Chapter 9
The last day of their journey also started at dawn.
Elizabeth had slept better than the first night, but it was still insufficient.
After the brief encounter with Darcy, she had needed some time to soothe her nervousness, and thoughts about his sister had troubled her even longer.
In the carriage, she noticed that her uncle looked rested, but Darcy’s weariness and agitation increased as they were approaching the moment of the confrontation.
On their way, they made more enquiries about the fugitives, but there were still no positive answers.
It could mean that Wickham had chosen only lesser-travelled routes, or that they had paid some of the innkeepers handsomely to not disclose their presence no matter who asked, or that they travelled with someone else, as Darcy speculated.
“Whatever has happened, they must stop in Carlisle tonight. It is already very late, and it would be of no use to them to arrive in Gretna Green at night,” Darcy said hopefully. “If so, we shall discover them soon. I shall search every inn and every place that rents rooms in the whole of Carlisle.”
“As I said, I shall help you, of course, so we can split the town in two,” Mr Gardiner said. “We should book our rooms though, and while Lizzy remains there to rest, we can continue our quest on horseback.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good plan,” Darcy admitted.
“But you should be very careful, Mr Darcy, so they do not see you. They will recognise you straight away, but I am not so familiar.”
“Wickham has only seen you once or twice, but Miss Darcy knows you well enough, Uncle,” Elizabeth interjected. “And I could help too — perhaps I can take a carriage and look for them.”
“Absolutely not!” Darcy said in a manner that was so overbearing that Elizabeth frowned her displeasure.
“I apologise for my tone, Miss Bennet,” he added, “but I cannot allow you to go out alone in an unknown place, even in a carriage. There are many dishonourable men in Carlisle, as well as in Gretna Green. I need to know you are safe at the inn, so I do not have to worry about you too.”
Elizabeth felt uncomfortable, irritated, and even offended by his tone, but she tried to remain calm. Mr Gardiner immediately supported Darcy’s opinion, asking her to not expose herself to any danger.
“Very well, be it as you wish. Although I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and confronting scoundrels if needed.”
Her determination brought a little smile to Darcy’s worried countenance.
“I do not doubt that, Miss Bennet. I did not mean any disrespect or to imply you were not able. As I hope you know, I admire your abilities greatly. I am grateful for your help, and I value your opinions. You have proved clearer-minded than I when needed, and I am in your debt for even embarking on the quest for my sister so promptly.”
“I understand your meaning, Mr Darcy.” She abandoned her stubbornness. “I shall not be in your way, nor shall I add more to your present distress.”
“I am glad we are all in agreement. Now — how do you decide on which inn we shall stay at, Mr Darcy? I understand this is not your first visit here either,” Mr Gardiner asked, and the conversation continued with fewer emotions and more efficiency.
The sun was slowly going down when they arrived in Carlisle. Elizabeth was curious and fascinated by the bustle of people; the town was animated, and observing a certain person in all that agitation was not an easy task.
They booked rooms at the King’s Head on Fisher Street, and Elizabeth asked to be given a chamber with windows that looked out towards the street.
Darcy and Mr Gardiner refused any food or drink and, as had been discussed and agreed upon, left after a short while.
Elizabeth remained in her room as promised, trying to rest, but the time passed, evening fell, and she still received no word.
Eventually, she wrote a short note and left it on the bed, then she went in search of her uncle’s servant, John. The man was having a drink with his companion and was surprised to see her.
“How may I assist you, Miss Lizzy?”
“John, I would like to go for a walk. Would you be so kind as to keep me company? I promised my uncle I would not leave the inn alone.”
“O’ course, miss. But a walk? At this hour?”
“Yes, only for a little while and not too far.”
“As you say, miss. May Tom come with us, miss?”
“Certainly,” Elizabeth replied.
She then asked a maid who was serving drinks whether there were any other inns or places to rent a room nearby, as she was waiting for a friend and had heard there may be other establishments in the vicinity.
“But miss, they are nothing like our inn,” the maid said with some pride. “Your friend cannot be there. No one of consequence would stay there, our inn is one of the best.”
“I am sure you are right,” Elizabeth said with friendly smile and an easy, encouraging manner. “And if my friend happens to be staying somewhere else, I shall certainly persuade her to move here.”
