Darcy's Journey (26 page)

57

St Margaret’s Church struck
six as they crossed Westminster Bridge, festooned with flags to celebrate
Wellington’s victory. Elizabeth sat opposite the gentlemen, with Rosie Briggs
at her side playing with one of Herr von Essen’s wooden dolls. They were not
far now from Brompton, where Martha lived with Corporal Briggs’s mother; however,
Darcy preferred to proceed first to his town house in Mayfair, so that driver
and horses could be changed before taking Mrs Briggs and daughter to their
home.

They traversed the parkland around St
James’s Palace and Buckingham House—now Queen Charlotte’s residence—and
before long entered Park Lane, with Hyde Park and the Serpentine on their left,
and grand town houses on their right. A turn into Grosvenor Street, and the carriage
at last stopped outside a broad terraced house with three stories plus basement
and attic.

Darcy handed Elizabeth down, and she took
in a well-kept facade with black-painted railings overhanging the basement
area, and pillars framing three steps leading to the main entrance, also black,
with brass fittings. A footman ushered them to a palatial drawing room papered
in crimson, with a parquet floor, Indian rug, and comfortable chairs and divans
in unobtrusive good taste.

A young woman appeared in the doorway,
looked shyly at the party, then cried out and ran to Darcy with arms outstretched.

‘William! Home at last!’

Elizabeth observed the girl with
curiosity. The family resemblance was clear: she was quite tall, with a
straight nose and intelligent blue-grey eyes. However, unlike Darcy her
colouring was fair, with very pale skin, and blonde hair carefully pinned.

‘Miss Bennet.’ Darcy led the girl
towards her. ‘May I introduce my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.’

Georgiana regarded her with a mixture of
shyness and avid interest, but seemed lost for words.

Elizabeth smiled. ‘You must be relieved
to have your brother back safe.’

‘Oh yes. I had his letters of course.’

‘And Colonel Fitzwilliam too. You have
been left quite alone.’

‘Well, I have had Mrs Annesley. Also,
since last week, Mr Bingley is in town. I believe you are acquainted?’ She put
a hand to her mouth. ‘But how foolish of me! He is betrothed to your sister.’

‘I
have
heard the good news, but
the post has been so unreliable that one can take nothing for granted. I hear
you are fond of music, Miss Darcy.’

‘Oh yes. It is my favourite pastime.’
Again she stopped abruptly. ‘But I am forgetting! My brother said in a letter
that you had accompanied a famous singer at a concert in Italy. I’m sure you
play far better than I.’

Elizabeth laughed. ‘You will be disabused
of
that
idea directly you hear me play. Perhaps we can try a duet this
evening.’

‘I would love that.’

Darcy clapped his hands and addressed
the whole gathering. ‘Welcome to our London home. Dinner will be served in half
an hour. Meanwhile, permit us to show you your rooms. Miss Bennet, perhaps
Georgiana can escort you, since your chamber is next to hers.’

‘You are all kindness, sir.’ She met his
eye with an arch smile, and then looked away, realising how closely Georgiana
was observing them.

‘Shall we go immediately?’ Georgiana
asked.

‘One moment.’ Elizabeth drew Darcy
aside. ‘I ought
 
to call on my uncle
and aunt Gardiner to reassure them I am well. However, it is getting late and I
am tired of sitting in carriages.’

‘Why not send a message? I can invite them
to visit us tomorrow morning, if that is convenient.’

Elizabeth smiled her relief. ‘Perfect. I
will feel so much better if they are informed.’

With a glance at Georgiana, now talking
to Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy whispered: ‘My sister too should be informed, of what
we agreed earlier.’

‘Certainly,’ Elizabeth whispered. ‘But
can you wait until tomorrow? Let me get to know her first.’

At eleven o’clock, Elizabeth
accompanied Georgiana to their corridor on the second floor. She was tired, but
not
quite
ready to sleep: with the gentlemen enjoying brandy and cigars
in Darcy’s study, no doubt exchanging tales of the war or some such masculine
topic, it was time for a private chat with the lady of the house.

