“Poor Georgiana. How dreadful for her.” I leaned back against the chair and stared up at the ceiling. I could hardly believe all I was hearing. How had I been so deceived? “But why would he take Lydia? She has nothing to her name.”
“Wickham does not like to deprive himself. If he needs to run away to avoid gambling debts, he will not refuse a willing young lady who will offer him company. From what I know of your sister, she is not shy about showing her regard for anyone who takes her fancy. He has done this sort of thing before. I am afraid he will leave Lydia somewhere. We shall be lucky if we ever find her.”
I covered my mouth with my hand as I imagined my youngest sister… my foolish baby sister… living in some dreadful boarding house — or worse — with a baby with her. Stupid girl! And yet I could not hate her too much. She was hardly more than a child. A foolish, selfish, reckless child, but still a child. I could not rest without doing all I could to recover her.
“Do you have any idea where they might have gone?” I asked Darcy, desperately.
“Not to Gretna Green, anyway.” Darcy’s lips twisted. “Wickham has few friends, but the ones he has are in London. It is the best place to find her. I will leave at once.” He rose to his feet and held his hand out to me. “I will write to you every day whether or not I have news. I swear to you, I will do all I can to find her. If I had not been so stupidly reserved, if I had warned people, or at least you, you might have been guarded against him.”
I stared at him. “You do not think you are leaving me behind, do you? No, I am going with you.”
“Elizabeth…”
“Lydia is my sister.” I ignored his hand and stood up, raising my chin to meet his eyes. “I am going with you, and that is the end of the matter.”
48
We arrived in Darcy House in two days. Darcy only had time to send brief notes to the neighbourhood to advise them we were leaving in case they visited. We were fortunate that we had so many belongings in London already and did not need to pack. Within two hours of my receiving Jane’s letter, we were on the road. I wondered how Amelia would take the news of our departure. I had not seen her since she left the room.
I wrote to Jane as soon as I was settled in our townhouse to advise her I was close by. Darcy insisted I invite her to London so we might spend the time together and comfort one another. He did not add that it would give Jane the chance to have a well-earned rest from our mother.
As soon as Jane was shown into the drawing-room, I forgot that I was mistress of a fine house. I stood up and held out my arms as she ran into them.
“I cannot tell you how much I have missed you,” she said as she clung on to me. “It has been a long few weeks without you.”
“I have missed you too. I thought to go to Hertfordshire, but I decided we had more chance of finding Lydia here. And if I could spare you from Mama, I would,” I added with a grin. “How is she?”
I led Jane to the sofa. She sank down and gave a shaky laugh. “Oh, you know Mama. Lydia was always her favourite, so she is distraught. She was relieved when I told her you and Mr Darcy were travelling to London. I think she believes Mr Darcy’s wealth will turn the capital upside down until he finds her, no matter how much I had warned her not to expect miracles.”
“I only hope we find her. I cannot allow myself to imagine what will happen to her if we do not.”
Jane shuddered. “I have spent sleepless nights thinking about it. Poor little Lydia. But how are you? You look very well. Mama told me I was to write to her and give her details of how you look. I think married life suits you. How do you fare with Mr Darcy? I hope you come to be happy together, even if you did not marry because you loved one another.”
I did not know how to answer her. I loved my husband but did not know if he loved me. We enjoyed an intimacy I never expected, yet he was bound to another woman and always would be. I was happy with him, but not. What could I tell Jane?
“It has taken some getting used to,” I said carefully. I smiled. “And my husband has surprised me with aspects of his character I never expected. It is still all very new, but I will say that it has been far more delightful than I ever expected. There, will that do?”
Jane’s face lit up, and she leaned forward to throw her arms around me.
“I am so glad,” she said. “I hoped you would grow to love one another. This is better than I expected.”
I laughed and patted her shoulder and tried not to allow myself to think of Amelia.
It was a comfort to have Jane with me, but it did not prevent me from pacing the floor night after night. Surely someone would respond to Darcy’s letters with information about her? Darcy was a rock during this trying time. He returned to the house worn out from fruitless searches, but his first concern was always for me. He held me every night as I worried about where Lydia might be and what might happen to her. He stroked my hair and kissed my forehead and never once complained about the inconvenience she had brought to him and his family.
I overheard Thomas mentioning a house near Bruton Street. The name tugged at me. That street had been significant to me recently, but I could not imagine why. Had Darcy mentioned a companion who loved there? No, from the way Thomas spoke of it, it was not a desirable place.
That is when it hit me. The day I had wandered to avoid Amelia. The street I had found myself in was called Bruton Street. I was sure of it. And the man I saw there — what if it was Wickham after all?
I struggled to contain my excitement as I ran to Darcy’s study. He looked up from a letter as I came in.
“Do you have news?” he asked me earnestly.
“I do not know. It might be nothing.” I told him of the day I wandered, although I neglected to mention why. Darcy responded as I expected.
