Goodly Creatures: A Pride and Prejudice Deviation (12 page)

Despite her distress, Elizabeth continued to entertain her cousins. She could not deny them the pleasure of the park. April showers had given way to the beauty that was May. Marianne had become proficient enough to fly the Puss n Boots kite by herself. Lizzy and David launched the second kite they had made… a spectacular red dragon, spewing fire from his mouth and possessing a magnificent tail with a spike on the end. They had affixed scales all over the dragon that flapped in the breeze. They named the Dragon, Llewellyn, after their Grandfather Davies. Davy and Marianne told her he was a very kindly man, but looked quite frightening with eyebrows that grew in every direction and silver hair as bushy as a lion’s mane. He did not spew fire, but his voice boomed.

While keeping her cousins occupied with kite flying, Lizzy was allowed to rest on a bench. Several times in the distance, she thought she saw a tall man across the park. The thought of being watched by someone who could be Lord Wolfbridge made her heart race, and her breathing become laboured. Whenever she would look again, the man would be gone.

Two and a half months after Elizabeth’s visit to Darcy House, Mr And Mrs Gardiner asked Elizabeth to join them in Mr Gardiner’s study. Elizabeth was hoping they would talk about her returning to Longbourn. For some reason, it had been delayed several times in the past six weeks. Being wrapped in her sister’s arms would surely ease her pain.

“Elizabeth, what happened to you the last time you visited Mrs Darcy?” Mrs Gardiner tried to keep from looking accusatory.

Elizabeth had become adept at keeping a placid countenance over the last two and a half months. She said, “I do not know what you mean. Nothing happened except the quarrel I told you about.”

“You are not telling the truth. I know something happened to you.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I fear you are with child.”

Lizzy looked uncomprehendingly. “That is impossible. I am not married.”

“Elizabeth, you do not have to be married to have a child.”

“Aunt, cannot we talk about this alone? I do not want to talk about this with my uncle here.”

Mr Gardiner gave her a stern look. “Elizabeth, I need to be here so we can find a solution for your dilemma.”

Elizabeth looked nervously at her uncle. “But I do not have a dilemma, and I am uncomfortable talking about such things with you present. I think it is improper. I have never talked about these things with anyone but Aunt Gardiner and Jane… and a very little bit with Mama.”

Mr Gardiner continued to look at his niece with an unyielding gaze. “I am not leaving, Lizzy. Your aunt and I both need to know what has happened.”

The standoff between the two lasted several minutes, and finally Lizzy spoke in a tremulous voice. “How is it possible to have a baby if you are not married? I thought first you become a woman when you get your courses, and then you are ready the way Mama said. Then when you are married and come together in the marriage bed, you are able to make a baby.”

Mr and Mrs Gardiner looked at each other in the stark realization of the naivety of their favourite niece. Mrs Gardiner said, “People who are not married can do the same things married couples do.”

“Yes, but God would not bless it and give them a child.”

“Unfortunately, making a child does not require God’s blessing.”

Elizabeth looked stunned for a few seconds, and the Gardiners watched as her certainty disintegrated. She collapsed on the floor sobbing. They watched in horror as she began rocking back and forth and pounding her head against her uncle’s desk. Mr Gardiner got on the floor and pulled her to him in an embrace. In desperation she struggled to push him away—pounding her fists against his back, and shouting “let me go.” Determined to keep her from hurting herself, her uncle steadfastly refused to remove his arms. She continued to fight him, but in the end he was stronger; and Lizzy finally settled into sobbing quietly.

After about ten minutes, she pulled back from her uncle and stood up. She spoke quietly as she paced—more to herself than her aunt and uncle. “How could God abandon me and my family? I have been good. I have always honoured my parents… I have not stolen nor murdered. I did have private thoughts that Lord Wolfbridge and Mr Darcy were handsome, but I do not think I lusted. I know… it is because I was proud… oh so very, very proud, and I should have fought… God must have wanted me to fight. If I had fought, God would have protected me. I was just a prideful girl and had no faith in him. My only thoughts were how to hide my humiliation.” Lizzy started another chorus of keening and rocking. When she calmed a second time, her next words were punctuated by hiccups and sniffling. “I have ruined my family. How will Mama and my sisters survive when Papa dies? No one will want to marry any of them now that I am a disgrace.”

