Pride, Prejudice & Secrets (20 page)

“She did become rather animated,” said Darcy, smiling again. “It has been an exciting week for her.”

“For now, Miss Bennet,” Fitzwilliam said, “since Darcy tells me he wants to take your sister for a walk in the country, perhaps we might venture a more sedate stroll through your family’s gardens?”

“Yes, we might, sir,” Jane said cheerfully. “Lizzy is much more energetic than I. Let me get my things from upstairs.”

But, before she could depart, the front door was thrown open, and a sudden, raucous commotion in the entry announced the return of her sisters. Elizabeth looked at Jane in surprise. “Surely, they could not be returned from Meryton already.”

“No, they could not even have arrived,” Jane said in agreement.

But the fact that her sisters had indeed returned was confirmed by the shrill voice of Lydia calling loudly from the hall, “Lizzy! Jane! Where are you?”

The two sisters both looked chagrined at the ill manners of their sister, and Darcy’s face went expressionless while Fitzwilliam only looked a little amused at their reaction.

“We are in the parlour, Lydia,” Jane said.

“And please do not shout inside the house,” said Elizabeth. “You know it is quite impolite.”

If their words were even heard, it made no difference, as Lydia ran into the room. “You will never guess what we learned at Lucas Lodge, Lizzy! Oh, it is almost more than I can believe!”

“It
is
more than I can believe.” Kitty entered the room behind her and spoke in a tone slightly more elevated than her sister and also more peevish.

“I am sure I cannot guess your news,” Elizabeth said, “but I already predict the rest of us cannot hear too little of it. Now, please excuse us; Mr. Darcy and I are going for a walk…”

“Oh, you and your walks!” Lydia said dismissively. “And then you lecture us on propriety!”

“Lower your voice, Lydia,” Jane said firmly.

“You will not want to leave until you hear what we learned, Lizzy! It is about Mr. Wickham! He was once a favourite of yours, you know.”

Elizabeth turned bright red and looked anxiously at Darcy, who now wore the frozen-faced expression mostly absent since Hunsford.

“Lydia, Mr. Wickham was never Lizzy’s favourite,” Jane said mildly. “He was simply an easy gentleman to speak with.”

Lydia gave a most unladylike hoot of derisive laughter. “Oh, as if I believe that!” She seemed completely oblivious of the fact that Darcy sat at her very elbow as she went on with her tale. “But all of that is of no importance! We stopped by Lucas Lodge to see Maria Lucas, and she told us: Wickham has eloped, Lizzy! Eloped with Mary King!”

“What?” Elizabeth said sharply. She glanced at Darcy, whose frozen expression wore a look of astonishment as great as her own.

“How do you know this tale is true, Lydia?” Jane asked, her face stern. “You know what Papa told you about passing on gossip.”

“Actually, what Lydia says appears to be true and not gossip,” Mary said soberly, having silently entered the room. “Lady Lucas confirmed what Maria told us. She is acquainted with Miss King’s aunt, who told her that she found a note her niece left behind. Miss King wrote that she had grown tired of waiting for her uncle’s consent and was going off to Gretna Green with Mr. Wickham.”

“See, Jane?” Lydia said.

“And there is even more!” Kitty said. “Mary King’s uncle arrived while Lady Lucas was present, and it seems he does not approve of his niece’s engagement.”

“In fact,” Lydia said, “he was so angry, he let slip the information that he had come to take Mary King and her aunt to live with him in Liverpool! Miss King was to stay there and not return!”

“But he arrived to find his niece vanished!” Kitty said in her turn, clapping her hands in glee, much to Elizabeth’s distaste. “Lady Lucas said he was livid with rage, as much at Mary King as with Mr. Wickham!”

“And he set off immediately in his chaise, vowing to chase them down and fight Mr. Wickham! Lady Lucas said everyone in Meryton was talking about it — the whole town is in an uproar!”

“Maria said Colonel Forster was also enraged and was cursing Wickham and vowing to have him arrested when he returns —
if
he returns!”

“Lady Lucas believes Mr. Wickham likely will not return,” Mary said. “With his wife’s fortune, he will have little need for his commission.”

“Why should he not return?” Kitty asked. “He has done nothing really so bad, after all.”

“That is not the accepted view of elopement, Miss Katherine,” Darcy said mildly.

“It is no matter,” Lydia said dismissively. “Even though it makes a wonderful story, I simply cannot understand why Mr. Wickham would elope with Mary King.”

“Because of her fortune, silly,” Kitty said. “I heard she inherited ten thousand pounds from father.”

