On the day Charlotte Lucas became Charlotte Collins, it came as no surprise to the inhabitants of Longbourn that Mrs. Bennet declared herself unequal to the task of feigning a pleasure she could not feel. Indeed, the knowledge that Charlotte, and not one of her own daughters, would usurp her place as mistress of that estate after the death of her husband brought her no comfort. To make matters infinitely worse, it had recently been brought to her attention that Lydia, who was by far her favorite child, had been discovered in a compromising position with George Wickham. Normally, this would not have been the cause of much agitation and distress to Mrs. Bennet, for she would have looked upon the prospect of having another daughter married as nothing short of a fortuitous act of providence; however, the unhappy reality that the prospective bridegroom had seemingly fled the area without so much as a hint of his whereabouts, left her in high dudgeon and with a fit of nerves that amazed even her husband.
“Oh, Mr. Bennet! You must find him and make them marry,” she cried, her distress extreme, “for soon everyone will hear of it, and then what will become of us all?” She blotted her eyes with her damp handkerchief and continued. “I simply do not understand it! Lydia was always such an obedient, respectful girl. Never any trouble at all—and so popular with all of the officers, too. Surely, there must be one of them, at least, who would happily marry her if Wickham is not found!”
Darcy rolled his eyes and walked to the window to stand beside his wife, who laid a hand upon his arm in a gesture of assuagement. He gave her a searching look before raising her hand to his lips, caressing her fingers with an almost reverent kiss. It was truly beyond his abilities to understand how Elizabeth and Jane could have been born to a woman as impractical as his mother-in-law, and he found himself suddenly wishing they could depart for London on the following day, as they had originally planned. In light of all that had occurred, however, Darcy had decided to remain in Hertfordshire until Colonel Forster and his men determined Wickham was most definitely not in the area. In his opinion, such news could not come soon enough.
Elizabeth’s spirits had been low since her encounter with Wickham, and it concerned him. At her insistence, Mrs. Bennet had not been made aware of Wickham’s assault, and it was obvious to Darcy that Elizabeth’s state of mind was far from improved by her mother’s obtuse comments. He longed to take her away from the unpleasantness of the last few days and from the added stress of reliving the painful event in the antagonistic company of her youngest sister.
If he was honest with himself, Darcy knew he was really longing to take her not to London, but to Pemberley, where he felt fairly confident his wife would soon find many ways to raise her spirits as they submersed themselves in their new life together.
Mr. Bennet’s dry voice, tinged with anger, rang out from across the room. “My dear, if anyone should hear of your daughter’s indiscretion, I am certain it will be by your own mouth, as the only people who are aware of Lydia’s shameful conduct currently occupy this room.” He then made a sweeping motion with his arm, indicating Darcy, Elizabeth, Jane, and Bingley. Colonel Forster was the only absent party. Darcy cringed. He would not put it past Mrs. Bennet and her loose tongue to advertise the scandal any more than he would Lydia herself. He briefly wondered where his sister-in-law was at the moment, as he had hardly seen her since they returned from the wedding breakfast at Lucas Lodge. Lydia, due to her shameful behavior at that house not two nights prior, had not been permitted to attend. It was now nearly teatime.
Just then, the front door to the house opened, and Lydia’s loud voice could be heard ringing throughout the front hall. Her father strode to the door and summoned her into the drawing room. Lydia immediately took in the grave faces collected there and her mother’s incessant wailing, and rolled her eyes. “Lord,” she muttered, “you are a dreary lot.”
“And why should we not be?” cried Mrs. Bennet. “Mr. Wickham has gone from the country, perhaps never to return!”
With a huff, Lydia threw herself upon one of the sofas. “Oh, Lord! Wherever did you get that notion, Mama? I daresay you ought not to put stock in anything Mr. Darcy and Lizzy have to say on the subject, for they cannot possibly know anything of my dear Wickham,” she said as she readjusted a bit of lace on her gown. “Indeed, Wickham shall return for me. He must only have some very pressing matters of business, I am sure, for he dearly loves me, as I do him, and we shall be married sooner or later.” Here, she shrugged. “It hardly signifies to me when our wedding shall take place, for I know I shall someday be Mrs. George Wickham.” Then she laughed. “Lord, how droll that sounds!”
Elizabeth had heard all she could possibly bear, and with a sound of disgust, she hastened from the room, slamming the door behind her. Darcy made to follow her, but Jane placed a steady hand upon his arm and shook her head. “I will gladly see to my sister, sir. Do not trouble yourself.”
