The Ashes of Longbourn (8 page)

“That would be kind of you, Lord Matlock. Perhaps he would have a suggestion of where to look for Darcy so I can begin sending out investigators to locate him.”
~~ ** ~~
Bingley arrived at the townhouse of Lord and Lady Matlock that evening. He was greeted by the butler who escorted him to the drawing room. Lady Matlock curtsied while Bingley bowed to her. “Mr Bingley, my husband says that you have wonderful news for William. I so wish we knew where he and Georgiana had planned to go next. We sent an express to Pemberley, in the hopes that Mrs Reynolds knows where they might be.”
“I can only assume that he has suffered greatly, believing that Elizabeth was dead.” Bingley said.
A man’s voice came from behind Bingley. “What do you mean, believing that Elizabeth was dead?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked as he entered the room. Concern was etched on the soldier’s weathered face. “Are you telling me that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is alive? Your sister is the one who told me she had died with the rest of her family.”
“Yes, well, I thought it wise to keep Caroline away from Netherfield. Jane and Elizabeth have endured so much, especially Elizabeth, as she is still recovering from her injuries. When the paper claimed that the entire family died, we never refuted the information, as we thought those who needed to know had been informed. Now I see we should have handled the situation differently. Your cousin would not be suffering unnecessarily and would, most likely, have returned to Elizabeth.”
“Good God, I was the one who went to Scotland to tell William so that he would not hear the news from anyone else. He was distraught, even broke a set of windows, cutting his hands. I thought, for sure, that if he had been left alone, he would have caused himself a great harm.”
“Richard, you were trying to protect him from someone carelessly informing him, as you stated Miss Bingley had told you. Was it not in the street, and nearly joyful in the fact that the entire family was said to be dead?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded, looking cautiously at Bingley. “I did not believe it to be true, Bingley, so I came home and searched through the newspapers. It was there that I read of the tragedy.”
“We are not certain how that rumor started, though I have allowed Caroline to believe it, fearing how she would treat my fiancé as well as Elizabeth. Elizabeth is frail, and still has a long road of recovery before her.”
“How was she injured?” Richard asked.
“She and Jane were in her room, so they went out the window. Jane climbed down the trellis as Elizabeth told her, then Lizzy attempted to reach the middle sister, Mary. While Elizabeth was outside the second floor window, there was an explosion, which threw Elizabeth through the air, and she struck the trunk of a nearby tree. You can well imagine that she looked like a broken china doll when we arrived to help the Bennets. The flames could be seen from Netherfield and other estates through the area. That night is permanently burned into my mind.”
“And now, is she recovered?” Richard was having a difficult time imagining the strong, vivacious young lady he had met in the spring being so harmed.
Bingley looked away. “Elizabeth still feels nothing from her waist down. We fear that it will be permanent. Both of her legs were nearly shattered. The left leg will always give her difficulty, if she regains the use of it, that is. The burns and cuts are nearly healed, though she has many scars. Her broken ribs have mended, as well as some of her other minor injuries. But now we are worried, as she is so thin and lifeless most of the time. She has not been from her bedchambers since the fire. I have purchased a wheeled chair for her; it should arrive within the week at Netherfield. Colonel, you have seen her. Elizabeth is nothing more than skin and bone. Even her hair is lifeless. There is no life in her eyes. I only learned a few weeks ago that she had an arrangement with Darcy, and I fear that every day which goes by, with no word from him, she loses the will to continue living.”
“That is not the Elizabeth Bennet I met. She was lively and her eyes sparkled with mischief. What does the physician say of her condition?”
“Mr Freemont agrees with the belief that Jane and I hold, which is that she is devastated at the fact that Darcy has not come to her. She believes that he has abandoned her. We have tried to come up with a reason that he had not responded to my letters, but she asks Jane daily if there has been any word. Each day, when there is no word, she sinks a little further into melancholy.”
“I will send expresses to Pemberley and to Scotland. Perhaps Darcy’s Aunt Rebecca knows where they were going. She had talked as if she would travel with them. Her daughter still lives in Scotland, at the estate where I went to speak with Darcy. I do not return to duty for a fortnight, I will go wherever necessary to bring him back to England.”
