by Suzan Lauder
“Miss Eliza!” Miss Bingley drawled the words out as she made her curtsey. “I am enchanted to see you again! You do look so well! I am sure you are delighted to be attending the opera this evening. Tell me, what do you think of Mr. Darcy’s box?”
However much she disliked Elizabeth, Caroline Bingley was quite enthusiastic in attempting to attach herself to the heiress to improve her position in society yet not enough to address her by her courtesy title. The omission was likely not an accident.
“She is called Lady Elizabeth, Miss Bingley,” Darcy said, appalled by her uncharacteristic behaviour in toadying to Elizabeth, who normally she would have treated with disdain. He felt Elizabeth squeeze his arm ever so slightly, and looking at her, saw subtle amusement in her eyes. He realized she was enjoying the little farce that Miss Bingley was putting on for them.
“My apologies, Lady Elizabeth,” said Miss Bingley. “I had such fond memories of you from Hertfordshire that I quite forgot myself.” There was a decided edge in her voice.
Elizabeth graciously replied to the question, ignoring the slight, “I thank you, Miss Bingley. I am delighted in the views from the box; I am able see the stage perfectly.”
“I have adored attending the opera in Mr. Darcy’s box. It is a spacious box, is it not, Lady Elizabeth?”
“Yes, Miss Bingley, it most surely is. I am quite grateful for it since we are such a large party this evening.”
Miss Bingley was not deterred. She was determined to gain access to the Darcy box and the Shelton heiresses.
“Mr. Darcy is so generous to his dear friends. I have seen him extend his hospitality to much larger parties than yours.” The nuance was unmistakeable.
“My betrothed is a charitable host; however, he values his privacy. I am sure he is relieved that his company this evening is family,” said Elizabeth, smiling up at him.
“Indeed. We would have liked to have included the Matlocks, but the situation would have been too crowded,” Darcy said as he proudly regarded his future bride.
“Family is of paramount importance to Charles also. We are overjoyed to soon include your family as part of ours, Lady Elizabeth. Just think of it, we shall be sisters, and Mr. Darcy, you too will be part of our family!” Miss Bingley said. She was proud of her cleverness; however, Darcy was sensible to her motives.
He glanced at Elizabeth and saw by the set of her jaw and her tight smile that her amusement was turning into irritation. Seeing that their well-mannered responses had not deterred Miss Bingley from her purpose, and impatient to get away from her unreserved obsequiousness, Darcy used his most imperious gaze, and holding his tall frame in such a stiff upright posture that he appeared to be looking down his nose, he dismissed her with a few terse words.
“Just so, Miss Bingley,” he said icily.
Without waiting for a reply, he abruptly turned and guided Elizabeth away, leaving Miss Bingley standing alone.
The bells rang to signal a return to seats for the next part of the performance. To her dismay, Caroline Bingley discovered the consequences of her past behaviour. She had just been cut by Mr. Darcy.
***
26 April 1812
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
The day ended with April showers falling on Longbourn while Thomas Bennet, his wife and their two youngest daughters sat in silent harmony in their family sitting room. He was reading a book, and Mrs. Bennet was attending to her embroidery of a small cushion as a wedding gift to Jane and Bingley. With the eldest three daughters in London, the house was relatively quiet.
At the other side of the room, Kitty perused Le Beau Monde. Lydia, overcome with a sense of ennui and needing some diversion, decided that Kitty’s ears were as good as anyone’s. Sensible of Lydia’s desire to indulge in some momentary excitement, Kitty put aside her magazine and listened to her sister’s chatter about the balls that Jane and Elizabeth had attended and their evening at the opera. As was usual, Lydia grew poetic and dramatic as she regaled Kitty with her imaginings of the entertainment that her sisters were surely enjoying.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were careful in their eavesdropping; they wanted to be attentive parents without interfering in their daughters’ private concerns. Mrs. Bennet noted her youngest daughter’s animated tone and commented quietly to her husband, “A few weeks in Town could be just the thing for Lydia.”
