Chapter 19

W hen a letter arrived for her shortly after noon bearing the familiar hand of its sender, her heart fluttered with happy expectation. She could not for a moment imagine the dreadful tidings it concealed.

It took her a second to read its scant contents.

Miss Elizabeth,

I am sorry! Forgive and forget me!

Yours forever,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

She gazed at the words for a long moment, unable to see the writing through her welling tears.

Mary was the first to notice her turmoil and subtly signalled to her aunt.

The three ladies were alone in the drawing-room, which allowed Elizabeth to release her pent-up despair. In two strides, Mrs Gardiner was by her side, taking the note from her hands. Then, she gently lowered herself and Elizabeth onto the sofa, while Mary read the troubling missive, her eyes shining with tears as if the news regarded her personally.

Mrs Gardiner’s distress was brief. She rose resolutely, declaring, “I must see Mrs Barstow.”

Despite Elizabeth’s futile attempts to dissuade her, she made her way towards the door, but before she reached it, it swung open unexpectedly, and a maid announced, “Mrs Barstow, ma’am.”

They stood to receive the lady, and to their astonishment, Mrs Barstow enfolded Elizabeth in her embrace—a gesture that led Elizabeth to believe that all was lost, causing her to murmur, “I have lost him.”

Surprisingly, Mrs Barstow dispelled the sombre atmosphere in the room with a resolute, “No!”

“We are all ears,” Mrs Gardiner replied.

Elizabeth shifted her gaze from one lady to the other, unable to comprehend the turn of events. Instead of explaining her anguish, she handed the message to Mrs Barstow, who appeared unmoved.

“It is that odious woman,” she began. “I observed your happiness just last night. Fitzwilliam was in such high spirits that we remained awake until dawn, discussing the ball with Lady Matlock, Georgiana, and the colonel. Though Fitzwilliam did not articulate it explicitly, every word he spoke hinted at a future filled with brightness and joy.”

“Then what happened?” Elizabeth asked. “I too believed that we had left our past in Kent behind, having forgiven each other.” She no longer wept, yet her sorrow was palpable, and this silent desolation proved even more agonising for the ladies surrounding her.

“Fitzwilliam and I had a late breakfast with Georgiana and the colonel, and he received a letter whilst we dined,” Mrs Barstow continued. “I immediately perceived the distress that overwhelmed him even before seeing the letter’s contents. He discreetly read it, and suddenly, it was as if the life left him. The radiance we saw on his face dimmed in just a moment. It was painfully evident. We exchanged anxious glances, anticipating clarification. However, he angrily set aside his napkin, and within half an hour, he had departed for London without uttering a word. I had hoped he would take the colonel with him, but alas, he left alone. Lady Matlock, who awoke much later, found us in our wretched state, and in a moment, she instructed her son to follow him. The colonel, mounting his steed, departed in pursuit of his cousin, hoping to catch him when he next changed horses.”

“What happened?” Elizabeth asked once more.

“It is that woman. Lady Matlock knows her better than I. All the London matrons with grown sons dread such women.”

“Did he lie to me?” Elizabeth asked.

“No!” Mrs Barstow replied, reaching out and placing a comforting hand on her arm. “You know his integrity. You may say what you will about him, but do not doubt his honour.”

Elizabeth nodded, unable to impugn his moral character, no matter how wounded she felt .

“How can a woman compel a man to follow her?” Mary interjected, prompting Mrs Barstow and Mrs Gardiner to exchange glances, observed keenly by the two younger ladies.

“Pray, speak,” Elizabeth implored. “Tell us!”

“These unscrupulous women have their means ,” Mrs Barstow stated.

“We were so good together,” Elizabeth murmured.

“Yes, it was evident to all, and we held such high expectations. Even Lady Matlock agreed that Miss Elizabeth was the perfect lady for Fitzwilliam.”

“Even?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes, even. For one might expect a woman of her station to harbour different aspirations for her nephew’s wife. But no, Lady Matlock asked me about Mary and appeared quite content when she danced with the colonel.”

Their attention turned to Mary, who blushed deeply; she had indeed enjoyed her dances with the dashing officer.

“But that lady was not even in Bath!” Mrs Gardiner exclaimed.

“No, but she likely has informants. Last week, Miss Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam were often seen walking together. I cannot say for certain what happened.”

“What should we do now?” Mary asked earnestly, for Elizabeth’s happiness was of paramount concern to her, and she wished to assist in any way she could.

“We shall depart for London in two days,” Mrs Barstow said.

“And us too!” Mrs Gardiner replied. It was indeed decided to leave .

“Then…immediately…I shall return to Longbourn,” Elizabeth murmured, and her choice met with no objections. After all, it was her life, and she had the right to determine what to do next. “I regret that he is so ensnared by her as to run when she merely sends a letter, but there is nothing I can do. Besides, he bade me to forgive him, which appears to be an unequivocal request.”

“Need I remind you that just a few months ago, you declared him to be the last man in the world you would marry? Circumstances and feelings do change, my dear,” Mrs Gardiner said sternly, intending to rouse Elizabeth from her despondent resignation.

However, Elizabeth shook her head. “He knows where to find me. I took the first steps after Kent to show him that my feelings had changed. Now it is his turn. Yet, judging from his message, it seems he has reached a decision.”

“Nevertheless, you will accompany us to the Lakes,” Mrs Gardiner insisted.

“I shall. A journey can serve as a healing balm,” Elizabeth said with a tight smile that could not erase the pain etched upon her face. “But we will not stop in Derbyshire.”

“I shall not give up,” Mrs Barstow asserted. “But you go back home, then we shall see.”