A Confirmation of It
“William! I saw him!”
Startled from where he had been sitting speaking with Mr. Bennet, Darcy looked up, seeing his beloved approaching him through the open door, her gait near to a sprint. A look of utter shock mixed with determination was etched upon her brow, her face rosy from the chill in the air which still lingered about Rosings. Half-rising from his seat, Darcy caught her as she flung herself into his arms and responded with the only thing he could.
“Saw who?”
“The man from the park in London!” exclaimed she, pulling away to look into his eyes. “The man who knocked me over. I think it is Mr. Wickham!”
“Slowly, Elizabeth,” said Mr. Bennet, rising himself to hold Elizabeth’s elbow. The look he gave Darcy suggested he allow Bennet to handle the situation, most likely due to his much longer association with his daughter. Darcy agreed with a nod, though he insisted on staying nearby.
“Now, unless I miss my guess, I do not believe Darcy has ever heard of this incident, nor have I. Shall we not sit and discuss this calmly?”
Elizabeth nodded as she sucked in great breaths, attempting to return to a tranquil state. A movement at the door caught Darcy’s attention, and he noted Thompson entering the room, appearing troubled. Knowing his most trusted footman had accompanied her on her walk, Darcy motioned the man to sit, for they needed to hear Elizabeth’s account first.
“Excellent,” said Mr. Bennet when his daughter was sitting between them. “Please tell us what you saw, Lizzy, and what it has to do with Mr. Wickham.”
“I saw a man as I was walking the estate,” said Elizabeth, her eyes pleading with Darcy to believe her. “He was standing in the woods not far from the path I was walking.”
Darcy looked up at Thompson, who appeared uncomfortable. “Did you see anything?”
“I apologize, Mr. Darcy, but I did not. I was following the miss and came running when she shouted, but I did not think it wise to leave her to conduct a search.”
“He disappeared as soon as I saw him,” Elizabeth hurried to explain.
“Might he have left tracks?”
Thompson paused and considered the matter before offering: “It is possible. There is little snow left, as you know, but between the trees, there might be enough shade to allow some snow to linger. We may find tracks in the mud or turf if we are fortunate.”
“Take several footmen and stable hands who know the estate,” commanded Darcy. “Search the area near where Elizabeth saw this man and see if you can discover something of his movements.”
Rising, Thompson bowed and left the room. Darcy turned back to his companions and said: “I apologize for interrupting, but I believe it would be wise to see if we can discover something of him as soon as may be.”
“That is wise,” said Mr. Bennet, nodding with approval. Elizabeth regarded Darcy with gratitude for not expressing more doubt as to her account. “Please continue, Elizabeth.”
“I have seen this man before,” said Elizabeth. “Not long before I left London to return to Hertfordshire, I was walking in Hyde Park.” Elizabeth paused and glanced at Darcy. “At the time, I was walking with one of Mr. Gardiner’s footmen following me.”
Darcy nodded, indicating his understanding. “As I was walking, a man passing by bumped into me and sent me to the ground. I could only catch a glimpse of him as he hurried away, but what I saw was a man in a long overcoat, his hat pulled low over his eyes, peering back at me.
“When I returned to my uncle’s house, you were already there speaking with my aunt, and the matter of what had happened in Hyde Park was quite driven from my mind. The footman, however, informed my uncle, and after speaking with him, we decided that it was nothing more than a ruffian. There was little to be done, so we allowed the matter to rest.”
“That is all well and good, Elizabeth,” said Darcy, feeling a hint of frustration well up within him. “But did you not think it was a matter of which I should be informed?”
“As I said, William, I did not consider it thereafter.” She paused and directed a searching look at him. “Even if I had mentioned it, would you have connected it to Mr. Wickham, not knowing of his presence in Meryton until recently?”
Though Darcy was of a mind to object, Bennet interjected: “Perhaps it would be best if you inform those of us who are responsible for your safety, Elizabeth, but I do understand. The question we must still answer is how you know it was Mr. Wickham. You saw the man in Meryton, and yet you did not connect him with this mysterious man in London.”
