Chapter 6
Mrs. Gardiner sat heavilyin a wingback chair, Jane’s letters crumpled in her lap as she waited for Mr. Gardiner to meet her in the parlor. She replayed the shocking revelations in her mind. Lydia, that foolish girl, had run off with Mr. Wickham—the very man whose character she’d long doubted. She pressed her fingertips to her temples, willing the throbbing ache behind her eyes to subside.
Her husband’s footsteps approached, apprehension written on his face. “Well? What does Jane say?”
Mrs. Gardiner’s mouth tightened. “The first letter confirms Lydia eloped with Wickham, but the second...” She trailed off. “Many now believe he never intended to marry her at all.”
The weight of her words hung between them. Mr. Gardiner’s complexion paled as understanding dawned. For an unmarried woman of Lydia’s station to be compromised in such a way—the consequences would be catastrophic. Not just for the girl, but for her entire family.
“Lord.” He sank into the chair opposite, hands gripping the armrests. “If they do not marry, her reputation will be destroyed, and the Bennets will be ruined by association.”
Mrs. Gardiner nodded, her throat tight. “Precisely.” She forced herself to meet his gaze,hence her eyes shining with unshed tears. “We must act swiftly.”
Mr. Gardiner straightened, hardening his features. “I shall leave for London at once. Perhaps, through some of my associations there, I can make inquiries and hence offer some assistance in locating the wayward pair.” He paused. “Wickham must be made to do the honorable thing.”
“Yes.” Mrs. Gardiner pressed his hand. “We cannot allow our family to suffer such indignity. Not if there is any way to prevent it.” She took a steadying breath. “Godspeed, Edward. I shall remain here and write to you of any news from Longbourn.”
With a grim nod, Mr. Gardiner swept from the room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor like a death knell. Mrs. Gardiner slumped back, closing her eyes against the tide of dread that threatened to overwhelm her. For Lydia’s sake—for all their sakes—her husband’s efforts must not be in vain.
Darcy lookedup from his desk as Mr. Gardiner entered his study. The older man’s expression was grave, his shoulders heavy with the weight of unspoken troubles.
“Mr. Darcy, I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality during this trying time.” Mr. Gardiner’s voice was strained, his gratitude genuine but laced with worry.
Rising from his chair, Darcy approached his guest. “Think nothing of it, Mr. Gardiner. Is there any way I can be of further assistance? Perhaps I could send for any of Miss Elizabeth’s relatives who might bring her comfort during her recovery?”
Mr. Gardiner shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips. “I’m afraid I must leave for London immediately, Mr. Darcy. Another family emergency demands my attention, and I must entrust my wife to remain with Elizabeth.”
“Please, allow me to send someone in your stead. Surely there must be a way for me to help your family further.”
The older man hesitated, his gaze searching Mr. Darcy’s face. “I appreciate your offer, but I must go myself. It is a matter of a sensitive nature.”
Perhaps were he not experiencing a crisis of his own in his fear of losing Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy would have left the matter alone. However, he was so resolved to sweep away any business that might cast a shadow on Elizabeth’s happiness that he dared to press further. “Mr. Gardiner, we do not know each other exceedingly well, though I have enjoyed our acquaintance during this brief period. Let me speak as plainly as I can: it is my fault that all three of you were at risk when you walked near the stream. Miss Elizabeth should not have even been able to walk on the shore after a storm, much less have fallen into the water.”
“Sir,” Mr. Gardiner began, unsure how to tactfully shorten his host’s apology without causing offense, “It was an accident, nothing more.”
“Accident or no, I take full responsibility for the well-being of all guests on my lands.” Mr. Darcy stepped forward, intent on reaching that understanding which only two gentlemen could recognize. “How sorry I am that this happened, you will never know. What I will tell you now is that Miss Elizabeth saved my life, as much as I saved hers.”
That gave Mr. Gardiner pause.
“The current was so strong that I could only pull her to the shore before I fell in. Were it not for her strength and determination to pull me up despite her own injuries, I most likely would have drowned.” Mr. Darcy looked away. “I could have left my sister alone in this world.”
So little was left unsaid, yet the gulf between the truth and what had yet manifested in reality was the size of the ocean.
“You must understand, sir,” he said softly, “that I owe her my life as much as she owes me hers.”
Mr. Gardiner, compelled by the gravity of this declaration, merely inclined his head. Whether it was in approval or in exhortation, Mr. Darcy would chance his displeasure and continue.
“I have and will do everything in my power to save Miss Elizabeth’s life. But I beg of you to let me be of assistance in any matter that concerns your family. You have my word that I will be as discreet as necessary.”
They both stood there for longer than was comfortable, until Mr. Gardiner arrived at some state of acceptance. His voice was deeper than Mr. Darcy had heard it before. “Very well. I must implore you to keep what I am about to share in the strictest confidence.”
