This is why she loved her aunt and uncle. They were so clear about their preferences, yet they also found a way to accommodate what she wanted as well.
The three of them made their way across the bridge and through a field dotted with sheep. When they reached the river, her aunt and uncle turned back.
“That is enough for me for one day,” declared Mrs. Gardiner. “We will part with you now. Do not forget yourself and go too far, though.”
“You know me too well,” said Elizabeth, with a small grimace. “I promise I will pay attention to where I am going!”
The landscape was delightful. From certain vantage points, Elizabeth could see the rolling green hills give way to the darker, rugged lines of the Peaks. Elizabeth did not regret for one moment that they had not travelled further to the Lake District.
Now that the sun was out, the heat of her exertions drew her to the rushing river. Elizabeth went down to the edge and looked down the slanting riverbank. The water splashing playfully against the rocks looked irresistible. She examined it carefully, wondering if she could get away with climbing down to dip her feet in the river. Surely it was secluded enough for her to do it without being seen?
A moment’s consideration showed her a path to the exact spot she was considering. It must be a favorite location for fishing. She slipped a little as she went down, but luckily her half-boots were sturdy enough and they prevented her from sliding down further.
As she reached the water, she was just about to sit on a rock to unlace her boots when the rustling of leaves from above drew her attention. Startled, she stood up quickly and looked upwards.
The rays of the sun filtering through the trees revealed that Elizabeth was not alone. A girl of around Lydia’s age was silhouetted against the sky. She was standing right on the rim of a jutting rock, peering down into the water. Just one stepforward, and she would be in the roaring river. She was crying, tears flowing down her face.
Elizabeth’s heart contracted with fear. Was the girl about to jump?
Elizabeth scrambled up the bank, brushing aside the vegetation in a desperate bid to reach the girl before it was too late.
“Do not do it!” she cried out, running up to her. Elizabeth reached for the girl’s wrist and peered into her tear-stricken face. She appeared in a daze. Elizabeth put her hand to the girl’s chin and gently tilted it so the girl would look at her directly.
“Please. Whatever has happened, it cannot be so bad. You must not give in to despair.”
The young girl started and looked around, as if waking from a nightmare, then blinked.
“What? Oh, no! I was not thinking— Oh, I am sorry to give that impression!” She stepped away from the edge, threw herself into Elizabeth’s arms and began to sob.
Elizabeth led her away from the river and held her, smoothing down the golden ringlets as she would have done with Lydia.
“There, there,” she murmured. “All will be well. Hush now.”
Slowly, the girl’s sobs subsided, then ceased. She pulled herself away from Elizabeth and looked towards the river. “I was not planning—you must not imagine— I would never—.” She took a deep breath. “I cannot deny that the thought crossed my mind. But I would never have done such a terrible thing. Never.”
The vehemence in her voice told Elizabeth everything she needed to know. There was no doubting the girl’s sincerity. Elizabeth’s shoulders sagged with relief. “I am happy to hear it.”
The girl, however, looked wildly around her. “But what will my brother think when he hears of this? He will think me so wicked that it even crossed my mind.” She slumped against the trunk of a great oak and covered her face with her hands.
Elizabeth was accustomed to her sister Lydia’s dramatics and knew only too well the extremes of emotions experienced within a few minutes by someone that same age.
“Surely he would not judge you so harshly for the impulse of a moment?”
“Oh, you don’t know my brother. He is everything that is good and proper and respectable. One look from him, and I would be ready to sink to the ground in shame. You have no idea what has happened.”
Elizabeth took in the young lady’s fashionable clothing and elegant hair. She was far too well dressed to be a maid or a governess who had been taken advantage of. Elizabeth imagined a terrifyingly stern brother with a paunch and gray temples who would be ruthless if he heard about his sister’s melancholy thoughts. Perhaps he might even go as far as to have her locked up. Elizabeth would never submit a vulnerable young woman to such a treatment.
“He will think nothing of it, because he will not hear of it, not from me. But first I must be certain you will never think such a thing again. If you can promise me that, then I will keep your secret. Now dry your tears and tell me what it was that brought you to such a situation.”
Elizabeth took out her folded kerchief from under her sleeve and handed it to the young lady, who reflexively used it to dry her eyes.
“You are very kind,” said the girl. “But you do not know what I have done. If I tell you, you might be less inclined to be charitable.”
“Whatever it is, surely it cannot be that bad that you are driven to despair.”
She did not know if the girl would be willing to confide in a complete stranger, but perhaps if Elizabeth took the bull bythe horns and spoke the words aloud, the girl would be more inclined to talk. It worked with her sisters, at least.
“Are you with child?” Elizabeth asked.
