Page 23 of A Promise Made

“Papa….”

Darcy was unsure what else Miss Elizabeth could say—or should say—to her father, but it turned out she did not say anything further. Instead, she rose, moved swiftly around the desk, kissed the top of his head, and sank to her knees so she could embrace him.

When Darcy realised that both were crying, he began to leave the room. Mr Bennet’s hoarse voice caused him to pause. “Please send in my wife,” he said. Darcy murmured his assent and carefully closed the door.

* * *

Darcy told Mrs Bennet in a very soft voice that her husband and second daughter awaited her in the study. Her face lit up, likely with hopes for news about a courtship or betrothal, so he said, “Madam, you may need this,” as he held out his pristine handkerchief. She bit her lip in uncertainty even as she took the handkerchief, and when she looked into his eyes, something shifted in her. He had a strong feeling that she knew, in general terms at least, the topic they would discuss.

“Thank you,” she said.

The other daughters looked up, surprised to see their mother exiting with his handkerchief fisted in her hand. Jane looked anxious and Mary solemn, and the youngest two appeared confused.

There was a general silence for several minutes. Then Mrs Hill came into the room and announced, “Miss Bennet, you are wanted in the study.”

Miss Lydia begged Darcy to tell them what was going on, but all he said was, “This is not my story to tell, but I believe you will be told soon enough.”

He had rather expected that all three younger daughters would be called into the study at the same time, but instead Miss Mary was requested. A longer period of time stretched, and Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia voiced rather ridiculous possibilities about what was going on. Miss Kitty suggested that Miss Elizabeth had discovered a cache of royal jewels, and Lydia countered with the idea that their sister had, instead, discovered the buried treasure of Captain William Kidd. Darcy thought of Miss Elizabeth at that age, speculating on him being her half brother or, perhaps, a French spy.

It would have been humorous to hear their imaginative ideas except for the fact that Darcy knew that the reality was not in the least amusing.

Instead of the youngest girls being called into the study, the whole family came out, and Miss Bennet gently told the girls what she herself had only just learnt, holding Miss Lydia’s hand as she spoke. Darcy could do little to comfort Miss Elizabeth, other than briefly kiss her hand, ask if she was well, and soothe her as best he might with avowals of his care. She murmured her thanks and then went to embrace Miss Kitty as Miss Bennet answered the younger girls’ questions.

Darcy decided to speak with Mrs Bennet. When he had been so often at Longbourn, five years before, Mr Bennet had told him not to discuss the way his family’s accident had impacted the Bennets with anyone. In truth, he had only rarely spoken to the family’s matriarch.

That day, for the first time, Darcy told Mrs Bennet how sorry he was that his injury had so tragically impacted her family and her peace of mind. She exclaimed, “Pish!” in a low voice, and then she said, “I was told that you were in a lot of pain, and unconscious much of the time, and just a child of twelve.”

“All that is true, madam, and I know the tragedy is not my fault, strictly speaking. However, even if it were not the dying request of my father, it would be a matter of honour that I take it upon myself to do what I can to alleviate the distress. I hope I have made you and your family feel more easy⁠—”

Mrs Bennet spent many minutes fiercely but rather incoherently declaring that he had done more for the Bennets than anyone would have any right to ask. She clutched at his hand as she started her response, and even after she finished firmly, “And that is the end of it!” she continued to grasp his hand, and they sat together while Miss Mary moralised, Miss Kitty wept, and Miss Lydia looked as if she was ill.

Finally, Miss Lydia spoke. “It was Tommy,” she said. “I feel as if I have always known that there was someone.”

“Tommy!” Miss Elizabeth exclaimed. Her eyes flew to Darcy’s, and he gently pulled away from Mrs Bennet and went to her.

“Who is Tommy?” he asked softly.

“Lydia always had this…this fancy that she had a friend who was invisible to everyone else. She called him Tommy. When things got broken, poor Tommy got the blame, but many times when she was particularly happy or she did sweet things for someone, she would talk about Tommy helping her find the flowers to make a flower crown, or Tommy showing her a pretty rock.”

Darcy felt a swelling of his bosom at this revelation. He looked back at Mrs Bennet, who had tears in her eyes—and as he watched, she brought his own handkerchief up to dab them.

Mr Bennet was standing near enough so that Darcy and Miss Elizabeth could hear him say, “Your mother and I always marvelled that you used the middle name we had chosen for your brother.”

“I wish you had told me earlier,” Miss Lydia said, a slight frown pinching her eyebrows.

Everyone sat still and silent. Miss Lydia spoke again, “I wish to see Tommy’s grave.”

Everyone else seemed to agree with that statement, and Mrs Bennet ordered the carriage to be made ready. Darcy warned them that a carriage could not go the whole distance, but he offered to ride ahead to Netherfield and order a cart and several mounts to be made ready.

“Perhaps we can apply to Mr Bingley for some flowers from the conservatory,” Miss Elizabeth suggested.

“I am certain he will be happy to supply you with flowers,” Darcy said. “I will make the request when I first arrive so that the blooms can be ready when you all arrive.”

Darcy felt strongly that new and old wounds were already beginning to heal. The words spoken, the gestures of comfort, the concrete actions taken together and acknowledging a loss all seemed to serve as a sort of balm.

* * *

Mr Bennet was shocked at the acceptance and love that seemed to pour from one Bennet to another. Even more astonishing was the sight of his wife clutching Mr Darcy’s hand…and the proud young man allowing the contact.