The evening had passed in an atmosphere
of relaxed contentment, as she reacquainted herself with the routines of
English life. Familiar brands of rouge and cream were laid out in her dressing
room. Instead of challenging continental dishes, they had enjoyed Irish stew,
still fashionable in the
ton
. She had sight-read duets with Georgiana in
the music room, happily trilling out handfuls of wrong notes that would have
shocked Carandini. It also served her purpose that Georgiana knew these pieces
while she did not: after their session, the girl was no longer daunted.

They shared Georgiana’s maid, and when
they were in their dressing gowns, Elizabeth suggested cocoa before retiring.

‘I would like that. We can go to my
boudoir.’

The maid left for the kitchen, and they
made themselves comfortable in the cosy retreat, furnished like a miniature
salon, which adjoined Georgiana’s bedroom. While waiting for their drinks they
talked of safe topics, but sooner or later the nettle would have to be grasped.
How much did Georgiana know?
Had Darcy told her, in person or in his
letters, of his feelings for the woman that had shared his Grand Tour?

‘You find your brother well?’ Elizabeth
asked.

‘Oh yes! So much more content than
formerly.’ Georgiana flushed, as if unsure how to continue, and sipped cocoa to
occupy the silence. ‘You see, Miss Bennet, last year William was not himself.
He had been preoccupied for some months, then in the spring returned from Kent
in the darkest mood. I have never seen him so low.’ Her eyes moistened. ‘It is
unpleasant to contemplate, for I believe his distress was
my fault
.’

Elizabeth stared at her. ‘My dear Miss
Darcy, what do you mean?’

Georgiana hung her head, biting her lip.
‘I ought not to speak of it. You see …’ She looked up, as if in supplication.
‘I made a mistake. A bad mistake, which upset my brother exceedingly, and gave
him no end of trouble. It was resolved, covered up anyway, but it took him a
long time to get over it. He was often away in those months, visiting Mr
Bingley in Hertfordshire. I believe he found it painful to remain in my
company.’

Elizabeth’s heart went out to the girl
as she struggled to retain her poise. Impulsively she moved to the divan and
took her hand. ‘Listen. I happen to know why your brother returned from Rosings
in a black mood, and the reason is not what you imagine. Your, ah,
mistake
was far from his mind. The person who angered him was—me.’

Georgiana gaped at her.

‘I will explain.’ Elizabeth smiled. ‘And
you will discover that you are not the only person who makes mistakes. I met
your brother in Hertfordshire, and then by chance at Rosings, while visiting a
friend who had married the parson. Mr Darcy, much to my surprise,
offered me
his hand in marriage
, whereupon I made my first mistake. I rejected his offer
in the rudest fashion imaginable.’

Georgiana gasped. ‘No! I cannot believe
…’

‘Wait. There is more. Not only was I
rude, but I justified my refusal by accusations that proved entirely false.
Mistake number two. Still more: when he wrote a letter explaining my errors,
I
refused to read it.
Three!’

‘But Miss Bennet …’

‘I have not finished! Having rejected
the finest man I had ever met, I befriended an unscrupulous Italian woman,
allowed her deranged brother to believe I would marry him, and ended up a
prisoner in Venice. Four! Were it not for Mr Darcy I would probably be there
still, the victim of a forced marriage.’

‘So that is why …’ Georgiana’s eyes were
like saucers. ‘Is that all the mistakes?’

Elizabeth laughed. ‘On my side, yes.
However, earlier today your brother committed the ultimate folly of asking me
again
to marry him …’

‘Oh, Miss Bennet!’ Georgiana faced her
with a radiant smile. ‘I see it all now. That is why William is so changed, so relaxed
and happy …’

Elizabeth nodded. ‘Just so. Perhaps the
stars were in a favourable configuration, perhaps divine providence came to our
aid, but for once in my life
I did the right thing
. I accepted, and
unless he comes to his senses and quickly changes his mind, we are to be
married.’

Georgiana hesitated, perhaps nonplussed
by so many twists and turns, but her warm smile returned. ‘I am overjoyed and
wish you every happiness.’

‘Thank you.’ Elizabeth relaxed a little:
the first hurdle was crossed. But she had to go further. ‘Miss Darcy, being
serious for once, I am aware of my good fortune in marrying your brother.
However, a concern remains.’ She leaned closer and lowered her voice. ‘You may
have heard that my youngest sister, Lydia, was recently wed.’

