Chapter 22 Bennet goes to London to search for Wickham, and his identity is revealed.
Bennet goes to London to search for Wickham, and his identity is revealed.
Midmorning the next day
Darcy House, London.
Thomas Bennet had an undeniable expectation that Fitzwilliam Darcy would be shocked to have his future father-in-law announced as a visitor. Bennet had been so adamant about not taking any risk at being discovered that it was natural for his friend to be bemused at his appearance.
Darcy rose from behind his large, oak desk and moved to greet him then gestured to a chair near the fire. Darcy must have observed his agitated state because he poured two glasses of brandy before joining him. Bennet emptied his glass immediately.
“You probably wonder why I would risk exposure by coming in all this state to see you.”
“I must say it does astonish me. May I hope all is well and this is merely a social call?”
“Unfortunately, I cannot say that. It is about Wickham.”
Darcy’s expression clouded.
Bennet continued, “You told me how he attacked Lizzy in Kent and of your concern that he would continue to seek revenge for my exposing his immorality to the people of Meryton.”
“Yes, and we were fortunate nothing came of it. However, to be perfectly safe, I recruited two very large and intimidating footmen to escort Elizabeth at all times since her arrival in Town, and I insist that she use my carriage for all excursions. She is not pleased, but I managed to convince her that these precautions would not interfere with her activities.”
“Well, that is a great relief to me.”
“But what news have you of Wickham?” Darcy asked. “Have you seen him again? What has he done?”
“I have not seen him, but he has been around Meryton again and is plotting to kidnap Lizzy for her fortune. This is not a rumour, Darcy; the source of my information is reliable. My informant says that Wickham knows Lizzy is in London and followed her here five days ago. I came to town as soon as I found out because I thought your history with Wickham might help us to find him before it is too late.”
Darcy stood and paced the room with a dark look on his face. “Has anything been done to find him?” he asked, raking his hand through his hair.
“No, I came here immediately after sending an express to warn my brother Gardiner. I also sent a note to Colonel Forster asking him to have his men scour the area around Meryton in case Wickham had not left the county. I hope the colonel’s abhorrence for Wickham will be incentive enough to assure his assistance in apprehending the deserter and bringing him up on military charges. ”
Bennet knew Darcy’s long history with Wickham and that he would willingly act to bring Wickham to justice. However, his friend’s next revelation caught him by surprise.
“Bennet, when I told you that Wickham eloped with a lady of fortune, I did not tell you the whole of it. That young woman was my sister, Georgiana. Providence intervened when I decided to visit her in Ramsgate last summer and found Wickham in collusion with his friend, a Mrs. Younge, who at that time was Georgiana’s companion.
Together they schemed for him to elope with my sister to gain access to her ￡30,000.
Georgiana thought herself in love and was only too happy to marry him, and happier still when I arrived.
You see, Wickham immediately pretended that he had summoned me to witness the wedding as a surprise to her.
When he found out that he would have no access to her money, he immediately abandoned his plans, leaving my sister heartbroken.
Fortunately, I have learned from my mistake and can use it to our advantage. ”
“How does this help us?”
“If we can find Georgiana’s former companion, she may help us find Wickham.”
“Did you not say she was a friend of Wickham? Will she be willing to assist us?”
“No, we shall have to convince her.”
“Convince her? You mean bribe her,” Bennet said, a grim turn to his lips.
“True. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that she would help us otherwise since I dismissed her without a reference, and she bears hard feelings towards me. I have some notion of where to find her, though. She was known to have a boarding house in a less than reputable part of London. I shall go to her and find out whether she has any word about Wickham’s whereabouts. ”
“I cannot ask you to bear such mortifications on my behalf,” Bennet said, but Darcy waved off the protest.
“I shall also ask my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam to assist. He has connections of value to us, and he will be more than glad to help. Fitzwilliam is joint guardian of my sister, you see, and holds a great deal of resentment towards Wickham. Hopefully, we can stop this before something untoward happens.” Darcy pulled out his knife to prepare a pen for writing several notes.
