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The JourneyChapter 1My backside ached with a sharp, persistent pain by the time he slowed the horse to a walk. We had galloped hard and fast for more than an hour at least, much faster than I imagined one could guide a horse through woods thick and tangled as a brier patch. There was no definite trail to follow, no easy path; rather, we pushed our way through brambles and thickets, sharp branches scratching at my cheeks and neck. I must admit that he attempted to avoid them, pulling me in the opposite direction if he spied the tree limbs before they hit us, but two people on a horse could lean only so far without falling off and this man had no intention of falling or allowing me to slip from his grasp. No, he had locked his arms around me, one hand secured upon my waist, holding me against his body in the most intimate embrace I had ever known.I felt the heat of his hands upon me through his black leather gloves. His entire outfit was black, from boots to cape to the jaunty hat on his head with a fluffy dark feather stuck in the band. Blonde curls escaping from beneath his hat provided the only contrast to his dark appearance. He possessed the bluest eyes I had ever seen, a blue I had witnessed in neither man nor woman - almost crystalline - eyes I would have considered striking if encountered in a ballroom or parlour. Staring straight ahead above the black mask covering his face, however, they appeared deadly."Make haste," he said, motioning to the four horsemen behind us. "From here on until we know the cottage is vacant, be silent as a corpse." We began to climb a slight hill; I grew even more conscious of my precarious position when he leaned forward with the incline and in doing so, thrust his head against mine. We rode almost cheek to cheek, his breath warm against my face.How had I come to be in this position, to be in such danger? I was amazed at how quickly one's life can change; how one decision can alter its entire direction; how, unknowingly, one can embark upon a journey that turns out to have such a profound effect upon one's future.~ * ~Two hours earlier, Mr. Bingley's carriage had rocked back and forth in a rhythmic, sing-song cadence, monotonous enough to lull a person to sleep. That is, if a person felt at ease with companionable fellow travelers. I placed neither Mrs. Hurst, Miss Bingley, nor Mr. Darcy in that category.I strove to keep my eyes from the gentleman's person, a daunting task since he sat directly across from me. Miss Bingley had fluttered about him the first hour of the trip, remarking upon the weather, the tedium of travel for which she was so grateful to have his company to brighten the trip, various people of society they both knew, the ladies of which she denigrated in the most casual of terms unless they were titled, married and particularly fond of her, and how she could not wait to reach town and leave the boredom of country society behind. Mrs. Hurst agreed with each of her comments, adding her own encouragement when given opportunity, but I noticed that Mr. Darcy said little, responding only when pressed to do so. Comments were rarely directed at me and thus I was relieved of making but little conversation.Yet, even though I was not required to enter into the general conversation, escape into slumber was all but impossible under Mr. Darcy's disapproving scrutiny. I did my utmost to avoid meeting his eyes, watching the passing landscape with more than usual interest, or turning to observe Mrs. Hurst, sitting beside me, when she was allowed to speak. I also found amusement watching Miss Bingley edge closer and closer to Mr. Darcy on the seat they shared. Ah, she could not have chosen a more pleasing position for herself, I thought, unless she could rid the carriage of her sister and me. Too bad. We would plague her efforts for the duration of the journey to London."I trust your relatives in town are in good health, Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy said suddenly.I startled, shocked at his address. "They are, sir, thank you.""And so I take it this trip is not one of necessity, but pleasure?"I nodded, but before I could respond orally, Caroline jumped in. "Well, from what I have heard, it is perhaps both, is it not, Miss Eliza? Are you not in need of escape from an uncomfortable situation at home?""I...I mistake your meaning, Miss Bingley. I do not escape anything; I join my aunt and uncle at their invitation.""You speak of your mother's brother who resides at Cheapside, do you not?" Caroline purred."Yes. Mr. Edward Gardiner." My first thought had been to correct her by saying that my relatives lived near Cheapside, but I did not think she deserved the compliment of cogent information."And pray tell us, Miss Eliza, what is it your uncle does?""He is a merchant.""Ah, in trade." Caroline arched her eyebrows with a knowing look