Falling for Elizabeth Bennet Read online

  Darcy turns to Bingley and says, “Charles, your sister tried to hurt us all by hiding Elizabeth from me. I understand that Miss Bingley was not aware that Elizabeth was already my wife at the time, but what your sister has done is unacceptable. Elizabeth will never be safe in society if your sister is to return to town. Miss Bingley would tell all of Elizabeth’s health as well as gossip and lies. Bingley, you are my friend, and I value your friendship. All I wish to do is live in peace with Elizabeth.” Darcy looks down at Elizabeth and says, “Sweetheart, would you please relate your story to Bingley.”

  Elizabeth nods and begins to tell her tale. When Elizabeth finishes telling of her experience, Darcy turns to Bingley and says, “Bingley, I have a physician’s report should you need it to confirm just how ill Elizabeth was when we recovered her.” Darcy pulls Elizabeth down onto a small couch, and Elizabeth cuddles into Darcy’s side. Bingley looks from Darcy to Elizabeth and then up to Richard and Wickham.

  Bingley sighs. “Darcy, Lizzy, I am more sorry than I can say. I have no words. I am shocked and horrified that my sister did this.”

  Elizabeth looks to Darcy and asks, “Husband, what is the time? Are not the ladies due back soon?”

  Darcy replies, “Elizabeth, it has been about an hour since you came in.”

  Elizabeth stands, and Darcy stands with her. Elizabeth says, “Please excuse me. I am going to get into position.” With that Elizabeth opens the door to leave.

  In the doorway, Darcy sees Perkins hand Elizabeth Fitz. Darcy looks at Bingley and advises, “Charles, Elizabeth and I do not blame you. I will do whatever I have to to protect Elizabeth. Perhaps you should consider sending Miss Bingley to a sanatorium or marry her off, or perhaps send her to another country away from all this.”

  Bingley grunts. “I understand, Darcy. I will consider your words. What happens next?”

  Darcy replies, “Elizabeth, is going to get your sister to show that she is responsible for the story you were just told. Come, let us get into position to see how Miss Bingley will react to seeing Elizabeth.”

  About ten minutes later, the party in the drawing room hear Bingley’s sisters saying farewell to Jane. Darcy hears Miss Bingley ordering tea to be delivered to the drawing room. Darcy glances around the drawing room. Richard is in the shadows of a large potted plant, Wickham is behind the door, and Darcy is hiding in the shadows of the drapes near the window. Darcy watches as Elizabeth reads a book, sitting on the couch, looking calm. Darcy sees as Bingley’s sisters enter the drawing room. Mrs. Hurst looks confused, and Miss Bingley starts screaming, “You! How did you get out? You are a lunatic. You should be locked up. How did you get here??”

  Darcy watches as Mrs. Hurst looks at her sister in concern. Miss Bingley yells at Elizabeth, “What are you doing here? Why are you in this house?”

  Mrs. Hurst looks from Elizabeth to her sister and asks, “Caroline, what are you ranting about?”

  Miss Bingley replies, “This person apparently escaped Bedlam!”

  Mrs. Hurst asks, “Caroline, how do you know that Miss Elizabeth was ever in that place?”

  Darcy watches as Elizabeth calmly replies, “Mrs. Hurst, the reason Miss Bingley knows that I was ever in Bedlam was because she had me admitted there.”

  Miss Bingley marches up to Elizabeth and demands, “How did you get out of there, Miss Eliza?”

  Elizabeth replies, “Miss Bingley, I have friends and family who care about me, and they came looking for me.”

  Suddenly little Fitz comes barking at Miss Bingley, sitting at Elizabeth’s feet. Darcy watches, and Miss Bingley draws back her foot as if to kick the puppy, and Elizabeth quickly picks up Fitz and, with a defiant twinkle in her eye, says, “Miss Bingley, do not kick my puppy. My husband would not appreciate you kicking Fitz again.”

  Miss Bingley sneeringly replies, “What husband? You are not married.”

  Darcy steps out of the shadows, saying, “You are wrong, Miss Bingley. Elizabeth is my wife.” Darcy watches as Miss Bingley gasps and starts to sway on her feet. Darcy continues, “Miss Bingley, Elizabeth has been my wife since before you arrived at Pemberley. Even if I had never met Elizabeth, you never would have been my wife. I heard everything you just said to Elizabeth, and I also have evidence as proof of what you have done.”

