Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (63 page)

“No, without Caliban, and being unfamiliar with the terrain, I am not brave enough. I do walk before breakfast, but after sunrise.”

“What is your favourite path?”

“I like to end at the open grove with the toppled tree that makes an enjoyable seat for reading.”

“I will meet you there tomorrow.”

Elizabeth nodded her agreement.

43 TRAINS OF TRUST AND GOLDEN DUST

Elizabeth arrived at the grove before Mr Darcy. She sat on the log and spent the wait perusing Jane’s last letter, and dwelling on some passages which proved that Jane had not written in spirits. Elizabeth expected sadness from her sister, but her mood was enhanced with anger, cynicism and even hysteria at times. She hoped her conversation with Mr Darcy could perhaps allow her to raise her fears for her sister with him. She had been very deceived as to Mr Bingley’s character, and knew not what to make of him. The passage that worried her most said,

I have sent numerous communications to his townhouse informing Miss Bingley I was in town. For the first month, I received not a note, not a line. Finally, last week, Caroline sent a rather curt response. She made a slight apology for not responding earlier, but it was very evident she had no pleasure in it. Not a word was said of wishing to see me, and she seemed to delight in telling me her brother knew of my being in town. Once again, she relayed how busy he was, and his partiality to Miss Darcy. I knew that to be a deliberate falsification, because Mary had written of her being in Kent since February. I learned from both your letters how close a relationship you have developed with Miss Darcy; and both of you have stated she never mentions Mr Bingley. I do not at all apprehend Caroline’s reason for wishing to be intimate with me while in Hertfordshire, nor Mr Bingley’s reason for pretending he felt affection for me. I should be almost
tempted to say that there is a strong appearance of duplicity in all this. Am I wrong to feel he owes me an explanation? Even George was forthcoming about needing to marry someone with a fortune. I am disheartened that I misread Mr Bingley so completely. He admitted during our private conversations that he was thought of as fickle and feckless by Mr Darcy and his sisters, but that since meeting me, he wanted to change those behaviours. It was his ambition to become the kind of steady gentleman who could manage an estate and make it prosper. I believed him, and I am now persuaded it is useless to trust any man. I think I should develop my ability to break some hearts.

Mr Darcy came into view, and Elizabeth refolded the letter and put it in her pocket. He seemed to be rehearsing a speech.

“Miss Elizabeth, I have come to beg your forgiveness.” His speech was stilted and it was difficult to tell whether he was sincere. “I have been naive and witless….”

Elizabeth started to laugh, and Mr Darcy abruptly ceased speaking. He looked incredulously at her, and a hint of a scowl stole across his face.

“I am sorry to interrupt your apology with my laughter, but we must write to Dr Mesmer immediately. With your last statement, there is now positive proof you are able to read my mind.”

“Naive and witless is what Richard called me. He also said I was arrogant.”

“Yes I have thought you arrogant, but insufferable is my favourite word for you.”

“Yes, you said I was insufferable that day on Oakham Mount. I heard you after I had started down the hill. You also told Caliban that Mrs Darcy had not confessed. She tried to do so as she was dying, but was unintelligible. My speculations about what she was trying to tell me might have been erroneous. After hearing you, I surmised her guilt was about coercing you to relinquish Bethany.” He paused for a few seconds while he prepared himself for revealing his newest assumption. “Richard has enlightened me about his brother’s depravity, and I now believe her confession was also about her involvement with your rape.”

At that word, Elizabeth blanched. For so long, all she had wanted was for him to acknowledge she was justified to desire retribution; but she had not expected to feel mortified that he might now be able to imagine her humiliation. Quickly lowering her eyes to avoid his probing gaze, she feared he would see her shame. It was unbearable that he might determine she had not fought, nor cried out; and had even helped by undressing. Elizabeth knew he expected her to speak, but her head remained bowed and her voice was barely audible as she said, “She left me alone, and Lord Wolfbridge came in. I tried to leave, but the door was locked.”

