“He did,” Elizabeth replied, forcing herself to meet her uncle’s gaze. “More honorably than I could have expected.”
“Where is this gentleman? Did his coach bring you here? Why didn’t he come to introduce himself?” Her uncle asked the very reasonable questions.
“He’s… he… could be injured. I don’t know where he went.” Elizabeth dabbed at her eyes.
Another heavy silence fell. Elizabeth could see her aunt and uncle struggling to interpret her meaning without leaping to conclusions that might embarrass them all.
“Perhaps Lizzy should rest,” Aunt Gardiner said, moving to pull the bell for the maid.
“No, the gentleman needs assistance.” Elizabeth decided to let the words tumble from her lips. “We married this morning, but when he went to get a carriage, he never returned. The innkeeper and other travelers said there was a gentleman attacked by highwaymen. Varying accounts. No one could say, and then I had to leave. Another gentleman, a militia officer, asked me tojoin his party. I escaped the Red Lion with the Honywoods, a respectable couple from Yorkshire.”
“Ah, yes, I know the Honywoods,” Mr. Gardiner said. “I buy their wool, but can you tell us how you are married when you are not yet one and twenty?”
“I had to. There was no time…” She could not meet their gazes, overcome by shame. She would never regret the circumstances. If her parents had not cast her out… Darcy had treated her with more kindness than she deserved. “We married this morning by special license. Reverend Michaels, witnessed by the innkeeper and his wife.”
“Did he give you copies of the certificate?” Aunt Gardiner asked.
“No time. Darcy had the receipt and an unofficial confirmation.”
“Did you say, Darcy?” her aunt exclaimed. “Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire?”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam.” She turned the heavy gold ring on her thumb for them to see. “He gave me his signet ring.”
Her aunt and uncle studied the ring with its engraved crest, their expressions troubled.
“You believe me, don’t you?” Elizabeth asked, suddenly desperate for confirmation. “You don’t think I’ve invented this story out of… of desperation or madness?”
Mrs. Gardiner moved to sit beside her, taking her hands firmly. “Of course, we believe you, my dear. But the world is not always so trusting, especially when considerable fortunes are involved.”
“Your aunt is right,” Mr. Gardiner said gravely. “Without documentation, your claim to be Mrs. Darcy would be met with skepticism at best, outright accusations at worst.”
“I care nothing for his fortune,” Elizabeth insisted. “I only want to know if he’s alive, if he’s injured, if he needs help.”
“And that shall be our first priority,” her uncle assured her. “I will go to Barnet tomorrow to investigate both the attack and the marriage. I’ll speak with this Reverend Michaels and seek the registry entry. Your marriage is not binding unless approved by yourfather or a legal guardian. It can be done retroactively, and we can say papers took longer to sign.”
Hope flickered in Elizabeth’s chest for the first time in days. “Thank you, Uncle. I am more grateful than I can express. You understand why I had to…”
“Yes, any fault lies with my sister and your father. If this Mr. Darcy had not rescued you…”
“I would be truly fallen instead of Mrs. Darcy.”
“Although perhaps it might be wisest to keep your marriage private until we have verification and Mr. Gardiner’s approval,” Aunt Gardiner said. “Society can be cruel to women who claim connections to wealthy men without proof.”
Elizabeth nodded reluctantly. “I understand. But what of Longbourn? My mother will expect word of my arrival.”
Mr. Gardiner’s expression hardened. “Your mother will receive word, but not of your presence here. I will inform my sister that I’ve taken guardianship of you and extend the same offer to any of your sisters who might need protection from such… capricious parenting.”
“Edward,” Mrs. Gardiner murmured, a note of warning in her voice.
“No, Marianne. This cannot stand.” Mr. Gardiner’s voice was firm. “To cast out one’s child for exercising basic judgment about her future? It is unconscionable.”
“I don’t want to cause discord between you and my mother,” Elizabeth said, though her heart swelled with gratitude at her uncle’s defense.
“The discord is not of your making, Lizzy,” he replied. “But we will set that aside for now. Our immediate concern is your husband’s fate and confirming your marriage.”
Mrs. Gardiner squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “You must be exhausted, my dear. Let me show you to your room. A hot bath and proper meal will help restore your strength.”
Elizabeth allowed herself to be led upstairs, past the nurserywhere her young cousins could be heard playing. Their innocent laughter was bittersweet in her heart. Would she ever know such simple joy again? Would she ever create such a family with Fitzwilliam?
