His Best Hope

by Charlotte Patterson

  Georgiana’s smile answered his question and Darcy went to his study to think about Elizabeth.

  He walked over to the side bar and poured himself a glass of brandy to think things out, but he saw his hands shake nervously and he took a good drink of the amber liquid. Darcy had hoped that he could hide his involvement with Lydia and Wickham but he knew Elizabeth would soon unmask the truth. Perhaps Lydia had said something that Elizabeth picked up on and after that she would continue to learn more about the elopement. Darcy was no fool and realized that Elizabeth had already deduced that Wickham did not have much money when he left Brighton, and certainly could not afford to buy a commission in the regulars. Darcy had initially hoped that he would not be found out to be Wickham’s benefactor, but his heart wished for Elizabeth to know what he had done to save her family from disgrace. Now he planned how he would see Elizabeth again and made plans to do that soon. She once had told him of her joy of visiting with the Gardiners and their children and that they often walked in the park early in the afternoon and later would return home.

  ****

  Minutes after Georgiana saw Elizabeth in the coach, Madeline Gardiner greeted her niece warmly and the two came inside as servants took Elizabeth’s trunks and other things to her room.

  “It is so good that you have arrived and we are all excited that you have come. Have you heard from Lydia and her husband?”

  “She wrote that the trip was long but they found a place to live but said there were no balls or dances for the present. I think she might be missing home.”

  “And are you missing Jane and her husband?”

  “They were to stay in town a few days before traveling to Liverpool to visit his relations and friends from his youth.”

  “Well, Lizzy, whatever the reason, the big mystery is all about your sister and Mr. Wickham. Both your uncle and I could not believe that they would come here after your uncle and your father had looked for them for many days. Lydia actually giggled to hear how the men searched the town and she told us they were in Scotland the entire time. We find much of what she and her husband told to likely be untrue. We also noticed how Mr. Wickham stopped her a few times and answered our questions so she would not say something wrong. Still, he never explained how he got the money to travel there, and of course we did not ask that question.”

  “We both think alike, Aunt.”

  “Lizzy, Colonel Forster told your father that Mr. Wickham had borrowed some money from a friend, but it was not a large sum. The fact is, someone paid for his commission. Since he had deserted the militia, we believe that someone of great importance provided the money and resolved his leaving the militia.”

  “Those are my thoughts as well. I wanted to talk with you and uncle when you came to Jane and Bingley’s wedding but never had the opportunity with you both returning that same day.”

  “Lizzy, your sister is still very childish. We thought Lydia and her husband had practiced what to say and what not to say, and he seemed on pins and needles every time Lydia spoke. Your uncle and I believe he has a secret benefactor.”

  So much for her aunt’s take on things. Elizabeth now believed that the Gardiners had not funded the young couple.

  “Any thoughts, Lizzy, on who funded the couple?”

  “At first I thought that my uncle had done so and that he had been sworn to secrecy.”

  “No, Lizzy, we do not have that kind of money. Edward’s business is slow and money is scarce. You cannot discount how long he looked to find them. That took him away from his work and cost him money, not to mention it wore him down. He was particularly displeased after I told him how Lydia laughed at the notion of him and your father looking all over town to find them.”

  “Yes Aunt, I am livid just in hearing about it.”

  “It is a shame that Mr. Bingley and Jane did not invite Mr. Darcy to the wedding. What could have been the reason?”

  Elizabeth’s blush covered her face. “Aunt, when I saw him in Kent last Easter I accused him of convincing his friend that Jane was not in love with him and that the party should leave Netherfield and return to town. We all know now that Mr. Bingley did return to Longbourn and once there he told Jane that Mr. Darcy apologized to him for his role in separating him and Jane, but still Mr. Bingley has not spoken to his friend. Mr. Darcy had done what he could to reunite Jane and Mr. Bingley, but Mr. Bingley made the sole decision to leave Netherfield. He alone had the final say in their leaving Netherfield.”

  “It is all very sad and Mr. Bingley was wrong to blame his friend for ultimately it was his decision to leave Netherfield.”

  “Now Lizzy, both Edward and I saw Mr. Darcy’s determined look that day we left Lambton. We both were surprised that he did not join in searching for the couple in town.”

  “Perhaps he had thought it over and did not want to align himself with our family.”

  “But we saw how you and he interacted at Pemberley. I was convinced that he was in love with you. Lizzy, you once said you disliked him, but it did not appear that way when we met him at Pemberley. You had that look, Lizzy.”

  “It does not matter now. He is lost forever and even if he had those feelings for me then, he would not wish me back in his life.”

  “No, Lizzy, these things sometimes have a way of working out for the better. It remains to be seen if Mr. Darcy has also lost all chance for his own happiness and I wonder if you and Mr. Darcy are both miserable. You do miss him a lot, do you not?”

