Falling at Pemberley Chapter 15

As I mentioned last week, this is the last chapter I am going to post. Next week I will give more information about the book. For starters, there is a different title than what I’ve been using here, mainly because this is just what I called it when I began writing it. I will also have the cover reveal and hopefully a date for publication. Thanks for all your fun comments, suspicions, and conjectures! Some have been correct and others have been way off base. Either way, I have truly enjoyed them.

If you are new to the story, here is the link to Chapter 1.

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Chapter 15

Elizabeth could not speak as she and her aunt gathered their belongings for their journey back to Hertfordshire. She fought back tears, which insisted on falling despite her attempts to prevent their escape. Her aunt questioned her over and over again, as to why she was so willing and insistent to depart.

“Lizzy, certainly you want to try to clear your name. I would hate to think people will look upon you as someone whose actions destroyed the hopes and dreams of another.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “We must go.”

“But we ought to wait for Miss Darcy. She will know what to do.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment before answering. “Miss Darcy is very young and does not need to be put in the position that would force her to contradict her housekeeper. I will not do that.”

In truth, Elizabeth hoped Miss Darcy would return before they left, if nothing more than to give her a proper farewell. She had enjoyed Georgiana’s company, despite what the young girl had told her the night before about her feelings for Mr. Bingley.

Once they were packed, Mrs. Reynolds escorted them out to the courtyard, where their carriage awaited. As they passed maids and servants, several glanced at her as if they believed all the rumours that were being spread about her – even ones that most likely had been exaggerated.

As they stepped up into the carriage, Mrs. Reynolds’s features softened. “I want to assure you that this is not something I wanted to do, but something I felt I needed to do. I had some food packed for your travels, and I trust that you will have a safe journey home.”

“Thank you for everything,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

“Yes,” agreed her husband. “We are grateful, indeed.”

Elizabeth murmured a soft, “Thank you,” that was swallowed up in her choked sobs.

They rode in silence as the carriage drove out of Pemberley’s gates. As they traversed the woods, Elizabeth remembered the elation of stepping into them with Mr. Darcy, as well as feeling the shame of knowing that stories were being spread throughout Lambton and Pemberley concerning that walk. As the carriage approached the turn on the road that would give them their final view of Pemberley, she watched intently until they turned and it was gone. She then closed her eyes, tucked her head against the side of the carriage away from her aunt and uncle, and let her tears fall unrestrained as she considered she would never see it – or him – again.

At length, she stirred when she heard her uncle ask if anyone was hungry. While she was not in the mood to eat, she was hungry, and readily took a piece of fruit.

“Thank you,” she said.

Her aunt smiled at her. “Ah, Lizzy, how I wish I could remove all your pain and distress.”

Elizabeth returned a small smile and then turned her eyes to gaze out the window. “In time, I am certain I will recover.”

“I wish we could have stayed – even just one more day.” Mrs. Gardiner let out a long sigh.

“We do not even know when Mr. Darcy will return.”

“No, Lizzy, I suppose not,” Mrs. Gardiner said softly.

“And it matters little, for there is something I discovered last night from Miss Darcy.”

Both her aunt and uncle turned sharply to her. “What?” they both asked.

“She told me that her brother has hopes that she and Mr. Bingley will marry.”

“Miss Darcy and Mr. Bingley? But she is so young!” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Certainly Mr. Darcy does not wish for them to marry now.”

“Yes, she is young, but whether or not her brother wants it now, she believes herself to be in love with him.” Elizabeth cast her eyes down. “Even if Mr. Darcy were to follow me to Longbourn, declare his unending love for me, and ask me… again… for my hand, I could not marry him. Imagine what that would do to Jane, how grieved she would be that my husband’s sister was going to marry the man she once loved – and still loves.”

Her aunt and uncle exchanged glances.

“But Lizzy, you cannot forego your happiness in light of something that may not even happen.”

“I could never do that to Jane,” she insisted.

“This is not sound, Lizzy,” her uncle said. “You are putting yourself in a hopeless situation. For what happens if Mr. Bingley returns to Netherfield and declares his love and devotion to Jane? What will you do then?”

