Arms folding in front of her, Charlotte’s lips curled, “Did Mr. Darcy have you promise not to walk alone? He did, did he not, for you look away from me even now. Very well, we must rectify this matter, here, let me send for a footman; unless you require more than one for protection?” she teased.
Elizabeth’s usual humour deserting her, she shook her head, “No. There is no need. I promised to work closely with Mr. Darcy, but I did not promise never to go anywhere without a chaperone; Netherfield is not far, and I promise to only walk the roads. It will be alright.”
Though her conscience prickled at the obvious lie, her pride had been allowed free rein; a rise of courage or recklessness being the unfortunate result.
Mr. Darcy’s notion of having someone with her outside of Longbourn or Netherfield held merit, but she had never had to strangle her movements before. Meryton. The usual haunts she enjoyed. These she would not attempt without another by her side, but such a visible stretch of road? No real danger could touch her there.
Could it?
Gulping, Elizabeth prepared to make her way to Netherfield, Charlotte’s pleas to reconsider unheard.
“Mr. Darcy or one of the others shall see me home,” Elizabeth appeased her friend, the distance between the two growing. “I promise all will be well.”
Yet, in spite of her confident words and tone, Elizabeth’s heart doubted her decision, each step a seed of dread and imagination; her usual reason abandoned for a foolish moment of pride. Indeed, so foolish did she judge her decision as she rounded the bend which put her out of sight of Lucas Lodge, that she had half a mind to return straight to her friend’s side, an apology and a request for a chaperone to follow. Unfortunately, the rustle of a bush behind dissuaded her from that course, her pulse racing as she increased her pace.
She could reach Netherfield.
Nothing to fear.
Only a bird. A fox?
These thoughts and others like them swirled in her mind, her stride fierce as her hands dampened.
She would be alright. She would.
Wishing she had waited for Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth turned down the long drive of Netherfield, throat tight as the noise which had first whispered only from behind came now from a second location in front.
Stepping backward as a man emerged from the trees surrounding the drive, Elizabeth turned to make her escape, only to find another figure blocking her path.
“Tsk, tsk, Miss Elizabeth,” the man before her said as he stepped forward, Elizabeth’s hands fisting, though her arms remained firm at her sides. “I heard tale you promised Mr. Darcy you’d not journey without him. But since you did, give him a message.”
The other man coming behind her, Elizabeth felt her stomach roll.
“Tell him,” the first man continued as he rubbed a finger over Elizabeth’s cheek, his action causing her to recoil. “That if he doesn’t send for the money soon, there will be consequences; his cousin, your sister… maybe even you. It won’t be pretty. You tell him that.”
Nodding, her eyes fixed to the ground as she prayed for them to leave, the man giving her cheek one last stroke before his hand moved from her sight, footfalls filling the air as he left.
Breath shallow, Elizabeth’s hand drifted to her neck as she looked around her, the two men running in the direction of Meryton.
“Foolish. Headstrong,” she whispered to herself, her breath at last easy; the insults appearing too lacking in their veracity.She had risked everything.
Continuing down Netherfield’s long drive, Elizabeth shivered, the horrid feeling of that man’s hand upon her cheek lingering even as minutes passed and the great house came into view.
Perhaps,she thought,the feeling would leave when she was inside? When she saw Darcy again?
Darcy. He would bedisappointed. Entirely so, for she had agreed to his plan and declared it sound.
Yet, even as she knocked on Netherfield’s doors, she prayed he would overlook her indiscretion, her desire for the safety his presence lent fierce.
Another shiver racking her form as the doors opened, Elizabeth grimaced.Would the feeling of that man’s hand ever leave?
Moving past Mr. Innings, Elizabeth hurried toward the library in the hope of finding Mr. Darcy, her steps pausing as she saw Mr. Bingley standing within. Hesitating for but a moment, she entered, Mr. Bingley’s greeting warm as always.
“Ah, Miss Elizabeth. I suppose you are looking for Darcy; he should be down any moment. Please, sit, and I shall call for tea…” his breath scarcely stilling as she took the proffered seat, he pulled the bell cord and continued, “I am surprised Darcy did not fetch you, still, no matter. Tell me, how is your sister, Jane? I mean, Miss Bennet. Is she at home today?”
Eyes wide as she took in his multitude of words, she nodded, “Yes. She was at home when I left, though I believe she is walking into Meryton with our sisters today.”
Heart still pounding from her encounter outside, her gaze pulled toward the door at the sound of footfalls, her countenance falling when a busy servant passing by proved its cause.
