It was an impertinence, he knew, but Darcy recognised the dilemma of the elder man and stepped forward to take charge of the situation.
“Mr Bennet, I feel this is my fault entirely and would prefer if you let me go to town in your stead. It might be possible for me to remedy the situation with alacrity. I have certain contacts, they will be able to infiltrate the more unsavoury locations that Wickham is apt to frequent,” he offered.
Seeing the older man was now lost in his own thoughts, Darcy moved to stand in his path. Gently, he placed a hand on Mr Bennet’s arm.
“Sir, I am better equipped and resourced, to deal with this matter. I am the one at fault for not making his true character known. I feel you must let me own this, my conscience demands it.”
Seeing uncertainty written on the old man’s face, Darcy offered him further reasons as to why he should remain home.
“Your wife and daughters will be arriving home tomorrow; they will be in need of your strength, support and guidance until this matter is resolved. Elizabeth and Jane will also be at your side.”
He paused to let his words sink in unaware of his breach of propriety in using the ladies' given names. Removing his hand from Mr Bennet’s arm, Darcy straightened and continued in a firmer voice.
“We are wasting time; I will broach no further argument sir. I will keep you informed via Mr Gardiner if that is acceptable?”
“Yes, yes most acceptable Mr Darcy, for in truth, I am not a young man and would have no idea where to start looking."
Mr Bennet dropped into his chair and picked up the letter again.
"I will write a note for you to give to Mr Gardiner, informing him of all events, then when you call he will assist you, no need to leave your card beforehand lad …” and his voice trailed off.
With gentle encouragement, Mr Bennet scribbled a few lines and handed it to Darcy. As he went to leave, Darcy turned back to offer Mr Bennet words of reassurance, but already he was no longer aware of his presence. He was re-reading the letter from Col Forster, wondering how a child of fifteen could be so thoughtless. To jeopardise the family’s future in such a cavalier way, was beyond him. Darcy quietly closed the door behind him.
Mr Bennet stared at the note, the firm, bold script apt for a man used to being in command.
Sir,
It is with the utmost regret, and at the behest of your lady wife that I write to inform you of a dire situation that has arisen.
Early yesterday morning, one of my officers, Mr George Wickham, and your youngest daughter, Miss Lydia Bennet absconded from their respective lodgings. We know they are together as Miss Lydia left a note for my wife. It contained details of their planned journey to Gretna Green. It has since been confirmed that they have not travelled beyond London. It can only be surmised that she has been compromised. I have sent a small party of men to discreetly try to locate them, but do not hold out much hope of finding them in time to save the young lady’s reputation. Wickham, being absent without leave, will be dealt with accordingly when he is found.
I have made arrangements for the rest of your party to return to Hertfordshire at their earliest convenience, and they should arrive one day after you receive this correspondence. I will, of course, keep you informed of any progress in their recovery. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Your obedient servant,
Colonel Forster.
A gentle tapping at the door brought Mr Bennet back to his senses, and he bid them enter. Elizabeth and Jane came in; their faces stained with tears from the news, and while Jane sat on the footstool, Elizabeth knelt at her father’s feet.
“Oh, Papa," she lamented, "if only I had shared the contents of Mr Darcy’s letter with you, this might have been prevented. As soon as I had been apprised of Wickham’s true character, I should have informed you. You might have accompanied them to Brighton or even withdrawn your permission for them to go. With Mama and the girls already left for Brighton, and at the direct invitation of Col. Forster, I thought them safe.” She turned her face away from his gaze and cried, “How poorly I have judged.”
“Come, Lizzie, do not reproach yourself; I am not blameless in this affair, there had been rumours amongst my acquaintances in Meryton for weeks of unpaid debts and drunken gambling by Wickham,” he spat. “I have no doubt Lydia did not take much persuading either. Her head has been full of nothing but officers since the regiment arrived, and your mother encouraged her in her silliness.”
