Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (10 page)

Mrs. A. Reynolds

Elizabeth read the note a second time.

“This does not say anything of Mr. Darcy’s condition. Is his a mild case, such as what Michael and Cassandra know? Could the gentleman be dying? Many die from the consumption, which sets into their lungs.” A third perusal of the note provided no relief. Elizabeth glanced to her aunt. “I must go to him,” she pleaded.

“Such would be beyond the pale,” her aunt cautioned. “And with the children ill, I cannot accompany you to Derbyshire to provide you respectability.” She caught Elizabeth’s hand. “You must understand that if you would travel to Pemberley, your reputation would be in tatters. As ruined as Lydia’s.”

“What if Mary…?” Elizabeth interrupted.

Her aunt shook off the suggestion.

“I am pleased with the improvements in Mary since she is removed from Longbourn, but your sister practices strict propriety. Mary would never approve of your calling upon Pemberley unsought.”

Elizabeth grasped upon an idea.

“Mr. Darcy proposed to me,” she declared. “We knew we could not claim marital felicity until this situation with Mr. Wickham found a resolution, but Mr. Darcy meant to call upon my father after Wickham and Lydia spoke their vows.”

A look of skepticism crossed her aunt’s features.

“Mr. Darcy spoke to your uncle of a previous proposal, which you refused? Is this a more recent plight?”

Elizabeth swallowed the anxiety rushing to her throat.

“The morning of my departure for Hertfordshire. Mr. Darcy arrived early to secure my agreement.”

“And you presented the gentleman your affirmation?” Her aunt’s tone continued to speak of dismay.

“I did.” Elizabeth prayed her deception would not prove her undoing.

“Your uncle will not be pleased with this development,” Aunt Margaret warned. “You cannot travel unescorted or without a maid. And what would we tell the others?”

“We tell Lydia and Mary that another of uncle’s business associates took ill and required someone to manage his house until his wife returns.”

“You construct fabrications with ease, Lizzy,” her aunt observed. “Perhaps we have misjudged you all these years.”

Elizabeth ignored the chastisement.

“Before he departed, Mr. Darcy informed me that his cousin would be at Darcy House and if we required anything, we should contact Colonel Fitzwilliam. Perhaps the colonel would agree to see me to Pemberley. As the colonel also serves as Miss Darcy’s guardian, he will wish to see his cousins to health.”

“What if the colonel has not known the disease?”

Elizabeth’s mind raced, searching for excuses her aunt and uncle might believe.

“Certainly as Mr. Darcy and his cousin consulted often on Mr. Wickham’s situation, it would be possible for the colonel to encounter the disease, but as Colonel Fitzwilliam served many years in King George’s army, I would imagine an introduction to the illness came previously.”

“And what of this proposal? Will Colonel Fitzwilliam recognize your betrothal to his cousin?’

“Mr. Darcy assured me his cousin is aware of all aspects of the search for Mr. Wickham.”

* * *

Elizabeth knew relief when the colonel called upon her in the early afternoon. While Aunt Margaret conferred with Uncle Gardiner, Elizabeth dispatched a note to Darcy House.

“Thank you for coming so quickly,” she said as she gestured the colonel to a seat.

“As your note spoke of urgency, I thought expediency required. Has Mr. Wickham left without notice?”

“No. No. Mr. Wickham remains above stairs,” Elizabeth assured. “My uncle received this message today.” She handed the note to the colonel and waited impatiently for him to read it.

“Darcy and Georgiana both ill,” the colonel thought aloud. “I wonder why Mrs. Reynolds sent no word of this situation to Darcy House.”

Elizabeth attempted to keep her anxiousness hidden from the colonel.

“I cannot say for certain. Perhaps the post knew some sort of delay. This message arrived by express.”

“Thank you for summoning me so quickly, Miss Elizabeth. I must set a course for Derbyshire,” the colonel declared as he gathered his gloves.

“My thoughts exactly,” Elizabeth interjected.

The colonel’s eyebrow rose in curiosity.

