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“But if Louis doesn’t marry…”
“Then we are all ruined,” Elliot said. “There will be no chance of marriage and little chance of occupations eithers, not here at least, not in Hertfordshire.”
“You would leave Longbourn?” Jack asked.
Elliot nodded. “We all would, Jack, for what other choice would there be but that?”
Fifty-One
Darcy kept careful records of the happenings within his life, and he was never more grateful for it than when he arrived in London with Bingley and Fitzwilliam and began the unpleasant task of tracking down George Wickham and Louis Bennet. They had arranged in advance for Bingley’s London house to be opened for them given that Darcy’s had been closed for some months and Fitzwilliam had only bachelor lodgings, and arrived in the dead of night, muddy and exhausted, but keen to get the task concluded.
They started with Mrs. Younge, the once erstwhile companion of Georgiana. Darcy knew exactly where she was residing, as he made it is his business to know such things about those who would have interfered in his life or the lives of those that he loved. The lodging house was in one of the less respectable parts of London. The street was not quite filthy but not quite clean either and several urchins ran about the place—though Darcy was pleased to see they were all in shoes at least, as that would not be the case in some of the worst parts of the capital.
Mrs. Younge was not happy to see them and tried to close the door to the lodging house. Darcy did not allow her to, stepping in to hold it open with his body. It was not respectable behaviour, but then Mrs. Younge was not a respectable woman.
“Mr. Darcy,” she snapped as she took a step back into the house.
“You know why I am here, Mrs. Younge,” Darcy said.
“I do not, sir,” she replied. “Our business was concluded last year.”
For her part in contributing to Georgiana’s pain, she had been dismissed without a reference, likely the reason she found herself in this part of London and not in the employ of another alpha family.
“It should have been,” Darcy said. “But here I find myself again, having to track down George Wickham, and fix another of his blasted mistakes!”
Her eyes widened at that, but she did not seem shocked. She knew where Wickham was. That much was clear. It was also clear that she did not want to tell Darcy his location. She insisted she had no knowledge, adamantly refused to answer his questions, and when Darcy pushed for more information two men emerged from behind her, boarders in the house, friends or lovers of hers, who knew. They were quickly dealt with by Bingley and Fitzwilliam with no need for a gun of any kind! By the end of it all Darcy had an address in one of the shadier parts of the capital and he and Bingley were on their way. Fitzwilliam, he sent to apprise Colonel Forster of the situation.
Wickham had chosen his lodgings for their economy rather than their character, and there were indeed some children scampering about barefoot. This was not an area of London that Darcy would ever have chosen to visit. Bingley was of the same view. Only their love of the older Bennet boys could have led them thus!
Wickham answered the tattered door on their second knock, saw who was behind it, and thought to close it. He realised the futility of his actions before long and stood aside to allow Darcy entry.
“Wickham,” Darcy snapped.
The other man quickly recovered himself and leaned back against one of the walls, arms crossed, but looking all at ease. “What are you doing here, Darcy…and Bingley…” he sneered, “how pleasant…”
How strange it was being in the company of what had once been his childhood friend! Darcy could barely comprehend the differences in them anymore, but it had been so long before the incident with Georgiana. Wickham’s character had solidified itself as soon as they reached their majority, and there was no deviating him from it, no matter how Darcy had tried.
“We have come for Mr. Bennet,” he said, seeing no reason to prevaricate.
Wickham opened his mouth, perhaps to deny that Louis was there, but the youngest Bennet, as impetuous as ever, called out from inside the rooms inquiring as to what was happening. He sounded quite happy indeed but still Darcy said, “I had better find him unmolested.”
Wickham shrugged. “You will find him well enough.”
Louis was indeed well enough. Bingley remained outside of the rooms to keep an eye on Wickham whilst Darcy spoke with him. The younger man was in a state of undress and frankly looked quite dishevelled, but Darcy ignored that as he spoke.
“Mr. Bennet.”
“Mr. Darcy. Whatever are you doing here?” Louis asked.
“I have come on behalf of your family to remove you from this situation and take you home to Longbourn,” Darcy said.
Louis laughed. “I do not wish to be removed, and I certainly do not wish to return to Longbourn!”
“What you wish is irrelevant,” Darcy replied. “Your actions are grievous indeed, and we must do all we can to remedy them.”
“Because we are not married and mated?” Louis asked, and he gave one of those shrugs that Wickham seemed so fond of. “It signifies not. George says we will marry as soon as arrangements can be concluded.”
“You have been here for some days,” Darcy said. “Arrangements should have been concluded by now.”
