Darcy handed Ellen a card from his waistcoat pocket. “I am in your debt. Present this at any of my properties at any time and allow me the privilege of repaying it in some way.”
Ellen had no idea what to say, so Darcy simply placed the card in the hand she poked from the front of his greatcoat, and turned to Jane.
“I know you do not trust me, but I pray we find a way through this impasse. I assure you that my cousin is devastated that you might believeherculpable inmy errors, and I beg you to speak with her for a few minutes. You need not forgive me, but I would beg you to give her a chance.”
Jane could not really work out whether he was being honourable or stubborn. She imagined a man like him must have a reputation to maintain. Appearing at his club after leaving two women stranded by the side of the road, miles from the nearest village, would earn him ridicule he would not care for. He was as honour-bound to help them as she was stubbornness-bound to prevent it.
Confusion reigned for a few moments before Mr Darcy tried another tack.
“Miss Bennet, may I tell you something that may be of use to you in resolving this impasse?”
She eventually sighed. “I suppose.”
“My cousin suffered ill health most of her life. She nearly died as a child, and never quite recovered. To add to her misery, she has a mother whose overbearing nature knows no equal—Mrs Bennet is all affability by comparison. Anne,finallyat five and twenty, summoned enough courage to escape Rosings. To my knowledge, there has only been one thing she well and truly desired in her entire life. Can you hazard a guess as to what it is?”
“No, you speak in riddles.”
“I imagine I do, so allow me to speak plainly. My cousin wantsone true friend. That is all she really wants in life. She wants one true friend to help her through a Season and find a husband. She wants just one person she can count on to trust her and accept her trust. She found one, andI ruined it.She probably told you about the handprint I bore for a day, but that was the least of it. She is livid with me, and with good cause. I beg you to forget I exist and give her a chance. I ask nothing for myself, but I beseech you with all my heart to reconsider a friendship with Anne.”
He waited earnestly before continuing his campaign.
“Allow me to help you and my cousin. I ask nothing in return and offer any service you demand.”
Jane and Ellen stared at him apprehensively. Finally, Jane asked, “Any service? That is a very open-ended offer.”
He smiled faintly, and in that moment, he reminded her strongly of Elizabeth. She had no idea why Elizabeth came to mind then, but she did, as if she were standing right before her with her impertinence in full effect.
Sometimes youjusthave to do what you have to do. Just hold your nose and get on with it. Most of the time you mustbe polite and ladylike, and most of the time good manners and propriety will serve you well—but once in a great while—you just have to push Billy Lucas into the mill pond.
Following Elizabeth’s advice had never led Jane astray—save for the few times they had ended in trouble as girls, and her advice to be agreeable to Mr Bingley, and… and… this was getting her nowhere! Elizabeth was absent while Jane was present. Ultimately, Elizabeth was the person she trusted most. She would take counsel from Elizabeth’s ghost over almost any living soul.
“Ellen, are you certain you wish to hear this? It may be embarrassing.”
Ellen squared her shoulders. She would earn her respect the hard way, without qualms. “If you can stand my company, it’d be my privilege.”
“Here is my price, Mr Darcy. I will talk to your cousin, and I will ride in your carriage, but in return you will answer three questions with absolute honesty—no prevarication, no softening the blow, no politeness,certainlyno propriety. If that is too much, you may fetch my shawl from the coach for Ellen and leave now. You may salve your pride and uphold your duty as a gentleman by engaging the Meryton farrier to return for us, provided you do so quietly.”
She wanted to blush and stare at her shoes. She wanted it so much she could taste it, but instead she simply pretended she was Lizzy and stared at the man, hoping to pierce his stoic countenance. She did not get very far though, however, for he replied at once.
“I accept your terms,” he said with a bow.
Jane saw she had painted herself into a corner and had no choice but to honour her own bargain. Mr Chamberlain stood near enough to ensure her safety should the questions anger thegentleman, but too distant to overhear. This would be between the three of them.
Lizzy would have to endure the dissatisfaction of not being present to witness the ‘someday’ when Jane Bennet finally lost her temper.
“Very well Mr Darcy, here are my three questions.
“First: Why do you hate my family so much?
“Second: What have we ever done to deserve that?
“And last but not least: What in the world have you done with my sister?”
She straightened her spine, awaiting whatever assault the man might deliver, however unpleasant. Nothing prepared her for what she actually received; the result was unprecedented and quite alarming.
Mr Darcy stared hard at her for half a minute, shook his head several times, buried his head in his hands, sat on the log, and started to cry.
Fallen Log
