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The next morning, at precisely nine, the Darcy carriage pulled up to the curb behind another carriage already parked before the Gardiners’ home in Cheapside. The butler welcomed Darcy and Georgiana and ushered the guests into the parlor. After exchanging quick greetings with the newcomers, Elizabeth and Lydia departed to gather their bonnets and reticules.
While waiting for them to return, Darcy said, “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, I must thank you so much for bringing Elizabeth to Pemberley. You gave me an opportunity I did not think I would ever have. The chance to meet again and to apologize and make amends for my poor behavior allowed us to begin anew. I was fortunate to receive Elizabeth’s forgiveness and to discover that she had learned that some of her concerns about me stemmed from misinformation and misunderstandings. I will be forever grateful to you both. Your actions have given me a future brighter than I could have imagined. Please know that you are welcome to visit us at Pemberley whenever possible. We will also look forward to visiting with you whenever we are in London.”
“There is no need to thank us, Mr. Darcy. We enjoyed visiting your lovely estate and the kind hospitality you extended to us. Mr. Gardiner and I are delighted for the both of you. You are well-matched, and we wish you both a long and happy life together,” came Mrs. Gardiner’s earnest reply.
“Whom are you wishing such joy, dear aunt?” came Elizabeth’s teasing voice.
“Why, my favorite niece and the exceptional gentleman she will be marrying.”
After hugging Mrs. Gardiner and thanking her for all she had done for them, Darcy led Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Lydia to his coach and assisted them into the vehicle. Mr. Gardiner stepped into his carriage. Then the two carriages began their journey to Hertfordshire.
The carriage reached the main road out of London. Darcy and Elizabeth sat next to each other and across from Georgiana, Lydia, and Mrs. Annesley. A quiet conversation was ongoing between the younger girls, while Georgiana’s companion watched the changing scenery through which they passed.
Leaning quietly towards his betrothed, Darcy said, “How do you think your parents will respond to our desire to marry so soon?”
Elizabeth thought for a moment before replying. “I cannot imagine Papa denying me anything that would truly make me happy.”
“As he claims you are his favorite, I, too, would hope he had no objections, but what if he does? I did not make a very good impression upon the residents of Meryton when I visited last fall. If your father has heard of my unkind words about you at the assembly, he may not be inclined to grant me permission to marry you. Have you ever spoken of my first proposal?”
“Only Jane is aware of that misstep, so we must hope for the best. However, as I will be of age very soon, we will keep to our plans. If my father refuses us his permission, you will arrive at Longbourn on my birthday, and I will be prepared to leave with you. We can either marry from Netherfield if Mr. Bingley will allow it or go on to town and marry from Darcy House.”
A relieved expression appeared on Darcy’s face at Elizabeth’s words. “From which home would you prefer to marry? If your father says no, I will make all the necessary arrangements so that we can marry on September sixth.”
Again, Elizabeth paused to think before answering. “It might be easier to marry from Netherfield, as my mother and sisters would then be able to attend. However, it might be better to marry from London so that my father’s absence would not cause gossip. If we are not in Meryton, we can claim he is in ill health and could not attend, but that he did not wish to delay the wedding.”
“You make excellent points for both locations, my dear Elizabeth. Unfortunately, it does not answer my question,” said Darcy with a small chuckle.
Their conversation moved on to plans for a wedding trip, the little season, and the holidays, continuing until they stopped to change horses and enjoy some refreshments midway through their journey. Before returning to their carriages, Darcy stopped to speak with Mr. Gardiner and briefly explain what he and Elizabeth had discussed. Darcy also asked if the gentleman would be willing to speak for him in the event Mr. Bennet were to refuse Darcy’s request to marry Elizabeth. Mr. Gardiner was only too happy to give his agreement.
The second half of their trip passed pleasantly. Elizabeth’s head rested on Darcy’s shoulder as she closed her eyes and listened to his sonorous voice reading to her from a book of Shakespeare’s sonnets. As she listened, she heard a few of the words that Georgiana and Lydia exchanged. She heard Mr. Wickham’s name mentioned and hoped that Lydia could keep Georgiana’s delicate secret.
Finally, the two carriages turned in at the drive of Longbourn and pulled to a stop before the front entrance. Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Darcy were the first to disembark. As Darcy handed out Elizabeth and Georgiana, Mr. Gardiner stepped up to offer his assistance to Lydia and Mrs. Annesley. As they approached the door, it opened before anyone could knock. Mrs. Hill stood there, waiting to welcome the newcomers.