“Perhaps you should enlighten me, Miss Elizabeth. I suspect you hold plans of which I should be made aware.”

“I wish to travel to Pemberley with you,” Elizabeth announced with a lift of her chin.

The colonel studied her for several elongated seconds.

“You believe Darcy would approve of your appearance at Pemberley?”

“Colonel, I am certain Mr. Darcy told you something of our often misconstruing each other.” The colonel nodded his agreement. “Yet, you may not know your cousin and I came to an understanding. Even Mrs. Reynolds’ note expresses Mr. Darcy’s concern for me.”

“Yet…” the colonel began, but Elizabeth shook off his objections.

“I mean to travel to Derbyshire with or without your escort, Colonel. I would prefer to act with gentility, but I am not dissuaded from what is sometimes called my ‘hoydenish tendencies.’” Elizabeth paused to consider how best to reason with the man. “If Mr. Darcy received news of my illness, he would move heaven and earth to reach me. I am certain your cousin would spit in the eye of propriety to know a return of my health, and I am equally devoted to the gentleman.”

* * *

Once they made the decision to depart London, Elizabeth performed with efficiency. The colonel commandeered one of Mr. Darcy’s smaller carriages for the journey. She knew from their return to London more than three weeks prior it would take two days of good weather for them to reach Mr. Darcy’s home, and she spoke a special prayer for God’s kindness in the matter. With a late start, her party traveled on the first day until well after dark before claiming rooms.

The second day’s stretch brought them ever closer to Derbyshire. Elizabeth wished the multiple toll roads did not slow their progress, but she knew some relief when the colonel announce on Friday evening that they had perhaps three or four hours on Saturday to reach their destination.

At length, the carriage rolled past the gatehouse at Pemberley to enter the park. The first appearance of Pemberley Woods brought Elizabeth some perturbation.
What would Mr. Darcy think of her deception?
As with her two previous visits, Elizabeth admired every remarkable spot and point of view.

“It be grand,” Hannah said in awe. Aunt Margaret insisted the girl accompany Elizabeth.

“Just watch,” Elizabeth whispered as the wood ceased, and Pemberley House instantly caught the eye. It was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on high ground and backed to a ridge of high woody hills. She never saw a place for which nature did more. The thought of being the mistress of such a great estate set Elizabeth’s spirits in a high flutter.
Would Mr. Darcy renew his proposal when he learned how she sacrificed everything to be at his side
? She refused him so often that Elizabeth no longer held assurances of his continued affections.

“Oh, my,” Hannah murmured, and Elizabeth seconded the maid’s sentiments.

Soon the colonel led the way into the house.

“Where is Mr. Nathan?” the colonel demanded of the footman who opened the door to them.

“Mr. Nathan is down with the illness, Colonel?”

Colonel Fitzwilliam frowned his disapproval.

“How bad is it?”

“Not as many as could be,” the footman explained. “Most of the master’s people knew the disease previously, but we avoid those in the village.”

“I would like to see my cousins,” the colonel insisted.

“I will see you up.” Mr. Darcy’s housekeeper appeared upon the stairs.

The colonel caught Elizabeth’s arm, and she was pleased there would be no need for her to fight him regarding Elizabeth seeing Mr. Darcy.

“Jatson, see that the lady’s trunk and my items are brought in before you escort the lady’s maid to Miss Elizabeth’s quarters,” the colonel instructed.

“The green chamber was recently aired.” Mrs. Reynolds looked knowingly to the footman. “Now, if you will follow me, Miss Elizabeth, I will show you to your quarters. The colonel knows his way to the family suites.”

Elizabeth shot a glance to Mr. Darcy’s cousin before responding to the housekeeper.

“I appreciate your accommodations for this intrusion, Mrs. Reynolds, but I mean to call upon Miss Darcy and her brother before I claim my ablutions from our travel.”

Although Mrs. Reynolds presented Elizabeth a pointed look, it was not one of censure.

“Very well, Miss.” The woman led the way into a section of the house Elizabeth did not view previously.
Tasteful elegance
. Every detail reflecting the man Elizabeth had come to love.

