Chapter VI #2
Such an outcome was, it seemed, too much to hope.
Lydia remained a significant distance in front of them, such that she arrived at Longbourn several minutes before her sisters.
By the time they entered the house, the girl had retired above stairs.
Other than emerging for dinner that evening, Lydia shunned their company in favor of her bedchamber.
“There is little enough reason to question her,” said Mr. Bennet when Elizabeth said something of the day’s events. “Lydia is determined to be displeased, and displeased she will be.”
Then her father chuckled and added: “It is unfortunate, I suppose, that circumstances denied her the sojourn in Brighton. I remain convinced it would have been the best way for her to learn of her insignificance.”
That Elizabeth did not agree with her father’s assessment did not bear repeating.
For a time thereafter, she considered her sister’s behavior, still certain it had been odd.
Yet there was nothing Elizabeth could recite, no specific behavior she could assert was unusual.
Lydia had not been unknown to leave Kitty behind when she found her sister’s behavior tiresome or her presence unwanted, and unkindness was certainly a facet of her character.
Elizabeth was unable to suppress the thought that Lydia had something beyond her usual behavior or dissatisfaction with her current residence at Longbourn in mind.
What this all portended she could not quite say, for Elizabeth could not imagine what mischief Lydia might contemplate.
It was not as if Lydia could run away to Brighton—Elizabeth did not think her sister had any notion of how she might travel there, even if the desire entered her mind.
Thus, with no option available to her, Elizabeth allowed the matter to rest. But she did not mean to relax her vigilance, for Lydia’s ability to create havoc was honed and ready to be unleashed on her unsuspecting family. Elizabeth did not mean to be taken unaware.
––––––––
“Patience, Darcy. There is little enough reason to concern yourself at present, for I have no notion that Wickham has escaped the net we have set for him.”
“How can you be certain?” demanded Darcy.
In sharp contrast to the day Fitzwilliam had arrived at his house, now Darcy was engaged in pacing the room, his anxiety nigh unendurable.
It had been three days since Fitzwilliam had brought the distressing news of Wickham’s possible plans, and there had been no sign of him and little evidence he was yet in the city.
Fitzwilliam, Darcy knew, was as intent upon protecting Miss Elizabeth from Wickham as Darcy was himself.
In this matter, however, he had proved that his well of patience far exceeded Darcy’s own.
While Fitzwilliam esteemed Miss Elizabeth, he was not in love with her as Darcy was, and as a result, his imagination had not run wild as Darcy’s had.
“There has been no word of his trying to escape the city,” replied Fitzwilliam.
“The men I have in Hertfordshire have said nothing of his appearing there. Trust me, Darcy—even if Wickham evaded the men I have watching the roads leading to the north, he would not escape their notice in Hertfordshire. The word I have received from those watching Longbourn report the estate is as tranquil as you might expect.”
Darcy grunted and threw himself into a chair. “That does not quash my concerns. We should be in Meryton even now, rather than waiting for some news of Wickham here. If he does evade your men, there will be little opportunity for us to thwart him situated four hours to the south as we are.”
Fitzwilliam regarded him for a long moment before he replied with a slow nod.
“While I am concerned with the possibility of his learning of our presence there, I concur it would be best if we went north. Besides, if he knows anything about your residence in London now when you usually would have long returned to the north, leaving will set his mind at ease.”
“Are you suggesting Wickham has an informant in my house?” asked Darcy, frowning at the suggestion.
“I am saying nothing of the sort,” said Fitzwilliam. “Your staff detests him nearly as much as I do myself. And that mountain of a man you call footman would be no less than eager to lay hands on him.”
Darcy responded with a mirthless laugh. “Yes, Thompson has a grudge against Wickham. I dare say he considers the last thrashing he gave Wickham to be insufficient, and would like nothing better than to repeat the experience.”
“Then it behooves us to provide the opportunity,” was Fitzwilliam’s response, incongruous with the pious undertone in his evil statement. “The notion of Wickham sporting a few bruises administered by the faithful Thompson fills me with contentment.”