Georgiana coloured, and nodded assent.

‘To a man we are both acquainted with.
Mr Wickham.’

She flinched, and managed another tiny
nod.

Elizabeth swallowed. ‘I am now going to
distress you, but I see no alternative. For a very special reason, your brother
has explained what passed between you and Mr Wickham at Ramsgate, when you were
fifteen. Let me assure you that he has confided in myself
alone
, after
I, like you, had been deceived by Mr Wickham, and accused Mr Darcy of
maltreating
him
. Thus I am already aware, in outline, of the
mistake
you referred to before.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Could you bear the thought of
your brother marrying a woman who now finds herself, much to her distaste, that
gentleman’s
sister-in-law
?’

Georgiana fell silent, biting her lip in
concentration. ‘I see no difficulty, except …’ She coloured. ‘I would be
discomfited if the Wickhams were to visit Pemberely.’

‘They will never be invited. You have my
word, as well as Mr Darcy’s.’

Georgiana looked away dreamily. ‘You
will think me foolish, but I feel no hatred towards George—I mean, Mr
Wickham. I know he is unprincipled. But he was kind to me when I was a small
girl, and our …
indiscretion
was as much my fault as his. I hope he will
mend his ways, and find joy in his marriage to your sister.’

Elizabeth thought for a while, before
replying: ‘Then I should acquaint you with the latest developments.’ And
Georgiana listened open-mouthed as she told of Wickham’s heroism in the battle,
and the injury from which he was now recovering.’

‘So William actually
helped
him!’
Georgiana said.

‘He did, and without my prompting.’

‘William is so good.’ Georgiana pressed
her hands together, as if in prayer. ‘And to think that George was so heroic!
Do you believe in redemption, Miss Bennet?’

Elizabeth pressed her lips together.
‘Not really. Yes, a scoundrel may act nobly once in a while, but I fear the
habits of cheating and excess will re-emerge.’

‘You think I am innocent?’

‘I don’t know you well enough to draw
any such conclusion. What I do think is that none of us is perfect. After all,
you have made one mistake, and I have just admitted to four. Mr Wickham may
justifiably lay claim to a far greater number. But at root we are all flawed,
and must get on with one another as best we can.’

Georgiana shook her head. ‘
William
is always honourable.’

Elizabeth smiled. ‘To tease him I
sometimes claim he is without flaw, but that is not really true. Why, at the
ball where we met, he disdained to dance even though gentlemen were scarce, and
told everyone within earshot that my appearance was barely tolerable.’ She put
a hand to her mouth. ‘Never tell him I said that!’

‘I cannot believe William would insult a
lady in that manner.’

‘You think I made it up?’

Georgiana reddened, but seemed to
realise she was being teased, and smiled shyly. ‘You have confused me so much
that I don’t know what to think.’

Elizabeth took a final sip of cocoa.
‘Then we had better retire before I reveal more than I should.’

‘Very well, but sometime I want to hear
all about your journey. William’s letters were vague on many points.’

‘So you shall.’ Elizabeth rose and
stretched. ‘We shall be good friends, and conspire to outwit your brother as
often as may be.’

58

They came. Waiting at the
window, Elizabeth recognised the carriage she had occupied just over a year
ago, on the day she had met Giuseppe and Regina Carandini.

As Mr Gardiner helped down his wife,
Elizabeth spotted behind them another woman, familiar blonde curls framed by a
familiar bonnet …

She turned to Darcy, who had also heard
the carriage. ‘It is Jane!’

He raised his eyebrows. ‘Indeed?’

‘You knew!’ She confronted him, hands on
hips. ‘My uncle must have told the messenger last night.’

‘It slipped my mind.’

‘What nonsense! You wanted to surprise
me. Oh, what does it matter?’ She ran to the door, and stood with arms outstretched
as Jane mounted the steps.

‘Lizzy! At last!’ Jane’s normally
composed countenance crumpled as she took Elizabeth’s hands and burst into
tears. ‘I was afraid I might never see you again.’

The Gardiners came through, and
Elizabeth greeted them warmly before leading Jane away in search of a more
private place to talk. At the back of the hall Georgiana stood in readiness,
and Elizabeth performed the introduction.