“Nothing other than money could have persuaded Wickham to marry her,” Lydia said with a sniff of disdain.

“I think you are not being fair, Lydia. It seems more likely they are motivated by their love for each other,” Jane said. “Otherwise, why would they risk the anger of their families by eloping?”

“Wickham’s parents are dead, and he has no brothers or sisters,” Darcy said abstractly. “In fact, I do not believe he has any family left alive.”

“How could there be any attachment on Wickham’s part?” Lydia said, responding to Jane and ignoring Darcy. “Her only attraction is her fortune. I am sure Wickham does not care three straws about her otherwise — after all, who could care about such a nasty, little, freckled thing?”

“Lydia!” Jane was unable to believe that even her foolish youngest sister could make such an uncharitable and improper statement in front of guests.

But Elizabeth, whose shock at Lydia’s vulgarity matched that of Jane, had another source of mortification.

I could congratulate myself on not saying anything as coarse,
she thought in discomfort.
But I remember excusing Wickham’s willingness to marry a girl less pretty than I am by saying, “even handsome young men must have something to live on.” Am I really any better than my vulgar sister?

She had no answer to that thought, and she silently nodded when Darcy pointed toward the front door. Jane saw her sister stand and instantly decided to follow her lead. Both sisters were desirous of separating their men from those in their family who could not help but offend, and Darcy and Elizabeth were soon walking down the Longbourn drive while Jane and Captain Fitzwilliam headed toward the garden.

Darcy had much to think on as he walked silently beside Elizabeth. He had indeed been disgusted by the impropriety of the younger sisters, but he had known their nature when he proposed to Elizabeth and had decided not to allow the unseemly behaviour of her relatives to disturb him. He was more disgusted by the behaviour of his childhood companion and its eerie similarity to Georgiana’s thwarted elopement.

I hoped to be rid of him, and now he has worked his wiles on another gullible young lady,
he thought morosely.
I wish sometimes that I had not dissuaded Richard from challenging Wickham, but I thought the risk of bringing the whole affair to public attention was too great. The scandal sheets would love to publish something unsavoury about our family, and I cannot chance that by denouncing the scoundrel’s misdeeds publicly, which Wickham knows. Blast the man!

Both Darcy and Elizabeth walked in silence for a considerable time, for they both were plagued by unsettling thoughts.

Chapter
12

“Indecision and delays are the parents of failure.”

— George Canning, British statesman and politician

Sunday, April 19, 1812: Hertfordshire

The next day being Sunday, Darcy planned to walk with Elizabeth to church from Longbourn and ordered his coach prepared. But he had forgotten to mention his plan to Fitzwilliam, so he was a bit surprised to find George already waiting for him when he came downstairs. Darcy only looked at him wordlessly and shrugged. Mr. Bennet may not have given his decision, but George clearly planned to accompany him.

Life in Hertfordshire is certainly more interesting on this visit than on my previous one,
he thought sardonically as he and George boarded his coach.
Do I dare wonder what might happen next?

He had only to wait until the coach reached Longbourn for an answer to his question. Elizabeth already waited for him at the front door, and he knew she did so for his benefit to shield him from her mother and younger sisters. But he had not expected to see her elder sister at her side, similarly attired and obviously intending to accompany them. He gave George a quick glance, and his cousin’s slight smile made it plain that he and Jane must have planned the assignation.

As Darcy greeted Elizabeth, he could clearly see Mr. Bennet looking out from his library in clear disapproval, and the elder man was even less pleased when Captain Fitzwilliam offered his arm and Jane accepted it with a smile before they began to leisurely stroll toward the chapel. He heard Elizabeth giggle beside him and looked down to see that she was aware of everything he had witnessed.

“Poor Papa,” she said, and he detected a measure of melancholy mixed with her amusement. “So many things are happening so quickly, and he only now is realizing how little he can still control. Jane is proving most unexpectedly headstrong in the matter of your cousin.”

“I was rather surprised to find George waiting for me this morning,” Darcy said.

“As was I to find Jane at the window when I came downstairs.”

“What next?” Darcy said wryly. “I suppose we ought to overtake them. They are not, at least of yet, officially engaged and thus should be chaperoned.”

“That would probably be best.” Looking back at Longbourn, Elizabeth repeated softly, “Poor Papa.”

Thomas Bennet did not know of Elizabeth’s words, but he certainly felt everything his favourite daughter described as he tried to hurry the rest of his family to chapel. He closed his eyes in pain as he entered and saw the two couples already seated on the public benches: Darcy beside Elizabeth and Captain Fitzwilliam beside Jane.