Darcy relented, only to pace before the window and quit the room himself not five minutes later. Shutting the door behind him, he stood in the hall before he discerned the sound of Jane’s voice coming from abovestairs. Not wishing to intrude upon a private moment between the two sisters, he had just taken a seat to await them when he heard the distinctive sounds of retching, followed again by Jane’s soothing voice. Taking the stairs two at a time, he soon came upon both ladies seated upon the floor of the nearest water closet.
“Elizabeth!” he exclaimed as he stood over the pale form of his wife and watched her lay her head upon Jane’s lap.
“I am well,” she whispered.
He knelt before her and stroked her clammy brow. “You are not well. I shall call for a doctor.”
“No. There is nothing Mr. Jones will be able to do for me, Fitzwilliam. Indeed, this is perfectly natural.”
Darcy studied her with an incredulous expression. “This is perfectly natural? You cannot be serious.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes and swallowed several times. “Jane,” she implored.
Jane colored and, without looking at her brother-in-law, said, “I believe it is to be expected for a married woman in my sister’s condition, sir.”
Taking her meaning at last, Darcy could find nothing to say other than a simple, “Ah,” as he twisted his signet ring.
They were joined then, and quite unexpectedly, by Bingley. “So this is where you all have got to. I was—good God!” he exclaimed as he beheld Elizabeth’s pale face.
Embarrassed to have Bingley come upon her in such a state, Elizabeth attempted to rise; however, such an action only served to exacerbate her nausea, and she promptly found herself doubled over the basin yet again. Darcy insinuated himself between Jane and Elizabeth, moving to support his wife as she continued to empty the contents of her stomach. Knowing her sister was in good hands, and understanding how uncomfortable Elizabeth must feel having Bingley seeing her thus, Jane took the opportunity to lead him away.
It was some minutes before Elizabeth’s situation improved. With a groan, she leaned back upon Darcy, whose outstretched arms enfolded her, securing her against his chest. Wishing to distract his wife from her discomfort, he kissed her temple and said, “Though your sister’s cavalier attitude with regard to her behavior certainly causes me to feel ill, I had no idea it was appalling enough to actually inspire the contents of one’s stomach to revolt. I now see I stand corrected. Perhaps I should exercise caution, as well? What think you, my dearest?”
Elizabeth closed her eyes and swallowed hard, wiping the back of her trembling hand across her mouth. “I think you choose the most outrageous moments to display your sense of humor, Fitzwilliam,” she said in a weak voice but with the hint of a smile upon her lips.
He kissed her temple once more. “Forgive me. I could not resist,” he said. “I realize I should not tease you so when you are in such a state, especially when this particular state of affliction is due, in part, to my own, ah, very explicit attentions to you. Tell me, are you feeling any better?” he asked, brushing several curls away from her face.
“Yes,” she replied, “although, I fear if I move much I shall begin again.”
“Then here we shall remain until you are feeling completely recovered.” He shifted his weight so they were both a bit more comfortable. Darcy bestowed a kiss upon her head and closed his eyes. They remained thus until well after supper had been announced, and then only to remove to Netherfield so they might spend the rest of the evening in quiet solitude, away from the tiresome ranting of Mrs. Bennet and her favorite daughter.
Kitty made her way to the breakfast parlor the next morning with a small, secretive smirk upon her lips. Her father dismissed it as foolishness, which he had long known to run rampant under his roof, but then a quarter of an hour passed without any sign of Lydia. Mrs. Bennet seemed to be the only one willing to remark upon her favorite daughter’s absence. “Kitty,” she said, “you must go upstairs at once and tell your sister to hurry herself along. There is much to be done today. When Lizzy arrives, I will go into Meryton to sit with my sister Phillips, and you girls shall accompany me.”
Mr. Bennet, without raising his eyes from his newspaper, said firmly, “You will do nothing of the sort, Mrs. Bennet. I will not have anyone in this house speak so much as one word about your youngest daughter’s behavior. Since she has not the sense nor the humility to recognize the disgrace she has brought upon herself or her family, she will no longer be permitted into society until she can prove to me she has spent the day in a productive manner, which, I suspect, will not be for some time. The same will apply to you, as well, Kitty.”
