Chapter XXVI #2
“Still,” said Mr. Gardiner, “if anyone can persuade him, it will be Elizabeth.” A smile touched his face. “And if my sister approves – which, under the circumstances, I think very likely – your chances improve considerably.”
Darcy looked back at him with a question in his eyes.
“My sister knows how to wield her power if Bennet proves unwilling. I shall raise the issue with him before he leaves.”
Darcy’s gaze shifted towards the door through which Elizabeth had departed.
“And I shall talk to Miss Bennet.”
***
The parlour door opened at last. Lydia emerged first. Though her eyes remained slightly red, she looked considerably more herself than she had an hour earlier. She went to stand next to Darcy; he stood, and they exchanged a few quiet words.
Mr. Bennet followed more slowly. He appeared tired. Yet some of the strain that had marked his features since arriving in London had lessened.
Then Lydia crossed towards Elizabeth. “Papa has forgiven me.”
Mr. Bennet snorted. “That is not precisely what I said.”
“It was the general impression.”
“The general impression was that you are fortunate to possess a family determined to forgive you whether you deserve it or not.”
Lydia smiled and kissed his cheek. Mr. Bennet accepted the indignity with resignation.
At that moment, Georgiana, Mrs. Gardiner, and the children entered. The room became considerably noisier.
Within minutes, everyone was preparing to depart for Kew Gardens. Mrs. Gardiner was consulting the children. The children were consulting one another. The result appeared unlikely to improve efficiency.
Mr. Bennet watched the proceedings. “I had forgotten how exhausting enthusiasm can be.”
“You are not obliged to accompany us,” said Elizabeth.
“Thank you, my dear, for allowing me to decide for myself.” He smiled.
“I believe I shall remain here and inspect your uncle’s latest acquisitions.
Unless, of course, you,” he turned to his brother-in-law, “would prefer to stay and play a game of chess. At Longbourn, I am sadly deprived of a worthy opponent.”
“I should be delighted,” said Mr. Gardiner, “but I cannot in good conscience leave my wife and children entirely to Mr. Darcy’s care. I fear you must content yourself with my library instead.”
Mr. Bennet sighed with exaggerated resignation. “A poor substitute.” He glanced towards Elizabeth.
“But Mr. Darcy has raised expectations to an alarming height. I have not seen Lizzy so eager for an outing in a very long time.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Papa…”
“No, no. It does an old father good to witness it.” His expression softened. “Enjoy your outing; tomorrow we return to Longbourn.”
The simple statement seemed to settle over the room.
Tomorrow. Darcy felt the word almost physically. Tomorrow, she would be gone.
His gaze found Elizabeth before he was aware of looking for her. She was already looking at him.
Longbourn.
He had only just found her again.
After everything that had passed between them – Lambton, Gracechurch Street, the letter, the quiet conversations – she would simply return to Hertfordshire, and he… he had no notion when he might see her again.
No.
The protest came before reason.
“You are leaving?”
Elizabeth looked faintly surprised. “I am afraid I must.”
“Must you?” The words escaped before he had properly considered them. “Would you not like to stay? I mean for your sister?”
Mrs. Gardiner looked from one to the other. “Indeed,” she said thoughtfully, “I had imagined it might be better if Elizabeth remained in London a little longer. Lydia takes great comfort from her company.”
Darcy very nearly embraced the lady on the spot.
Mr. Bennet raised an eyebrow. “Indeed? You think so?” Mr. Bennet asked.
Lydia brightened immediately. “Oh yes! I should like Lizzy to stay.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I have only one difficulty. I have scarcely any clothes.”
“That is easily remedied,” said Mr. Gardiner. “Your mother can pack whatever you require and send the trunk by coach. We shall collect it when it arrives.”
Darcy forced himself to think beyond the immediate relief of delaying Elizabeth’s departure. This was not merely about another day. If Mr. Bennet were to be persuaded to remove his family to Ramsgate, he would require time as well. Darcy’s thoughts began arranging themselves with remarkable speed.
“Mr. Bennet,” he said, “might I make a suggestion?”
Every eye turned towards him.
“I do not think Miss Lydia ought to return to Hertfordshire permanently just yet.”
Mr. Bennet nodded slowly. “Nor do I.”
“But there is no reason why she should not visit.”
He continued before anyone could interrupt.
“If you are travelling home tomorrow, I should be honoured to place my carriage at your disposal. There would be but five of us. Miss Lydia might spend the day at Longbourn, see Mrs. Bennet and her sisters, while Miss Elizabeth could collect whatever belongings she wishes to bring back to London. We could then return together.”
Lydia’s whole face brightened. “I may see Mama?”
Elizabeth looked at him in surprise.
“It would spare Mrs. Bennet unnecessary anxiety,” Darcy continued. “She would see with her own eyes that Miss Lydia is safe and well. Miss Lydia, meanwhile, need not yet resume life in Hertfordshire.”
A thoughtful silence followed.
Mr. Bennet rubbed his chin.
“There is sense in that.” He glanced towards Lydia. “Your mother would certainly insist upon seeing you.”
Mrs. Gardiner smiled. “I think she would sleep much easier afterwards.”
“Oh, yes!” Lydia exclaimed. “I should like that very much.”
Elizabeth nodded. “So should I.”
Then Mr. Bennet’s practical nature reasserted itself. “There is only one difficulty.”
Darcy looked at him.
“If I take my daughters all the way to Longbourn and let them off again before evening, my wife will never forgive me.”
A ripple of amusement passed through the room.
“I shall hear of it for the remainder of my natural life.”
Even Darcy smiled.
“No,” Mr. Bennet continued, shaking his head. “You would have to remain the night. Mrs. Bennet would consider anything less an act of barbarity.”
Mr. Gardiner laughed. “I believe my sister very well might.”
Mr. Bennet looked towards Lydia.
“You may see your mother and your sisters properly. Take whatever you wish from the house. If there are books, dresses, keepsakes, or anything else you desire, bring them.”
“And then,” he added, looking from Lydia to Elizabeth, “the two of you may return to London the following day. We must keep thinking about the future.”
Darcy felt an absurd degree of relief. Elizabeth would remain in London. Lydia could see her mother and sisters without being forced to resume a life for which she was plainly unprepared.
And he would have another day. Another day to speak with Mr. Bennet. If necessary, with Mrs. Bennet as well, though he could not imagine a more exhausting interview.
His thoughts moved almost immediately beyond that. Miss Elizabeth’s comments returned to him. The disappointed tradesmen in Meryton. The unpaid accounts. The merchants who had trusted George Wickham and been rewarded with empty promises.
Wickham had always lived by leaving others to bear the cost of his conduct. Perhaps that need not continue. If those debts were purchased, every obligation would pass into different hands.
Into his.
For the first time since Wickham had abandoned Lydia, Darcy saw not merely the possibility of protecting the Bennets, but of ensuring that Wickham himself would one day discover that every avenue of escape had quietly disappeared behind him.
A faint smile touched his lips. George Wickham had always relied upon other men’s patience. He had never yet been pursued by Fitzwilliam Darcy.