One honest letter, and—perhaps—now everyone in his family knew about his besotted state. And they were descending on himtoday!To what purpose, he was not certain.
He wished he could turn back time and write a letter that was much more guarded than the one he had sent off to his sister, who happened to be residing in the home of his exuberant but elitist relations.
Obviously, Darcy could not control time any more than he could control Richard, the Matlocks, or—it seemed—his sister. All he could do was to apprise Bingley of the impending invasion.
Elizabeth deserved a warning as well. He dashed off a note and sent a footman to deliver it “directly into Miss Elizabeth’s hands.”
CHAPTER 18
21 November 1811
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth’s mother and youngest sisters had gone to the milliner one morning, and since Mr Darcy was due to call that afternoon, Elizabeth had decided to stay home and finish sewing some baby clothes for the Roberts family.
Thus she was home when a footman from Netherfield arrived with a note from Mr Darcy, who expressed shock that, not just his sister and her companion, but three additional family members were coming to Netherfield Park that very day. He asked if she and her elder sister could come to them that afternoon; he would send a carriage.
Elizabeth had just penned an affirmative answer and sent it off with the footman when her mother, Kitty, and Lydia returned to Longbourn. Not only were they hours earlier than she had expected, the three were ominously silent until Hill left the parlour.
What is wrong?
Her mother did not screech, for once. She spoke in a low voice: “Lizzy, honey, there are whispers around town about you and Mr Goulding.”
“What could anyone have possibly said? The only times I have seen him, I have been right here in this parlour, surrounded by family and the gentlemen from Netherfield.”
“Two different people said that, when you take your early morning walks, you are meeting with Mr Goulding and…allowing him to take liberties.”
“Well, that is absolutely not true. I suppose Papa will have to ride over to Haye-Park to ask Mr Goulding to refute the rumour.”
“I believe he will say that you have to marry Mr Goulding.”
“I did nothing wrong, and I will not marry Mr Goulding.”
Mrs Bennet sighed and said, “Well, I will tell your father all this, and we shall see what he will say.” She hurried towards the bookroom.
Elizabeth was determined to stand against a forced marriage. She murmured, “Jane, I have to leave immediately. Please be ready for Mr Darcy’s carriage at half past one. When my mother asks, tell her I had to visit the Marshalls. I suppose you will have to tell her that they are tenants of Netherfield Park, as I do not suppose she knows that. Be vague about why I had to go…maybe make it seem as if it is an emergency. I will hopefully see you at Netherfield this afternoon.”
Jane looked alarmed, but she just nodded.
Elizabeth ran upstairs to fetch a fresh dress, her hairbrush, and a pair of slippers. She placed these items into her calico bag and then raced downstairs to don her warm layers and her half-boots.
Worried that her father would chase her with the family carriage—or even on horseback— Elizabeth rushed towards Netherfield much more quickly than she had when she was going to tend to Jane. Even though her father was quite indolent and had made few efforts to rein in Lydia and Kitty, he hadproved to be more agitated by and actively protective regardinghersuitors.
After hurrying through the forest and then crossing a fallow field, Elizabeth strove to stay hidden by running alongside the hedges that separated the fields. When she got to a spot where she could see the Netherfield manor house, she stopped and looked carefully for people or carriages.
She could see no movement at all.
Elizabeth walked as swiftly as possible to the servants’ entrance; once inside she said to the first familiar maid she spotted. “Becky, I am certain you are all very busy trying to get rooms ready for some unexpected guests.”
“Yes, miss, we certainly are.”
“I wonder if you could ask a footman to fetch Mr Darcy for a very important conversation below stairs?”
“Oh! I suppose, miss. I mean, yes, miss.”
Becky scuttled away, and shortly after Mrs Nicholls came in and said, “Miss Elizabeth! Oh, dear, is there trouble?”
“Yes, Mrs Nicholls, I am afraid there is. I have sent Becky to ask Mr Darcy to come down so I can tell him about it. Do you suppose I could have some water?”