Nodding solemnly, Darcy braced himself.
“Elizabeth’s younger sister, Lydia, went with Colonel Forster and his wife to Brighton, where the local regiment is camped for several weeks. According to Mrs. Forster, Lydia left in the middle of the night, unchaperoned, with George Wickham.”
The words fell in the space between them like giant stones into a mill pond. A curious ringing sounded in Mr. Darcy’s ears.
It was not Elizabeth. Whatever Wickham had done, it was not to Elizabeth. She was here, safe under his own roof. Yet his body reacted as if the blackguard had dragged her from the grounds in front of his eyes, despite his mind rejecting the idea.
“Lydia left a note claiming they were to elope and marry in Gretna Green, but the Colonel can find no evidence that the couple have traveled beyond London.” Mr. Gardiner fiddled with the traveling hat Mr. Darcy only -belatedly noticed in his hands. “We now doubt Mr. Wickham has any intention of marrying Lydia at all. I am going to London to attempt to locate her and see if I can convince Wickham to do the honorable thing.”
If ever there were a more fruitless task, Mr. Darcy thought.
To Mr. Gardiner, he said only, “Please, take my fastest post-chaise for your journey. Your coach can remain here should Mrs. Gardiner require it. As for Miss Elizabeth, let us spare her the distressing news of the second letter until she has regained her strength. She need not bear this burden while she recovers.”
Elizabeth did not deserve this burden. If he knew her at all, she had likely advised her foolish mother, Mrs. Bennet, to deny Lydia the chance to embark on any number of adventures that might well result in the besmirching of their good name, perhaps even this very holiday with the Forsters.
It would not matter if word traveled—and it would, for Lydia’s presence at the Forster residence would be well-known in Brighton, just as her sudden absence at the same time as Wickham’s would be. If the Forsters were honorable enough and cognizant of their own social standing to sense the cliff in the darkness a few steps away, they would act in order to avert stepping off the edge.
That would not stop the gossip, however. As soon as anyone reported having seen the young lady in Wickham’s company before they obtained a license, the damage would be done. She and the rest of her direct family would be denied entry into any social functions that involved the gentry, and those good neighbors and townspeople, the acquaintances who made the rigors and trials of everyday life proceed smoothly, might be even less forgiving.
This was, in a word, disastrous.
Mr. Gardiner’s eyes shone with gratitude, the weight of his troubles momentarily lifted by Mr. Darcy’s unwavering support. If he knew the greater part of Darcy’s motivations, his astonishment would be tempered with a worldly understanding that transcended every class of people.
As the two men made their arrangements, Darcy’s thoughts turned to Elizabeth. If he was to shield her from the impending storm that threatened to engulf her family, he had to act immediately.
Mr. Darcy stoodat the entrance of Pemberley, watching as the post-chaise carrying Mr. Gardiner disappeared down the lane. He knew he had to act swiftly. With a resolute nod, he turned to Barnes, who had materialized at his side.
“Barnes, ready my personal carriage and travel case. I must depart for London post-haste.”
“Right away, sir.” Barnes bowed and hurried off to make the necessary arrangements.
Barnes’s employer strode through the halls of Pemberley, his footsteps echoing against the polished floors. He found himself outside Elizabeth’s room, his hand hovering over the door handle. The urge to see her, to reassure himself of her well-being, was almost overwhelming. But he knew he could not linger, not when time was of the essence.
With a heavy heart, he knocked gently on the door.
Mrs. Gardiner answered. “Mr. Darcy, is everything all right?”
“Mrs. Gardiner, I must apologize for the abruptness of my departure. An urgent matter has arisen in London that requires my immediate attention.” He paused, his gaze drifting past her to the bed where Elizabeth lay, her face pale against the pillows. “I assure you that Mrs. Reynolds and the staff at Pemberley are at your complete disposal. Dr. Ferren will continue to visit daily to monitor Miss Elizabeth’s recovery.”
Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes filled with understanding. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. Your hospitality and kindness have been immeasurable.”
Darcy inclined his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “It is the least I can do.” He hesitated, his eyes once again drawn to Elizabeth’s still form. “Please, keep the staff informed of any changes in her condition.”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy. Safe travels to you.”
With a final nod, he turned and strode away, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he was leaving Elizabeth behind. But he knew that his actions in London could determine the fate of her family, and he was determined to do everything in his power to protect them.
As he climbed into his carriage, the leather seats creaking beneath his weight, Fitzwilliam closed his eyes. If Wickham perchance had scuttled under some loose bricks in the dankest Winchester House tenement, he would uncover him stone by stone. In fact, Mr. Darcy knew precisely the man most fit to find him.