directed at her sister. "I see."I bit my tongue to refrain from making a sharp retort, but was truly surprised when Mr. Darcy said, "Was not your grandfather also in trade in London, Miss Bingley? Perhaps he knew Mr. Gardiner's father or grandfather."Her eyes widened as she shot a desperate look at Mrs. Hurst, who answered for her. "That was many, many, many years ago, Mr. Darcy. None of our family has been in trade since then, I can assure you.""Yes, well, many of us profit from the endeavours of our ancestors."His remarks put an end to the topic, causing a strained silence in the carriage until Caroline returned to the question of why I was making the trip to town."Miss Eliza, I heard that you wished to leave Longbourn because of a proposal of marriage. My sister and I were both shocked to learn that you refused Mr. Collins' generous proposition.""Yes," Mrs. Hurst joined in. "I would think the gentleman might have made an excellent match for you. Is he not to inherit your father's estate in the future?"Feeling condescension dripping about me, I wanted to snap at them, but I steeled myself to answer graciously. "I did not deem his inheritance a strong enough inducement to matrimony.""Well," Miss Bingley said, "for your sake, I hope you do not live to regret it. I sensed a shortage of eligible prospects in Hertfordshire.""Aye, might I suggest you look elsewhere for a possible husband, Miss Bingley, for although Hertfordshire contains excellent men, I doubt that any one of them would be a suitable match for you.""Me? I was not speaking of myself, Miss Bennet! I most certainly do not seek a husband from anyone residing in the country. When I marry, it shall be to a man of breeding, a man who possesses a certain air, a definite manner of carrying himself, a cosmopolitan at home in London or Vienna, not someone who buries himself in country society."" 'Tis a pity," Mr. Darcy said, "for that leaves out the eligible gentlemen from Derbyshire."Caroline gasped, realizing she had placed her foot squarely in her mouth, and began to stammer and sputter as to what she truly meant, but Mr. Darcy said nothing further. Indeed, the entire conversation ceased and we rode no little way in complete silence. He turned to view the passing landscape and I happened to catch a glimpse of his countenance, detecting a slight smirk about his mouth. Obviously, despite Miss Bingley's enchantment with him, he was not similarly inclined. I took a deep breath and sighed, marveling once again that I was in that carriage, making that trip with the last three people in the world who wished for my company.Although I had evaded answering Miss Bingley's reasoning behind my excursion, in truth I was making somewhat of an escape to town in order to avoid my mother's wrath. Since I had refused Mr. Collins' proposal, disappointment had rendered her distraught, causing her to direct her livid anger at me for over two weeks now. Even though my father had taken my side in the matter, it did little to change her opinion and life at Longbourn had been excessively unpleasant. When Pap?ad returned from Meryton earlier in the week and called me into his library, I was surprised and yet relieved to hear his news."Lizzy, how would you like to visit the Gardiners for a while, at least until they join us for Christmastide?""Very much, sir, but must I go alone? May Jane go with me?""No, no, your older sister is needed here for my sanity, if nothing else. I cannot part with both of you when your mother is in such a state. But I have procured a means of travel for you that shall be quite safe; you shall not go unattended. I met with Mr. Bingley at Sir William Lucas' house this morning and he informed me that his entire party is returning to town at the end of the week. When I said that I was thinking of sending you to visit your aunt and uncle, he invited you to make the trip in his carriage with his sisters. Now, what do you think of this fine arrangement?""Mr. Bingley is leaving Netherfield Park? For how long?""He did not say, my dear, but what is that to you? What is this down at the mouth expression I behold? Are you in love with the young man? I thought your sister was the one so affected."I blushed. "Of course not, Father. But I should hate to see him leave just now. It will render Jane quite desolate.""Well, so it may, but they have enjoyed three months in each other's company, as well as dancing together over and over at the ball he recently hosted, have they not? Surely, they can bear to be apart for a few weeks.""If it is only for a few weeks, sir, I agree, but if he is not to return, then what will become of Jane's chances with Mr. Bingley?""Would you have me send Jane to London in your place, then, Lizzy?""I would, Father.""That would defeat the purpose. I proposed this trip to remove you from your mother's sight until she has ma... [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]