watching the sunrise with Mr. Darcy. She wondered if he had indeed taken a walk and what he was thinking as he watched the myriad of colours paint the sky.
Tears filled her eyes as she felt her heart truly breaking. How she wished that she had not received such encouragement from Mr. Darcy this past week. How much better it would have been if she had received his censure for the way she had refused him. How much easier it would have been to leave Pemberley if she had not come to love him and feel within the depths of her heart that he was the only man she could ever conceive of marrying.
Her breath caught as she recalled her words to him that fateful day,
Elizabeth remained in her room until she heard the sounds of others moving about the household. Once she was assured people in the household were stirring, she dressed and walked out. She found Mrs. Ketterling in the sitting room drinking tea.
“Good morning, Miss Bennet,” she said. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes,” she lied. “I was most comfortable.”
“Good. Would you like some tea?”
“I would like that very much.”
Mrs. Ketterling had her maid bring out a cup of tea for Elizabeth. She took it from her, wrapped her fingers about the warm cup, took a sip, and closed her eyes for a brief moment. Behind her closed lids, she saw Darcy’s eyes flash at her again. She opened her eyes quickly, looking away from Mrs. Ketterling, fearing she might see the distress etched on her face.
Fortunately for Elizabeth, Mrs. Ketterling was looking down at a sampler she was embroidering. Elizabeth breathed in slowly as she sipped the calming tea, hoping it would still her heart and diminish her anguish.
Breakfast was served shortly after Mr. Ketterling joined them. Elizabeth was fairly certain they perceived her lingering grief, for they ate in relative silence. She was grateful that they did not press her with unwanted conversation.
Once they had finished, Mr. Ketterling announced that he would be leaving shortly to see what he could find to ensure a prompt, safe passage to London. He apologized for not having the means himself to provide for her journey.
Once he left, Elizabeth found it difficult to sit calmly. She was eager to be gone, to return to her family. She walked several times to the window and gazed out, wishing to fill her mind with anything but that which pressed heavily upon her.
Mrs. Ketterling studied her furtively, raising her eyes occasionally from her needlework. At length, she lifted her face to her and smiled. “It appears to be a very pleasant morning, Miss Bennet. Would you care to join me in a walk about the neighbourhood?”
Elizabeth turned and her face lit up. “I would enjoy that very much,” she said.
They each took a light shawl with them as the cool morning air had not yet fully yielded to the warmth of the rising sun. They walked in silence for a while, greeting the occasional neighbour they met, and Mrs. Ketterling only speaking when Elizabeth spoke to her first.
Once Elizabeth appeared to be more inclined to talk, Mrs. Ketterling asked her about Pemberley… and Mr. Darcy.
“Miss Bennet, I know your visit to Pemberley was cut short, but did you enjoy the time spent there? Was Mr. Darcy as accommodating to everyone as he was to us that day we came to fetch you?”
Elizabeth swallowed, her mouth going dry at merely the mention of his name. Now, as she contemplated how to answer Mrs. Ketterling’s questions, all her feelings—which she had been trying to bury—rose and threatened to overwhelm her.
She blinked her eyes several times to clear her eyes from the moisture that filled them. “He is… he was always very kind,” she assured her new friend.
Mrs. Ketterling beamed a smile of satisfaction. “I always believed he was. He is so admired here, but people know so little about him. It is good to know he is truly a gentleman.”
Suddenly more words from Elizabeth’s refusal assaulted her.
They returned to the house, and Elizabeth had to admit that despite their one conversation that caused her unease, the walk outside had been precisely what she needed. They waited in the sitting room for the arrival of Mr. Ketterling. He returned about an hour later and came directly to them.
“It is as I expected. The carriages for hire are completely booked today and tomorrow morning. While a morning departure would be more favourable, I have arranged for you to take an early afternoon carriage tomorrow. It will have one overnight stop and will get you to London the following day. Does that sound suitable?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, if you can put up with me for another day.”
Mrs. Ketterling assured her again that they would be happy to keep her as long as necessary.
They settled into easy conversation, Elizabeth grateful for all they had done. At length, Mrs. Ketterling picked up her sampler, and Elizabeth perused a few books in a small bookcase, selecting one she thought she could finish before she left, eager to set her mind on other things.
It was about an hour later that a knock was heard at the door. Shortly after, their housekeeper stepped into the room and announced that Mr. Darcy from Pemberley wished to speak to Miss Bennet.
Mr. and Mrs. Ketterling stood up immediately as Mr. Darcy stepped into the room. Initially too stunned to respond in like manner, Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm with colour. She was grateful that the Ketterlings had the presence of mind to warmly welcome their esteemed guest.
“Mr. Darcy!” exclaimed Mr. Ketterling. “It is good to see you again. Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you, sir. I hope I have not come at an inconvenient time.” He stole a look at Elizabeth, whose face overtly exhibited her astonishment at his coming.
“Not at all. Would you care for something to drink?” Mrs. Ketterling’s eyes shone with admiration.
Darcy stepped into the room, waving his hand slightly. “No thank you. I need nothing.”
Silence filled the room, and Darcy shifted from one foot to another in apparent discomfiture. His fingers wrestled with each other as he looked at Mrs. Ketterling, her husband, and then back at Elizabeth.
“Please have a seat, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Ketterling offered.
“Thank you.” As he walked over and sat down, the others did the same. Elizabeth sat stiffly, bringing her hands together and holding them tightly in her lap. She could not imagine what prompted him to come all this way; certainly he had been told about her sister’s actions.
Mr. and Mrs. Ketterling looked at him expectantly; Elizabeth could barely breathe. He finally spoke, looking directly at Elizabeth.
“I only discovered this morning about your departure, Miss Bennet. I returned home too late last night and, as I saw no one, went straight to my room.” His fingers began to tap lightly against the armrest of the chair. Pursing his lips tightly together, he continued in a slow, deliberate manner. “This morning when I returned from my morning walk,” he paused for a moment and searched her face, “I inquired about your absence when you did not come down for breakfast.”
Elizabeth looked down when he first mentioned his morning walk. She knew his veiled meaning. This should have given her hope that he had been eagerly expecting her to join him, but she realized that once he knew all the particulars of this scandal, his opinion of her—if it had been at all favourable—would certainly change.
He ran his fingers brusquely through his hair and then stood up. He began to walk about the room. “I understand you wish to travel to London to be with your family in this… time of crisis.”
Elizabeth mutely nodded.
Darcy took a few ragged breaths and then rubbed his jaw with his hand. “There will be no need for you to take a carriage for hire. I shall provide you with one of my carriages along with a travelling companion from my staff. I shall ensure one of my most reliable maidservants will accompany you for the full length of your journey as well as one of my most trustworthy drivers.”
