What if Elizabeth was fit for an asylum?
Mr. Darcy marched out of Darcy House towards Hyde Park in quick strides, ignoring the following footman sent by Georgiana. He was frustrated by his sister’s ridiculous suggestion, begging him to marry Caroline Bingley so the fawning woman could take care of his failing health. As if he needed taking care of! He was no invalid. He had only bumped his head when he fell from his horse three months earlier.
A few moments after he walked into a quiet corner of Hyde Park, a young woman approached him. The setting sun glowed on her dark hair and painted her cheeks a lovely rosy complexion.
“Excuse me, sir. Can you point me in the direction of … Mr. Darcy’s residence? The coachman assured me it is quite near here.”
Surprised, Darcy stared at the woman he did not know. “Why?” The word came out harsher than he would have liked. The woman winched and took a step back.
“I need to … see Mr. Darcy,” she murmured.
“Why?” With a deep scowl, Darcy repeated the question, this time in a more controlled manner.
“I have a matter to discuss with Mr. Darcy that cannot be … delayed.” Her face turned red and a cloud of uncertainty filled her fine eyes. “It seems you do not know the way. I am sorry for interrupting your walk.” She curtseyed and turned to leave.
“Are you an acquaintance of Mr. Darcy?”
She stopped. “I cannot … divulge that.”
Darcy drew in a deep breath, to suppress his anger. “What is your name?”
She bit her lips.
“Surely you do not expect me to direct you to the residence of an honourable man without asking more detail.”
“Oh, so you know Mr. Darcy!”
He nodded.
“And he is an honourable man?”
Darcy stared at the woman. “What is your name?”
“Miss Elizabeth … Ben ... hmm,” The woman raised her hand to rub her temple.
“Miss Bennam, I do not know your business, and I am sure that I do not know you.”
Her mouth gaped for a second, as if to protest, but then a thought entered her mind. Her eyes rounded as she said, “You are Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy turned to leave, but she grabbed his arm. He shivered, a thrilling shrilling sensation cruised through his body, caused by her touch. He turned a cold stare at her.
She withdrew her hand immediately. “Please, sir, I can explain.”
He wanted to walk away, but something in her eyes made him stop.
“I suffered a fall during a walk,” she swallowed, “and cannot remember where I live, except your name, Pemberley, and your … delightful library.”
Anger brew in Darcy’s chest. How could this young woman, who looked so innocent and fetching, invent such a silly scheme to try to make his acquaintance! Perhaps she was an escapee from Bedlam. He turned to walk away again, but the woman grasped his arm once more. With some strength, he struggled to free his arms and pushed her away. She winched, her legs trembled, and she swayed, the back of her head hitting a nearby tree. Her knee buckled and she slid down the ground.
Darcy swore and was sure she had pretended to swoon, but after two steps away from the woman, he glanced back to find she was still lying there motionless. He darted to her side. “Miss Bennam!”
Her eyes remained closed. He grasped her shoulders and shook her lightly, but she lay limp. With more force, he jolted her again. Her head lolled forward.
Darcy gasped on seeing blood seeping from the back of her head. Drawing in a deep breath, he took off his greatcoat, wrapped it around her, and picked her up.
“Send for the doctor!” he called out to the footman, who were a few steps away, and quickly carried the young woman to Darcy House.
Darcy took a breath of relief when he put the woman down in one of his guest chambers. He called for warm water and some cloths to clean the wound on her head, while he waited for the doctor to arrive.
“Brother, are you hurt?” Georgiana rushed into the room with a worried expression. “I heard the doctor is being sent for.”
“No, Miss Bennam hurt her head in the park.”
“Miss Bennam?”
He shook his head, signalling for Georgiana to hold off her questions until he tended to the patient. Once he had done so, and instructed the maid to watch over Miss Bennam, he took his sister to a private room.
“What is the matter, Fitzwilliam? And who is this Miss Bennam?”
Darcy brushed his hand over his hair and shrugged his shoulders. “I do not know.”
“What do you mean?”
“I met the lady in Hyde Park. She asked me directions to here.”
“Here? Do you know her?”
“No.”
“Why does she want to come to Darcy House?”
“She said she wanted to see me.”
Georgiana scowled. “But you do not know her. How did she come to be injured?”
Darcy felt heat on his face. “I pushed her away and she hit her head on the tree.”
She gasped. “Brother! What did she do, to make you act in such a way?”
He shifted his weight from one foot to the next. “She said she suffered a fall during a walk and cannot remember where she lives, except my name, Pemberley, and my library.”
“That is absurd!”
“My thoughts indeed.”
“But why did you push her away?”
