Eliza is here in London on her own! Doubtless Mr. Darcy came to his senses – far too late, it must be said – and has sent her on her way! How I would love to hear him express his regrets! If she is to be squired about London by Lady Matlock, then this is the perfect opportunity for me to meet the Countess, for Eliza is my sister by marriage, so what could be more natural than for me to approach them!
Mrs. Hurst wrote back immediately, saying:
Caroline, I think it would be a very poor idea for you to intrude yourself upon the notice of Mrs. Darcy and the Countess. Surely the Countess has no reason to think well of you; have you forgotten that you attempted to compromise her nephew? She doubtless knows of that situation!
Miss Bingley threw the letter into the fire. How could her sister, who had settled for that nobody, Harold Hurst, possibly think to school Miss Bingley on her behaviour?
And so Miss Bingley made it a point to haunt the shops on Bond Street, certain that Eliza and the Countess must eventually go shopping! For nothing Eliza owned could be considered good enough for Town.
Chapter Fifty-Six
When Elizabeth did not return by the next day, Mr. Darcy was frantic with worry. She had asked him not to look for her, but he knew it was simply impossible for him to obey her stricture.
Where could she be? It was one thing to want to leave Lady Anne in the dust behind her, but what about him, her husband! He loved her, she loved him! Surely she could not, would not, simply leave him? Would she?
But perhaps her coach had overturned, and she lay helpless on the road? The images that filled his head left him gasping in terror.
“Think, man, think!” he ordered himself.
Longbourn! Perhaps she has gone home – yes, home to Longbourn, as the home he had provided for her had proven so very unlike a true home! How could he discover this without alarming her family?
Finally, he wrote:
Bingley,
Do not read this aloud to Mrs. Bingley!
As the result of a grievous misunderstanding, Elizabeth left Pemberley yesterday in the coach. I do not know where she was headed. I beg you to tell me if she arrives in Meryton. Say nothing of this to anyone, as I do not want her family worried if there is no cause.
I need not tell you how deeply afraid I am.
Darcy
He rang for a footman and asked that it be sent by the swiftest rider; the messenger was to await a reply.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
The Countess called at Darcy House the next day at mid-morning and was promptly ushered into the drawing room. She was concerned, though not surprised, upon seeing her niece’s visage. “You slept ill, Elizabeth,” she observed.
“Very ill indeed, Aunt Eleanor,” was the unhappy admission.
“Well, I have just the thing to cheer you,” the Countess replied, determinedly. “A day spent buying new gowns!”
“I do not think I can be cheered. My mother-in-law hates me and my husband wishes he had never married me. I do not know what I am doing here, in truth; I should return to Longbourn and be with people who, whatever their flaws, love me.”
With a sigh, the Countess sat down. “Elizabeth, you must know that men are fools when it comes to dealing with high emotions, and your husband is no exception. That said, however, I am completely convinced that there is more to the story,” she said.
Elizabeth lifted her troubled dark eyes to the Countess’ face. “What more could there be? I heard what I heard; there can be no doubt.”
“Elizabeth, I saw his face at your wedding. If ever there was a man in love, it was Fitzwilliam Darcy. Darcys do not give their hearts easily, and nor do they fall out of love easily. I have no ready explanation to offer; I only say that there must be more, something we do not yet know. Meanwhile, though, I ask that you not return to Longbourn just yet.”
“What do I gain by waiting?”
“Just as we discussed, you are Mrs. Darcy now, and you must take your place here.”
“My heart is not in it, Aunt. I know that shopping and attending parties is supposed to be vastly entertaining, but to me it sounds…well, dreary. Difficult. Impossible, to tell the truth. I do not know how I can pin a smile on my face and speak with people.”
“When one is suffering from a bruised heart, everything seems impossible. But no matter; I will get you through it. Is that all you have to wear, though, Lizzy?” The Countess ran her practiced eye over Elizabeth’s stained and travel-worn gown.