  “I miss the man we met at Pemberley and I would like to see him again. But he is rich and handsome and will soon move on, for there are many women looking for such a man.”

  “Do not be so certain that he does not have strong feelings for you. A man can feel a lost love just as strongly as a woman. He is considered to be one of the most sought after bachelors in the country, yet I believe he was in love with you even before Pemberley. He is not experienced in love.”

  “And neither am I experienced in love.”

  “Lizzy, did you not tell me once that his cousin is Colonel Fitzwilliam, and he is the son of the Earl of Matlock?”

  “Yes, the colonel is unmarried. I told you that I met him last Easter. He and his cousin visit their Aunt Catherine and her daughter every Easter at Rosings.”

  “You said you visited with your friend Charlotte Lucas.”

  “Yes, she married Mr. Collins who is the clergyman at Hunsford Parsonage near Rosings Park, the estate of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, his patroness.”

  “So let me see, Mr. Collins proposed to you and next married your good friend. Then Lydia and now Jane have married. Have you anyone in mind? Your uncle and I have still not given up hope on you and Mr. Darcy.”

  This was a surprise to hear and she thought of what she could say and sound unaffected, though she already knew that just the mention of his name often caused her to blush and her heart to quicken.

  “But that is absurd, Aunt. There is no reason to expect that he would be interested.”

  “You must find a way to meet with him, Lizzy. If he is behind finding your sister and making them marry, then he did great good for you and all your family, even after he lost his good friend. No, Lizzy, meet with him and at least thank him for getting Jane and Mr. Bingley back again.”

  “But what about Lydia and Wickham?”

  “You do not have to interrogate him to determine if he was involved in finding them. For the present, let me suggest you meet with his cousin and explain yourself. Try and find out who put up the money to buy Wickham’s commission. Tell him you are worried about Mr. Darcy’s losing his friend and that you wish to see him and his sister whilst you are in town.”

  “But he might think I am in love with his cousin.”

  “It does not matter what he thinks, but when you see Mr. Darcy again you will learn if he still has feelings for you. It will be no different than the last time you met at Pemberley. Now, enough of such talk, let us go upstairs and visit with the children?”

  The n
ext day Elizabeth and her aunt took the children to the park. Elizabeth saw what looked to be Mr. Darcy riding on a horse in the distance, but she had often thought she had seen him since she returned from Lambton. Darcy rode on the periphery of the park and just wanted to catch a glimpse of Elizabeth and he soon saw her out of the corner of his eye but did not purposely look her way.

  It was near two that afternoon and he continued to ride away from the park but he was nervous and excited and wished he had stopped to meet with her. Instead, he returned to Darcy House and tried to calm his heart, but could not. He wanted to renew their acquaintance, but was unsure how to do it.

  The next day Colonel Fitzwilliam was in his office at the General Staff Headquarters when a junior officer said that he had a female visitor who wished to speak with him.

  His seeing Elizabeth again brought back memories of their meeting at Rosings last Easter.

  “Well this is a pleasant surprise. Please take a seat, Miss Bennet. Can I get you some tea or perhaps coffee?”

  “Thank you, but no. I have come to determine how Mr. Wickham was able to purchase a commission in the regulars right after he ran away from the militia at Brighton and eloped with my youngest sister.”

  “I am aware that he left the militia to join the regulars. May I ask why this is so important to you?”

  “Yes, I believe that Mr. Wickham and Lydia told untruths about the details of their elopement. I am certain in my heart that your cousin found the couple in town and arranged for everything, is that not so?”

  “I could lie and say that is not a true statement, but I will not. Arrange for everything gives me a lot of wiggle room. My cousin certainly did not arrange for the weather. Miss Bennet, I will not admit to tell things that I have promised to keep secret, but I recommend that you meet my cousin. He will be happy to see you again. Ever since he last saw you in Lambton, he has been very sad and has been in high dudgeon.”

  “And what caused this melancholy and anger?”

  “He never told me but I believe there was a young woman who he feared he had lost.”

  “If this young woman would visit him at Darcy House, would she be welcomed?”

  “Yes, I believe she would be treated very well.”

  “Miss Bennet, I do have a plan that would help all of us. What would you say to my inviting you and both of us will surprise Georgiana and Darcy at his home?”

  “I do not know, he might not like such a surprise. Would you visit next week?”

  “No, I do not have the time but we can visit now. I have a carriage outside.”

  “But I look terrible and he would laugh at me. I need a better change of clothes.”

  “You look quite well, Miss Bennet, no different than when you were at Rosings.”

  He next rose from his desk and gave instructions to a junior officer and short moments later he and Elizabeth left the building and climbed aboard the carriage.

  “I cannot believe I am doing this. Mr. Darcy will hate me, and you as well.”

  “Then you must not tell him what I have told you. This must be between you and my cousin.”

