Darcy and Elizabeth What If? Collection 3

by Jennifer Lang

  Mr Gardiner had already departed with the intention of speaking to Colonel Forster so that together they could work out what to do.

  Mrs Bennet, now that she had recovered from the first shock, became more vocal, and said that her brother must make Wickham marry Lydia.

  Elizabeth decided to encourage her mother to retire to her room, for there was a danger the servants might hear if Mrs Benne remained in the drawing-room. Mrs Bennet was not a discreet woman and she did not keep her voice low, as the others did. But Mary surprised Elizabeth by suggesting that exact thing just before she herself suggested it.

  Mary has grown up a lot over the last few weeks, thought Elizabeth. Going out into the world has improved her immeasurably. She glanced at Mr Manningham. And so has the attention of a respectable gentleman.

  It was lucky she had these thoughts to distract her, for Lydia’s folly and Mr Darcy’s reaction would have been enough to cast even Elizabeth, with her usual cheerful nature, into despair. His face when he had bowed and left them had been unreadable, but she did not need to be able to read it to know what his feelings towards Lydia were, and how they coloured his view of her family. He had been disgusted and he had decided he wanted nothing more to do with them. He had withdrawn at once and his cousin had withdrawn, too. They had both most likely wanted to protect Miss Darcy from such company. And, in low spirits, Elizabeth thought she could not blame them.

  Mary and Mrs Gardiner managed to persuade Mrs Bennet to retire to her room, where she could be attended by the reliable Hill. Then Mrs Stacey ordered luncheon.

  ‘I hope you will join us, Mr Manningham,’ said Mrs Stacey.

  ‘If I am not in the way, then gladly,’ he said.

  ‘You are not in the way at all,’ said Mrs Stacey.

  ‘You have proved yourself a true friend and I know Mrs Bennet would thank you herself if she had not been overcome,’ said Mrs Gardiner.

  ‘I am glad to have been of service,’ said Mr Manningham with a bow and an affectionate glance at Mary.

  Mary smiled in a way which changed her face entirely, making it seem good humoured and surprisingly lovely. Although she did not have Jane’s beauty or Elizabeth’s fine eyes, there was nevertheless a suggestion of both in her face, for she came from the same family. Her loveliness had been obscured previously by unflattering hairstyles and clothes, and a sombre expression, but now her own type of beauty – understated and less noticeable – was able to shine through.

  ‘Then that is settled,’ said Mrs Stacey.

  She sent orders to the kitchen, and then they made their way through into the dining-room where they tried to make polite conversation while they wondered what the outcome of the day’s events would be.

  Mr Darcy, as soon as he heard Mr Manningham’s fateful words, that Miss Lydia Bennet had eloped, took a swift leave of his companions and strode from the battlements with decision. The martial atmosphere intensified his own need for action and his instinct for battle was roused by all the drums and bugles around him. He had finally found Miss Elizabeth Bennet again, and overcome all the misunderstandings between them, and he was not about to let one silly young lady stand between him and happiness – even if he had to go to war with his nemesis, George Wickham, in order to resolve matters.

  He found it hard to believe that only a few short months ago he had seen Lydia’s thoughtless behaviour as an impediment to his relationship with Elizabeth and he had thrown Lydia’s silliness in her face.

  He was horrified to think of it.

  It was not Elizabeth’s fault that Lydia was a common flirt, nor was it Elizabeth’s fault that Mr Bennet was lazy nor that Mrs Bennet encouraged Lydia.

  Elizabeth - dearest, loveliest Elizabeth - was blameless.

  In a way, he was glad that Lydia had run off with George Wickham because it would allow him to show Elizabeth how much he had changed. He had listened to her words – her just and necessary words – when she had rejected him, and he had set himself out to change. He had shown her that he could behave like a gentleman by introducing her to his sister and arranging for her to be invited to the Duchess of Richmond’s ball, as well as being polite to her friends and relations.

  In this, he had had a pleasant surprise. Mr and Mrs Gardiner were not like Mr and Mrs Bennet. It was true, their money came from trade, but they were nevertheless refined and sensible people. Mrs Stacey was an elegant and intelligent woman, and he knew of Mr Stacey by reputation, thereby knowing that Mr Stacey was an efficient and necessary part of the war effort.