“’Tis kind of you, miss. When should I bring your dinner? The tall gentleman paid for it earlier. He ordered a lot of food and drink, but only your coachmen have eaten.”
“Please keep it ready until he and my uncle return. They have some urgent business yet. Oh, and if they return, tell them I went for a walk and will be back soon. I have left them a note.”
“Will do, miss!”
With that, Elizabeth took the direction of the nearest establishments with rooms, with the plan to check them by herself.
She felt enthused by the endeavour and pleased that she could take part in the search instead of just languishing in her room.
She walked at a slow pace as though she was taking a stroll, looking at the people, places, and shop windows, the two coachmen only steps behind, all their attention on her and the people on the street.
The next inn was a short distance away, and once there, she asked the same question, about her friend and her betrothed.
“We ’ave many young women and their betrotheds, ma’am,” a boy told her, grinning. “You see, we are close to Gretna Green, and everybody goes there to marry. What does your friend look like?”
“Well, not quite everybody. I am not,” Elizabeth joked. “My friend is very young and very pretty, you would surely remember her. With blonde hair and blue eyes.”
“I don’t think we ’ave ’er, miss. But shall I send you word if she comes later?” the boy offered, his eyes already counting the coins he could get from such a service.
“Yes, please. I am staying at The King’s Head.
Do you know it?” The boy nodded eagerly.
“But please do not tell her, I want to give her a pleasant surprise,” Elizabeth said with a friendly smile, offering the lad a shilling.
He stared in surprise at such generosity and bowed low to her, repeating that he would certainly let ‘the kind miss’ know.
While she was talking to the boy, Darcy’s servant approached in a hurry and whispered to her abruptly.
“Miss, miss, I beg your pardon, but you have to come, I just saw Wickham!”
Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat, then raced as she followed the man outside.
“I pointed him out to John and let him follow, ’cause Wickham don’t know him.”
“Excellent thinking! Did you notice whether Miss Darcy was with him?”
“No, ma’am. He was with another man though, talking. He came from that way,” Tom pointed with his thumb.
“Perhaps we may have some luck, after all,” Elizabeth said, taking the servant’s arm in an absent gesture. “The next inn should be down this street. Let us go and ask!”
They hastened their pace, and several minutes later, following the direction Tom indicated and asking around, they found the inn. It was a small one, rather crowded and noisy, with many people eating, drinking, and talking outside.
As she had done before, Elizabeth enquired about her friend with blonde hair and blue eyes and claimed secrecy, while paying a generous reward. She could not believe her ears when the maid confirmed the young lady was there, she had seen her, just arrived with her companion at sunset.
“So are they in the room as we speak?” Elizabeth asked, still doubting her chance.
“Yes, ma’am. Second floor, the second room on the right. I’ll show you.”
“Yes, that would be lovely. Just allow me a moment longer please, there is another friend I am waiting for before giving them a surprise.”
In a very perturbed state of mind, Elizabeth wondered how to proceed.
She could not confront them alone, nor allow either of them to see her.
Tom had said that Wickham had left, so Miss Darcy might very well be alone.
Would Wickham have enlisted someone else in his scheme like he had done with Mrs Younge?
No, she did not think so. Perhaps she could take advantage of Wickham’s absence to talk to the girl alone, but what if she refused?
After all, Elizabeth was almost a stranger, someone outside Miss Darcy’s circle, someone she would never befriend under different circumstances, and their acquaintance was too recent to have gained her trust and confidence.
Since she had not listened to her brother and agreed to elope, defying every sensible argument and reason, without fearing the consequences of a scandal for her family, why would she even listen to someone so wholly unconnected to her?
Elizabeth’s attempt might cause more harm than help, so she hesitated to proceed further.
Outside, Tom was waiting for orders, which Elizabeth was not able to provide.
“Perhaps I should wait here, and you can go and fetch my uncle and Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth asked, hoping that the man might have another suggestion. She could return to where she was staying, but she hesitated to do so on her own, nor could she remain where she was alone.
“The master will come here eventually if he checks every inn,” Tom said. “Unless he has already been here before they arrived, but I don’t think so.”