Assumed Engagement (3 page)

The milliner's shop in
Meryton
was gaily decorated with ribbons and lace and hats.
Elizabeth
walked over to the lace handkerchiefs and picked one up.
This one would look very nice with my initials embroidered on it
, she thought to herself. It had a tatted edge and a cut out heart in each of the four corners. Jane purchased a few items and they stopped by a bakery for some fresh baked goods before slowly strolling back to Longbourn.

As they made their way back to the house, they saw a gentleman leaving on horseback. Neither of them was able to recognize him.

"I wonder who that was," Jane pondered aloud.

"I could not tell. Do you suppose he was delivering a post?" asked
Elizabeth
. "Shall we go in and find out?"

As they entered the house, there was great commotion, coming mainly from Mrs.
Bennet
.

"Oh, girls! Look what we just received!" She rushed over to them, putting her arm around
Elizabeth
and holding out a letter. "This is from a Georgiana Darcy; she is the sister of that fine Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth
looked quizzically at her mother. "What could
she
possibly want?" she asked, astounded with that news.

"She writes to you,
Lizzy
," her mother began.

"Mama, you read a letter that was addressed to me?" cried
Elizabeth
.

"I had no choice, as we had to give a reply to the carrier while he waited. We were not certain when you would return. But look, read what she says!"
Dear Miss Elizabeth
Bennet
,

With much anguish I must inform you that my brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy, was in an accident just outside of Lambton as he returned to
Pemberley
two days ago. The carriage in which he rode overturned and he sustained some injuries. He is under the care of our doctor here at
Pemberley
. We have been assured that he had no broken bones, but he has been unconscious since then and of this the doctor is concerned.

I knew that you would want to know, and I hope that I am not asking too much for you to come to
Pemberley
as soon as possible. Even though he is unconscious, he does occasionally call out your name and I wonder if you may be the only thing that will bring him out of this sleep. Miss
Bennet
, the doctor has not been overly optimistic concerning my brother's condition. It has been two days since the accident. As each day passes and he still does not regain consciousness, I can see the doctor becomes more gravely concerned.

We have also summoned his good friend, Mr. Charles Bingley, with whom I know you are acquainted. He is on his way here now, as well.

I would be exceedingly grateful if you would come. I have no doubt that you would most likely desire to be here and hope that arrangements can be made to bring you to
Pemberley
promptly.

Please reply as to whether you will be able to come and when you plan to leave Longbourn. I will arrange the coach from
Pemberley
to meet you in Lambton.
Thank you.
Yours, &c,
Miss Georgiana Darc
y

"See,
Lizzy
, that fine gentleman, Mr. Darcy, has been calling out your name! You must go to him. Miss Darcy believes that only you can help him! I have sent back the reply that you and Jane will leave tomorrow morning and be in Lambton by the afternoon!"

Elizabeth
looked at her mother in disbelief. "But Mama, he is not even conscious, not in his right mind, and calling out my name? I cannot believe it! His sister must be mistaken!"
Elizabeth
struggled to come up with a way to prevent this. She knew the only reason her mother would have agreed to this was that, in her mind, a man worth 'ten thousand a year' was asking for her daughter and that, even though he was quite ill, he was a very promising prospect as a husband for her.

"Now,
Lizzy
, you simply must go. I have replied that you would be arriving with Jane. When Mr. Darcy sees how well you tend him and how kind and giving you are, his affections will certainly be engaged toward you. And just think! Mr. Bingley will be there. Jane will be able to see Mr. Bingley again!"

Elizabeth
suddenly stopped, realizing what her mother just said.
Jane will be able to see Mr. Bingley again
! A light began to flicker in her dark eyes. "I suppose it
is
a good idea, Mama."
Elizabeth
looked over at Jane, whose mouth suddenly dropped open. "Come, Jane, I think we must go ready ourselves to leave on the morrow."

Jane rushed to join her, stopping her by taking her arm. She whispered frantically, "
Lizzy
, I know what you are up to! You cannot do this! I know you are only agreeing to do this because of me!"

Elizabeth
put her hand to Jane's mouth to silence her and prodded her to walk with her away from the gathered family. "I do not understand why Miss Darcy wrote me. If she only knew what really happened between Mr. Darcy and me! He is probably suffering nightmares about me and yet she must think he calls my name out of admiration or fondness."

Her thoughts went from Mr. Darcy to Jane and Charles. "Jane, I think this may be just the opportunity to bring you and Mr. Bingley back together; to find out for a certainty what his feelings are for you. I do believe
Providence
has dealt us a very interesting hand!"

Hope blending with a touch of fear filled Jane’s countenance. "But what if Mr. Bingley…"

"If it appears he no longer has regard for you, we will return home at once."