  He had also corrected his behaviour where Jane Bennet was concerned. He had invited Mr Bingley to Brussels and he had let Mr Bingley know, without actually saying so, that he approved of Miss Jane Bennet. He had spoken of her elegance and beauty, and he had told Mr Bingley he thought her out of spirits, adding that she was always in very good spirits when they were in Meryton. ‘It must be the company that agreed with her,’ he had said with a meaningful look at Bingley.

  That had done the trick. Mr Bingley had needed nothing more. Indeed, Mr Darcy suspected that Mr Bingley would have made a move to see Jane Bennet again soon anyway, for it was clear that Mr Bingley was very much in love with her.

  He smiled as he thought that that was one affair, at least, which was going well, for he did not doubt that Mr Bingley’s “business in England” was a desire to see Mr Bennet and ask for his permission to marry Jane.

  So that would end happily.

  And his own affair with Elizabeth would end happily too, he was sure of it, once he had rescued Lydia Bennet and restored her to her family.

  He had by this time reached the foot of the battlements and he strode round to the stables, where he ordered his stallion to be readied at once.

  If Wickham intended to elope to America then there was only one road he would take out of Brussels and as he would be travelling in a hired carriage he would not be able to travel as fast as a man on horseback – particularly as, with the small means at his disposal, Mr Wickham would not be able to hire a vehicle with swift horses. More likely, he would have to take one drawn by an old nag.

  Once his horse was ready, Mr Darcy mounted quickly and then he was away. He took the road that he knew Mr Wickham and Lydia must have taken, calculating that he was probably little more than an hour, or two at most, behind them. He rode swiftly, his fresh horse eating up the miles and making the journey seem effortless.

  He stopped along the way at various coaching inns, to enquire if a lady and gentleman had passed that way, and received encouraging news. He allayed suspicion by saying that he was a relative who had arranged to meet them and been delayed, but was now going to join them.

  At last he came to an inn where the news was exactly what he hoped for. Yes, a young couple had arrived less than half an hour before and had ordered luncheon. They were in the private parlour but they had asked not to be disturbed unless they rang.

  Giving the innkeeper an imperious look, Mr Darcy said that he was always welcome where his cousins were concerned and told the innkeeper not to bother himself, adding, ‘I will show myself in.’

  The innkeeper retreated before this display of haughty arrogance and Mr Darcy went down a tiled corridor to an oak door at the end. It was set with thick iron studs and there was an iron ring for a handle. Mr Darcy turned it and went in, to find Lydia sitting on Wickham’s knee. Wickham’s coat was on the settle at the other side of the room, along with his cravat, and his shirt was undone. He was in the process of helping Lydia to a similar state of undress.

  ‘Darcy!’ said Mr Wickham in surprise. Then he began to laugh. ‘Come to join the fun?’ he asked with a wide grin.

  Mr Darcy was tempted to call him out, but he fought the impulse and refused to rise to Wickham’s bait.

  ‘I hear you are heading for America,’ he said.

  ‘I am,’ said Wickham. He squeezed Lydia and she squealed and giggled. ‘We both are.’

  ‘Have you bought your ticket?’ asked Mr Darcy, with a lift of one e
yebrow.

  ‘Ah. Now that might prove difficult. I am in low water at the moment. Money is scarce. Would you care to help?’ asked Wickham provokingly.

  Mr Darcy put his hat on the table. He pulled off his gloves, one finger at a time, and rested them on the side of his hat. Then he took a wallet out of his waistcoat pocket. He opened it and counted out a pile of notes, placing them on the table.

  Mr Wickham’s eyes grew round with greed and he reached out a hand.

  Mr Darcy put his riding whip on the money.

  ‘Not so fast,’ he said. ‘You may have the money —’

  ‘That is very generous of you, Darcy,’ said Mr Wickham. ‘But I know you. There’s bound to be a catch.’

  ‘You may have the money, or you may have Miss Lydia Bennet, but you may not have both.’

  ‘Oh, come now, Darcy, I must have someone to travel with,’ protested Mr Wickham. ‘And if she doesn’t elope with me, she will only elope with someone else.’ He turned to Lydia and pinched her cheek playfully. ‘Won’t you, my little doxy?’