  Darcy turns and motions, and Richard and Wickham reveal themselves. Miss Bingley turns to run from the room only to find the doorway blocked with Bingley and Hurst. Darcy watches as Bingley advances on his sister, saying, “Caroline, what have you done? Do you realize that your actions have now cost me the friendship I enjoyed with Darcy? Your dreams of moving in the first circles are gone forever. I will be deciding what to do with you.” Bingley turns to Darcy, who has crossed over to Elizabeth and places his hands on her shoulders. “Darcy, Lizzy, I humbly beg your forgiveness. I cannot apologize enough for what you have been through. I beg you to excuse me. It seems that I have a family emergency to deal with. I will see you for dinner.”

  Darcy clasps Bingley on the shoulder and helps Elizabeth to her feet. With a nod to Richard and Wickham, Darcy and Elizabeth depart the drawing room.

  Darcy escorts Elizabeth from the drawing room and stops on the landing, turning to Richard and Wickham, saying, “Richard, Wickham, I am going to escort Miss Elizabeth upstairs and check in with Georgie. I pray you will excuse me. I will join you later.”

  Richard replies, “Of course, Darcy. Miss Elizabeth, I hope you are well.”

  Elizabeth replies, “I am, thank you, Richard. Please excuse me.”

  Darcy watches Elizabeth as they slowly make their way upstairs toward their rooms. Darcy is concerned as Elizabeth is usually more vocal about him making decisions for her. Darcy looks down and asks in concern, “Miss Elizabeth, are you well?”

  Darcy is surprised when he sees tears in Elizabeth’s eyes as she softly replies, “Yes, Mr. Darcy. I am well.”

  They walk in silence until they reach Georgiana’s bedchambers. Darcy knocks, and they are admitted and shown into the adjoining sitting room. Darcy stops suddenly and pulls Elizabeth into his arms and hugs her tightly to him and whispers softly in her ear. “Elizabeth, please tell me what is wrong. You were so strong standing up to Miss Bingley. What made you cry? Please tell me so that I may fix it.”

  Elizabeth lets out a deep breath. “I am well, Fitzwilliam. There is nothing to fix. I had forgotten myself, and I reacted when you started calling me Miss Elizabeth again. I have gotten used to being Elizabeth to you.”

  Darcy hugs her tighter. “Sweetheart, never apologize for that. The gentlemen and I were trying to remember for tomorrow. We will return to our normal first-name basis for this evening. I am sorry that we have to hide our marriage. I am more proud of you than I can say. Please let me hold you. I miss you.”

  Darcy and Elizabeth stand there in each other’s arms until Georgiana joins them. Georgiana, seeing her brother and Lizzy embracing, rushes over and asks, “Fitzwilliam is everything well? Why is Lizzy crying?”

  Darcy releases Elizabeth and turns to face Georgiana and says, “Georgie, everything is fine. Elizabeth just needed some comfort. Georgie, come sit with us a moment. We need to speak to you for a moment.”

  Darcy escorts his ladies to the small couch in the room. Darcy paces back and forth, trying to find a way to tell his sister who hurt Elizabeth when Elizabeth suddenly says, “Fitzwilliam, tell her. Georgie can handle the truth.”

  Darcy turns to his sister. “Georgie, the reason Elizabeth was upset was she has just confronted the person who took her away from us.”

  Georgiana gasps and looks from Elizabeth to Darcy and asks, “Brother, who was it? Who took Lizzy from us?”

  Darcy utters, “Miss Bingley.”

  Darcy watches in surprise as his little sister gets a fierce scowl on her face and says, “I cannot say that I am surprised. Miss Bingley has always fawned over us too much I felt. I believe that, had you ever married that horrible woman, she would have found a way to remove me from my hom
e.”

  Darcy crosses the room and squats down in front of Georgiana and assures her, “Georgie, I would never have married that woman, and I would never have allowed for you to be sent away. Thankfully, I met Elizabeth, and now we have a lovely new family.”

  Georgiana looks from Elizabeth to Darcy and asks, “Brother, what are we going to do now? Will we be staying long?”

  Darcy replies, “Georgie, Elizabeth wishes to visit her family tomorrow so the three of us, along with Richard and Wickham, will be paying the Bennets a visit. After that, I will let Elizabeth decide how long she would like to stay. I had planned to stay here for about a fortnight. We will return in two months’ time for Bingley and Miss Bennet’s wedding.” Darcy stands and turns to Elizabeth, “Sweetheart, why do you not go lie down? I am sure the rest will do you good. I would feel better if you were well rested for your visit to your family tomorrow. I will send your father a note so that he can now rest easier.”