“I have been adamant in telling her that she will not come out until she is at least 18,” he said.
“Not to go to balls but to have a diversion. Madeleine has admitted to me that she was once just as impetuous as Lydia. She could provide Lydia with an example of how to maintain proper comportment without losing her liveliness. It could be a maturing experience.”
“Indeed. You should accompany her then, and Kitty could go also. She would enjoy the opportunity to see how the fashionable ladies are dressing.”
“Madeleine’s confinement will be in August, and we could help with the children. Lydia’s need to entertain could be gratified that way; she loves to read to them in various voices.”
Mr. Bennet agreed, and they decided they would discuss it again after the weddings. Mr. Bennet set aside his book and stretched.
“I am beginning to get bored,” he said to Lydia. “May I impose upon you to play for us, sweetling? I am sure your mother and sister would appreciate it as well as I would.”
Pleased at the request to perform, Lydia went to the instrument and prepared to play. When she finished her first song, her audience was well satisfied and applauded appreciatively.
They were interrupted by Mrs. Akuete asking if they would take a visitor so late in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet looked at one another with concern, wondering who could be calling at such a late hour and in such inclement weather.
Chapter 20:
Maria Lucas confesses to what she has overheard.
26 April 1812
Longbourn
“Maria Lucas is in the hall, asking to see you on a matter of great importance,” Mrs. Akuete said.
A chill and a mist had been left behind by the rain that had fallen that evening. The Bennets thought it odd that a caller would make their way to Longbourn through such weather and at an hour much too late to be receiving guests, but they withdrew to the drawing room and had Mrs. Akuete bring the young woman there. When Mr. Bennet spoke of his intent to take his leave, Maria requested he remain.
Maria Lucas had spent six long days thinking about Wickham’s intrigues. In her opinion, if Bennet and Darcy had not persecuted Wickham, he would have no need to be in hiding and could be openly courting her; perhaps they could even be wed by now. But Maria was also feeling no little guilt about her continued assistance in Wickham’s unlawful plans. Even with her love for him, and the certainty that he would eventually return to her, she could not help feeling a tenuous hold on her safety and security due to Wickham’s multiple past mistakes. He had become vain about his perception of his own intellect and ability to formulate strategy, and therefore placed the blame for any lack of success in his life on anyone else he could, including her. Because of that, he had become angry and unpredictable. She knew it was in her power to stop him if she only dared.
After much contemplation, her regard for the neighbouring family held strong, and she began to worry about her friend’s safety. She decided to speak to Thomas Bennet and hoped that, in spite of his bitterness about Wickham’s character and his need to save Elizabeth, she could also convince him to take pity on Wickham and understand his desperation. She was not sure how to delicately put the latter plea to Mr. Bennet but felt it of paramount import to warn him of Wickham’s recent irregular behaviour before it was too late.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, I come on a matter of utmost urgency.”
The Bennets were worried about the young woman. She was wringing her hands and looking about the room as if willing herself to become composed despite her distress. It was obvious she was in an anxious state, and they presumed the reason why. With gentle questi
oning, they confirmed their suspicions that Maria had overheard Bennet’s conversation about Jane’s and Elizabeth’s fortunes and connections. Furthermore, they learned that she had disclosed it all to Mr. Wickham. In spite of her confession, Mrs. Bennet was upset to see Maria in tears and gathered the younger woman’s hands in her own to reassure her.
“I am so sorry that I was the means for him knowing your confidences, Mr. Bennet. Please forgive me. It was horrid of me, and I now have many regrets.”
“You overheard my conversation?” Bennet said abruptly, ignoring all but the intense trepidation he felt that a blackguard like Wickham, whose stated goal was to gain retribution for perceived slights by his so-called nemesis, knew all that had been revealed during that fateful speech. Bennet had a lot to lose and Wickham a lot to gain by his being privy to this information.