“No, but I had thought there was something familiar about him,” said Elizabeth. “I do not know this man is Mr. Wickham, but I believe he is. He is certainly the same man who knocked me down in London, and now that I have seen Mr. Wickham without the coat and hat obscuring his face, I believe it was the same man.”
Darcy exchanged a look with Bennet. “What do you think?” asked Bennet.
Elizabeth turned back and forth between them, her eyes flashing with displeasure. “Do you suppose I have been seeing that which is not there?”
“Not at all,” said her father, unruffled by her tone. “At the same time, we must consider this rationally, for this is information neither Darcy nor I have ever heard.”
“It makes a certain amount of sense,” said Darcy, forestalling any further argument Elizabeth might make. “Though I have no notion why Wickham would have acted as he did in London—I would not think him interested in base intimidation, especially as he did nothing thereafter—my cousin has not yet located him. He may have been looking in the wrong place from the start.”
“Has this letter he dispatched not been a form of intimidation?” asked Bennet. “What he meant to accomplish is beyond my understanding, for it can be nothing to him or his dispute with you if Lizzy becomes your wife.”
“Though you or I might consider it so,” said Darcy, “you are not Wickham. We have been at odds so long he would take delight in interfering in my life in any way he can. Why he decided against blackening my character to Elizabeth directly I do not know, but the rest of it is nothing more than I have seen before.”
“Because he knew I would not believe it,” said Elizabeth. Darcy cocked his head at her; Elizabeth was more than willing to explain. “Now that I know he watched us in London, he must have realized that any appeal to me would have been fruitless. Thus, he was relegated to these cowardly attempts to intimidate.”
“Yes, I believe Elizabeth has the right of it,” said Mr. Bennet.
At that moment, the door opened and Lady Catherine entered the room. She seemed to understand at once that something was amiss, for she regarded them with a steady gaze before approaching.
“It seems I have missed something of import. I had thought to call you, for James has just arrived from London with Charity and Georgiana, but I believe this is of greater importance. Will you not explain what has happened?”
“James and Charity?” echoed Darcy.
“Yes, and my brother is quite put out that they have graced us with their presence.” Lady Catherine gave them all a stern look. “But that can wait. What has happened?”
Elizabeth explained what she saw in as succinct a manner as she could, Lady Catherine listening to her intently, displaying little of her feelings. When Elizabeth completed her account, and Darcy and Bennet had added their conclusions, Lady Catherine nodded.
“Then what do you mean to do about it?” asked she.
“It would be best, I think, if I were to call Fitzwilliam here from London, for it appears his efforts to discover Wickham’s hole have failed because his quarry is not there. Furthermore, I shall take a company of men and search the estate tomorrow, pending Thompson’s report of what he finds today.”
“That would be for the best.” Lady Catherine’s anger was no less than fierce to behold. “I do not care for this man doing as he wishes on the grounds of Rosings. Find him, Darcy, and ensure he faces the full judgment of the law.”
“You have my word.”
“Good. Then let us go and greet our new guests.” Lady Catherine paused and laughed. “The halls of Rosings are becoming quite crowded with the number of people now present. Anne and I have not had so many visitors in many a year. I find I am enjoying the experience far more than I thought I would.”
Grinning, but forbearing to make one of his witticisms, Bennet offered his arm to Lady Catherine, who accepted it and led Darcy and Elizabeth from the room. As they walked, Darcy squeezed Elizabeth’s hand on his arm with his free hand, prompting her to look up and smile prettily.
“We shall find Wickham, Elizabeth. When we have, there will be no more impediments to our union.”
“Has Mr. Wickham been an impediment?” asked she with an impudent grin.
“In his own mind, he likely has. But my former friend will discover it is best not to push me farther than I can endure; he has spent a lifetime discovering my limits.”
“I believe I shall rest easy when he is in prison or on a ship for Botany Bay.”
“I will endeavor to make that happen as soon as may be.”