It matters little what I tell this captain,
he thought mournfully.
It is now evident that Jane has made her decision; this match is as good as formalized, no matter what I might wish.

It was equally clear that he could only make matters worse by trying to forbid the fellow from seeing Jane. Unbelievable as it would have been a few days previous, he was inwardly certain his once-amenable Jane would defy him if he tried anything so rash. She was of age and did not need his approval to marry.

Why could it not have been Bingley?
he grieved, sitting with his family in their pew several rows in front of the two couples.
Him I could understand — so easy and agreeable! This fellow is nothing of the sort; he is bluff, direct, and decisive, used to commanding men and dealing with situations completely unfamiliar to me. Why would Jane be attracted to such a compelling man?

He had the further thought that Jane was proving somewhat compelling herself, and he pondered that thought during the service and after the return to Longbourn.

Mr. Bennet sighed as he saw the two tall gentleman turn into the drive with his daughters on their arms. The quartet had stayed behind to speak with Reverend Thompson, who was quite interested to meet Elizabeth’s intended.

I wonder whether he knew he was also meeting Jane’s?
he pondered sourly, but it was an idle thought and a useless one, for events were already beyond his command.

He was honest enough with himself to admit that his acerbic disposition did not derive from any distaste for this Captain Fitzwilliam. Any antipathy for the man had been dissipated by his discussion with Elizabeth as well as his more sober consideration. In fact, from the point of view of his neighbours, this new match, taken in conjunction with Lizzy’s upcoming marriage, would be regarded as the most marvellous good fortune for his family.

It is just that everything is happening so quickly!
he bemoaned.
I have not even recovered from the sudden appearance of Darcy in my library. Now I have to prepare for the loss of Jane with as little warning. To quote that esteemed philosopher, Mrs. Thomas Bennet, it is most vexing!

At the sound of a firm rap on his door, he bade his visitors enter, and soon both Darcy and his cousin were seated before his desk. Neither expressed any interest in refreshment, and Mr. Bennet sighed to himself and settled down to affairs.

“I have been considering your request, Captain,” he said, and the stolid officer inclined his head without comment. “I have also discussed the matter with my eldest daughter and reviewed the document you prepared. Consequently, I have decided to give my permission for you to court my daughter in accord with the usual conventions.”

“Thank you, sir,” Fitzwilliam said with such imperturbable calm that Mr. Bennet wondered whether his confidence was really arrogance, deriving from the impossibility of a mere country landowner refusing consent to his application?

But it really does not matter, does it?
he thought.
Not with Jane showing her preference so clearly. And now events will take on a momentum of their own just as Lizzy predicted.

“Well then, I believe I should inform those concerned of my decision,” he said, starting to stand, only to be halted by Captain Fitzwilliam’s upraised hand.

“Please pardon me, sir,” he said politely, “but there was one statement I wished to make yesterday and did not do so. Since you have consented to my application, it may not be strictly necessary, but I believe it incumbent on my honour to do so. Your daughter and I will undoubtedly be growing better acquainted in the immediate future, but I can already assure you of my deep respect for her. She is a young lady of quite unique sense and judgment, and one of whom you, her father, may be proud. I vow to you on all I hold sacred that I will always accord her the respect that is her due and treat her with the utmost kindness and consideration.”

Mr. Bennet looked at the other man in silence for a moment, considering his words.
If that statement was reduced to paper,
he thought,
it would be regarded as exemplifying the height of pomposity and pretension. But, hearing him actually say it with a conviction I cannot doubt is quite another thing. It is time to put aside all doubts; this gentleman will be my son-in-law. I have not a single doubt that he and Jane will marry, and I can no longer afford any misgivings. This man is not complicated like Darcy; he is as straightforward and direct as a projectile from one of his cannons, and he is as incapable of deception as I am incapable of taking my neighbours seriously.

So, it was with an expression of unusual sincerity that he said, “I never doubted it, Captain. Not for an instant. Now, shall we go to the ladies?”

Darcy had watched the entire conversation without a word, and his expression was as cool as ever. He was glad for his cousin’s success and wondered whether Elizabeth’s intervention had been necessary, but it hardly mattered now since the desired result was accomplished. As he accompanied the other men into the parlour, Elizabeth looked up at him with her usual smile, but her sister’s look was not as clear. The glance she gave George was one he could not decipher, but he thought he saw a measure of concern when she looked at her father.

