Elizabeth gave a faint grimace.
“No one I could name without breaking confidences. Suffice it to say, as a result of their close relationship throughout their time at Pemberley and university, Mr. Darcy knew something of Mr. Wickham’s less than savory past. He was able to bring an end to Mr. Wickham’s plans.”
“And you think Mr. Darcy can create magic again?”
“I think Mr. Darcy will serve as well in recovering Lydia. Needless to say, my youngest sister has no fine dowry to tempt Mr. Wickham to marry her. I suspect Wickham required a quick exit from Brighton so the gentleman’s creditors could not find him. Papa said Colonel Forster reported debts in Brighton and Meryton.”
“And Lydia had a few coins Mrs. Bennet gave her before she left for Brighton.” Her uncle quickly came to the same conclusion as Elizabeth.
“Yes. Mama always found coins for Lydia’s whims, often at the detriment of her other daughters.”
Elizabeth’s bald declaration did not seem to surprise her uncle, who knew well his youngest sister’s insensibility.
“Have you considered what will become of yourrelationship with Mr. Darcy when he discovers it is Lydia we seek.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes to the pain of finality.
“At Netherfield, Mr. Darcy spoke of his temper being too little yielding for the convenience of the world and how he could not forget the follies and vices of others. The gentleman once his good opinion once lost to be lost forever. I hold no doubt Mr. Darcy will look upon me with disgust if I should ever hold his acquaintance again.”
* * *
“Miss Elizabeth.” Darcy bowed to her. “I apologize for the interruption. I asked the servant if I might speak to Mr. Gardiner or Mr. Bennet.”
Elizabeth waved off his apology.
“I gave the instructions to see you through. My father escorted Aunt Gardiner to Longbourn, and my uncle is from home. He received a lead on Mr. Wickham. Uncle Edward seeks the truth behind the information.”
Darcy considered Elizabeth’s explanation before saying, “I see. In that cause, I will not keep you.” He bowed to take his leave.
Elizabeth’s expression held her astonishment.
“Do you have some news you wish me to convey to my uncle, Mr. Darcy?”
“No.” Darcy experienced the customary flare of pleasure coursing through his body when he looked upon Elizabeth Bennet. Would he ever know this woman as his? “I intended to speak to your father.” He shifted his weight to appear more casual than he felt. “I am surprised Mr. Bennet returned to Hertfordshire.”
“You mean the fact my father does not plan to defend my honor surprises you.” Elizabeth’s tone spoke of a challenge, but she diverted her eyes from Darcy’s gaze. “Papa has not the knowledge of London, as does my uncle, and we decided among us that if reputations cannot be saved, it would prove foolish for Mr. Bennet to sacrifice Longbourn. My mother and sisters depend upon him.” Although Darcy knew Elizabeth’s reasons logical, he could not think upon Mr. Bennet’s actions with any degree of equanimity. A gentleman should never leave such business to others, especially not to his daughter. “Moreover,” Elizabeth said with an attempt at a tease, “I have you and Uncle Gardiner.”
“Yes,” Darcy said quietly. “You have me…” He hesitated before adding, “and Mr. Gardiner.”
Her eyes sparkled as if she found the notion most pleasing. Even so, Elizabeth kept a stiff smile upon her lips.
“I shall ask again: Do you possess information you would share with my uncle?”
Darcy heaved a weary sigh.
“I asked Colonel Fitzwilliam to speak to members of Mr. Wickham’s militia regiment to determine if they can shed light on Mr. Wickham’s activities.”
Elizabeth’s hazel eyes flashed with what appeared to be annoyance.
“I pray Colonel Fitzwilliam does not know the reason for your inquiries.”
As if a moth to a flame, Darcy edged closer to her.
“I would never betray your confidences. You must know that. I told my cousin news of Mr. Wickham’s creditors came to my attention, and I simply wished to make certain my former friend did not mean to bring more shame to Pemberley’s door.”
Tears misted Elizabeth’s eyes, and her reaction warmed Darcy’s heart.
“I do know your honor, Mr. Darcy.” A hint of chagrin slid over Elizabeth’s features. “It is nearly ten of the clock. I would imagine you busied yourself with this task since early on.”
