Chapter 52 Escape
After the first chess games on the miniature boards, lost by Kitty and won by Lydia, the party split apart even further.
Bennet invited the men to join him in his study.
Then, realizing the number of men compared to the size of the room, he rephrased that to an invitation to gather around the dining room table.
However, once they heard that Anne and Lizzy wanted to spend some time together with Georgiana, Darcy, Martin, Sir Phillip and Bingley decided to walk out to the bridge on the boundary between Longbourn and Lucas Lodge instead of staying inside.
They left the older men to talk in the study, which would now fit the reduced group size.
Darcy led the way out the side door and into the formal garden, following the route he and Richard had taken the day they arrived at Longbourn. As they walked, he described the change from eagerly anticipating seeing the young ladies to fear and worry as they heard their cries for help.
The most graphic description of the day was provided by the huge rosebush as they stepped through the gap in the wall near the "hermitage.
" A large portion of the bush was still strong and vigorous.
It was a mound of canes growing up and over the wall behind it and extending for several feet along it as well.
It was just now beginning to open out with a scattering of soft pink blossoms. A spot near the center of the mound and spreading out from it along a partially trampled path told the story of its use as a temporary prison for Wickham.
Broken and browning canes stuck out at all angles from the original impact point.
Scraps of fabric still fluttered here and there from the sharp thorns.
"You know, after being thrown into that, I think Wickham is lucky to still be alive," Martin said after getting a good look at the plant.
"He is lucky to be alive even without being thrown in there.
In fact, being thrown in there may have just saved him," Darcy said flatly.
"I was ready to kill him with my bare hands, and I expect Richard felt the same.
You can still see the shadow of the bruises on Miss Elizabeth's throat. I will not forget that easily."
"What were the ladies doing out here?" Sir Phillip asked. "Had Miss Elizabeth been visiting Lucas Lodge?"
"No," replied Darcy. "They keep one another company on walks down those paths on either side of the river.
I understand there is another bridge downstream that they can use to cross over.
" He gestured down the pathway where it disappeared into the trees on the river's edge.
"Apparently, a dozen years ago or so, the previous wooden bridge there collapsed, and Richard came along just in time to help Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lucas from being badly injured by the debris. "
"Ah, so he had some experience rescuing the fair ladies," Bingley said with a laugh.
"That he did!" said another voice. The men turned to see Sir William Lucas coming across the bridge on horseback.
"Good day, Sir William," Darcy said as the man approached. "May I introduce you to my companions?"
"I have already met Sir Phillip," he said, "but I do not recognize the other two."
Darcy introduced Bingley and Martin. Sir William pronounced himself delighted to meet any friend or relative of his new son, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the men all talked for a few minutes about Richard and his penchant for rescuing damsels in distress.
"Were you on your way to Longbourn?" Darcy asked as the older man seemed inclined to turn to Darcy's own exploits as the next bit of conversational fodder.
"Ah, yes!" answered Sir William. "I just wanted to check on my friend and see how he is holding up with all the guests who are arriving."
"Well, my uncle arrived yesterday, and we left him with Bennet, Mr. Damask and Lord Sheldon for company not very long ago. I am certain they will be happy to accept a visit from you," Darcy told him.
"In that case, I think I will continue my trip. What about you gentlemen? Just out for a walk?"
"More or less," Darcy said. "Would you have any objection if we take the river trail and come back by the path along your side?"
"No objection at all," Sir William said, grinning at them. "It is about time someone other than my daughter and Miss Lizzy enjoyed the use of that bridge. Bennet and I shared the cost of building it, but neither of us use it."
The way that he said 'Miss Lizzy' reminded Darcy of his good news, which he delivered with a grin. "Oh, Sir William, I have some news you should hear before Bennet decides to teasingly withhold it from you. Miss Elizabeth and I are now officially betrothed."
"Betrothed, are you? Capital! I wish you both great joy!" Sir William boomed, speaking loudly enough that he startled his horse and had to bring it back under control when it bucked slightly. "Capital!"
"And I am in a courtship with Miss Mary," Bingley added quickly, happy to share his news as well.
"Very wise of you, although a betrothal would be wiser," Sir William teased.