Darcy wished she would look at him. He found it difficult to relay the depth of his remorse with his voice. He wished he could hold her and whisper his apology, but he knew that was impossible. His voice trembled with great emotion as he stated, “My family treated you abominably. You had every right to be angry, seek revenge and ask for money. I have been intolerably rude to call you mercenary.” Richard’s words describing the petrified child praying for any opportunity to salvage the reputation of her sisters reverberated in his head. He sat down on the log at a respectable distance. Waiting was all he could think to do because he was out of words.

Elizabeth was certain she would never be able to tell anyone—especially Mr Darcy—the entirety of her ordeal. She was relieved Colonel Fitzwilliam had assumed the responsibility of the ugly disclosure to his ‘naive and witless’ cousin. An inappropriate giggle was choked back as she recalled their identical description, and resolved as she studied the ground, to move the conversation to their shared responsibility for hiding the truth. She and Mr Darcy had to protect Bethany… and Jane, Georgiana and Lydia… and even Lewis from scandal. All deserved the best life could offer.

After what seemed like hours, but was only minutes, she looked up at him and said; “I thank you for your apology. All I have ever wanted was for you to not think ill of me because I demanded money. As we have spoken of before, I have determined that it was a very unwise thing to do; though I still believe my action was just. You were not wrong to believe I felt coerced by Mrs Darcy to give up Bethany, and in many ways that has overshadowed her role in my… eh violation. Truth be told, the similarity between Bethany and myself would not be quite so suspicious if she had been raised as my cousin.”

Elizabeth grinned at him. “I do not believe Lady Catherine has discovered our secret. She only seems to notice things relating to her own consequence. But, you would not believe my panic after both Mary and Georgiana figured out my relationship to Bethany… the first day I arrived in Kent. You should know that both assumed you were her father, and she was the result of a dalliance between us. I was mortified that they would think us so wanton… a fifteen year-old and a married man. I had to tell them the truth.”

Elizabeth paused before she continued speaking. “Mary has told Mr Collins, and he has been quite supportive. He has developed a ferocity for defending my family that I would never have thought possible. You witnessed his defence last night with regards my sister and Mr Reynolds. I am surmising you told the Colonel.” Elizabeth looked reflective before she spoke again. “Once our bargain was made, I should not have left her the cross; Anne should not have named her Elizabeth, and who would have imagined she would have my eyes and hair.” Elizabeth laughed at Mr Darcy’s look of consternation. “Our sisters came up with the disguise. They were quite resourceful… were they not?”

Darcy was relieved they were reverting to teasing banter. He knew much had not been spoken, but he also sensed she was unable to reveal the details of her ordeal. He fell into her mood and said, “Yes, they were ingenious, but I find it frustrating seeing you this way.”

Without thinking, she reverted to flirting with him. Her look was coy as she said, “Which is the greater loss… my hair or my assets? Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed not to notice my diminished looks.” Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled as she added, “He is very charming. Are you certain we can trust him?”

Darcy fought back his jealousy. His reply was solemn. “You need not fear, Colonel Fitzwilliam despises his brother as much or more than you. He is in love with Lady Wolfbridge, and they had formed at attachment before she married. It seems the agony of losing Richard to war first caused her to waver in her constancy. Though Edmund knew of their mutual admiration, he still pursued her. We all know how charming he can be, and she eventually succumbed to his appeal. Eleanor had no idea how dishonourable he is until after they were wed. Her father was also very persistent in his persuasion. He wanted the prestige of having a daughter who was a countess.”

Elizabeth’s twinkle had been extinguished by his words, and her face reflected the guilt she felt about Lady Wolfbridge. “I should have told her father of the Viscount’s depravity. My fear for my own reputation has ruined two more lives.”

Darcy jumped to his feet and spoke forcefully. “You are not guilty! Edmund ruined all your lives; and according to Richard, her father would not have heeded your warning. You and your family saved Miss King. I was too wrapped up in my own jealousy—yes, I admit it, you were correct—and my resentment to give a fig for the inhabitants of Hertfordshire. When I read of your concern for Georgiana, I knew what a truly good woman you are, and my respect for you is without parallel among my acquaintances.”