Kitty pouted and protested, and even went so far as to cry, but to no avail. Her father would not be swayed. Darcy, Elizabeth, and Bingley’s arrival was announced, and with a few further words of admonishment, accompanied by a stern look or two from Mr. Bennet, the subject was soon dropped.
Another half hour passed by rather awkwardly, and still, Lydia did not appear. “Oh, where is that child?” cried Mrs. Bennet. “Kitty, run upstairs and fetch your sister. I must speak to her at once.”
At this, Kitty’s pouting mouth slowly transformed itself into a flicker of a smug smile. Blotting the corners of her lips with her napkin, she replied, “I am afraid I cannot, Mama.”
Her mother gaped at her, and Mr. Bennet raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean you will not?” cried Mrs. Bennet. “I demand you fetch her at once, and do not venture to speak to me so, insolent girl!”
To this, Kitty replied, “I did not say I would not, Mama—only that I cannot, for Lydia is not to be found in her room this morning.”
This statement caught Mr. Bennet’s full attention, as well as that of every other person in the room, and his wife exclaimed, “What do you mean she is not in her room?! Where else would she possibly be found at such an hour?”
Kitty remained silent until her father’s patience had reached its limits. “Katherine! Explain yourself! Do you know where your sister is?”
She nodded, but any trace of amusement was now erased from her face. “Yes, sir.”
With some hesitation and downcast eyes, she surrendered to her father a folded missive written in Lydia’s flowing hand. Mr. Bennet read it and paled. “Good God,” he whispered as he handed the note to Darcy with a shaking hand. His son-in-law read it and, with a sound of disgust, thrust the missive toward his wife.
“Whatever does it say?” demanded Mrs. Bennet. “Is it from my dearest girl? Do not keep me in suspense! What does she have to say?”
Darcy glanced at Mr. Bennet, who sat stock still, holding his head between his hands. “Pray, enlighten your mother, Elizabeth, and read aloud what your sister had to say,” Darcy said with barely concealed contempt as he rose and strode to the window. She cleared her throat and, in an unsteady voice, complied.
Dear Kitty,
You will laugh when you awaken in the morning and find me gone, and if you cannot guess with whom, you are a simpleton, indeed, for there is but one man whom I love.
My dear Wickham asks that you conceal my absence as long as you can, and I confess, I am in complete agreement with him, for it will be such a good joke, will it not, when Lizzy and her droll Mr. Darcy hear that he has come for me at last, just as I knew he would, and in the dead of night, too? Is it not the most romantic thing you have ever heard? You must tell me how they both looked when next you see me, for Wickham and I would dearly love a good laugh at their expense. Tell Mama I will write if I can—though I am certain, as a married woman, that my husband shall engage me in far more pleasurable activities—and that she has my leave to inform the neighborhood of my impending marriage. I remain your loving sister,
L. B.
Mrs. Bennet’s shrieks easily overshadowed Jane’s and Mary’s horrified gasps. Mr. Bennet removed to his library, Darcy and Bingley hard on his heels. Elizabeth made to follow, but Darcy caught her hand and stopped her, his eyes communicating that her presence would not be allowed for this particular meeting. The door to the library closed upon her, and she found herself quite alone.
Mrs. Bennet, overcome with distress, retired to her room with the assistance of her faithful housekeeper. Kitty was left to her own devices, worrying over the blame she would shoulder for Lydia’s rash elopement. Since Elizabeth had taken up an agitated vigil outside her father’s library, it was left to Jane and Mary to attend their mother.
To Elizabeth, half the day seemed to pass before the gentlemen emerged, but in fact, it had been no more than three-quarters of an hour. When the door finally opened, she sprang from her chair and looked in expectation from her father’s grave face to that of her husband’s. With a nod from Mr. Bennet, Darcy led her by the hand to a small parlor and closed the door. Elizabeth gripped his hands and waited in silence for him to begin.
In a low voice he said, “Surely you must realize Wickham has not taken your sister to Scotland, Elizabeth. It is my belief they are most likely gone to London, and I have told your father as much. It may still be within our power to recover her, but we must act quickly. Colonel Fitzwilliam has many contacts there whom I believe can greatly benefit us in our search.” He scowled. “Having grown up with Wickham, I have knowledge of his habits and tendencies. From what I have witnessed in Hertfordshire, he has altered little, but much for the worse. With any luck, we will be able to locate them within a matter of a few days, though I would not hold out hope for your sister’s virtue, if it is, indeed, still intact.”
