“Mr Darcy would certainly not wish you to go, Lizzy,” said Mrs Bennet. “You should not go against your husband’s wishes in this. There will be a huge uproar when you arrive in London, and I am sure I will be blamed for letting you travel!”
“Fiddlesticks!” said Eliza.
Caroline tried one more approach. “But Eliza, you cannot think that you will be needed in London. Everyone will be tending to Wickham, and nobody will spare any time for you. You will be completely abandoned.”
“I will be needed, I am sure of it,” replied Eliza. “My father, at least, is accustomed to rely on me in situations such as these. And I do not care the least about being abandoned, if there is a reason for it.” She reached over and patted Caroline’s hand. “I am not being foolish with my health, I promise you. I am quite well enough to travel. But I cannot be left behind when everyone is in London. I will be torn with anxiety over what is happening, and waiting every minute to hear news. I would be far more likely to fall ill under those circumstances.”
Mrs Bennet seemed much struck by this. “True, my love,” she said. “There is nothing worse than waiting for bad news. You must come with us. And I know you will be a support for me, as you always were the level headed one. For if Wickham dies, Lydia will be broken-hearted, poor lamb, and I will not know how to console her.”
They arrived downstairs just as Lydia emerged from a small sitting room where she had been closeted with Mr Bennet. “Oh, Mama!” she said, sailing across the corridor and into Mrs Bennet’s arms. “Oh, I so hope Wickham does not die!”
“There, there, my love,” said Mrs Bennet, “I am sure he will recover. He just needs you to nurse him and he will be back to his usual self.”
Lydia recoiled. “Nurse him! But how could I nurse him? Surely I will not be expected to do so! I know nothing of the sick room.”
Mrs Bennet started to say something, but Eliza interrupted. “Of course you will be expected to nurse him,” she said, firmly. “He is your husband, and you have promised in your marriage vows to be by his side in sickness and in health, and so you shall be.”
“But I cannot!” wailed Lydia. “For I cannot endure the sight of blood, and I am sure his wound will fester, and then how could I bear to change the dressings when they are—ugh!”
Even Mrs Bennet was speechless. She did not try to persuade Lydia. She muttered something about needing to pack and quit the room quite suddenly. Eliza spun Lydia around by the shoulder and marched her away, no doubt to talk some sense into her.
“I wish you luck, Lizzy,” said Mr Bennet, pausing as they passed him. “But I suspect you will be no more able to convince her of the seriousness of the situation than I was, and I can assure you I tried.”
***
Charles tried to talk Eliza out of travelling, but failed. Jane made a half-hearted attempt. Her father, perhaps wisely, did not even make one. After that, everything descended into predictable disorder as the household prepared for the departure of eleven people. The two gentlemen’s boxes were sent forward, and the carriages made ready. The Darcy carriage was brought out, and a second carriage hired. The old Darcy coach was prepared for Eliza to travel in, since it was heavily padded and comfortably upholstered, though not as well sprung as it could have been. It was also the slowest, and could not be used for those of the party who needed to reach London more quickly.
It took some time to organize the details, but it was ultimately determined that Charles, who was to be on hand to arrange for accommodation and horses, had to travel with the faster party.
“I hope you do not mind, Caroline,” said Charles, “if I ask you to travel with Mrs Darcy and Miss Darcy in the coach? You are quite sensible, and will deal with the arrangements well, I am sure.”
“I do not mind at all,” said Caroline, her lips twitching. “If I had had the choice, I would have chosen exactly that.”
“I can always depend on you,” said Charles, gratefully. “You need not worry about sleeping arrangements. I will send ahead and bespeak the inns for you for on the way.”
The carriages were loaded, and everyone prepared to set off as quickly as possible. Caroline was just talking to John Coachman when she heard her name called.
Lydia waved down at her from the window excitedly.
“You see, Miss Bingley,” she said, leaning out precariously. “I am coming to London after all! What an adventure this is!”
