Chapter 22
Chapter twenty-two
Elizabeth stood in the foyer at Netherfield speaking with Millie when Darcy entered.
“Good morning, Miss Elizabeth, Millie. I hope you are both well.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Very well, thank you.”
Millie curtseyed. “Good morning, sir.”
Darcy’s gaze fell upon the basket in Millie’s hand. “Let me guess, a visit to Mrs. Smith?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth replied. “I wished to check on her and let her know we shall be away for some time.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “Perhaps you would allow me to accompany you and permit Millie to forgo it.”
Elizabeth glanced at Millie with a small smile. “I should like that. Millie, you may return to your packing.”
Millie bobbed another curtsey and departed, and Darcy took the basket before offering Elizabeth his arm.
They stepped outside and set off along the path. The air was crisp, the morning still. For a time, neither spoke, the quiet broken only by the sound of their steps and the distant call of birds.
At length, Darcy turned slightly toward her. “I have written to Georgiana. She is very eager to make your acquaintance, and that of your family.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened. “I look forward to meeting her as well. Though I hope she will not be overwhelmed. My family can be… rather lively.”
There was a hint of amusement in her tone, though she grew more thoughtful as she continued. “I should also wish to introduce you to my aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. They reside in Gracechurch Street.”
Darcy paused, and Elizabeth stopped with him. “I should be very glad to know them,” he said, without hesitation.
Elizabeth’s smile returned, brighter now, and she resumed walking.
“Did you imagine I would refuse?” he asked.
“I had hoped you would not.”
Darcy’s expression grew thoughtful. “I count Bingley among my closest friends. I am not insensible to the value of trade, nor to those engaged in it. Indeed, I have invested in several such ventures myself.”
There was no defensiveness in his tone, only quiet sincerity. By then, they had reached the Smith cottage.
Before Elizabeth could knock, the door flew open and little Emma Smith came running down the path. “Miz Lizzy! Mr. Dawcy!”
Elizabeth laughed as Emma seized her free hand and began speaking at once, her words tumbling over one another in eager excitement about her brother and her doll.
Darcy watched the exchange with a softened expression as they followed her toward the door, where Mrs. Smith stood waiting to welcome them inside.
***
When Darcy returned to Netherfield with Elizabeth, he found Mr. Bennet waiting.
“Mr. Darcy, I have received word from Colonel Forster. He has requested my presence. Might you be available to accompany me?”
Darcy glanced briefly at Elizabeth, who smiled in encouragement. “Yes, of course. We may take my carriage.”
Within minutes they were on their way.
Mr. Bennet turned slightly toward him. “I must confess, sir, that I dissembled a little. Colonel Forster asked for me alone, but as you are acquainted with this Mr. Wickham, I should be very glad of your assistance.”
“You have it, sir.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence and were soon shown into Colonel Forster’s office, with Captain Langley in attendance.
“Gentlemen, I thank you for coming. Pray, be seated.” Forster inclined his head. “I returned only last evening and have since been informed that Mr. Wickham was again found upon Longbourn property.”
He glanced down at a paper before him. “I understand he has been confined pending my return. I am also told that the origin of the fire has now been determined, and that Mr. Wickham was not responsible.”
Mr. Bennet nodded, his expression grave. “The fire was caused by my cousin, Mr. Collins. He has confessed before several witnesses. It appears to have been accidental.”
At that moment, there was a knock.
“Enter.”
Captain Langley returned, followed by two guards escorting Lieutenant Wickham.
Wickham’s expression darkened at once when he saw Darcy. “Darcy, you had best cease your lies about me, or I shall make known…”
Colonel Forster rose at once. “Lieutenant Wickham. You will remain silent until you are addressed. Am I understood?”
Wickham stiffened. “Yes, sir.”
Forster regarded him steadily. “What I fail to comprehend is how you came to be again at Longbourn, having been given explicit orders not to leave camp?”
Wickham hesitated, then said sullenly, “I did nothing. They seized me and bound me like a criminal.”
Forster did not react. “You have repeatedly disobeyed orders,” he said evenly. “And your conduct toward a gentlewoman has been the subject of serious complaint.”
Wickham’s mouth tightened. “As for Miss Elizabeth, she encouraged…”
Darcy rose sharply, composure slipping before he could check it.
Forster’s hand struck the desk sharply. “That will do.”
The room fell silent.
“Your conduct is incompatible with your position in this regiment,” Forster continued. “You will prepare to leave it at once. You will also see that your debts to the tradesmen of Meryton are discharged without delay.”
Wickham paled. “I cannot satisfy those debts at present. If Darcy had only paid what was owed me…”
Forster’s expression hardened. “You will not repeat that tale here. I have been made fully acquainted with the truth of that matter.”
Darcy spoke then, his voice calm though the tension had not entirely left him. “I will see the Meryton accounts settled.”
Forster inclined his head. “You have my thanks, sir.”
He turned back to Wickham. “Collect your belongings. I expect you gone without delay.”
Mr. Bennet watched Wickham leave. "I cannot say I shall miss him."
***
Elizabeth was writing when a knock at the door drew her attention. Mr. Wilmot stood in the doorway, and she set aside her pen. “Pray, come in. Thank you for coming. Do sit down.”
Mr. Wilmot sat down. “I understand you are going to London.”
