Chapter XI
Never had it been so clear to Darcy that his sister had recovered from George Wickham’s machinations.
The way she had responded to Lydia Bennet’s silliness had instilled a fierce pride in Darcy; her cautions about focusing on military men proved that she understood the realities of her world.
Kitty and Lydia Bennet were still the same thoughtless girls they had always been, but perhaps they now comprehended something about the world in which they lived. It would only do them good.
Darcy noticed that Miss Elizabeth followed along, and though she was not open about her purpose, it was obvious that she was watching the girls.
What she expected, Darcy did not know, though he remained wary.
Most of the men who inhabited the regiment were decent enough, but Wickham was still at large, and Darcy could not relax if Wickham were in the same county, let alone the same town.
After the discussion about the officers and the realities of military life, they continued to walk the town, Miss Mary being the addition to their company.
There was little enough to see in Meryton; Darcy thought they had visited all the principal shops, but the youngest Bennet sisters were indefatigable, flitting from one place to another, always with laughter too loud, too eager for young gentlewomen to be considered proper.
Then rumors began to surface. They heard nothing from the officers, which was itself a surprise, given it concerned the regiment. As they walked, and the Bennet sisters stopped to talk to acquaintances, Darcy began to catch whispers about a certain militia officer he despised.
“Oh, did you not hear?” asked a young lady, addressing Miss Elizabeth. Darcy could not be certain, but he believed she had been introduced at a local function as Miss Harrington. “It is all over town. Mr. Wickham is being investigated.”
“Mr. Wickham?” demanded Miss Lydia. “For what?”
“It seems there has been some trouble with the merchants,” replied Miss Harrington. “I do not know everything, and the regiment and the shopkeepers have been closemouthed about it. It seems Mr. Wickham has debts with most of the shops in Meryton.”
“Debts?” asked Miss Kitty, eyes wide.
“Apparently, with no intention of paying them.” Miss Harrington grinned, as if she had disseminated tales such as this with great frequency and even greater relish.
“It is said that Colonel Forster has confined him to the stockade until he understands the truth of Mr. Wickham’s activities. There is even . . .”
Miss Harrington looked about and stepped closer, as if imparting a secret. It might have been had she not spoken in a voice that was clearly audible to the furthest reaches of the town.
“There is some talk of Mr. Wickham dallying with certain ladies of the town, though I know nothing more than that.”
“No, it must be some mistake,” said Lydia, horrified. “Mr. Wickham would never do such a thing!”
“On what do you base that opinion, Lydia?” asked Miss Mary.
Though the girl was often severe in Darcy’s experience, she appeared nothing more than curious. Miss Lydia appeared to take the question as a personal affront, opening her mouth to retort.
“Take care about what you say, Lydia,” interrupted Miss Elizabeth, not allowing her to speak. “Remember the conversation we just had about the officers. If they are naught but men and unremarkable, you should recall that a handsome face can hide secrets.”
Deflated, Miss Lydia muttered something that Darcy could not hear. No one paid her any attention.
“That is the rumor of what I have heard,” said Miss Harrington, not offended or put out in the slightest. “Perhaps once this all settles, we will learn the truth.”
Miss Harrington excused herself and walked away, leaving Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty whispering animatedly in clear distress.
Darcy paid no attention to them, however, for he caught sight of Miss Elizabeth, and more particularly, her expression.
Always a woman of confidence, now she was smiling with an air of utter triumph.
Before Darcy could speak, however, the Miss Bennets interrupted.
“We simply must go to the militia headquarters and discover what is happening,” declared Miss Lydia. “There must be some explanation, for Mr. Wickham is not the sort of man to do such things.”
“No, Lydia, you will not,” said Miss Elizabeth.
The elder sister glared at the younger, who returned it with interest. It amused Darcy to note that Miss Lydia broke the contest first, looking away and muttering to herself.
“You shall not barge into the militia offices as if they owe you an explanation,” emphasized Miss Elizabeth. “It is not only improper, but the matter does not concern you. Like the rest of the town, you will wait to hear the truth should Colonel Forster opt to make the details known.”
“But Lizzy!” whined Kitty.
“No, Kitty,” replied Elizabeth, not giving an inch. “Do not suppose you will not learn what has happened. Matters like this have a way of spreading through a neighborhood faster than we might wish. You will stay with us—it is almost time to return home anyway.”