“She grabbed my arm, twice,” Darcy said. “I was afraid she wanted to compromise me, in the park.”
“But you are a grown man, almost a head taller than she!”
Darcy felt the heat on his face rise. He should not have let his sister’s over protective behaviour and the ridiculous suggestion about Miss Bingley get the better of him. He overreacted when Miss Bennam had grabbed his arm and now the lady was injured, seriously. He had no words to retort.
“What are we going to tell the doctor?” Georgiana’s words startled him.
“The truth. Or Doctor Dickson cannot give Miss Bennam the correct treatment.”
Georgiana nodded and left the room, returning shortly afterwards with the doctor to join Darcy in the guest chamber.
“What can you tell me about the patient?” The doctor glanced from the brother to sister with interest. He had been the Darcy’s family doctor since they were babies. He had never seen them so uncomfortable in his presence.
After Darcy explained the circumstances, the doctor understood why they attended to the patient themselves. “Miss Bennam has not woken up since she knocked her head on the tree?” he asked.
Darcy shook his head.
The doctor examined Miss Bennam. “She needs some stitches. There is a long gash here.”
Darcy turned pale, and felt remorseful.
The doctor added, “It is unlikely that your push has caused it, as I can see a more recent lump above it. The gash probably gaped open when she hit the tree.”
“It is still my fault. I am sorry.” Darcy said in a low voice, to no one in particular, while Georgiana stood by the bed to assist the doctor.
Once the stitching was completed, and a bandage applied, the doctor tried to wake Miss Bennam with smelling salts. After a few attempts, she stuttered, and coughed. Georgiana sat on the bed and held her, preventing her from hurting herself by moving too suddenly.
When Miss Bennam finally opened her eyes, the doctor said, “I am Doctor Dickson. How are you feeling, Miss?”
Miss Bennam winched. “It hurts.” Darcy stared at her fine eyes. They were dark green, resembling the lush foliage of a mysterious forest. They were expressive, conveying her pain right to Darcy’s heart. His remorse increased.
“That is understandable,” the elderly doctor said softly. “Your head has suffered two traumas.”
“Two?” she looked from the doctor to Darcy and Georgiana, and then around the guest chamber. “Where am I?” she asked.
“Darcy House.”
“Oh, I finally found it!”
“Why are you in search of Darcy House?” Doctor Dickson said.
Elizabeth darted her eyes to Georgiana, then to Darcy. “I cannot divulge …” She stopped and sighed. “In fact I do not know.”
“Tell me what you do know,” Doctor Dickson said, kindly.
She looked back to Darcy again. He was not sure if the depth of her eyes spoke of confusion, fear or anger? “Forget about Mr. Darcy, and his sister,” the doctor said.
“Oh, he is Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth exclaimed. Darcy could see her eyes sparkled, with excitement, but then they dimmed almost immediately.
The doctor nodded. “Just tell me what you remember.”
Her eyes darted towards the windows, and then she licked her lips and said in a pleasant soft voice, “I remember … running up the hill … to Mount Oak ... hmm, then I tripped on some rocks and rolled down a slope. When I woke up, I could not remember where I lived or where I came from. I walked aimlessly for a while, and then I met a farmer who asked me if I was injured. I did not feel any pain on my body, but I did have a headache. He kindly agreed to take me to the nearest town and escorted me to an inn. It was a coaching inn. I still could not remember where I lived, except I recalled something about a Mr. Darcy, Pemberley, and his delightful library. The innkeeper asked me if I wanted to stay the night. I had my reticule with me, but was afraid I may not have enough money to last long. When a coach pulled in for a change of horses, I bought a ticket to London. I thought … with Mr. Darcy always buying books … his Pemberley must be a large house … in London.”
Darcy stared at the woman with wide eyes. Was she really from an asylum? Or was her story real? She was capable of making a decision not to stay at an inn and had bought a coach ticket to London instead, and yet she could not remember where she came from. She also believed Pemberley was in London. Where did she hear about his estate?
“What did you do when you arrived in London?” The doctor continued to probe.
“I enquired at the coaching station about how much it would cost to hire a hackney to Mr. Darcy’s residence. I was relieved that there was really a Mr. Darcy in London, for I did not wish to stay a night alone in this city. The cost seemed expensive, thus I asked for the directions and walked. Then I met …” She looked at Darcy with a frown. “… Mr. Darcy, after I had walked through the park for some time.”
Did she not see the danger she put herself in? thought Darcy. Coming to London without knowing her destination? Walking across the park when it was quiet and getting dark?
“Can you remember what happened after you met Mr. Darcy?” the doctor continued. Darcy raised his hand to pull at his ever-tightening neck cloth.
