by Kara Louise
A quick glance at my master and his sister revealed all the discomposure that the mere unspoken reference to Wickham produced in both. But my master quickly collected himself after hearing Miss Elizabeth’s even reply. It appeared she had taken to heart my master’s words about Wickham’s true character. Poor Georgiana, however, was not so lucky in containing emotions as her face went pale and she was incapable of carrying on any further conversation for the remainder of the morning.
Gratefulness shone in my master’s eyes as he turned back to Miss Elizabeth, nodding his head slightly in a gesture of appreciation. She reciprocated with a smile that lit up her eyes and for the very first time I felt assured that admiration for my master had begun to grow within her.
Miss Elizabeth and her aunt departed soon after. But the effect of their visit remained with all of us. My master and I escorted them to the carriage and when we returned, Miss Bingley seemed to have an endless supply of disparaging words against Miss Bennet. She spoke against her person, behaviour, and dress. As she enumerated her many faults, I could sense my master fighting for control of the anger elevating within him. I was confident her words held no power over either my master’s or Georgiana’s estimation of Miss Elizabeth, but how greatly I wished my master would come to her defence.
Georgiana excused herself, feeling no inclination for further conversation. When she had quit the room, Miss Bingley knew no bounds to her accusatory words.
“I remember when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty; and I particularly recollect your saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield, ‘She a beauty! I should as soon call her mother a wit.’ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.”
I watched as every muscle tensed, his face coloured, and he turned to Miss Bingley, his eyes boring into hers. “Yes,” he replied. “But that was only when I first knew her; for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”
I added a resounding bark in concurrence and gloated at my master’s declaration and Miss Bingley’s shrinking back at his words. When he excused himself, I followed my master as he sought out Georgiana.
We came to Georgiana’s chambers and he paused and knocked at the door.
“Yes?”
“Georgiana, may I speak with you?”
When she allowed us entry, it was not difficult to see that she was hurt and angered.
My master reached out for her, putting his hands upon her shoulders while I lay down at her feet.
“Am I correct in assuming,” my master began, “that you have been upset by all of Miss Bingley’s words against Miss Bennet?”
“She is so cruel! If she were not your good friend’s sister, I would wonder that she even be invited here!”
I do not believe I had ever heard Georgiana speak so harshly. My master consoled her by putting his arm about her and she looked up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Fitzwilliam, I am quite of the mind that her dislike of Miss Bennet increases as your admiration for Miss Bennet grows.”
“I believe you may be correct, Georgiana.”
“Fitzwilliam, may I speak candidly?”
“Certainly.”
“Miss Bennet and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner have consented to join us for dinner tomorrow evening. I think perhaps it would be most fitting for you to pay a call on the morrow, first thing in the morning. And Fitzwilliam, you should attend to her without either Mr. Bingley or me, to assure her of your continued devotion.”
“Truly? You are of the opinion that I ought to pay a visit alone?”
“Absolutely! I am convinced of it!” Georgiana grasped his hands and gave them an emphatic squeeze.
“Now, Georgiana, you seem somewhat undecided about whether or not I should.”
A smile touched at my master’s lips as Georgiana’s eyes widened. “No, Fitzwilliam, I truly believe…” She paused and then a nervous laugh escaped. “You are teasing me, now.”
“Yes, Georgiana, I am.”
The shared a smile as they looked upon each other.
“It has been far too long since you have teased me, Fitzwilliam.”
“I hope you do not mind.”
“No, on the contrary. It is good to see that aspect of you once more. You have not been this light-hearted since…”
I knew Georgiana had Ramsgate in mind. Obviously, as did my master, for he pulled her towards him in an embrace. Georgiana’s voice was thick with emotion.
“I believe that I have much for which to be grateful to Miss Bennet. I can only assume that her visit to Pemberley has improved your demeanour, which has been so despondent of late. Oh Fitzwilliam, God willing, you will ascertain that her opinion of you has improved tomorrow. I so want to see you happy.”
A declaration with which I could not but wholeheartedly agree.
*~*~*
With eager expectation, my master arose the next morning. Again he dressed with the utmost care.
He looked down at me and asked, “How is this, Reggie? Too formal? Does it appear that I am emphasizing the differences in our station? Does the colour make me appear too severe?”
When he had finally decided upon the garment to wear, I barked in hearty approval. But it was not the garment of which I was approving -- it was his smile. As long as he allowed himself the liberty to smile, he appeared most handsome, indeed.
I was not to accompany him; he was determined to have nothing to distract his attending to her. Now, I admit that normally I would be unhappy to be deprived of the opportunity to see Miss Elizabeth, but this visit had taken such momentous portent that I thought it prudent to acquiesce to his preference.
He called for his horse and I walked out with him to await the groomsman. “Well, Reggie. I hope Georgiana is correct. I shall make a concerted effort to assure Miss Bennet of my continued regard.”
*~*~*
I suppose I ought to have suspected that he would return from his visit with Miss Elizabeth in anything but an agreeable state. How many times had I allowed my hopes to be raised only to have them dashed? I cannot count.
