28. Chapter 28

Previously...

Lizzy and Jane speak the night before Jane and Bingley's wedding and Elizabeth confesses her feelings for Mr. Darcy, along with her belief that he will not pursue an attachment to her due to their different social levels. The next day Jane and Bingley are married and Darcy and Georgiana show up during the wedding breakfast. Darcy apologises to Bingley and then overhears Mrs. Bennet discussing Lizzy's engagement to Mr. Collins. As Darcy is attempting to return to the party, he sees Lydia sneaking out of the house with a suitcase.

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XXVIII.

Darcy was quite at a loss for what to do next. Ought he to follow Miss Lydia to ensure her safety or seek a member of her family to stop her? What if he left to seek assistance only to no longer know where the girl went? Feeling strongly the need for decisive action, he impulsively called to her, "Miss Lydia, wait!"

Lydia's movements stopped abruptly and she turned. Her chagrin at being caught transformed comically from shock to confusion at seeing the gentleman.

Darcy thought she looked rather like a carp with her mouth hanging open as she attempted to take in the situation. He strode toward her, mindful to keep his distance lest he be accused of some impropriety.

"Miss Lydia," he began formally, "perhaps you might explain to me where you are going without a chaperone and when your eldest sister's marriage breakfast has not yet concluded?"

Lydia's mouth snapped shut and her eyes narrowed; despite having a generally calm and gentle sister himself, Darcy could still recognise the signs of a juvenile temper about to be unleashed. "No, I don't think I will. I cannot see that it is any of your business, sir."

Her emphasis on the formality at the end was clearly intended to be disrespectful and all over again, Darcy felt the unfairness that his Elizabeth should be from such a family. How is it possible that this insolent girl is from the same parents and home as Miss Elizabeth? He did not waste time with this thought. It had been several years since Darcy was forced to take over for his father and manage their estate. This was not the first surly individual, female or no, he had faced and he kept his temper level easily.

"Very well then, would you prefer I fetch your father? I believe we can both agree it is his business."

The coolness with which the gentleman delivered this question was altogether disconcerting for Lydia. She had not counted on such a dispassionate reply. He could not have missed her insult, so perhaps he simply did not care? She was rather at a loss for how to handle such a person!

She answered slowly, clearly unsure how to proceed: "No, I would not prefer that either."

"That is unfortunate since I feel honour-bound to relate this incident to your father." He took in the slight widening of her eyes and thought perhaps he detected some small misgivings in her expression. "However, I do not see that I must report what I have seen immediately. If you come back inside now, I will wait until after the breakfast is over. I expect that if your father is forced to come outside and address this issue right now, it will be less pleasant for you than if it is handled quietly after the guests have left." He observed her for a moment before asking, "What is your decision?"

Lydia thought hard for a moment; not accustomed to taking directions nor used to limits, she was initially considering telling off Mr. Darcy for his rude interruption of her activities, but though she was a foolish girl, she was not unintelligent. It was plain that Mr. Darcy meant to make good on his threat and she could not hope to avoid punishment from her father if her behaviour were to be made known to the entire town. Her belief in Mr. Darcy's officiousness was now quite confirmed, but she had no alternative. With great indignation, she acquiesced with poor grace, "very well!" before stomping angrily back into the house, splattering her skirts with mud along the way.

Darcy watched her enter the house through the door he had exited, feeling relieved that he had not had to make a scene with the guests. He was wise enough not to trust the girl though, so he left the garden to make his way around to the front of the house. Once there, he was able to find the servant who had previously announced him to the family and who he presumed to be the housekeeper, so he felt certain she was trustworthy enough and approached her.

"Pardon me," he began. The woman seemed surprised to be addressed, but looked to him. "I believe you are employed by the Bennets, are you not?"

"Aye sir, I am. Is there something you need?"

"Not me, no. I just observed Miss Lydia leaving to her room as she seemed to have muddied her skirts in the garden. I thought perhaps she may need some assistance."

The older lady was surprised at first, but was skilled enough to clear the emotion quickly before she nodded and thanked him and then made her way toward the upper floors. On her way, she turned back briefly to eye him with some slight distrust, as though unconvinced that this was the full story – smart woman, Darcy thought – but Darcy held her gaze stoically and then she was gone.