“What do you mean?”

“If Mr. Bingley were to do that, you would still have to refuse Mr. Darcy, for then he would be marrying the sister of the woman who took Mr. Bingley from his sister.”

Mrs. Gardiner took Elizabeth’s hand. “You are making this too difficult, my dear. If the two of you love each other, that is what is most important. You need to think of yourselves and not worry about anyone else.”

Elizabeth groaned and took the last bite of fruit. She hugged her arms about her. “At this point, I have no idea whether I do love him… or whether he loves me.”

Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “Oh, I think you know very well that you love him, and from what I observed, I am fairly certain the gentleman is still in love with you!”

Elizabeth took in a shaky breath and turned her gaze to the window. “Of that, I cannot be certain.”

*~*~*

Georgiana had three visits to make to some elderly tenants and was eager to return to Pemberley. She would have paid a call on Mrs. Wickham had her son had not come back. She had not seen the woman in years, as she was not a tenant of Pemberley, but rather lived with her daughter in Lambton.

Mrs. Annesley would have normally accompanied her, but since she was away, Georgiana was accompanied by Margaret, one of the older maids. She was someone who had a jovial countenance, and Georgiana enjoyed her company. She also assisted the cook in buying meat from the butcher and purchasing other items needed for meals. After their visits, the carriage stopped in Lambton, and Margaret stepped out to purchase some meat.

“I shall stay in the carriage,” Georgiana said.

“As you wish, but I will need Adams to help me carry things out.” She pointed to the coachman.

Georgiana smiled. “I shall just be here resting.”

In truth, the young girl was eager to return to Pemberley to see if there was any word from her brother.

She leaned her head back and had just closed her eyes when the door opened. Her first thought was that she dozed off or they had finished making their purchases in surprisingly quick order. When she opened her eyes she flinched, for she was staring into the face of George Wickham. She felt herself grow weak.

“What… what are you doing here? You really ought not… You need to leave!”

He tilted his head. “I noticed the carriage and then saw that you were inside. It has been far too long since we have seen one another.” He smiled and slowly scratched his jaw. “Have you missed me as much as I have missed you?”

Georgiana trembled, looking out on the street, hoping for the maid and coachman to return. She turned back. “No, I have not. My brother… my brother has warned you to stay away.”

“From Pemberley, yes, but I can walk down this street as freely as any other.”

Georgiana swallowed hard, drawing back her slender shoulders. “I insist that you leave immediately!”

A slow look of dejection filled his face. “And I always thought you to be so kind. Have you not any words of sympathy for my loss? My mother died no more than an hour ago.” He cast his eyes down. “I am so grieved.”

Georgiana closed her eyes, and then opened them, looking right at him. “I offer you… and your sister and her family my… the sympathies of my brother and me. I pray you will be comforted in your loss.”

Wickham smiled. “There! I feel so much better.” He casually leaned against the open door and began cleaning his fingernails. He slowly looked up at her with a single brow lifted. “So what can you tell me about all the rumours that are rampant around here concerning your brother and… let me see if I have this right. There is a rumour regarding him and Miss Angeline Westerfield. Mmm, she was a beauty. Something about the possibility of him asking for her hand? And then there have been several rumours about him and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who, I believe stirred up a bit of jealousy, prompting the Westerfields to depart suddenly and without any notice.” He leaned in. “What have you to say about these things?”

Georgiana could barely breathe, and her heart pounded fiercely. “I… I have nothing to say. Rumours are nothing but…”

“But then there is the shocking rumour about him and Miss Bennet alone in the woods. Does your brother often go walking with young ladies unaccompanied? In the woods?” He shook his head. “I thought him better than that.”

“Wickham, get away from the carriage at once!”

Georgiana closed her eyes in relief at the sound of the coachman’s voice. His commanding voice was all that was needed to make Mr. Wickham step away from the carriage.

Adams put the large bundle he was carrying into the carriage and looked up. “I am so sorry, Miss Darcy. We never should have left you alone.” He turned his head towards Wickham’s retreating figure. “The nerve of that man!” He looked back at her and shook his head. “Your brother will be very displeased.”