Elizabeth looked away; she had no hope on that score. Darcy began to draw circles upon her palms with his thumbs. “Bingley has agreed to stay behind and look after you and your family while your father and I search for them in London. We shall depart within the hour.”
Elizabeth could hardly credit these last words. “You mean to say you are leaving me here?” she asked.
“I see very few options before us, Elizabeth. I had rather thought you would prefer to remain with your family at this time. Certainly, your mother and sisters will be in need of you.”
“And you will not?” she asked.
Darcy averted his eyes. “That is not what I meant; you know it is not, but London is not safe. There is nothing you could possibly do there to aid your sister. You would do better to stay here with your family.”
Elizabeth stared at him. “And is this what you truly wish?” she asked, her voice strained.
“Of course not,” he answered quickly, “but I cannot see my way to bringing you with me. There is nothing for you to do in London that would not put you at risk. You know Wickham is not to be underestimated.”
“There is everything for me to do in London!” she cried. “Will you not need my comfort after enduring God-only-knows-what for the sake of my family?” She caught his face in her hands and forced him to meet her eyes. “Even if I spend day after day alone with none but the servants for company, it shall be far preferable to having to spend my nights without you. Indeed, Fitzwilliam, I want no distance between us. I am going with you. You are my husband, my life. My place is with you.”
He considered her words for a long moment before placing his hand upon her cheek and nodding once. “As you wish,” he said, “but I will not have you venturing out alone. You will not so much as leave the house for any reason without my protection, do you understand?”
Elizabeth brushed her lips upon his hand. “You have my word. I will do nothing you do not think is best. I wish only for us to remain together.”
“Let us inform your father, then, and be off. We have not another moment to lose.”
The trip to London passed silently, and as Darcy’s carriage rolled through the streets of their Mayfair neighborhood and on to Darcy House, Elizabeth felt herself relax, if only a little. They were now home and would, hopefully, within several short hours, meet with Colonel Fitzwilliam, to whom Darcy had dispatched an express just moments before they left Hertfordshire. She only prayed it had reached him and he would be available to meet with them that evening.
She need not have worried on that account, for they had no sooner set foot in the front door than they were informed by Mrs. Hildebrandt that the colonel had been awaiting their arrival in Darcy’s study for the last hour.
Darcy bade his father-in-law proceed without him then pulled aside his anxious wife. “I know you wish to attend this conversation, Elizabeth, but your resting yourself is more important. I will not have you placing yourself or our unborn babe at risk.”
Over her vehement protests, he continued, “No. I will not hear another word. I beg you would rest. It would greatly ease my mind to know you are taking every precaution. Please, dearest, do this one thing for me, and I promise I will keep nothing from you.”
Elizabeth addressed him with narrowed eyes. “You promise, no matter what happens, to tell me all?” she demanded.
“You have my word.”
She sighed. “Very well, Fitzwilliam. I will try to rest for one hour, but I cannot promise I shall be successful.”
“That is all I ask.”
He brushed his lips against hers, and she returned the gesture before saying, “I expect you to come to me as soon as your plans are decided.” Then, with a parting glance, she turned and left him.
Darcy watched his wife retreat up the staircase and out of sight before he made his way with haste to his study, where he found Colonel Fitzwilliam in deep discussion with Mr. Bennet.
“Darcy,” he said, “I was just telling your father-in-law that I have dispatched eight of my most loyal men to search for Wickham and Miss Lydia; however, I do believe our best bet might be to venture to Mrs. Younge’s. What think you? Surely, she must have some idea of the blackguard’s whereabouts.”
Darcy poured three glasses of brandy and handed them around. “I agree, though he has other acquaintances in Town, as well, who may prove useful to us.”
The colonel nodded and drank slowly from his glass before saying, “We must prepare ourselves. I do not expect to find them tonight. Her virtue—”
“Her virtue is likely no longer an issue,” said Mr. Bennet with disgust. “Forgive me, Colonel, but I can have no illusions that my youngest daughter will be returned to me whole. Not after their conduct the other night, and certainly not after what that scoundrel dared to attempt with my Lizzy.” He swallowed the rest of his brandy and slammed his glass upon Darcy’s desk. He settled his angry gaze upon his son-in-law and, in a voice of deadly calm, said, “I want them found, and I want him to suffer. I hardly care what means are employed to achieve this, so long as it is brought about. I care very little for charges of desertion or for his debts to area merchants. He has insulted two of my daughters, and I intend to see him punished, once and for all.”
