Chapter 16 #2
“Finally, a thicker letter from Lizzy,” Maddie informed her husband after they kissed. “Should we wait to read it after dinner? Or perhaps after we go see the children and have our meal, we can sit and read it? Or would you prefer to wait until after your workday?”
“As it has been quite a delay since her last letter, let us see what she has to say before I have to return to my office and put my nose to the grindstone again.”
The children were very happy to see their father, even though it had not been so many hours since they had been with him in the morning.
Eddy and Bea joined them for the meal, and once Mrs Mulberry had collected their two eldest children, the couple retired to their sitting room, Maddie carrying Lizzy’s thick epistle.
Knowing that Edward would ask her to read to him, Maddie did not even waste her breath to ask him. She sat next to him on the sofa. As soon as the seal was broken, she opened the pages and began to read.
24 November 1811
Longbourn
Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward,
I am sorry that it has taken me so long to write again after telling you of our stay at Netherfield Park, and Mr Collins’s arrival here. I will admit that your words after I told you of the assembly and Mr Darcy held me back somewhat. More on that soon.
Mr Collins still tried to court me even after I insulted his patroness. I have done everything I can think of to discourage him.
It got to the point that I felt I needed to apply to Papa to order Mr Collins to cease importuning me. He refused to do so as he is enjoying the sport of watching us too well.
However, Papa has allowed me to seek refuge in his study or remain in my own, or one of my sisters’, chambers. Mama was told she may not order me back to the drawing room, and Mr Collins is not allowed to approach me in my bedchamber or in Papa’s study. It is, I suppose, something.
Unfortunately, Mr Collins uses mealtimes to promote his inept way of trying to court me, plying me with, what he thinks are, compliments. This is where Papa is most amused, which is why he would not warn Mr Collins off.
He has given me his word that he will not contradict me when I refuse Mr Collins’s proposal, which I am sure will be made.
Gardiner shook his head. “I wonder if Bennet understands that his sport causes others pain? Lizzy is supposed to be his favourite. Sorry, my love, please continue reading.”
Now back to Mr Darcy. My opinions of that hateful man have been proved correct…
The more Maddie read, and Gardiner heard, the angrier they became. There were many targets of said outrage. The largest portion was reserved for the libertine, profligate, seducer: George Wickham.
A good measure was aimed at Mr Darcy for not taking action against the man, and some at their niece who thought herself so clever. She had believed the words of a fabulist who she had only met that day. And why? Because Mr Darcy had pricked her vanity.
…so you see, my judgement was sound. My only question is how can Uncle Adam, who is goodness personified, be connected with such a dishonourable man, even if Mr Darcy is his patron.
On a more pleasant subject, we are all, except for Lydia who will remain at home with Kitty, in anticipation for the ball at Netherfield Park on this Tuesday, the 26th of the month.
As you well know, Kitty is sanguine with not being out yet.
I hope to dance at least once with Mr Wickham.
I am sure Mr Darcy will oblige me and not ask me to dance.
We all look forward to seeing you both and our cousins here for Christmastide.
With love and regards,
Lizzy
“That stupid, stupid girl!” Maddie exclaimed.
“In fairness, although her judgments were faulty, and she should have never allowed the evil seducer to spin his web to her on such a short acquaintance, Lizzy has no way of knowing what George Wickham is,” Gardiner opined.
Maddie calmed down some. “Mayhap what I said about Lizzy was harsh, but she does not see how easily she is being manipulated. I would wager that the liar hopes that Lizzy spreads his tale so that Mr Darcy’s name will be blackened without him having the direct blame. Lizzy’s pride is as bad as Mr Darcy’s.”
“What do you think we should do?” Gardiner enquired.
“We need to travel to Longbourn,” Maddie said firmly. “Today, if we can. I must collect some letters to bring with me.” She stood up and stopped when her husband placed a restraining hand on her arm.
“The earliest we can depart is on the morrow in the morning. I cannot leave before making sure my manager is aware of everything he will need to do. Also, I should send a note to Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Gardiner suggested.
“I will wager that his cousin has not told him that Wickham is in the militia. In addition, we need to discover if the Colonel knows of debt markers the profligate has left behind him that we may purchase.”
“We must send an express to Netherfield Park for John Biggs and Brian Johns. They and some of their fellow former soldiers can keep an eye on that destroyer of young ladies. I want to be sure that he is not able to harm anyone else. If only Lizzy had posted her letter to us the day she met him,” Maddie lamented.
A plan was agreed upon. A note was dispatched to the Royal Dragoons training grounds, and Gardiner returned to his offices.
Maddie wrote two missives, one for their men at the estate, and the other to the Bennets announcing their arrival on the morrow. She also issued orders to her household. The children would not accompany them on this journey.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, earlier in the day Elizabeth had not been able to avoid Mr Collins and his request to dance the first set with her. He had, thankfully, asked each of her sisters to stand up with him.
During the chaotic preparations for the ball, Elizabeth was summoned to her father’s study.
“Elizabeth, what did you write in your letter to the Gardiners?” Bennet asked.
“I just related the news of the goings on since my previous letter to them. Why do you ask, Papa?” Elizabeth wondered.
“Read this,” Bennet thrust a page into his second daughter’s hand.
26 November 1811
23 Gracechurch Street
London
Thomas,
Edward and I will arrive at Longbourn on the morrow around midday.
We received a very troubling letter from Lizzy, and although I cannot put anything in writing, it is safe to say we are concerned in the extreme which is why you will see us on the morrow.
All will become clear once we arrive.
With regards,
Maddie
Elizabeth did not know why, but she felt a sense of foreboding. “You remember I told you about what Mr Wickham related with regards to his dealings with Mr Darcy?” She asked. Her father nodded. “It was that and information about Mr Collins’s pursuit of me.”
“Then I suppose we will know what they need to tell us on the morrow. Run along now.” Bennet waved Lizzy away.
She would have been prevaricating to herself if she had said she was not worried. She had not said anything too bad, had she? She had simply reported the facts.
She heard her conscience ask: ‘But were they indeed the facts?’