Wild Goose Chase

by Sophie Lynbrook

  “I believe I know where you might get some fireworks,” the blacksmith offered.

  “Fireworks! That will be romantic,” Margery cried with delight.

  “I expect this day with be long remembered,” Mr. Seton remarked.

  He went with most of the group to bespeak all the rooms at the inn, another matter on which he had not been truthful to Lady Catherine, and to acquaint the innkeeper with their desire for a grand celebration.

  Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth remained at the forge to continue watching for Mr. Wickham and Lydia, a task which they soon learned was not necessary. Georgiana made her explanation, and after hearing of the evidence, they agreed with the conclusions which she and Mrs. Annesley had drawn.

  “It was the vilest act of deception,” Mr. Darcy said in outrage. “To have caused you such pain. I could throttle her for that. And the Gardiners have been put to so much trouble.”

  “So have you,” Elizabeth observed.

  “I have not thought of our journey as trouble. If anything, it has been an enjoyable adventure.”

  “With new friends.”

  “And a very happy ending.”

  They smiled at each other.

  “So it is a case of all is well that ends well,” Elizabeth said. “Lydia is safe, which is the most important thing. It is a great relief to know that she did not elope. I am so glad you decided to let us know at once,” she said to Georgiana.

  “So am I,” Mr. Darcy said. “Now we need not spend the rest of the day here waiting in vain. That would have spoiled everything, and then I would have had a grievance against Miss Bingley.”

  Georgiana turned pink with the pleasure of knowing that she had saved the day. “I have not yet told you the rest,” she said. “She and the Hursts went to Hertfordshire after Mr. Bingley.”

  “I should have realized they would,” Mr. Darcy said in irritation. “They simply cannot leave things alone. I hope he gets there well before them.”

  “He should,” Mrs. Annesley said. “I had a word with the postilions about delaying them as much as possible. I thought perhaps he would not want to see them too soon.”

  The approval which she received caused a heightening of her colour as well.

  “I also sent a letter to Miss Bennet,” Georgiana said. “We thought that she and the rest of your family would be confused and worried when Mr. Bingley turned up talking of an elopement. It seemed best to set their minds at rest.”

  “That was considerate of you,” Elizabeth said, taking her new sister’s hand. “I am so pleased you thought of it.”

  They sought out the Gardiners and acquainted them with this information, which was received with similar relief. They forbore to make any comment on Mr. Bingley’s sisters except for Mr. Gardiner’s observation that plenty of good had come from the train of events which they had set into motion.

  “It has not been an unpleasant journey,” he said. “Your marriage may be a little awkward to explain to your father, but I hope that he will forgive us our part in it.”

  “It was my fault,” Mr. Darcy said. “I shall take responsibility for explaining.”

  The others were informed that Lydia would not be making an appearance after all.

  “Was she caught on the road?” Margery asked with concern.

  “No, nothing like that,” Elizabeth assured her. “Actually she never eloped. The story was completely made up. It was all just a hoax.”

  “It is a cruel sort of hoax that sends people on a wild goose chase,” George said.

  “But it did send you to our rescue,” Annabelle said.

  “And ours,” Clara added. “I shall always be grateful that you stopped to help.”

  “And now there are more of us to be merry tonight.” Colonel Fitzwilliam received a nod from George for this contribution.

  “Did Miss Bingley have anything to do with this hoax?” he asked his cousin later.

  “Yes. She forged a letter to Miss Bennet. I suppose she wanted to hurry her departure from Pemberley, but I am guessing that she was also hoping Bingley and I would give up the Bennet’s acquaintance. She was very insistence that they were disgraced.”

  “She is the disgrace,” the colonel declared. “I hope you will be giving up her acquaintance.”

  “I shall.”

  It occurred to Mr. Darcy that Miss Bingley was also suffering plenty of punishment at her own hands. It must have horrified her to realize that she had inadvertently driven her brother to do the very thing she had been at pains to prevent. Recalling Mrs. Annesley’s contribution, he hoped that she was also having a very uncomfortable journey.