Aside from his two elder daughters, no one paid any attention to Mr. Bennet until he cleared his voice loudly. When he had everyone’s attention, he said, “Mrs. Bennet, Jane, I have an announcement to make.”

That caused a stir, but he still waited until everyone in the room — not just the two he addressed — ceased their conversation and put down their work. Finally, he said, “Yesterday, Mr. Darcy’s cousin, Captain Fitzwilliam, came to see me on an errand of the heart.”

Mrs. Bennet’s face wore a look of triumph, and though she opened her mouth to say something, she desisted as Darcy paused beside her. Darcy instilled such awe in her that she could not yet force herself to express herself as she usually did, so she said nothing as her husband continued. “I asked Captain Fitzwilliam to return today, and I am pleased to inform you, especially you, Jane, that I have acquiesced to his request and he has my permission to court you.”

Jane wore a look of relief mingled with anticipation as she looked up at her now acknowledged suitor. And while Elizabeth’s smile was wide and happy, her sisters showed little interest. Mary showed only detached abstraction while the two younger girls displayed disinterest. In Kitty’s case, this was due to her conclusion that blue in a coat was in no way as interesting as scarlet. Darcy could not interpret Lydia’s feelings because he did not know her. Elizabeth had little difficulty penetrating to the source of her sister’s pique. More than once, Lydia had said she wished to be the first Bennet sister married. Now she was to be thwarted not merely once but twice.

“Mrs. Bennet,” her husband said sternly, “I place in your hands the necessity to make sure the usual forms are followed. I charge you with this duty and remind you not to fail in this task. I hope we are clearly understood, madam.”

His wife was quite aware of his meaning; the couple was to be strictly chaperoned in the standard manner, and her husband expected her to perform her duty. But she was not at all pleased to be so publicly instructed. Usually, her husband was not inclined toward personal involvement, but the expression on his face was one she could not disregard. When he did bother to exert himself, she knew better than to ignore him. On those infrequent times, she was actually a little intimidated by him, and his expression at the moment was remarkably stern. She realized she had no choice this time and quickly assured him of her understanding and compliance.

Having achieved his object, Mr. Bennet relaxed, and his face assumed its usual look of detached and amused observation. He shook hands with both Captain Fitzwilliam and Darcy. “I think it is now time for luncheon. Will you see to it, Mrs. Bennet, and inform me when it is ready?”

As he turned to leave, Mr. Bennet felt relief wash through him; he had done all that duty demanded and could now return to his books. Captain Fitzwilliam went immediately to sit by Jane, who gave him a shy but genuine smile carefully watched by Elizabeth, whose look was much more inscrutable.

The meal was no more than half over when a servant entered from the hall and hesitantly caught the attention of Mr. Bennet.

“Yes, what is it?” he asked, setting his silverware down.

“Pardon, sir,” the young girl said, clearly ill at ease at having to interrupt the meal, “but there is a messenger just arrived who wants to see Captain Fitzwilliam. He says he is from the Admiralty.”

Mr. Bennet raised his eyebrows, but Captain Fitzwilliam immediately stood. “Pray excuse me while I see about the man’s mission.”

He closed the door behind him, and everyone sat still for a few moments before the silence was gradually broken by the sound of silverware against porcelain and the quiet hum of rising conversation. Several minutes later, Fitzwilliam returned to the room and went quickly to Mr. Bennet’s side, leaning down to whisper, “Excuse me, sir, but I have received a communication from my Lords of Admiralty. I must have a few moments with Miss Bennet.”

Mr. Bennet looked at him for a single breath then gave a jerky nod.
It does no good to repine,
he thought.
Events are so out of my control that not even a simple meal can be completed without some new surprise, and that is simply the way it is…

George stood and went to whisper in Jane’s ear, and she rose and preceded him from the room. Everyone at the table looked at Mr. Bennet for an explanation, but he had none and simply picked up his silverware and returned to the meal.

As soon as George and Jane entered the parlour, he closed the door and turned to her. Motioning with an oilskin pouch, he said, “I just received new and surprising orders from the Admiralty. I thought I would have at least a few weeks, but it seems I was far too optimistic.”

He paused for a moment then looked Jane directly in the eye. “I have been appointed commodore. It is an honour, to be sure, but I have been assigned command of a squadron being sent to Bermuda. I am afraid the rising tensions with the Americans necessitate pulling forces from blockade duty to stand ready in case relations grow even worse.”