“Then shall we go north?” asked Darcy.
“Very well,” replied Fitzwilliam. “There is no need to delay longer. Let us inform Mr. Bennet of the potential danger and ensure Wickham cannot harm his daughter.”
Fitzwilliam paused, regarding him. “Do you mean to send Georgiana to Pemberley? That might be best for her, though I would suggest a large escort ready to deal with Wickham if our conjecture is incorrect.”
“No,” replied Darcy without hesitation. “With Wickham on the loose, I do not mean to allow her out of my sight. She will travel to Hertfordshire with us.”
“Are you certain that is wise?” asked Fitzwilliam, his uncertainty written on his brow. “Assuming we are correct about his intentions, that might put her in his path, to say nothing of what I expect of the inn’s inadequacy.”
“I cannot imagine the inn will be comfortable,” agreed Darcy. “Yet I shall feel much better if I can see to her protection myself.”
“What of Georgiana’s feelings on the subject?”
Darcy nodded. “She is much improved from her experience last year. She is also eager to make Miss Elizabeth’s acquaintance, such that she suggested we apply to Bingley to stay at Netherfield this summer.”
“You did not send to Bingley until I arrived,” said Fitzwilliam with a frown. “Unless I am mistaken, it seemed you meant to return to Pemberley before I upended your summer plans.”
“You are not mistaken,” replied Darcy. “This business of Wickham changed my mind. We cannot expect a response for at least several more days. But if Georgiana takes to Miss Elizabeth as I expect she will, I mean to ensure she has as much time in her company as I can manage.”
“This is a new tactic,” replied Fitzwilliam, his grin showing his amusement. “I have often heard of ladies showing attention to Georgiana to gain your approval, but I had no notion you could apply the stratagem in reverse.”
There was, Darcy supposed, some truth in his cousin’s irreverent statement, though he had not judged it in those terms. “To introduce Georgiana to Miss Elizabeth can only help my cause,” mused he with an absence of thought.
“A woman such as Miss Elizabeth cannot help but love your sister. If nothing else, I suspect she will understand Georgiana’s shyness at once and work to cure her of it.”
Darcy nodded. “An acquaintance with Miss Elizabeth will do her good. Even Miss Elizabeth’s youngest sisters, though they are nearly wild, will also help.”
“If only we can keep them all from learning of her experience with Wickham last summer.” The remembrance brought darkness to Fitzwilliam’s mien. “If Wickham presumes to open his mouth and speak even a syllable, I shall have his tongue.”
Though he agreed with his cousin privately, Darcy considered who already knew of the event, not that he thought Miss Elizabeth’s knowledge would do anything other than further dispose her to his sister.
Something must have shown in his expression, for Fitzwilliam started and regarded Darcy, his suspicion written across his face.
“Yes, you are correct,” said Darcy after a moment, “Miss Elizabeth knows of Georgiana’s near ruin last summer.”
It was a long moment before Fitzwilliam spoke as he mastered his temper. When he exerted control over himself, he regarded Darcy with a censorious look.
“It was my understanding that we had agreed no one would ever know of what transpired in Ramsgate. Yet you informed Miss Elizabeth who, though an excellent woman, has no connection with our family? What were you thinking, Darcy?”
“If you recall,” said Darcy, trying not to sound defensive, “Miss Elizabeth directed some rather pointed accusations at me when I proposed to her at Hunsford.”
Fitzwilliam gave him a tight nod. Following his resolution, Darcy had told his cousin of the event, much to Fitzwilliam’s amusement.
As he had expected, Fitzwilliam had proven supportive, for he had the highest opinion of Miss Elizabeth and felt Darcy could not do better in a future wife.
Darcy had not informed him of the full accounting he had given her to persuade her of his innocence in the matter of Wickham.
“Knowing how he had deceived her,” continued Darcy, “I knew I must give her the full knowledge of his depravity. Thus, I informed her, not only of our history but of his actions toward Georgiana.”
“That was a risk, Darcy,” said Fitzwilliam, his tone still disapproving.