Darcy chuckled at her accurate evaluation.
“I began shortly after we separated yesterday afternoon.”
“And you have only the news of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s involvement to report?”
A gentleman could spend a lifetime learning the many facets of Elizabeth’s expressive countenance. Darcy shrugged the inevitable.
“In truth, I thought to ask your uncle to accompany me on a journey across town. I went through my correspondence to find the directions for Georgiana’s previous companion. If you recall from my letter, Mrs. Younge was the one who manipulated my sister into accepting Mr. Wickham’s attentions. The woman now owns a boarding house. I hoped Mrs. Younge knew something of Wickham’s whereabouts in London.”
Elizabeth rose upon hearing his explanation.
“Then I shall retrieve my bonnet and cloak.”
Darcy’s gaze narrowed.
“When did I say you would be traveling with me? My destination is not an area of London for genteel ladies.”
A spark of annoyance flared in Elizabeth’s eyes.
“First, I am not easily intimidated, Mr. Darcy, so do not speak to me of what you deem proper for my sensibilities.”
“I am well aware of your determination, Ma’am,” he said in amused contrition. Darcy found himself decidedly vexed by her stubbornness; yet, at the same time, he thought her decided manner remarkably admirable. “That particular fact does not change my opinion of your involvement in this venture.”
“You have not considered all the ramifications, Sir,” she reasoned passionately. “What if Mr. Wickham took residence at Mrs. Younge’s establishment?” Elizabeth reasoned. “Because of your history, Wickham will refuse to speak to you, or he will leave Town before my uncle can press him into acting responsibly.”
Darcy’s eyebrow lifted in dismay. He did not know whether to be offended by Elizabeth’s insinuation that Darcy might lose control of his emotions or to know a renewal of his estimation of Elizabeth Bennet as the most remarkable woman of his acquaintance. She would truly make him complete if Darcy could finally claim her loyalty.
“I assure you, Miss Elizabeth, I am quite capable of dealing with Mr. Wickham in your behalf. I do not believe Mr. Wickham will be at Mrs. Younge’s house: He would never be so obvious.”
Without further argument, Elizabeth started for the door.
“Your logic holds no sway with me, Mr. Darcy. I will leave Uncle a note as to our purpose.”
“And what if I depart before you return, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy challenged.
Elizabeth turned to smile at him in rueful humor, and Darcy found her tenacity beguiling.
“Then I shall follow you in a let hack,” Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy held no doubt Elizabeth would try.
“I have not shared Mrs. Younge’s directions with you.”
For a brief second, Elizabeth’s confidence faded, but a squaring of her shoulders announced her determination knew no retreat.
“I will be only a moment, Sir.”
With that, she disappeared into the bowels of the Gardiners’ house. Darcy looked after her. Elizabeth Bennet’s willingness to risk everything to protect her family reinforced his belief she was his perfect mate.
“Absolutely bewitching,” Darcy murmured, “and I hold no desire to break the lady’s spell.”
* * *
Darcy nestled Elizabeth closer to his side as they approached the run-down boarding house. They left his coach a block removed to avoid Mrs. Younge’s spying a finer carr
iage in the area and sending up an alarm. As they approached, Darcy spoke softly for Elizabeth’s ears only.
“Mrs. Younge will not be pleased of my appearance on her doorstep. I must warn you I will negotiate hard with the woman. You must not beg her for the information we seek for Mrs. Younge will operate to take advantage of your desperation.”
“You wish me to be docile?” Elizabeth asked archly.
Darcy smiled down at her upturned countenance.
“You are to assume Miss Bennet’s personality for the next hour.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes heavenward.
“Why did I not consider how manipulative you are? You will go to great extremes to have your way.”
“I am all innocence, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy teased.
“We shall see, Mr. Darcy,” she countered, as Elizabeth wrapped both hands about Darcy’s elbow just as a maid opened the boarding house door a crack to peer out at them.
“Yes, Sir?” The girl’s gaze slid across the cut of Darcy’s jacket.
“Mr. Darcy to speak to Mrs. Younge,” he said in his best Master of Pemberley voice.
“Be Mrs. Younge expectin’ ye, Sir?”
