“He will come round,” her father said with quiet conviction. “Mr Darcy strikes me as a reasonable man. Once he has had time to ruminate this information, to consider the full context rather than merely the damning surface, he will recognise your actions stemmed from compassion rather than conspiracy.”
“You do not know that,” Elizabeth whispered, her voice hoarse from crying. “You did not see his face. He glanced at me like I was a stranger.”
Mr Bennet crossed to sit beside her, taking her hand between both of his. “Then you must give him time to realise that perception is false. You acted foolishly in concealing the correspondence, but not maliciously. A few days of reflection will make that distinction clear to him.”
“And if it does not?”
“Then we shall address that circumstance when it arrives. But I do not believe it will come to such extremity. Have faith in your husband, Lizzy. And perhaps more importantly, have faith in yourself.”
“He loves you,” Jane added softly. “Anyone observing you two these past days could see it plainly. Such feeling does not evaporate because circumstances complicate it.”
“Love without trust is meaningless,” Elizabeth countered through fresh tears. “And I have given him every reason to doubt whether I can be trusted.”
Mrs Bennet finally approached, settling on Elizabeth’s other side with uncharacteristic tenderness that suggested even her usually self-absorbed mother recognised the gravity of this situation. “Come back to Longbourn with us, dearest, until this matter is resolved. You need not remain here facing his coldness when your own family can provide comfort and support.”
The offer was tempting, indeed. To retreat to familiar surroundings where she had grown up and avoid the agony of proximity to Fitzwilliam as he decided whether their marriage could be salvaged.
But retreat was what had created this disaster in the first place. Retreating, maintaining silence and letting fear govern her choices rather than facing difficulties with honesty.
“No. I am done running from difficult situations and done allowing cowardice to dictate my actions. If our marriage can be saved, it will not be through my absence. I must stay and prove to him that I am willing to fight for the continued growth of the bond between us.”
“Lizzy…”
“I mean it, Mama. I have never felt this way about anyone, nor wanted something so desperately as I want our marriage to succeed. If that means enduring discomfort and uncertainty, then I shall endure it. But I will not abandon him merely because circumstances have become painful.”
“Then we shall leave you to do what must be done.” Her mother said, embracing her tightly, “And know that we’ll always remain available should you need us. You need only send word, and we shall come immediately, no matter the hour or circumstances.”
The family gradually dispersed to prepare for departure. Meanwhile, Elizabeth remained in her chambers, composing herself through force of will and steeling her spine for the farewells soon to come.
The entrance hall bustled when she finally descended. Trunks were being loaded, servants scurrying about with final arrangements. The Bennets gathered in loose clusters exchanging last pleasantries in a maintenance of the fiction thatthis was an ordinary departure rather than one occurring under the shadow of crisis.
Lord and Lady Matlock stood near the door, their expressions neutral in ways that suggested they had been briefed on at least the broad outlines of what had occurred. They embraced each Bennet warmly, expressing pleasure in having hosted them and hopes for future visits.
Georgiana appeared at Elizabeth’s side, her young face troubled. “Whatever has happened and whatever complications have arisen, please know that I value you as a sister. That will not change regardless of present difficulties.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth managed, overcome with gratitude for this unexpected support. “That means more than I can adequately express.”
The Bennets began filing towards the waiting carriages and Mr Bennet paused to embrace Elizabeth. “Be brave, love. And remember that love worth having is love worth fighting for.”
“I will remember, Papa.”
Jane hugged her fiercely. “I shall write every day until this is resolved. You are not alone in this, Lizzy.”
Mary offered reassurance about the power of honest communication and time to heal wounds and Lydia embraced her with surprising gentleness, whispering that she thought Mr Darcy was stupid if he could not see how much his wife cared for him.
Kitty was last, her eyes bright with emotion as she clung to Elizabeth. “Richard promised he would visit Hertfordshire soon,” she announced with forced cheer, trying to offer distraction from present misery. “He said he wishes to know my family better, to understand where I come from. Is that not wonderful?”
“Very wonderful. I am so happy for you, dearest.”
“Everything will be well,” Kitty insisted. “You shall see. Mr Darcy adores you too much to let this destroy what you have built.”
As her family members climbed into the carriages and horses were given the signal to depart, Elizabeth stood watching as the vehicle rolled away down the long drive. Soon it disappeared from view, swallowed by distance and the estate’s extensive grounds.
She turned to find Lady Catherine standing several feet away, her expression carrying contempt so pure it was almost artful in its perfection.
Cold satisfaction in the older woman’s features met devastation in the younger woman’s as Lady Catherine glared in disdain.
“I told Fitzwilliam you were unsuitable and your family’s vulgarity would bring only shame and disappointment. How gratifying to be proven correct, even if the vindication brings me no particular joy.”