Elizabeth nodded. “We may be there for some time. We have decided to proceed with the repairs at Longbourn. Pray, consult the builders and obtain an estimate. We shall include the fireplaces and the kitchen. As matters stand, we lose both heat and convenience.” She paused, considering.
“I expect we shall correspond for several months. You will have Mr. Reeves now, which should be of assistance. Pray, review the kitchen and servant passages together. I should like the work made easier, not merely grander.”
She hesitated a moment. “I confess I shall miss Hertfordshire. I have not been away for more than a few days in a very long time… and I suspect it may be some time before things are quite the same again.”
Mr. Wilmot nodded. “You have been working very hard. I am glad you will have this time away. I think it will do you good.”
She inclined her head, though her attention was not entirely upon the conversation. “Yes. You must write to me if any issues arise.”
Mr. Wilmot smiled. “Of course.”
***
Bingley entered the drawing room. When he saw Caroline, he smiled. Mrs. Hurst merely turned the page of her book without comment.
Bingley took a seat near his sister. “I thought you would like to know the Bennets are leaving tomorrow.”
Caroline looked up at once. “Leaving? You told me they were to remain here.”
“Yes. They will instead be staying with a friend while Longbourn is repaired.” He paused, then added, more firmly than before, “It seems your behaviour has made them feel unwelcome.”
Caroline lifted one shoulder, as if the matter were of no consequence. “I cannot imagine what you mean. I have been perfectly civil. In any case, I am sure they will be far more comfortable with their friend.”
“Yes,” Bingley said mildly. “I believe they will.”
She gave a light laugh. “Perhaps we shall call upon them in Cheapside.”
Mrs. Hurst lowered her book. “I do not think that will be necessary.”
Caroline glanced at her. “No, you are quite right. There is no reason to call in Cheapside.”
Bingley looked between them with a faint smile. “I suspect that is not what Louisa meant.”
Caroline frowned. “Then what did she mean?”
“She means their friend does not reside in Cheapside, but in Grosvenor Square.”
Caroline gave a short laugh. “They would say so to preserve appearances. Grosvenor Square indeed.”
“No,” Bingley replied, still calm. “I am quite certain. I have been to Darcy’s house many times. It is in Grosvenor Square.”
Caroline rose abruptly. “Mr. Darcy would never invite them to stay in his house.”
She hesitated, then sat again, visibly more composed. “When do we leave for town?”
Bingley shook his head. “We are not going to Darcy House. Darcy has not invited us.”
Her gaze sharpened. “Why not? We are his friends, far more so than the Bennets.”
“I should not have to explain it to you, Caroline. The Bennets’ home has been damaged by fire. I imagine even you must understand the difference.”
She was silent a moment, then said lightly, “Then we ought to go to town as well. There can be little reason to remain here.”
***
Elizabeth stood before Bramble’s stall, her hand resting on his nose. “I shall miss you.”
She looked up as Darcy entered the stable.
Darcy rubbed Bramble's neck, “Why not take him with you?”
Elizabeth turned, a little surprised. “To London?”
“Yes, of course. There is ample room for him and Willow. We might all ride together in Rotten Row.” He gave a small smile. “I am told it is quite the thing to do.”
Elizabeth’s expression brightened. “I should like that very much. I had not thought it possible.”
Darcy stepped a little closer. “There is something else I wished to tell you. Your father and I met with Colonel Forster this morning. Mr. Wickham has been discharged from the militia on account of his conduct.”
Elizabeth stilled, then shook her head. “I cannot say I am surprised. He seems determined to act against his own interests.”
Then her expression changed. “Oh no, Charlotte. She has only just returned, and we leave tomorrow.”
Darcy glanced at his watch. “It is not yet late. We could ride over and call upon your friend.”
Her face lit at once. “I should like that very much.”
She glanced down at her dress. “If you will excuse me, I shall return in a few minutes.”
Not long after, they were riding out together.
They soon reached Meryton and drew up before a neat brick house. Darcy assisted Elizabeth from her horse before stepping back.
“I shall take a short turn and return in half an hour, if that suits you.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Yes, thank you.”
She was admitted by the maid and shown into the drawing room.
“Charlotte, I am so happy to see you.”
Charlotte rose at once and embraced her. “My dear Lizzy, pray sit down.”
Elizabeth smiled warmly. “You look very happy.”
“I am,” Charlotte said, her countenance bright with quiet contentment. “Colonel Forster took me to his estate after our wedding. I believe we shall be very comfortable there.”
“And yet he remains with the militia?”
“For the present, yes. Though I hear Mr. Wickham has been obliged to resign.”
Elizabeth sighed lightly. “Yes. Mr. Darcy has just informed me.”
Charlotte’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Mr. Darcy, indeed. And what am I to understand from that?”
Elizabeth colored slightly. “He has been very…attentive.”
“Attentive?” Charlotte returned with a knowing look. “How very interesting.”
Elizabeth laughed softly, then grew a little more serious. “In truth, that is partly why I came. We are to leave tomorrow for London. Mr. Darcy has invited our family to stay with him and his sister.”
Charlotte’s expression softened. “Then I fear it may be some time before we meet again. The regiment is to leave Meryton in a few months and proceed to Brighton.”
“Brighton!” Elizabeth said with a smile. “You must write to me of all your adventures there.”
“And you,” Charlotte replied, taking her hand, “must write to me of yours.”