  Elizabeth hardly had time to think of what to say and she was terrified, but watching Georgiana’s reaction when first seeing her warmed her heart. Colonel Fitzwilliam then whispered to Georgiana and next he entered Darcy’s study.

  “You are reading, old man?”

  “Cousin, what troubles have you brought to me today? I am in a very poor mood.”

  They next heard a knock on the door and as it opened, in walked Georgiana and Elizabeth. Darcy immediately rose from his chair and bowed to her, all the while staring at her eyes as she dropped him a curtsey. They exchanged pleasantries and slowly both began to relax. Any thought that he had changed since she last had seen him was erased by his smile and his kindness as he sincerely asked of her family and friends. Elizabeth decided not to discuss the elopement in front of Georgiana but did say that Jane had married Mr. Bingley.

  A smile broke out on Darcy’s face at hearing that news but Georgiana seemed surprised to learn that their good friend had not invited them to the wedding. But Darcy would not dwell on unhappy thoughts.

  “My sister said she thought she had seen you arrive in town. Will you be here long?”

  “I do not intend to stay very long but just long enough to get some answers.”

  “Georgiana, it is best that you and I leave these two to discuss some private business. Come, let us leave them here for that purpose. Darcy, I shall leave the door open.”

  “Miss Bennet, please come and sit near the fire. It is a bit chilly in the room and the seats are most comfortable. Can I get you some tea or coffee or wine?”

  A thought crossed her mind and she wondered if it would be a good idea to fortify herself. “A glass of wine would do me well, sir, and thank you.”

  “Darcy approached the sidebar and poured a glass for both of them and handed her the glass.”

  “I am most pleased to see you again, Miss Bennet. Have you and all your family been well?”

  “Yes, sir, and thank you. I was disappointed that you were not at the wedding.”

  “You mean Jane’s wedding?”

  “Yes, what other wedding would their be?”

  “Hopefully Mr. Wickham and your younger sister are married.”

  “Yes, but I have come here to learn more about their marriage. For one thing, they told my family many things that did not add up and I know they never went directly to Gretna Green. Also, who bought Mr. Wickham’s commission?”

  She took a big swallow and tried to calm herself but soon tears ran down her cheeks and Darcy noticed she was very nervous as he handed her his handkerchief.

  “Miss Bennet, I have long been silent about this entire matter. It took me many days of searching the town, even after your father and uncle had stopped looking. Once I found Mr. Wickham I bribed him to marry your sister. I promised to buy his commission and help him avoid trouble with the militia and agreed to give him some money every month as long as he treated your sister well. His duty was to marry her and bribe the official in Gretna Green to indicate an earlier date for the marriage. I told him that if he ever told anyone, including his wife, that I would no longer pay him money each month, and would call in his debts to me and might even send him to debtors prison.”

  “You did all of this for my family?”

  “I did it mostly for you, but I also felt responsible for not warning your family and others about the man. The reason I never told your family of this was that soon everyone would know that they did not marry right away, and your other sisters and you would be disgraced. At the present, that leaves you and your remaining sisters free.”

  “Have you told your sister?”

  “No, but I believe I should tell her that they were married in Gretna Green as soon as they arrived from Brighton. I will not tell her of my involvement. The fewer people that know is best for keeping this secret.”

  “But I was convinced that I had seen the last of you that day in Lambton.”

  Her tears again began to run down her cheeks.

  “Miss Bennet, I can assure you that you have been on my mind every single day since I met you at that dance in Meryton. I really thought and hoped that our meeting at Pemberley had changed things.”

  “I was changed by that visit, but the more I read and reread your letter, I realized that I had misjudged you. It had been too long since we last met in Lambton and I just wanted to visit you and learn that you did not hate me.”

  “That would be impossible and is not what I want. I know that I have been a selfish man most of my life, but you and Georgiana’s happiness is all I want.”

  He again reached for his other handkerchief and this time dried her tears.

  “I am sorry, Mr. Darcy, but I have been very emotional today. All the time that I have known you I never let you see me cry. I did cry the night after you proposed and immediately I regretted some of what I said. Later, after I read your letter, I
cried some more. Oh! You did see me cry in Lambton when I read Jane’s letters about the elopement. When we looked at each other just before you left, my heart told me that I would never see you again. Ever since that day I have hurt inside to think that you were somewhere in the world and thinking poorly of me.”

  “But I was planning to see you in town after Georgiana saw you in the coach. In fact, whilst you were visiting my cousin, my servant stopped at the Gardiners to deliver Georgiana’s and my invitation to join us on the morrow and I hope you will agree to come.”

  Elizabeth looked at Darcy and smiled and then chuckled. “Yes, if you have any more clean handkerchiefs. Do you wish me to tell Georgiana of my sister and Mr. Wickham or would you rather do it?”