Page 48 of Lord Lonbourn's Daughter
“Not at all. If you need me, I shall be at Bennet House with my sisters,” she informed them.
“Yes, give them my regrets that I cannot accompany you at the moment,” Mr Darcy implored.
“I believe they will understand, sir. I shall be back in a couple of hours at the most.”
Elizabeth hurried out of the door. The threat of tears falling down her cheeks were her constant companion these days. In addition, she felt the well-known cramps beginning in her stomach. She needed a tisane of willow bark; not that it would remove the sting of disappointment.
It was a blessing to be amongst her sisters, who were full of questions about the details of what had happened to her husband. Her father had been apprised about the injuries last evening, but she had not known then what she did now.
Elizabeth told them everything, from Mr Darcy’s wounds to the reason he had sustained them. She also related that Georgiana had been found and that Colonel Fitzwilliam had gone back to Lady Catherine’s townhouse to question Mrs Younge.
“Tell me he did not go back by himself!” Jane exclaimed.
“I know not. I was rather distracted by Miss Darcy’s return,” Elizabeth admitted ruefully.
She left out her disagreement with the colonel. Her fear had been turned on the poor man, who had responded with more grace than she would have. Though his annoyance had not been entirely concealed.
“You are pale, Elizabeth. Can I tempt you with a cup of tea?”
“Thank you, Jane. Some willow bark would not go amiss.”
“Oh dear, should you not lie down?”
“I swear, Jane, nothing has ever been resolved by lying down. I would prefer to walk it off, but I cannot stroll in the park. My husband might need me, and it would not do to have the servants searching for me for God knows how long. However, if you would accompany me for a turn about the garden, I would be most grateful.”
Jane acquiesced, and the two eldest sisters went out of doors. Kitty was well but preferred to stay inside, while Mary happily agreed to keep her company. Elizabeth guided her sister farther into the garden, away from prying eyes and attentive ears.
“I wonder, Jane, now that Miss Darcy has been found and it is no longer necessary for you to marry Mr Bingley, do you prefer to wed regardless, or is there another gentleman who holds your interest in equal measure, if not more?”
“I honestly do not know. Miss Bingley will be disappointed, and so will Mr Bingley, of course.”
“Are you certain?”
“I am not, but it is easy to imagine. Why? What have you heard?”
“I have heard nothing. I am simply curious as to what you want?”
“I…”
Elizabeth waited expectantly, but it would seem that nothing more was forthcoming.
“Do you believe in fate, Elizabeth?”
“I do not know. I have never considered it, why?”
“The archbishop has denied Mr Bingley and me a special licence because Mr Bingley is not a member of the peerage.”
“Well, neither is Mr Darcy.”
“Your husband is the nephew of an earl, while Mr Bingley has connections to trade.”
“As do I, but that did not stop him from granting a special licence.”
“You and I are the daughters of an earl, Lizzy. I suppose none are entirely without connections to trade if the family trees are too closely inspected, but these are only circumstantial excuses. The real reason for the archbishop’s refusal is how Mr Bingley pleaded his case. You know that Mr Darcy went with Papa when they petitioned for your special licence. The archbishop must have a romantic side because, according to Papa, Mr Darcy pleaded his case very convincingly whilst Mr Bingley was not persuasive at all. Regardless of the reason, the wedding must be postponed until an ordinary licence can be procured. Yet I wonder, Elizabeth, whether I may ask you a personal question?”
“Of course. I shall do my best to answer any request from you, Jane.”
“Did Mr Darcy propose to you?”