“Yes, and I know that Jane and Lizzy—pardon me, Lady Jane and Lady Elizabeth; I know their father was a lord—are rich and are to marry Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, and that Mr. Darcy knew about their fortunes but not who they really were.”
“Did you hear any more?” Bennet asked in a tight voice, completely comprehending the potential exposure of his deception.
“I heard everything, Mr. Bennet,” she cried, “and I told it all. I was only trying to help poor Mr. Wickham since he has need of funds and is currently friendless. Mr. Wickham told me that he is after their money. Oh, Mr. Bennet, I am so wretched!” Maria’s tone was frantic. Mrs. Bennet had trouble calming both Maria and herself.
“Mr. Wickham has thoughts of kidnapping Lizzy,” said Maria, “and holding her in London until he is satisfied. He said that if you would not pay, he would tell everyone he compromised her and your family would be disgraced. Then Mr. Darcy would not marry Lizzy and Mr. Bingley would not marry Jane!”
Tension tightened in Bennet’s chest as his concern was amplified, and he was shocked regarding the danger in his daughters’ way. He had not expected Wickham to be so very greedy and cruel.
“Did he give you any information about how he intended to find Lizzy?”
“I did not know Lizzy’s exact whereabouts, but I told him that she was gone to stay at her uncle’s house. He has already gone to Town! Oh, Mr. Bennet, I am sorry that I ever listened at your window!”
Mrs. Bennet shared a worried look with her husband. If Wickham were capable of kidnapping, what else would he do? Bennet struggled with his anger at Wickham and fear of an additional crime—blackmail.
“What else did you hear?” he asked.
“I heard that you and Mrs. Bennet were their guardians from when they were small because their father died in Bermuda, and also that Jane’s first son would be the next Earl of Shelton because the other earl is dead.” Maria sniffled. There was a long pause as the Bennets looked at her, and then she added, “And the solicitor’s name is Mr. Larrasby.”
“And that is all you heard, my dear?” Mrs. Bennet asked tentatively, trying not to betray her worries. Maria nodded affirmatively.
“Mr. Bennet, I know you do not like Mr. Wickham, but please take pity on him,” Maria begged. “He is but a poor man with no resources and is desperate to regain some comfort in his life.”
“You must not worry yourself on Mr. Wickham’s behalf, Maria,” Bennet said sternly. “If he is willing to kidnap one of my daughters, you can be assured that he is a very wicked man, and you should best keep clear of him, lest your reputation be drawn into his. I believe he has used you ill and taken advantage of your caring nature.”
“I know he has, but please give him some Christian charity!” Maria pleaded.
“You are a good girl for coming to us to tell us this,” Mrs. Bennet assured her. “Mr. Bennet will know what to do to keep Lizzy from harm. Now, I will call Mrs. Akuete, and she will bring some tea to help soothe you while I have a word with Mr. Bennet.”
As they waited for Mrs. Akuete to bring the promised refreshments, Mrs. Bennet tried to comfort Maria. Both Bennets were hardly able to hide their worries when they heard all that Wickham had planned, and there was a general air of disquiet in the room. When the tea tray was settled on the table and Mrs. Bennet had poured a cup for Maria, she excused herself and Mr. Bennet.
Once the Bennets left the room, they shared a relieved moment knowing it was likely that Maria had not overheard the part of the discussion that revealed Mr. Bennet’s former identity as Lord Shelton. They also admitted their shared anger and disappointment at her participation in Wickham’s plans. While not sympathetic to her fate, they did not feel it was their duty to reproach her.
Despite knowing his wife’s reluctance in the matter, Bennet insisted that the threat to Elizabeth was reason enough to risk exposure by going to London without hesitation.
“You will be seen!” she protested. “They will know we have been living a lie these past twenty years. We would lose Longbourn to that Collins man, and he would certainly want recourse for not having it since his uncle died!”
“I will try my best not to be recognized, but if it so happens, we always have Shelton, Fanny. We can leave Hertfordshire and go live in my ancestral home in Derbyshire. There would be no more need to hide.” He continued wistfully, “You have not seen Shelton. It is the most beautiful estate there is anywhere. I am sure you would admire it greatly.”