He sighed. Looking at Jane and Elizabeth, he realised he was affording them little comfort by reproaching their mother. Remembered Darcy’s words he said,
“We must hope for a positive outcome, at present, we can do nothing more. It comforts me to know I have at least two daughters I can be proud of. Dry those tears and run along now, make sure everything is ready for your mother’s arrival tomorrow, and if you can spare the time, I would welcome some tea.”
Jane and Elizabeth stood, and each placed a gentle kiss on his brow before making their way to the kitchen. They did not speak as they made his tea or buttered his bread and cut him a slice of cake. Jane watched as her sister rearranged the tray and then said in an optimistic voice,
“It was fortunate that Mr Darcy was here when the letter arrived, was it not Lizzie?"
Elizabeth made her reply.
"I think because he can claim a previous acquaintance with Mr Wickham, he may know where to find him, so we may hope for a positive outcome, what do you think?”
Still, Elizabeth remained silent but heaved a heavy sigh. Then Jane called her name in question.
“Lizzie?”
“Oh Jane, can you not see what this means? If they do not marry and marry quickly, it will not only be Lydia who is disgraced but all of us," Elizabeth cried in an exasperated tone.
“Do you think Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy will continue their address once our disgrace is made public? No, Lydia has ruined us all, and at the call of Wickham.”
Elizabeth could see Jane was shocked by her outburst and instantly regretted it. She held out her arms, and Jane came to her side and accepted her embrace.
“Oh, Lizzie, I cannot lose Mr Bingley for a second time. I am not strong enough to bear the shame of being deserted twice by the same man. Do you really think the outcome will be the ruination of us all?” Jane cried.
“Let us hope Mr Darcy is successful in his endeavour dearest,” was all the encouragement Elizabeth could offer.
Elizabeth loved her mother and all her sisters, but she was not naive enough to think her mother had not encouraged Lydia to enjoy herself to the fullest extent. She also knew Lydia to be a wilful and spoilt girl, and as the youngest, their mother had indulged her to excess. But to run off in the middle of the night, with no thought to the consequences it would have on her family, was the epitome of selfishness. With only two weeks to her wedding, Elizabeth wondered if indeed she would be a bride. She hugged her sister once more, and then picking up the tray, made her way back to the library.
They asked Hill to go to Meryton in their stead, as they did not want to be importuned by the neighbours, and she duly obliged. A few shopkeepers did ask when the young ladies would return, but only because their profits had suffered since they went to Brighton. Therefore, all was ready by nightfall, and it was a sombre house that waited for the return of its mistress.
The carriage came to a halt at the front of the house, and Elizabeth ran down the stairs to meet it, almost colliding with Jane. Together they opened the door and went out to greet their mother and sisters. Elizabeth had resolved not to cry, there would surely be more than enough tears from her mother. She was proved correct in her assumption, for as soon as Mrs Bennet alighted from the carriage, she began to wail.
“Oh Lizzie, Jane, what are we to do, what is to become of us. That wicked girl will be the undoing of all of us. If your father finds them, he will surely challenge Wickham to a duel and be killed, and then what will become of us. I’ll tell you what, that odious man Collins will tur
n us out before the night falls, mark my words. Oh, my poor nerves, I have such a flutter in my stomach I cannot tell you. Hill, Hill, where is that woman, Hill.”
“Come, Mama, we must remain hopeful until we know otherwise, and Papa has not gone to London, he is in the library. ’Tis Mr Darcy, who has journeyed to town in the hope of recovering Lydia,” Jane said, trying to calm her distraught mother.
Mrs Bennet leant heavily on Jane’s arm for support until Hill appeared to help her off with her coat and bonnet.
“Do not mention her name to me, and what is this you are saying? Mr Bennet does not go to find his own daughter but sends Mr Darcy in his stead? I never heard such a thing, the nerve of that man. Oh, it is all most vexing.”