  Elizabeth reaches up and kisses Darcy on the cheek and softly says, “Very well, Fitzwilliam. I will rest. I will see you both later.”

  Dinner is a subdued affair. After the meal is over, the men withdraw to Bingley’s study. Once there, Bingley turns to Darcy. “I want to apologize again for what has happened. I want you to know that my sister is confined to her room under guard. Hurst is going to escort Caroline to some distant relatives that we have in Ireland.”

  Hurst interjects, “My wife and I congratulate you and Elizabeth. We will not reveal your marriage or your wife’s health. Your secrets will be safe with us.” Hurst turns to Darcy, saying, “I know that I have not done enough to curb Caroline, but in view of what has happened, my wife and I feel that we need to personally escort Caroline to her Irish relatives and have a lengthy conversation with them so that they are aware of how vicious and dangerous Caroline can be. We will return to Netherfield Park in time to watch Bingley marry Miss Bennet.”

  Darcy turns and looks when he hears Bingley say, “If Jane will still want to marry the man whose sister hurt Jane’s beloved sister.”

  Darcy puts a hand on Bingley’s shoulder. “Jane loves you. Talk to her.” Darcy gives up when Bingley makes no reply. The men rejoin the ladies in the music room. Darcy sits next to Elizabeth and says, “Elizabeth, I have just spoken with Bingley, and he has concerns about Miss Bennet.”

  Elizabeth looks up to Bingley and says, “Mr. Bingley, Jane is the most forgiving creature in the world. She will not blame you. I will be visiting my family tomorrow along with Fitzwilliam and his family and friends. Perhaps you could join us and speak with Jane.”

  Bingley nods. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I shall.”

  Darcy looks around the room, and seeing everyone, he slowly starts to relax. Darcy sees Richard and Wickham in a conversation with Mrs. Hurst. Darcy leans over to Elizabeth and whispers, “Elizabeth, what do you say we make the atmosphere a little happier. Shall we make the announcement?”

  Elizabeth nods and stands up, seeing a break in the conversations. Darcy stands joining Elizabeth. Elizabeth softly says, “Mr. Wickham.”

  Caught by surprise, Wickham starts to stand until Darcy motions for him to sit back down. Darcy watches Wickham look at Elizabeth in confusion. Elizabeth looks up at Darcy, and they both look at Wickham. Elizabeth says, “Mr. Wickham, Fitzwilliam and I are extremely grateful that you found me that day. You came to Darcy House knowing there was a strong chance you would be turned away. You held firm even when Colonel Fitzwilliam did not believe you at first. You found a way to get my message to the people who could help me. Fitzwilliam and I have discussed it, and we conferred with Colonel Fitzwilliam, and we have purchased you a commission in the regulars as our way of saying thank you for all that you did. Colonel Fitzwilliam has offered to go with you to see Colonel Forster so that you can resign from the militia. I apologize that I do not know more about your commission, but I know that Colonel Fitzwilliam will fill you in on the details.”

  Darcy squeezes Elizabeth’s hand, saying, “George, there are no words to thank you for all you have done. I hope in the future you will join Richard and stop by Darcy House as your duties allow. I value your friendship.”

  Darcy crosses the room and claps a hand on Wickham’s shoulder. “George, you are not the man you once were in Cambridge. You are a man I would be proud to call my friend. You have changed the course of your life and corrected the wrongs that you had done. My father would be very proud of the man that you have become.”

  Darcy watches as Elizabeth crosses the room and kisses Wickham on the cheek. Richard laughs as Wickham blushes. “All right, Lizzy. Let me steal Wickham from you so that I can answer his questions.”

  Wickham turns to Darcy and Elizabeth and quietly says, “I thank you both. I do not believe that I deserve this, but thank you.” Darcy and Elizabeth remain another quarter of an hour and then retire for the evening.

  Chapter 22

  The next morning after everyone has broken their fast, the Darcys, Bingley, Richard, and Wickham depart for a visit to Longbourn. Due to the size of the party, it was decided to take two carriages. Darcy decides to be in the last carriage with Elizabeth and Georgiana.

  When they arrive at Longbourn, Elizabeth and Darcy slip out the other door of the carriage and manage to sneak past Mrs. Bennet, who is being introduced to Richard, the second son of an earl, and to Wickham, who looks dashing in his new uniform provided by Colonel Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth leads Darcy through the garden and into the kitchen and finally to Mr. Bennet’s library. Darcy watches as Mr. Bennet rises when he sees Elizabeth.

