“Brother, you love her; you cannot cast Miss Elizabeth aside, even if she cannot be yours; you said as much last night. Our pride in dealing with Mr. Wickham allowed him to prey on others. We never concerned ourselves with their destruction, only with our own, and now God brought Mr.Wickham’s evil back to someone we both affect.”
Darcy actually laughed out loud. “Georgiana, you continue to amaze me. How little I know about you! I already decided I must resolve this situation, which means I must deal with George Wickham. I wondered how to tell you without causing you grief. Instead, you give me permission and demand my speed in these negotiations.”
“We have always been of the same nature,” she nearly teased.
“You spend one afternoon with Elizabeth Bennet, and you already ‘pain’ your brother with your taunts.”
“What is your plan?” She turned more serious, but only aftergiving him a brief smile.
“I will go to London tomorrow to find Mr. Wickham and Lydia Bennet. I know things about George Wickham’s nature Mr. Bennet has yet to learn. I hope to convince the girl to return to her family; they could then hush up her indiscretions. Her journey began in Brighton so most in Hertfordshire will have little knowledge of her folly, assuming Mrs. Bennet controlled her tongue for once. I will tell the Bingleys estate business calls me back to London, but that means you must entertain them while I am away. Are you up to it, Sweet One?”
“I will do what is necessary to protect Miss Elizabeth.”
“Miss Elizabeth must never know of my involvement; it would not be proper to inject myself into so private a matter. Besides, although I desire Miss Elizabeth’s regard, I do not want her to bestow it upon me out of gratitude. I want her love.”
“As our first dealings with Mr.Wickham were our secret so will this one be.”
“Let us go and play our parts as good hosts to our guests.” Darcy stood with refreshed confidence. Georgiana stood by him and then kissed his cheek gently. “For luck,” she said.They exited the study to find the Bingleys and initiate their plan.
That evening over dinner, Darcy informed Charles Bingley and his sisters of his regrets at having to return to London on pressing business. He led them to believe the estate business also cancelled his plans to entertain the Gardiners and Elizabeth Bennet. This gave the Bingley sisters some perverted pleasure. “It grieves me, but it must be so,” he added. “Georgiana will serve in my stead.We both thought you might enjoy an overnight trip to Nottingham or to Cromford. Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley both desire to visit those areas to the north. I shall be only a week or so. What say you, Charles?”
“I would be honored to escort your sister in your absence, Darcy.” Darcy detested his own deceit, but it would be best if Bingley knew nothing of this crisis, which could ultimately affect both their futures.
CHAPTER 14
“On an affair of importance . . .”
Darcy, consumed by what he must do to save Elizabeth, left early for London. Riding in the comfort of his favorite carriage, he began to reflect on how far he would go to “persuade” George Wickham to marry Lydia Bennet or to “persuade” the foolish flick of a girl to abandon her folly and return to Longbourn.What if he found no success in either endeavor? He loved Pemberley, not just for its beauty but because it held the traditions of his family. He loved the society to which he was accustomed.The wealth and his reputation created a sense of worth, a part of his being. He felt willing to sacrifice some of both for Elizabeth’s love; but, now, he might also be faced with the Bennet sisters’ loss of respectability or even worse having George Wickham as a brother.Which would be harder to overcome? Could he seriously still consider Elizabeth to be a viable mate in either case? The resolution of the current crisis would not necessarily solve Darcy’s dilemma.
On Monday morning Darcy set off to a seedy part of the city. He hired a public cab, not wanting to attract too much attention; he planned to find Mrs. Younge, Georgiana’s former governess. Mr. Wickham, as Darcy warned Elizabeth at the Netherfield Ball, had a reputation for being able to make friends, but keeping friends was a different issue. Mr.Wickham “used” people, ill-abused them, leaving most in his wake. In Darcy’s estimation, Mrs. Younge was of the same lot; if Mr.Wickham was in London, Mrs.Younge would know where he could be found. He knew where Mrs.Younge lived; he had an address in his London ledger—an address to which the lastof her wages were delivered when Darcy dismissed her for her part in Wickham’s seduction of Georgiana. From what he ascertained, Mrs.Younge let rooms from her home on Edward Street.
Calling on the house, a dirty-faced snit of a child evidently working as a servant admitted Darcy to the sitting room.When she entered to find him there, Mrs.Younge hid her surprise well. “Mr. Darcy . . . what brings you to this part of town? Did you decide to try slumming for the day?”Anger laced her sarcasm.
“Mrs.Younge,” he kept his voice calm and steady,“I have come to your home on business.”
She looked him up and down, measuring the merit of his words. Her training as a governess allowed the woman to maintain an image of a refined lady even in the midst of the squalor in which she now found herself. She motioned Darcy to a nearby chair and crossed to one to his right. “I thought any business we might have was settled some time ago. Do not tell me you are once more in need of my services.”
Darcy accepted the double meaning of her words with a slight nod of his head and then said,“I appreciate your offer, Mrs.Younge, but that was not the business I had in mind.”
“Then what may I ask are you doing here, Mr. Darcy?”
“I come seeking news of Mr.Wickham,” Darcy’s reply showed no change in his composure, but hers relayed the information he sought.
“Mr.Wickham? Mr. George Wickham? Why would I know of Mr.Wickham’s whereabouts?” she protested.
“Mr.Wickham is in London. He has with him the daughter of a friend; that friend, knowing of my connection to Mr. Wickham, asked me to assist in finding the daughter.” The words sounded stilted and a bit ambiguous even to him. Darcy did not like the deceit; but, at least, this was not a total fabrication: he and Elizabeth were certainlyfriends.
“It appears you have been misinformed, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Younge stood to take her leave.“I have not seen or heard from Mr. Wickham since that unfortunate time at Ramsgate.”
Darcy stood slowly and slipped on his gloves. “I see,” he began as he walked leisurely around the room. “This is an interesting place, Mrs.Younge. I will have to remember this address; it will be an important fact when I tell the constable about . . . let us see . . . which tale do you think the constable will most believe? After all, I am Fitzwilliam Darcy,a man of impeccable reputation. I would not want to relate a tale which would be unbelievable.” He could not help but smirk as he walked back toward Mrs. Younge. To her credit, she showed no signs of cracking.“I am sure your tenants willlovehaving the constable call here on a regular basis with a litany of complaints. I am also sure I can secure other gentlemen ofimpeccable reputationsto lodge similarcomplaintsto mine. The constable could be here so often you may want to let him one of your rooms. Farewell, Mrs.Younge.” Darcy tipped his hat as he started toward the door.
As predicted, Mrs.Younge’s voice halted his exit.“Mr. Darcy.”
“Yes, Mrs.Younge,” he turned, having a hand on the doorknob.
“If I could remember where Mr.Wickham might be, would it stop the visits from the constable?”
“It would, indeed, Mrs.Younge.”