“I will call upon Miss Darcy first,” Colonel Fitzwilliam whispered as they reached the first of the private suites. “I know you will not rest until you see Darcy.” Elizabeth nodded her agreement. “Mrs. Reynolds will remain with you.” He entered the rooms belonging to Miss Darcy, and Elizabeth heard the colonel call, “Where is my beautiful Georgie?” as the door closed behind him.

“This way, Miss.” Mrs. Reynolds directed Elizabeth to the chambers at the end of the hall.

Mrs. Reynolds opened the door to “his” quarters, and Elizabeth’s steps faltered.

“If Mr. Darcy is asleep, there is no need to disturb him. I just need…” Elizabeth swallowed hard while she searched for the right words.

“No need to explain, Miss.” The woman smiled in encouragement. “Master William holds the loyalty of many.”

At length, Elizabeth’s eyes fell upon the form resting upon the bed. Even with the red patches marring his cheeks, she thought the man whose hair fell over his forehead from sleep the most striking man of her acquaintance. On silent feet, Elizabeth moved closer, claiming a chair by Mr. Darcy’s bed, but never removing her eyes from his familiar features.

“How long has Mr. Darcy been ill?” she whispered so as not to disturb him.

“Nearly a week since the master collapsed in his study,” the housekeeper explained.

Elizabeth nodded her understanding, but her attention remained upon the figure lying upon the bed.

“Most know exposure a few days less than a week before they become ill,” she whispered in distracted concentration. “The disease takes seven to fourteen days to know an end. We must monitor Mr. Darcy’s breathing. Even if he survives the measles, Mr. Darcy could still succumb to its after effects.”

“I have many items in my stillroom if you care to examine them later,” Mrs. Reynolds volunteered. “You appear knowledgeable of the disease.”

“I appreciate your kindness, Ma’am. For now, I would just like to sit here a few minutes. To keep Mr. Darcy company if it is not too much bother.” Elizabeth reached for his hand to cup his larger one in her two smaller ones.

Elizabeth knew the housekeeper withdrew to the other side of the room, but she continued to study the steady rise and fall of Mr. Darcy’s chest. She examined the lines about his eyes and the many patches of red peppering his skin. After some ten minutes of quiet inspection, Mr. Darcy’s eyes fluttered open.

“Ah, you returned,” he rasped.

Elizabeth knew Mr. Darcy was not speaking in his full senses, but she could not resist teasing him.

“Where have I been, Sir?”

Mr. Darcy’s eyes opened and closed several times before he responded.

“Devil take it…if I know. You are always…with me…but the…laudanum…skews my dreams.”

“Do you dream of me, Mr. Darcy?” Although Elizabeth meant her words as a thankful taunt, she found her heart stuttered to a halt waiting for his response.

“More than a sane man should.”

“I am pleased to hear it.” She shoved the hair from Mr. Darcy’s forehead.

The housekeeper returned to Elizabeth’s side.

“Permit me to wipe your face, Master William.” The woman wrung out a damp cloth to cool his cheeks with soothing lavender water.

“Was I talking in my sleep?” Mr. Darcy asked the woman as she leaned over him.

“No, Sir.” Elizabeth heard the bemusement in Mrs. Reynolds’ tone. “You were speaking to Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth watched as Darcy accepted the inevitable.

“Ah, You know my secret, Mrs. Reynolds.”

Elizabeth could bear it no longer. She squeezed the hand she still held.

“As do I, Sir,” she announced, but the gentleman’s reaction was not one of welcome. Mr. Darcy jerked his hand from hers and began to shout.

“Elizabeth!” Mr. Darcy’s eyes opened wider. “What the devil are you doing here? Mrs. Reynolds remove her immediately!”