He hid from her the knowledge that his desire to hold her and comfort her was also without parallel.

Darcy and Elizabeth agreed that morning in the grove that she would continue to wear her disguise in Lady Catherine’s presence. Darcy confirmed what Elizabeth already believed… his aunt rarely spent much time thinking about others, so it was doubtful she would notice the resemblance between her granddaughter and Elizabeth. Still, better to be prudent than provoke her wrath.

In the days that followed, the Hunsford and Rosings inhabitants, with the exception of Lady Catherine, spent many hours together. Once again, Elizabeth was reminded of a carefree time before… days spent with Jane, Charlotte, Becky… and Tom. There was much kite flying, singing, pianoforte and Irish whistle playing, storytelling, reading, twirling and jumping. The Colonel and Mr Collins were impressed with Elizabeth’s expertise with the bandelore, while Bethany and Lewis clamoured for her to teach them how to use it. What Lizzy relished the most was all the smiles, grins and the abundance of laughter that had returned to her daily routine.

Mary’s birthday was Tuesday, the 24th of March. The Hunsford party invited the guests at Rosings to celebrate with a picnic. Lady Catherine was invited, but declined after first chastising her nephews for spending so much time with her parson, his wife and her sister. She felt too much fraternizing with those beneath them was not the proper example for her grandchildren.

Mr Collins organized the festivities despite it being Holy Week. His sermon was ready for Easter Sunday. He and Mary had written it together. With the benefit of her skilful prose, it would be a very uplifting tribute to the hope of redemption that the season celebrated. Now he was free to enjoy his wife’s birthday to the fullest. Mr Darcy arranged transportation to the grove—which he and Elizabeth had become so fond. Mr Collins had already sent Rose, Millie and Gerard, one of Lady Catherine’s footmen, to the spot with baskets of cold meat, salads and Rose’s special cake studded with currants and redolent with almonds and rosewater. His special treat for the adults was several bottles of his own elderberry wine. It was known to deliver a kick, despite its sweetness.

When the party from Rosings arrived to collect the participants from Hunsford, Mr Collins asked all to descend from the conveyances for a brief delay. He wanted to show them his present to Mary. He directed them to the small heart shaped bed outlined with stones in the front garden. Growing inside was a mass of grape hyacinths spelling out “Mary.” He told how he had hurried back to Hunsford last fall, as soon as he became engaged, and planted the bed. He chuckled as he revealed that it had been very difficult to keep it a secret, and then, as by a miracle from God, they had popped their heads out of the ground just over a fortnight ago and were now in full flower on this most wonderful of occasions. The entire assemblage could not believe what a romantic this man, so many had dismissed as Lady Catherine’s toadeater, had become. Bethany and Lewis begged him to plant their names for next Easter. With thoughts of the birth of his own child—he agreed.

Once in the grove, blankets were spread and pillows scattered. The food was passed and the wine was poured. After the meal, Mr Darcy initiated the giving of gifts by informing Mary that the pianoforte in the governess’ room was being moved to Hunsford today. It would be waiting for her in her private parlour—per Mr Collins’ instructions—when she returned home. If she preferred a different room, Mr Darcy informed her he would see that it was moved. Elizabeth gave her sister a beautiful cashmere shawl she had bought while in London. It was a mossy green in colour, and Mary could not believe the softness of the wool. Georgiana gave her dear friend a straw bonnet with ribbons that matched her new shawl. Lewis and Bethany had painted pictures for her with the help of Georgiana. Lewis had painted a pony, and Bethany had depicted one of the many cherry trees that were in bloom in the grove. Mary exclaimed she would look beautiful at Easter services, and would display the pictures in her private parlour. They would inspire her; and she would remember the dear ones who had drawn them, as she practised the pianoforte.