Darcy felt relieved to be unburdened of such a task and hoped he might find more pleasant company once he rejoined the party. When he re-entered the room, his eyes immediately sought their favourite sight. He was gratified to see his sister conversing animatedly with Miss Bennet and Miss Lucas. It seemed that the new Mrs. Bingley had now joined them, but she was looking past her companions at her new husband who appeared to be caught in conversation with Sir William. Bingley was, as usual, attempting to be polite, but invariably when the opportunity would arise, he would look toward his wife. The action made Darcy smile to see how besotted his friend was, but seeing Mrs. Bingley's eyes upon Charles in equal measure gave Darcy a strong mixture of happiness for his friend and yet pain for himself. Would he ever have such felicity? He had been determined to have Miss Elizabeth Bennet for his own and yet, was she already lost to him? His gaze turned to the very object of his contemplation only to find her already staring at him. They each turned away immediately; neither knowing how to interpret such an occurrence. When he glanced her way again, he saw that her cheeks were now stained pink. He wondered with some hopefulness if perhaps this may be a good sign of her regard.

Just as he was fortifying his courage to rejoin the conversation, his arm was suddenly looped through another. He turned, surprised, to see Caroline Bingley giving him a commiserating expression.

She sighed, "I did try to stop him, you know, but without your help, what was I to do? At least Jane is a nice enough girl, but whatever am I to do with the rest of them?"

Darcy had stiffened upon seeing her and felt offended at her presumed intimacy, but could not find a way to politely disengage his arm. He settled for an uncomfortable stiffness of posture and replied, "He seems well pleased with the match, as does Mrs. Bingley. I cannot see that anything further is of concern to you or me."

His subtle chastisement went past his companion's notice. "Well, I can certainly agree they look pleased. I would say the only time I have seen Charles happier was the day he announced their engagement, besotted fool. Between Charles and then that insufferable parson, they absolutely ruined my ball with their public displays. For your sake, I was glad the roads were not passable, though I do wish you had been there to stand up with me. There is not a decent dance partner in the entire county!"

"The parson, you mean the Bennets' cousin?"

Caroline could not fathom why he should enquire about that man, but she acknowledged, "Yes, and I believe he also enjoys your aunt's patronage?"

"He proposed marriage during the ball?" Darcy was horrified at the prospect. He knew the proposal had been public, but he would never have imagined such a mortifying display! He began to consider how things might have been different had he not been so prideful and arrogant. Perhaps if I had gone to the ball...

"Precisely! Can you believe the nerve of that man? It was bad enough for Charles to announce his engagement, but for that parson to then interrupt the evening for such a spectacle was quite beyond the bounds of decency. It was clear that neither of them had any appreciation for the attention to detail a lady must put into such an event. That horrendous display set my time-line for the evening back at least thirty minutes." Seeing her audience was not paying the rapt attention she might have hoped, she added, "But of course, a lady never complains of such things. And I do so love to plan these events. I know Pemberley used to have many parties and balls. I imagine the neighbourhood must miss Pemberley having a mistress. Do you think Miss Darcy shall wish to host a ball after she comes out?"

Having been only half listening as he further considered how the ball's events might have transpired were he to have been in attendance, Darcy responded before thinking, "Georgiana host? No, I think it unlikely. Perhaps when I am married –"

He cut off his speech quickly as he realised the words he was saying and to whom. Naturally he was thinking of Miss Elizabeth, but the grip on his arm had tightened to the point that he feared without his jacket, he would have had marks; clearly his speech had been interpreted in a different way than he had intended.

"Mr. Darcy!" Miss Bingley's voice was breathless and coy, but still held a clear note of pleasure.

Blast! Darcy, not well-accustomed to making errors and less to fixing them, removed her grasp and offered a quiet, "Excuse me, madam," and walked quickly away and hoped that his lack of attentions to her may lessen whatever impressions Miss Bingley had inferred from his statement.

Caroline, who had been quite concerned about where matters had been left with Mr. Darcy after his abrupt departure from Netherfield in November, was surprised but nonetheless pleased by this slip of the tongue, believing of course that he was thinking of her. She briefly considered following him, but decided the wiser course was to allow him his space – Perhaps he will speak with Charles! – and so she went in search of Louisa to gloat.