Unfortunately for Bennet, Darcy had a standing order to his staff that close family members were welcome at Darcy House at any time.
It was also unfortunate that Darcy had been uncharacteristically remiss in not issuing instructions to be left in privacy for his discussion with Bennet, for it was at this point in the conversation that the butler entered the library and made an announcement.
“Lady Matlock.”
Elinor Fitzwilliam, the Countess of Matlock, stopped in her tracks when she saw the elder of the two men standing before her.
Her face showed recognition, disbelief, and confusion.
Bennet, feeling no little distress, coloured, and neither spoke for some moments.
He was relieved when Darcy took control of the situation, speaking in a way that Bennet hoped would persuade Lady Matlock to believe what was said and not what she saw.
“Lady Matlock, please allow me to introduce my future father-in-law, Mr. Thomas Bennet. Bennet, this is my aunt, the Countess of Matlock.”
Relieved at Darcy’s intervention, Bennet made his bow and said quietly, “Lady Matlock.”
Lady Matlock’s eyes widened, and she made her curtsy like an automaton while saying softly, “No, Fitzwilliam, you cannot fool me. Lord Shelton.”
“My Lady, you must have me mistaken—”
“I do not have you mistaken, Shelton,” her ladyship interrupted gently.
She hastily looked around the room, trying to collect herself.
“I did not expect to see you, sir. I dropped by unexpectedly. I would never have presumed…” Lady Matlock was flushed and obviously shaken and astonished by the situation.
“I was not expected to be here. I would not usually have imposed,” Bennet said.
Had he been more sensible of the situation, he would have noticed the lady’s anxious tone, but he was too bewildered.
His eyes flitted about the room, settling nowhere and avoiding meeting those of Lady Matlock. There was an awkward pause.
“Excuse me, your family are in good health?” Bennet asked. His palms were sweating, and he was short of breath.
“Yes, they are all very well, I thank you,” she replied.
“I am glad to hear it.”
“How long have you been in town?” she asked.
“I have just arrived today.”
“And where are you staying?”
“At my brother’s home in Gracechurch Street.” There was another pause, during which both looked at the floor embarrassed, then Bennet asked, “And your family and your children, are they well?”
“Yes, they are all in excellent health, sir,” she answered, suppressing a smile.
Bennet pursed his lips and looked everywhere in the room but at the lady.
“Please, would you like to sit, Lady Matlock?” Darcy asked, gesturing with his hand. His aunt sat, and the gentlemen followed suit. All three struggled to think of something to break the uncomfortable silence. It was Lady Matlock who spoke first.
“Now it makes sense that Lady Jane and Lady Elizabeth were brought up by an unknown country gentleman called Mr. Bennet. I thought you died in Bermuda and left the girls there with this stranger. However did you find another name and estate to take on?”
Bennet ran his hand over his face. He had known there was a risk of being recognized in London and was especially concerned about encountering close friends of Lord and Lady Shelton. But Lady Matlock was Jane’s godmother and Olivia’s sister. He decided that for her, he could reveal the story…
“…Therefore, I am no longer Lord Shelton,” he said as he finished the tale, “I am Thomas Bennet, married to Fanny Bennet these twenty years with five daughters and a small estate in Hertfordshire. I would appreciate that you not expose my secret, Elinor.”
She waved her hand at him. “You have no need to worry about me; this will be a family secret. I am surprised you were able to keep it this long. Yet, how did you hide from us?”
“Thomas Bennet and I looked very much alike, so I could pass as him. I kept a quiet life and never left Hertfordshire. Over so many years, Shelton was presumed dead and would have been forgotten were it not necessary to announce Lady Jane and Lady Elizabeth upon their engagements.”
“But even so, those who know you well would recognize you right away! You have already been seen by Darcy’s servants.”
“I introduced myself as Thomas Bennet. They need not know more.”
“But they will have their suspicions,” said Lady Matlock.
She saw disapproval on her nephew’s face and raised her hand to silence the obvious retort.