Darcy placed a hand against the door and shoved his way past the girl. Even so, he kept Elizabeth close. Conveniently, Elizabeth responded to his lightest touch.
“Tell your mistress I mean a word with her.”
The girl bobbed a quick curtsy and scurried away without showing them into a small parlor on the right.
With an amused shrug, Darcy gestured Elizabeth to lead the way into the room. They barely had time to take up a position of expectance before the empty hearth before Mrs. Younge entered the room. She looked very much as she had the last time Darcy saw the lady, except the quality of Mrs. Younge’s clothing possessed less fashion.
“I thought Betsie lost her reason,” she pronounced, “for surely Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy could have no business with the likes of me.”
“Again, you erred, Madam,” Darcy said coldly.
The woman frowned, but her eyes still held the shrewdness Darcy once missed in his evaluation of her fitness as a companion for Georgiana. He would not make that mistake again.
“I see you have not lost any of your charm, Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Younge sat on a nearby chair without indicating they should sit also. “Speak your business, Sir. I have duties to perform.”
Darcy ignored the woman’s lack of manners, and instead, seated Elizabeth on a threadbare settle before joining Elizabeth there. He knew the tender care he displayed upon Elizabeth would not go unnoticed by Mrs. Younge. Thankfully, when Darcy captured Elizabeth’s hand in his, she relinquished it willingly.
Unable to wait him out, Mrs. Younge asked, “Will you do me the favor of an introduction, Mr. Darcy?”
Darcy realized the woman’s curiosity would show itself.
“My wife,” Darcy said simply. He felt Elizabeth’s fingers wrapping around his, and he enjoyed how Elizabeth unconsciously responded to his declaration.
Mrs. Younge waited, but when Darcy did not conduct the introductions, she said, “I see. I did not know you married, Sir.”
Elizabeth gave Darcy’s fingers a quick squeeze to announce she would respond to the woman’s query and for Darcy to trust her. Needless to say, Darcy long ago permitted Elizabeth Bennet his confidence. He returned Elizabeth’s silent gesture.
“Our joining is a short duration,” Elizabeth announced with the aplomb of a great actress.
“And as we do not move in the same circles, you would possess no knowledge of my private affairs, Madam,” Darcy quipped. He meant to establish his authority over his former employee.
Darcy watched as Mrs. Younge’s chin rose in defiance.
“Your business, Mr. Darcy. Speak quickly and then leave my house.”
Darcy flicked an invisible piece of lint from his sleeve.
“I thought you would know my task before you stepped into this room: I seek the whereabouts of Mr. Wickham.”
“Why would I hold knowledge of Mr. Wickham’s activities?” Mrs. Younge asked in indignation.
“Because my former associate has few friends he can continue to rely. I imagine both Mr. Wickham and I count you among Wickham’s close associates.”
“Then you will know regret, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Younge denied in firm tones. “I hold no knowledge of Mr. Wickham’s location.”
A dark brow rose, and Darcy looked down his nose at the woman.
“Perhaps not, but you possess the means of learning Mr. Wickham’s direction.”
“And why would I aid you?” Mrs. Younge asked tautly. “You and I did not part upon the best of terms.”
Darcy glanced about the dingy room.
“It is quite evident you require funds, Madam.”
“Tell me why you seek Wickham,” the woman demanded, but there was a hint of a crack in her armor resting in Mrs. Younge’s tone.
Darcy stood and assisted Elizabeth to her feet.
“My business with Mr. Wickham is exactly that:My business.” Darcy placed Elizabeth’s hand upon his arm. “Come, my dear. We must provide Mrs. Younge private time to consider her options.” To his adversary, he said, “I will call again on the morrow.”
“No!” Mrs. Younge said with a start. “That is too soon. Nine of the clock on the second day,” she bargained.
“I will not be pleased if you fail me,” Darcy whispered in harsh warning, as he paused to tower over the woman. “And you know my nature when I am not pleased.”
Chapter Five
“Do you believe Mrs. Younge will locate Mr. Wickham?” Elizabeth’s uncle asked as he poured Darcy a brandy. Darcy returned Elizabeth to the Gardiners’ home to encounter her uncle’s anxious impatience.