Elizabeth stared at Mr. Darcy in shocked horror before she bolted from the room, her heart shattering with each step she took. At the top of the stairs, she caught at the balustrade to keep from sinking to her knees in complete devastation. Looking about her, Elizabeth realized she made the worst mistake of her short life. Fighting back the tears, which meant to consume her, she rushed down the stairs. Elizabeth possessed no idea where in Mr. Darcy’s great house her uncle’s maid could be found. Or where the footman placed her trunk. She just knew if she did not escape the embarrassment of the scene of a few moments prior, she would not be responsible for what havoc she might incur upon Mr. Darcy and his elegant manor house.

A different footman opened the door as Elizabeth rushed through it. With a lift of her skirts, she set her steps toward the gatehouse she admired earlier.

* * *

“What the devil goes on in here?” the colonel demanded. Darcy’s cousin glanced about the room. “Where is Miss Elizabeth? Did the chit upset you?”

Darcy glared at the colonel.

“The woman…is not a chit…and I would prefer…you spoke of her…with proper respect.” A coughing fit claimed Darcy’s next words.

The colonel folded his arms across his chest.

“So you are in love with her?”

Darcy struggled for a breath.

“Certainly…I am…in love…with her.”

“Then where has the lady gone?” Darcy’s cousin challenged with a smirk claiming his lips. “Miss Elizabeth demanded I bring her to Pemberley so she might tend you. I thought her so determined that it would be necessary to remove her by force.”

“Master William ordered Miss Elizabeth from the room. The lady fled,” Mrs. Reynolds added in disapproval.

Darcy threw the bed linens off his legs to rise.

“Only because…I did not…want her to…take ill.”

“You are too weak, Darcy.” His cousin caught Darcy’s shoulders to prevent Darcy’s standing.

“There were tears…in her eyes,” Darcy protested.

The colonel lifted Darcy’s legs to the bed.

“I will go after Miss Elizabeth. You rest. Concentrate on an apology while I am absent. I understand a gentleman’s humbling himself is a sure means to a lady’s heart.”

“I fear…you do not know…Miss Elizabeth’s… resolve,” Darcy said on another round of coughing.

* * *

Elizabeth would have made better time if she did not stop every few minutes for a soul-cleansing cry. In truth, she held no idea where she meant to go. She left her cloak and bonnet and reticule in Mr. Darcy’s chambers.

“I cannot return there to retrieve them,” Elizabeth declared aloud. She looked about her in despair: Nothing but the beautiful park and woodland. “It would serve the gentleman right if I became lost in Pemberley Woods, never to be seen again.” A bit of anger claimed her thoughts. “I swear if I die out here, I will return to Pemberley and haunt the remainder of Mr. Darcy’s days.”

“I am certain my cousin deserves that and more.”

Elizabeth spun around to find Colonel Fitzwilliam watching her. Ashamed to be caught arguing with herself, Elizabeth dashed away her tears with her knuckles.

“You shall receive no quarrel from me, Sir.”

The colonel edged closer.

“Return to Pemberley House with me. I believe another of your and Darcy’s misconstructions occurred.”

The tears welled in Elizabeth’s eyes again, but she swallowed hard against the bile rising to her throat.

“I shall return long enough to claim my trunk. Hannah and I will go to Lambton to claim the next coach.”

“Did you not hear Jatson say the staff has orders not to go into the village until the illness knows an end?”

Elizabeth’s eyes grew in disbelief.

“Then Hannah and I shall walk to Lambton,” she asserted.

“I cannot permit you to depart, Miss Elizabeth.”

“Do you mean to provide your cousin a second chance to humiliate me?”

The colonel shook off Elizabeth’s remarks.

“When we set a course for Pemberley, I chose a coachman and a footman from Darcy’s staff who knew the disease previously. On the journey I paid the two innkeepers extra to clean the rooms we used thoroughly after our departure. I do not know how this illness spreads; and although we are no longer susceptible to the symptoms, how do we know we do not carry it to others? I will return to London after I am assured the Darcys will recover. You and the maid may again travel with me.”

Elizabeth felt the anger seep from her body.

“I do not wish others to become ill at my expense. But know I shall not accept Mr. Darcy’s charity. Hannah and I shall assist Mrs. Reynolds. I am not so fortunate as to turn my mind from being useful.”

A frown crossed the colonel’s features.