  She certainly was. Her morning had been spent watching the route markers vigilantly. After finally spotting one which indicated that they had returned to their original route, Miss Bingley settled back to rest her aching head. It did not occur to her to first make sure that they were moving in the right direction.

  At Longbourn, Mr. Bingley and Jane were awaiting the return of another travel. They had informed Mrs. Bennet of their engagement and heard her ecstatic cries of approval. It only needed the consent of Mr. Bennet for them to be perfectly happy, and they anticipated receiving it shortly.

  In the intervening time, they talked of carriages and servants, of taking a house in London for the winter, and of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. On that subject, they were in agreement that nothing would make them happier than a match between his friend and her sister; however, they also agreed regretfully that it was impossible.

  “I do not believe Lizzy is likely to fall in love with him,” Jane said, tactfully avoiding mention of the rejection which her sister had already issued.

  Mr. Bingley had an idea that his friend’s feelings did tend toward love, but he supposed that Mr. Darcy would be held back by the same objections which had been represented to him. “I believe that Darcy’s family has other plans for him,” he said, avoiding an unpleasant subject which was best forgotten since he was determined that his dear Jane must never have cause to think herself inferior.

  In Gretna Green, George was making himself the most popular eloper ever with his declaration that money was no object and everybody in the village was invited to the celebration.

  The party went on well into the night. A massive feast was served in the inn for those who could squeeze in, and the remainder ate outside, a few sitting on benches and the rest on the ground. Afterwards there was dancing on the village green with music provided by some local musicians.

  Once it was dark, the fireworks were set off to gasps and applause from the spectators.

  After the last one had fizzled out, Margery declared, “It has been the best wedding ever.”

  Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth were in agreement that it had been a splendid occasion. “It only needed Jane and Mr. Bingley to make it perfect,” she said, “but we can look forward to their company at a second celebration. Of course, that will be a much quieter affair.”

  “After all of this, it had better be a very proper wedding,” he agreed, “but I think it a pity there will not be fireworks.”

  She smiled. “That would scandalize the neighbours, and the noise would not be good for Mama’s nerves. But perhaps we might go to see a display in London some time.”

  “We shall,” he promised. “With Jane and Bingley.”

  Although that couple had missed out on a splendid party, their evening had been a pleasant one spent in each other’s company. First, however, they had suffered another shock by learning, on Mr. Bennet’s return, that Lydia really had tried to elope. Jane was mortified but she found some consolation in her father’s comment that the situation could have been much worse.

  “I do not know who informed Lizzy or how they managed to foretell this event,” he said, “but we owe somebody our gratitude.”

  “That would be my sister,” Mr. Bingley said, “but it is not gratitude that you owe her.”

  He explained the truth of the letter, but considering that Miss Bingley had inadvertently saved them from
a disgrace, Mr. Bennet was not overly perturbed.

  He was more interested to hear of their engagement. In asking for consent, Mr. Bingley declared that he felt himself unworthy after what his sisters had done, but Mr. Bennet waved away his concerns.

  “I cannot feel any better about Lydia,” he said. “We both have our troubles to bear, but you shall be very welcome in the family.”

  Lydia had been furious to hear of Jane’s engagement. “I wanted to be the first to get married,” she complained to Kitty. “I would have been if Papa had not taken it into his head to go to Brighton.”

  Overhearing Kitty’s sympathetic response, Mr. Bennet was determined not to let either of them go anywhere in the future. Not even to the next assembly,” he said firmly, and he meant it.

  Miss Bingley was still having trouble getting anywhere. At the end of her day, she had found herself needing to explain that she was travelling from Derbyshire to Hertfordshire, and not the other way around.

  Once again, the postilions claimed innocence. “It is just what we were told,” they proclaimed. “The mistake was made by somebody else.