Miss Bennam nodded and repeated the incident to the doctor, but said that Mr. Darcy knocking her aside had been an accident. Darcy did not know if he should thank her for being kind in protecting his boorish behaviour in front of the doctor and his sister.
“Would you give me permission to check on your reticule?” the doctor asked.
She nodded. “You want to see if there is any clue about who I am? I have done that already, but there is only one note from Jane and a handkerchief with the initials EB, besides the money.”
“Who is Jane?”
Miss Bennam’s frown deepened for a moment. “My sister. Yes, Jane is my sister. She is very sweet and kind, like an angel.”
“May I?” The doctor read the note and then asked for permission to read it out to the Darcys.
Miss Bennam nodded.
“There is no address on the letter. It reads, My Dearest Lizzy, I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is to be imputed to my getting wet through yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning ‘till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones. Therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me and, excepting a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me. Yours, etcetera."
“Do you know who her kind friends are?” Darcy asked.
Miss Bennam thought for a few moments and shook her head.
Georgiana also jumped in. “Were you visiting Miss Jane, when you ran up Mount Oakham?”
Miss Bennam scowled for a few moments. “No, Jane is back at home. I am sure. She is going to marry, soon. I think I was angry, when I ran to Mount Oak…hmm.”
“Who is Miss Jane going to marry?” Georgiana continued.
Another moment passed. Elizabeth shook her head. “I cannot remember.”
Darcy added, “Who were you angry with?”
“Umm … Mr … Collins … no, Papa. I was angry with Papa and Miss ... I cannot remember.”
“Why are you angry with your father, and who is the other person you are angry with?” Doctor Dickson joined in.
She shook her head, winced, shut her eyes and bit her lip.
“You are in pain. We shall leave the questions until later,” the doctor stated. “Here is a sleeping draught to help you.”
Miss Bennam opened her eyes and swallowed the medicine willingly. Darcy stared at her fine eyes, filled with frustration and confusion.
When the patient drifted off to sleep, the three retreated to Darcy’s study.
“What do you think, Doctor?” Darcy asked.
“She suffered a concussion. The memory loss may be short term.”
“You believe she will recover to remember where she comes from?”
“There is a high likelihood, as she remembers her sister, father and this Mr. Collins already. Do you know any of them, Darcy?”
“Me?”
“Yes, she heard about you, Pemberley and your library. Perhaps she knew them from her sister, or father, or this Collins.”
Darcy racked his brain for a few minutes. “I truly cannot see the connections of a Miss Jane Bennam and a Mr. Collins. What if she does not regain her memory? She seems to be quite sensible with regards to other things. Could she have invented the whole thing?”
The doctor thought for a minute. “I have seen such cases before. The patients shied away from some traumatic experience and that memory just would not return. They have their sense and wit with them, otherwise.”
“Poor Miss Bennam!” Georgiana exclaimed.
“What can we do in such a case?” Darcy asked.
The doctor raised his eyebrows. “Would you like to send her to an asylum, since you do not know her at all?”
“No!” Georgiana cried out.
“No!” Darcy echoed. “Miss Bennam seems to be a gentleman’s daughter, judging by her clothes. I hate to commit her to that place without trying to find her family. It was also my action that contributed further to her injury. I feel … responsible for her welfare.”
“I believe her,” Georgiana said. “She does not look like someone who can make up such a fanciful story.”
“Me too,” Doctor Dickson added. “As you said, you contributed to her injury, Darcy. It is right that you take care of her.”
“Yes, brother!” Georgiana agreed with a smile. Her eyes brightened and made Darcy suspicious of what his sister was thinking. “You need to take care of Miss Elizabeth Bennam, at least for a little while.”
Darcy could not figure out what Georgiana was alluring to; his mind was he was filled with thoughts of the stranger sleeping in the guest chamber. Elizabeth, as he now referred to her, showed sense, determination and wit, despite the strange circumstances she found herself in. He could not get her fine eyes from his thoughts. He nodded absently to his sister, bid the doctor goodbye, and stalked out of the study … to his equally delightful library in London.
~*~~*~~*~
“Finally you are awake!”
Elizabeth stared at the handsome young girl sitting by her bed for a moment. She then scanned the room. “Good morning, Miss Darcy. Did I sleep for very long?”
“It is almost time for lunch. So you still remember me?”
Elizabeth sat up on the bed. “Yes, I do. I hope you do not find me fit for Bedlam,” she sighed.
Miss Darcy’s face turned a shade of pink.
“Ah, your brother or the good doctor did consider I could be a candidate for such an establishment?”
“Oh no, Miss Bennam, you should not concern yourself with what they think. I shall not let them send you away!”