“Why on earth would you go there? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is? Anything might have happened to you. My God, Elizabeth…”
“But what if the man I saw was Wickham?” I said before he could get too far into his stride. “It is possible it was him after all? I know it is unlikely. It is probably a man who looks a little like him. But I remember he emerged from a boarding house. What if that is where he is staying? It is worth visiting, is it not? Just to be sure?”
Darcy stapled his fingers as he considered my words.
“It is the sort of place Wickham would frequent if he has not found a benefactor to attach himself too. But we will not visit at once. Before you charge off as I know you are raring to do, I will discover a little more about this boarding house first. Do you recall anything about it? A name above the door, perhaps?”
I shook my head. “I am sorry. I was too busy searching for Wickham. But the door was red, and it was directly across from a pawn shop. The street is not large, so they cannot miss it.”
Darcy nodded. “That helps. I will send word to see what I can discover before we visit it.”
I was forced to behave as calmly as possible while I waited for Darcy’s note to get a response. Jane did not know what was happening, and I could not bring myself to raise her hopes. I had to behave as normally as possible as she chatted about the weather and do all she could to take my mind from Lydia. I sat near the window so I could see when anyone approached the house. When a messenger boy ran up the steps, I made an excuse to leave the room and hurried to find Darcy.
I found him outside his study in earnest conversation with the boy. He nodded to him and handed him a coin. As the boy hurried past me with a grin and a clumsy bow, I turned to Darcy.
“Well?”
There was a brightness about his face that excited me. He turned to his study and rummaged through his papers.
“The proprietress of the boarding house is Mrs Younge.” He looked up at me, his face bright with excitement.
“And so?”
Darcy’s smile spread. “And so Mrs Younge is the woman who worked as Georgiana’s companion this summer. She is friends with Wickham and arranged for him to come to Ramsgate. I never knew what became
of her afterwards. If Wickham is in London, I am sure he would seek her out. It must have been him you saw that day. It could be no one else.”
I gasped and reached out for Darcy as he came towards me, his hands outstretched.
“We have found him, have we not? He must have Lydia there with him.”
“I am almost sure of it. I am going there at once. I do not wish him to get away.”
I raised my chin.
“I am coming with you.”
Darcy clicked his tongue and looked as though he were about to protest, but he glanced down at me as though taking the measure of my determination.
“I suppose you would not listen if I forbade it and ordered you to stay here?”
“I suppose you are correct.”
“I do not doubt it.”
The street was just as I remembered it. Darcy had arranged for his carriage to let us down near Conduit Street so we could walk the rest of the way without drawing much attention. Before leaving, we had changed into plainer clothing. I glanced up at my husband as we walked and could not resist smiling. Even in an old coat and a cap, he still looked every inch the gentleman with that proud bearing and the arrogant lift of his head. He could not pass as humble if he tried. And I loved him for it.
“Why are you smiling,” Darcy asked.
I shook my head, but I could not wipe the smile. “Nothing. I am just relieved this all might be over soon.”
“As am I. But be prepared, my love. Your sister might not be so persuaded if she believes Wickham will marry her.”
“I will persuade her,” I said. “And if I fail, we will simply carry her kicking and screaming.”
“I am glad we agree.”
We slowed as we approached the boarding house. Darcy smiled grimly when he saw the name above the door.
“I wonder where she obtained the funds to buy this place? Not by honest means, I am certain.”
“Come along.” I glanced nervously up at the house. “I need to see my sister to know she is safe.”
Darcy rapped on the door. After several minutes it slowly opened, and an older woman peered out. For a moment she smiled until a look of horrified recognition crossed her face. She gasped and tried to shut the door, but Darcy had his foot in it before she succeeded. With little effort, he pushed it open and strode into the grimy passage.
“Mrs Younge,” he said in a flat voice.
Mrs Younge swallowed and glanced between Darcy and me. She smoothed down her worn-out gown with hands that trembled slightly.
“I do not know what you want. I have nothing for you here, and I told no one about Miss Darcy. There is no reason for you to be…”
“Where is Wickham?” I demanded.
Mrs Younge’s eyes narrowed. “Wickham?” she repeated as though she had never heard such a name in her life.
“Yes, Wickham. George Wickham. Your old accomplice. Where is he?” Darcy gripped his cane. How much he must detest this; having to deal with the two people he hoped never to see again. And all because of my idiotic sister.
“I have not seen him since last summer…”
“He was here only a few weeks ago, Mrs Younge, so do not waste your time lying. I saw him myself.”
Mrs Younge looked me up and down with a scathing look which faded when her eyes met Darcy’s.
“You will tell us his room, or we will find it ourselves. Or perhaps we might ask the magistrate to look? I am sure he would be very interested to know how a woman with no job or references bought such a place…”
Mrs Younge swallowed. “There is… there is no need for threats. But I do not know what Wickham has done to make you search for him. He has not seen Miss Darcy since the summer, or so he told me. Whatever he is about now can have nothing to do with you.”