Elizabeth
smiled at the situation that had presented itself to them. How ironic it would be to be at
Pemberley
, in Darcy's own home, that Jane and Charles would be brought back together -- right under his nose!

For Jane's sake,
Elizabeth
had to appear sure of herself. A grin overspread her face as she said, "Jane, I think Mama has done us an immense favour. Besides, what can we do? She has already sent the reply. It appears that we are going to
Pemberley
tomorrow!" The two sisters grasped hands and smiled. Jane's heart pounded as it had not done in months. The pounding in
Elizabeth
's heart suggested something entirely different, yet she was not sure what.

Jane moved to go to her room and ready herself for the journey tomorrow. She turned with a soft smile and said, "You know that Mama is not just expecting a proposal to come out of this for me, Elizabeth, but for you, as well. Would Mama not die if she knew that you
had
alread
y received a marriage proposal from Mr. Darcy?"

"No, I believe she would simply
faint. She would, however, die if she knew I had
refused
his proposal!" With that, both girls laughed uncontrollably, spurred on by the nervousness each felt.

Elizabeth
went directly to her room and sat on the edge of her bed, contemplating what this would mean for her. It would be quite awkward for her to face Mr. Darcy again. She knew that for a certainty. She had no way of knowing how long Mr. Darcy would remain unconscious. If… when… he awoke, she would definitely offer an apology to him for her misjudgement of his dealings with Mr. Wickham. She would, however, stand up to him again, in defence of her determination to bring Jane and Mr. Bingley together again. She was resolved to do it. She only hoped that they could remain at
Pemberley
long enough for Jane to determine Charles' true sentiment toward her.

Clothing and accessories enough for a week were packed for the sisters. They did not know how long they would be there. It could be for just one night if things turned out disastrously, yet there was always the possibility that they could stay longer. As she contemplated staying more than a few days,
Elizabeth
found herself thinking of Mr. Darcy and his injuries. He could be in grave condition, indeed. An apprehensive thought kept resurfacing. What if he never regained consciousness, as Miss Darcy so greatly feared?

She did not know whether the knots in her stomach were a result of concern for his welfare or her fear to face him again. She only knew that the remainder of the day and evening were very discomfiting to her. Her mother continually interjected her opinions on how the two of them should behave when they arrived at
Pemberley
, what they should say, and how they should sit, stand, and walk. Mrs.
Bennet
had settled it in her mind that they would both be engaged by the time they returned.

Mary had to express her concern that this was not a very proper thing to do, to allow her two unmarried sisters to go to the home of a single man and to have his single friend there, too. Even though his sister would be there, she was not of the opinion that this was at all wise.

At first, Kitty and
Lydia
protested that they could not accompany them. Very quickly, however, they realized it would be quite boring there as no officers would be around and
Pemberley
was at least five miles from any reasonable sized town where they could find some diversion.

Mr.
Bennet
made himself scarce throughout the day, knowing he would not be able to talk any sense into Mrs.
Bennet
or control any of his daughters. He knew this excursion would involve both their elder daughters being in the same household with two very eligible men. He trusted the sensibility of
Elizabeth
and the purity of heart of Jane, but was not overly enthusiastic. He had not been persuaded in favour of either of the men and the way they had treated his daughters, but to his wife, they both held great advantage in being very prospective husbands. To Mrs.
Bennet
, this was most fortunate!

That evening, he felt it essential to speak with his favourite daughter. "
Lizzy
, what your mother has, in effect, forced you to do is not the wisest thing she has ever done. I know how much you dislike this Darcy. If he gives you any trouble, if he is at all discourteous to either of you, I want you to return home immediately! Ten thousand a year or not! And as for Jane and her Mr. Bingley, I beg the same for her. I do not want my two daughters returning home beaten down and broken hearted. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Father."
Elizabeth
reassured him with a gentle, appreciative smile. "Do not worry about us."

Her words to her father were as much words to herself. If only she could stop worrying about what might happen. Was she secure enough in her opinion of Charles' affections for Jane that once he saw her everything would be as it had been months ago? This was, after all, the main reason they were going.

She could not help but wonder also what would happen when she had to face Mr. Darcy again. What if he had recovered by the time they arrived at
Pemberley
? How would she explain her presence? Her heart thunderously pounded in her chest as she contemplated this. These were situations about which she could only speculate. She could plan and prepare in her mind, but in reality, she knew not how things would turn out! The only thing she knew for a certainty was that tomorrow they would take their leave for
Pemberley
, the great estate of which she had been asked to be mistress!