“I do not imagine Darcy would be pleased to know such circumstances.”

“Then I suggest, Colonel, you do not inform Mr. Darcy of my decision.”

* * *

“Did you…find her?” Darcy asked as the colonel reappeared in his chambers.

Darcy refused Mrs. Reynolds and Sheffield’s attempts to see to his personal needs until he knew something of Elizabeth’s safety. If he were not so weak, Darcy would have chased Elizabeth down himself.

“I did,” Fitzwilliam said with a touch of humor. “Your lady is quite the walker: Miss Elizabeth was more than a third of the way to the gatehouse. If I did not take the path through the woods, I might have missed her.”

Darcy was well acquainted with both Elizabeth’s love of long walks and her determination.

“Yet, the lady…returned to Pemberley?” Darcy pressed.

“She has,” the colonel confirmed. “But not willingly. Miss Elizabeth means to place distance between you and her.”

Despite Darcy’s best efforts the familiar pang of loss claimed his heart.

“Did you offer…an explanation…for my harsh words?’

“I believe the apology must come from your lips, but I did express my opinion on how Miss Elizabeth misconstrued your words. Even so, the lady was not in an understanding mood. I suspect you must grovel if you wish to win Miss Elizabeth’s affections.”

Darcy would gladly grovel if Elizabeth would permit him near her again.

“Would you sit…with me…for a few minutes? I would hear…how Miss Elizabeth…came to be at Pemberley.”

* * *

The colonel led Elizabeth to her assigned chamber before he returned to the private quarters. The room was exquisitely done: a soft green upon the walls and forest green draperies against the walnut woodwork, along with gold accents upon the cording. Sachets of pine needles gave the room a clean, fresh scent. The counterpane was a creamy gold, but it was a seat built into the window, which claimed Elizabeth’s interest, and she curled up in it. Her mind and body knew exhaustion from the earlier turmoil. Arms wrapped about her knees, she looked blindly out upon a view of the lake.

“How could I have erred so egregiously?” she asked the emptiness crawling into every corner of her soul. “Because that dratted man wanted me to believe he cared for me!” Elizabeth dug in her sleeve for the damp handkerchief she stuffed there earlier. “I walked into Mr. Darcy’s perfectly constructed revenge,” she chastised. “In Kent, I injured his pride, and Mr. Darcy repaid me fully. At least, I shall not need to encounter him over the next few days. By the time Mr. Darcy is well enough to leave his bed, I shall be on the road to London and then to Longbourn.”

A fresh swell of tears claimed Elizabeth.

“I wished upon the stars like a addled schoolgirl.”

A shoulder-racking sob cut off the remainder of her recitation of lost hopes. Elizabeth gave herself up to the sorrow.

How long she remained as such, Elizabeth could not say, but Hannah’s entrance had Elizabeth springing to her feet.

“Did they treat you well below stairs?” Elizabeth asked as she dabbed at her eyes.

“Oh, yes, Miss. Most welcoming.” The maid shifted her weight from foot-to-foot. “Were you able to see Mr. Darcy?” Hannah asked tentatively.

“Yes.”

“Did the gentleman welcome your presence in his home?”

Elizabeth’s expression took on iron grimness.

“I imagine what you wish to know is whether the tales below stairs are accurate.” She sighed with resignation. “If Mr. Darcy’s servants spoke of their master driving me from his quarters, then they spoke the truth. I am an intruder. Unfortunately, we cannot assume the responsibility of delivering the measles to unsuspecting innocents by returning to Cheapside by public conveyance. Therefore, we shall remain in Derbyshire until Colonel Fitzwilliam is prepared to return to London. Three or four days at most. You should know I refused Mr. Darcy’s voluntary provisions, and I mean to be of use to Mrs. Reynolds and the gentleman’s staff. I shall repay Mr. Darcy for every penny he expends to house us during this stay.”

Hannah’s eyes grew large with bewilderment.

“Oh, no, Miss. Mr. Gardiner would tan my hide if’n I permitted you to work as you describe. I shall act in your stead.”