  ‘Miss Lydia Bennet is a gentleman’s daughter and you would do well not to forget it,’ said Mr Darcy severely. ‘Even now, her uncle is heading for this very inn and he will not be as generous as I am. He will see you clapped in irons for this.’

  ‘What? For taking a young lady for a drive?’ smirked Wickham.

  ‘No. For abduction,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘Now, which is it to be? I suggest you make your mind up quickly, before her uncle arrives. Once he does so, it will be out of my power to help you. Will you have the money for a ticket to America and a new life in the New World? Or will you have Miss Lydia Bennet?’

  ‘Me, of course,’ said Lydia, putting her arms around his neck. ‘We are —’

  But she got no further, for Mr Wickham had pushed her off his lap, leapt up, taken the money, put it in his pocket, wrapped his cravat around his neck and shrugged on his coat in a matter of seconds, and by the time she picked herself up he was heading for the door.

  ‘Wickham!’ she called. ‘George!’

  But it was too late. He had already gone.

  ‘Now, young lady,’ said Mr Darcy in cool and commanding tones. ‘You are coming with me.’

  Lydia was about to protest but one raise of Mr Darcy’s haughty eyebrow made her change her mind. With much grumbling she put on her pelisse and bonnet and accompanied him out of the inn.

  As Mr Darcy suspected, Mr Wickham had not chosen to flee in his hired carriage but had hired a horse instead, for it was quicker and cheaper. Mr Darcy could just see him riding away into the distance.

  Mr Darcy therefore ordered the carriage to be readied and he kept a close eye on Lydia while the ostlers put the horses into harness. Then he tied his own horse onto the back of the carriage and instructed the coachman to set off back to Brussels.

  Lydia sulked all the way. She started off by complaining, but when it became clear that Mr Darcy was not listening she folded her arms and slumped in the corner, casting petulant glances at him every now and then.

  Mr Darcy ignored her. He was thinking how best to deal with the situation.

  By the time he arrived back to Brussels he had made up his mind.

  He ordered the coachman to take the carriage to Lady Fitzwilliam’s house, where he sent for Mrs Annesley. He directed her to accompany him, as a chaperon for Miss Lydia Bennet. He explained that Miss Bennet had been shopping with friends and had become lost. Luckily, he had run across her and so he was returning her to her family.

  Lydia let out a loud sigh, but Mr Darcy ignored her.

  Mrs Annesley expressed her sympathies and said that Brussels could be a very confusing city. She herself had almost been lost on several occasions.

  Mr Darcy then ordered the coachman to drive to the Staceys’ house.

  The carriage at last came to a halt outside the splendid residence.

  Mr Darcy did everything with decorum, so that if they were seen, no one would suspect anything amiss. He climbed out first, then opened the door for Lydia and gave her his arm as they crossed the pavement, followed by Mrs Annesley. He lifted the splendid brass door knocker and there was a pleasing clang! as it fell. Before long, the Staceys’ English butler, who had accompanied them to Brussels, answered the door. He greeted them politely and bowed them inside.

  ‘Is Mr Stacey at home?’ Mr Darcy enquired.

  ‘I am afraid not,’ said the butler.

  ‘Is Mr Gardiner here?’ asked Mr Darcy.

  ‘Yes, Sir. He returned not ten minutes ago,’ said the butler.

  ‘Then please tell him I would like to speak to him.’

  ‘Yes, Sir,’ said the butler with a bow. ‘Allow me to show you to the library. Will Miss Lydia be joining you?’

  ‘Miss Lydia will wait in the ante-room with her companion,’ said Mr Darcy firmly.

  ‘Very good, Sir.’

  Lydia gave him a mutinous look but he did not expect any further trouble from her, at least not for a while. Although she was headstrong and spoilt, she was also wise enough to know that she was in trouble and that this could not be airily waved away. She would have gone quite happily with George Wickham, he had no doubt, but now that she was back with her family – that is to say, her sensible aunt and uncle - she would behave herself, at least for a time, even if she complained and chattered nonsensically all the while.

  The butler led the way. He opened the door of the ante-room and Lydia went in, followed by Mrs Annesley. Then he led Mr Darcy to the library.