Elizabeth viewed the determined tilt of the young girl’s chin with interest. “Why is that so? Not that I am ungrateful. For I do not think I should behave as generously as you if I am presented with such a wild story as my own.”
“May I call you Elizabeth?”
“Certainly.”
“You can call me Georgie, short for Georgiana. And may I sit on the bed? It is so much more comfortable than the chair.”
“Come, Georgie.” Elizabeth patted the bed beside her and moved slightly to the right. Georgiana climbed onto the bed and sat by her side, not giving a care to the pretty day dress she was wearing.
“Brother had a fall from his horse about three months ago, right after he took me out of school. It really gave me a fright!”
“I am sorry to hear about it. Has he much recovered?”
“I thought he would die like mother and father, and leave me all alone in the world.”
“Oh! Georgie!” Elizabeth took Georgiana’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I am really sad that you lost your parents at such a young age. Did you miss them often?”
Georgiana nodded. “It is funny that you are the first one to ask me about this.”
“Is that so?”
“I do not have many friends.”
“But you said you were in school. Did you not make any friends there?”
Georgiana shook her head. “Most of them were not very nice. They either envied or despised the Darcy name.”
“That is a sad burden.”
“It is true. Even Miss …” Georgiana hesitated. “… Miss O, for I shall not reveal her identity. You may meet her in future. This lady, whom I have been urging my brother to take on as his wife, also only wants our wealth.”
“If that is the case, why do you encourage your brother to consider the match?”
“I was really, really shaken by Brother’s fall. For nearly two weeks, Doctor Dickson was not hopeful. My cousin, Richard, and Uncle and Aunt Matlock, thought brother was at his deathbed. And then, after Brother became better, he did not take the doctor’s instruction to stay in bed well. He still had dizziness and headaches from time to time, and he would limp suddenly because of the pain in his back. He would not allow me to take care of him, saying he was a grown man. Miss O has visited very often during Brother’s illness. She said men would take more kindly to a wife taking care of them, instead of a younger sister. I do not want brother to die, so I try to promote the match. Brother got very angry with me.”
“Poor Georgie! You have been through quite a lot. Who is taking care of you?”
“It is kind of you to ask, but I am a grown woman now. I do not need taking care of. Now that you are here, I can see how silly I have been to promote the match between Miss O and Brother.”
“I am confused. What does my presence have to do with that?”
“Brother said Miss O only cares about our wealth and not about him as a person. He said he will not discourage her friendship with me as her brother is his best friend, but he wants me to be on guard about her fake regards. I catch glimpses of Miss O being mean to our servants, and I have caught the impatient countenance behind the mask when she talks to me, like she is truly pretending to be my best friend. I am not a simpleton, but what am I to do? I do not want Brother to neglect his health and die on me. When Brother brought you back yesterday, I could see the genuine concern he had for you, the remorse he felt in injuring you, and the sadness he displayed when you could not remember where you came from …”
“Please, Georgie, I do not think you should be thinking in this direction.”
“No, Elizabeth, I am not trying to match make you with Brother. I can see you are not feeling well either, and might not recover from your memory loss and find your family. What I am saying is, Brother deserves so much better than Miss O. He is the best brother any girl could wish for. When Father died five years ago, I was only eleven years of age. My two aunts wanted me to live with them, so Brother could be free to live his gentleman life, carefree. But he refused. He said Father made him and Richard my guardians, and would not have wanted him to send me away. Brother felt this sadness and concern all the time. I could see that in his eyes during those days, but he would always try to cheer me up and play with me. He shouldered all the responsibility, and stayed with me most of the time, even when he could have gone away to enjoy his single and unattached life in London. Even when I went to school, he visited me often. He said he missed me and wanted to make sure I felt happy in school.”
“Mr. Darcy does sound like a wonderful brother.”
Georgiana nodded. “That is why I am thankful for your timely appearance, to make me see sense. For I would have bored brother into giving in. Then I should be burdened with a horrible sister in Miss O.”
“Surely you jest! Miss O cannot be that bad.”
Georgiana shuddered. “Brother taught me not to gossip and talk ill of others, so I shall not go into this. Pray tell me more about yourself so I can help you start the search for your family?”
Elizabeth thus told Georgiana what she could remember about herself. She had a good memory of her childhood, frolicking in the wood and groves with friends. Besides Jane, she had two younger sisters, Mary and Catherine. Her father was called Thomas and she adored her uncle and aunt. When it came to her mother, her mind turned blank. The two new friends could not take the search far though, as Elizabeth could not remember any names of places.
