Wild Goose Chase

by Sophie Lynbrook

  “There will be other holidays,” Mrs. Gardiner said. “Right now, it is more important to do what we can to preserve your family’s reputation.”

  She and Mr. Gardiner then went to carry on with packing, leaving Elizabeth to her own, in which task she was soon joined by Miss Darcy and Mrs. Annesley, whose lack of inquisitiveness she appreciated, especially after Miss Bingley’s determined attempt to know what was in the letter.

  They asked no questions, other than to know what should go where, but each of them had a sympathetic manner, which was a welcome difference in attitude from Miss Bingley’s detestable pretence at concern.

  Miss Darcy even overcame her shyness well enough to express disappointment that they did not have longer to become better acquainted. Elizabeth agreed with the sentiment, but she felt the impossibility of the girl’s suggestion that they would have the opportunity another day.

  “That would be agreeable,” was all she could say, knowing that she would never see Mr. Darcy again, let alone be invited to Pemberley.

  With two helpers, the task did not take long. As they were just finishing, Mr. Bingley appeared at the door to Elizabeth’s room and asked to have a word with her. She was a little surprised but supposed that he had come to say goodbye.

  They walked along the hall together, and then he astonished her by saying, “I am leaving for Netherfield almost immediately.”

  “Netherfield? I thought you were staying here for a few weeks and then going to Yorkshire.”

  “I was, but my plans have now changed.”

  “You are all going to Netherfield?” she asked in confusion. He had travelled here in the Hurst’s carriage, but she could not imagine that his sisters would approve of any journey to Hertfordshire.

  “No, I am going on my own. Darcy is lending me his curricle.”

  “He is!” she exclaimed. As soon as the words escaped her lips, she realized how absurd they must sound, but it seemed impossible that he would have aided this journey rather than talking his friend out of it. “He knows where you are going?”

  “Yes. You see, he told me of the situation. In confidence, of course, and only because I begged to know what was wrong. I assure you that I will not tell anybody else.”

  She guessed that he was referring to his sisters in particular, but even more interesting was the implication of this. “Do you mean that is the reason for your journey?”

  “Yes. I see that I am not explaining things very well. I thought that I could offer some comfort to Miss Bennet.” He blushed and then stumbled over his next words. “I mean that Mr. Darcy told me she is anxiously waiting for your return. I thought that I could carry a letter from you, which would be of some comfort to her in the meantime.”

  “It would indeed,” she replied. “It is very kind of you, but it will be a great effort to go all the way to Hertfordshire.”

  “Your family will be wondering what is happening. I wanted to make myself useful by letting them know that you have gone in pursuit.”

  “That is exceptionally thoughtful.”

  “And I want to pay my respects to your parents,” he added to her wonderment. To go out of his way to acknowledge them at such a time could only be deliberate generosity. And he was doing so with Mr. Darcy’s knowledge.

  “Very kind, indeed,” she repeated. “I shall just go and quickly write a letter.”

  “I shall go and throw my things in a bag,” he said.

  He rushed off to his room. As Elizabeth walked back to her own, she thought that Jane’s hopes might have been revived in spite of everything. It was remarkable, but she was delighted that Mr. Bingley had chosen this moment to go against the advice he had formerly followed.

  And what of Mr. Darcy? This was a strange time for him to have changed his mind. It seemed incomprehensible that he was overlooking her current situation when he had once been disgusted by less. Yet that was apparently what he was choosing to do.

  CHAPTER 10

  Out of a desire to leave before his sisters discovered what he was up to, Mr. Bingley packed at an excellent speed. While he was doing this, Mr. Darcy was returning from his second visit to the stables, thinking that his friend’s determined resolution was putting him to shame. Real love was not deterred by even the most dreadful circumstances, as Bingley was proving.

  His own love had not in any way diminished, yet he was allowing himself to be influenced by thoughts of what other people would think, especially his relatives.

  Without doubt, Lady Catherine would strongly object to Elizabeth Bennet as his wife. So would his aunt and uncle Matlock. Having always held family in the greatest regard, he ought to temper his behaviour until it was known what effect this elopement would have upon the family.

  But the time to prove himself loyal to his love was now. Not after a scandal had been satisfactorily swept under the rug. Waiting for safety would nullify the gesture. Like Bingley, he wanted to make it clear that he was standing by his friends, which meant acting now instead of waiting to ensure that the damage was minimal.

  And really, why should he think of his relatives first? Had Lady Catherine ever given a moment’s thought to his best interests? No. She was entirely focused upon her own interest. Hence the determined belief that he would eventually marry Anne because that was what she wanted. His wishes had never been considered.

  Lord and Lady Matlock had displayed a similar disregard for them. For the past few years, they had been pushing upon him various young ladies with whom they were not unwilling to be connected. Impeccable pedigrees and a reasonable degree of good manners constituted their requirements in his wife. There had never been any consideration of what his feelings might be.

  With so much selfishness around him, it was not surprising that he had never felt much of anything. It was Elizabeth who had brought him out of that state and into a deep attachment which had been so unexpected. It was she who mattered most, and she whose well-being must be his priority now.

