Chapter 25
Conveying the disturbing news that he had just received from Colonel Forster, the local militia’s commanding officer, to Mr. Bennet was the last thing Collins wanted to do.
Who was to say how something so alarming, so revolting, would affect the elderly patriarch’s recovery?
Alas, it must be done. He was, after all, the girl’s father.
He needed to know, and Collins needed to be the one to tell him.
Mr. Bennet seemed pensive upon hearing what had unfolded under the cover of darkness when the black hearted George Wickham—a man whom Collins had received at Longbourn too many times to count—absconded with the youngest Bennet daughter.
Oh, how Collins wanted to believe that the couple had set off for Gretna Green.
As scandalous as that would have been, it would have eased the burden of shame a bit.
However, all evidence suggested that they were not headed to Scotland.
Wickham had confided in his friend, Mr. Denny, that he had other plans for the foolish girl who, by all accounts, had insisted upon fleeing with him.
Now equipped with a better understanding of Wickham’s vile nature, Collins had no doubt what that meant.
When a full five minutes had passed and still Mr. Bennet had not said a word, Collins began to worry. Had the shock of it all been the undoing of all the progress of the past weeks? His eyes were open, which must surely be a good sign. Collins placed his hand on Mr. Bennet’s shoulder. “Sir?”
The look his father-in-law bestowed was confirmation enough for Collins to resume his speech. “It is my place to do all that I can to recover Lydia.” Moving away from Mr. Bennet’s bedside and drifting towards the window overlooking the garden, he said, “Mine and mine alone.”
“Young man, you need not take this burden solely upon yourself,” said Mr. Bennet, his voice low and tortured.
“It was not you who contributed to her neglect and overindulgence. No, the fault rests solely with me. I ought to suffer for it. Were I able to recover my daughter, I surely would. Even then, I would not take it upon myself to act alone, and you need not either, for you see, you are not alone.”
Turning to face his father-in-law, Collins said, “Do you mean to suggest I seek her uncle’s assistance? Would you have me solicit Mr. Gardiner’s help while I am in town?”
“By all means, for you absolutely must seek my brother’s help, but when I say you are not alone, I believe I speak of someone closer in proximity to us.”
Collins could not imagine who that would be. Does he mean Jane? I would rather she did not know the details of any of this sordid affair. “Sir—”
“Collins, do you not suppose it is time to put aside any differences you still have with Darcy, as well as any misplaced pride?”
“Darcy?”
“Yes, Darcy. He is a good man who cares about his family. To state it more plainly, he cares about all of us. Go and speak with him. He will want to help.”
Upon entering the room, Elizabeth espied her husband staring out the window overlooking the maze garden. She walked up behind him. He turned and opened his welcoming arms. Accepting his embrace, she smiled. His countenance reflected his continued unrest.
“How is Ben this morning?” said Darcy.
“I would say he is slowly returning to his former self; however, he remains in his room.”
It filled her heart with worry that Darcy blamed himself for Ben’s low spirits when, in truth, it had everything to do with his uncle’s defection.
Darcy had not witnessed the effect his own leave-taking from Hertfordshire all those months ago had wrought upon young Ben’s state of mind—how he languished about for weeks, thinking he had lost his King Arthur forever.
When Ben loves, he loves with his whole heart and soul.
Even though their acquaintance was of a short duration, Elizabeth knew her son was well on his way to loving his uncle Carlton.
Both she and Darcy had made it their business to instil in Ben the importance of family, which in theory is always perfect, but in practice can sometimes lead to pain and loss, even suffering.
True, Elizabeth wanted to protect her young son from that natural truth, hence her reluctance for him to form an attachment with Henry Carlton, but how unfair it would have been to deny her son the chance to get to know one of the few living relatives on his late father’s side of the family.
Darcy diverted his gaze out the window once more. Elizabeth traced her fingers along his chiselled chin. How she loved the feel of his skin. Standing on the tip of her toes, her lips followed the trail of her fingers. “It is not your fault, you know.”
“I cannot say that I do.”
“You could not have known that Henry Carlton would turn out to be such a disappointment.”
“You knew.”
“Trust me, my love. I take no pleasure in that.”
Their eyes met. Darcy moistened his lips and slowly leaned towards her. Elizabeth closed her eyes and then opened them just as quickly—her hopes interrupted by the sound at the door.