“Elizabeth, I know you are distraught, but you must tell us what happened.” Her uncle guided her to a chair. “Would you like some water?” She nodded, and he poured her a glass from the carafe. “Niece, did Mr Darcy do this to you?” Mr Gardiner asked. She looked uncomprehendingly at him with big round eyes still laden with tears.

His wife was annoyed with his assumption. “Edward, why do you assume it was Mr Darcy? Why do you not question Lord Wolfbridge’s honour?”

“Because Lord Wolfbridge will one day be a peer, and he will play a role in shaping the policies of our nation. More importantly, it was Mr Darcy who paid a great deal of attention to Elizabeth that night at the theatre.”

“Yes, but Mr Darcy has not been seen by either Elizabeth or myself since that night and Lord Wolfbridge has. I am also not as certain as you that his rank makes him honourable.”

Elizabeth drank the water while her aunt and uncle sparred. When she had finished, she put down the glass and began her narrative. She told the story beginning with Mrs Darcy coming to pick her up, and finished the story by telling of her walk from Grosvenor Square to Cheapside with Mr Darcy following her.

Her aunt and uncle were momentarily speechless. Her aunt spoke first. “Mrs Darcy left you alone so you were accessible to Lord Wolfbridge? How despicable.”

Lizzy whispered, “Aunt, Uncle, I need to lie down. I must think about what this means. After I rest, we will talk again.

After hours considering her dilemma, Lizzy finally slept. She awoke the next morning with a tear soaked pillow and a resolution for her future. She hoped she could persuade her aunt and uncle to accept her plan.

9 I’D RATHER BE A HAMMER THAN A NAIL… IF I ONLY COULD

“Aunt, Uncle, please do not force me to marry Lord Wolfbridge. The very idea is repulsive.” Elizabeth knew just how difficult her mission was. Her planned proposal was far-fetched; and she feared her uncle, in particular, would object. What little she knew or had read about violations always seemed to result in either marriage or the woman being banished—In
Les Liaisons Dangereuses
poor Cécile had returned to the convent. Then there was that ridiculous notion that men still occasionally took into their mind of fighting a duel to defend a woman’s honour—she had no idea how that could help her or this baby. Her aunt and uncle’s goodness and love, especially for children, had been in her mind as she had devised her request. She must persuade them to protect the baby’s future. One hand came to rest on her middle as she continued her oft-practised speech. “Since you revealed to me your suspicions about what was happening to me, my every waking moment has been spent thinking of what is best for our family—but most importantly, I have worried about this child’s future.” Elizabeth decided her aunt was the more receptive. She captured her eyes, patted her stomach and pleaded, “This babe needs a chance for happiness, regardless of the foolishness of its mother or the cruelty of its father.”

Her uncle reacted to her words with vehemence. “Elizabeth you did nothing wrong.”

His forcefulness was unexpected but appreciated. She moved her gaze to her uncle and matched his vehemence. Lizzy practically spat out her words. “Oh yes Uncle, I did. Papa asked me not to be silly, and I acted in a most nonsensical manner. I was flattered by the attention I was receiving from such prestigious persons—my pride knew no bounds. But you are correct on one matter, I am not guilty of impropriety. Mrs Darcy delivered me to her cousin like a lamb to the slaughter.”

Elizabeth paused for effect. “Lord Wolfbridge should not be given access to this child. One thing I forgot to tell you yesterday was that he wanted me because I look like a little girl.” When she saw her uncle’s eyes match hers in anger, she exhaled and silently prayed her words were working.

Mrs Gardiner shuddered at her statement. Lizzie softened and gave her aunt a sad smile. “Even at fifteen, I know that is wrong. I did not understand his teasing me about whether Papa often had to punish me for being naughty. In my need to be liked by such an important man, I was wooed into believing his attention meant I was special—even if he asked odd questions. Though I must live with the shame of that foolishness, I will never forgive or forget his depravity.” Lizzy could not contain a brittle burst of laughter. “Despite the unchristian nature of such sentiment, I would kill him if I thought I could escape the gallows.”

Elizabeth quickly bowed her head. Her uncle was certain if he could see her face, it would be streaked with tears. His wife was now openly crying, and he could feel his own emotions threatening to overwhelm him. She was right—Lord Wolfbridge was depraved. He had taken a beautiful, lively, young girl, and tried to destroy her spirit all in the interest of enjoying some dissolute sport. What kind of cruel monster was he? The next moment, Lizzy lifted her head, and he was startled to see determination rather than tears. Though it was not what he expected, Mr Gardiner was pleased to see her look of resolve. She would never be the same joyful being from before; but the look in her eyes was not of one broken in defeat.