When they entered the room, they noted that James Fitzwilliam, Lord Banbury, was, indeed, present, and was sitting and chatting and Miss Mary and Miss Kitty, with Mrs. Bennet nearby. Miss Lydia, it seemed, was not as impressed as her elder sisters, likely as his cousin did not sport a red coat; the girl had been complaining about being separated from the regiment since she had arrived in Kent. Charity was seated nearby speaking with Miss Bennet, Bingley in close attendance as always, with Georgiana seated nearby, looking as if she wished to join the conversation but lacked the courage to do so.
“Darcy!” said Banbury as soon as he saw Darcy enter. “I have come from London at my sister’s insistence, eager to make the acquaintance of your young woman, only to find you both absent when I arrived.”
“You have my apologies, Cousin,” said Darcy wryly. “I shall be certain to divine your intentions in advance next time.”
“That is something I might have said, William,” said Elizabeth with a note of laughter in her voice.
Banbury laughed and rose to be introduced to Elizabeth. “Then it is clear you have influenced my cousin already. Darcy has long required a bit of levity in his life. Shall you not introduce me to your enchanting companion?”
Darcy obliged at once, and when the introductions were complete, Banbury gave Elizabeth a look over. “Well, she seems pretty enough. Given her comment from a few moments ago, she appears lively. Though I must come to know her better, I believe my initial estimation is that you have done well for yourself, old boy.”
“Shall I submit to your inspection now, your lordship?” was Elizabeth’s cheeky reply to Banbury’s statement. “If you require character references, I am certain I can comply. Do you have standards as to the straightness of teeth or the length of my stride?”
Banbury roared with laughter. “She is a saucy one, Darcy. I declare you will have your hands full with her.”
“Oh, enough of your stupidity, James,” said Charity, approaching to embrace Elizabeth. “Come and sit with us, Elizabeth, for my brother can be quite tiresome when he takes it into his head to do so.”
Elizabeth allowed herself to be dragged away, though she directed a diverted grin at Darcy. As his cousin’s actions fit Darcy’s wishes, he allowed her to go, noting that Bingley joined them. When he had the attention of the others, Darcy explained what he had just learned from Elizabeth, noting that he expected more information from Thompson when he returned.
“This is troubling news, Darcy,” observed Banbury when he had completed his explanations. “Though I do not know Wickham well as he was several years younger, I have heard much of him, both from you and Anthony. What do you suppose he means by daring to approach us at Rosings?”
“It has ever been impossible for me to understand Wickham’s thinking,” confessed Darcy. “Though I am certain that Wickham intended nothing more than to spike my wheel, it has grown beyond that.”
“He is in far too deep now for it to be simple mischief,” said Banbury. “As he has now angered two prominent families, his days are numbered unless he can flee, and he does not appear willing to do that.”
“What do you mean to do?” asked Bingley.
“Tomorrow, I shall take men from the house and stables and search the estate,” replied Darcy. “With any luck, we will capture him and put an end to this. I will also send a letter to Fitzwilliam informing him of the situation and asking him to join us here.”
“Yes, that would be best,” said Banbury. “My brother is adept at such things. With his support, it should not be long before we have located your erstwhile friend.”
Darcy nodded and turned to his cousin. “Dare I ask why you are here?”
“I would be surprised if you did not see something odd in our unexpected arrival,” said Banbury with a snort. “If you believe it has something to do with my father, you are not far from the truth.”
“Did the earl not drop his objections to the match?” asked Bennet, though Darcy could see he did not believe his assertion.
“My father no longer protests to Darcy here,” said Banbury. “But he is not hesitant to express his opinion to the rest of the family; I heard the entirety of his opinion within minutes of my arrival two days ago. As he is being completely insufferable, I resolved to come to Rosings to discover the truth for myself, and when she learned of my intention, Charity determined to join me.”
“The earl did not take it well,” said Darcy.
“No, he did not. He and Charity engaged in a fierce argument, in which my father demanded we hold Elizabeth at arms’ length, and Charity decried his stance as silly. Had I not brought her out of London, I was afraid he would throw her from the house.”
“Surely not!” exclaimed Darcy.
“Perhaps not,” acknowledged his cousin. “But he was angry enough to have done it. Georgiana approached us yesterday evening and begged us to allow her to accompany us, and my mother agreed. When my father discovers her absence, he will be furious with her.”