In walked Bingley’s butler. He cleared his throat. “Pardon me, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy. Mr. Geoffrey Collins is here. He requests a private audience with Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged questioning glances. Darcy said, “Please, send him in.”
When the butler stepped outside the room, Elizabeth said, “A private audience with Geoffrey? I wonder what that is about.” Her countenance clouded with worry. “You do not suppose—”
Collins entered the room before Elizabeth could complete her sentence. Darcy and she met him halfway across the floor. He bowed slightly. Darcy did likewise and Elizabeth curtsied. “Darcy, Elizabeth,” said Collins, “thank you for receiving me.”
Elizabeth said, “I shall leave you two to talk.”
Collins reached out his hand. “No, Elizabeth, if you would, I wish for you to stay. You see, what I have to say concerns you as well.”
Elizabeth placed her hand on her chest. “Pray this has nothing to do with Papa. Has there been a setback in his recovery? When I left him yesterday, he was doing so well.”
“No, your father is well, at least as regards his health. But I fear there has been a recent event that threatens not only your father’s well-being, but rather the well-being of our entire family.” His voice serious, Collins continued, “My news, I fear, is dreadful. You may wish to have a seat.”
At that instant, Charles Bingley sauntered into the room. He seemed genuinely surprised to see the three of them standing there. “Oh, pardon my interruption.”
“You are not interrupting, Bingley. In fact, I am glad you have come. What I have to discuss with the Darcys concerns you just as much as it does them … in a manner of speaking.”
Elizabeth did not like the sound of that at all. She placed her hand on Darcy’s arm. Placing his hand over hers, Darcy said, “Shall we all have a seat and hear what Collins has to say?”
When they were all seated, Collins began. “There is no easy way to say this.” He ran his fingers through his dark hair. “Lydia … has run away. She has thrown herself into the power of Mr. Wickham.”
Elizabeth gasped. How can this be? Her eyes followed the same path as her husband’s—straight to Bingley’s. Before any of them could speak, Collins shot Bingley an apologetic glance and continued to tell them all he had learned about Lydia’s shameful behaviour.
After a period of starts and stops, struggling with the words to express his disappointment, Collins turned to Darcy. “You more than anyone know this man. I need your help.”
“Of course, I shall do everything in my power to be of service.”
“I was hoping you would say that. Lydia and Wickham were said to be off to London. Between the two of us, we ought to be able to recover her before it is too late.”
“Indeed. We shall set off for London immediately.” Both gentlemen stood.
Bingley said, “I believe I ought to go with the two of you.”
The door crashed open and in waltzed Caroline Bingley. As if oblivious to the fact that her brother was not alone, she blurted out, “Charles, I have the most astounding news. It seems my prayers have been answered. Our family is saved.”
He coloured. “Caroline, are you completely unaware that we have guests?”
Her face bore none of the contrition that one might expect in such a circumstance as this. “Mr. Collins! I was unaware you were here. I suppose you have come to convey the scandalous turn of events to Mr. Darcy and his dear wife.”
Charles ran his fingers through his hair. “You know what has happened?”
“My God, Charles, all of Meryton likely knows by now. I knew that little tramp was unworthy of you, and now everyone else knows it too.”
“Caroline! How can you be so unfeeling? You will apologise to our guests.”
In a tone that belied her true sentiments, she said, “Yes—yes, of course. I do apologise for the shame your youngest sister has brought to your family. Now, if you all will pardon me, I must be away.”
“No doubt to spread word of what has befallen the Bennets to everyone else in the county.”
“Oh—no! On the contrary, dear brother. I am off to arrange for my return to London as soon as can be. My purpose in remaining in this wretched place for as long as I did was to prevent you from ruining your life. It seems my work is done.”
Oh, how Elizabeth was pleased by that bit of information. Once Caroline was gone, she turned to Darcy. Her eyes beaming with unshed tears, she said, “I must be off to Longbourn. My family needs me.”
“Of course, my love. I shall come to Longbourn to say goodbye before taking my leave for town.”
Collins said, “Elizabeth, you are welcome to join me in the carriage.”
“Thank you, Geoffrey.”