“Have you no feelings?” cried Kitty from behind her. “Poor Wickham may well be dying at this very moment.”
Lydia pouted. “I am sorry for poor Wickham. But I cannot pretend to care too much, for he ran off with another woman, and was shot for it, so I cannot be as sorry as all that.”
It was the most rational thing Caroline had heard Lydia say for some time, and she could comprehend her sentiments.
As soon as Caroline re-entered the house, Kitty, who had hurried down the stairs, took Caroline to one side. “I wish you would allow me to ride in the coach with you, for I am the end of my tether. Lydia speaks of nothing but her excitement about going around in London, and talks of the theatre and rides in the park and visiting the Vauxhall Gardens. She will not listen when I tell her that it will be impossible. She insists that she will attend the theatre, even if she is to go in disguise. The worst of it is I cannot complain to Mama, for she thinks Lydia can do no wrong.”
“You have my sympathy,” said Caroline. “I am sure it is very difficult, but you cannot ride with us, for we cannot cram the coach and make Eliza uncomfortable, and we would have to remove Georgiana’s boxes and replace them with yours, which will delay everything. Besides, what excuse can we give for separating you from your sisters? You must agree that it will be awkward to explain.” Kitty looked so unhappy that Caroline squeezed her hand consolingly. “The journey will not be too long, and I am sure you will sleep part of the way, so it will not be so very bad. And your mama might need you when you arrive.”
Kitty sighed. “I suppose you are right. It is just that I am no longer accustomed to spending any time with Lydia,” she confessed. “I had forgotten what she is like. I must admit I was glad to have her married and removed far away, for I had more time to myself. Now I cannot escape her company, and I cannot imagine how I used to think her so much fun at all.”
“That is possibly because you have grown into a sensible young lady,” said Caroline, and was happy to see Kitty’s crumpled frown change to a smile. She was really quite pretty, reflected Caroline, and she had indeed grown into an agreeable companion. Something might be made of her after all.
***
The coach reached the Darcy town house in Berkeley Square after nightfall. Darcy was not there, so they were spared his reaction to Eliza’s arrival. Robert appeared in the doorway as soon as they descended from the carriage. He smiled cordially at Georgiana and Caroline, then hurried to assist Eliza up the stairs and indoors despite her protests, asking anxiously about her health. She had fared better than Caroline had expected, and though tired, did not harbour any ill effects from the trip. Eliza dismissed his enquiries and begged him to tell her instead the latest news about Wickham.
“He is still alive, but the fever has taken hold, and he does not recognize anyone. The wound is quite infected. The Bennets are with him. So is Fitz. He was his childhood companion, you know.”
“Yes, I remember very well,” said Eliza, exchanging glances with Jane.
“Well, there is still hope,” said Caroline, “if he has survived until now.”
“There is always hope, when there is life,” said Robert. “If you are not too tired from your journey, after you have changed and taken some refreshment, I will take you to see him. He is at the Gardiners’. He was brought there when he was first wounded and, though Fitz wished to bring him here, we were advised not to move him.”
“You remember the Gardiners, do you not, Caroline?” said Eliza. “My uncle and aunt?”
“Yes,” said Caroline. “I had the opportunity to call on the
m in Gracechurch Street when Jane was in Town last year.”
“Did you really?” said Eliza. “I wonder she did not mention it.” The twinkle in her eye contradicted her statement. Caroline flushed, for she had been quite uncivil to Jane on that occasion. Prompted by her wish to please Mr Darcy, she had followed that gentleman’s directions, doing what she could to prevent Jane from marrying her brother Charles.
“It is best forgotten, I think,” said Caroline.
“Shall we set out then?” said Robert.
“Yes. I for one do not wish to delay. We did not travel all the way here to stand around,” said Eliza. She turned to Caroline. “Caroline, you are not obliged to concern yourself with Wickham. He means nothing to you. I am sure you would prefer to stay here and relax after the journey.”