“Yes, I cannot but suppose Miss Elizabeth is as trustworthy as you claim,” said Fitzwilliam when Darcy would have protested.
“I have no notion she will think the worst of our girl for her near misstep. There is a risk of a secret being revealed the more people know of it, to say nothing of including it in a letter that may fall into the wrong hands.”
“Perhaps there is,” said Darcy, allowing no hint of guilt to enter his mind. “Yet I cannot say I did not do it for the best, for Miss Elizabeth was on her guard when she returned, given the officers’ testimony of her last meeting with him.”
“It will serve her well should he accost her as we suspect.” Fitzwilliam sighed.
“Very well, Darcy, I shall not say you were in error when you informed her. Please, let this matter go no further. We shall deal with Wickham and end his predations on his fellow men. Then there will be no need to inform anyone else.”
For a moment, Darcy wondered if he should tell his cousin about the closeness between Miss Elizabeth and her elder sister.
He could not state with any surety whether Miss Elizabeth had shared the matter with Miss Bennet, but their relationship was of such closeness that he thought it possible.
There was little enough reason to belabor the subject, so Darcy decided against it, knowing he had little more than conjecture, regardless.
“Now,” said Fitzwilliam, “is there anything else of which you have neglected to tell me? Perhaps another secret or two in the closet? Or perhaps Miss Elizabeth has a twin sister who might suit me?’
Darcy chuckled and shook his head. “I apologize, Fitzwilliam, but I know of no such connections. You might find her elder sister agreeable, but I doubt Bingley would be pleased if I assisted you in transferring her affections to you.”
“If he was foolish enough to leave her,” said Fitzwilliam, “I have little sympathy for the man.” Fitzwilliam regarded him quizzically. “Is she much like Miss Elizabeth?”
“Nearly the opposite,” replied Darcy. “Miss Elizabeth is arch while Miss Bennet is sweet, lively where her sister is demure, and will tell you exactly what she thinks where one must guess the contents of Miss Bennet’s heart.
I cannot recall two sisters who are less similar, but share such a profound relationship. ”
“Well, well,” said Fitzwilliam, appearing pleased to hear it.
“I shall anticipate taking her measure. Your friend Bingley can rest easy from my interference, for you know I must marry with some attention to money. If she is as fine a woman as I suspect you are telling me, perhaps she is worth resigning my independence.”
“I shall make no other comment,” replied Darcy. “You shall meet her yourself before long. I shall say that I do not find her nearly so interesting as her sister.”
“That is because you are of a reticent disposition yourself,” said Fitzwilliam, his manner suggesting distraction. “I am garrulous enough for us both, should I take a reticent wife. I imagine a little coaxing will reveal plenty of tidbits to stoke my interest.”
At that, Darcy decided he had said enough.
Though Darcy had misinterpreted her silence and suspected her of indifference to his friend, Miss Elizabeth’s testimony now told him that Miss Bennet had not been unaffected.
As such, he had no desire to intrude upon Bingley’s interest by supporting his cousin in any pursuit of Miss Bennet.
That might be a break from which his friendship with Bingley might never recover, given what he knew of Bingley’s continued admiration for Miss Bennet.
Thus, it was better to leave the matter strictly alone.
“Then we should inform Georgiana of the situation and prepare for a departure early tomorrow morning,” said Fitzwilliam, his businesslike attitude coming again to the fore. “Might I assume you will not tell Georgiana you informed Miss Elizabeth of her time in Ramsgate?”
“I do not think there is any occasion for that,” said Darcy. “It would only render her anxious and silent when she meets Miss Elizabeth.”
“Yes, I suppose you must be correct. Then if you will see to your preparations, I shall inform my contacts of our departure on the morrow. It would be best, I should think, to speak to Georgiana tonight.”
“I agree,” said Darcy.
With that, the cousins separated to see to their tasks.
A sense of relief welled up within Darcy’s breast. This sitting about in London wondering what Wickham might contemplate had been difficult to endure, especially given the distance to Hertfordshire.
When he was on hand to thwart anything Wickham might attempt, he would feel much better about the situation.