Page 42 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
“It is fine, Penny. I ought to have stirred long ago. A letter?”
“Here, Miss Elizabeth. It comes from your family in Hertfordshire. A messenger came at dawn. We believe it is urgent.”
“At dawn?! Oh! Please, let me read it. I should have been woken at once!”
She stretched out her arm, but Mrs Reynolds did not move forward. The woman was not usually so hesitant. Lizzy’s heart began to pound in her chest; had something happened to her aunt? She was sure that her aunt and uncle had been hiding the true extent of their poor health. If something had happened, if the journey had been too much for them.
“Please, Mrs Reynolds!”
Mrs Reynolds moved from the doorway at last, walking to Lizzy’s side and handing her the letter. The seal had already been cut.
“Have you read this?” Lizzy asked, her voice harsh with accusation. “It is open.”
“The master read it,” Mrs Reynolds told her, somewhat huffily. “I do not open the post of others, Miss Bennet.”
“Forgive me. I am just confused. Why would he open a letter meant for me?!”
“I do not know.”
Lizzy unfolded the paper with trembling hands. With the briefest glance to the elegant, sloping handwriting that filled the page, she knew that the letter was from Jane. She was gladdened to see the most welcome, most beloved member of her family had written to her at last – but that happiness faded away as she read each line of the letter.
My dear, dear Lizzy
I write to you with dreadful news. Some four or five weeks ago, I cannot remember for sure, we received word that Lydia had absconded from the Forster’s care and had run away with - oh, it still does not feel real - Lt. Wickham. They have not been seen nor heard from since, though Father has searched high and low for the pair of them. He travelled to Brighton, but no trace of where they might have gone was left behind.
Mother has forbidden us to write to you with the news, fearing that such a scandal will damage your chances with Mr Darcy. That is the true reason why she would not allow me to travel north - she is convinced that, with time and proximity, your feelings for Mr Darcy will change - and that he shall grow affectionate towards you in turn. She is certain that we await a letter from Mr Darcy asking permission for your hand any day now! She is determined that this business with Lydia should be kept as quiet as possible, though she sobs so loudly the village knows that something is amiss. I pray that they believe her distress is because of your circumstances - as it ought to be. She clings to the hope that Mr Darcy might be the answer to our ruined reputation.
I write to ask if you might offer any insight into Mr Wickham’s background, and if you know where they may be. Even Mr Darcy may prove to be some help, if you would defy Mamma and bring this to his attention. I can only imagine what he maythink of our family, but I also do not care. I am desperately worried for our silly younger sister, for I fear his intentions are far from romantic. I thought him to be a fine fellow, but someone of strong character would never perform such an unforgivable act.
I hope that this letter arrives to you promptly; Uncle Gardiner has smuggled it away with promises to send it at once. He is to go and search for Lydia himself, even though I can see a change in him since the terrible accident. I worry for his health as much as I worry for Lydia.
Please, write soon. I think of you each day, and hope that your recovery continues. I hope that Mr Darcy has treated you with kindness; I know that this must be a difficult time for you, and I am only sorry you do not have a better friend with you. I will come to you as soon as I can, I promise.
All my love,
Jane
The letter fell from her hands as she stared ahead in shock. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she tried to understand this terrible news. Gone! How could Lydia vanish as though she were a feather on the breeze? And Wickham! If only Lizzy had shared the truth she knew about the man with her sisters; but then again, would silly, foolish Lydia ever truly listen to her?
“I need to see Mr Darcy. Now. Please, please…” she gasped, a sob shaking through her. “I need to discuss the letter with him. Tell him it is urgent.”
Mrs Reynolds and Penny looked between each other, the younger girl avoiding Lizzy’s eyes as she clutched her handstogether. Lizzy looked at them both with confusion; why were they behaving so strangely?
“The master has gone, Miss Bennet.”
She felt the letter fall from her fingers, but she did not care. Her ears were ringing, her heart beating a wild and unsteady rhythm. She must be asleep, trapped in a nightmare. He would not leave her. He had told her as much last night.
“Gone?! Gone where?”
“He did not say.”
“You must know! When will he come back, this afternoon?”
“He has taken his valet with him, a driver, and three horses. One to ride, two to pull the carriage should he need it later. He has gone on a long journey, Miss, but I cannot say where.”
“He read this letter? You are sure of it?”
“He did. I saw it myself.”