For Darcy's part, he sought a quiet space in which he could regain control of himself. Once away from the party, he was able to chastise himself properly. Heavens, man, pull yourself together! Even if she is engaged, there ought to be a way to release her. But certainly not if you go raising expectations of Bingley's sister! Damn and blast it all! Has Elizabeth so addled my senses that I cannot think before speaking?!

He might have continued on in this manner a great deal longer had the lady in question not appeared into his hallway at that moment. For a brief time, he did not say anything nor move, mostly due to being so surprised, but also because she simply seemed to have this effect upon him. It was clear Miss Bennet did not see him at first and her posture suggested she was in a state of discomfort, leaning with her back to the wall and her hands over her middle. As soon as the thought struck him, he moved to her immediately.

"Miss Bennet, are you well?"

She jumped slightly and let out a little cry that was not particularly ladylike, but as he was concerned she may be ill, he could not take note of such trivialities.

"Mr. Darcy! Oh my, you startled me, sir! I had thought I was quite alone here. However did you happen into this hallway?"

Seeing as she was well, he released a relieved breath and nearly laughed as he replied, "To be quite honest, I cannot say. My mind was so pre-occupied that I walked without looking. I do apologise if I have entered somewhere not open to guests."

"No, no," Elizabeth was quick to put his mind at ease, "of course all of the main floor is open, but most people do not venture this way. The only room this hall reaches is my father's book room and it is not often used for entertaining."

Her smile was captivating and to be alone with her in so small an area? He was quite unsure if this was his own personal heaven or hell. She no longer appeared uncomfortable; in fact, she was standing near enough that he could observe how bright her eyes were. He smiled in return to her smile, an involuntary reaction. "I see. May I ask why you have chosen to visit this particular hallway then?"

Elizabeth could not breathe. Heavens, but when he smiles... her mind could not form more coherent thoughts beyond his smile. The already handsome features became more somehow and she found her eyes fixated on his mouth. It took her a moment to process his question, so her reply was more honest than she might otherwise have offered: "I am avoiding my mother."

As soon she realised how blunt her response was, she clapped her own hand over her mouth, but it was quite too late. Though Darcy's eyes widened, his good humour remained. "Ah, well, certainly we all need temporary reprieve from our families at times," he offered diplomatically.

Elizabeth was thoroughly mortified; she had spoken very rudely and he had not criticised through word or look, but endeavoured to smooth her blunder. He is not as I once believed him to be. How wrong I was to say he was too proud and above his company! She averted her eyes and acknowledged meekly, "You are very gracious."

Darcy did not like to have Elizabeth's eyes out of his sight any more than her clear discomfort. "Come, Miss Bennet, are we not friends?" When her eyes darted up to meet his own, he smiled and said, "There now, that is better. You have no need to hide from me. Of all people, I am uniquely qualified to understand when a person needs a moment away from a social event."

His attempt at levity was rewarded so thoroughly by her laughter that he nearly felt in danger of compromising her with a kiss … or a hundred, he mused wryly. "That is much better. So tell me, if you will, what has your mother done that has you hiding in forgotten passageways?"

Elizabeth could not believe this moment. She was standing in a hallway of Longbourn alone with Mr. Darcy and he was not only smiling, but making jokes at his own expense and encouraging that she bring him into her confidence. At that moment, she also realised how near they were standing and felt her face heat in response. Still, she felt herself to be deeply in love with this man and with Jane now married and leaving, she felt more exposed to him than she ever had before. She knew it was not proper to speak of personal matters, but how could she deny him when he was smiling at her like that?

"My mother wishes me to accept an offer that I refused. I can understand how it would be beneficial to my family but I cannot see why I should be sacrificed like a –"

Her words ended abruptly when her father's office door opened.

Mr. Bennet had heard voices in his hall and was curious. His surprise at seeing his Lizzy alone with Mr. Darcy was exceeded only by the guilty expressions of both. My my, how entertaining this shall be!

"Mr. Darcy! What do you mean by speaking in such a secluded place with my daughter?" He used his most stern tone and was rewarded by the straightening of the younger man's spine. He also noted a flinch pass quickly over Darcy's face before the placid mask was affixed firmly into place once again.

