Both Jane and Georgiana gasped at the implication. “Even Lydia is not so foolish as to run away with a man unless he proposed,” said Jane.
“One thing about Mr. Wickham that I remember clearly,” said Georgiana, “is that he often implies things that he doesn’t say outright. It is possible that your sister believed he wished to marry her, when he never said anything of the sort.”
Elizabeth thought back over the many pleasant conversations she had with him, and she had to agree. “Whatever Lydia’s beliefs and whatever Mr. Wickhams intentions, they do not change the material point. By now, the two of them have been together overnight. If Lydia does not return home married, she could ruin our entire family.”
~~~~~
It did not take long for Darcy to find the duke after he left the breakfast room. The Duke of Derbyshire was in his study with his secretary and his butler giving instructions for them to follow in his absence.
Darcy patiently waited for the duke to finish speaking with his servants. Then he asked for a private word. The two men stepped out into the hall.
“I would like to come with you, Your Grace,” said Darcy.
“This is not your business,” said the duke.
“Lady Elizabeth read the letter out loud after you left,” said Darcy. “I know the man in question, and I have a good idea where he might be going. I can help. In fact, I am honor-bound to do so, considering I knew what a blackguard he was, and I said nothing. I should have done something in Hertfordshire, told someone what the man was capable of. I did not, and this is the result.”
Darcy was deliberately speaking vaguely in case a servant overheard some of the conversation. The duke followed suit.Shaking his head, he said quietly, “The lady in question is one of the silliest females in the country. This was bound to happen, though I had hoped to prevent it by providing a better education going forward.”
The duke thought for a moment then said, “Very well, Darcy. It will be good to have someone along on this hellish journey. I accept your offer.”
“I have asked your daughters to allow Georgiana to stay here while I am gone. Do you have any objections?”
“No, of course not,” said His Grace. “Now, get yourself packed up. I plan to leave in thirty minutes.”
Darcy bowed and said, “Yes, Your Grace.” He then dashed away.
Thirty minutes later, Darcy and the duke were in a carriage pulled by four horses. On the box sat both a driver and a footman, and there were two outriders as well.
Changing that many horses along their journey would become expensive quite quickly. Darcy had only done something similar a small handful of times. Apparently, the duke was not opposed to spending money when doing so would get him where he was going both faster and more safely.
Chapter 9
When Darcy and the duke arrived at Meryton, Darcy disembarked at the inn while the duke proceeded on to Longbourn to find out the current situation. As they traveled, they had discussed their plans. While the duke would check on his family and gather what information he could, Darcy would check in with Colonel Forster. They would meet again in the evening to discuss their plans based on what they learned.
“Mr. Darcy,” said the colonel as Darcy walked into his office. “It certainly is a surprise to see you. How can I help you?”
“I am traveling with Mr. Bennet, hoping to help him with his situation,” said Darcy. “Perhaps you could give me an update on Wickham’s location.”
Colonel Forster eyed Darcy skeptically. “I suppose you sensed that Wickham has fallen, and you wish to finish him off. Wickham told everyone how much you hate him, you know. Perhaps you would be better off just letting Mr. Bennet take care of this. No need to kick a man when he’s down, you know.”
Darcy felt a pang of disappointment. Before Wickham’s arrival in Meryton, he had gotten along reasonably well with the colonel. Now, however, it seemed as though Colonel Forster despised him.
“That man has run off with an innocent gentleman’s daughter,” hissed Darcy vehemently but quietly. He did not wishanyone to overhear him from outside the room. “Yet, you are still defending him. What more could I do to him that he has not already done to himself? If Mr. Bennet does not see him shipped to Australia, I will be shocked.”
“Bennet?” scoffed Colonel Forster. “That man would never lift a finger to do anything other than read a book. To be honest, I am surprised that he interrupted his trip to come back here. Miss Lydia is long gone, and nothing can be done to save her. Wickham will not marry her, and Mr. Bennet does not have the means to force him to.”
Darcy barked a short, cold laugh. “Mr. Bennet is more powerful than you guess,” he said, “but that is not my story to tell. Now, will you please tell me what has been done to track down Wickham?”
“I suppose it matters little either way,” said the colonel. “My men searched the north road for fifty miles, asking at every inn along the way, and they haven’t been seen. I sent a second group to start looking southward just this morning, but they haven’t returned yet. I don’t expect them before sundown.”
“Thank you for your assistance,” said Darcy, and he left the room. He did not want to advertise his presence too much in the small town, so he simply made his way back to the inn. There was nothing to do but wait, so he settled in with a book.
After dinner, just after sunset, Duke Derby arrived at Darcy’s room at the inn. “Well, it seems certain that they have made for London instead of Scotland,” said the duke as soon as he was seated.
“Yes,” replied Darcy. “I spoke with Colonel Forster earlier this afternoon. There has been no sign of them on the north road. Though I haven’t heard whether the men who searchedsouth have returned, I cannot imagine Wickham doing anything else. How is your family?”
“My wife is enjoying her attack of nerves and has taken to her bed, ordering Mary and the servants about from there,” said Duke Derby. “Kitty, I believe, is the one who has taken it the hardest, though. She seems somehow torn between the suffering she sees in her sister and mother and the romantic ideals she shared with Lydia. Do you know, when I first arrived home, Kitty asked me why everyone was so upset when all Lydia had done was to follow her heart?”