Disgruntled though she was, Miss Lydia did not protest. Georgiana stepped close to the younger girls and began to speak to them, and soon they forgot their pique in favor of whatever she was saying. The reprieve allowed Darcy to sidle closer to Miss Elizabeth.
“This is all mysterious, Miss Elizabeth,” said he, watching her to see her reaction.
“Perhaps it is simply Mr. Wickham’s actions catching up with him.”
Darcy regarded her, certain she was not saying all. “If so, it is something I have never seen. Wickham has always had a deft hand, though it is not an honest one—usually, his victims see nothing of his activities until he departs like a thief in the night.”
“This time, it appears he overreached.”
There it was again, the sense that she was far too pleased with her own cleverness. Darcy was not certain what to make of it, except to conclude that she had some knowledge of the business with Wickham.
Before he could reply, another voice hailed them, and Miss Lucas appeared, approaching them from the north toward Longbourn and Lucas Lodge.
“Charlotte!” exclaimed Miss Elizabeth, catching her friend in an embrace. “It took you long enough, my friend. I had expected your arrival long before now.”
“Please forgive my tardiness,” said Miss Lucas, though the light of mischief gleamed in her eyes. “A matter kept me at Lucas Lodge longer than I expected.”
Then Miss Lucas stepped closer and said in a low voice: “Does this meet your satisfaction?”
Miss Elizabeth laughed. “To be certain. Please thank your father for me—his assistance was most appreciated.”
“You know that Papa was happy to do it. Given his ties to the town, he did not wish to allow Mr. Wickham to do what he would.”
“Well do I know it,” agreed Miss Elizabeth.
“Now, if you will excuse me, I am not at leisure this morning.” Miss Lucas winked. “My mother has sent me here on a commission, so I should be about my business.”
After giving Miss Elizabeth another embrace, Miss Lucas walked away down the street. Darcy did not wait before addressing Miss Elizabeth again.
“It seems you have been busy, Miss Elizabeth, though I suppose I should not be surprised. You did tell Georgiana you would handle Wickham. What I do not yet understand is how you managed it.”
Miss Elizabeth turned to regard him. “You are convinced that I was involved?”
“Do not think me witless, Miss Elizabeth. If I did not see your expression of utter triumph, what Miss Lucas just said confirms the matter. Will you not share your method?”
MR. DARCY’S PERCEPTION of Elizabeth’s satisfaction was accurate.
Elizabeth was not surprised, for whatever else she thought of the gentleman, she had never doubted his discernment.
Though she considered prolonging his curiosity—deserved, given his lack of action—she opted to explain, to watch him for his reaction, and to enjoy the knowledge that she had acted where Mr. Darcy had not.
“It was quite simple, Mr. Darcy,” said she, affecting an airy unconcern. “Why, a child of five could have done what I did.”
“Indeed?” replied Mr. Darcy. The gentleman seemed to sense her enjoyment, but rather than become angry, he appeared content to wait for her to come to the point. “Tell me, Miss Elizabeth, did you have the assistance of a child of five?”
“Not at all,” said Elizabeth.
“It has never been more evident to me than at this moment that you are a teasing woman.” Contrary to his words, Mr. Darcy appeared to be enjoying Elizabeth’s game. “Now, will you not tell me, or should I beg for relief from the uncertainty?”
“Oh, very well,” said Elizabeth, finally capitulating. “How much do you know about Sir William?”
“Only what is commonly understood,” replied Mr. Darcy.
“Sir William owns a small estate—adjacent to both Longbourn and Netherfield, from what I understand. It is not a large property, but sufficient to provide for his family. I assume that whatever you wish to tell me concerns facts about Sir William of which I am unaware.”
“Yes, it does. For you see, Mr. Darcy, Sir William only became a gentleman recently. Before he received his knighthood and the benefits it affords, Sir William lived in Meryton, where he not only managed a successful business, but was also the mayor of Meryton.”
“Then Sir William was involved in whatever consequences you arranged for Mr. Wickham’s downfall?”
“Yes, he was,” said Miss Elizabeth. “When I heard of what Georgiana suffered at Mr. Wickham’s hands, I could not sit idly by while he worked his schemes on the town.”
“That is fascinating, Miss Elizabeth, for I distinctly recall promising to act against Wickham.”