Jane stood silently as he talked, but her nod indicated she was not confused.
Clearly, she has some knowledge of foreign and military affairs,
he thought.
But what will she say about the rest of my orders?

Uncomfortably, he said, “The part of my orders which causes me distress is that I must leave for London quite soon. I have no discretion, I am afraid, and must leave on the morrow.”

Jane nodded, and she could not help the feeling of tightness in her chest. After she had just begun to hope again, the fear that her hopes would be dashed by the needs of this man’s duties clutched at her, making the breath she drew a ragged one.

“I had hoped to have more time,” Fitzwilliam said. “I especially wished for more time to compose my words. But, being the man I am, I know of no other course than to simply say it. Miss Bennet, in our short acquaintance, I have formed a deep admiration of your character and your beauty. I would be deeply honoured if you would accept my hand in marriage.”

Captain George Fitzwilliam was surprised at the instant banishment of fear from Jane’s face and was then enchanted by the manner in which her eyes locked with his. She smiled suddenly with a softness and tenderness he had not witnessed before.

“I believe your worries were needless, and you certainly expressed yourself quite well, Captain Fitzwilliam,” she said, stepping forward until she was only inches away, so close he could detect the sweet smell of her freshly washed hair. “And my answer is, yes, I would be honoured to become your wife — oh, yes, indeed.”

“Well, that is grand, Miss Bennet,” he said slowly.

“It is ‘Jane,’ Captain Fitzwilliam. Or, I suppose I should call you ‘George.’”

“That would be very nice…Jane.” Then his eyes grew more sombre. “But there are still problems to confront since I must leave tomorrow. I have an appointment at the Admiralty on Tuesday morning to discuss the details of my posting. I think it likely I will have to journey immediately to Plymouth.”

A look of pain crossed his face. “I thought I would return to the
Medusa
when her repairs were complete, but it appears she will have a new captain. I am ordered to the
Poictiers
, which is provisioning at Plymouth.”

“I see,” Jane said. “But why are you distressed? I think I have read of the
Poictiers
; is she not rather new?”

“She is indeed new and is a ship of the line, larger than the
Medusa
. But my pain is one that is difficult to understand to those not familiar with the naval service; briefly, I will not command
Poictiers
. I will be aboard as commodore, but another man will command her. It may well be that
Medusa
was the last ship I will command.”

“I see,” Jane said gravely though she actually did not see at all.
I would think George would be happy at the promotion, but he appears more disturbed that he will not command another ship. I am not sure why, but I shall ask when the time is right and when the answer will not pain him. I do not know how to be the wife of a naval officer, but I shall learn.

“The problem we now have is that I have so little time,” he said. “I was so optimistic about the outcome of my visit here that I visited my father’s solicitor on Friday, and with an effrontery that surprises me and may shock you, I had him prepare a license.”

Jane laughed at that, but her laugh was gay and not mocking. “Lizzy and I talked of your decisiveness, sir. You do not lack for that; but since I was the object of that decisiveness, I will take it in the spirit in which it was intended.”

“That is indeed a relief…Jane. My, oh my, I have so much to learn!”

“You are doing quite well, George.” She took his hand and held it in both of hers. “Do not worry so.”

“But the license is useless now,” he said sheepishly. “There is, as you know, a ten-day waiting period, and it is only applicable in this parish. I can have my solicitor apply for a special license — one of the benefits of having a father in the nobility, even for a younger son! — but that will also take a few days, I am sure.”

“Decisive and impatient, too,” She smiled then squeezed his hand when she saw a questioning look on his face. “Impatience in a prospective husband is not held against him, sir. Trust me on that.”

He smiled somewhat shyly. “I shall. You will have much to teach me; I am quite untutored about almost everything not associated with the deck of a ship.”

Then he sobered and said, “I suppose I can send for you when I get to Plymouth. If your mother — or perhaps Darcy and your sister — accompanied you, we could be married there when the license is ready.”

“Perhaps, but perhaps there is a way to be married from Longbourn after all,” Jane said, smiling reassuringly at his doubtful look. “Reverend Thompson is a reasonable man, and our country is at war, after all. If you show him your license and your orders, and if my father adds his support, I rather think he might marry us tomorrow morning.”

“Then we could travel to London tomorrow and I could meet with my Lords of Admiralty the next day. And introduce you to my parents…”

Who already are perturbed about the penniless young lady your cousin is marrying,
Jane thought.
Perhaps I can convince him to reserve that honour until a later date.

“…and you could then stay with them after my squadron departs for Bermuda.” George beamed in satisfaction at having solved every problem he could think of.