“All is well, dear girl. We are not angry, only very, very worried for you and gladder than either of us can say that you are here with people we know, respect, and trust as much asthe Bingleys and Miss Bennet.” Fitzwilliam looked in Elizabeth’s direction.
When she nodded, Darcy knew she had understood his cousin’s attempt to apologise.
Mrs Bingley stood and said, “Miss Darcy, would you like to come to my chamber and prepare yourself for the drive? Mr Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I imagined you would not wish to tarry. I have asked that a basket be prepared for you for your return journey.”
“You are very good, madam. Thank you,” Fitzwilliam said. To Georgiana, he added, “Go with Mrs Bingley. By the time you are ready, your brother and I shall be too.”
Georgiana glanced at Darcy, who nodded his agreement and gently caressed her cheek. She was pale yet did not seem as fragile as he had expected her to be. Mrs Bingley held out a hand to her; to Darcy’s surprise, she readily took it, and the two ladies quit the parlour.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Once Jane and Miss Darcy were gone, the gentlemen sat. Elizabeth longed to comfort Mr Darcy. It was for the best that they would not have a private conversation; she might say more than was wise, even promise to always love him. She expected that she would, but what would be the good in burdening him with the notion that she would never be happy because he was unable to marry her? He kept his gaze steadily on her, and she could not look away.
“Miss Bennet, will you please tell us what happened?” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
At the same time as she nodded and began to say that naturally she would, Bingley spoke.
“I understand why you ask, but my sister has been through a great deal today. If she does not wish?—”
Elizabeth rested a hand on his arm. “It is kind of you to worry for me, but it is not necessary. Miss Darcy’s needs are far more important.”
Bingley frowned. While they had waited for the gentlemen’s arrival, he had taken her aside to say that she did not need to see Mr Darcy if she did not wish to. He was evidently still upset with his friend, but she expected that, as soon as he had a greater understanding of the situation, his disappointment would lessen.
“Thank you,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “I do not know how much Bingley already knows, but please speak freely. The time for secrets amongst us here today has ended.”
Elizabeth nodded. She had noticed his tacit apology. It was welcomed, but it would take much more than that for her to overlook how he had treated her since the winter.
Not knowing how long they had before Jane and Miss Darcy returned, Elizabeth quickly and efficiently explained as much of what Georgiana and she had spoken of as she could recall. In particular, she wanted Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam to know what their ward had told her about Mr Wickham. The colonel covered his eyes with his hands and bowed his head for a long moment. Mr Darcy allowed her to see the tears that formed in his eyes. Bingley, pale and looking like he wanted to vomit, also noticed and clasped his shoulder; he then did the same to the colonel.
“I do not know if anything I said to her helped,” Elizabeth admitted. “She and I had two brief conversations when I was lately at Pemberley during which I urged her not to blame herself.”
“We have told her the same more times than I can count,” the colonel interjected, sounding as though it was important to him that she knew they had.
“I expected as much,” she said. “I know she did not believe me previously, but today, I think she might have…oh, I do not know, understood, perhaps even accepted what I said—not fully but a little. It might be only a wish on my part, but I genuinely believe there was a significant difference in her demeanour after she slept.”
Indeed, after Miss Darcy awoke from her long nap, she had seemed a great deal stronger and more at ease than she had when Elizabeth first found her, perhaps since Elizabeth had firstmether. If anything, the young woman was embarrassed.
Colonel Fitzwilliam slowly took a deep breath. “Thank you. I hope you are correct, but even if you are mistaken, please know that it is not because you did not say the right words. My parents, Bramwell, Darcy, and I have all talked to her extensively, promised her we do not fault her for what happened. Mrs Annesley has also attempted to help her see the event as we do. None of it has had the desired effect. My cousin and I are both grateful for the care you provided her, and I cannot express our profound relief thatyoufound her. She is far calmer and more composed than I feared she would be.”
Bingley had been quiet throughout her explanation, his chin lowered. As the colonel fell silent, he looked up and said, “Darcy, I owe you an apology. I had no notion what you and Miss Darcy have been experiencing these last two years.Two years!It has lately come to my attention that I do not notice a great deal. I wish I had known so that I might have been of use to you. Jane has vowed to help me become more observant, if only so that I can be a better husband and brother. I shall add friend to that.” Bingley looked between Mr Darcy and Elizabeth. She guessed he was thinking that one of the matters he had overlooked was that the two of them loved each other.
“You think too much of it. I ought to have told you…something. We did not want people to suspect thus did our best to act as though nothing had changed, but especially after last summer, I should have confided part of it,” Mr Darcy said.
Bingley waved this away, and when the colonel asked whathe meant, Mr Darcy promised to explain it another time. Elizabeth knew he had been referring to their disagreement when he had informed Bingley of his lies regarding Jane.
Her sister and Miss Darcy returned before more could be said, and the party from Pemberley prepared to take their leave. They exchanged subdued farewells, and Miss Darcy, standing between her guardians, addressed Elizabeth, her voice sombre.
“Thank you. I-I am very glad you were here. I do not know what would have become of me otherwise.”
“I am very glad that I was here too.” Elizabeth stepped forwards and gripped Miss Darcy’s hand. “Be well.”
Miss Darcy gave her a tremulous smile and a nod. Elizabeth felt a gentle pressure on her hand as Miss Darcy briefly returned her clasp. Then, with Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arm across her shoulders, Miss Darcy turned and left the room.
Mr Darcy remained, his eyes lingering on Elizabeth; she could not—did not want to—look away. At length, he could no longer delay following his sister and cousin, and he walked out of her life for what she expected was the final time.
Jane and Bingley immediately began to ask whether she was well and offer all manner of comforts. Elizabeth refused them all, assuring them there was no need. At length, she agreed to take a walk with Bingley while her sister rested. Contrary to his garrulous nature, he said little, which suited Elizabeth.
They were almost at the inn again, when he surprised her by saying, “He is a good man. Darcy, I mean.”