  “We might tell the next lot to go a bit easier on her,” one said after she stormed off in a temper. “From what we’ve been told, they’ve already been very well delayed.”

  She went to bed still in a foul mood. It was appalling what travel was coming to these days. In addition to the incredible stupidity, there was a dreadful lack of respect to be encountered everywhere she went.

  She thought wistfully of her elusive marital aspirations. Mrs. Darcy would command the respect which had been absent on this journey. And Mr. Darcy would ensure that his wife ended up where she wanted to be.

  Mr. Darcy’s wife was exactly where she wanted to be, which was by her husband’s side.

  “I am sorry that I was not romantic this morning,” he said as they walked to the home of Mr. Seton’s aunt, where they were being put up for the night.

  “I am not. It means more to me that you wanted us to be married even without knowing what had come of Lydia and Mr. Wickham. You were not held back by anything, which proves the strength of your commitment. That is a great deal more than romance.”

  CHAPTER 26

  Mr. Seton was attended to church by all his newest friends, who were afterwards invited to the wedding breakfast as well. His bride and both their families had formed a liking for these unexpected guests, so they were all sorry to part when the group set out on their return journey.

  They continued to travel together by choice, although Clara and her husband were tied to George and Margery. Their new benefactors had insisted on conveying them all the way to London in addition to setting them up in a new home. Edward still blushed at any mention of the largesse which was to come their way, but he was pleased for his wife’s sake, and she was for his.

  “Their embarrassment on the subject speaks to their good character,” Mr. Darcy said to Elizabeth. “I think they will be worthy objects of this generosity.”

  “And Margery so much enjoys acting in the capacity of a mother, “she added. “It was a good thing all round that we brought them together.”

  They stopped in Penrith that evening. As they were dining, Elizabeth mentioned that she and the Gardiners had originally meant to explore the lakes on their holiday.

  “That is an excellent idea,” George said. “I think we should all take a few days to explore the area.”

  “It is a very romantic place,” Margery cried. “Perfect for a wedding journey,”

  It will be a rather well populated one, Mr. Darcy thought, but he did not dislike the idea. As long as it suited his wife. He looked at Elizabeth and instantly detected her enthusiasm for the plan in her sparkling eyes and wide smile.

  “I am not averse to a little holiday,” he said. “It will be a pleasant diversion after the activity of the past few days.”

  “I believe we can spare a little more time,” Mr. Gardiner contributed with his wife nodding in agreement.

  Edward thought it was just what Clara needed to compensate for the trials she had endured, and Mr. Davenport expressed the same opinion about Annabelle. The two ladies agreed with Margery about the romantic nature of the proposed destination.

  “I am in no hurry to return home with Lady Catherine staying there, “Colonel Fitzwilliam said.

  “It is only a very short distance from there to Pemberley,” Georgiana observed.

  “A few days by the lakes will be lovely,” Mrs. Annesley said.

  It was indeed lovely, and well enjoyed by all. The leisurely pace was much appreciated after a frenzied one, and the sights were spectacular.

  As she stood looking upon a view on their last morning, Elizabeth recalled that she had once thought men nothing in comparison to rocks and mountains. When the latter were as spectacular as she had anticipated, she had a fresh appreciation for the former. One in particular. She looked fondly at the source of her recent happiness.

  They returned to busier roads with friendships deepened, and plans were made to get together in the future. Mr. Davenport was particularly invited to bring his uncle to dinner, and George was keen to see Mr. Gardiner’s warehouses.

  For now, they parted company, and the Darcys and their relatives returned to Pemberley. After resting a day there, they and the Gardiners set out for Longbourn, on which journey they passed Miss Bingley and the Hursts on their way to Yorkshire.

  Those weary travellers had eventually made it to Netherfield, but their stay was a brief one. Mr. Bingley scolded his sisters for their despicable behaviour, informed them of his engagement, and declared that they were not welcome in his home.