Her eyes slid towards me again and widened.
“He is with a young girl, yes? He has her here with him? A girl who reminds you of me, I think.”
Mrs Younge dropped her glance to the floor, looking sullen.
“Whatever you do with him is none of my affair. I do not want any trouble. I am trying to build a…”
“His room,” Darcy snapped.
Mrs Younge hesitated just a moment longer. “On the second floor. The first one on the right.”
Darcy nodded, then reached for my hand. We climbed the stairs and paused to listen at the door. I could hear nothing within. Darcy rapped on it. A bed creaked. A moment later, the door opened cautiously. I gasped to see Lydia’s face. Her eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open as she pulled the door open. To my utter astonishment, she hurled herself into my arms and broke down into bitter tears. It terrified me more than any other reaction from her might have done.
“What is the matter?” I demanded. I pushed her back so I might see her. Her face was a little thin, but she looked unharmed. “Are you ill? Hurt?”
“Oh, Lizzy, you do not know how glad I am to see you. It has been a horrid few weeks. Just horrid!”
“Wickham is not here,” said Darcy. “Where is he?”
Lydia shrugged and dropped her head. “I do not know. Out with his other woman, I fear. He told me she was gone and would interfere with us no more, but she has returned, and now he makes excuses to leave. I know he is with her again, and he does not care that he has ruined me. I hate him!” She broke down into tears and flung herself at me again. “Oh God, I love him. How could he do this to me? I cannot live without him.”
I stroked her hair, feeling awkward. Lydia and I had never been close and physical affection did not feature between us.
“Who is this other woman?”
“A nasty, horrid old thing. Wickham never mentioned her name, but I have seen him with her. Sometimes she comes here, and I see her from the window, but she always has her face covered like she does not want anyone to recognise her. I think he loves her and does not want to marry me.”
Over Lydia’s head, Darcy met my eyes.
“I am afraid Wickham would never marry you, Lydia. You are not the first young lady he has prevailed on to run away with him.”
Darcy came towards her and patted her on the back, looking just as awkward as I felt. Lydia blinked up at him.
“Oh. Mr Darcy. I did not notice you there.”
I barely suppressed a roll of my eyes. Of course, Lydia would notice nothing but her own pain and feelings. That much had not changed in the slightest.
Lydia wiped her eyes. “Who is this other girl? Where is she now?”
“She is my sister. And she is fortunate in that I could intervene before Wickham could harm her. He is only interested in fortune. Perhaps he thinks as my sister, he can prevail on me to provide for you.”
“And can you?” Lydia’s eyes were wide with hope.
Darcy shook his head. “You are fifteen years old. You cannot marry without permission and as your brother, I would never grant it for such a man. You have time to find someone better. Is this the life you want to have? Lying on your bed and crying while wondering if your husband is with another woman? Because that is all you can expect. You have had a taste of it. He will only have less regard for you once you are married and within his power.”
Lydia choked back a sob. I watched her carefully, willing her to make the right choice.
“But I have to marry now, do I not? I have lived with Wickham. I will be ruined if anyone finds out.”
“You do not have to be. We have kept the news within our own family and Captain Forster’s, and he is not in a rage to show how lacking in control he has been with his regiment. People will think you came to London to visit your sister. You still have a chance, Lydia. Do not throw it away.”
Lydia continued to stare at the floor, torn with indecision.
“You can stay at our house until you return home,” I said temptingly. “The room overlooks Grosvenor Square. And you will need a few new gowns as that one will not possibly do.”
Lydia looked up at me with a light in her eyes.
“And a new bonnet?” she
asked in a small voice. “I left in such a hurry I did not bring one.”
“Of course.”
She hiccupped, then nodded. “I suppose it would not be a good idea to marry Wickham anyway,” she said. She gestured at the bare room. “He does not have very much to offer, does he? He refused to buy me a ribbon last week.”
“That is not at all what you want in a husband,” I agreed with a straight face. “Come, let us take you to Grosvenor Square. We have a new carriage, only a few streets away.”
It took no more persuading than that. I glanced at Darcy, who was walking about the room. He had opened a little drawer and was examining a piece of paper. He looked back at us with a grim smile.
“Take the carriage and bring your sister home. I will wait here for Wickham. I shall follow you later.”
I nodded and led Lydia past the stone-faced Mrs Younge out onto the street.
Lydia was asleep in the guest room with Jane by her side, and I had written to my mother to tell her the news when Darcy returned home. His face was angrier than I had ever seen it.
“Did you see Wickham?” I asked.
“I did. He is a scoundrel, but he will not trouble Lydia or anyone else in my family again.”
“How do you know that for sure?”
Darcy’s smile was grim. “Because plenty of people would like to know where Wickham is. He owes money all over the country. I advised him it would not be difficult for me to keep track of his whereabouts. If he ever retakes a step near my family, his creditors will know where he is within hours. Wickham was very quick to promise to keep his distance after that.”
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