Mr. Bennet tore his gaze from his son-in-law and took several steps toward the fire. Leaning his forearms upon the mantle, he took a deep breath and said, “You warned me, Darcy, of the very great danger that scoundrel posed to my family, yet I failed to heed your words of caution, even after all that had transpired in Meryton. You showed me you were more than willing to assume responsibility for Elizabeth’s protection, and I confess, I was quite content to allow you that honor. It now appears to have been the one sensible decision I have made where my daughters are concerned.” Mr. Bennet laughed ruefully and passed his hand over his eyes. Then, cursing softly, he said, “If I had only bothered to follow your example and exert myself with the rest. There is no excuse for my neglect. The fault for Lydia’s brashness and impetuosity lies on no man’s shoulders but my own, and for once, I am feeling the full weight of it, as I certainly ought.” And with that, the elder gentleman excused himself and quitted the room.
Darcy strode to the nearest window and stood with his back to the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam exhaled slowly and fixed his cousin with a look of grave concern. “What is this about Wickham insulting your wife, Darcy? Is it true?” he asked.
Darcy nodded. “He laid his hands upon her, as well as his vile mouth.”
“But no more?”
“No more!” Darcy spat, his temper immediately rising. “Is that act alone not enough to make a husband wish to see that bastard hang? He assaulted and terrified my wife! He threatened to force himself upon her should they meet again! She is with child! And even if she was not, I cannot allow further harm to come to her at his hands. No, when we capture Wickham, I will see him punished, as I should have last summer at Ramsgate. I know not how but, as God is my witness, Fitzwilliam, this time he will pay for his crimes.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam slowly nodded. “Then there is much to be done. I do not expect to hear from my men until the morrow, unless there is some unforeseen development tonight. Do you think Mr. Bennet intends to challenge him?”
Darcy shrugged and raked his hands through his hair. “I know not, but surely we must discourage such a measure. He is upset, and rightly so, but his family will suffer acutely if he is not successful. Though Lydia is hardly a favorite of his, the same cannot be said for Elizabeth. She has not recovered her spirits since that villain accosted her, and I am certain her feelings have not escaped Mr. Bennet’s notice. If it were up to me, I would have pursued him and put a bullet through his worthless heart in Hertfordshire, but I hardly think Elizabeth would condone such an act.” Darcy sat down behind his desk and held his head in his hands. “Indeed, I know for a fact she would not. Whatever we do, Fitzwilliam, we must take great care. Wickham must be punished, and the less Elizabeth knows of it, the better. I do not wish to distress her further.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam traced the rim of his glass. “You do not intend to force a marriage then, Cousin?”
Darcy snorted. “My sister-in-law cannot marry that blackguard. I will pay to increase her dowry if need be or hide her away in the countryside until after her confinement if it comes to that, but her father and I are in agreement—Lydia cannot be shackled to that piece of filth for the rest of her life. God knows, as do you and I, whatever Wickham would do to her would hardly be pleasant. Nor will I have that scoundrel associated with my wife in any way.”
“Fair enough,” Fitzwilliam said, glancing at the mantle clock. “It is now nearly supper hour. When would you care to pay a call upon Mrs. Younge?”
“With that woman, the element of surprise is our best advantage. We could dine within the hour and then pay her a visit tonight after Elizabeth retires.” Darcy drained his glass. “How does Georgiana?”
“She is well, though she is anxious for your return. I have yet to inform her that you and Elizabeth are in Town. I have yet to inform anyone. I did not know if you would wish it, under the circumstances.”
Darcy shook his head and sighed. “No. Not yet. Although I know her society would be good for Elizabeth, I cannot help but wish to protect my sister from this business. To hear that Wickham has succeeded with Lydia, when it was very nearly herself, she may not take the news at all well.”
“Georgiana is stronger than you think. Did you not tell me she confided in your wife of her own volition?” Darcy nodded and Colonel Fitzwilliam continued, “Well then, I see no harm in bringing Georgiana home to Darcy House in a few days. She and Elizabeth will, no doubt, find comfort in each other’s society. To be honest, Elizabeth may need the distraction, for there is no telling how many hours you will be called away during the next week or so, and I doubt you will want her to venture out with Wickham still at large.”
Darcy grunted in acquiescence, and the two gentlemen retired shortly thereafter to freshen themselves before dinner.