The decision was then made that Darcy would make arrangements for his and Collins’s trip to town. When Collins and Elizabeth had gone, Bingley said, “Darcy, my offer to join in the search for Miss Lydia stands. Despite what this means for me, I really do believe it is the thing to do.”
“Charles, I will not try to change your mind. This is a most wretched situation for the family. However, I will understand if you find yourself rejoicing at the outcome. Heaven knows it is a blessing in disguise that young Lydia revealed her true nature before you and she headed to the altar.”
When Darcy set off in search of his man in order to arrange his swift departure from Hertfordshire, Bingley took a moment to reflect upon what this twisted turn of events truly meant to him.
How was he meant to feel? The jilted lover?
Fodder for the county’s derision? In truth, he welcomed any manner of ridicule so long as he did not have to marry that foolish Lydia.
If only I could persuade her to retract the malicious accusations staining my character.
Bingley sauntered to the side table and poured himself a drink.
He swallowed the amber liquid in one swift gulp. “What does it matter? I am free!”
Triumphant sentiments subsided as the irony of his situation crept into his mind.
It might well have been Bingley himself breaking the devastating news to everyone instead of Geoffrey Collins.
I should have gladly traded places with him, for it would mean that Jane was my wife.
How ironic indeed. Bingley now knew what he must do, for the thought of pining away for what would never be was doing him more harm than good.
He was a young man with his whole life ahead of him, and he had been given a second chance.
It is time I start acting like it. He cast a nostalgic view around the room.
Its greatest ties lay in the fact that it was in this house that he first realised how much he was in love with Jane.
I cannot go on this way. Jane has found love and happiness with another.
It is time I do the same. As long as I remain tied to Netherfield, I shall remain tied to Jane.
“When I return to London, I shall not come back to Hertfordshire. It is time I let Netherfield go.”
In love with the notion of being in love, Bingley poured another drink. Somewhere in all of England there has to be another woman as wonderful as Jane. I shall simply go on hoping and praying that one day I will find an angel I can claim as my own.
As much as the Bennet family would have liked to keep the news of Lydia’s scandalous behaviour a secret, it was impossible to keep such a thing concealed.
Upon hearing Caroline Bingley agonising over the horrible state of affairs, Georgiana’s feelings were a mixture of mortification and astonishment.
George Wickham had already proven himself to be less than the man she thought he was by his despicable behaviour towards Ben, but even she never suspected him capable of such mischief as this.
What kind of man would run off with another man’s intended?
Her thoughts now tended towards Lydia whom Georgiana always thought of as being rather silly, what with the way she paraded herself before any officer who gave her the slightest bit of encouragement.
How she could possibly be Elizabeth’s sister was but one of the questions that had raced through Georgiana’s mind upon first making Lydia’s acquaintance at Pemberley over Christmas.
How could she be so thoughtless as to throw away a promising future life with a man as amicable and caring as Mr. Bingley for the uncertainty that must surely await her with the likes of George Wickham?
That Lydia was young and wild and terribly foolish must surely be her excuse for falling prey to George Wickham’s charms. Still, as heartbroken as Georgiana was for the shame that had befallen the Bennet family and, by extension, the Darcy family, she could not help secretly rejoicing that she had not been the means of bringing it about.
Elizabeth came upon Georgiana, who was staring out the window. “Georgiana, I have rather disturbing news to impart. It has to do with my sister Lydia and—”
The younger woman interrupted. “Mr. Wickham?”
“How do you know?”
“I overheard Miss Bingley discussing the matter with her brother.”
“I am so sorry. I wanted to be the one to tell you, for I realise how much you admire him.”
“Oh, you need not apologise to me. It is true, I did at one time think very highly of Mr. Wickham, but that was before I learned of his true character.”
“Pray, what happened?”
“Oh, let us just say a troubling aspect of his character was revealed to me by a dear friend. By the bye, I must thank you for not confiding my misguided secret of thinking so highly of his worst enemy to my brother. I would hate having him know how foolish I was.”
“Your secret is safe with me. With that said, I will not promise to always be a party to keeping secrets from my husband.”
Georgiana faintly smiled. Exactly—this is precisely why I hesitate to go into detail of what happened to turn me against Mr. Wickham. I should hate to think what my brother would do if he knew Wickham had threatened to turn Ben over his knee.