“Oh, Miss Lizzy, it’s so good to ‘ave you 'ome again. Mr. Gardiner, it’s nice to see you, sir,” said the housekeeper warmly. Looking at Lydia, her tone changed to one of disapproval. “Welcome ‘ome, Miss Lydia. I hope you are feeling better.” With her new awareness, Lydia realized the housekeeper’s tone when greeting Lydia was not as warm as it had been for her sister and uncle. Understanding Mrs. Hill was probably aware of the truth of her situation as well as the story of her illness, the young girl could understand the difference in Mrs. Hill’s tone. However, Lydia could not help but wonder if it had always been thus, as she recognized that her behavior towards the servants in her home was usually troublesome or dismissive. It was yet another fault upon which she would need to improve, thought the young girl with a sigh.
“Mrs. Hill, I believe you will remember Mr. Darcy from his visits last fall. Allow me to introduce his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, and her companion, Mrs. Annesley. Ladies, this is our housekeeper, Mrs. Hill.
The group had barely finished removing their outerwear when they heard Mrs. Bennet’s voice screeching out her youngest daughter’s name. She arrived in the hallway, followed by the remaining girls and Mr. Bingley.
“Oh, my dear Lydia, you are returned to us. Are you well? Did that dreadful man hurt you?”
Blushing a deep red, Lydia said, “Of what are you speaking, Mama? My illness is gone.”
Mrs. Bennet became flustered and blushed as well when she realized several others were in the entryway with Lydia.
“Yes, yes, to be sure.” She spoke even more loudly in her confusion.
“Good afternoon, Fanny,” said Mr. Gardiner.
“Good afternoon, brother. I am so glad you have come. It has been trying to my nerves to have the children in the house during this difficult time. When will you be leaving with them?” she asked in a voice filled with testiness.
“I do hope you will allow them to remain one more night, as it is too late for us to return this afternoon. Are the children in the nursery?”
“Yes, Uncle. Mama has required that they remain there over the last week or so unless they are out of doors,” responded Mary.
Upon hearing these words, Mr. Gardiner registered his disapproval on his face. “Well, if you will excuse me, I shall go up to see them. Helen and I have missed them greatly while we were away.”
The gentleman moved towards the staircase, and everyone could hear the sound of his footsteps retreating.
Noting that her father had not joined the rest of his family to welcome the new arrivals, Elizabeth turned to Jane and asked, “How is Papa? Has he recovered from his illness?”
With a beaming smile, Jane answered. “He is much improved. In fact, he is in his book room at present.”
Wondering at the smile on her sister’s face, Elizabeth asked, “Jane do you have some news to share with me?” A suspicious grin and arched brow accompanied her question.
“Oh, Lizzy. I am so happy! Mr. Bingley returned several days ago and called upon me immediately. He said he was unaware of my being in town during the winter and he apologized for not calling on me. Charles, er, Mr. Bingley begged my forgiveness and told me I was never far from his thoughts. He has visited every day, and this morning he asked Papa for permission to marry me. We are engaged, Lizzy!”
Throwing her arms about Jane, Elizabeth cried, “I am so happy for you, Jane. You deserve to be loved and have a wonderful life!”
Darcy and Georgiana, who were standing close to Elizabeth and had heard the conversation, both offered their congratulations. As Darcy turned to greet Bingley, Elizabeth introduced Georgiana to her dearest sister.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Darcy,” said Jane politely.
“I am pleased to meet you as well, Miss Bennet. I have heard so much about you from Lizzy.”
Mrs. Bennet, who had been nattering on at Lydia as they stood in the hallway, was finally recalled to her duties as hostess and invited everyone into the parlor. Before introducing her mother to Georgiana, Elizabeth was able to remind Mrs. Bennet that the Darcys had kindly conveyed her and Lydia home. Mrs. Bennet was effusive in her welcome of Miss Darcy and her compliments about the young lady’s expensive attire. She then turned and offered Mr. Darcy a cold, haughty welcome.
Embarrassed by her mother’s behavior, Elizabeth left Darcy and Georgiana talking to Jane and Bingley, excusing herself to greet her father. She knocked on the door of the bookroom and entered upon her father’s call of “Come.”
“Hello, Papa, how are you feeling?”
With an indifferent expression on his face, Mr. Bennet looked up at his favorite daughter. “Lizzy, what has taken you so long to return? I expected you upon the receipt of Jane’s letter.”
“It was felt I might have more influence then my uncle or Mr. Darcy in getting Lydia to return with us.”
“What does Mr. Darcy have to do with this matter?”
“Mr. Darcy was visiting when I received Jane’s letters. Because of his past dealings with Mr. Wickham, I told him what had happened. He immediately offered his assistance in recovering Lydia.
“Humph,” was the only response from her father.
“Will you not join us in the parlor? Uncle Gardiner has arrived, and I should like to introduce you to my friend, Miss Darcy.”
“I do not wish to be bothered right know. I shall see the visitors at teatime if they are still here,” said Mr. Bennet, turning his attention back to his book.
