Page 29 of Leave Her Wild
“I will return in a day or two, and we may be on our way to Newcastle.” He bent to kiss Lydia’s upturned cheek. “Three days maximum.”
“Three is not a day or two,” Mary remarked. “Which is it, sir?”
“Three,” Wickham hissed in obvious irritation.
“That would be a Sunday,” Mary continued. “You should not travel on the Sabbath.”
Elizabeth knew pride in Mary’s actions; yet, it was very telling that Jane, who had the most to lose if the Wickhams were permitted at the wedding, had not spoken of the possibility of having her wedding ruined. Had Jane silently wished for a different outcome for that day?
“Monday morning then,” Wickham said in obvious anger. “I am assuming I will be welcomed for one evening at Longbourn.”
Mr. Bennet straightened his stance. “For Mrs. Bennet’s sake, I am willing to extend my welcome to you for Monday evening. You and Mrs. Wickham will depart Tuesday morning, two days before Jane’s wedding to Mr. Darcy.”
“But I wanted to . . .” Lydia began with a pout.
Mr. Bennet overrode his youngest daughter’s protest. “You will depart with your husband Tuesday morning. By law, you presented Mr. Wickham dominion over your life when you married him on a ‘lark.’”
“I hate you!” Lydia declared with a huff, hiding her face and supposed tears in a pillow from the settee upon which she sat.
“I do not much care for myself either at this point in my life, when I should be enjoying my reclining years with grandchildren and bragging rights within my community. Part of this family’s downfall rests fully upon my shoulders, but parts sit upon your selfishness and your mother’s guilt at not producing an heir for the estate. The guilt does not belong to Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, or Kitty, but they will bear the brunt of all our failures.” With that, he turned to walk away, but before he left the room, he called over his shoulder, “I expect to hear the door close behind you in the next five minutes, Mr. Wickham. Otherwise, I shall be forced to return with my favorite gun and escort you out myself. In some ways, I am praying for that particular opportunity to restore a bit of my manhood.”
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After a restless night of sleep, Darcy went out early for a walk in a nearby park where, by happenstance, he encountered Mr. Bingley. “Well met,” he said as he bowed to his friend.
“Good day, Darcy,” Bingley said as he, too, bowed.
“Where have you set as your destination?” Darcy asked. “Might we walk together?”
“The Hursts have come to Town. Caroline is with them.”
Though he did not wish to greet Bingley’s family, Darcy fell in step with his friend. “Did you take the estate in Buckinghamshire?”
Bingley shook off the idea. “There were too many leaks in the roof to suit my peace of mind.”
“Although I did not view Netherfield Park up close, Miss Elizabeth assured me, with the recent passing of its owner, it has only sat empty for two years.”
“Miss Elizabeth?” Bingley asked.
“Yes, she is one of Miss Bennet’s sisters. You likely recall the name. Very knowledgeable about the land and the running of her father’s estate. Told me and Fitzwilliam how several in the neighborhood have formed a ‘coalition’ of sorts, going together to purchase seed and supplies to claim better prices, as well as assisting each other during planting season and the like. Unfortunately, the former owner of Netherfield Park was one of the founding members of the group. You could have several gentlemen with estates and large farms who would support your efforts with the land and the manor house, if you wished to rethink the property. I could write to Mr. Bennet on your behalf if you are interested. I can speak without assistance to the easy accessibility of the roads. You would not be so far from St Albans, as well as Cambridge and Norfolk.”
“When is your marriage to Miss Bennet?” Bingley asked.
“Thursday next.”
“So soon?”
“I require a wife. The lady requires a husband. There is no sense in waiting,” Darcy replied.
“Will you marry in London?” Bingley asked as they paused upon the path.
“No, Miss Bennet’s preference was that the local vicar speak the vows. Neither of us are of the mind for a large wedding party or ceremony. Her immediate family is all. Fitzwilliam will stand with me.”
“The Matlocks will not attend?” Bingley inquired in obvious surprise.
“I chose not to involve the earl or Lady Catherine,” Darcy reported.
“Is this Miss Bennet’s choice? Was she overwhelmed with the idea of marrying into the earldom?”