  Mr. Darcy received a warmer welcome when he appeared at Longbourn. There was no mistaking that gleam in Mrs. Bennet’s eye, however.

  “Everybody knows that you went to Gretna Green,” she said to his surprise.

  “It was the Gouldings,” Jane explained. “They were returning from their holiday, and they passed you on the road. We have told people that you were also on holiday and not eloping, but that has not stopped the gossip.”

  “You will have to marry Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet said firmly to Mr. Darcy.

  “Oh, I intend to,” he said to her satisfaction. “That has already been decided between us.”

  “In fact,” he said afterwards in privacy to Mr. Bennet, “we are already married. It was not what either one of us intended, but there was some confusion, and the blacksmith married us while my aunt was protesting the marriage.”

  Mr. Bennet looked confused by this explanation, but he was willing to accept that his most sensible daughter and his proud son-in-law had not eloped. He was more concerned that this mistake had thrown Lizzy into the most disagreeable marriage that could have been thrust upon her. Once he comprehended that this was far from her opinion, there was really nothing else to worry about.

  Jane and Mr. Bingley were also privy to the entire story, which they found a little shocking, but they saw the amusement in it as well. The tale of new friends and an account of the fireworks settled Mr. Bingley’s concerns that his sisters had put his friend to great inconvenience. He apologized, but Mr. Darcy did not attach any blame to him. He was also in agreement that his sister’s had forfeited any claim to future friendship with the Darcys.

  A few days later, Mr. Bennet found it easy to counter the Goulding’s story. “Why yes, Lizzy and Mr. Darcy did go to Gretna Green,” he said to the first person who mentioned it to him, “but they were visiting a friend who happens to live there, not eloping. This is a very amusing misconception, however.” He laughed and then said, “Can you really imagine Mr. Darcy eloping?”

  Everybody who was eagerly listening had to agree that they could not.

  The church wedding was planned for an early date, but that too was easily explained by their desire to take a wedding journey while the weather was still fine. Jane and Mr. Bingley decided to do the same, and as they had obviously been nowhere near Gretna Green, their participation in this eve
nt helped to put any lingering suspicion to rest.

  Lady Catherine did not fare so well with the rumours concerning her. As she was in Kent when they began to circulate, there was nothing to counteract the story that she had acquired a husband so young as to make it necessary for them to elope. This was repeated many times throughout the winter, and she was the subject of many jokes about the infatuations of older women.

  When she eventually made an appearance in town there was a great deal of laughter in her presence, for which she could not account. Eventually it was accepted that she had no husband, but then the great joke was that he had cried off at the last minute, not even tempted by her fortune.

  Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s second wedding was very much like any wedding might be.

  “After all,” he said to her beforehand, “we did not exactly say the proper words last time.”

  “Nor did we have the slightest idea what was going on.”

  This time they had the satisfaction of fully declaring their vows, and the pleasure of doing so beside Jane and Mr. Bingley.

  The couples took separate wedding journeys. On theirs, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy went south. All the way to Cornwall.

  “We have been to one end of the country,” he said. “We might as well explore the other. At a nice leisurely pace.”

  “I think it a great luxury to have two wedding journeys,” she said.

  “The first was more of a holiday with friends. This time we shall be alone. As much I like our new friends, I am looking forward to having my wife’s company all to myself.”

  “You never know when we might meet with somebody in need of assistance,” she teased him. “Or have an opportunity to make new friends.

  “I will not ignore anybody in a state of distress, but in all other instances, I intend to be completely aloof,” he said.

  “I shall be traveling with fusty Mr. Darcy, shall I?”

  He grinned. “No. You will be traveling with your adoring husband.”

  They did not come across anybody in distress or needing assistance of any sort. Their time was pleasantly spent enjoying the sights and each other’s company. Nor was Mr. Darcy aloof. From time to time he chatted with other travelers, and they all found him to be quite charming. After these encounters, he and Elizabeth were invariably pronounced to be a very well-matched couple and obviously very much in love.