by Beth Wood
The drive from Cheapside into a less reputable area of town allowed the two men the opportunity to discuss their strategy in removing Lydia from the situation. Knowing the stubbornness of his niece, Mr. Gardiner knew it would not be easy to convince Lydia of the error of her ways. It was also certain that Lydia would want to experience all that London had to offer. To serve as a distraction, it was decided that Mr. Gardiner would invite Lydia to attend the theatre. While she was out of sight preparing for the evening, Colonel Fitzwilliam's men would arrest Wickham.
As their carriage pulled up outside the Inn where Wickham and Lydia were located, Mr. Gardiner let out a sigh. He was disgusted at the condition of the lodgings where Lydia had allowed herself to be housed, but relieved that part of this nightmare would soon be over.
When Lydia answered the knock to the door of their rooms, she was surprised to find her uncle on the other side. She did not spare a thought for how her uncle knew where she was located, simply inviting the two men into their rooms. When Wickham looked up, he was not so sanguine about the situation. It did not take him long to recognize Lydia's uncle from their overlapping visits to Hertfordshire. However, it was not until the appearance of Colonel Fitzwilliam that all the color drained from his face.
Even in the face of incredible odds, Lieutenant Wickham was confidant in his ability to talk his way out of any situation. He was surprised to see Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Gardiner working together, but was certain he could use the situation to his advantage. Unsure how the conversation would play out, he thought it best to exclude Lydia. If he had known that Colonel Fitzwilliam’s first goal was to separate the couple for the evening, he would have behaved differently.
“Darling, would you go down and find what is keeping supper,” Wickham instructed. “Let them know that we have guests and will require a larger portion this evening.”
A little perturbed that no one had thought to introduce her to the Colonel that had arrived with her uncle, she flounced out of the room with a huff.
Surprised at the ease with which the two were separated, the Colonel and Mr. Gardiner exchanged a look before the latter left the room in order to “assist” his niece. At the bottom of the stairs, Mr. Gardiner convinced Lydia that this sort of request was best handled by going directly to the kitchen.
* * *
As soon as they were alone in the room, Wickham addressed the Colonel.
“What interest could you possibly have in this matter? I believe the conversation in this situation is typically left to the family of the young lady involved.”
“That may typically be the case,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied, “but this is not a simple elopement. You are a Lieutenant in His Majesty's Army, and you are currently absent without leave during wartime.”
“I am only in the militia, not the regulars. Surely the punishment is not as extreme. Are you here to slap my hands and send me back to my post?” Wickham asked. “I did not realize you were no better than a lackey.”
“You, once again, are mistaken. Wellington has had his fill of gentlemen that buy their way into positions as officers than turn tail at the first sign of trouble. You will be unable to talk your way out of the punishment for desertion.” The cold tone of Colonel Fitzwilliam's voice disconcerted Wickham. For the first time in his life, he started to doubt his ability to talk his way free, but that did not stop his attempt.
“Surely, you or Darcy would be willing to speak on my behalf, for old time's sake. I am sure we could even work out an arrangement that would save Miss Lydia's reputation.”
“What makes you think that either of us would consider speaking on your behalf after what you attempted with Georgiana? No. You will get no help from us.”
“You appear to be acquainted with Lydia's family. Think of how the reputations of all of her sisters will be affected if she returns to Meryton as a single woman.”
“Quite honestly, that is not my concern. Now, it is time that we were going.”
“But the punishment for desertion is death,” Wickham was becoming desperate. “We grew up together. Even you are not so cold hearted as to sentence a childhood friend to the gallows.”
“I believe you are confusing me with my cousin,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied. “Now, if you come quietly and are able to get enough of your friends to speak on your behalf, you may be lucky enough to find yourself deported, but alive. If you make a scene, then you will be guaranteed an appointment with the gallows.”
Making one last desperate bid for freedom, Wickham lunged for the door, hoping to escape into the night. He was shocked still, though, at the sight of several soldiers standing in the hall with their swords drawn. After a moment, he nodded at Colonel Fitzwilliam, and slowly allowed the soldiers to lead him outside. He would have to attempt to talk his way out of his predicament another way.
* * *
As Lydia exited the kitchen after finally convincing her uncle that they had everything they needed for supper, she was surprised to see the back of her beloved Wickham as he was leaving the Inn with several other soldiers. The Colonel that arrived with her Uncle Gardiner approached her to apologize that Wickham was being called away to duty, and would not be returning that evening. It only took a little persuading to convince Lydia to retire to her relation's home for the evening. She readily agreed as she saw it as a chance to crow about everything that she had experienced in Brighton that summer. She was going to be disappointed with the topic of conversation when they reached Gracechurch Street.
* * *
When the Darcys and Mr. Bennet arrived at their room they discovered their suitemate was absent. It was decided that Mr. Bennet would be the first to prepare himself to retire. As soon as the door that separated the sitting room from the bedchamber closed, Darcy pulled Elizabeth into his arms. He had intended to simply hold her, exchanging a few simple kisses. As soon as he felt her body pressed up against his, though, all the pent up emotion from the day tried to escape. He did at least keep his wits well enough to settle into the chair that faced away from their bedchamber. Although he was certain they would be able to cease their activities before Mr. Bennet made his appearance, he wanted time for them to disengage themselves if they were to hear the door to the bedchamber while they were still occupied. He was not willing to waste the few precious moments they had alone.
