Page 56 of Regrets

“Lydia?” Jane asked. “You look almost green! What is it, my dear?” Jane spoke gently, understanding that all this was a good deal for a young girl to absorb.

“Jane,” Lydia whispered. “Does this mean that our parents…?”

Jane managed not to laugh. “Yes.”

“Five times!” Lydia sounded horrified. “Poor Mama!”

“What about Mary?” Kitty asked. “Does she know?”

Jane and Elizabeth glanced at one another, but said nothing.

“Oh!” Kitty said. “You have never told her! Is that because you do not think any man will want to – well, to do that to her?”

It was too close to the truth for comfort, so Elizabeth said, “Brrr! It is getting cold! We have stood here for too long, and I am ready to sit by the fire in the parlour. Come!” She led the way back to Longbourn, and her sisters followed her in silence.

***

That night, when they were finally alone together, Jane said, “You do realise, Lizzy, that if Mr. Wickham no longer has any interest in Kitty or Lydia, he will have all the more reason to focus his attentions on Georgiana.”

Elizabeth sighed. “I know, Jane, but what can I do? I must look out for my family, and Mr. Darcy must look out for his. I know that he does not like Mr. Wickham, so I must assume he is doing everything in his power to protect his sister.”

Chapter Forty-Three

Mr. Darcy received a package from his solicitor containing the agreement for Mr. Bennet to sell Longbourn to Mr. Darcy for the princely sum of one guinea; also enclosed was a letter.

Mr. Darcy,

I understand completely. I have enclosed the document which will be the initial step in this maneuver; you and Mr. Bennet must sign all three copies in the presence of a notary and return them to me.

I have an investigator looking into the legality of Mr. William Collins’ claim to the estate, but it is rather difficult without more information. It would be helpful if we knew what city or even county he was born in.

Your servant,

Mr. Albion Stanley

Mr. Darcy cursed himself for his stupidity; did he expect Stanley to search the baptism records of every church in England? Of course more information was needed!

He immediately wrote to his aunt.

Dear Aunt Catherine,

I have received no reply to my last letter to you, and am concerned that you might not be in agreement with my proposed actions on behalf of Mr. Bennet. I can understand if you are rather shocked, as respect for our inheritance laws is bred into us, but I must believe that respect for our land must be considered a higher good.

In the hope that you might be persuaded to work with me, rather than against me, I must ask you to discover where Mr. Collins was born and perhaps even where his father was born. I am, quite obviously, searching for any irregularities in his claim to Longbourn. I beg you not to alert him to my activities.

Your loving nephew,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Mr. Darcy resolved to ride over to Longbourn that very afternoon.

His plan suffered some amendment, though, for as soon as Mr. Bingley understood that he intended to visit Mr. Bennet, he insisted upon accompanying him. Then Georgiana got wind of the plan, and she announced that she would accompany them as well. The quick horseback ride Mr. Darcy had envisioned became a journey requiring a carriage, but eventually they arrived at Longbourn.

Mary and Georgiana went at once to the piano, and Mr. Bingley settled himself beside Miss Bennet on the sofa that had, somehow, become “their” sofa.

Mr. Darcy asked Elizabeth if her father was home, and she replied that he was likely in his study. “Is this to do with the matter we discussed a few days ago?” she asked.

“It is,” he said, gravely. “Do you think your father will want you to be part of the discussion?"