“Yes,” said Jane. “You are under no obligation to come with us. I would like you to, if you wish, for you have a steady head and can see things clearer than I do, but I would understand if you are tired.”
“Of course I will come. He is your brother, Jane, after all, which makes him a relative, though a distant one. And I will be happy to assist in watching over him if I am needed. Then there will be enough of us so we can take it in turns. Though I do hope you will be sensible, Eliza, and not plan to watch over him at night yourself.”
Eliza gave a slight smile. “No, I will not exert myself that far, though I wish I could. I grow quite tired of my weakness.”
“Come Lizzy, you know you have already improved a great deal,” said Jane. “You cannot expect miracles.”
“I know,” said Eliza. “And it does seem selfish of me to think of myself at such a time. It is only that I would like to do something.”
“Let us go to the Gardiners,” said Robert. “That is the best we can do at the moment. It is growing late.”
***
The Gardiners welcomed the newcomers and did their best in the circumstances to make them comfortable. Eliza greeted them with evident affection. Georgiana was immediately claimed by Mary and Kitty. There had been no change in Wickham’s condition, and Caroline and Eliza were ushered in to see him.
It was impossible to tell if Wickham would survive his wound. Caroline pitied him as he flung himself from one side to the other, struggling against demons only he could see. Flushed by fever, he was not aware of his surroundings, and seemed in considerable pain. He was fighting to stay alive, but unless his fever turned soon, he would become too weak to sustain the battle.
Caroline even felt some compassion for Lydia. The young girl had not exaggerated when she said she could not bear the sick room. It was clear that she was not suited to it at all, as she was too faint-hearted to be of any use. Her hands shook, and she dropped everything she was asked to hold. She cringed from holding Wickham up while his pillows were plumped, avoided looking at his wound, and then sat at the furthest corner of the room from him.
It was Mrs Bennet who bathed his brow with cold cloths, and tried to feed him some broth, and fussed over him. She was everything a nurse should be. In the sick room, she set aside all her sentiments and concentrated only on her charge. She even spoke quite cheerfully, whispering to Caroline that she believed his fever was likely to break any moment, and that she had high hopes of seeing Lydia and poor Wickham reconciled and living happily together again.
That was of course, the best possible outcome, but Caroline could not imagine that it would bring Lydia much happiness.
Chapter 21
Caroline discovered to her surprise that she was to stay with the Darcys in Berkeley Square. For convenience’s sake, the party had already been divided up before they arrived, with Lydia and Mrs Bennet staying with the Gardiners and their four children, and the rest of the Bennets as well as Louisa residing with Charles and Jane.
“I hope you do not mind staying with the Darcys,” said Charles, apologetically. “It is just that the town house is very crowded. Unfortunately, the Bennets arrived before you, and our house is more conveniently situated to reach the Gardiners, and I would not wish to turn anyone away to give you their room.”
“Do not concern yourself, Charles. I am perfectly content to stay with the Darcys.”
She encountered Louisa briefly at the Gardiners’. She dropped in dutifully to enquire after Mr Wickham, but did not stay above ten minutes. Under the cover of another conversation, Louisa turned to her sister. “I came tonight because I wanted the chance to see you. I wrote yesterday to tell a friend of mine I had arrived in Town, and she has arranged for me to attend two or three intimate gatherings, with just a few friends, nothing formal. She is holding a small card party in her home tonight, and she has asked me to stay with her. Since Mr Wickham is not really related to me, do you think it would be improper for me to attend these events?”
Caroline wondered that her sister had troubled herself to consult her. She reflected for a moment, then shook her head. “As long as you are discreet about it,” she said slowly, “I see no reason why you should not enjoy yourself if you can.”
“I heard you speaking of watching over Wickham. That is not required of you, surely?”
“No, it is not. I offered to do it because I wish to help, not because it is required,” said Caroline, decisively. “Go then. You have been confined with us all for long enough. If you will give me your friend’s direction, I will send a note round to you if anything changes.”
