Page 78 of Regrets

“Take my carriage, Darcy,” Mr. Bingley said. “The horses will still be harnessed.”

Chapter Sixty-Six

Kitty and Lydia were just within sight of Netherfield when Georgiana simply collapsed. “You must get up,” Kitty encouraged her. “We are almost there!”

Georgiana did not reply.

Lydia took Georgiana’s hand and tried to pull her up, but her hand was limp. “I think she fainted,” Lydia said.

“What do we do now?” Kitty asked, urgently.

“We need help,” Lydia said, decidedly. “Go to the road, Kitty, and see if there is anyone who can help us.”

“If she is found in this state, her reputation will be ruined completely,” Kitty argued.

“We can say that she was attacked by an animal,” Lydia said.

“Really? What sort of animal would tear her bodice down to her waist?” Kitty was exasperated.

“Or we can just leave her here to die, Kitty, is that what you want? Now, go!” Lydia yelled at her sister.

Kitty scurried off.

Chapter Sixty-Seven

Once the carriage was pulled up to the front door, Mr. Darcy handed Elizabeth in and then jumped in behind her. Mr. Bennet followed him.

They were off at once; Elizabeth called out directions to the coachman, and in a very short time, they had arrived at their destination. Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet jumped out of the carriage the moment it was still.

But there was no sign of anyone.

“I cannot tell if they were even here,” Elizabeth said, her voice shaking. “Poor Georgiana!”

Mr. Darcy looked for some sort of track, anything that might show where they had gone, but the ground was dry, and he could find nothing.

“Call for her,” Elizabeth urged.

“Georgiana!” He called at the top of his voice. “Georgiana!”

There was no response.

But Elizabeth saw something – someone? – on the road, and she shaded her eyes with her hand to get a better look. Was that Kitty? She had entirely forgotten that Kitty and Lydia had gone off together. “Kitty?” she called out.

“Lizzy! Oh, thank God! You must help us!” Kitty pulled up her skirts and began to run toward them.

Mr. Bennet was already running toward his daughter. “Kitty,” he gasped out when he reached her. “What is wrong?”

“Georgiana is – is hurt, Papa,” she whispered. “But we cannot let anyone see her.”

“Oh, my God,” Mr. Bennet breathed. “Where is she?”

Kitty pointed, but Mr. Bennet could see nothing. “Darcy!” he called out. “Come on!”

Mr. Darcy ran up the road to join Mr. Bennet and Kitty, Elizabeth behind him. Kitty led them into the field behind Netherfield, and soon enough they could see Lydia standing guard over Georgiana.

“I am glad you are here,” Lydia said, gravely, as the newcomers ran to her. “She has not moved for some time. I covered her up with my pelisse, but her clothes are…ruined.”

Elizabeth, hearing that, feared the worst; tears ran down her cheeks.