“Colonel, I appreciate your offer. I must state to you that Jane fears that in Elizabeth’s mind, Darcy already knows what has happened and has decided he cannot tolerate her frailty and has refused to return to her. As I said, each day, with no word, she sinks further into her melancholia. If we learn he does not wish to contend with such afflictions ravaging Elizabeth, I wish to know myself as soon as possible.”
“If you had seen the devastation in his eyes, the cries that came from him, you would have no doubt of his feelings towards her. I have the confidence that he will come immediately to be with her. Nothing would change his love for her.”
“I pray that you are correct. Where were these relatives in Scotland?”
Richard walked towards the door of the room. “I will write a message to Rebecca. Father, could you have an express runner prepared to leave as soon as I am finished?”
Lord Matlock nodded his head.
For the first time in several months, Charles Bingley took a deep breath and prayed that there would be a future for his fiancé’s sister.
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Chapter 7
Darcy and Georgiana had traveled many locations before finally ending up at the small estate that Darcy owned near Belfast, Ireland. They had been traveling for months and had been in Ireland for a fortnight. Darcy had started to think of staying in Ireland permanently. He and Georgiana liked the area and they considered making this their home.
They had come into Belfast to do some shopping. Returning to the inn where they were staying while in Belfast, they went to the dining room to have some refreshments. There was a family dining nearby.
“Edwin, do we have time to stop at the shop with confections before we leave. I wish to find something special to take with us to Netherfield. After everything that has happened, a treat from another country might bring the girls a smile.”
“I believe we do have an hour to spare, though I do not know if they will ever be able to smile again after such an ordeal. It has been difficult for me to believe.”
Hearing their speaking of Netherfield, Darcy was instantly drawn to their conversation. Could there be another Netherfield? Surely they were not speaking of Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire. He had to know for sure. Darcy stood and walked to the table where the family was seated.
“Forgive me for eavesdropping, but I could not help hear you say that you were traveling to Netherfield. Might I ask where Netherfield is?”
“Might I ask your name, Sir? I do not speak of our plans to just anyone.” Edwin Gardiner stated.
“Of course, forgive my manners. My name is Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. The Netherfield you were speaking of, was it, by chance, Netherfield Park?”
“Mr Darcy, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Edwin Gardiner and this is my wife, Helen. She is from Lambton, in Derbyshire.”
“That is only five miles from Pemberley, and I know it well. Mrs Gardiner, might I ask your family name?”
“It is Thompson, Mr Darcy. My father ran the general store in Lambton.” Helen Gardiner stated.
Darcy was surprised. “I remember Mr Thompson. He was a kind man. I remember watching all the children in the neighborhood enjoying the candy he gave to them.”
“He was quite popular with the children and their families.” Helen said with a slight chuckle. “My mother always teased him that the parents of the children would not thank him for their sticky children after they got the candy all over their clothing.”
This gave Darcy a smile at the memories. Then he began to have a nagging feeling, a partial thought that was on the tip of his tongue but unable to find completion. “Gardiner, I know that it is a common name, but somehow I feel as if someone I am close to has a close connection with a family named Gardiner. Where do you call home?”
“We live in London, though you most likely would have heard our name from our family. They are from Hertfordshire.”
Reality suddenly struck him. Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle, their name was Gardiner and they lived in London. “Forgive me; I did not realize until just now who you are. Please accept my condolences for your loss.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy. We have been in Ireland since just before the fire and are leaving today to journey there. Your friend, Mr Bingley, has invited us to stay at Netherfield for as long as we would like. There is much to determine for the future.”
Darcy was puzzled. What could there be to determine for the future? The Bennet family was dead, they had no future. Why would Bingley be in contact with the Gardiners and invite them to come to Netherfield? “I am confused, Mr Gardiner, what is there to determine? From what I was told, the house was completely destroyed and the estate was entailed to Mr Bennet’s cousin.”