Mrs Bennet seemed to have recovered her usual demeanour momentarily, and Elizabeth turned to Jane and asked quietly, “The nerve of which man, Papa or Mr Darcy?”
On entering the parlour, Jane sent Hill to bring her mother some tea while Kitty and Mary, who had so far been silent, quietly greeted their sisters. Elizabeth took pity on them after having to bear witness to their mother’s lamenting all the way from Brighton. Deciding they would welcome some time away from her, Elizabeth offered them an escape.
“Mary, Kitty, you look tired and a little dusty from your journey. You should go and rest awhile, but join us for supper.”
This would give them some time free from the continuous grieving they all knew Mrs Bennet would indulge in until the matter was resolved. They gave her a silent ‘thank you,’ and quickly headed to their room.
“I must also take to my bed, for I feel a faint coming on, quick girl, get my salts,” said Mrs Bennet to no one in particular.
Jane and Lizzie both knew their mama’s health to be robust, but she was apt to use this excuse as a way to escape her responsibilities.
“Then I will have a dish of tea sent up to you Mama, and Jane will bring your salts,” Elizabeth said as she guided her mother toward the stairs.
“And some of Hill's delicious fruitcake. Do not forget the fruitcake, for I am half-starved. The inn we stopped at served us very ill, very ill indeed,” Mrs Bennet lamented as she made her way up the stairs.
“Oh Jane, what a mess; I fear neither of our parents is going to be much help in resolving this matter.”
“But what can we do Lizzie? We cannot go to town and search ourselves?” Jane said.
“No Jane, but if Mr Darcy is unsuccessful, we must resign ourselves to retiring from society, to bear the disgrace the best we can. Let us hope he is effective.”
This was all the reply Elizabeth could muster.
CHAPTER 17
Darcy made good time and managed to get to town just after nightfall. He instructed Miller not to replace the knocker on the front door, thus not announcing he was in residence. Weary and covered in mud, he needed a bath and some food, but first, he must write a letter. He instructed Miller to send a tray to his room and have a bath filled. Jennings could valet for him until Fletcher arrived tomorrow.
Miller was one of his father’s servants, but there had never been any thought of replacing him. His arrival at Airwhile House was a surprise, but Miller acted as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Darcy sat behind the green, leather-topped desk in his study and began composing a letter to Col. Fitzwilliam.
Airwhile House
London
December 4th 1811
Richard,
Forgive the intrusion, but I am in need of your assistance with an urgent and sensitive matter. Time is of the essence and discretion vital. Come to Airwhile House tomorrow for breakfast, I will reveal all then. My future happiness depends on its outcome.
Your cousin,
FD
He would offer him breakfast and then explain the situation. They could then plan the next step together, although, in truth, Darcy had devised a plan on his journey. The grumbling of his stomach reminded him he had not eaten since breakfast at Netherfield. He rang for Miller and instructed him to send one of the stable lads to deliver the letter tonight. Wearily, he climbed the stairs to bed.
Sitting in his dressing gown, bathed and refreshed, he picked at the food on the tray before him. The cold meat, pickles and fresh crusty bread were accompanied by a small selection of fruit and a pot of hot tea. Normally an ideal supper, but he was not thinking of food tonight, he was thinking of Elizabeth. That morning, he had decided to ride over early and visit with her, but they had barely had time to exchange pleasantries before a messenger arrived with the express from Col. Forster. She had taken it directly to her father and waited while he read it. The look on his face was enough to prompt her to take the missive from his hand and read it aloud. Darcy had followed her to the doorway and listened as she narrated its contents. He had witnessed first-hand the impact it had on the three people in the room. He felt their need justified him overstepping the boundaries of politeness, and he entered the room. Clearly, they were all in shock, but only its timing had surprised him. Having been through such a thing at Wickham’s hand before, Darcy knew better than anyone what needed to be done.
He had grown tired of cleaning up after Wickham, and although he owed him nothing, it seemed George’s jealousy would never be sated. He could not rule out the possibility that Bingley would also be asked to pay.