Chapter 3

T
he following morning greeted
Elizabeth
in much the same way she was feeling - grey and gloomy. Although it was not raining, there was a thick mist in the air that coated everything with a pellicle of heavy dew. The sun began to retreat; it ceased trying to bring any warmth and comfort. A light fog was just beginning to lift as she crawled out of her warm bed. She stretched and took a deep breath trying to lighten the heaviness that was tugging at her.

After a warm, filling breakfast, Elizabeth and Jane watched as the servants loaded their trunks onto the carriage and then turned to bid their family goodbye. James, their coachman, was making a final check to make sure things were secure and ready to go.

The look of grave disquiet in Mr.
Bennet's
eyes did not escape
Elizabeth
's notice. He had spoken his mind to her last night and she was comforted by his concern. She often wondered why he never took control of family matters, usually deferring all decisions to his wife, as unwise as they often were. She was grateful that her father felt enough trust and admiration of her to leave her with his deepest thoughts and concerns.

Mrs.
Bennet
gave last minute instructions to the coachman, to Jane, and to
Elizabeth
. "Now James, be sure that the girls get on the right hack chaise to Lambton before you leave, and Jane, make sure you stand and sit properly, and Elizabeth, you behave most kindly to that Mr. Darcy. You know that he must be a most agreeable man. Oh, I know you girls will have a wonderful time!"

In her frustration over her mother's inconstancy,
Elizabeth
was often tempted to remind her how she had from the very beginning held an ill opinion of Mr. Darcy. She knew it would be a useless effort, however. Mrs.
Bennet's
concern for the material wealth of these "prospective husbands" made her overlook everything else.
Elizabeth
sighed helplessly as she thought what great lengths her mother would employ to secure husbands for her daughters!

Jane and Elizabeth set out in their coach for the post station in
Meryton
. There, they quit the Longbourn coach and James saw them on to the carriage that would take them to Lambton. As they settled themselves in, neither spoke. Each girl struggled with her own set of conflicting emotions.
Elizabeth
grappled in her mind as to what Mr. Darcy would think when he saw her at
Pemberley
, considering the way she had last treated him. She felt more and more ashamed of her response to his proposal. Yet she was resolute to carry this through and do battle with him, if she must, in order to reunite her sister and Mr. Bingley.

Jane's doubts resurfaced as to whether Charles actually wished to see her. She reasoned in her mind that, after all, it had been about five months since he quit
Netherfield
. He left without saying goodbye and had made no attempt to contact her, even while she was in
London
visiting her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. This was certainly not an indication of someone who held much regard for her. She absentmindedly shook her head, which was noticed by
Elizabeth
.

"What is it, Jane?" she asked.

"What if Mr. Bingley does not wish to see me. It has been so many months. When he did have the opportunity to pay me a call in
London
, he did not take it. Maybe we should not be going."

"Jane, have faith. Everything will be all right."
Elizabeth
wished she could tell her what she knew; that the reason Charles did not pay her a call in
London
was due to Mr. Darcy's interference and intervention in separating them; that her very presence in Town had been kept from him. As she reassured Jane, she prayed that her intuition in this matter was correct.

To keep herself occupied during the day's travel,
Elizabeth
drew out the lace handkerchief she had purchased in
Meryton
. Threading a needle with a dark blue thread, she began to embroider her initials. She made a simple line drawing of an
EB
in one corner, and stitched it in a running stitch. She then added some simple flowers around it, using some pinks, greens and yellows. When she had finished, she was pleased with her work.

Jane kept herself busy reading, although the book could not command her attention as she wished. She found herself gazing out the carriage window watching the scenery go by and wondering what these next days would bring.

"
Lizzy
," Jane was the first to break the silence that had been their companion for much of the time. "Do you believe in
Providence
or fate?"

Elizabeth
laughed gently. "Should this not be a question for Mary?"

"No, I would prefer your opinion."

"Well, I guess I believe more in
Providence
. If all things are in the hands of the Almighty One, then fate has no place. I think some people would be of the opinion that some things are fate and some are
Providence
, but I do not think that could be. Either He has all things in His hands or He does not. Why?"

"I have been considering the events that have brought about our going to
Pemberley
. Could I even think to attribute it to
Providence
… or is it fate and things are just happening by chance?"

"Jane, however it turns out, we must accept that it is for our good. We may not always agree with it; it may not be what we want. Remember what Reverend
Burbridge
says, ‘His ways are not our ways.’"
Elizabeth
hoped that her words would give comfort to Jane no matter what happened at
Pemberley
with Charles.

Jane suddenly changed the subject. "
Lizzy
, do you think it possible that Miss Darcy also invited Mr. Bingley to
Pemberley
because she has an attachment to him? After all, that is what Miss Bingley hinted at in her letter."

"I believe Miss Bingley wrote those things to discourage you. At the most, I believe it was only wishful thinking on her part."

