Chapter 68

68

E lizabeth smiled and allowed him to take her hand and assist her to rise from the sofa. She glanced out of the window, and made a face. "I am afraid you might have to leave me quite soon, since Mrs. Dawkins will want to have dinner. I am sorry I cannot invite you to stay."

His hand was warm around hers. "We expect nothing else, Elizabeth. You are a guest, the accommodations are small, and I would not wish to distress Mrs. Dawkins, when she has been so kind as to accept you with your relations."

"Thank you." She glanced down. "This is going to be embarrassing, as everyone will know what we have been doing."

William lowered his head towards her. "We have been so long, they may have wondered what indeed we might have been getting up to!" He squeezed her hand. "I am proud of your consent, Elizabeth, and I will tell them if you wish it."

She squeezed his hand back. "I am proud, too, but hope you will tell them. Thank you."

She was happy to be able to stand close to him while everyone crowded around with their congratulations before the men gathered in one group and Jane and their aunt drew her off to another corner.

"Oh, Lizzy!" Jane looked delighted. "I am so glad for you. I am quite certain you are well-suited, and you will be the second-happiest couple in the world!"

"You are quite out, Jane. I intend us to be the happiest couple — although I will share the position with you and Mr. Bingley if you wish."

"Make room for me and your uncle, too, if you please," Aunt Gardiner requested with a gentle smile.

Elizabeth acquiesced and glanced over at William. He had drawn his cousin aside and was speaking to him in a low voice. The colonel looked around, nodded, and left the room without taking his leave of them.

Elizabeth frowned slightly; what was the matter? But William was crossing over to them. He nodded at them all, with a special smile at Elizabeth, and then turned his attention to her aunt. "Excuse me. I have been thinking that now we are a larger group, perhaps it would be best to see if the greater of the parlours at the inn may be free tomorrow, and I have sent my cousin to reserve it. If that is the case, then might I invite you, Elizabeth and Mrs. Bingley — with all the gentlemen, of course — to join us there for the morning. We can then discuss matters without inconveniencing Mrs. Dawkins, and I hope I may be permitted to order luncheon to be served there, too."

Elizabeth glanced at her sister, who nodded slightly at her. So did her aunt. "We would like that, sir. I know Mrs. Dawkins must find it difficult having us here so much, when she is used to having the space to herself."

He smiled down at her. "I believe she is calling for dinner now. So we will take our leave of you." He bowed to her. "I hope you will enjoy this evening, Elizabeth, and not worry about the future until tomorrow." He bent over her hand, and drew her slightly aside. "I shall miss you every moment until I see you again, loveliest Elizabeth." His eyes were dark with passion, and it was hard to breathe.

"And I will miss you, too. It has not been long enough since you returned from town."

"I hope it will not be long before we can be together all our days. You have made me the happiest of men, my dear."

Elizabeth swallowed, her legs weak and feeling odiously missish. She smiled weakly at him, seeing his gaze darken with satisfaction. She tried to stop her smile, and turned to farewell her aunt and uncle, who would be staying at the same inn.

Jane took her arm as they stood by the window and watched the coaches drawing away. "I am so pleased for you, Lizzy. Although I suppose that everything is too rushed to enjoy it properly. Now, tell me, was he properly romantic?"

Elizabeth laughed. "Oh, I wish I could remember it all. I want to write it down so I can reread it every night." She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered in joy. "I could not imagine better."

Jane looked at her curiously. "I would never have thought Mr. Darcy was a romantic."

Elizabeth closed her eyes. "Just take my word for it, Jane. He certainly is." She sighed, and then shook her head at Jane.

"But I hope you will excuse me, dearest sister. Aunt has just handed me a letter. It seems that Charlotte has written to her, anxious about my whereabouts, and enclosed this note she wrote for me, in case Aunt knew where I was."

Dear Eliza

I do hope your aunt knows where you are, or may do in the future. I am so concerned for you; you were so very ill after your disagreement with Mr. Darcy.

I can only think it was because you might have told him about … you know what I mean, and he proved not to be as constant as I know you hoped.

I could not see you of course, later on, when you were so unwell, but Jane very kindly came outside to speak to me, although she was so anxious for you, and I have been praying so hard.

Then the worst happened and it seems that you have been spirited away somehow. I know not what happened, but Mr. Bennet came to Lucas Lodge to speak to my father, and I heard a tremendous amount of shouting. I was called into the library and Mr. Bennet accused me of knowing where you are. He seemed so angry and out of control. I could not see that he was concerned about you, but the anger was because he had been thwarted in some way.

Now I wonder what happened and if that was the cause of your illness. Oh, Eliza, I am so worried. It appears that Mr. and Mrs. Bingley are gone, too. So I can only hope that you are with them and that you are recovering.

My father has forbidden me to leave the house without him — he is concerned about my safety, as he does not have any idea what is really behind your father's temper.

I have decided to write this and can only hope your aunt will be able to get it to you and that you are well enough to be able to tell me what is happening.

With all my prayers for your safety

Charlotte

Elizabeth swallowed. Poor Charlotte! How would she be able to get news to her without either of their fathers discovering it and making things worse for her?

Somehow, she must help her. She must.

The next morning, she climbed into Mr. Bingley's coach with them, to join William and his cousin, and her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner at the inn.

She was both excited to see William again and nervous that yesterday could not possibly be real. It was well that the journey would not be more than twenty minutes, and she clutched her hands together in an attempt to stop herself trembling.

Jane reached out, and her hand covered Elizabeth's fists. "It will not be long now, Lizzy. When all this is over and your life settles down, then you will believe it has all been worth it."

Elizabeth smiled briefly at her and continued staring out of the window. She hoped she was doing the right thing.

But with Papa not being the man she had thought him, there was no other option but to accept the protection of a husband. That, or be ruined and hiding away from the world.

She needed to see William again, assure herself of his devotion. Yesterday had not been long enough.