“Shelton! But Longbourn is our home!”
“Home is where you and the girls are.”
“The girls will be humiliated when it is discovered that we have been prevaricating for so many years. How can we expose them to the ridicule of the ton, all because you and I decided to continue hiding our secret and to take Longbourn when it was not our due?”
“We cannot know that they would be ridiculed.”
“Thomas, you know as well as I do, there is no forgiveness among the ton. They are always looking for some new scandal to play with.”
“And it will be forgotten when the next big scandal comes about.”
“But the damage will be done!” she said defiantly. “Jane and Lizzy write that, as the newly found Shelton heiresses, they are most popular in the most fashionable of circles. It makes me so content to see them as such. But if they find out our duplicity, the ladies of the ton will shred them to pieces. It will even be harder for the younger girls.”
“Might I remind you that revealing my identity would give the younger girls a share of some of the Shelton properties that now go only to Jane and Lizzy?” he replied. “Were I not dead, my will would no longer be valid, and I could offer Mary something also! It is so unfair that they have smaller portions, even with my contributions over the years.”
Bennet was irritated with the tone of the arguments his wife was making. Since his conversation with Darcy a fortnight ago, he had been mulling the idea over in his mind, and he was fairly tempted to reveal his identity and end the fears of being caught.
Mrs. Bennet was equally agitated; they had this discussion numerous times before but always agreed, in the end, that the risks outweighed the benefits. She could not see why he was now so vehement in his arguments and impatient with hers.
“We have told the world they have paltry settlements, and it has not stopped Jane and Lizzy from making good matches,” she reasoned.
“But the younger girls do not have as much to give to their children.”
“Their grandparents did not have much to give.”
He tried to conciliate once more. “Kitty and Lydia would be titled as well, and you would be known as Lady Shelton.”
“I do not care for titles. I care for my girls’ reputations. All of them will be nothing if they are known as the daughters of one of the most infamous charlatans in the history of England!” Mrs. Bennet was now angry at her husband’s seeming lack of concern about being identified as Lord Shelton.
“Is that how you see it? That I am an infamous charlatan?” he snapped, stung by her words.
“That is how the rest of the world will see it, Thomas!” she cried, her eyes pricking with tears. “
How can you diminish the importance of society’s favour to our girls?”
“I do no such thing! I am just sometimes tired of hiding,” he said bitterly. “But that I had just kept my identity.”
“How can you say such a thing? Would you have left me and Mary friendless in a strange land?” Her voice quavered.
“I would not have left you; Bennet had asked me to look after you.”
“Would you have deigned to marry me if it were not for your will to hide your identity? I smelt of the shop!” she cried. Tears were now leaking from her eyes. His anger broke as he realized the anguish he was putting on his wife.
“Fan, Fan, shhh, shhh,” he said, pulling her into his embrace. She struggled but he held her fast. “I am sorry that I let my pride overrule my sense. No matter what, I would have found some way to marry you. I was already in love with you.”
“What have we done?” she sobbed into his shoulder. “We should have acknowledged your name when we inherited Longbourn. That way the scandal would have been forgotten by now and we would no longer need to worry about you being found out.”
“Shhh, my love,” he said softly while rubbing circles on her back. “We had no choice but to take Longbourn instead of Shelton to hide my identity; it was too soon after the duel, and Malcolm’s father would have had enough influence to have me prosecuted.”
“You cannot know that for certain. You also had some good friends who would have stood up for you. But now poor Lizzy is being sacrificed for revenge of the bitterest kind!”
“It will all be well. I will go to London—”
“No, please—” She pulled back to look at him, eyes full of worry. He gently cradled her head and put it back on his shoulder.
“—and I will take every precaution I can while I am there. You are right about the consequences of my being recognized. I will try to keep to the Gardiner and Darcy homes, and I will draw the curtains in the carriage on my way between them. You need not fear for me.”