When Margaret joined them, Adams told her what had happened. She stepped into the carriage and sat down next to Georgiana, taking her hand. “I know your brother has told the staff that Mr. Wickham is not a man to be trusted and was not to come near Pemberley. He also informed us that he was back in the area, but I had not a notion that he would be so brazen as to approach you. I am deeply sorry.” She pursed her lips and let out a long sigh. “I hope me and Adams don’t lose our jobs over this. I don’t know what I’d do.”

Georgiana placed her still-trembling hand over the woman’s. “My brother will do no such thing. Please do not worry.”

The look of worry did not leave the maid’s face, and she began to twist her fingers.

“Truly, Margaret. Please do not let this concern you.”

“Oh, but my dear, there is something else that happened in there, and I fear your brother is going to be even more upset.”

Georgiana knit her brows. “What?”

“We encountered Mrs. Harper – the blacksmith’s wife – inside, and she inquired whether the rumours about your brother and some lady – or some ladies – were true.” She shook her head and let out a long sigh. “Oh, dear! There is talk everywhere about them.”

Georgiana turned and looked out the window. Unfortunately, what Mr. Wickham had said about the rampant rumours were true. She closed her eyes. No, her brother would not be happy about this at all.

*~*~*

Darcy was elated to be on the road headed back to Pemberley. He looked forward to seeing Elizabeth again and was grateful for the clear skies as he pushed his horse as hard as he thought prudent. The roads were still damp, but not as muddy as they had been the day before. He would make better time and hopefully arrive at Pemberley before dusk.

He smiled when he saw Pemberley appear before him at the bend in the road. It was a view that gave him much joy, knowing he was finally home. Today, however, there was even greater reason to rejoice. He would find the time – make the time – to tell Elizabeth he still loved her. A slight tremor deep within brought him to the stark realization that he was still not certain of her feelings for him. He would cling to Angeline’s conviction that Elizabeth had strong feelings for him. But were they strong enough?

He brought the horse into the courtyard, and seeing no one, threw the reins around a post. He would send one of the servants after a stable boy to care for the horse. He looked at himself and scowled at the dirt and sweat that covered him. He knew he would have to bathe to make himself presentable before seeing Elizabeth.

Some of the staff nodded at him as he passed them, hurrying through the hall towards his room. He waved to Mrs. Reynolds as she came around the corner from the other direction.

“Ahh, Mr. Darcy, I am so glad you have returned. There is…”

“Mrs. Reynolds, I must ask you to fetch my valet and have him draw me a bath. I need to clean up, and then I will go see Miss Bennet and the Gardiners.”

“Ah, sir…” Mrs. Reynolds began, deep lines of worry running across her brow. “About them. There is something I must tell you.”

“What is it?” His long legs came to an abrupt halt.

“Sir, they have left.”

Darcy’s jaw dropped. “Forgive me, but did you say they have left?” He could feel the huge weight of disappointment crash down upon him. “Why?”

He watched his housekeeper’s face grow pale. “Sir, I think it best we go to your study… or the library so I can explain in privacy.”

“No, I would prefer to know right here.”

She shook her head. “No sir, there are enough rumours rampant about you, and I do not want anyone to overhear us.”

“Rumours?” Darcy scowled and began walking. “Come, then!”

His long, hurried strides easily put him ahead of the older woman, who was forced to take quicker steps to keep up with him. When they reached the study and walked in, Darcy turned, crossing his arms. “Now what is the meaning of this? Why did they leave?”

Mrs. Reynolds spoke in a soft, slow voice. “Rumours have begun circulating about you and Miss Bennet, both within the very walls of Pemberley and in Lambton.” She drew in a long breath. “I thought it was prudent – for her reputation and yours – that they leave directly.”

His eyes darkened as he slowly shook his head. “Please do not tell me you asked them to leave.”

Mrs. Reynolds seemed a bit taken aback, but she straightened her shoulders and faced him squarely. “The rumours were such that I did not feel it prudent for them to remain.”

“What sort of rumours?”

“First there was the rumour that you and Miss Bennet had danced a waltz in the music room together.”

