Thankfully, relaying the possibility of Bingley being dishonourable the night prior had been met with surprise, though not alarm or heartache, Jane’s affections apparently having shifted with each moment in Bingley’s company–the arrival of Lord Lightcliffe having advanced that shift at a greater speed than might otherwise have been realized. Still, Jane’s delicate heart had been rightfully dismayed that he, or indeed anyone of their acquaintance, might have secrets as dark as that.
“Lizzy,” Mr. Bennet’s voice penetrated her woolgathering. “Such a dour expression you wear today, I know what you said regarding Bingley is a distressing possibility, yet, I had thought with the addition of our houseguest you would be more at ease.”
Turning her back to the window, she nodded, “I am… for us, yet what of Mr. Aldry, or Mr. Peters…”
“Or Mr. Darcy?” he completed for her, a wistful smile upon his face. “I have seen the way you look at him, I recognize the shift in your tone when you mention his name, and I have noted his equal regard for you. Do not look so concerned, I have every intention of offering my blessing when you both ask me for it–this wretched business likely delaying such matters–you only find me reminiscing. The years I have had you here have been a blessing and brought with them great joy, yet, as loath as I am to see you moved so far away, I am content in knowing you will be happy and safe…” clearing his throat as his eyes turned glassy, he quickly teased, “and that you will have an impressive library. That will be a fine thing when you have your family to stay, though I fear you may only see me in that one room.”
Her own eyes moistening she shook her head, “I do not even know if he feels the same, Papa. That he cares for me is clear, but is it enough to ask for the hand of a woman without fortune or connection? I hope, even pray for that, but with all this worryand trouble, I cannot allow myself to expect or fully believe it to be possible until I hear the words from his lips. Disappointment on top of everything else would press me beyond what I can bear.”
A single arm wrapped over her shoulders, he patted her and assured, “The man is in love with you… allow this period of trial to pass and I know he will show it.”
Kissing her hair as he turned to leave, her father returned to his study for another day of quiet.Though his general inaction regarding Mary’s disappearance had allowed her to see him with new eyes, such tender affections from him were a clear reminder that, in spite of his faults, he loved her, and hopefully he loved each of her sisters in equal measure.
∞∞∞
Heart leaping as she observed Darcy making his way toward Longbourn’s entrance, Elizabeth raced toward the door, propriety laid to waste as she threw it open to reveal Darcy poised to knock.
“Elizabeth,” he said, his eyes brightening at the sight of her before narrowing as he glanced past, “Is something wrong?”
Shaking her head, she allowed him to enter, the unusual behavior she had displayed bringing a warm rise to her cheeks. “Here,” she remarked as she directed him to a chair, “rest yourself for a minute while I let someone know I am leaving.”
Quickly making her way to her father’s study, she announced she was off, his wry grin at her expense ignored as she obtainedher bonnet and gloves then returned to Darcy’s side.Papa might risk his expectations, but surely, she would not?
Standing at the sight of her, Darcy’s brows rose as she all but shoved him out the door and onto the road beyond, her worries at last easing as she felt his arm under her hand, the soft breeze causing the trees to rustle as they walked. Yet, with a simple lift of her head such contentment soon fled, a troubled mien marring his features harkening every fear which had kept her awake much of the night.
“Darcy, is something wrong?” she asked, her voice sounding unfamiliar as worries took hold. “You appear troubled.”
“It,” he hesitated as he halted their steps, “that is, thereissome unpleasant news. You see, Aldry went into Meryton before dawn to speak with a man in our employ… he was informed that, as of last evening, someone has made it known that Mary is not residing at Netherfield Park. No word of her kidnapping has formed, yet, I fear the rumours are worse than the truth.”
Mary? They would speak ill of Mary? Imagining what? Surely, given it was Mary and not Lydia or Kitty, they could not think her up to mischief; Mary would be the last to behave poorly. They had known gossip would not be kind, but… she had hoped.
What would this do to Mary’s future? To Jane’s, her sisters’, or,she nearly cried as she considered the man she had grown so fond of,her own. If she had thought Darcy offering marriage unlikely before due to the social chasm between them, how much more unlikely now.
“It shall be alright,” he assured her, his free hand laid firmly upon her own. “I promise to do all in my power to make it so.” Motioning with his chin, he paused, “Still, given the rumours which shall be on your door any moment, ought we share thiswith your family? Allow them to brace themselves for what is to come?”
Nodding, she clung to his arm as he led her back, his assurances that he would not leave her providing some small strength for the wails of her mother soon to come.
Chapter 14
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, somewhere in Scotland
Though the first hours after leaving Ian and his men had lent fair skies and easy travel, soon autumn came in its more typical form, the weather shifting hour by hour. An icy wind blowing, a rain so heavy the ground at one's feet could scarcely be seen, these were what Richard and Mary trudged through, heads dipped low as they fought their way forward.
Each minute lingering, he sought to keep their path straight as Mary struggled beside him, the wind pushing at her smaller form nearly knocking her from her feet on more than one occasion.
Shivering and wondering if they ought to sit in the cold and wait out the rain, at last the autumn weather shifted again, the torrential rain transitioning to a mere drizzle, and the dark clouds hinting at the possibility of sun and blue.
Wrapping an arm about Mary’s frame, Richard helped her over a narrow stream brought on by the rain, her smile of thanks warming as little else presently could.
A few moments she had shown the efforts of their escape, and perhaps in a few her hope lessened, but there had been a determination which continued to astonish him… and all that not counting the times she had saved him, cared for his wounds,or simply managed to lighten his load. A marvel, even soaked to the skin, hair loose and plastered to her face and clothes, and exquisite at that.
Observing her beside him, his heart quickened.Any man would be fortunate to have the affection of such a woman; to marry such a woman. True, she deserved better than he, a man of wealth who… who had not almost allowed someone to kill her. And yet, he longed to ask her to see past his failures, to seek her hand, and one day make a life together. Was it too much to ask?
Only she could answer that, but at least he might first make an apology.
“Mary,” he began as he led them toward a patch of tall pines, the ground somewhat drier than the rest. “Come, I think each of us could use a rest and something to eat.”
Nodding, she followed him, the pair ducking under a half-fallen tree as they sought a place to rest, the base of an old pine further on providing both dry ground and shelter.