It was Mr Gardiner’s turn to be confused. “Forgive me, Mr Darcy, but we have no concern over the estate. We are needed to determine what will happen to my nieces.”
Darcy’s knees began to buckle and he turned pale almost instantly. Mr and Mrs Gardiner moved quickly to assist Darcy in sitting down before he could fall to the floor. Georgiana was at her brother’s side quickly. Finally, Darcy was able to speak and there was only one question he needed answered. “Mr Gardiner, you said your nieces. Are you saying that your nieces survived the fire?”
“Only two of them did, though it has been our understanding that our dear Lizzy has been severely injured. She and Jane are staying at Netherfield.”
Tears began to flow freely from Darcy’s eyes. “Elizabeth is alive? Are you certain? We were told that they had all perished in the fire.”
“We received letters from Mr Bingley and Jane. From what we know, Lizzy was able to wake Jane and the two went out the bedroom window. Lizzy had Jane climb down while she went to Mary’s room to attempt to rescue Mary, and there was an explosion. Elizabeth was thrown from the roof and she came to a stop against a tree. From Jane’s description, many bones were broken as well as burns and cuts. And…”
“Mr Gardiner, please continue. I need to hear the rest.” Darcy pleaded.
“The letter stated that Elizabeth had no feeling from her waist down. In a way, it is a blessing. Both of her legs were broken in several places and the pain would have been severe. The letter also said that it is possible that, after the swelling and bruising subsided from her spine, the paralysis may subside.”
“Elizabeth is alive…that is all that matters. She is truly alive?”
“She was when we received the last letter which we received a week ago.” Mrs Gardiner said.
“And you are leaving today to journey to Netherfield?” Darcy asked.
“Yes, our ship sails in two hours.”
So many thoughts were racing through his mind. He had to return to England. He had to return to Elizabeth. Turning to Georgiana, it was as if she could read his mind. Nodding, Georgiana agreed that they would leave as soon as arrangements could be made.
“Mr Gardiner, are you and your family willing to wait until tomorrow and travel with us. I will pay for your lodging and expenses for staying here, and I plan to hire a ship to take us to England as soon as possible.”
Mr and Mrs Gardiner looked at each other. There was obviously more to this young man’s behavior and willingness to travel with only a moment’s notice. “Mr Darcy, might I ask you why you are interested in my niece?”
“My interest is that I love her dearly. We were last together in Kent, while I was at my aunt’s home and Elizabeth was at the parsonage. She granted me permission to court her, though I had to leave for Pemberley and we were waiting until I could come to Longbourn to speak to Mr Bennet. Then I received word that Georgiana was taken ill in Scotland and had to rush to her. My cousin came to Scotland as I was preparing to return to England. He brought news of the fire. He had been told by Mr Bingley’s sister that none survived. It was also in the newspapers, and Richard brought one of the articles with him.”
Georgiana placed a hand on her brother’s shoulder. “We have been traveling as my brother has been devastated at the thought that Miss Elizabeth was dead. He did not wish to return to our home as he had wished to marry her and take her there. When he was at Pemberley, he had our housekeeper begin fixing the Mistress’s Chambers for Miss Elizabeth.”
Mrs Gardiner was barely able to contain the pool of tears that were pleading to flow from her eyes. She looked at her husband and nodded her head. Mr Gardiner returned his attention to Darcy. “Sir, I believe that it is acceptable for us to travel with you. I can see that you have been deeply affected by the news and it is clear that you have tender regards for our Lizzy. She will need all of us through this trying time. And I must tell you, in our last letter from Jane, she stated that each day Lizzy grows more melancholy from expecting word from a man to whom she had lost her heart. They had feared that when he learned of her injuries, he had abandoned her. It appears that you were that man, though you did not know the truth.”
“Thank you, Mr Gardiner. I will do whatever is needed to assist Elizabeth. I would never abandon her, no matter her injuries. Elizabeth is dear to me, as dear as if she were the air that fills my lungs. Her injuries can be overcome. I love her, and wish to spend the rest of my life with her at my side.”