“Darcy, save your protests. I know your servants will always show discretion, but undoubtedly, if I recognize Shelton, others will know him. George and Anne would have, and Harold will guess, and you will have to relate all of this to him.” She turned back to Bennet.
“Is your wife in Town? You must have dinner with us, Shelton. Harold will be happy to see you again.” Her eyes shone with excitement and anticipation.
“I am not certain I should be seen by Lord Matlock,” he replied. “I have stayed somewhat secluded from London society. Although Jane and Lizzy have previously been to Town for the Season, they were not known in the highest circles, thus keeping our secret.”
“Especially since, except for her colouring, Elizabeth looks just like Olivia.”
“Elinor, please. With the exception of my daughters taking their rightful titles and fortunes, I do not wish for this to change. I enjoy the quiet life of an inconsequential country gentleman. The latest rumours serve my purpose. All society needs to know is that Bennet is reclusive and Shelton is dead. Only close family need visit us in Hertfordshire, so only a select few would even wonder about my resemblance to Lord Shelton.”
“If you wish to remain incognito, why are you now in town?”
Bennet’s body tensed. He was uncertain about sharing his problems with another person, even one who had once been such a close friend.
Darcy sent him a quizzical look, and a long pause followed before Darcy said, “Lady Matlock is well aware of my longstanding troubles with Wickham, including his attempt to elope with Georgiana and Mrs. Younge’s participation.”
Lady Matlock had no respect for Wickham and said as much. “He has all the appearance of a gentleman, but he has no notion of honour or integrity.”
Bennet understood his friend was indicating that her ladyship could be trusted with their troubles, and he bestowed approval to share that information with a slight nod.
Darcy then proceeded to tell Lady Matlock about Wickham’s most recent exploits and that he was hoping to find Mrs. Younge because he suspected she would know Wickham’s whereabouts in London.
“At a price, no doubt,” she said.
Bennet added that, because of the episode in Kent, Darcy had taken measures to ensure Elizabeth’s safety. Lady Matlock confirmed that she had noticed the two new footmen and their great size during shopping trips but had chosen not to make mention of it.
“And knowing your impulsive nature, Shelton, you do not have the patience to sit back in Hertfordshire and hope that others will take care of it.”
Darcy suppressed a smile at the all-too-correct summary of his friend’s personality.
“Yes, Elinor, so my wife has told me,” Bennet responded with an air of contrition.
“Darcy, you must ask Richard to help you,” Lady Matlock said.
“I was just about to write him a note when you called.” Darcy furrowed his brow and turned to Bennet. “What if Wickham remains in Meryton? What about Mrs. Bennet and your younger daughters?”
“My informant says that Wickham came to Town nearly five days ago,” Bennet told them.
“But in case that is not so, Kitty and Lydia are under the care of my most trusted servants. Mrs. Bennet is on her way to my brother Gardiner’s home, and I shall be joining her.
It is less likely that Lord Shelton will be known in Gracechurch Street, so I feel much safer there whilst I remain in Town. ”
“Are you not worried that others will recognize you?” Lady Matlock asked.
“When Wickham is found, he will be turned over to the authorities on charges of desertion from the militia and placed in gaol. My brother Gardiner will be meeting with the colonel of the regiment, and there is no need for me to be involved in the trial, so I trust my identity will be protected. I believe that Wickham knows nothing of my identity based on the questioning of my informant.”
“Was there never anyone you came across who knew you?” Lady Matlock asked, leaning in towards him.
He shrugged. “Once someone knew Bennet and was suspicious that a burn scar was missing on my ear. And thrice over the last eighteen years, I was nearly exposed as the Earl of Shelton; although my wife was quite concerned, my family and the society in Meryton laughed it off as mistaken identity. The locals, you see, do not think I aspire to the peerage. These fellows who thought I was the earl had not been close acquaintances, so after all was considered, they agreed it was an uncanny resemblance and left it at that.”
Just when the tension in the room relaxed and the participants developed a sort of ease in their conversation, another visitor was announced.
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”