  The decision to pay whatever it took to secure Wickham’s cooperation had given him some satisfaction, but he was wanting to do more. It was too soon to declare his feelings again, but perhaps he could go with Bingley and help the Bennets to weather this storm. Who would dare to mock them openly with two influential gentlemen standing by them?

  Then he was struck by another idea. What about going north with Elizabeth and the Gardiners? He could give them his support and be at hand to make any offer to Wickham directly. It might carry more weight coming straight from the source. He would be in an excellent position to avert this disaster, not for his own sake, but for theirs.

  Going with them would also mean being at hand for Elizabeth’s convenience as well. He would be able to minimize her dealings with Mr. Wickham, which would make this dreadful situation easier for her to bear. He liked the idea of being able to offer some sort of comfort.

  With that, his mind was made up. He would go to Gretna Green.

  Speeding up his pace, he hurried back to the house. On the way, it occurred to him that he must give Georgiana some explanation for his sudden departure. He did not want to leave her in the dark.

  More than that, she was the one family member whose opinion did matter to him. He believed that she would agree with any choice of his, having always wanted him to be happy, but there was one worry. Of all the things he could do, connecting himself even remotely with Mr. Wickham would have a particular impact upon her.

  The fairness of his choices with regard to his sister had to be considered. He was done with putting his relatives first, but for Georgiana’s sake, he would, if necessary, sacrifice his own wishes although he would do so with sorrow. He very much hoped, however, that she would not object to the connection.

  Conveniently, he ran into his sister as she was coming downstairs, and they had a brief conversation while Mrs. Annesley went back to the morning room.

  “Would you mind if I went away for a few days,” he began.

  “No,” she said, looking surprised, as wel
l she might. He did not usually consult her about his plans. She must also be curious to know if this had anything to do with the departure of their guests, but she did not ask.

  “I do not like to leave you so soon, but here is something I hope to be able to do to help Miss Bennet.”

  “Then of course you must help,” she said. “I shall not mind losing your company for such a good reason.”

  “It concerns an awkward business. One that might bring disgrace upon her family.

  “That makes it even more important for you to help her.”

  “You do not think I should avoid getting involved?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Lady Catherine would say I should. And the rest of our relatives, except for Richard. He would say that I should help a friend.”

  “I think so as well,” she said. “I like Miss Bennet, and I hope that you can help her. You like her very much, do you not?”

  “Yes, very much indeed.”

  “Enough that you might marry her?” she asked timidly.

  “Would that bother you?”

  “No,” she cried. “Indeed, I would like it very well.”

  “It is what I hope to do, but there is something I must tell you. First, you must prepare yourself for a shock. It is likely that Miss Bennet’s sister will marry Mr. Wickham.”

  She looked startled by the mention of that name and grasped her hands together, but she remained composed, and her concern was mainly for another. “Not the sister whom Mr. Bingley likes so much?” she asked.

  “No, not her. One of the others.”

  “Has she any fortune?”

  “None at all.”

  “You mean it is a love match? That does not sound like Mr. Wickham.”

  “I have no idea what it is, but having run away with her, he must now marry her.”

  Her eyes widened. “I understand,” she said. “It is by no means certain that he will. That is why you must go away.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Then I am strongly in agreement. You should help her. Do not let Mr. Wickham ruin an innocent girl.”

  “She is far more foolish than innocent, but I am determined that he must not ruin her sisters in the process.”

  “No, he must not,” she agreed. “That would be very unfair for them. If he does, however, I hope you will not give up Miss Elizabeth.”

  He smiled. “That is what I was hoping you would say. So we are agreed in standing by a friend regardless of what happens.”

  “Yes. I hope Mr. Bingley is of the same opinion.”

  “He formed it even before I did. At this moment he is packing to go to Hertfordshire.”

  “What about his sisters? Are they going too?”

  “No. They have no liking for the Bennets. I suppose they will stay here for now, but you may give them a hint to be gone if you wish.”

  “I could never do that.”

  “Well, you have my approval if you should change your mind. Do not say anything to them for the moment. I plan to wait for the last moment before letting them know that we are leaving.”

  With this they parted, one steeling herself against giving anything away to Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, and the other hurrying upstairs.

  There, the Gardiners had been talking of Mr. Darcy and their niece as they worked. They were in agreement that her choice to confide in him and his willingness to help were two very interesting things. Apparently, he had figured very prominently in her decision making. Then there was also the fact that he must have confided in her last spring for her to have come away from Kent knowing all about his business with Mr. Wickham.

  “I do believe that he is in love with her,” Mr. Gardiner said.

  “Very much in love,” Mrs. Gardiner agreed. “I wonder if Lizzy realizes it.”

  “I wonder what will come of it. He might have made her an offer, but Lydia’s disgraceful behaviour may well put him off.”

