Page 49 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
“We have spoken enough of Lydia. I do not wish to say any more on the matter.”
“No… No, Miss Bennet. She is here.”
“Jane is here?! Take me to her!”
“Of course,” he smiled, bowing his head. “As you command, my love.”
He placed a final kiss on her forehead before pushing her back towards the house. She was taken into the house by the two footmen who were never too far away from her (and had no doubt witnessed their happy reunion). Fitzwilliam pushed her to the library, her heart fluttering as they made their way through the corridor. When he opened the door, the welcome sight of Jane sitting in the window seat staring out of the window delighted Lizzy’s heart.
Jane leapt from her seat, rushing towards Elizabeth and kneeling before her. Tears shone in her eyes as her gaze roamedover her sister’s body. She took Lizzy’s hands in hers, pressing them to her cheek as she closed her eyes.
“Lizzy! My dearest Lizzy!” Jane kissed her knuckles before opening her eyes and rising to her feet. “I was so scared for you. I had to see you.”
“Jane! How did you convince Mamma to let you come?”
“Oh, Lizzy, I shall be in terrible trouble. Mr Darcy quite stole us away, It is not just me! Papa has come too; he insisted. I was quite confused, for he has never been fond of long journeys, nor the houses of others. We crouched down in the carriage until we were down the lane! We could hear Mamma calling us even then!”
Lizzy burst into laughter at the thought of Jane, quiet, obedient Jane, hiding away in Mr Darcy’s carriage with their father whilst their mother frantically searched for them.
“Oh Jane! You did all that for me!”
“Of course. You look well, dear sister, and I am glad to see it. I have been so very worried. When our aunt first wrote to us to tell us, the whole dreadful business had me wanting to run to you. Mamma bolted the door to stop me.”
“I am well. Mr Darcy has been most generous in his hospitality.”
“How much he has done for our family! Lydia told me herself that he stood as best man at their wedding, though she was sorely cross about the whole thing. Oh, you should see her Lizzy! Her head is bigger than ever, she thinks herself quite the important lady.”
“Jane!” Lizzy giggled. “How changed you are - running away from Mamma and making scathing comments, all at once!”
“I know! Without you there, I supposed someone ought to have a level head and a sharp tongue! Lizzy, I have missed you so! I was so worried. When I saw Aunt Gardiner, my worry only increased. She looked dreadful, sister, so pale and drawn. What misfortune you have suffered!”
“Has she returned to London?”
“Yes. She wrote to us to say that she is safe and well. The children were glad to see her.”
“I am glad for it. Now she might recover, as we all must. The accident has changed me forever, I know that. But it is the past now,” Lizzy smiled sadly, “Now, dear sister, I am looking to the future.”
∞∞∞
Lizzy and Jane did not move from the library, sitting hand in hand as they spoke excitedly about all that had happened in their parting. Jane had little news of Meryton, for she had not been allowed to leave the house. Longbourn had been in chaos for weeks, first with the news of Lydia’s escape from the Forsters’ care, and then Lizzy’s accident.
“I was so afraid, Lizzy. I thought I should never see you again,” Jane said, her voice trembling. “And when Mamma said that we could not travel to you, I tried everything to convince her.”
“I never doubted that you had no choice in the matter.”
“I thought of you every moment of every day, my dear sister. How pleased I am to see you looking so well!”
“I have been well cared for.”
There was a cough from the doorway. Lizzy and Jane turned at once, and Lizzy was thrilled to find her father standing there. He looked tired; no doubt the journey would have exhausted him. The search for Lydia, too, must have taken a toll.
“Papa! How wonderful to see you!” Lizzy exclaimed.
“And you, my dear Lizzy! Jane, please leave us.”
“Yes, Papa.”
Jane rose at once, leaning down to kiss her sister’s cheek. She did the same to their father, before slipping out of the library and closing the door behind her. Lizzy was alone with her father, and the pair stared at one another for a few moments before he finally spoke.