“Your father may be annoyed all he likes,” snapped Darcy. “Georgiana is my sister, and Elizabeth is to be my wife. Why he would object to good relations between them I cannot say, for it is a most shortsighted stance.”
“As I am certain my mother will agree,” said Banbury. “Though I was not in company with them for long before coming here, I had the distinct sense that my mother is not at all pleased with my father’s behavior in this matter. It would not surprise me if she makes her displeasure known in a manner which he cannot misunderstand.”
“Good,” was Darcy’s curt reply. “It is about time someone informed him of how ridiculous he is being.”
Bennet chuckled at Darcy’s declaration while Bingley looked at him, wide-eyed, likely wondering how anyone would speak of an earl in such terms, even a close relation. Banbury only grinned.
“If anyone can, it is my mother. Mother is no shrinking violet; she does not oppose him in public, but when he goes too far, she does not hesitate to inform him of her displeasure.”
“I dare say it is the same for any man married to a strong-willed woman,” observed Mr. Bennet. “Perhaps with her ladyship’s aid, this matter can be put to rest.”
“I hope so,” said Darcy. “It would cause talk if there appeared to be dissension in the family.”
Banbury eyed him with a mixture of curiosity and appraisal. “This woman must be worth it, Darcy, for you to behave thus. No offense intended, Mr. Bennet.”
“None taken,” was Mr. Bennet’s affable reply.
“She is worth it, Cousin,” said Darcy. “Though I respect your father, he has gotten it into his head that he can order me about as if I were a junior member of his faction in parliament. While I am willing to overlook the insult to myself, I cannot do so for Elizabeth, for she will be my wife and must have my allegiance.”
“I understand,” said Banbury. “As for my father, I would advise you to ignore him. In time, his disposition will soften, and he will accept her. Do not provoke a fight now to make a point, for it will lead to nothing good.”
Darcy huffed but nodded, knowing his cousin was correct. “Do you mean to stay at the parsonage while you are here?” asked he, desiring to change the subject.
“It seems you have forgotten,” said his cousin, his grin indicating his bemusement at the question. “I do not have a fiancée present at Rosings Park. As such, there is no reason I cannot stay at Rosings itself.”
“There is no reason to be smug about it,” said Darcy, feeling a little betrayed by his cousin’s humor.
“On the contrary,” replied Banbury, “I have every reason to be smug. The opportunity to watch my cousin behave like a man lost in love for a woman when he has rejected every daughter of society my mother has put forward these past five years does not come about every day.”
Bennet and Bingley both laughed at Banbury’s jest, and Darcy could own that if the positions were reversed, he might feel the same way. Banbury had been as fastidious when it came to the right woman as Darcy had, and more so, considering he was several years older and still unmarried.
“Perhaps you should try it,” rejoined Darcy. “Or has your mother finally despaired of you providing her with grandchildren and left you alone?”
Undaunted by Darcy’s teasing, Banbury returned his grin. “Those were almost the first words out of my mother’s mouth when I returned. It is one reason I was so eager to join you here.”
“A masterful escape, my lord,” said Mr. Bennet with a chuckle.
“You do not know the worst of it, Mr. Bennet,” replied Banbury. “As we were leaving this morning, my mother made a point of informing me that your second daughter was a lovely woman and suggesting that perhaps one of her sisters might be just as lovely.”
Bennet roared with laughter, as did Bingley, though his own seemed a little more forced. Bingley’s glances in Miss Bennet’s direction, where she was seated with Elizabeth, Anne, and Charity, revealed his concern. Amused, Darcy decided against saying anything; Miss Bennet did not strike him as the kind of woman who would allow a man of greater prominence and wealth to turn her head.
“Well, if you must,” said Mr. Bennet, “I suppose I could part with another of my daughters. As you know, Darcy has claimed Lizzy, and I imagine Bingley would forget you are a viscount if you looked twice at Jane, my eldest daughter. As for my younger girls, they are all quite young, and I imagine would be a challenge for any man. But perhaps you are capable of handling them. If you changed your coat to red, perhaps Lydia would even look at you twice!”