"Papa," Lizzy was blushing, but indignant nonetheless, "Mr. Darcy and I were simply having a conversation. We both happened into this hallway quite by mistake."

Mr. Bennet was intrigued that his daughter would seek to defend the gentleman. His one lifted eyebrow was response enough and prompted Mr. Darcy to speak.

"Mr. Bennet, I do apologise if our speaking in this location is not appropriate in your view. As Miss Bennet said, we happened upon one another by accident. However, I have a sister to whom I am a guardian and I can imagine how I might react should I find her conversing in a deserted hallway with a gentleman." He ignored Elizabeth's sharp intake of breath and continued with his eyes fixed on her father. "Is there anything I might say or do to assure you that I have not imposed upon Miss Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth was beyond mortified and not a little worried about her father's response to Mr. Darcy's question. Knowing him, she felt certain that this was all a joke, but how could Mr. Darcy know such a thing?

Mr. Bennet was delighted with his Lizzy's reactions; she had never been so missish before! He thought she must be nurturing some tender notions toward this young man, but assumed it was merely girlish fancy. After all, young ladies do so enjoy being crossed in love every now and again. He wanted to chuckle at the scene before him, but his desire for amusement was not yet fulfilled. With his expression still neutral, he enquired, "And if I were to say that there is nothing you might do or say and instead demand that you marry my daughter?"

"Papa!" Lizzy gasped.

Darcy stopped breathing for a moment. His thoughts were racing through his mind at such a speed as he could not hope to decipher them all. He was tense all over and his face registered a near panic.

Before Darcy could reply, Mr. Bennet's laugh burst forth from him. "Heavens, man, do take a breath! I am only making sport, but I do fear you were nearly seized with apoplexy! The looks on both of your faces were simply too comical not to tease a bit, but I must say that I never expected such a severe reaction." Turning to his daughter, whose face was positively red all over, he offered, "Come, Lizzy, you know I would never force you to accept a marriage you did not want. And," he turned to Darcy, "fear not, Mr. Darcy, I could hear that the two of you were only in the hall for a moment before I came out. There was hardly time for you to compromise her even had you wished to do so."

With that, he patted his daughter's shoulder and passed them as he walked down the hall and away from his books and the two still mortified young people. Darcy mused half-heartedly how someone so intelligent could be so obtuse. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts.

Elizabeth was so full of emotions she felt she might suffocate from the weight of them on her chest. She took a breath to push the thoughts and feelings down before steeling herself and looking up to Mr. Darcy. "Mr. Darcy, I must beg your forgiveness. My father has always had a rather peculiar sense of humour but this is more than I would have expected, even from him. I imagine that all of the wedding talk and preparations for Jane had made the idea more pronounced in his mind, but please be assured that I would not consent to such an arrangement. I do understand that you view me only as a friend and I would not wish to make you think I was attempting to recommend myself to you in any other way."

Darcy's mind was full to bursting and more thoughts were streaming in. He shook his head yet again attempting to clear it. Elizabeth believes I see her only as a friend? She would not consent to marry me? She is not already engaged then?

Elizabeth saw the twisted expression and his tightened posture and excused herself, "I – I do apologise, Mr. Darcy. I will leave you to your solitude." She turned, fighting tears which were building in her eyes, but she was determined not to give herself away. After all, had Mr. Darcy been of a mind to pursue a courtship with her, would he not have been somewhat amenable to her father's demand? Instead, he had become tense and quiet. She had seen how his face had contorted at the very idea of such a union and her heart had broken yet again. She had tried to keep her feelings from becoming engaged this time, but the pain tearing through her made breathing difficult and assured her that her attempts at equanimity in the face of Mr. Darcy had been for naught. She moved past the gentleman in question and walked down the hall.

Darcy's mind was still in a jumble, but he could not tolerate the idea of Elizabeth leaving, no matter that she apparently would not have him. Before he could consider himself, he took hold of her arm and pleaded, "Miss Bennet, please wait?"

She could not look at him; to see his expression might cause her tears to escape and she would not show such foolishness. Instead she requested, "Please Mr. Darcy, I am afraid I do not feel well at present. Please release me."