In settling into the chair that faced away from their bedchamber, they were in full view of the door that opened into the hall. It was only a few minutes later that they wondered why they did not give that more thought.
* * *
As Lord Hastings made his way to his room at the Inn he was still thoroughly confused as to how such rumors concerning his cousin could have started. Darcy was the most sensible young man he had ever known. The idea that anyone would make up such a rumor was preposterous, but for the rumor to be true would be even more unbelievable. He wished that his brother, Richard, had not cried off attending the match at the last minute. Surely he would be able to determine where the rumors started and ferret out the truth.
As he approached his room, a few of his friends approached to wish him well and ask him to pass along their congratulations to Darcy. He was trying to formulate a logical response when he opened the door to his suite. He was no longer left wondering where the rumors had originated. In full view to him, as well as the friends at his side, Darcy was thoroughly kissing a young lady that he held in his lap.
As all the gentlemen in the hallway had been celebrating, they were a little too intoxicated to consider the fact that Darcy would not want to be disturbed at that moment in time. As Darcy and Elizabeth quickly rose from the chair, righting their appearances, Lord Hastings and his friends filed into the room.
“So, the rumors are true, then?” Lord Hastings asked, perplexed at the situation.
“Yes,” Darcy replied, a little flustered. “May I present my wife, Elizabeth Darcy. Elizabeth, this is my cousin Lord Hastings. He's Richard's elder brother, Anthony.”
“Nice to meet you,” Elizabeth replied. As she curtsied she was still attempting to return her hairpins to their proper place.
Lord Hastings quickly introduced his friends to Elizabeth before turning to Darcy.
“What is going on?” He was starting to wish he had not celebrated quite so much. Surely this whole situation should make more sense.
“As you can see, I recently married,” Darcy replied.
Any reply that Lord Hastings may have made was cut off by the “Huzzah” that erupted from his friends. They all insisted on exchanging a few words with the new Mrs. Darcy, each taking her hand and kissing it in congratulations. Darcy was eager for them to leave. Just as he was attempting to herd his cousin's friends out the door the adjoining room opened, revealing Mr. Bennet in his nightclothes. Another round of introductions was made, the gentlemen being too foxed to even realize Mr. Bennet was not dressed for company, though they did all find it rather humorous that Mr. Darcy's father-in-law was accompanying them.
When the gentlemen were finally shown out of the room, they made their way to the common room downstairs where they spared no detail in describing the situation in which they found Mr. Darcy. It did not take long for it to be discovered that one of Darcy's carriages had been purchased in Scotland, and that the men that had been hired to drive it to London had witnessed Mr. Bennet searching Gretna Green for his daughter.
The reporter for the Times that had travelled in order to report on the fisticuffs match was not typically interested in the type of gossip that would enter the society pages. Even he knew, though, that Mr. Darcy's elopement would be of interest. Quickly jotting down every rumor that he could gather, he sent his notes off to London by express. Although they were still a two day carriage ride from London (three if you considered the fact that they should not travel on the Sabbath), he had hopes that the express rider would make it by early morning at the latest. It would not be long before all of London would be abuzz with the news.
Chapter 5
After depositing Lieutenant Wickham at the army barracks, Colonel Fitzwilliam returned to the Gardiner's home. The conversation that greeted him would have been humorous if it were not such a serious situation. Lydia Bennet absolutely refused to believe that her “Dear Wickham” had been arrested.
“You will see,” she was heard to say repeatedly, “tomorrow my Dear Wickham will return. Soon, he will have completed his business, then we can be on our way. By this time next week I will be Mrs. Wickham.”
It was apparent by the aggravated looks on the faces of the Gardiners that they had repeatedly tried to explain the situation in which their niece had placed herself.
“Miss Lydia,” Colonel Fitzwilliam interrupted, “I am sorry to tell you that your uncle and aunt are correct. Lieutenant Wickham has been arrested for being absent without leave. He will not be returning tomorrow.”
“That is not possible,” Lydia replied. “When we left Brighton he was following orders. He had some secret information that needed to be taken to the War Office.”
“If his business was with the War Office, why did he not go there himself?” Richard asked.
“He has constantly been attending to his business since we have arrived in town,” Lydia replied.
“If he had made an appearance at the War Office, I would have known,” he replied.
“But his orders were confidential,” Lydia replied. “You may not have been informed.”
Marveling at the sheer stubbornness of the young lady, Richard realized that they required a strategy. Remembering the plan that had been discussed on the way to the Inn, he decided to use Lydia's desire for entertainment to his advantage.