This time Banbury laughed along with the rest of them, even Bingley who seemed reassured by Mr. Bennet’s assertion. “We shall see,” was all he said. “If I were to turn my attention to one of your daughters, the explosion of anger from my father would make his fury at Darcy seem tame by comparison.”
“Speaking of sisters,” said Bingley, his eyes finding Darcy, “I received word from Mr. Powell in York this morning.”
“Is that not the man you mean to take your sister off your hands?” asked Darcy.
Bingley grinned and nodded. “The very same. Powell has agreed to my final stipulations, and the final contract.”
“Will your sister agree to it?” asked Bennet with some interest.
“Reluctantly,” replied Bingley. “Powell has been beating a path between Scarborough and York of late, and it seems he has convinced my sister it is for the best that she accept his suit.”
“Is Scarborough not above thirty miles from York?” asked Banbury.
“More like forty,” was Bingley. “It appears he was determined, a quality a man must possess to deal with my sister.”
“What I do not understand,” said Darcy, shaking his head, “is why a man wishes to have a woman who does not want him.”
Bingley shrugged. “Powell has never made his reasons clear to me. In some ways, this will be good for Caroline. She never had much of a chance of ascending to the heights of society as was her ambition, for few men will take on the daughter of a tradesman unless she possesses a dowry three times what Caroline has. Though Powell does not go to London, he is prominent in York, which will allow Caroline to lord her position over others to her heart’s content.”
“That does not speak well to your sister’s character, sir,” observed Banbury.
“If you had endured her antics as I have,” replied Bingley, “you would understand why I speak of her so.”
“Trust me, Bingley,” said Banbury, “my father said enough of the matter in the short time I was there that I understand fully.”
Bingley appeared more than a little apprehensive. “I hope his lordship is not angry enough to have spread the story about London.”
“Do not concern yourself on that matter, Bingley. My father was angry and offended, but he has no thought of spreading gossip.”
At that moment, Thompson entered the room and looked to Darcy, who beckoned him forward, knowing he would wish these men to hear his report. The footman who had been prominent in Darcy’s house long enough to have lost his sense of awe for those of the gentry, stepped forward to give his report.
“We found traces of someone in the trees where Miss Bennet saw that man, Mr. Darcy,” said Thompson with a brevity of manner. “There was not enough snow to determine where he went, but I believe it is safe to say he was there.”
“Not that I doubted Elizabeth,” replied Darcy. “Did you speak with any of the tenants?”
“We did canvass one or two who were nearby, but none could tell us anything.”
“He may have come to Rosings recently,” said Bennet.
Darcy nodded. “If he did, I must commend him for evading Fitzwilliam’s searches. I thought we had enough men in London watching the streets that a rat could not move from one building to another without being observed.”
“Wickham is more cunning than a rat,” said Banbury. “I join my brother in this, Darcy; you should have done something about that particular millstone many years ago. Once your father passed, there was no reason to continue to humor him.”
“Perhaps I might have acted different,” replied Darcy. “Either way, I mean to see him in prison now, and I do not mean to allow him out again for some time.”
Darcy turned to Thompson. “Thank you for investigating. Please speak to the butler and arrange a company of men on horseback to search the estate tomorrow. Have him choose those who were raised here or have been here for many years and know the estate well.”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy,” said Thompson with a bow. Then he turned and exited the room.
Catching her eye from across the room, Darcy nodded to Elizabeth, informing her that Thompson had both found evidence of Wickham’s presence and his intention to tell her more later. Elizabeth smiled and turned back to her companions.
“Well, that is quite a surprise.”
Darcy turned and noted Banbury regarding him, speculation alive in his look. Interpreting Darcy’s expression as the question it was, Banbury clarified:
“It seems you know your young lady well enough to communicate with her with nothing more than a look. That puts the lie to my father’s assertion that you are infatuated and will regret your choice when that fixation has waned with greater familiarity.”
“His lordship is incorrect,” said Darcy. “I expect many happy years with Elizabeth as my wife.”
“Yes, I am beginning to see that,” murmured Banbury.