“First, we both know Uncle Gardiner is a fair master, and you have nothing to fear at his hand,” Elizabeth insisted. “As to the work, I do not fear a few sore muscles, and I must act or be forever indebted to a man who would take great pleasure in bandying my name about at social gatherings. Rather than permitting Mr. Darcy the pleasure of bringing me low, I choose to act with aid. Then the gentleman cannot speak ill of me.”

“Yours appears a great sacrifice, Miss, if’n you ask me.”

* * *

“Are you new…to my staff?” Darcy asked in the kindest tone he could muster.

Darcy spent a restless night attempting to construct a means to make amends to Elizabeth Bennet, but he could think of nothing other than to intrude upon the privacy she claimed under his roof. Frustration settled into his bones when Darcy learned of Elizabeth taking her meals in her quarters rather than joining the colonel in the estate’s dining room.

The maid backed from the bed.

“I apologize, Sir,” she said with an awkward curtsy. “I did not mean to disturb you.”

Belatedly, Darcy noticed the chamber pot she held.

“You did not…disturb me,” Darcy reassured. “I simply did not…recognize you.” He nodded to the chamber pot. “Mr. Sheffield…can handle that.”

“I believe your valet assists the colonel, Sir.” The maid’s voice trembled.

Darcy sighed with an ache of annoyance.

“Very well…but tell me…your name. You possess…a familiar countenance…now that I…look closer. I make it…a point…to know the name…of all those…in my employ.” A round of tear-producing coughs shook Darcy’s chest. “I apologize…for forgetting your name. Surely, Mrs. Reynolds…told me of you.”

“No, Sir.” The maid bobbed another curtsy. “I am Hannah. You saw me a time or two at the Gardiners’ house. I am assisting Miss Elizabeth with the sick.” News of Elizabeth had Darcy shoving himself higher in the bed. “Miss Elizabeth is tending your servants, Sir. One of the grooms and his boy took ill today. She assumed their care while Mrs. Reynolds sees to your sister.”

Darcy’s lips tightened in disapproval.

“There are enough…among Pemberley’s staff…to tend…the ill…without Miss Elizabeth…staining her hands.”

It was the maid’s turn to frown.

“Miss Elizabeth is the most openhanded of creatures, Sir.”

“I am well aware…of Miss Elizabeth’s…finer qualities.” Darcy’s mood darkened.

Realizing she overstepped her bounds, a blush claimed the girl’s cheeks.

“Mrs. Reynolds set those who are healthy to cleaning Pemberley thoroughly so others do not become ill: Miss Elizabeth be doing her part.”

The fact Elizabeth engendered the maid’s loyalty did not surprise Darcy.

“Please tell…Miss Elizabeth…I wish to see her…when she completes…her duties.” Each breath Darcy took rattled in his chest like the sound of old keys in an empty box.

The maid blushed a second time.

“I shall tell her, Sir, but I doubt it will do much good. I overhears Miss Elizabeth tell Mrs. Reynolds that she would never enter Pemberley’s private quarters again. Once was enough.”

* * *

Darcy sent Sheffield to the attic to bring down a rolling chair Darcy’s late father used when George Darcy slipped and broke his leg several years back. Darcy should be in bed tending the splitting headache, which lodged between his temples; he should know sleep, but instead Darcy dressed to call upon his sister and hopefully to encounter Elizabeth within Pemberley’s passages. Waiting for the infuriating woman to come to him was like waiting to view the sun during the night sky.

“How goes the illness?” Darcy asked his sister. Mr. Sheffield wheeled Darcy into Georgiana’s quarters before the valet sought out the presence of Miss Elizabeth to satisfy Darcy’s curiosity.

Georgiana reached for his hand.

“I am pleased to see you. I missed you.”

“And I you,” Darcy claimed the hand she offered. “ He noticed that Georgiana did not struggle to breath as he did. Perhaps, his sister knew less of the disease, as Mrs. Reynolds declared. Darcy prayed that the fact. “It grieves me…I brought illness…to your door.”