Despite Elizabeth's worries of not remembering more, she forged a steady friendship with Georgiana. Elizabeth was well read, intelligent and witty, while the younger girl was a keen learner. As Elizabeth's stay in Darcy House stretched from days to weeks, the townhouse was filled with smiles, laughter, music and good conversation.
Darcy behaved awkwardly in front of Elizabeth at first. After apologising to her for aggravating her injury, he usually stayed quiet and observed the guest's interaction with his sister. He originally did not find Elizabeth very pretty, but soon he found her teasing smile and ease with Georgiana captivating. One moment, he would decide that her form lacked elegance, and was nothing compared to those of the handsome ladies in London. Then he would find himself staring at her light and pleasing figure. He particularly found her distracting when she sang. His mind often wandered off as his eyes were glued to her rosy cheeks, lovely lips and delightful bosom. He felt the full force of the emotion she displayed through her face and body when she sang. This evening was no exception.
After Elizabeth completed the rendition of an Italian love song, Georgiana asked her brother a question. However, Darcy’s mind was still inhabited in the Italian paradise with Elizabeth and he failed to answer his sister.
“Should I summon Doctor Dickson?” Georgiana's cries startled Darcy.
“Is Miss Bennam ill? Miss Bennam, would you like a glass of wine or water?”
“I am very well, thank you.”
“Brother, the doctor is for you!”
“Why? I feel fine. I have had no headache for some weeks now.”
“But you did not hear me.”
Elizabeth's lips curled up teasingly. “Perhaps the fall from the horse has had a delayed reaction on your brother, Georgiana. His hearing is affected.” Her manner made Darcy's heart raced.
“I can hear very clearly. I have been teased.”
“Hmm, Mr. Darcy's smile is very strange. Georgiana, you must record all these peculiar reactions and report to Doctor Dickson.”
“If I cannot ponder and smile at my leisure in my own home on a Sunday evening, Miss Bennam, what do you suggest I do?”
“I remember,” Elizabeth smiled. Then she stopped suddenly, panted, and raised her fingers to rub her forehead. “I ... remember ...”
On hearing the shortness of her breath, Darcy forgot about propriety, rushed to her side and held her hand. “Miss Bennam. You look very ill. Should I call for Doctor Dickson immediately?”
Georgiana also dashed to sit by Elizabeth's other side. “Do you remember something?”
“Georgiana, let us not rush her. She looks quite pale.”
“I am ... fine, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth drew in a deep breath. “I just ... remember that I knew about you from … Mr. Bingley.”
“Bingley? Are you acquainted with him?”
Elizabeth frowned for a moment. “I do not know.”
Darcy brushed his thumb along Elizabeth's palm. Georgiana tried to suppress her smile. She could see that her brother had grown very attracted to Elizabeth lately. He stared at Elizabeth a lot and listened to her witty conversation. Recently, he no longer sat quietly to observe, but enjoyed bantering with Elizabeth. Since Elizabeth was clearly a gentleman's daughter, Georgiana was certain that once Elizabeth regained her memory, and that there was not a betrothed at home, her brother would not hesitate to propose to Elizabeth, fortune or no fortune. Georgiana was ecstatic that her brother held Elizabeth's hand and that Elizabeth also seemed to welcome his touch.
“Bingley is my best friend. Pray tell me what you remember about him.” He urged softly, still not relinquishing Elizabeth's hand.
“Mr. Bingley was teasing his sister, who has been waxing eloquently about your delightful Pemberley and library,” Elizabeth said, her face turned pink. “He said that you are an ... awful object at your own house, on a ...Sunday evening, when you have nothing to do.”
Darcy laughed out loud. “I must thank Bingley tomorrow, for sending you my way.”
“Tomorrow?” Georgiana asked. “Are you going to visit Mr. Bingley at Netherfield to ask about Elizabeth?”
“Netherfield?” Elizabeth gasped. She stood up abruptly and then swayed. Luckily, Darcy was by her side. He prevented her fall, scooped her up and carried her to the bedchamber immediately.
Elizabeth prevented Darcy from calling for the doctor, once she has regained some colour.
“I am really... fine, Mr. Darcy. I just have a slight headache. But I remember ... everything now.” Her voice trembled.
Darcy gazed at her and bid her to continue with his eyes. Georgiana observed her brother. He forgot all about propriety and did not think of leaving Elizabeth's chamber for a moment, though he did not take Elizabeth's hand this time, now that she was lying on the bed. He sat on a chair, entirely too close to the bed than necessary.
Georgiana sat on the bed at Elizabeth's side. “Do you want to tell Brother and I now? Or do you want to rest and tell us tomorrow?”
“Mr. Darcy and you have been so good to me during the time I lost my memory. I should tell you immediately.”