Elizabeth continued, “I am aware my own happiness has been significantly curtailed, but this child must be given a chance. My hope is that there is a place I may go for my confinement and hide my disgrace… even from my parents. Please Uncle Edward, Aunt Margaret, help me with a solution that would protect the good name of our family while not banishing me forever from the comfort of my loving home.”

Mrs Gardiner shot a furtive glance at her husband before she started speaking. “Elizabeth, your uncle and I have also given considerable thought to your dilemma. In the beginning, we both felt the most prudent thing to do was to aid your father in persuading Lord Wolfbridge to marry you. However, your point about concern for this child is valid.” She gave her niece’s hand a squeeze before she continued. “Besides, we both concluded he would most likely refuse, and the attempt to make him do the honourable thing would risk your circumstances becoming known to society. If that happened, his family would weather the storm of scandal and disapproval, but ours would probably not. Those from the highest circles are always forgiven their indiscretions… particularly if the compromised is of lower status. And most importantly, the burden of blame always falls to the woman… and in your case, a mere child of a woman.”

Mr Gardiner was still smarting with Elizabeth’s revelations and he scowled as he spoke, “I had an acquaintance, Mr Thatcher, make some inquiries. I wanted to determine whether Lord Wolfbridge had mentioned compromising a young woman to anyone. He did talk about the incident at White’s, but did not mention your name. None of the staff at Darcy House has been heard gossiping about his being alone with you. If your father and I confront him to make him wed you, we definitely run the risk of your violation becoming public.”

Elizabeth sighed, and her shoulders slumped. Her plan was not going exactly as she hoped. Her uncle was still debating the merits of a marriage to the Viscount with himself. In desperation she spoke to Mr Gardiner. “Uncle, I beg you not to tell my father of my silliness and humiliation. Being married to Lord Wolfbridge would force me into…” her voice was choked with stifled sobs. “I would not be able to bear having him touch me. If he ever did, I would…” Leaving her morbid thought dangling, she whispered, “There must be some other course of action.”

Mrs Gardiner knew they had frightened her with talk of marriage. She must pull her niece out of this despair. She smiled consolingly and said, “Elizabeth, your uncle and I also discussed a plan to raise the baby as our own. You, Susan and I will go to Derbyshire to my family. My Cousin Jamie is a physician and his housekeeper is a midwife. They can deliver the baby. He and my Aunt Wilder have a small and loyal staff with no near neighbours. They are very adept at keeping secrets. My father, aunt and cousin will all be very sympathetic to your plight.” She laughed nervously and added, “… particularly when they learn the circumstances of your violation.”

Mrs Gardiner’s demeanour became more serious as she continued. “The plan we discussed is that before we leave, we will disclose to family, staff and friends that I am with child, and that you are needed to help me through what is proving to be a difficult confinement. Once I am in Derbyshire, we will communicate that my cousin thinks it unwise for me to travel, and you and I must remain in Derbyshire until I give birth. Your uncle and I thoroughly discussed the dangers of others learning of your predicament. Though it pains us to hide the situation from your parents, we agree with you that it is safer to withhold the truth from them.”

Animation and determination returned to Lizzy’s countenance. “Oh Aunt, Uncle, you are truly wonderful to protect me. Your plan is perfect and so very generous.” Elizabeth again patted her stomach, and her uncle noticed a flicker of light had returned to her eyes as she spoke. “With remarkable parents as you, this baby will thrive.”

Elizabeth hugged her aunt and hesitated only a few seconds before she embraced her uncle. She took her uncle’s hands and chose the moment to make an appeal she had been considering. “I do have one other request… it is actually more of a need I am unable to shake. It is dangerous and would mean revealing to others I am with child.” She saw Mr Gardiner stiffen at her words. “Uncle, hear me out before you disapprove. Lord Wolfbridge and Mrs Darcy should be made to feel some anguish for what they have done to me. My desire to seek justice is not the prudent course; but, alas, my heart demands vengeance. If you would allow me to confront those despicable people, I could force them to pay for my silence—enough to help provide the baby with an education if it is a boy or a small dowry if it is a girl. I also wish to gain enough that you could invest some so Mama will be provided for when Papa dies.” She ignored the shocked look on her aunt and uncle’s faces and continued as though her request was entirely reasonable. “Do you believe it would be too much to ask for three thousand pounds each from Lord Wolfbridge and the Darcys?”