Page 44 of Leave Her Wild
Chapter Seventeen
The news of Mr. Darcy’s recovery spread quickly through the house and even the neighborhood. Mary had dutifully sent messages to the Gardiners, to her parents, and to Mr. Ericks to announce during Sunday’s services.
Her father had written to say that Lydia had returned to Longbourn, in further disgrace, and Mr. Bennet had sent Kitty to stay with the Gardiners for the time being. He had agreed with Mary’s assessment of the situation regarding Mr. Darcy and Jane and Elizabeth.
“You are quite correct, Mary,” he had written, “Jane’s temperament would drive a man of Mr. Darcy’s nature to Bedlam, while Elizabeth would keep him grounded and soften all his hard edges. The news you noted of Jane kissing Mr. Bingley will please your mother, though I shan’t share your secret quite yet, for, you see, I will know of Netherfield Park being let at last before my dear wife. It will frustrate her to be second again. You are to play matchmaker, my girl, and direct your sisters to the correct gentlemen. Do not forget to call on Kitty, for your sister will wish her share of the gossip, and your Uncle Gardiner is too closed mouth for either his wife or your sister to know any pleasure in that manner. I am proud of you, Mary,” he had added at the end, along with a bit of encouragement, “You must be our family’s will-o’-the-wisp.”
Later, when her sisters gathered for the midday meal, Mary informed them of Lydia’s return to Longbourn. “The military removed her from the junior officers’ quarters. According to Papa, they supposedly had to carry her out onto the street.”
Elizabeth said, “I may never return to Longbourn. Mama will always defend Lydia, and I do not believe I might stand by silently and permit it. Do we know what will happen with Mr. Wickham?”
“When he was here yesterday, Lord Lindale said something about how his father, the earl, meant to influence the case,” Mary shared.
“How do you learn so much?” Elizabeth asked with a squeeze of the back of Mary’s hand in mutual affection. Always, it had been Jane who was Elizabeth’s confidante, but Mary had proven herself a more valuable companion of late.
As was typical for Mary, she shrugged. “When one is common looking, people forget another is near to overhear conversations. They tend to talk before me without noticing that my countenance may be plain, but my intelligence is still quick.”
“I shan't hear such nonsense again, Mary Bennet,” Elizabeth ordered. “You are beautiful in every way.”
“I am not, but I love that you say so.” Mary waited until Mr. Thacker stepped politely into the servants’ passage before saying, “You two must settle this business with Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth thought to argue but held her objections when Jane said, “I agree with Mary.”
Elizabeth looked to her eldest sister. “You have promised to marry Mr. Darcy.”
“Yet, it is you who loves him,” Jane countered. “Mr. Darcy intimidates me. I feel quite inadequate around him, but you stand with him toe-to-toe. I much prefer Mr. Bingley. Charles has agreed to take Netherfield Park. I can remain in Hertfordshire and oversee our mother and father. I understand Pemberley has magnificent views and more than a few real mountains to climb.”
Elizabeth ignored the last part of her sister’s speech. Instead, she argued, “You would be required to deal with Lydia, for you know our mother will not keep her in order.”
“But she cannot stay there if Mr. Wickham is brought before a magistrate for attempted murder. Mr. Bingley and a few others witnessed Mr. Wickham’s attack,” Jane argued.
“Mr. Darcy cannot marry either of us,” Elizabeth argued as tears rushed to her eyes. “He lives. We have paid our debts to him. Could we not all return home? I miss Hertfordshire and Papa.”
“I must speak to Mr. Darcy first,” Jane stated firmly. “I must break our engagement. Make my refusal official.”
Elizabeth could stand no more of this talk of never seeing Mr. Darcy again; therefore, she stood suddenly. “I shall pack my few belongings and be prepared when you are, Jane.”
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Darcy called, “Come!” when the knock arrived at his door. He had hoped it would be Miss Elizabeth, but he supposed Miss Jane Bennet was also someone with whom he should speak.
“I am happy to see you upright,” his betrothed said with a hint of a smile upon her lips. He supposed such was the woman’s way of handling what needed to be addressed.
Darcy brushed a bit of lint from his sleeve. “Mr. Sheffield is well worth what I pay him.” He straightened the line of his black satin dressing gown. “Yet, I am told even with a lack of color in my cheeks, I am a most welcomed sight.”
“Sounds like Miss Darcy’s worry has lessened,” Miss Bennet said.
“My sister says you were very good about explaining what to expect with my recovery,” Darcy responded.
“I simply told Miss Darcy that Elizabeth would not rest until you were on the mend,” Miss Bennet replied.
“Your sister is quite remarkable,” Darcy stated.
“Much more remarkable than am I,” Miss Bennet said with a small smile, the first genuine one Darcy had viewed upon her lips. “I came today to offer you my apologies,” the lady continued, and Darcy waited patiently for her to say the necessary words. “Actually, my family’s apologies. You are to be saddled with more than one scandal regarding Mr. Wickham.”
Darcy knew he frowned, but he could not hide his displeasure of everything involving Mr. Wickham. Moreover, he wondered if Miss Bennet was telling him she meant to hold him to his promise?
“I am equally grieved regarding the shame it will bring you,” he said dutifully. With a deep sigh of resignation, he suggested, “We may marry and retreat to Derbyshire as quickly as Mr. Rheem presents me with permission to travel.”
