Chapter 19
Mr. Darcy arrived in London and immediately
started his search of Mr. Wickham. The only connection he had with the runaway
officer was Mrs. Young, who he found through Mr. Smithson, an attorney that still
preserved the acquaintance with her. He directed Darcy to the small apartment
in South London where the lady resided. There,
Darcy found her in poor health, and faced with her uncooperativeness; was
forced to ease her hardships with few coins in order to be pointed to the
address where Wickham and Miss Lydia
were lodging.
According to Mrs.
Young’s pronunciations, the couple was dwelling under the same roof,
unmarried, living a life of profligacy and licentiousness, so Darcy’s
harboured little hopes of saving his sister-in-law from social disgrace. To
make matters worse, word had already been spread of Wickham being in Town,
circumstance that had alerted some of Wickham’s creditors, who were also
set to hunt the ruffian. This compelled Darcy to act with haste in order to
find the scoundrel before his predators and marry him to Lydia before
the scandal acquired higher dimensions. Not only was his wife’s happiness
at stake, but also his name and the respectability of those who depended on
him.
Darcy’s sense of
responsibility towards this affair was great indeed. Certainly, Miss Lydia would not
have represented an interesting prey for Wickham had she not been the
sister-in-law of the powerful and rich Master of Pemberley. He was perfectly
aware that Wickham’s main aim was to obtain money from this transaction
and it troubled him exceedingly that the officer had chosen to dishonour the
girl instead of heading directly to Gretna, where he could have married Lydia
immediately, that way assuring his inclusion in the Bennet family and in
consequence, establishing his connection to Pemberley house. This only
reinforced Darcy’s suspicions that Wickham’s debts were much larger
than he had initially imagined. Perhaps, knowing that Darcy would never offer
the money to pay them freely, the scoundrel had used Miss Lydia as a pawn to
situate himself in a more advantageous position and demand a pecuniary
compensation in order to restore –even if precariously—the
girl’s honour. This spoke volumes of Wickham’s unscrupulousness, of
how far he would go to obtain what he wanted. Darcy imagined that their
unresolved grudges had also been sufficient encouragement and it afflicted him
exceedingly that he had used his wife’s sister to fulfil his revenge
against him.
“Well, well, well. Look
who’s come,” Wickham opened the door and looked at the other
gentleman with a smirk. “Mr. Darcy, the master of the grand Pemberley, in
flesh and blood.”
“Wickham.” Darcy
replied with less amiability.
“Did you lose your way?
You are most certainly out of your usual sphere.” With an overdone
caravan, Wickham allowed Darcy inside. The gentleman stood quietly in the
centre of the room, observing his surroundings with displeasure. “So, my
friend, what brings you to this less fashionable side of London?”
“George? What is that
noise? Who is here?”
When Lydia Bennet came into
sight all dishevelled and clad still in her nightclothes, Darcy was overcome by
a sense of failure and guilt as he had never felt before. Albeit this was not
too different from what he had expected to find, witnessing her in this state
was much harder than he had thought. The last time he had seen his
sister-in-law she was this reckless and yet happy lass that noisily displayed
her excitement for her sister’s wedding. Darcy may have disapproved her
juvenile and unrestrained exuberance and her inclination for forwardness, yet
he had never wished her any ill. Certainly he had never desired this kind of
future for her. She was only a child and it was painful to see her innocence corrupted
by an unscrupulous man whose only object was to obtain profit from her
dishonour.
Lydia felt the gravity
of Darcy’s stare on her and looked down in shame while closing her robe
around herself. Until now she had never stopped to think of the consequences of
her doings, but seeing her illustrious brother-in-law, who had never spared one
minute of his time to look down at her, coming this far to find her, made her
realize the concerns she must have inflicted on her dear ones. Yet despite
Darcy’s presence there and his good intentions –if that was his
reason for his being there--, she did not think that what she did was so
terribly wrong neither did she want to leave George’s side.
“Madam,” he bowed.
“Mr. Darcy,” her
courage rose at his stare full with disapprobation. “What are you doing
here?”
“The report of you
disappearance reached me a few days ago and since then I have commissioned
myself to the task of finding you and returning you to your family. I am here
to offer you my assistance and provide you of everything you may need to
sojourn back home.”
“I don’t want to
go back to Longbourn.”
“Miss Lydia,”
Darcy insisted, “I feel I am obliged to warn you of the disgraceful of your
present situation. This may taint your reputation forever as well as that of
your family.”
But Lydia would not hear reason and
persisted in her decision to stay by Wickham’s side. “I do not care
about them. I love George and he loves me and we are to be married soon. Tell
him, George.”
Darcy looked at Wickham, who
stared back with a self sufficient half smile. “Lydia,
darling,” said the officer, “Go inside. I have some matters to
discuss with your brother here.”
Lydia nodded and
disappeared into the other room.
Wickham went towards the table
and poured himself a glass of wine. “As you see, she’s quite
attached to me.”
“I cannot believe you
disgraced her like this.”
“You are such an
idealistic fool, Darcy. I didn’t do anything she didn’t want me to
do.”
“Then there is only one
way to rectify this.”
