Page 7 of A Sisterly Bond

“I do remember you, sir. Please come in. I am sure you know Lizzy and Jane. My husband is out dealing with business. May I offer you something to drink?”

“No, thank you. I shall not stay long. Lady Lucas asked me to bring a letter for Sir William. I pray he and Maria are in better health now?”

“They are improving daily, under our doctor’s supervision, and we trust they will be fully recovered soon.” Mrs Gardiner gestured for the gentleman to sit, then asked, “Have you been in London long, sir?”

“We only arrived from Meryton last night,” he replied, “and we plan to travel onwards tomorrow.”

“I hope everyone is well in Meryton,” Elizabeth finally interjected. “How is your niece, Miss Mary?”

“Mary is travelling with us,” Mr King replied, after a moment of hesitation. “Her late mother’s cousin has invited her to live with her in Pembrokeshire, at their family estate. I am sure Mary will be happy and properly attended there.”

The news greatly surprised Elizabeth. “Truly? I thought Miss King was happy in Meryton and planned to remain there.”

“Mary was indeed happy in Meryton, but a happiness brought about so suddenly can often prove imprudent and might lead to regret later on. We, her family, have agreed that her future will be brighter in Wales. I pray she will realise that, too, one day.”

The gentleman’s words, as well as his tone and countenance, increased Elizabeth’s confusion. She had last heard that Mr Wickham had been courting Miss King for a while and an engagement was expected soon. The lady’s sudden and apparently unwilling removal to a place so far away was certainly strange. Still, she did not dare enquire further; the matter sounded delicate, and discretion was clearly required.

Mr King remained less than half an hour, briefly visiting Sir William in his chamber. The two gentlemen shared a short, private conversation, then the guest took his leave.

As soon as he departed, Elizabeth raised the subject that had been bothering her throughout the visit. “Mr King must be taking Mary away to avoid her engagement to Mr Wickham. It cannot be for any other reason. But I wonder what prompted such a decision.”

“And how does the news make you feel, Lizzy?” Mrs Gardiner questioned.

“Puzzled, undoubtedly. And curious, I admit.”

“I feel sorry for Mary King,” Jane whispered. “They are clearly sending her away against her wishes. Why would they do that?”

“Perhaps it is for the best, dearest,” Mrs Gardiner said. “Mr King’s statement about the imprudence of a happiness brought about suddenly really struck me. Perhaps her family have discovered a reason why Mr Wickham’s courtship of Miss King was unwise.”

“Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst considered their brother’s courtship of me to also be unwise. How can we blame them for taking him away when we do not condemn the Kings for doing the same,” she replied bitterly, leaving Elizabeth and their aunt speechless.

“Dearest, if you believe Mr Bingley had sound reasons to leave you, then perhaps you should find the strength to move forward,” Elizabeth finally declared. “Wasting your sorrow on someone who shows no regrets is certainly not wise. Let him be happy with someone else while you find your own happiness elsewhere!”

Elizabeth’s tone was harsher than she intended, and Jane turned pale, then suddenly rose and excused herself, hurrying from the room.

“I am sorry that I upset her. I should go and apologise.”

“Leave her alone for a little while, Lizzy,” Mrs Gardiner suggested. “It might be good for her to ponder your words. I must say you do sound irritated, though.”

“I am somehow distressed. I cannot but wonder why Mr King took Mary away. Could Mr Darcy have said something to harm Mr Wickham’s reputation and make the match seem an undesirable one?”

“Mr Darcy? You make me laugh, Lizzy. When could he have done that since he left Hertfordshire four months ago? It is more likely that Mr Wickham conducted himself in a way that roused Mr King’s suspicions. After all, apart from him being handsome and pleasant, what more do we know about the man? As for his past dealings with Mr Darcy, did you ask for any evidence to support Mr Wickham’s claims?”

“No, of course not. Why would I? He shared his troubles with me out of friendship. I do not suspect him of deception. Why would he have lied to me? He had nothing to gain except for my sympathy.”

“Lizzy dearest, you are too ready to defend Mr Wickham and equally so to blame Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy. Like sudden happiness, sudden anger and resentment might be imprudent and lead to regrets later on,” Mrs Gardiner said.

Elizabeth remained thoughtful for a few moments, then she began to laugh. “Dear aunt, be careful, or you will quote Mr King more often than you quote Shakespeare. Mr Collins does the same with Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

At this, Mrs Gardiner laughed too, and the awkwardness between them vanished, though both knew the subject was not settled yet.

***

Mr Gardiner returned in the late afternoon and was informed about the unexpected visitor. Since he hardly knew either the Kings or Mr Wickham, he had little interest in the matter; he found nothing strange in an uncle’s decision to send his niece to live with her mother’s family if he believed it was to her benefit.

However, after he went to greet Sir William and spent a few minutes with him, Mr Gardiner returned to the ladies with fresh news, which he joyfully shared during dinner.

“Sir William told me in confidence that Mr King told him in confidence that Lizzy’s favourite, Mr Wickham, is not worthy of confidence,” the gentleman said with a grin.