“But if you are unwell ...” Darcy murmured.
“I am Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire. I was on my way to Meryton, via Mount Oakham, when I injured myself.”
“Hertfordshire, but that is where Netherfield is. Mr. Bingley leases the estate there,” Georgiana exclaimed.
“Yes, my father's estate is about three miles from his. Jane, my sister, visited Miss Bingley and fell ill. I visited Jane then and the Bingleys invited me to stay on to take care of her. That was when I heard the Bingleys talking about you, Mr. Darcy, and your estate at Pemberley.”
Darcy nodded. She did not resemble a fortune hunter who remembered his great estate during her memory lost, just to ensnare him. But he had an uneasy feeling, from the guarded way Elizabeth was relating the story. He felt something was wrong with the Bingleys.
“You mentioned you were angry with your father ...”
Elizabeth bit her lips. “Yes, our estate is entailed to our cousin, Mr. Collins. A very foolish and self-important man, I must say. When my father dies, he will inherit and can cast us out if he wishes. He is the parson of Lady Catherine de Bourgh ...”
“But she is our aunt, what a coincidence!” Georgiana cried out.
“Ah, I have had the misfortune of meeting this Mr. Collins,” Darcy shook his head. “Your description of him is most accurate, Miss Elizabeth. You are unhappy about your father ...”
“For not protecting Jane,” interjected Elizabeth.
“What happened?”
“The second day I stayed in Netherfield, my mother came to visit us with Mr. Collins who was visiting Longbourn. It would appear Mr. Bingley favours my sister. My mother who has five daughters to marry ...”
“But you only have three sisters,” Georgiana interrupted.
“I forgot my youngest sister Lydia, during my memory loss.” Elizabeth blushed. “Lydia is not my favourite sister. She usually behaves in a silly manner and does not listen to Jane’s and my censure.”
“Pray continue, Miss Bennet,” Darcy said.
“My mother was giddy about the prospect of Mr. Bingley and Jane's possible engagement. She is not a sensible woman.” Elizabeth lowered her eyes in embarrassment. “She boasted as much when we were left alone with Mr. Bingley's sisters. Not only that, she also said Mr. Collins would offer an olive branch and soon ask me for my hand in marriage.” She sighed.
Darcy and Georgiana gasped out loud.
“I could see the anger in Miss Bingley's eyes.”
“She did not approve of your sister Jane?” Georgiana asked.
Elizabeth shook her head. “We have neither fortune nor connection. Although Jane is the sweetest, kindest and prettiest of all, she does not win Miss Bingley's approval in relation to marriage.”
“But surely if Mr. Bingley loves your sister ...” Georgiana's voice trailed off, on seeing her brother's frown.
“I did not foresee Miss Bingley's determination in preventing the match,” Elizabeth said, her voice trembling again. “On the last day before we were due to leave Netherfield, Miss Bingley invited our mother, sisters, and our cousin back to Netherfield for breakfast. She said it was to celebrate Jane's recovery and for the party to take us back to Longbourn afterwards.”
“What happened?” Georgiana urged keenly.
“Miss Bingley must have written the invitation for a much earlier time. She separated Mr. Collins from my sisters and mother, doused his clothes wet and steered him into a room to change. It was where Jane stayed, and she was still abed.”
“Oh my goodness!” Georgiana exclaimed, while Darcy kept silent and his face was grim.
“Mr. Collins was in a state of undress while Jane was still in bed in her night dress. Amid Jane's screams, Miss Bingley, her brother, my mother and sisters, the servants and I appeared in the room. Jane's fate was sealed.”
“But your mother favours Mr. Bingley as her son-in-law!” Georgiana said.
Darcy shook his head. “Too many people have seen the impropriety.”
“Yes, and father could do nothing but sanction the marriage.”
“What did Miss Bennet say?”
“Jane is resigned to her fate. She does not find Mr. Collins as unbearable as I do. I am just so angry for the injustice. Jane and I always wanted to marry for love. We often joked that we would not decline a penniless soldier, an impoverished pastor, or a struggling artist. We would work hard if we could find love in our marriage. Why does the kindest and sweetest person in the world have to suffer in a loveless marriage, all because of the arrogance of a woman? Are we to be treated as lesser persons just because we do not have fortune or connection? Does our character and nature not count? Even if Miss Bingley has to protect her brother, she does not have to sacrifice Jane's future to do it.” Elizabeth cried out and broke down in tears.
