As Lizzy was scrambling about the rocks on Mill Bay later that day, her text from Aunt G was to surprise her further.
My dear Lizzy
Dear Aunt G. She always used text as if writing a letter.
How strange! I thought you knew all, otherwise Uncle G may not have acted as he did. But never mind that now. I will tell you what you are so anxious to hear. When Lydia disappeared and Uncle G went to find her, he was surprised to meet with Darcy in Newquay. Darcy, it appeared, had discovered Lydia and Wickham’s whereabouts! I am sorry to say that Wickham has behaved most abominably, and Lydia barely any better. Darcy apologised, saying that he knew of the dangers of Wickham’s character and felt it was almost his fault. Lydia should have been warned. Warned! I ask you. She, unlike you and Jane, is a silly goose, and in my opinion, has behaved very badly. I digress, however. Darcy, with great generosity, sorted out the contract. He did all this with
Oh! Aunt G! With what? How frustrating! The text ended, and nothing more was waiting. But Lizzy had learnt enough. It was Darcy. But why? Could he really have done such a thing because he felt responsible? A quiet voice she could not suppress murmured that perhaps he had done it all for her. She checked the thought. How ridiculous. She had rejected him once, and besides, the last thing he would want would be to go out with a girl whose sister was going out with the abhorred Wickham. At that moment, Wickham himself appeared from behind a large seaweed-clad outcrop.
“Lizzy!” he said in surprise.
“Wickham!” she returned, challenging.
He grinned up at her, trying to gauge her feelings, but then slipped and looked likely to fall into the swirling sea below. Lizzy grasped him just in time, and his fate hung with her. After a fleeting hesitation, her kindheartedness and good sense won over. “Come, Wickham, you are dating my sister now. Let us no longer argue.” And she pulled him back to safety, slapped him heartily on the back, and linking his arm in hers, they walked back along the sunlit beach.