Chapter 40

It took Elizabeth a long time, and another cup of strong tea, to begin to regain her composure. She was certain that it would take days before the task was complete. Miss Darcy slept peacefully, while Elizabeth sat in the chair, acting as a guard, a book in her hands. But her thoughts were too much of a jumble for it to hold her attention.

Please let me have helped her. Even if my words were not what they ought to have been, at least let them have not caused her greater injury.

It was shocking to realise how ill Miss Darcy was—not in her body but in her mind. Elizabeth had to believe there was a way back to health for her, though what it was, she did not know.

Whatever it is, I know Mr Darcy will discover it. He will continue to search for every possible treatment, consult every possible source until he does. That is his life’s purpose, and I would never, could never, interfere in it.

Had circumstances been different, she would gladly have assisted him. But her sister had married the man who was responsible for Miss Darcy’s present state. Elizabeth could not wish Lydia’s marriage undone; that would have meant ruin for her family, and she had been truthful when she said she believed it was better, even though only slightly, that Lydia and not Miss Darcy was Mrs Wickham. Mr Wickham would have done everything in his power to make Miss Darcy miserable to cause her brother greater distress. He had no incentive to mistreat Lydia—not more than he otherwise would a wife he did not want—and Elizabeth prayed he was a better man than she believed him to be.

Elizabeth’s sentiments towards Lydia had softened after speaking to Miss Darcy. Both girls were very young and had come up against a man who would take what he wanted—whether that was a wealthy wife or the companionship of a willing woman. Elizabeth spent the next while wondering what she might do to help her sister, if anything.

I should begin by not blaming her for destroying my chance of happiness with Mr Darcy. She was reckless, but she will bear the consequences of her actions for the remainder of her life. I need not add to her burden with my anger. I shall always despise Mr Wickham, but likewise, I shall always love Lydia.

That did not mean she would allow her sister to be part of her life in any substantial manner. She could not imagine the day would come when she would no longer refuse to see Mr Wickham. While she presently had no desire to see Lydia either, she would attempt to maintain a correspondence with her. In that way, Lydia might be comfortable approaching her for help if she ever required it.

She was in the midst of devising ways Lydia might gain her freedom from Mr Wickham when she heard sounds in the corridor that signalled Jane and Bingley’s return. She quietly slipped from the room, hoping not to disturb Miss Darcy. It would be better for her to remain asleep for as long as possible. That way, she would not have an opportunity to grow restless while waiting for her brother and cousin’s arrival.

Elizabeth held a finger to her lips to warn Jane and Bingley to speak softly. The surprise and unease on their faces suggested that Bingley’s valet had informed them of Miss Darcy’s presence. They went into Jane’s chamber, leaving the maid and valet outside Elizabeth’s room to ensure Miss Darcy did not wake and leave.

Elizabeth explained how she had espied Miss Darcy in the courtyard and that she had left Pemberley alone. “I am not sure what else I should say at the moment. I ought to return to her side lest she wake up.”

“Should I send for a doctor?” Bingley asked.

Elizabeth said there was no need. “I expect Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam will be here soon. They will best know what to do for her. It may be a false hope, but I almost believe her adventure and speaking to me as candidly as she did has…released a burden from her shoulders. I pray it has, for her sake and that of her family.”

Jane began to quietly cry. “Oh, Lizzy, what you have been through! And Miss Darcy, the poor girl. Her brother and cousin must have been sick with worry when they discovered she was missing!”

“I do not doubt it, but I am well.” When her sister looked sceptical, she continued. “I am very glad I was here, but I did little other than listen and feed her.” She accepted Jane’s embrace.

Bingley kissed her cheek. “It is fortunate she met you. I know you are made of stern-enough stuff to manage it all quite well. Still, I wish you had not been alone all day.”

Elizabeth offered him a fond smile and shrugged to say it did not much matter. It had been a difficult day, but she had done her best and would be no worse for it. She excused herself to go back to Miss Darcy, refusing Jane’s offer to accompany her. “Once she is awake, we shall join you in the parlour as soon as she feels able to see you.”

It was little more than sixteen miles from Pemberley to Buxton, but the distance might as well have been the one hundred and fifty between the estate and London. Darcy felt tired and weak until he saw the inn. As the carriage began to slow, he saw Bingley’s valet standing by the entry. He pointed him out to Fitzwilliam, who had been surprisingly quiet during the drive.

“Good. He can direct us to Georgiana at once.”

Darcy nodded and stepped down from the carriage, his energy fully restored.

The servant showed them to a private parlour, leaving them outside the door. Darcy’s hand shook as he reached for the latch; he felt Fitzwilliam’s hand on his shoulder in what he took as giving and seeking reassurance. They would confront Georgiana’s illness together, as they had done in the months directly after Ramsgate and as they had failed to do since Lady Catherine had shared the news of his intention to propose to Elizabeth.

The Bingleys, Elizabeth, and Georgiana were seated at a table on which a tea service was arranged. The curtains were a startling shade of yellow, and they flapped in the wind entering through the window. Darcy noticed these inconsequential details in an instant, after which all he saw was Georgiana and his beautiful Elizabeth, who was doing an admirable job of acting as though nothing unusual was taking place, probably to avoid adding to his sister’s unease.

He closed the distance between them in several long strides. Georgiana stood, and he swept her up in his embrace, holding her tightly. If he could, he would gather Elizabeth into his arms too. Fitzwilliam was there immediately after he was, his frail little sister surrounded by the two men charged by her father with protecting her.

“Thank God you are safe,” Darcy whispered. “I love you, Georgiana, and nothing you could ever do will change that.”

“We both do,” Fitzwilliam said. As soon as Darcy released her, he also embraced her.

They spent several minutes assuring themselves that she was well.

“We have much to discuss,” Fitzwilliam said. “For the moment, all that matters is that we are together again. Neither your brother nor I would ever forgive ourselves if you came to harm.”

Darcy agreed. “We shall return to Pemberley anon. First, I would like to speak to our friends. Do you object?” He held her by the shoulders, peering into her face and taking in every slight alteration to her expression, trying to judge her true response as well as what she admitted aloud, knowing that her spoken sentiments did not always match what she felt. As it happened, she did not speak; she only shook her head. Her chin was lowered, and Fitzwilliam gently lifted it with a single finger, forcing her to look at him.

“All is well, dear girl. We are not angry, only very, very worried for you and gladder than either of us can say that you are here with people we know, respect, and trust as much as the Bingleys and Miss Bennet.” Fitzwilliam looked in Elizabeth’s direction.

When she nodded, Darcy knew she had understood his cousin’s attempt to apologise.

Mrs Bingley stood and said, “Miss Darcy, would you like to come to my chamber and prepare yourself for the drive? Mr Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I imagined you would not wish to tarry. I have asked that a basket be prepared for you for your return journey.”

“You are very good, madam. Thank you,” Fitzwilliam said. To Georgiana, he added, “Go with Mrs Bingley. By the time you are ready, your brother and I shall be too.”

Georgiana glanced at Darcy, who nodded his agreement and gently caressed her cheek. She was pale yet did not seem as fragile as he had expected her to be. Mrs Bingley held out a hand to her; to Darcy’s surprise, she readily took it, and the two ladies quit the parlour.