With a look of disappointment on her face, Elizabeth left the room to discover Darcy waiting for her in the hallway.
Noticing her look, Darcy asked, “Is everything alright?”
“I am not sure. Jane tells me that Papa's cold is gone, but he seems extremely out of sorts. Instead of sharing his humor about recent events, he dismissed me and refused to join us until time for tea.”
Darcy discreetly took her hands and gave them a squeeze. “Perhaps he is not as recovered as he has led everyone to think. Or maybe he is just tired. Jane did say this was his first day out of bed.”
“I think it might be best if you do not speak to Papa until the morning, when he will be in better spirits.”
As she looked into Darcy’s eyes, Elizabeth knew he was disappointed. Still, he merely smiled and agreed that it might be for the best. He offered her his arm and escorted her back into the parlor, where they joined Bingley and Jane in conversation. Darcy was pleased to see that Georgiana was quietly discussing music with Miss Mary Bennet. As a result, he looked to Elizabeth. At her nod, they shared their news with the couple, saying they only awaited the obtaining of Mr. Bennet’s permission on the morrow.
Mr. Gardiner rejoined the group just before the tea things arrived. Mr. Bennet never made an appearance. At the conclusion of tea, Mr. Bingley and the Darcys departed for Netherfield Park.
After dinner, Elizabeth’s father asked her to join him in his study. “Now, Lizzy, I wish you to tell me everything that happened in the recovery of your sister. I can only assume by her return to our home that she has not given herself to Wickham.”
“No, Papa. Mr. Wickham apparently pressed her to anticipate their vows, but Lydia had sense enough to refuse.”
“Well, I suppose we must be grateful for the little things.”
“Papa, how can you say that? Mr. Wickham is a practiced seducer. It is no wonder a girl like Lydia, who has had little training in proper behavior, would not be able to resist such a man. He even deceived me when first we met.” Elizabeth went on to tell her father about the plans to recover Lydia. She spoke of the way Mr. Darcy had taken charge, contacting Colonel Forster about a story to keep the disappearance quiet. He also sent his investigator to locate some of Wickham’s former acquaintances. Elizabeth also informed him of her idea for returning Lydia home as well as the plans they had made should Lydia refuse to leave Wickham. She told of how they had found her on their first full day in London and how Colonel Forster had taken Wickham into custody.”
“What will become of Wickham? How can we be sure he will not speak about Lydia and the elopement?
“Colonel Fitzwilliam—“
“Who is Colonel Fitzwilliam?” interrupted Mr. Bennet.
“He is Mr. Darcy’s cousin and someone of whom Wickham is afraid. He helped in Lydia’s recovery.”
“Good grief! Is there anyone in London who does not know what took place?”
“Whatever do you mean, Papa? We have kept this situation as quiet as possible, and we were very fortunate to have had the help of Mr. Darcy and the colonel. I doubt Uncle Gardiner would have been able to locate Lydia otherwise. He is the first to admit he would not have come up with such a successful plan to retrieve her.”
“Humph.”
Elizabeth looked at her father in confusion, unable to understand his attitude. Then she continued with her explanation. “As I was about to say, Colonel Fitzwilliam informed us that Mr. Wickham would face military discipline. The colonel said there are many possible outcomes, one of which is flogging before going to France to serve with the Regulars. A second outcome is dismissal from the militia, in which case Mr. Wickham will immediately find himself in debtor’s prison. Mr. Darcy has been paying the debts on which Mr. Wickham ran out since their days at university. Thirdly, Mr. Wickham might hang for desertion. In fact, we expect word soon regarding what has happened to him. Mr. Darcy’s attorney, with all the outstanding debts, will be at Wickham's trial. No matter the outcome, he will not escape punishment of some kind.”
“How does any of this prevent him from speaking about Lydia and the elopement?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam said the only questions asked would be about Mr. Wickham’s being away from his post without permission. Also, the military will not wish the public to learn about his poor treatment of a gentleman’s daughter. Such information will make it more difficult for them to find locations willing to house the militia units.”
Elizabeth waited for her father to speak again, but he said nothing, so she continued.
“After returning to Aunt Gardiner’s, Lydia was terribly hurt and confused. She heard the unkind things Wickham had said of her and she does not understand why Mama would have her act in such a way if that were to be the outcome. She is much subdued and will need care and affection in the coming weeks.”
“Yes, well, you may go now, Lizzy.”
Unable to understand her father’s attitude and not used to being dismissed so coldly, Elizabeth stared at him. “Papa, are you sure you are completely recovered from your illness? You seem to have lost your usual sense of humor. Perhaps you should retire for the night and get some additional rest.” Elizabeth’s expression clearly showed her concern for her beloved father.
“Do not fuss. You know how I dislike it,” grumbled Mr. Bennet.
His second eldest daughter merely stared at him before quietly leaving the room.