“I would like to propose a compromise,” he began. “I understand that you are a great lover of the theatre. This evening there is a production of 'The Taming of the Shrew.' If you are prepared to leave within half an hour, I will escort you and your uncle and aunt. If you can avoid all mention of Lieutenant Wickham for the entire outing I will personally ensure you are allowed to meet with him tomorrow. If you are correct, and he is simply completing his business at the War Office, you will have my heartiest apology and I will arrange your transportation to Gretna Green. If I am correct, and he has been arrested, you will return here to your relations until arrangements can be made to return you to your family in Hertfordshire.”
Lydia could barely contain her excitement. She loved attending the theatre. It gave her an opportunity to observe all the latest fashions. The idea of attending the theatre in a private box was more temptation than she could ignore. She was certain all misunderstanding could be cleared up in the morning, so felt no real regret at agreeing not to mention Wickham for one evening. With great exuberance, Lydia thanked the Colonel then hastened upstairs, dragging her aunt behind her. If she only had a half an hour to be prepared to leave, then she needed to make haste.
* * *
Fitzwilliam Darcy was incredibly frustrated. After spending his wedding night cradling his drunken wife, he did not think there could be anything more tortuous. He did not anticipate the torment of sleeping in the same room as his wife, but not sharing a bed. After discovering they were sharing a sitting room with his cousin, Lord Hastings, Darcy had attempted to encourage him to invite Mr. Bennet to share his room, or to sleep in the sitting room. Either his cousin was an imbecile, or he was being deliberately obtuse. As much as he wished to sleep at Elizabeth's side, he would not dare do so in the same room as her father. So, two pallets were arranged on the floor. While Elizabeth slept in the bed, Darcy and Mr. Bennet each occupied one of the pallets. The sound of his wife's steady breathing occupied his thoughts until the early hours of the morning.
As the sun peaked over the horizon, Darcy arranged for the servant's carriage to leave in advance. They were only a two days ride from London, but the following day was Sunday and they would not be travelling. As the rooms they acquired this evening would be theirs for two nights, it was essential they had a room to themselves.
It was not long after the servant's carriage was on its way that Darcy found himself handing his wife into their carriage. Her father followed her, this time claiming the seat opposite Elizabeth. Darcy was preparing to enter the carriage himself when he was hailed by his cousin.
“I say, Darcy,” Lord Hastings announced, “you certainly start the day much earlier than most. It will be several hours before most of the gentlemen are ready to depart.”
“It has always been my habit to rise early,” Darcy replied. “I see no need to change my habits while travelling.”
“Yes, well I had to send my valet out to chase down your servant's carriage this morning so it would not leave without him. I was only half dressed when I glanced out my window and saw them taking their leave. I had to manage my waistcoat myself.”
“Although I can appreciate how inconvenient that would be for you, I fail to comprehend why your valet would need to leave with my servants.”
“I forgot that Lynbridge came back to the room after you were already in bed. I planned to tell you this morning. Really it is your own fault. Instead of returning to London as he had originally planned, he is hastening to his estate to inform his wife of your marriage before she hears of it elsewhere. We travelled here together, but I assured him you would be willing to give me a ride to London. He is taking my carriage and will have it sent to London after he arrives home.”
Trying to hide his frustration, Darcy accepted the fact that his cousin now made one of his travelling party. Lord Hastings preceded him into the carriage, settling himself next to Elizabeth. Instead of following him into the carriage, Darcy stared, dumbstruck.
“I'm sorry, old man, but I tend to become nauseous if I ride facing the back of the carriage. I assume you would rather I sit next to your beautiful bride then end up losing my breakfast into your lap.”
Before Darcy could reply, Elizabeth jumped in.
“It truly is no problem. My father has always preferred sitting in the forward facing seat as
well. I will simply exchange seats.”
Without waiting for a response, Elizabeth stood as well as she could in the carriage, scurrying diagonally across the space and taking the seat next to her father. Mr. Bennet was still trying to collect himself when he was fairly unceremonious nudged out of his seat and into the front facing seat opposite. As Elizabeth scooted across the bench, Darcy seized his opportunity and swiftly entered the carriage, taking the rear facing seat next to his wife. A smiling footman closed the door, before taking his place on the outside of the carriage. They had been on the road for less than five minutes before Elizabeth let out the largest yawn in the history of mankind then rested her head upon Darcy's shoulder.
* * *
Lydia Bennet had a delightful evening. Although she had been to the theatre before, she had never experienced it from a private box. She was certain she saw several furtive glances in her direction, and was sure to preen to the best of her ability. She was so caught up in seeing and being seen that she only came close to mentioning Wickham's name on one occasion.
On the morning following her excursion, she made every effort to look her finest. She did not understand why her aunt's maid did not put in more of an effort, but Lydia was satisfied with her appearance in the end. She was certain that Wickham would arrive to claim her at any moment. Shortly after she made her way to the sitting room she heard the sound of the doorbell. Sitting up straight, she fully expected Lieutenant Wickham to be shown in. She was disappointed when the Colonel appeared instead.
“I see you are ready for our excursion, Miss Lydia,” Richard said by way of a greeting. “Your Aunt Gardiner is arranging for your outerwear to be made ready, then we will be on our way to visit Wickham.”