The officer smirked.
“Marriage, I know. But that will not preserve the scandal in which your
name will be involved if I make this affair common knowledge.”
“What do you
want?”
“I have debts.”
Wickham said nonchalantly.
“I have already been
informed of this circumstance,” Darcy remained unmoved. “And I will
take care of that.”
Wickham looked his companion
of youth with a triumphant smile, what only served to increase Darcy’s
exasperation. “This is most surprising, Darcy. What an extraordinary
change in your disposition. You denied me the pleasure of becoming your brother
once because you did not find me suitable enough for your sister and here you
are, conceding me the unthinkable in order to marry your wife’s. From
where does this new generosity come? Have the lavish joys of matrimony made you
more sensible to other’s needs?”
Darcy did not reply and looked
at Wickham with thunder in his eyes.
“Pray tell me, how is your
lovely wife? She is one fine woman, is she not?” The other gentleman
struggled to keep his temperament in check, but Wickham continued, unaware of
the danger to which his words were exposing him. “Oh, cheer up, Darcy, we
are going to be brothers, so let us speak frankly. I recall she was quite
desolate with the prospect of marrying you when I last saw her. Has she changed
her mind? I assume she has not or otherwise you would not be here, turning the
city upside down in search of her lost sister. Or perhaps you are doing this to
be in her good grace?”
“Be careful,
Wickham.” Darcy closed hands into tight fists.
The anger in
Darcy’s eyes became plain evident and Wickham realized that he may be not
so far away from the truth. “I wager you are. I cannot blame you, my
friend, for trying. If she is anything like her sister, I can only imagine the
pleasures she’ll …”
Blind with rage,
Darcy advanced over Wickham and launched a powerful blow that hit him squarely
on the face, throwing the astonished officer several yards away until he fell
flat on the floor in a most ungracious way. Against everything his boxing
master had taught him, Darcy’s punch was delivered from the heart and not
the mind and hit his opponent with such force there was a cracking sound of breaking
bone that no one could tell if it came from Wickham’s face or
Darcy’s hand.
At Pemberley, the
mistress was wild with preoccupation for her lost sister but also for her
family, especially for Jane who she knew was carrying the weight of directing
Longbourn all by herself. Her father was gone, her mother was incapable of
exertion and poor Jane, so recently engaged to a man of great consequence, was
now in charge of the household, of her younger sisters while trying to secure a
match that could be dissolved if her fiancée decided to end his connection with
the disgraced family. Although Jane had assured Elizabeth that her engagement
to Bingley did not peril after Lydia’s folly, that the gentleman had
taken the news tolerably well and was providing her with every assistance in
his power, Elizabeth could not but fret at what the future might bring if this
wretched affair was not resolved satisfactorily. Bingley could very well undo
his engagement and leave Hertfordshire to never come back and --Elizabeth
feared the most-- her marriage to Mr. Darcy might be dissolved within the blink
of the eye.
About her husband, Elizabeth knew very
little. Darcy only sent a brief letter upon his arrival in London, but since then, there had not been
news from him. This only served to increase her concerns about his decision of
annulling their marriage and end every connection with the attainted Bennet
family.
A sennight after
Darcy’s departure, an express arrived at Pemberley containing important
news. Mr. Bennet wrote to inform his second eldest that Lydia had been
found and that her wedding to Mr. Wickham was scheduled to take place in a
week’s time. Elizabeth was also informed about other
unpleasant details, like Mr. Wickham’s debts as well as the shameless
cohabitation in which the couple had indulged before being found. Even though
her father did not extend himself too much on the subject, Elizabeth deduced
from his words that the payment of Wickham’s debts should be credited to
her dear uncle, who she knew for certain had played an important role in Lydia’s
recovery.
Lydia’s reputation
would be somehow restored after her wedding to Mr. Wickham –as well as
the rest of the family’s-- if the matter was handled with discretion.
Despite this, Elizabeth
had good reasons to be concerned. What would her husband say when he found out
about this new connection that would be established when her sister became the
new Mrs. Wickham?
Four days after Mr
Bennet’s express, Elizabeth
received a brief note from Darcy informing his wife that he was being retained
by some unexpected business he needed to resolve. Albeit he was all politeness
and that his letter with a ‘Dearest Elizabeth’, Elizabeth’s doubts weren’t
appeased. There were no words of affection or any clear indication of when he
would return to her. Even his handwriting seemed slightly different.
Darcy’s words seemed rushed and were deprived from its usual neatness,
denoting an agitated frame of mind.
“Elizabeth, is anything
the matter?” Georgiana asked, concerned for seeing her sister so
disturbed.
“Oh
no,” Elizabeth
quickly folded her husband’s letter. “Everything is fine now. They
were found. My sister Lydia
and Mr. Wickham are surely married by now.”
“That is good news, though you do not seem
happy with it since you are crying.”
“No. It is
not that. I am very happy for her,” she dried her tears. “I am just
distressed for learning that they were living together without being married. Lydia is such a
foolish girl.”