  Shortly afterwards, Mr Darcy was joined by a harassed-looking Mr Gardiner.

  ‘I beg your pardon, but I cannot see you now,’ said Mr Gardiner. ‘You know of our difficulties and I must leave again immediately. I came back only to tell my wife what had so far been done, and what is now proposed.’

  ‘Have no fear,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘Your niece is safe. She is at this very minute in the ante-room next door with my sister’s companion.’

  Mr Gardiner’s face wore an incredulous look which then expanded into a look of great relief.

  ‘Can it be so?’

  ‘It is so,’ said Mr Darcy.

  ‘My dear Sir,’ said Mr Gardiner, taking Mr Darcy’s hand and pumping it up and down. ‘I do not know how you brought this miracle about but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My niece is a heedless, thoughtless girl but the thought of her ruining herself over so worthless a fellow as Wickham – it does not bear thinking about. And now, thanks to you, we do not need to think about it. But how did it happen?’

  And so Mr Darcy told him everything.

  ‘I explained to my sister’s companion that Miss Lydia Bennet had become lost while shopping with friends and I suggest you adopt the same explanation. I will go and see Colonel Forster and his wife. Colonel Forster’s agitation was seen by a number of people but it can easily be explained if he was looking for his wife’s lost friend. The idea of an elopement can be speedily crushed and dismissed as scurrilous gossip.’

  ‘My dear Sir, I do not know how we can ever thank you. Our whole family owes you a great debt.’

  ‘I think it might be as well if Miss Lydia joined you here. Colonel Forster must necessarily have his attention elsewhere and his wife is very young to have charge of Miss Lydia. You and your wife would be better suited to watching over her.’

  ‘My very thoughts,’ said Mr Gardiner. ‘We will keep a close eye on her. In fact, I am tempted to sail with Mr Bingley tomorrow. My wife can stay with her nieces and her friend, but my business needs me and Lydia would be safer at home. Brussels is a large city full of temptations, and it would be wise to remove her from it.’

  ‘A good idea,’ said Mr Darcy.

  ‘Speaking of Mr Bingley, I like that young man,’ said Mr Gardiner thoughtfully. ‘He is a friend of yours, I believe?’

  ‘He is.’

  ‘He would be a welcome addition to any family,’ said Mr Gardiner with a bow.

  ‘I am glad to hear you say so,’ said Mr Darcy with a sm
ile. ‘And now I must leave you.’

  ‘Yes, we have occupied you too much already,’ said Mr Gardiner. ‘Thank you again for all you have done.’

  Mr Darcy bowed in acknowledgement of the thanks and then he left the house.

  As he did so, there was a spring in his step. He had shown Elizabeth he could be a gentleman; he had shown her he could admit his faults and unite her sister with his friend; and he had shown her that he would not be parted from her by something so trivial as her sister’s folly – for although Lydia’s folly was great indeed, it was nothing when compared to the very great pleasure he had from Elizabeth’s company: from her wit and intelligence, from her humour and liveliness, and from the expression in her beautiful, lovely fine eyes.

  Chapter Twelve

  The Duchess of Richmond’s ball was the subject on everyone’s lips but Elizabeth was no longer looking forward to the event. After Lydia’s disgrace she did not dare to hope that Mr Darcy would continue in his attentions. She put aside her own disappointment, however, because she did not want to ruin the evening for her sisters.

  Jane was floating along on a cloud of happiness since meeting Mr Bingley again. Even though he had departed she was radiant, for he had gone to ask Mr Bennet if he could have her hand in marriage.

  ‘When do you think the wedding will be?’ asked Elizabeth.

  ‘In the autumn,’ said Jane. ‘I think we would both like to marry in September or October. That should give Mamma time to make the arrangements. It will need to be announced and the banns need to be read and so the autumn will suit us very well. Luckily, Mr Bingley still has the lease on Netherfield Park so we have a home to move into.’

  She looked a trifle guilty.

  ‘What is it?’ asked Elizabeth.

  ‘Only that I am not sure it is a good idea for us to settle quite so near Longbourn,’ said Jane. ‘Mamma means well but she intends to visit us every day, she says, and Mr Bingley feels that will be a little too often.’