  Mr. Bennet opens his arms. “Welcome home, my Lizzy. I have missed you.”

  Mr. Bennet looks at Darcy. “Son, thank you for bringing my Lizzy home. I cannot find the words to thank you for finding her. It was so hard for Jane and I to act like nothing was wrong. Mrs. Bennet and the other girls all believe that Lizzy was still staying with you at Pemberley. William, would you mind if we told Mary what happened? I believe that Mary suspects something was wrong but knew not to ask anything.”

  Darcy looks down at Elizabeth, who nods. Mr. Bennet goes to the door and speaks to a maid. While they are waiting, Mr. Bennet offers Darcy and Elizabeth seats. About five minutes later, Mary, Jane, and Bingley arrive in the library. Mr. Bennet stands and offers the newcomers seats as well. Darcy watches as Mr. Bennet turns to his middle daughter. “Mary, I believe you know that I have been keeping something from you.”

  Mary nods and says, “Yes, Papa. I did want to ask, but if you did not tell me, I thought there must be a good reason. You usually would tell the rest of us anything and laugh at our neighbors.”

  Mr. Bennet sighs and says, “You are right, Mary. I am going to give you the short version, and I will tell you the rest of the story later. When Jane and I traveled to Pemberley, we watched Lizzy marry Darcy. About a week after they were married, Lizzy was taken from Pemberley, where she was missing for almost a fortnight. She was finally found in Bedlam. Darcy has been slowly restoring Lizzy to her good health. Darcy informed me yesterday that the person responsible has been dealt with.”

  Darcy watches in surprise as Mary stands and crosses the room to give him a hug. Mary says, “Thank you so much, Mr. Darcy. I am happy that Lizzy found someone to love her.”

  Elizabeth stands and hugs Mary. “I am doing well, Mary.” Elizabeth stops speaking when Darcy levels a look at her. Elizabeth amends, “I am getting better—slowly.”

  Darcy turns to Mr. Bennet. “Sir, I must apologize for failing you. I failed to protect your daughter.”

  Mr. Bennet replies, “William, it was not your fault any more than it was Bingley’s. Lizzy has been recovered and is slowly returning to her old self.”

  Darcy looks at Elizabeth and then to Jane and Bingley and asks, “Mr. Bennet, I believe that Bingley and I would like a tour of Oakham Mount. Would you allow your daughters to take this walk with us?”

  Mr. Bennet laughs and says, “Of course, William. Enjoy your walk.”

&n
bsp; Darcy, Elizabeth, Jane, and Bingley all set out on a walk to Oakham Mount. Darcy and Elizabeth allow Jane and Bingley to outstrip them so that Jane and Bingley can speak. Darcy enjoys the slow leisurely stroll with Elizabeth.

  Darcy turns to Elizabeth and says, “Sweetheart, I can see why you enjoyed walking this route. Were there other favorite paths that you liked to walk?”

  Elizabeth grins at him, replying, “Fitzwilliam, I usually stayed close to Longbourn, so I know the lanes and paths closest to home. I have heard that there are some nice paths at Pulvis Lodge, but the family that lived there previously was not friendly, and I was never able to check it out. Eventually, the family moved, and the home is in the process of being leased or sold. I am not sure which. Once I started having spells, I decided to stay close to Longbourn.”

  Darcy kisses Elizabeth on the forehead. “I am sorry, sweetheart. There are many places for you to explore at Pemberley. I look forward to seeing you enjoy our home. Come, let us collect Jane and Bingley. Judging by Bingley’s face, I would say that Jane was able to convince Bingley that she does not hold him responsible for what happened.”

  The group slowly returns to Longbourn. Upon entering Longbourn, Mrs. Bennet eagerly greets Mr. Bingley and says, “Mr. Bingley, welcome back. Please come and join the rest of your party and join us for tea. You will need my help to plan the wedding ball.”

  Darcy bows to Mrs. Bennet and says, “Good morning, Mrs. Bennet. I hope that you and your daughters are well.”

  Mrs. Bennet sniffs at Darcy, “Good day, Mr. Darcy.”

  With that, Mrs. Bennet starts to turn away. Darcy stops her. “Mrs. Bennet, do you not want to know how your daughter Miss Elizabeth is doing?”

  Darcy realizes that Mrs. Bennet cannot see her petite daughter standing at Darcy’s side in the shadows. Mrs. Bennet turns to look at Darcy and sees Elizabeth at his side and says, “Lizzy, what are you doing here?”