  “And Mr. Bingley as well.” Mrs. Gardiner sighed. “Really, that girl annoys me to no end. She could never think about anybody but herself or attend to the consequences of her action. I am sorry to speak ill of your family –”

  “But Lydia is a disgrace, and my sister has allowed her too much liberty,” her husband finished for her. “You could not say anything I am not already thinking. They ought to have confined her to the house until she learned to behave instead of letting her run free, endangering her sister’s chances of making two excellent matches. Imagine giving up two such sons-in-law to have Mr. Wickham instead. A man who would elope with a girl of only just sixteen.”

  He had plenty more to say about the foolishness of his sister, as well as the value of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. The subject carried him through to the end of their task. Then he carried the cases out to the hall, where he nearly collided with Mr. Darcy.

  “May I come with you?” he asked. “It has occurred to me that Mr. Wickham may be best persuaded if any offer comes directly from me.”

  “You are very welcome,” Mr. Gardiner said. “We shall be happy to have you along.”

  “I will be ready in a few minutes,” he said, already hurrying away.

  As the Gardiners looked at each other in surprise, Mr. Bingley came out of his room with baggage of his own. “Did Miss Elizabeth tell you I am going to Hertfordshire?” he asked.

  “I have not had time,” came her voice from down the hall. She walked up to join them. “Here is my letter, Mr. Bingley, and thank you very much for taking it.”

  “I think all shall be well,” Mr. Gardiner whispered to his wife. In a louder voice, he said, “We are just waiting for Mr. Darcy to be ready, Lizzy. He has decided that it will be best for him to travel with us.”

  “With us?” she gasped. “Are you certain?”

  “Oh, very certain,” Mr. Gardiner said. “I do not think I ever saw a man who knew his mind better.”

  CHAPTER 11

  All the luggage had been taken out to the carriages, and the travellers were grouped in the hall. Neither of Mr. Bingley’s sisters had made any appearance. Mr. Darcy guessed that they had no desire to take leave of Miss Bennet or the Gardiners, which was certainly to his friend’s advantage. Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley, on the other hand, had come out of the morning room to say goodbye.

  “I shall just slip off now,” Mr. Bingley said, once he had taken leave of them. He was gone in an instance.

  “If you would like to go out to the carriage, I shall join you in a moment,” Mr. Darcy said to the others. “I am just going to have a word with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.”

  His sister and her companion walked out with them, leaving him alone for this task, which was to his preference.

  “Have they left?” Miss Bingley asked when he walked into the morning room. “It is such a relief to be back to our own comfortable group,” she added without waiting for his response. “Miss Eliza and her relatives did not properly fit in.”

  “They have not quite left,” he replied, ignoring her other remarks, “but your brother has just set off for Netherfield. He asked me to let you know of this since he was in a great hurry.”

  “He is going to Netherfield!” Miss Bingley cried. “Whatever for?”

  “To propose to Miss Bennet, I am guessing.”

  “He must be stopped at once.”

  “It is too late. He is away, and at a great speed, I have no doubt.”

  “But why did you let him go?”

  “I do not make his choices for him. He was determined to go, and that was that.”

  “But how? Has he taken Mr. Hurst’s carriage?”

  “No, I lent him my curricle.”

  “You did what?”

  He repeated himself nonchalantly. “I lent him my curricle to make the journey.”

  “You assisted him to do something so foolish? I do not understand. We were always in agreement that Charles must not marry Jane Bennet, and that your sister would be a much better wife for him.”

  “I did think that they might be very
compatible,” Mr. Darcy admitted. “It was a match that I would have welcomed, but I had no intention of pressing for it. I certainly would never have encouraged it while knowing that Bingley had such deep feelings for Miss Bennet. That is not the sort of marriage I would want for my sister or my friend.”

  “But Miss Bennet had no real affection for him. We were in agreement on that subject as well.”

  They had been, he thought ruefully. Perhaps he had been too much guided by Miss Bingley. She had always been quick to point out the Bennet family’s faults. Come to think of it, the idea that Miss Bennet showed no signs of any real attachment had originated with her. He recalled that she had frequently pointed this out to him and encouraged him to think the same.

  He had once told Elizabeth Bennet that he did not think himself guilty of only seeing what he wanted to see, but now he feared that he had not only done exactly that, but he had also allowed himself to be influenced by spiteful encouragement. At this moment, he did not feel at all proud of himself.

  “We did her an injustice,” he said. “She really did care for him.”

  “How do you come by that idea?” There was bitterness in her expression and her tone. “I suppose Miss Elizabeth Bennet told you so.”

  “She did, in fact, but I have no reason to doubt her.”

  “I can think of a very good reason. Wanting her sister to marry a wealthy man. She is just like her mother.”

  “She is nothing like her mother,” he said angrily.

  “She is as desperate as any penniless girl. Have you forgotten what Mrs. Bennet said on the night of our ball about throwing her daughters in the way of rich men? You were the one who told me of it, and I recall that you were greatly disgusted at the time. Can you not see that this is exactly what Miss Eliza has been trying to achieve for her sister and herself? Have you failed to comprehend that you are her object?”

  “I am quite certain that I am not.”

  “Of course you are. She has been throwing herself at you, but you are apparently blind to it.”