Darcy clenched his fist. He thought if Elizabeth was being compromised he would be furious. And all of Miss Bingley's doing. Miss Bingley was the worse fortune hunter in the whole of England. How could she so conveniently forget about her family fortune coming from trade, and used such dirty tactics to ruin the life of a kind gentlewoman? What could be done to salvage the situation? He wondered why Bingley still stayed at Netherfield. If Darcy was in love and his love was to marry another man, he would hide away to the other side of the world, nursing a broken heart. From Miss Bennet's horrible fate, Darcy's thoughts turned to his Elizabeth. Seeing her tears and wretched feelings, he vowed to protect her and all those she loved! Suddenly, he remembered something. He stood up abruptly and paced around the room, gathering his thoughts.
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy said. “Perhaps we can help to extract your sister from such a cruel fate and reunite her with my friend.”
“How?” Elizabeth raised her tear-stricken face and looked at Darcy eagerly. He felt an enormous urge to embrace her and promise her everything. He would be her protector and partner for the rest of his life. He vowed that once the situation was resolved with her sister, he would ask Elizabeth to marry him. Elizabeth continued: “I remember the wedding is set for 26th November. It is only one week away.”
“I remember a letter from Bingley. He said a neighbour of his is sick, since her sister's disappearance. He must be talking about your sister, Miss Bennet. He said that Miss Bennet’s betrothed went back to Kent to obtain instruction from his patroness. It felt strange that Bingley was so eager to talk about this neighbour and her fiancé at that time. I think he stays in Hertfordshire because he still holds out hope. As long as your sister is not yet married, due to her illness, Bingley still wants to see Mr. Collins and Miss Bennet’s engagement dissolved.”
“Mr. Bingley really cares about Jane?”
“I believe so.”
“About your plan to resolve Jane's situation ...”
“What I am about to disclose may not be right for the sensibility of you, Georgiana ...”
“Brother! I am not a girl any more, especially since your fall. I have grown up a lot. I shall not leave the room now, when Elizabeth is in distress.”
Darcy thought for a second and nodded. He then turned to Elizabeth. “I must apologise first for causing the difficult situation your sister is facing.”
“That is not possible. You have never set foot in Hertfordshire and you do not even know Jane.”
“You see ... I urged Bingley to go away to Netherfield and try to keep his sister there because I found Miss Bingley paying too much attention to Georgiana and myself after my fall.”
Elizabeth gasped.
“In one of his letters, Bingley inadvertently disclosed that he had used an incident that happened in Ramsgate to 'threaten' his sister, to get her go to Netherfield with him and stay there.”
“What happened to Miss Bingley in Ramsgate?” Georgiana asked eagerly.
“When she was sixteen, Miss Bingley was taken out from school and stayed with an older friend in Ramsgate one summer. She seemed to have fallen in love with a most unsuitable man. Luckily her mother happened to arrive early and put an end to the romance.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana looked at Darcy with wide eyes.
“But if the romance was stopped, how could Mr. Bingley used it to 'threaten' Miss Bingley?”
“That was exactly what I thought, so during my idle time in recovery from my fall I sent someone to check on the fact in Kent the next day.”
Both ladies stared at Darcy with disbelief. “Would it not have been easier just to ask Mr. Bingley?” Georgiana said.
“I did not wish to force Charles to disclose anything he did not wish to, but I was just too curious ... or too bored.”
“What did you uncover?” Elizabeth probed.
“Miss Bingley was about to elope with the man when her mother arrived, according to one of servants in Ramsgate.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana were lost for words for a moment.
“But how can this help Jane?” Elizabeth said. “We cannot reverse Jane's compromise by threatening Miss Bingley about her indiscretion during her youth.”
Darcy stated, “I am now quite convinced that the person Miss Bingley wanted to elope with all these years ago was your cousin, Mr. Collins.”
“What?” Elizabeth and Georgiana exclaimed.
“My man reported that Miss Bingley was seen with a theology student quite often. They met in church.”
“But what made you think he was Mr. Collins?” Elizabeth shook her head. “I cannot believe it.”
“I met Mr. Collins just this Easter. He was newly appointed by my aunt. Lady Catherine told me about his background, growing up in Exmouth, studying in Canterbury, spending several years to further his study in Ireland. His overseas trip was all thanks to some inheritance he had received from another uncle in Ramsgate.”
“But there is no other relative in our family, and none hail from Ramsgate.” Elizabeth murmured. “Unless Mr. Collins referred to his maternal side.”
“At the time, I thought it was quite convenient for Mr. Collins to have an uncle who gave him an inheritance to advance him at church, and another uncle to leave him an estate. But when you talked about the entail of Longbourn, marrying for love, even to an impoverished pastor, and how Miss Bingley got angry when your mother talked about what Mr. Collins could offer for you, I joined the pieces together.”