But as he stormed into the house, barely acknowledging his guests, I knew that something terrible had happened. And I could not understand how my master, Georgiana, and I could have so misapprehended Miss Elizabeth’s favour.
I followed him up to his chambers and was surprised when I heard him issue an order to have a bag packed for an indefinite stay in London. As I awaited an opportunity to be alone with him, I watched his eyes. They were not exhibiting despair and grief, but anger and even hatred. This could not be directed towards Miss Bennet; of this I was certain.
When the servant departed to carry out his orders, he collapsed into a chair and cradled his forehead in his palm. His whole body was seething with anger and he looked down at me. “It is Wickham again!”
I looked up at him, feeling a wave of distress course through me. How did this cursed man have the ability to defeat my master’s happiness and well being again and again?
He sat silently for a moment; the only movement he made was the closing of his eyes. “He has deserted his regiment with Miss Elizabeth’s youngest sister, a girl no more than fifteen years old!” Shaking his head, he continued, “Elizabeth had just received a letter from her eldest sister relaying this information when I arrived. Needless to say, she was quite distraught and it was all I could do to not give voice to this great sense of loathing and make her feel even worse.”
He stood up abruptly and raked fingers from both hands through his hair. “It is entirely my fault,” he said. “If I had not allowed my pride to prevent me from disclosing Wickham’s true nature, the Bennet family would not be facing this unspeakable disgrace!” He shook his head silently for a few moments, as if reprimanding himself. “I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her, and yet look at all I have done!” He looked down at me with great anguish
. “To see her in such distress… I wished for all the world to be able to reach out to her and comfort her, but I could do nothing but stand there and spew out trifling, placating words.”
He began pacing the floor and then stopped. “I shall be leaving for London first thing tomorrow morning to find that reprobate! I must do everything in my power to right this wrong!”
His valet promptly returned and he said no more. He kept to himself for the majority of the day. He only owned to Georgiana and Bingley that an unforeseen emergency required his departure the following day and that Bingley and his family could remain at Pemberley as they had planned; with luck, he would return within the week.
It was with a great sense of anguish that my master firmly looked at me and informed me that due to my difficulty in town, I was not going to accompany him. I was most aggrieved!
Despite my age, my aching bones, and struggle with breathing in town, I was convinced that my canine sense of smell could prove to be very useful. This was a hunt, was it not? Had I ever failed my master in pursuit of his prey? I was determined to devise a plan to ensure that on the morrow I accompanied him to town!
Chapter 23
My master arose early in preparation for his departure for London, whilst darkness still hung like a heavy blanket over the day. I eagerly followed him about, hoping he would realize how great an asset I would be to him as he searched for Wickham.
At length, he regarded me sternly and admonished me. “Reggie! You are not to go! You must remember how taxing it is for you when you are in London and I will not have it!”
I growled my refusal at him and remained steadfastly by his side. I had resolved late last night that a fervent display of obstinacy was the only means to ensure I would have my own, superior way.
We stepped outside just as the sun spread out its glow across the horizon. The early morning warmth was a sure sign that the day would turn unbearably hot in the mid-day sun. But I was determined to go, and when the door to the carriage was opened, I jumped in ahead of my master. He stared at me and then forcefully pointed down to the ground in front of him to signal his desire for me to remove myself immediately from the carriage.
“Reggie, I said you were not to go!” The anger in his tone of voice sent a shiver down my spine.
I let out an equally emphatic bark, however, and settled down onto the floor of the carriage, keeping my eyes averted from him. It was not easy for me to disobey and I found it exceedingly difficult to meet his piercing gaze.
“Reggie, both you and I know what difficulties you have in town. You will regret this!”
I shifted my position, but remained steadfastly in place. With a huff, my master joined me in the carriage.
“So be it, Reggie, but mark my words, we will have been in town barely a day and you will find yourself wheezing and unable to catch your breath!” His voice was firm, but I also heard a slight tone of compassion escape in his words.
It was only after we had been on the road for a good part of the morning that I ventured my head off the floor to glance up at my master. His head was leaning against the window and his eyes were closed. It gave me satisfaction that he could rest easily knowing I was accompanying him.
Upon arriving at the townhouse after a full day’s journey, my master quickly penned some letters and had them dispatched immediately. He received two replies before nightfall.
One letter was brought to him just before the evening meal and the second arrived later in the evening as we sat together in his study. He quickly read it and then perused the one that had arrived earlier. He glanced down at me and nodded his head. He leaned over, resting on his elbows and began informing me of his plans. It felt quite satisfying knowing that this time as he planned his strategy, we were not adversaries as we had been in regards to his actions toward Bingley, but we were now companionable allies.
“From this intelligence,” he said as much to me as to himself, “I am confident that I should be able to discover Mrs. Younge’s establishment with little trouble. It is unknown, however, whether or not Wickham and the youngest Miss Bennet are in residence there.” He reached down and patted my head. “I do not expect Mrs. Younge to freely disclose Wickham’s whereabouts, but if I am able to confidently persuade her that I know Wickham has recently been to see her, I may have more leverage. Reggie, I will need you to accompany me and reveal to me whether or not you pick up his scent.”