“<pDo not
blame her. I know how deceitful Mr Wickham can be. He can be most persuasive. I
…”
Miss Darcy
hesitated and Elizabeth
instantly recognized the source of her distress. They had never discussed
Georgiana’s interlude with Wickham, in fact the girl did not know that
her sister –in-law was already aware of that circumstance, who readily
put her at ease.
“I know what
he tried to do, Georgiana. Your brother told me soon after our wedding.”
Georgiana blushed
intently. “I am so ashamed. I cannot forgive myself for almost surrendering
to his charms and disappointing my brother so badly.”
“Oh no, my
dear. Do not blame yourself for what happened. You were only a child then and
fortunately you have a loving and caring brother who was there for you. I was
also deceived by George Wickham once.”
“Elizabeth, you must not
worry. Your sister is about to be married and everything will be well. I am
sure that as soon as William is back you will be happy again.”
Elizabeth smiled
unfeelingly. What she was dreading was her husband’s reaction to the
news. She knew it would be difficult for him to tolerate her sister’s
shameful behaviour, but would he endure the trial of being George
Wickham’s brother-in-law?
“Everything
is resolved now,” said Darcy. “Tomorrow I shall meet with the last
creditor and this subject would be settled once and forever.
“I am not
sure if I am doing the correct thing, Mr. Darcy. You are taking all the
responsibility of what has happened upon your shoulders. As much as I dislike this
affair, she is my daughter and I am the one that must assume the
scoundrel’s debts.” Mr. Bennet said gravely.
“Mr. Bennet,
I will hear nothing of it. Had I exposed Wickham’s character before, your
daughter would have been spared of this inconvenience. I have also purchased a
commission in the regulars for Wickham, he was
promised an ensigncy in General ----'s regiment, now quartered in the
North.”
The younger man
seemed determined to assume all the responsibility no matter what Mr Bennet
said, so Mr. Bennet conceded his point. “I dare
say it is an advantage to sent him away so far from this part of the kingdom. I shall be
exceedingly happy if I don’t have to see that rascal’s face ever
again. I am only concerned for my poor Lydia, I don’t think that girl
has come to realize the trouble she brought upon herself. She has always been a
reckless child, this was prone to happen sooner or later.”
After what almost
happened to Georgiana, who could have suffered Lydia’s fate, Darcy was not
in the place to judge his father-in-law for his want of severity in parental
guidance. Still, he was perfectly aware that Miss Lydia could have been
benefitted with more restraint during her education and always found
reproachable the liberality and general permissiveness that Mr. Bennet bestowed
on his children.
“Your hand
looks much improved now,” Mr. Bennet commented a while later.
Darcy raised his
hand, so carefully wrapped in white linen, and inspected it through narrowed
eyes. Certainly it was still swollen and ached whenever he tried to move his
fingers, but it was not nearly as bluish as it was three days ago. “At
least I can now write without blotting the entire sheet.”
“You did what
many people would have liked to do, knock George Wickham unconscious,”
Mr. Bennet chuckled, “Pity it cost you a broken hand.”
“It was worth
the inconvenience, I grant you,” Darcy laughed too. “Sir, I fear I
have to ask you a favour, if you would be so kind as to grant it to me.”
“My friend, I
am indebted to you for life. Pray, go ahead.”
“I will ask
you not to tell anything about this to Elizabeth.
I do not want her to know about my intervention on this affair.”
“Why
not?” asked a surprised Mr. Bennet. “I am sure this will have a
remarkable influence in her best understanding of your character.”
That was exactly
the reason. Darcy wanted her to love him for himself, not out of gratitude for
rescuing her sister. “I have very good reasons for it, trust me.”
“As you wish,
young man, as you wish.” Mr. Bennet nodded in acquiesce. “And how
are you two getting along? Has my stubborn daughter realized already that you
are not the monster she thought you were?”
Darcy smiled sadly.
“We are coming to an understanding now, Sir. But I fear that this affair
came to happen in the least appropriate time.”
“I am sorry
to hear that, son. You two deserve to be happy. Hopefully things will change
soon.”
Two days later, all
matters concerning Lydia’s
unfortunate affair were resolved and the wedding finally took place. The couple
was married in a discreet and simple ceremony and immediately afterwards the
newlyweds departed to the North, where Wickham’s new regiment was
encamped. Now Darcy only had to dine this last time with the Gardiners and he
would be able to return home to his wife.
“I say, it
was a very nice ceremony,” Mr. Gardiner said while cutting some bread.
“Indeed.”
Mr. Bennet poured himself more wine. “We were the only ones there so it
was plain by force. I still don’t understand how it is that Lydia had come
to believe that all her friends and the regiment would be there. That girl has
less sense in her head than a plough horse.”
“But she did
look very pretty.” Mrs. Gardiner commented while passing the potatoes.
“Even though we had so little time to find her something suitable for the
occasion, I think she was a lovely bride. Don’t you think so?” The
question was meant for Mr. Bennet, who was sitting by her side.
“Yes, I do. I
must say that I was impressed with the colour of her gown.” It was Darcy
the one who responded while engaged in the task of cutting his meat. Three
pairs of astonished eyes were now focused on him. “It matched perfectly
with the purple colour on Wickham’s eye.”