‘Miss Bennet, what a pleasure,’
Georgiana said earnestly. ‘Ever since Mr Bingley told me of your engagement, I
have been hoping you would come to London so that we could meet.’

Elizabeth was gratified by this
confident speech: she had wondered whether Georgiana
herself
had
feelings for Mr Bingley, and might see Jane as a victorious rival.

Jane, still struggling to compose
herself, regarded the elegant, unpretentious girl with evident admiration. ‘I
also have longed to meet you, having heard from Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy of your
many accomplishments. Excuse my agitation.’ She dabbed her eyes. ‘I have not
seen Lizzy for a year. I can scarce believe she is really back.’

‘Truly I understand, Miss Bennet; I felt
the same when my brother returned yesterday. But you will want to catch up on
your news. May I show you to the parlour?’

‘So Jane, you must confess all,’
Elizabeth said. ‘What did Mr Bingley have to say for himself last autumn after
his return to Netherfield?’

They had been served coffee in the
parlour while the others congregated in the drawing room. Jane, now her usual
calm self, took a modest bite from a jam tart. ‘It was after Lydia and her
husband visited us, you know, on their way north.’ Jane
grimaced—Elizabeth had told her of Wickham’s injury in the battle. ‘Poor
Mr Wickham, I do hope he makes a full recovery.’

‘As do we all, dear Jane, but you are
digressing.’

‘Oh. Mr Bingley. Well, he said he had
recently learned of my presence in London the previous winter, and was
distraught not to have known at the time, since otherwise he would have called
on me; but he hoped he could make amends now by calling
very
often,
provided of course that such attentions would be welcome …’

‘Did he say
who told him
you had
been in London?’

‘No. Miss Bingley, I imagine.’

‘Hmm.’ Elizabeth decided to keep silent
on this point. ‘And why did he tarry so long before returning to Netherfield,
loving you as he did?’

‘He believed me indifferent.’ Jane put
head in hands. ‘It is really my own fault, Lizzy. I am too timid in expressing my
feelings.’

Elizabeth snorted. ‘He called often
enough when he first leased Netherfield, so you must have given him ample
encouragement
then.’

‘He may have been dissuaded by his sisters.’

Again Elizabeth opted for discretion:
this was not the time to expose Darcy’s role. ‘You must have been under severe
strain when Lydia absconded. I wish I could have been there to support you.’

‘It was a hard time, with father away
and mother in a frenzy. Luckily Mr Darcy heard of our disgrace through his
aunt, who learned of it from Mr Collins, and assumed responsibility for finding
the runaways. Father still has no idea to whom we are indebted. I was sworn to
secrecy by Aunt Gardiner.’

Elizabeth nodded. ‘I have managed to
wring some of the story from Mr Darcy, but it was hard work. I gather he
learned of Mr Gardiner from Colonel Forster, and felt more able to approach him
than father. Also Mr Gardiner was in London, of course.’

Jane smiled. ‘But the true mystery,
Lizzy, is why Mr Darcy should go to such trouble to help our family, and on
that topic I was hoping
you
might enlighten us.’

Elizabeth hesitated. ‘What are people
saying?’

‘Your exploits are widely reported.’
Jane grinned. ‘Mr Gardiner may have a surprise for you there.’

‘And father?’

‘Most of all he’s relieved to learn you are
safe. As to Mr Darcy, father naturally appreciates his help in bringing you
home.’ She lowered her voice. ‘But he fears you will feel obliged to marry
against your will.’ She looked down. ‘As do I.’

‘Then let me reassure you.’ Elizabeth
took her hand. ‘We
will
marry, and I am the happiest creature alive.’

‘But Lizzy, you disliked him so much …’

‘All that is forgotten. We have travelled
together many months, and lived through experiences I would have never believed
possible.’ Suddenly overwhelmed, she fought tears. ‘Jane, I have learned so
much, about the world, and also about myself. I will tell all … but gradually.’

‘Mr Bingley and I discussed the
possibility. We hoped you might finally have come to a good understanding. But
after you rejected him before … is it not remarkable?’

‘Mr Darcy is certainly persistent.’
Elizabeth looked up, smiling. ‘Have you and Mr Bingley set a date?’

‘We have been awaiting your safe
return.’

‘Then let’s have a double wedding!
Mother will be beside herself.’

