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“Even though it is an absolute scandal?”
“Yes,” Darcy confirmed.
“Being married to the Bennets…”
“Will ensure any such scandal is quickly forgotten,” Darcy continued. “But, before that happens, we need to deal with Wickham. His vile behaviour has gone on for far too long.”
Fitzwilliam laughed. “I was going to say that it seems being wed to the Bennets will bring you both nothing but trouble.”
“A state we have already long considered!” Charles replied.
“And accepted,” Darcy added.
Fitzwilliam laughed again and scattered the cards. “You have a plan, Darcy,” he asked. “Or failing that at least, a gun?”
“Only one of us is a soldier in this room,” Darcy said, “but hold the powder for now! I have a plan indeed!”
A Litany of Letters
Fifty
Elliot had not been at all surprised by Darcy’s leaving. The scandal of the situation was so very immense that it was likely to touch anyone in their vicinity. It was quite right that the alpha should return to Pemberley. Elliot should not have expected anything less. Be that as it may, Elliot watched him go with regret, and in this early example of what Louis’ infamy must produce, found additional anguish as he reflected on that wretched business.
That anguish was Elliot’s constant companion on the miserable drive back to Longbourn. There was little in the way of diversions. The coach was surrounded in darkness, and the pace was exceedingly slow until the dawn broke and they journeyed out of Derbyshire.
The Gardiners said very little but eventually Mr. Robert Garinder ventured, “I have been thinking it over again, Elliot, and really, upon serious consideration, I am much more inclined than I was to hope for the best. It appears to me so very unlikely that any young man should form such a design against an omega who is by no means unprotected or friendless, and who was actually staying in his colonel’s family. Could he expect that Louis’ friends would not step forward? Could he expect to be noticed again by the regiment, after such an affront to Colonel Forster? Louis’ temptation is surely not adequate to the risk!”
Elliot had been considering Wickham’s intentions and Louis’ temptations these past hours. While the regiment was in Hertfordshire Elliot had never perceived that Louis had any partiality for Wickham but then, it was also true that a small amount of encouragement had oft been enough for Louis to attach himself to someone, and it was certainly possible Wickham—cast aside by Miss King—had given that encouragement! Could circumstances have combined to inspire a marriage and mating between the two of them?
“I must hope that this is a possibly,” Elliot said. “For the alternative…”
“Why should they not go on to Scotland if that had been the case?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
“In the first place,” replied Mr. Robert Gardiner, “there is no absolute proof that they are not gone to Scotland.”
“Oh! but their removing from the chaise into a hackney coach is such a presumption! And, besides, no traces of them were to be found on the Barnet road.”
“Well, then, we must suppose they are in London, and it may well be due to economic reasons entirely. It is not likely that money should be very abundant on either side, and it might strike them that they could be more economically, though less expeditiously, married in London than in Scotland.”
“But why all this secrecy? Why any fear of detection? Why must their marriage be private?” Elliot demanded.
“I do not know,” Mr. Robert Gardiner said.
“Precisely,” Elliot replied. “It is because he never intended to marry Louis. It seems unlikely that Wickham will marry anyone who is without some money. He cannot afford it. And what claims has Louis, what attraction has he beyond youth, health, and good humour that could make Wickham forego every chance of benefiting himself by marrying well?”
“But can you really think that Louis is so lost to everything to consent to live with him on any terms other than marriage?” Mr. Gardiner demanded.
“It does seem, and it is most shocking indeed, that my brother’s sense of decency and virtue in such a point is in doubt,” Elliot replied, his head aching, “But, really, I know not what to say. Perhaps I am not doing Louis justice. He is very young and has never been taught to think on serious subjects. For the last half-year, nay, for a twelvemonth, he has been given up to nothing but amusement and vanity. He has been allowed to dispose of his time in the most idle and frivolous manner, and to adopt any opinions that came his way. Since the militia were first quartered in Meryton, nothing but love, flirtation, and officers have been in his head. Louis wanted excitement and passion and he did not believe he should ever find it in Longbourn or even Meryton.” He paused. “And we all know that Wickham has every charm of person and address that can captivate a susceptible male.”
“Wickham was indeed charming,” Mr. Robert Gardiner replied. “But it seems now also that he is indeed a villain.”
“It is worse than you are aware,” Elliot said miserably. “We all know that he has been profligate in every sense of the word. That he has neither integrity nor honour. That he is as false and deceitful as he is insinuating. I told you of his infamous behaviour to Mr. Darcy and there are other circumstances which I am not at liberty to share but are equally as vile.”
“And Louis knows nothing of this?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
“He does not,” Elliot said. “Because I did not tell him! The necessity of opening his eyes to Wickham’s character never occurred to me. That he could be in any danger from such deception never entered my head.”
“When they all removed to Brighton, therefore, you had no reason, I suppose, to believe them fond of each other?”
