. And the wedding is next Wednesday, too! There must be so much to do; I am sure you quite deserve an attack of nerves, Mama."

Her mother huffed. "You know what your father is like, Lizzy. And with the other gentlemen filling his head with dramatic tales, I supposed it to be inevitable, so I am trying to stay calm."

"I think you're doing wonderfully well, Mama." Jane patted her mother's hand. "And everything is so well in hand for the day. Mrs Hill and Mrs. Nicholls have everything well organised."

"And that's another thing!" Elizabeth burst out. "If it is that dangerous, then why are we all not at home with protection, as that would protect all the servants, too."

Mary shook her head. "You know life is not like that, Lizzy, however unfair we know it to be." She took a deep breath. "I am glad you are coming to town, though. Once it is familiar to me, then I won't be afraid to come back with Aunt and Uncle, and I can have a music master."

Elizabeth smiled at her. "I am happy to be of assistance to you, Mary. And you know the Gardiners are kindness itself."

She watched out of the window as they drove through the west end of town, seeing the Hurst coach peeling off, followed by Mr. Bingley, and the Darcy coach also turning away, followed by Colonel Fitzwilliam. She frowned, bemused. Surely Mr. Darcy would have followed his sister, would he not? After all, it was supposed to be safer here in town, and travelling towards the East End — the despised Cheapside area — and Papa was following them, too.

Then she had a thought. Perhaps Mr. Darcy was checking that he had the correct direction for her uncle. Just to confirm what she had told him.

He looked so grave and suspicious much of the time, and this would be proof that he found it difficult to believe her. She continued staring out, long past the time when the other coaches were out of sight. Why did his suspicion of her cause her heart to pain her? And, for that matter, why had she been so concerned when she had heard of the uprising in Meryton; that he might be there and in danger?

She needed another long talk with her aunt. With the number of guests there were, it might be difficult to find the time to do so. But Elizabeth was determined she would.

Aunt Gardiner was an astute woman, and Elizabeth was delighted when her aunt came to her bedchamber later that very evening.

"I can see you need to talk to me, Lizzy. Both your father and uncle have retired, so you can come along to my chambers in your robe, as Jane and Mary will want to settle down." She smiled round at them all, and Elizabeth was pleased to follow her.

Aunt had a tray of hot chocolate ready on the table and the cups were still steaming. She pulled Elizabeth down close beside her on the familiar small settee. "You are having a time of it, aren't you? How is Jane managing her pre-wedding nerves with all this happening?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Jane is Jane, as you know, Aunt. I cannot see any hint of anxiety or concern, even though I know her so well. She is so pleased to be marrying Mr. Bingley, and that he had the courage to send Miss Bingley off." She snorted with amusement. "The danger from his sister's snide remarks were far more distressing for Jane than all the trouble from without!"

"I am pleased about that — and that your mother appears to be happy with the wedding preparations enough to leave them in the hands of Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Nicholls!"

"I am as surprised as you are, Aunt. I could not have imagined it if I had not seen it for myself."

Her aunt handed her the cup of hot chocolate. "Well, enough of everyone else. You look sad — and have a hunted expression, too — and I cannot imagine that you have been able to tell me all in your letters."

Elizabeth shook her head. "No sooner have I posted a letter to you, Aunt, than something else happens to render the letter so far out of my feelings that it is worthless!"

"Well, you are here now, and there is time to tell me everything." Her aunt patted her arm. "Have you remembered what we talked about last time we were in here — that you need to remember that Mr. Darcy is like most men of his station, too used to being the one to come to the aid of those he deems under his protection, and also that he apologised handsomely for his error in writing to his aunt?"

Elizabeth nodded. "I have. And we were still able to have some conversations, although he seems to be holding back, somehow; more reticent. But he has permitted his sister to claim my company a number of times."

Her aunt's eyebrow didn't arch like Papa's, but she still lifted it. "You sound as if it is a chore."

"Oh, no. She is a sweet girl. But he watches me all the time. And there's another thing. I talked to Papa, and wrote to you, you will remember, that we thought I ought to tell him that Uncle Gardiner is the same Mr. Gardiner he knows as the publisher of Santorio. We did not want him to be surprised at the wedding when they encountered each other. He might have reacted badly."

Aunt nodded. "And how did he respond when you told him?"

Elizabeth sighed. "So much has happened since then, we have not really had an opportunity to speak of it. I mean, he did thank me that I had told him of it so he would not be embarrassed by finding out at the wedding. But then he made his excuses and left. I thought he was angry, and that he was afraid of saying something intemperate in his immediate anger." She took a few gulps of her rapidly-cooling chocolate.

"He would have come back to me about it, I think, if only the militia uprising hadn't happened, and we have had no opportunity to talk since." She huffed, irritated. "But it seemed obvious to me that he was angered. And it is true, I have had the opportunity to tell him before, but chose not to. He does not like not knowing something and will be angry that I have kept secrets from him." She jumped to her feet and took the few steps across the small room before turning back. "But now he knows. I don't think it will be long before he gets suspicious about Santorio and why I come here so often. And from there it is only a small step to him guessing what I really am."

Her aunt stretched out and drew Elizabeth back down to her side. "Come, dear. We need to finish our talk and then I must help you become calm or you will not sleep." She looked up, bright-eyed. "You are standing up with Jane, are you not? And Mr. Darcy is likely to be groomsman to Mr. Bingley." She grinned. "You know that the duty of the groomsman after the ceremony is to support the bride's attendant?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I am still hoping the groomsman might be Mr. Hurst."

Aunt laughed. "I doubt it, but you may live in hope if you wish." Then she became serious again. "I would hope that Mr. Darcy has learned enough about not sharing your talents to keep Santorio a secret if he should guess it. He is an honourable man, I believe."

Elizabeth shrugged. "It will get out now that his aunt knows of my voice and has made enquiries; I have no doubt of it. And even if he keeps it to himself, he might still use the knowledge to try to force me to wed him, so he can add my income to his."

"I think you are mistaken, Lizzy." Aunt was thoughtful. "He is one of the few men who has more income than he needs, so would not consider that as an influence. And in any event, your father would insist on you retaining all the rights and income in the marriage settlement."

She squeezed Elizabeth's hand. "I want you to be careful. I know that you find it difficult to trust and understand men. But I also think that this man may in the future be the one for you, judging by your reaction to him — and by what your father has said in his letters to your uncle. Be calm and do not accuse him when in a temper, Lizzy. You know you have a temper, and that you have a way with words that sometimes cause deep wounds. I just do not want you to lose a possible future until you know for sure, after calm contemplation, exactly what you want."

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