It amused Darcy to observe Elizabeth drop her eyes and chin in response to Mr. Gardiner’s chastisement.
“Lizzy, Edward Street is not a proper destination for a genteel bred lady,” Gardiner said in a stern voice. Darcy wondered how often Elizabeth felt remorse at her impetuosity: He was quite certain she was a precocious child. “At least you had the good sense to take a maid with you.”
Elizabeth shot a quick glance in Darcy’s direction.
“I cannot claim such foresight,” she admitted. “It was Mr. Darcy who commanded Gwenie to accompany us.”
With Elizabeth’s apology, her uncle excused his niece before ushering Darcy into his study, but Darcy admitted, if only to himself, he missed Elizabeth Bennet’s company. Although he knew her somewhere in the house, it was not enough: Now that they renewed their association, Darcy wished her within reach.
When they returned to the safety of his carriage, and he instructed Murray to place the Gardiner maid beside his coachman, Elizabeth hummed with excitement.
“You were brilliant!” she declared in enthusiastic tones. “I am greatly grieved I ever criticized your manners, Mr. Darcy. I was proud to know you would act to protect my…” Elizabeth quickly realized she came close to saying “my sister.” In correction, she said, “To protect my reputation.”
Darcy pretended not to notice Elizabeth’s blunder.
“You approve of my inflexibility?” he teased.
Elizabeth studied him before choosing her response.
“I can acknowledge an appreciation for a bit of pompous glory upon extreme occasions, Sir, but I prefer the Mr. Darcy I see before me at this moment.”
Darcy wished he held the right to catch her to him and kiss her senseless, but he would wait until this madness with Wickham came to an end, and then he would propose again and pray this time Elizabeth Bennet would agree.
“Mr. Darcy?” Her uncle’s voice brought Darcy from his musings. “Is there reason to believe Mrs. Younge will lead us on a merry chase?”
Darcy shook his head in denial.
“The woman and Mr. Wickham are cut from the same cloth. Neither holds an allegiance to anything beyond the coins clutched within his palm. I made a few private inquiries regarding Mrs. Younge before I called up
on your household this morning. The woman has four boarders, none of whom fit a description of Mr. Wickham; however, I received a report of a gentleman possessing Mr. Wickham’s countenance calling upon Mrs. Younge three days prior.”
Gardiner’s eyebrow rose in admiration.
“My niece made a wise choice in seeking your assistance, Sir.”
A smile tugged at Darcy’s lips.
“Despite her propensity for obstinacy, I never knew Miss Elizabeth to act without logic.”
“I see.” Mr. Gardiner studied Darcy for several elongated moments, and Darcy had the feeling the man took his measure. “I should tell you that, I too, received information of Mr. Wickham. One of my warehouse employees came to me recently via Mr. Bennet’s recommendation. Before making the trek to London, Tobias Dungle served in the Meryton militia. Upon my return to London, I sought him out to learn if Mr. Wickham ever spoke of his time in London. As Dungle is not the type to gamble away his hard earned savings, he was not part of Wickham’s inner circle, but he did hear Wickham speak of praying often at St. Clement’s. Dungle thought that fact odd for he did not consider Wickham a religious man.”
“Did you learn anything of Mr. Wickham in the parish?”
Gardiner shook his head in the negative.
“Nothing useful, but I spoke to the rector and several others at the church. I asked them to send word if a couple…” Gardiner paused in awkward embarrassment.
“I know you do not seek Mr. Wickham upon Miss Elizabeth’s behalf,” Darcy said in confidence.
Mr. Gardiner released an exasperated sigh of relief.
“I am glad to hear it: I am not one to perfect a lie, and it pleases me to realize you would assist our Lizzy even when she foolishly places her reputation upon the line. Tell me how long you have known the truth.”
Darcy chuckled in irony.
“Once my pride permitted my reason to return, I accepted the fact Miss Elizabeth would never succumb to a scoundrel like Mr. Wickham–more likely, she would ring Wickham’s bell for attempting a seduction. I suspect from my observations of your other nieces, either Miss Catherine or Miss Lydia accompanied Mr. Wickham to London.”
Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary Page 5