"Congratulations to you as well! Ha! I think I shall have to find a way to tease Bennet instead, now that I have the news he would indeed try to withhold.
Capital! Well, enjoy your walk, gentlemen.
I shall see you at Friday's dinner party if I do not see you before.
It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Hanson. "
He rode off chuckling to himself as he considered ways to tease his friend. Martin rolled his eyes at Darcy and Bingley.
"You two," he said. "First you keep it a deep, dark secret, and now you tell everyone."
"Did you not do the same as soon as you could without endangering Anne?" Sir Phillip asked.
Martin looked at him in surprise, then smirked. "Yes, I suppose I did."
With a laugh, Darcy pointed to the trail. They began their riverside walk.
~o~
The younger men returned to find that Mrs. Bennet had insisted on taking Lady Sheldon, Mrs. Damask and Mrs. de Bourgh along with her to make visits and announce the happy news to several of her neighbors.
They had left shortly after Sir William arrived and would probably be gone all afternoon.
Lizzy, Anne and Mrs. Cathcart had the sitting room to themselves when the men entered it.
"Mama tried to drag me along," Lizzy told him, “But I told her you would not be best pleased if you returned from your walk to find me gone for the rest of the afternoon. She had to concede the point, especially after Lady Sheldon agreed with me and offered her carriage for the excursion."
"I like Lady Sheldon," Darcy said.
"I think she likes you as well," Anne offered. "Or, at least, she approves of you for Lizzy."
"Well, that is something, anyway," replied Darcy, "What happened to the rest of the women?"
"Jane and Lucy went upstairs to talk in Jane's room. Georgiana, Kitty and Lydia went off to the music room."
"Yes, we passed by them on our way inside," Darcy said. "Georgiana is on the pianoforte, but your sisters are still fascinated by the new chessboards. They appeared to be much more interested in arranging and rearranging the men in a variety of configurations than in listening to the music."
"They have new toys. I am certain my sisters will enjoy them for some time to come," Lizzy laughed.
"Should I have had Georgiana bring one for you as well?" Darcy asked.
"No. After all, once we are married, I will be able to ask you for one at any time."
"What do you say, Bingley," asked Sir Phillip, interrupting the teasing between the two, "Shall we go to the music room? If the young ladies will play in turn, we could get in some dance practice."
Knowing Sir Phillip just wanted to spend time with Kitty, Bingley agreed, "I suspect we will end up playing more chess, but I am fine either way. Come on."
Bingley gestured to the door. With a wide grin, Sir Phillip hastened out ahead of him. As he left, Bingley turned back and rolled his eyes slightly at Darcy and the others.
"I suspect there will be another announcement to excite Mrs. Bennet soon," said Martin once the two had left.
"There might be a courtship announced soon," Lizzy said, "but nothing more.
According to Papa, and I agree, Kitty is still too young to marry and has not had enough experience in society yet.
Before she marries, she needs to spend some time with Aunt Madeline and possibly the Damasks to learn how to interact in broader sphere than what she has dealt with in Meryton. "
"That would make sense," Martin agreed. "Especially if she is to be the mistress of Rosings Park, she would need to at least feel confident in broader society. Has she learned how to run an estate from your mother?"
"All five of us have learned the duties of a mistress towards her estate, but less from Mama than from our governesses," Lizzy said with a slight grimace.
"Your governess was chosen by Mother, was she not?" Anne asked.
"Yes, and she spied for your mother as well, but she was not all bad as a governess. I just did not care for her very much," replied Lizzy.
"I was fortunate that my uncle picked my governess," Anne said, "although he did it in a way to make Mother think it was her idea.
Mrs. Jenkinson has gone to live with her sister and help raise her nieces and nephews now that I no longer need her as a companion.
Before she left me, I gave her a sum that will leave her comfortable if she chooses not to work anymore.
That is neither here nor there, of course.
What I want to know is, how was your walk?
The neighbor, Sir William, said you were taking the river path that Lizzy told me is her favorite. "
"I can see why," Martin replied. "Perhaps you and I can take a walk there together during our visit. It was very pleasant. We saw some trout in the river and several promising places to catch them. I would love to try my luck fishing there at some point if I could borrow the tackle."