“Is that all? Heavens, it is true, and there was nothing improper about it. Georgiana was there. She was the one playing the piece!” With a frown etched on his face, he gave his housekeeper a pointed look. “Was this justification to ask them to leave?”

“Perhaps not, but the Westerfields’ sudden and unexplained departure brought about a second round of rumours. It was supposed that one of the Westerfields had seen you and Miss Bennet dancing, and they were greatly offended, so they left.”

Darcy began to rub his jaw and was silent for a moment. “As a matter of fact, I did speak with Miss Westerfield about their sudden departure. She admitted she had seen us dance, but she claimed she had not told anyone.” He suddenly looked up at Mrs. Reynolds. “Do we have a young maid employed at Pemberley who has red curly ringlets about her face?”

“Yes, sir. That would be Harriett Abbott.”

Darcy groaned. “Is her mother Mrs. Abbott, the woman who is known about Lambton for her tendency to spread rumours and gossip?”

Mrs. Reynolds. “She is, sir. We had hoped, however, that Harriett would not follow in her mother’s footsteps when we hired her.”

“Well,” Darcy said as he sat down. “At least I have an idea where these rumours began.” He gave a pointed look at Mrs. Reynolds. “But I do not think them serious enough to ask our guests to leave. Would you be so kind as to bring Harriett to me?”

Mrs. Reynolds put up her hand. “Before I do that, I must inform you of one last rumour.”

Darcy’s eyes shot up. “What would that be?”

“Apparently, you were… you and Miss Bennet were seen walking alone in the woods together.”

“This is absurd!” He pushed himself out of the chair and walked to the window, trying to control the swell of anger threatening to consume him. “There was nothing scandalous or even rumour-worthy in that walk!” He took a moment before turning back to the woman who had been Pemberley’s housekeeper since before he was even born.

“Where is Georgiana?”

“She went out earlier to pay some calls. She returned and went directly to her chambers.”

Darcy’s fists clenched. “So she was from home when all this transpired?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Is she aware of this?”

“No, sir. I have not had the opportunity to tell her.”

Darcy walked to his desk and braced his hands on the back of his chair. “Please find Harriett and bring her to me.” He looked up at Mrs. Reynolds. “I will need to speak to you, as well, when you return with her.”

“Yes, sir.” Mrs. Reynolds replied, as she walked out the door. Her shoulders sagged as she breathed out a long sigh.

When she walked out of the room, Darcy raked his hand through his hair, feeling as though he had stepped into a nightmare, instead of the joyous dream he had been anticipating. “Could things get any worse?” He leaned against the wall of the study and closed his eyes.

“Fitzwilliam, I am so glad you have returned! There is something I must tell you.”

Darcy opened his eyes to see Georgiana hurrying towards him, a pained look on her face. “I am not particularly glad to be home.”

Georgiana nodded. “You have heard about the rumours?”

He nodded. “Were you aware that Mrs. Reynolds asked the Gardiners and Miss Bennet to leave because of those rumours?”

Georgiana’s eyes widened. “Oh, no! I cannot believe it!”

“Neither can I, but it is done.” He looked at her sadly. “And I had been so looking forward to seeing her… Miss Bennet.” He paused and then asked, “How did you come to hear of the rumours?”

Georgiana pursed her lips and cast her eyes down.

“Georgiana?”

“I… encountered Mr. Wickham in Lambton.”

Darcy felt a shudder jolt through him. “He did not approach you, did he?”

“He did. I was in the carriage while Margaret stopped to buy some meat from the butcher. Adams went with her to help her carry it back out to the carriage.”

“They left you alone in the carriage? You should not have even gone into Lambton.”

“I was only left alone for a few minutes.”

“I do not care how short a time it was. Look what happened in only a few minutes! Must I get rid of all my staff for their incompetence?”

“All the staff?”

Darcy took in a breath to calm himself. “The rumours. You said you had heard about them.”

She nodded. “Mr. Wickham mentioned something…”

“Oh, I would wager he did!”

“And then Margaret said the butcher informed her of some rumours that were being spread about Lambton.”

