Chapter 1.14 #3
Darcy had no alternative than to introduce his cousin to Mr Bennet, and he was about to ask the colonel to leave when a sudden idea stopped him. He approached Mr Bennet, who was about to start speaking with his brother.
“Mr Bennet, I hope you will accept my help in this situation. I have to confess I am very selfish in asking this because I have more than one reason to want the problem solved as rapidly and conveniently as possible. Moreover, I know it is mostly my fault; I should have known better than to expose you and your family—”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy. How could I refuse such an offer when I am lost and do not know what to do? You, of course, are taking too much upon yourself; the fault is entirely mine. I was not wary enough and never very diligent in protecting my family.”
“Gentlemen,” interrupted the colonel almost rudely, “this is a fascinating discussion, but perhaps you could delay it? It seems to me something very serious and urgent has occurred, and it might be more useful to seek a solution and debate the laying of blame later.”
“The colonel is right, brother. For God’s sake, tell me what happened!”
Mr Bennet looked uneasily at the colonel and then at Darcy, who in turn finally came to the point. “Sir, my cousin is indeed the most trustworthy person we could hope to find, and his help could be priceless in this situation. If you will permit me, I would suggest confiding in him.”
The gentleman silently agreed. Mr Bennet was tired, dejected, and remorseful, and the two glasses of brandy had made him light-headed.
“Do as you wish, Mr Darcy.”
“Very well then. Mr Gardiner, I do not know how much you are aware of a certain Mr Wickham, an officer who was in residence in Meryton with the militia regiment.” He nodded as the colonel looked at Darcy, his brows furrowed.
“This man is an old acquaintance of mine, and when I met him in Hertfordshire, it was indeed the most unpleasant surprise. Being a few times in his company, Mr Bennet was not deceived by Wickham’s pleasant manners and decided to make inquiries about his activities in the neighbourhood; when we shared our opinion—during the Netherfield ball—I considered the plan very wise.
Unfortunately, Georgiana’s accident demanded my sudden departure, but as soon as I had the opportunity, I wrote Mr Bennet a letter, and we began a brief correspondence during the last two weeks.
Imprudently and without proper consideration, I suggested that he try to discover any debts Wickham may have incurred in Meryton and in the regiment, for I confess I intended to redeem his bills and promissory notes in order to control him and, eventually, force him to leave the neighbourhood.
It was, of course, a mistake—the result of my selfish desire to have him gone as soon as possible as it was convenient for me at that moment.
What I should have done was to expose him long ago so he never could deceive another honourable person.
Wickham indeed left but convinced Miss Lydia Bennet to elope with him, apparently to Gretna Green, but… ”
Both Mr Gardiner and the colonel were obviously taken aback, but while the former continued to ask his brother-in-law questions, the latter paced the room thoughtfully, shaking his head and whispering to his cousin.
“Darcy, what you really should have done with Wickham is what I suggested you do the first moment he approached Georgie, and I still think it is the best solution! But now, enough with talk and remorse—let us find a way to solve this matter as soon as possible. Mr Bennet, are you sure they went to Scotland?”
“No, I am not. I asked in every village and postilion from Meryton to London, and they were last seen entering town, but the location will be impossible to establish.”
“Yes, that was wisely done and very helpful. Darcy, we need men to trace them from London—although I doubt they have gone further—and other men to discreetly search inns and houses with rooms for rent, and not the fashionable ones, for he is without money or resources.”
“Yes,” agreed Darcy, “and where is the first place he would go?”
“Edward Street—to Mrs Younge,” said both in unison.
Less than half an hour after they had gathered in the library, the plan was fixed and appeared to have a good chance of success. First, Darcy insisted that Mr Bennet remain and rest, but he declined—upset and somewhat offended.
“Mr Darcy, I know you are doing more than you should and more than I would dare to hope, and I am deeply grateful; but please, at least allow me to pretend to myself that I am useful to my family, even if it seems I am not especially needed.”
Eventually, every detail of the plan was established and it needed to be followed immediately; any delay would diminish the final, desired outcome. The dinner party was over.
∞∞∞
Mr Bennet remained in the library, and the gentlemen returned to the other guests. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst openly displayed their displeasure with the fact that their hosts left them for so long, and Mr Darcy apologised, explaining that a matter of great importance and urgency had just occurred.
He tried to respond silently to Elizabeth’s worried and questioning gaze, especially when, after a few more minutes, the colonel announced that he had to leave the party for he was expected elsewhere.
Mr Gardiner joined him, insisting they also had to depart, leaving the Bingleys and the Hursts no alternative than to do the same, though it was undoubtedly obvious to everyone that something grave had occurred.
“Bingley, I need your complete discretion. Please take your sisters home now and meet me later in…” whispered Darcy to his friend in the main hall before he left; in answer, he received a silent nod of agreement.