"What do you suppose Miss Darcy is like? Do you suppose she is proud and arrogant like her brother?"

"I do not know. Mr. Wickham had confided in me that she was not amiable, that she was very proud. But then, can we believe any of what he told us, knowing what we now know about him? She must be very naïve, though, to have thought herself in love with such a man."

"It does appear, though, that she has a great love for her brother."

"Yes, of course she does. He is, after all, her only immediate family. Since her father's death he is now both her brother and her father."

The remainder of the ride resulted in much contemplation by both ladies. Neither wanted to talk any more of the anxiety each was feeling. A reassuring smile from
Elizabeth
occasionally made its way to Jane. Her sister needed all the encouragement she could give her.

They arrived in Lambton just as the sun was setting. They carefully descended from the carriage and found the coachman from
Pemberley
was already waiting there for them. He introduced himself to the two girls as Winston and directed them to Pemberley's coach.
Elizabeth
took the opportunity, as they were walking over to it, to inquire about Mr. Darcy.

"He is about the same, Miss. No improvement. It is quite distressing. In the beginning, he cried out in his sleep, tossing and turning a bit. But that has now stopped. The doctor can think of nothing else to do, save pray. I can find no sign of internal injuries, but if he received a bad head injury, he could be this way for a long time or…"

The coachman shrugged and shook his head sombrely, looking down. He did not finish what he was going to say. By his tone of voice
Elizabeth
was able to finish his thought herself. Suddenly she felt that fear grip inside her again, but this time she knew the source. She feared that Mr. Darcy may never wake up!

"May I inquire as to how the accident happened?" asked
Elizabeth
.

Winston related the details. "The carriage lost a wheel and overturned just outside Lambton. There had been much of rain. We were almost home… almost safe. As it turned over, his manservant,
Durnham
, and I jumped from the coach and
Durnham
suffered a broken ankle. I only received minor bruises and was able to run for help. But when help arrived, Mr. Darcy was unconscious and has not regained consciousness ever since."

"How long ago was that?"

"It has been four days ma'am."

The girls were helped into the coach and
Elizabeth
suddenly felt gravely concerned. Four days of being unconscious was not a good sign. How was he to eat or drink? She looked out the window and noticed darkness beginning to settle around them.

Jane saw her concern and smiled. "I am quite certain that he will come through this. He is a strong man; has a strong constitution."

Elizabeth
smiled back at her weakly. Now it was Jane's turn to reassure her.

As the last remnants of daylight lingered, they found themselves outside the town of
Lambton
and in beautiful countryside.
Elizabeth
thought to herself how much fun it would be to explore these woods, the hills and valleys, the streams and trees. She thought of how Mr. Darcy probably knew these woods by heart, having grown up and lived here all his life. "Oh, Lord," she suddenly prayed silently, "Please bring healing to Mr. Darcy. Please let him enjoy these grounds again. Amen."

Soon the darkness settled around them and
Elizabeth
could no longer enjoy the prospect of the countryside. Without the added distraction of delighting in the view,
Elizabeth
began to feel nervousness build on top of the fear she had been experiencing since hearing the words of the coachman.

They were almost there. Soon their purpose in coming would present itself. Jane would see Charles. Her only fear was that Mr. Darcy succeeded too well in making him forget her. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She again prayed, this time for Jane and Charles.

Her eyes were still closed when she heard Jane softly say, "Oh my!" 

Elizabeth
’s eyes opened and she joined her sister in their first view of
Pemberley
.
Elizabeth
was speechless. She could not see clearly for the dark sky, but could tell from the lights that it was a magnificent estate. Soon the coach came to a halt, and the coachman was at the door opening it for the ladies to assist them down. As they stepped out,
Elizabeth
was overwhelmed with the majesty of the residence. It was quite stately and she was rather impressed with it. Her eyes took in the full length of the dwelling as they walked toward it.

Her heart pounded as she grasped the truth that this was Mr. Darcy's home. Her hands began to shake and she put the one inside the other to hold them still. Jane looked from one end to the other, and then to
Elizabeth
.

"
Lizzy
, have you ever seen anything so grand?" asked Jane ecstatically.

"No, Jane, I have never seen a more happily situated house," her voice trembled as she and Jane walked toward the main entrance. "I like it very much." Her answer had been a whisper, but very intense.

As Winston escorted the ladies to the door, they were greeted by a host of household servants. The housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, welcomed them inside as the two sisters now admired the interior. It was decorated in an affluent, practically elegant, but not ostentatious, way.

"Come this way, Miss Elizabeth, Miss
Bennet
. I will show you to your room. Miss Darcy will meet you in the drawing room at half past the hour. She is in with her brother presently."