As they entered the drawing room,
Mrs Gardiner jumped up. ‘Lizzy! I understand congratulations are in order.’

Elizabeth smiled at Darcy. ‘It would appear
you have passed on our news.’

‘Should I have waited?’

‘No, but you realise now that you cannot
change your mind?’

Colonel Fitzwilliam handed her a sheet
from a newspaper, with a passage marked. ‘You should know, Miss Elizabeth, that
my cousin was put on the spot. You are both now celebrities.’

With a severe glance at Jane, Elizabeth
retreated to a corner chair and began to read.

From our war correspondent, James
Herrick

During the battle I was
approached again by Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, who was organising the camp followers
to transport the wounded. Despite confusion and treacherous terrain, this
little band of wives, brothers, even children, kept the carts moving hour upon
hour as the valiant British fortress at Hougoumont held out under successive
assaults. At the climax of the French attack, when Marshal Ney unleashed the
elite soldiers of the Imperial Guard, we ventured to the crest to save an
injured corporal, and witnessed the grand sight of the 52
^nd
Foot
preparing to engage from the flank; minutes later, as Mr Darcy and I carried
the corporal downhill, the 52
^nd
turned the battle by forcing the
Imperial Guard to retreat in panic.

It is with pride
that I report the work of Mr Darcy and other followers in caring for our
soldiers. After victory was secured, Mr Darcy worked tirelessly bringing injured
men to the field hospital or to local villages. Mrs Henrietta Smith left the
safety of Antwerp to sit at her husband's bedside, and ministered to other
officers. Women made their way to the field hospital, where they assisted our
surgeons under the most appalling conditions. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Mr Darcy’s
fiancée, laboured long into the night tending to the wounded with unflinching
good humour. These helpers were not present in any official capacity. They came
to accompany relatives or friends, and assisted others out of patriotism and
compassion. I have named some individuals whom I met while following the 52
^nd
;
their service was matched by countless others across our whole army, and I
salute them all.

Darcy joined her, and whispered:
‘I’m sorry that you should be embarrassed in this way. Mr Herrick saw us
together and asked whether you were my wife; I told him, as we agreed, that we
were engaged. It never occurred to me that he would use our names in his reports.’

Elizabeth cringed, her face still red.
‘Could Lady Catherine have seen this?’

‘Unlikely. It came out just two days
ago, and my aunt never reads newspapers on principle. Of course she is bound to
hear eventually, from other sources.’

‘It is so out of proportion. Soldiers
like Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Wickham risked their lives. We worked for a few
days in relative safety.’

‘My sentiments exactly. Still,
newspapers are soon forgotten, and fortunately we have not been forced to marry
against our wishes.’

Mr Gardiner approached, and bowed. ‘A
remarkable tribute, Lizzy. I am proud of you both.’

She grimaced. ‘Thank you, uncle, but the
credit for our victory belongs to others. Let us talk of it no more.’

After lunch the Gardiners returned
home, leaving Jane at Darcy House with Elizabeth so that she would be present
when the Bingleys called in the evening.

‘Miss Elizabeth.’ Darcy hovered beside a
corner of the drawing room, where Elizabeth was talking with Jane and
Georgiana. ‘May I have a word?’

He led her to his study, closed the
door, and kissed her. She stood on tip-toe to kiss him back, before retreating
with a smile. ‘Is that what you meant by
having a word
?’

‘No, merely an overture. We need to make
plans, and I have a question. Do you feel you must go straight away to your
family at Longbourn, or can we remain a few days in London first?’

She raised her eyebrows. ‘You wish to
come to Longbourn?’

‘There is a matter to discuss with your
father.’

‘Hmm.’ She walked across the room,
thinking. ‘Since Jane has just arrived, I think it would be better to stay here
this week. You should spend more time with your sister. I will visit
Gracechurch Street and see the children. The Bingleys will be here.’

Darcy nodded. ‘I should also call on
Edward Havers to check that he and
Céline got back safely.’

‘Of course!’ Elizabeth recalled their
last meeting, in Venice, when her mind had been blurred by laudanum. How long
ago it seemed. She looked up at Darcy’s grave, reassuring presence, and moved
to his side, as if to remind herself that she was now safe among true friends,
and with good fortune always would be.