I gave him a hearty bark to assure him that I would do all I could to assist him.
The next morning we set out in the carriage and my master instructed his driver to convey us to Edward Street.
For the duration of the ride, my master sat quietly and kept his eyes turned toward the window. He sat stiffly, moving nothing but his fingers as they tapped repeatedly against the sill. I knew that he was not looking forward with any pleasure to this meeting with Wickham and was steeling himself for the encounter.
When the carriage finally came to a halt, the door was opened and we slowly stepped out. My master pulled himself erect and he inhaled deeply. Holding one of the letters in front of him, he glanced down at it and then looked ahead at what appeared to be some small residences.
Before we walked on, he gazed down at me. “Reggie, Mrs. Younge’s boarding house is likely just up ahead. I know not what she will do when she sees me, but when the door is opened, I want you to slip inside and see if you can discern whether Wickham has been there. Bark if you pick up any trace of his scent. All I need to know is whether or not he has been there recently.”
My tail wagged in eager anticipation and I obediently followed my master down a narrow street. I could immediately determine, from the noxious smells of rotting food, refuse piled in the streets, and poorly tended houses and gardens, that the people who resided here cared little for the appearance of their neighbourhood. It was nothing like the area in which my master’s town home was located. We came to a small brick house and my master glanced down at the letter again.
“This is it,” he said as he narrowed his eyes, which darted about in disgust. With his jaw set sharply and his shoulders steeled, I realized that he was willing to confront his greatest enemy of all for the sake of Miss Elizabeth and her family!
We walked up to the door and my master gave a sharp tug on the bell. After a brief wait, the door was slowly opened and a pair of eyes peered out at us. Instant recognition and alarm flashed in her eyes and Mrs. Younge made a futile attempt to slam the door on us. My master stopped its closure with his foot.
“What do you want?” she spat out, pushing with all her effort to keep the door from opening any further.
“I want some information, Mrs. Younge.”
“Well, I know nothing!” she cried out.
“How do you know you know nothing? You know not what information I seek!”
My master, with several easy shoves, was able to push the door wide enough for me to slip through.
“Get that dog out of here!” she screamed as I easily made my way into the dwelling, sidestepping her foot that swiftly tried to reach out and bar me from entering.
I walked in and began sniffing about, but I did not need to go very far. The scent of Wickham was very evident in several places about the room. I turned back to my master and barked several times.
“Get him out of here! I have a reputable establishment and do not allow dogs!” Her voice and hand shook wildly.
“Come here, Reggie,” my master commanded coolly.
When I slipped back out, my master was able to step up inside the door to prevent its closure. “Now, Mrs. Younge, my dog is very much acquainted with Wickham and judging by his reaction, I can reliably say that Wickham has been here recently.”
A look of dread swept her features, although she did not acknowledge the truth of my master’s declaration.
“I have not seen Mr. Wickham in quite some time.” The slight twitch of her mouth betrayed the firm stance she was taking.
“Is that so?” my master asked.
>
“Yes. Now if you will excuse me, I have patrons I must see to.”
She tried to close the door again, but my master’s presence prevented her from doing so. “I will not take up too much more of your time, Mrs. Younge, but I would strongly suggest you heed my words. I would advise you to give considerable thought to informing me of Wickham’s and Miss Bennet’s whereabouts. It would be highly in your favour to do so.”
“All I know is that they are not here!”
“So she is still with him,” my master said softly. “I will assume they have been here, Mrs. Younge, and as Wickham has a great number of debts and has taken a young girl only fifteen years of age without her parent’s consent, you may find yourself having to answer a number of questions.”
His eyes narrowed and seemed to bore into hers. “You say you have a respectable establishment, Mrs. Younge?”
“Of course!”
“Then if I were you, I would cooperate. If you truly do not know where they are, which I doubt, I would surmise that you can easily find out. I shall return in two days and expect an answer. If you find out anything sooner or if you suddenly realize how prudent it will be to inform me of his whereabouts, you can contact me here.” Darcy handed her his card.
“I doubt that I will!” she insisted a bit too strongly for me to believe her, but took the card anyway.
“Oh,” my master let out a mocking laugh, “for a plentiful compensation I am quite certain you will! Contact me at my townhouse. All the information is on the card, although I am quite certain you remember where it is.”
He allowed her to close the door and his eyes met mine. “We shall see how long it takes her to realize that her devotion to Wickham is not quite as strong as her desire for money!”
I was grateful to return to the townhouse, although even there I was tormented with the stifling heat and the stale air that seemed to squeeze all energy from me. My master departed in the afternoon to tend to some business and apparently did some additional investigating, but when he returned, he informed me that he had not been able to discover anything more of Wickham’s whereabouts. He would have to rely on Mrs. Younge turning over the information.