Page 32 of Pemberley's Imposter
They were led to a shaded balcony to cool down with refreshments whilst the carriage was being unloaded.
Jane accepted the lemonade and the strawberry tart before addressing her most pressing matter. “Mrs Fitzwilliam, where is my sister?”
“And I would like to know where Mr Darcy is hiding,” her husband added good-naturedly. “He is not usually prone to displays of cowardice…”
“I am sorry to inform you that you have missed them. They both expressed their deepest regrets at not being able to welcome you both to Pemberley, but they had pressing matters to attend that could not be delayed.” The colonel paused, looking indecisively at them. “What I relate to you must be held in the utmost secrecy. It could severely damage your youngest sister’s reputation if this should become widely known.”
Mr and Mrs Bingley nodded solemnly, assuring the colonel of their confidentiality.
“A week ago, a report reached Pemberley that Mr Wickham had failed to return to his duties after an assignment. We were not too concerned at the time, but we notified people in the area that if they saw him, they should tell us. Frequent reports from locals who believed they had seen him lurking about were brought to our attention, but he was always a few steps ahead of us…” The colonel let that bit of information hang in the air before he continued.
“Two days ago, Wickham was observed entering a sacred area of the park here at Pemberley, the family mausoleum. Unfortunately, it is common knowledge that the previous master of Pemberley buried his wife without removing her wedding ring. It had a valuable four carat, brilliant-cut diamond. Wickham has accumulated debts of honour in his regiment, and the ring would more than cover his IOUs and set him up nicely for the rest of his life. We could not allow him to escape, and he was captured yesterday and kept under lock and key until we could transport him back to Newcastle, where he will be facing desertion charges. Mrs Darcy was naturally concerned for her sister and wanted to accompany Darcy to secure her well-being, preferably by bringing her home to Pemberley within a reasonable time. It is a hundred and fifty miles to Newcastle. With the condition of the roads in mind, it will take them three days each way. They left sometime yesterday and will not return for at least a week. Unfortunately, we missed Mr Wickham’s capture and Darcy’s departure, so we do not know exactly what time they left.”
“How can you not know when they left?” Charles asked sceptically.
“Mrs Fitzwilliam and I were not here when they departed. We went to Matlock to inspect an estate I inherited many years ago from my grandmother. Our assignment was twofold. We wanted to ascertain whether it was in a condition and of a size to be our future home. In addition, we needed to see whether Wickham was hiding there. The estate and its remote location were known to him. We came back disappointed in both regards. The house is too small to live in, and we found no trace of Mr Wickham. The layers of dust were so thick that I am certain no one has been there for the last decade or so.
“Darcy left me a note in which I was asked to convey their regrets and pardon their abrupt change of plans.”
“Think nothing of it, Colonel, we understand perfectly,” Charles assured him.
“This is grave indeed. I would not want Lydia to be alone at such a time, but I wonder why she has not written to my mother about her difficulties?” Jane wondered aloud.
“With all due respect, Mrs Bingley, she does not know yet. I understand that Wickham disappearing for two or three days has been a recurring event in the Wickham household.”
“Poor Lydia,” Jane sighed.
“Whether you continue your journey or remain at Pemberley is entirely up to you,” the colonel remarked.
“We shall stay and wait for my sister’s return,” Jane hastened to reply before Charles had the chance to say otherwise. “We might be of use to Elizabeth if Lydia accompanies her hither.”
To her relief, Charles nodded his assent to her impromptu decision on their behalf. She did not trust the colonel and wondered at Mr Darcy leaving the traitor in charge of Pemberley while he was absent. She dared not voice any concerns aloud, however. If she angered the colonel, he might choose to evict them, and she was not leaving Pemberley without seeing Lizzy.
Mrs Reynolds appeared on the balcony, announcing their suite of rooms was ready, and the Bingleys retired to refresh themselves.
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Dinner turned out to be an awkward affair. The Bingleys did not know how to act in front of the colonel, who had caused so much heartbreak in their sister’s life, but their respect for MrsFitzwilliam was too great to ask unpleasant questions in her presence. Bingley felt certain he would manage to speak to the colonel in private when the separation of the sexes came after the meal. He was not disappointed, as Mrs Fitzwilliam eagerly led his wife away to the music room.
Bingley eyed his opponent warily as the colonel poured Darcy’s finest brandy into a couple of tumblers. He had not prepared a speech, but in this instant, he wished he had thought it through.
“Out with it, Bingley.”
The colonel must be reading his mind.
“I am aware of the duplicity you performed in the library.”
The colonel barked out a laugh before replying. “It was done in the service of a close relation. I simply sped things up so that Darcy did not fall too deeply under her spell before his awakening.”
“I do not believe you. Darcy has clearly been miserable ever since you turned love into hatred between a couple that had the deepest connection. You destroyed the happiness of an entire family. Darcy and Elizabeth are tied together until death parts them, with a child in their midst. Ellie is forced to grow up with parents who cannot abide each other. I do not understand how you can live with yourself.”
Bingley expected a fierce retort, but the colonel sat deep in thought and unconscious of his presence. He took advantage of the officer’s inattention to remove himself from the room and search for his wife’s much more pleasant company. The colonel neither followed nor appeared to notice.
He found Jane in the music room in a quiet tête-à-tête with Mrs Fitzwilliam. He halted on the threshold to enjoy thepicture of domestic felicity. The latter was worrying her skirts, obviously a trifle nervous, but she had never appeared confident to Bingley. It was one difference between the two serene ladies. One sat quietly, conveying confidence and strength, while the other was cripplingly shy.
Mrs Fitzwilliam leant forwards to address his wife confidentially, but Bingley heard her enquiry.
“Mrs Bingley, may I ask you a private question from one married woman to another?”
