Page 34 of Leave Her Wild
>>
“What does Mr. Bennet write?” the colonel asked.
Darcy was still studying the last few lines of the message which spoke of Miss Elizabeth’s possible absence, which had him again regretting his choice to marry Miss Jane Bennet. “Though Mr. Wickham is supposed to return to Hertfordshire on Monday afternoon and depart on Tuesday morning, Mr. Bennet expects Mr. Wickham’s return will not occur until Tuesday morning, because, like you and I, the man knows Mr. Wickham’s promise to return on Monday is written with invisible ink.
“If Mr. Wickham does return, they will set off for London Tuesday afternoon and stay in London at a hotel or with the Gardiners. This decision was made with the assumption that the ceremony could take place at St George of Hanover on Thursday and to prevent the Wickhams from staying close and showing themselves at Mr. Williamson’s church in Meryton. Such would be typical for Wickham.”
“At least Mr. Bennet is acting with concern for your animosity against Wickham, but what if Wickham does not return on Tuesday morning, as he has promised. We both know the dastard always places himself above all others.”
“Miss Elizabeth has agreed to remain at Longbourn with Mrs. Wickham, while the others come to London,” Darcy said while attempting to disguise how deeply this news affected him.
“I had hoped,” Fitzwilliam said, “that Georgiana could develop a relationship with Miss Elizabeth. Your sister still is frightened by the shadows of the past. She could learn a great deal from Miss Elizabeth Bennet, skills that would do our girl well in the future. The world is changing with every blink of our eyes. It is becoming smaller—more compact—and the lines between classes are blurred. Your sister’s success in marriageand life depend upon eliminating her timidness, or, at a minimum, bolstering her confidence in some situations.”
“And we both know Georgiana is not likely to learn those qualities at Miss Bennet’s hands,” Darcy admitted aloud what his heart repeated daily. He scrubbed his face with his dry hands. “Do you know the only time Miss Bennet smiled genuinely on our outings was the day we encountered Charles Bingley in the park. On that first evening of our acquaintance, she and Bingley had talked extensively about his taking Netherfield Park.”
“His taking the estate would have been a good choice if Bingley wished to have a group supporting his success as a landowner. I told you how impressed I was by all Miss Elizabeth and her father had shared,” Fitzwilliam reminded him.
“Mr. Bingley favors Miss Bennet, and I believe he holds similar sentiments,” Darcy admitted aloud what his conscience already knew. “The lady only showed me a bit of affection after Mr. Bingley told us he would not consider Netherfield Park. I was her second choice.”
“Such does not mean Miss Bennet cannot come to admire and love you,” Fitzwilliam argued.
“No. Affection is not possible. She is my ‘make the best of the situation’ choice, and, likewise, I am hers. Her heart was set on one of my best friends. I will lose Bingley as a steady companion, and I must set my mind on begetting an heir on a woman who, despite her fine countenance, does not stir my soul.”
“What are you to do, Darcy?” his cousin asked in concern.
“Duty,” Darcy said as he stood. “Duty to my father’s legacy. Duty to Georgiana, my future wife, and my children. Duty to all but myself.” He sucked in a deep breath to steady his regard. “Please pardon me. I should speak to Mr. Thacker and my housekeeper. Georgiana and I should host the Bennets andthe Gardiners on Wednesday evening for supper and again on Thursday for a wedding breakfast, as well as I must call at St George to learn if the rector can accommodate my marriage to Miss Bennet on this upcoming Thursday morning.”
>>
Elizabeth had followed her sisters up the stairs to Mary’s quarters, though she was not happy to deliver her news. “Oh, Elizabeth,” Mary said, when Elizabeth entered the room. “I thought you were with Papa. We would have asked you to join us. Kitty means to assist me in sorting out all my ribbons and lace.” The family had returned from Sunday services with Lydia in tow and pouting at not being permitted any freedom to converse with others in the neighborhood.
“I was with Papa,” she said, as she closed the door behind her. “Mr. Bennet wished me to speak to you.”
“Have we executed something to displease him?” Kitty asked in concern.
“Nothing of the sort,” Elizabeth assured. “Both Mr. Bennet and I fear Mr. Wickham will not return for Lydia on Monday, as he has promised. Therefore, alternate plans have been made.”
“I do not understand,” Kitty admitted.
“I am not confident I do either,” Elizabeth assured with a smile. “If all goes well, Mr. Wickham will return for Lydia late Monday or early Tuesday. If so, you and I and Mama and Papa, along with Jane, will travel to London Tuesday afternoon. Uncle Philips has offered his coach for this venture, so we will not all be crammed into Papa’s. Papa has let a suite of rooms near Uncle Gardiner’s house. After a series of express correspondence between Papa and Mr. Darcy, the gentleman has made arrangements at St George of Hanover for the ceremony.”
“Married in London?” Kitty asked in amazement. “How grand!”
Elizabeth did not agree with her sister’s enthusiasm, but she did not voice her complaints.
“You two must set aside clothes in which to travel to London, clothes to wear during the day on Wednesday and for supper at Darcy House that same day, as well as what you will wear for the wedding. You must do so without Lydia’s or Mama’s or Jane’s knowledge. Jane will already be preparing her trousseau, and Mrs. Hill will arrange for Mama’s trunks.”
Mary’s frown lines deepened. “I understand the necessity of keeping our actions secret from Lydia and Mama and to a certain extent from Jane, however, what happens if Mr. Wickham does not return on Tuesday morning?”
“Then the rest of you will leave for London, and I shall become Lydia’s ‘governess’ and ‘companion’ for several days or until your return on Thursday,” she explained.
“I can stay with Lydia,” both of her sisters chorused. “I do not mind,” Mary continued.
Elizabeth shook off the idea. “Both Lydia and Mr. Wickham half fear me. They shall not dare to cross my orders.”
“But you should be in London to say your farewells to Mr. Darcy and to Jane,” Mary insisted.
“Shush,” Elizabeth warned, while Kitty said, “I do not understand.”