***
When Caroline returned to the house in Berkeley Square with the Darcys, Robert, and Georgiana, a late supper was ready for them. It was a very informal affair, since the Darcys retired immediately to their room and asked for their meal to be sent up. With only three of them at the dinner table, and Wickham’s condition weighing upon them, the conversation did not flow easily. Georgiana was anxious about Wickham and asked Robert several times if he would survive. Caroline was tired, and though she made an effort initially, she found herself lapsing into silence all too easily.
They set up a card table, but the game quickly came to an end. Caroline played with only half her mind on the game, the other half straining to listen for any sound at the door. She was in constant dread that a message would arrive to inform them of the worst.
By and by, Georgiana started to yawn and, excusing herself, went up to bed.
Left alone with Robert, Caroline gave him a wry smile, which he returned.
“Her intentions are kind,” said Caroline. “She is trying to help us, by giving us this chance to be alone together.”
He rose and rang for some glasses.
“I am coming to dislike this deception,” said Caroline. “It is really time to end it, but how can we break the news at such an inopportune moment?”
“It never seems to be the right time, does it?” he asked. He looked tired, his face drawn.
Darkness settled over the room. Some of the candles had burned out, leaving an acrid trail of smoke behind. Those remaining were pinpricks of light in a large space full of shadows. Caroline shivered as a cold draught touched her shoulders. She drew her shawl around her in an effort to stay warm.
“We will have to resort to our usual habit,” said Robert.
“Which is?” she asked absently. She was listening to the sound of shuffling footsteps at the door outside the house. She waited, completely still. But the knock she expected did not happen, and in a few moments the footsteps shuffled away. It was only the night watch passing by. A moment later he called out the hour.
“You have forgotten already?’ said Mr Robert Darcy. “How could you?”
Caroline, who had no idea what he had been saying, threw him a puzzled look.
He raised the decanter. “Sherry for you?”
The puzzle was solved. “I am resolved to give up sherry,” said Caroline, with a grimace. “I prefer to stay lucid.”
“Then I can offer you nothing,” he said. “It is too late for tea, and I do not think there is any ratafia at hand. And I am certain you will not take brandy.”
She shuddered
. “No. Never!” She considered going up to her room, but knew she would not be able to sleep just yet. “Very well,” she said. “One glass of sherry will not kill me.” She winced at her own words, thinking of Wickham. Robert handed her a glass without comment.
By unspoken agreement, they drew closer to the fireside, huddling by it for light and warmth. Neither of them spoke. The fire sputtered and sighed. The only other sound was the steady onward ticking of the clock. They sipped at their drinks. Caroline contemplated the yellow firelight as it ebbed and flowed through her glass, breaking up into a thousand pieces among the crystal.
He sat with his legs extended, as was his habit, but he did not look relaxed. “I hope for Lydia’s sake he survives. It will be a difficult storm to weather, otherwise, even if Fitz tries to restrain some of the gossip. There are more people involved than just the Wickhams.”
“I wonder what has happened to the man who fought the duel with him?” said Caroline. “If Wickham dies, he will be forced to flee. And what of his wife? She must be a giddy woman, indeed, to leave her husband and go with him. Such a senseless thing to do! What did she imagine would become of her?”
“When people are in love, they grow carried away by passion and forget anything else.”
“I cannot imagine that,” she said.
“Can you not? I can,” said Robert.
Caroline did not know what to make of this.
“I never met George Wickham,” said Robert. “He must be exceedingly charming if he can manage to make women so smitten with him.”
“I have never understood his appeal. I met him when I first came out, for he visited Mr Darcy often in those days, but then Darcy and he quarrelled, and I did not see him any more until he appeared with his regiment in Meryton. I never thought him of particular interest.”
“You were occupied with other matters,” said Robert Darcy, pointedly. “I hardly think you qualify as a judge.”
Of course he would remind her of her obsession with Mr Darcy.
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