Her tone was flat and subdued, all wrong. He had not even completely registered taking hold of her arm and was surprised to see it was firmly in his grasp. He released her at once with his apologies and she continued away from him. He wanted to block her path and force her to look at him, as he had done so playfully minutes earlier, but it seemed that he was no longer allowed such joviality.

Leaning his head back against the wall, he wondered, What have I done to push Miss Bennet away? I thought she could not have been entirely indifferent toward me! He continued to replay the details of his interactions with the lady until he felt certain he would go mad.

While it seemed like hours to Darcy, in fact it had only been a short while and Mr. Bennet was returning to his study. When he observed Mr. Darcy leaning against the wall in a rather atypical fashion, Mr. Bennet wondered if perhaps the younger man was perhaps more attached to his Lizzy than he had let on. Is he waiting to speak with me? He decided the direct approach was best:

"Mr. Darcy, I had expected you to have removed yourself before I returned. Are you perhaps lost or in need of assistance? Or is there something you wish to discuss with me?"

Mr. Bennet's tone was somewhat teasing and it did not sit well with Mr. Darcy. Certainly it was charming when Miss Elizabeth was the one using the teasing tone, but he could not reconcile this from his host and a man with whom he was not particularly acquainted. Alas though, he did have something to discuss with Mr. Bennet, so he responded, "In fact, I do, sir. May I join you in your room?"

Mr. Bennet was surprised but agreed. As they entered and he gestured to offer Mr. Darcy a seat and a drink, he inquired, "What is it you wish to discuss?"

Darcy was relieved that the man was no longer making sport so he went directly to the point: "I feel it necessary to inform you of an event I interrupted earlier today involving Miss Lydia. It appeared she was attempting to leave without permission and … ah, it seemed she may have planned to be away for some time. I ensured she returned to the house and informed her that I would report the incident to you."

Mr. Bennet was startled by this turn in the conversation. He thought perhaps Darcy was coming to ask after Lizzy, not report on Lydia. "Leaving? Why would she do that?"

Mr. Darcy was surprised by the man's question and felt it was rather the wrong one to ask, nonetheless he attempted the best answer possible: "It seemed to me she may have been planning to take a trip, as she had a valise packed."

Mr. Bennet was confused and concerned but then just as quickly was displeased to deduce that some action on his part would be necessary to curb Lydia, which would undoubtedly cause his wife to take up for the girl. He sighed at the prospect of the upcoming effort and with minimal feeling offered, "I see. Thank you, Mr. Darcy, I will be sure to address the matter."

For his part, Darcy was quite concerned at the lack of interest Bennet seemed to have in actions that could well have left his remaining daughters ruined. The thought angered Darcy in the extreme as his Elizabeth was among those daughters and it would be difficult enough to justify his decision to marry her to his relatives as matters stood currently, let alone in the shadow of some sort of scandal! He was incensed but could see no remedy for it. Reining in his anger, he stood and curtly offered his further assistance if needed before departing the room.

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A/N:

*peeks out from behind computer* I do know it's been over a year since I last updated and I wish I had some amazing excuse(s) to offer, but 2015 was just one of the busiest years of my life and then this chapter was not flowing for me at all (been writing and re-writing certain pieces of it for months). Apparently going rogue from my outline was not conducive to moving forward quickly either. All I can say is that I'm still here and trying!

I've said before and I'll say again, I truly appreciate all of your patience and support as I slowly plough my way through this process. I am a reader as well, so I do understand how frustrating it is to wait for the next installment when you're enjoying a story. I wish I could write faster so you wouldn't have to wait, but sadly, it doesn't really work that way. Regardless, your reviews, PMs, follows, favorites, and well wishes mean the world to me! If I could, I'd repay you all with faster updates or previews or something, but at this point, I'm just glad to get this chapter to you! Thank you for sticking with me and please note that I do post on my profile along the way when I'm taking a longer time to update the story (so you'll know I haven't abandoned you!). I promise I'm working to have Chapter 29 to you sooner than this one was! *Fingers crossed!*

Lots of love and hugs to all of you for your continued support AND wishes for an amazing 2016 to each and every one of you!