“You think ... Miss Bingley was angry about this, not about her brother and Jane? But if she still has feelings for Mr. Collins, what does she hope to achieve by compromising him with Jane?”
“I think the 'inheritance' Mr. Collins received was from Miss Bingley's mother.”
“He was paid off to leave young Miss Bingley?”
“That is my speculation.”
“Miss Bingley was angry with Mr. Collins, for accepting the money and leaving her? But why did she stage the compromise of Jane?”
“What if Miss Bingley separated Mr. Collins from the Longbourn party ... for her own sake.”
“You mean ... Miss Bingley and Mr. Collins ... that was why he was most improperly ... attired ...”
Darcy nodded. “He could have wandered off to the wrong room ...”
“It is impossible,” Elizabeth murmured. “Too much coincidence. Too fanciful. But if that is the case, what can Jane do now?”
“I have influence in the Church. I can force him to resign and leave, for his indiscreet affairs with Miss Bingley. Then Bingley must save Miss Bennet's reputation by marrying her quickly. There may still be talk, but after some time people will forget about the incident that morning in Netherfield. But when Bingley moves to Derbyshire to be near us ... I mean me … the talk about Miss Bennet and Mr. Collins will soon be forgotten.”
Elizabeth and Darcy's face turned scarlet. They gazed at each other with a passionate silent emotion.
Georgiana was glad of their mutual attachment, but she was an impatient young woman. “Brother, quick! We need to confirm about Mr. Collins and Miss Bingley.”
“True! I will summon my man. He told me the maid from Ramsgate who had talked to him has recently moved to London to find work.”
Soon the maid was located. After questioning her, Darcy made haste for Kent while he sent Georgiana to accompany Elizabeth back to Hertfordshire.
Before they parted company, Darcy pulled Elizabeth aside in the front parlour. “Miss Bennet, although we have known each other for a very short time and under uncertain circumstances, I have come to admire and love you very much. You are witty, handsome and caring. The best woman I have ever known. Would you do me the greatest honour and consent to be my wife?”
“Are you sure this is what you want, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth's bright eyes pierced his soul. “I have no fortune and no connection. My mother and younger sisters are quite silly. I have an uncle in trade and I am very impertinent.”
“I care for none of those, except for your heart,” he said tenderly.
“My heart ... has been stolen by a tall handsome gentleman,” she replied, softly, “who knocked me down in a park and thought I was an escapee from Bedlam.”
Darcy grasped her hand and raised it up for a kiss. “Impertinent woman! Is that the only answer I shall get, by requesting your hand so seriously and respectfully?”
She smiled and stood on tiptoes to whisper to his ear. “I love you very much, dearest and most wonderful Fitzwilliam. It is a definite yes.” With that last word, she bit his earlobe gently and turned to dash out of the door.
Darcy stood there with his heart thumping, his body flushed with heat, and his breath shortened. He spent the journey to Kent and most of the months until his marriage to Elizabeth daydreaming about her bite.
What happened to the other couples?
From Darcy's investigation and confrontation in Kent, he discovered that Mr. Collins had in fact eloped with Miss Bingley to Scotland before her mother could interfere. Mrs. Bingley paid him to disappear from England forever, but Collins had returned earlier that year. He was biding his time, wanting to claim back Miss Bingley, who was still legally married to him. Mr. Collins never talked of an olive branch, of marrying one of the Bennet sisters. That was only Mrs. Bennet's imagination. Mrs. Bennet's talk led to Miss Bingley's anger, and she sent for Mr. Collins early that fateful morning to discuss their marriage. Mr. Collins hoped for a warm reunion with his wife, but after falling in a pond, he had wandered off to the wrong guest chamber for a change of clothes, accidentally compromising Miss Bennet.
Jane and Bingley married quickly after Collins resigned from the Church and fled with Miss Bingley to Ireland. Mrs. Collins's marriage was not a happy one. She soon got tired of Ireland's savage community. The Collins returned to London after a few months and lived far beyond their means. While Mr. Bennet remained healthy, the fortune of the Collins, based solely on the former Miss Bingley’s dowry, dwindled rapidly, and they constantly argued about money. One day, amid fierce argument about Mrs. Collins over spending on feather, the husband and wife hit each other so hard that both of them sustained permanent injuries to their heads and were committed to an asylum.
It was sad for Bingley to see his sister with such a fate, but his loving wife, the former Miss Jane Bennet, helped him through the ordeal. The Bingleys moved to Derbyshire and lived happily within ten miles of Pemberley.
Moreover, Darcy was not disappointed by Elizabeth's bites. She loved to bestow them all over his body, especially on a Sunday evening when they had nothing better to do.