Fatigue washed over him, and he pushed the tray away and went to his bed. Tomorrow, he would put into motion the plan he had devised to recover the foolish chit, but tonight he needed to rest.
Darcy told Miller that he was expecting an early caller and that they would breakfast together, so when Col. Fitzwilliam arrived, he was shown directly into the breakfast room.
Darcy was already waiting for him and said,
“Richard, good of you to come on such short notice.”
Darcy put his coffee down and took his cousin’s hand in a firm shake.
“Come, let us talk over breakfast." He turned to the footmen and continued, "We will serve ourselves, thank you.”
Once alone and seated with a hearty breakfast in front of them, Richard turned to Darcy and questioned him.
“So Darcy, what’s this cloak and dagger meeting about? Your note was enticing but uninformative,” he said, while savouring the expensive blend of coffee Darcy preferred.
“As you know, I have recently become engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She has several younger sisters, and lately, they have been visiting Brighton and enjoying the attention of the Militia. The youngest of these sisters, Miss Lydia Bennet, has been convinced to elope by one of the officers." He paused before saying the name of the man Richard despised almost as much as he did.
"With George Wickham.”
Richard glared at Darcy, then replied,
“This is grave indeed Darcy. Is it certain they have not gone to Scotland?" Darcy nodded, and Richard continued, "So Wickham has found another way to get to you, dear cousin. I now see the urgency of the matter; how may I help? Do you know where they are holed up?”
“No, that is where I thought you might be able to assist me. Not that I am denigrating your men at all, but I understand they are apt to frequent the more unsavoury establishments that Wickham’s pocket will run to,” Darcy replied as he refilled his cup.
“No offence taken,” Richard said acceptingly, “I will set four of my most trusted, yet dissolute men on discovering his whereabouts. What are your plans, Fitz?”
“I will be following another line of enquiry. Do you remember Mrs Younge? I imagine she will be involved in this somewhere, as with Georgiana. If I find her, I believe she may be easily persuaded to give up her accomplice, for a price, of course. I have a purse of fifty guineas to take with me. We must move with all speed on this Richard; they have been gone three days already.”
Richard nodded as he took another mouthful of coffee before asking,
“How does the Bennet family fair after this news?”
“Mr Bennet is somewhat ineffectual, and Mrs Bennet and the two other daught
ers return to Longbourn today. I fear Elizabeth and Jane will bear the brunt of things, for they are the only ones with any wits about them. I wanted to stay and assist them, but I can be more effective here. Besides, even I cannot be in two places at once.” Darcy sighed.
They finished their repast, and then Richard left to start the search for Wickham. Darcy meanwhile, went directly to the agency he had hired Mrs Younge from.
Darcy exited the agent’s office with the last known address for Mrs Younge in his pocket. He had not wanted to give it up without some form of monetary remuneration, but with a very angry Darcy towering over him, he saw the error of his ways. He quickly copied the address onto a scrap of paper and nervously placed it in Darcy’s waiting hand. Once outside, Darcy climbed back into the hackney carriage Miller had hailed for him. He recited the address to the driver, and the carriage lurched into motion. The lady in question had somehow secured enough funds to purchase a house in the city. It was in a rundown area, but apparently, she earned an income by renting out the rooms. As they neared his destination, the driver slowed the horse to a walk and then leant down to ask,
“Begging ’ur pardon governor, but are you sure you want me to take you to this address? It’s not a place for the likes of you, sir.”
He pulled at his cap in deference to Darcy’s station. He was probably only in his thirties but looked much older, and his clothes although clean, had definitely seen better days.
“Yes, quite sure, thank you. Stop a few doors before and wait for me, there will be a guinea in it for you.”
He knew he was tipping the man more than he could earn in a month. But it was a small price to pay not to be stranded in this unsavoury neighbourhood.
Mr Darcy's Struggle Page 12