“Well, in your absence and mine, Mrs. Reynolds decided it was her duty to ask the Gardiners and Miss Bennet to leave, as she… Miss Bennet… was the object of the worst of these rumours. Mrs. Reynolds claimed it was to protect me and my name.” He dropped his head back. “Does she not realize I am more concerned with protecting Elizabeth’s name than my own?”

Georgiana stumbled towards him and fell against him, wrapping her arms about him. “This grieves me as much as it must grieve you.” She drew her head back and looked up at him. “I can see you are angry; please do not do anything you will come to regret.”

He let out a soft huff. “Such as release Mrs. Reynolds, Margaret, Adams, and Harriet from their duties?”

“I know you would not dismiss Mrs. Reynolds. You must realize she is not aware of what your feelings for Miss Bennet have been. I am certain she was only doing what she felt was right.”

“Yes, I know.”

“But how was Harriet involved?”

“I believe she was the source of two of the rumours. She likely mentioned to her mother that she had seen Miss Bennet and me dancing, and she had noticed the Westerfields’ sudden departure. But the rumour of Elizabeth and me in the woods…” He rubbed his jaw, suddenly noticing that it felt rough from not having had a shave since yesterday. “Wickham saw us together, but I had only just encountered her when he saw us.” He paused. “And while the thought of letting all my staff go has some appeal to me to appease my anger, no, I will not. Save, perhaps for Harriet.”

Georgiana’s brows narrowed, and she steepled her fingers, placing them up to her lips. “But I seem to recollect that her mother is good friends with Mr. Wickham’s sister. I wonder…”

There was a tap at the door, and Mrs. Reynolds stepped in. “Harriet will be here shortly, sir.”

Georgiana put up her hand. “Could my brother and I have another moment together in privacy, please?”

“Certainly.” She stepped out, closing the door behind her.

“Fitzwilliam, I know you are angry, grieved, and greatly disappointed, and I can understand that. But consider Harriet. I have often spoken with her, and I do not believe she would do or say anything with ill-intent. I believe she just mentioned some things she saw here to her mother, who then took it upon herself to spread the rumours.”

“But she should not have!”

“No, perhaps not. But do you not think we could now use her to help squelch some of those rumours? Allow her to remain on staff, but inform her of the truth of what happened and how important it is to not to speak to others of what happens here – especially if she wants to keep her job.”

“And the rumour Wickham likely started? I am certain he told his sister he saw us together in the woods. She told Mrs. Abbott, who then told…” He shook his head. “Everyone!”

She stepped closer and took her brother’s hand. “Yes, but people in Lambton know Wickham – and they know you. Once they discover it was Wickham who started it – and likely embellished it, they will think no more about it.”

“You are such a sweet optimist, Georgiana.” He paused and stood up. “I shall allow Harriet to remain on staff with the strict warning that one more infraction and she will be gone.” He leaned over and kissed the top of his sister’s head. “Now, is there anything else you want to say before I speak to her?”

A forlorn look crossed her face. “Mrs. Wickham died earlier today.”

Darcy raised a brow and took a few moments to reply. Finally, he said, “I am sorry for their loss.” He braced his arms against the desk. “Well, I think I have had enough distressing news for the day.”

Georgiana smiled. “I think I have, as well.”

Darcy tilted his head at his sister. “You know that you are very wise for your young age.”

Chuckling, she replied, “That is exactly what Miss Bennet told me.”

This prompted Darcy to smile. “And why did she tell you that?”

Georgiana’s smiled faded. “I told her about how once I had been very wrong in thinking I loved a person.” She quickly shook her head. “I did not tell her his name or give her any details, but she told me she thought I was very wise.”

“I am glad she thinks so, as well.”

“Yes.” Her eyes lit up. “I then told her about how I now have strong feelings for another, much finer gentleman.”

Darcy drew in a halted breath. “You are referring to Bingley, are you not?”  He stood erect and motionless. “Did you… did you give her his name?” He felt as though his heart stopped beating in the few moments before she replied.

She nodded. “Yes, I did, for I knew she was acquainted with him and thought she would be most pleased!”