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It hurt him to say it, but Elizabeth must understand why his sister withdrew.

Elizabeth nodded, tears returning to her eyes. “Poor Georgiana!”

“I arrived in time to prevent it. She is still troubled by the memory, and what has happened to Lydia has brought it back. That is why she feels unwell. She is concerned for your sister, Elizabeth. Her affection for you has not changed.”

∞∞∞

They drove to the vicarage in silence, holding each other close and forgetting decorum, both more determined than ever to marry, whatever difficulties might still await them.

“Mr Robertson was educated at Oxford and knows our family well,” Darcy told Elizabeth.

They found him at the church, and as they entered, Elizabeth felt some comfort in its quiet. Had it been possible, they would gladly have married there at once, with only the vicar and the necessary witnesses.

Their brief conversation with him about marriage further eased her fears.

“I must have seven days’ notice before reading the first banns,” Mr Robertson explained, and they nodded.

“We intend to marry here, in your church,” Darcy told him firmly.

“Then, once the banns have also been read in Miss Bennet’s parish, her clergyman must send me a certificate confirming their publication. With that, and no lawful impediment, I can perform the marriage.”

“You shall have it,” Darcy assured him, and Elizabeth looked at him with gratitude.

They left with the first arrangements made and their intentions known to Mr Robertson, but as they approached Pemberley, Elizabeth’s thoughts returned to Lydia and the trouble awaiting them.

When she looked at Darcy, however, she found comfort enough to smile. Her tears troubled him, but his determination to marry her was firmer than ever.

Unfortunately, her peace did not last long.

Chapter 11

Two hours later, they departed from Pemberley, the gentlemen seated opposite the ladies. Distress still weighed upon Elizabeth, and she clasped her hands in her lap, trying to stop them from trembling.

“Forgive me for joining you without first asking,” Darcy told the Gardiners. “I know Wickham better than anyone else, and I thought I could help you find him.”

“Sir, we are most grateful for your aid. It was unexpected but welcome. We never anticipated such an occurrence…such behaviour from Mr Wickham,” Mr Gardiner replied.

“Alas, I did. I should have warned those who might meet him. It is my fault that he has been able to carry out such schemes.”

Darcy looked equally distressed, stealing glances at Elizabeth, who, for the moment, avoided his gaze. He longed to be near her, to embrace her and wipe away her tears. Instead, he could only hope that she understood his intentions.

“We ought to travel with all possible speed. I know all the inns along the route from Derbyshire to London. We shall stop to change horses or eat, leaving the decision to rest for the night entirely to the ladies. We must lose as little time as possible.”

Everyone agreed, recognising that Darcy had now taken charge of their affairs. He seemed to have a solution for every problem they faced, and his involvement gave Elizabeth another reason to cherish him. However, once the scandal became public knowledge, being seen in her company might harm his reputation.

The first hours passed like a bad dream for Elizabeth. At their first stop to change horses, Darcy asked the innkeeper to provide rooms where they could refresh themselves. But Elizabeth did not want to rest; she walked out of the inn, hoping that stretching her legs would clear her mind.

Their engagement so soon after meeting again had greatly surprised the Gardiners. Still, Darcy’s determination to proceed with the marriage despite the scandal was even more astonishing, showing them what a remarkable man he was, with a strong character and a sense of responsibility. They could entrust Elizabeth to him without apprehension.

“Let them have a few moments alone whenever possible,” Mrs Gardiner whispered to her husband, who nodded. “They have much to resolve between them.”

Elizabeth walked on without attending to her surroundings. People hurried about, voices mingled with the sound of carriages, and then she heard his voice.

“My love?”

She turned and at last met his gaze.

“I am so grateful,” she whispered.