Page 33 of Until My Last Breath

Jane turned to Tommy. “Thank you very much for your help, Tommy,” she said, taking his small face in her hands, kissing him on the forehead. “You are a very brave boy.”

They made their farewell and left, but Tommy ran after them. “Will they be safe, ma’am?” he asked, his heart in his voice. “Will you be able to find them, to find your sister, I mean?”

Jane’s eyes were filled with tears again as she stroked the boy’s cheek. “I hope so, Tommy. I hope so.”

A silent sob escaped her lips, and she felt Richard’s hand on her shoulder. He offered her a handkerchief and his arm and escorted her back to the carriage.

She felt Richard’s hand over hers and lifted her eyes to him. He looked tired. “Courage, Miss Bennet. Keep your strength. We are going to find them.”

She had no words. What else could be said? She put her other hand on top of his, gently squeezing it, and nodded.

As soon as they arrived at the carriage, Jane threw herself into her father’s arms. “Oh, Papa. It was Mr Darcy’s blood. They shot him then they hit Elizabeth and took them both.”

It took Mr Bennet some time to grasp what Jane was saying. “Is it true, Colonel?” he asked in a trembling voice. “Did they shoot Mr Darcy? Did those cowards hit… and take my girl?”

Richard nodded. He did not have words to explain anything else and lowered his head.

They sat in silence on their journey back to the manor house; only the sound of the wheels on the hard ground and Miss Bennet’s quiet sobs could be heard.

Later, in his chamber, Richard made his prayers and hoped that the next day would bring better news, for he had decided to visit an old acquaintance.

~ ♥ ~

The room was dark and cold, the only light a flickering flame of an almost extinguished candle. Elizabeth opened her eyes, awakened by aweak noise.

She looked around and realised she was lying on the bed. After having eaten the frugal meal and helping Mr Darcy to drink at least a cup of tea, she had surrendered herself to exhaustion. This time, however, she had lain down on the large bed as far away as possible from Mr Darcy, as if it could make any difference to her already settled disgrace.

Then she heard the noise again.

“Oh, William!”

His face was hidden in the shadows, but a simple touch was enough to make her heart pound; he was burning with fever.

Chastising herself for having slept, she repeated her afternoon routine, pressing wet pieces of cloth on his head. Remembering his pocket watch, she had retrieved from the pile of dirty clothes, she checked the time. It was almost the four in the morning. It would be two to three hours before Dr Hayford’s return.

“Mother?” Darcy said, startling her.

She frowned, confused. “No, William, it is me, Elizabeth.”

“Mother, where are you?” he asked again, more agitated.

Elizabeth did not know what to do as he kept calling for his mother. The sadness in his weak voice broke her heart. She remembered what he had written in his letter, that his mother had died when Georgiana was born.

An idea crossed her mind when he called again. “Yes, William. I am here, beside you,” she said, taking his hand.

Darcy opened his eyes and looked at her, but he seemed to be in another place. “I did not… I did not want… to leave you, Mother.”

“Oh, William. What are you saying?”

“I did not want to leave you. You… were so weak… I knew you were not well, but Father sent me away… back to school… holiday was over. When I came back home, you were not there. You were gone… Forgive me, Mother…”

“Oh, William…” She could not fathom the pain he must have felt returning home and not finding his mother there; just a cold stone on the ground.

That information added to all she had learnt about his sense of duty. His mother’s death and Georgiana’s almost elopement were heavy burdens he had been carrying.

With no hesitation, Elizabeth squeezed his hand. “William,” she whispered in his ear. “It was not your fault, my dearest. I never doubted you loved me as much as I loved you.” She remembered a passage from the Bible. “Do not fret for me. I am well. And we are going to see each other again. Now rest, my dear. Rest and be well.”

Darcy’s ragged panting slowed down and soon he was breathing normally again. Elizabeth gently caressed his face until he fell asleep, preparing herself for the labouring hours ahead of her.

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