“I should like that very much.”
“It would give me great pleasure for you both to become better acquainted. She only had the kindest words about you and your meeting at Pemberley.”
“I am glad.”
“I have told her about our marriage, Elizabeth.”
“Then I believe that we shall not only be the closest of friends, but the closest of sisters when you return!”
A smile readily came upon Darcy’s face. “You do not know how much that means to me.” Darcy beheld the gleam in Elizabeth’s eyes. “I regret leaving again, but I promise I shall return promptly.” He closed his eyes for a moment, and as if in a prayer he added, “With our marriage intact, my beloved wife.”
He kissed her hand again before quickly leaving the room, grateful that he was able to leave the house without encountering the questioning glances or remarks by Mrs. Bennet.
Elizabeth remained in the room and her father soon returned to join her.
“Well, Lizzy. What have you to say for yourself?” Mr. Bennet inquired.
“Papa, he is a good man. You must see that he has the finest character.”
“Oh, I have it on good authority that he is a solid gentleman; a decent, principled man; one whom I should never lament having as a son-in-law.” His eyes twinkled as he looked at Elizabeth.
“Papa, I do not understand.”
Mr. Bennet reached into his desk drawer and drew out a letter. “From your Uncle Gardiner.” He absently scratched at his jaw as he held the missive out toward Elizabeth. “He thought it best to warn me that Mr. Darcy would be coming to talk with me about something of a most astonishing nature and that I should try to be open and give him my full attention. He and Mrs. Gardiner had only words of praise for him and gave him their ultimate approval. Not that I knew why they were bestowing such elaborate praises on the man.”
“And now you do.”
He looked down at her. “Yes, Lizzy, now I do. Although, even having received something of a warning in the letter, I am still shocked. And I could not allow him to think I approved of what the two of you did. No, as much as I have respect for the man, I thought I needed to unsettle him just a bit.”
“But you do forgive us?”
“Yes, Elizabeth, I do. But I am going to be adamant that for the moment we tell no one about this marriage and we wait until Mr… your… your husband returns before we do or say anything. If his aunt does somehow annul your marriage, however unlikely it is, it would be best not to have told anyone of it. Do you understand?”
Elizabeth wrapped her arms tightly around her father’s neck. “Yes, Papa. I do, and thank you!”
Chapter 30
Darcy pounded his horse toward London, intent on arriving before darkness settled. As the horse maintained a constant gallop, Darcy grasped the reins tightly, his mind in turmoil as he considered the plight of Miss Lydia Bennet. Finding Wickham and Miss Lydia was of the utmost urgency. Before leaving Hertfordshire, he inquired at the post station and determined that Wickham had indeed left with Lydia in the direction of London. He was grateful they had not gone north to Gretna Green.
He hoped that he would find them before nightfall. Once evening came, Lydia would likely be taken, but not yet as Wickham’s wife. He knew Wickham could not have planned this elopement far enough in advance to have already secured a license to be married in London today. Darcy shuddered as he considered that Wickham would not likely wait to have his way with her, if only to ensure that they marry. Darcy knew for a certainty that if he did not find them tonight, then it would be a matter of choosing disgrace over an imprudent, ill-fated marriage.
Concern for Lydia and fury toward Wickham battled with the issue of his aunt’s threats to Elizabeth in regards to their marriage. What plans she had, once she arrived in London, he could only conjecture. His only consolation was that his aunt, conveyed in her carriage and requiring frequent stops, most likely arrived too late in the day to do anything.
Darcy wiped his face with the back of his hand. The dirt and grit stung as he rode. He had given instructions to Durnham and Winston to convey the carriage to London the following day. He was not sure he would need their assistance, but he knew he would greatly appreciate the comfort of a carriage for the ride back.
Darcy was tired; physically tired from travelling all morning to Netherfield and now to London and emotionally drained from the events of the day. He felt as though the past several days collided into one blur as he travelled from place to place attempting to quell one mishap after another. Perhaps this was his due penance for marrying Elizabeth with such a light regard for the vows he took. Not that he took them lightly now; he would do anything to protect his marriage and the one he loved.
When he stopped to change horses, the new animal was eager to take to the road in full stride. He should make it to London before darkness settled on the outlying roads.
At length, he began to see the familiar sights of the outskirts of London. He began to ponder where he should go. Wickham’s acquaintance, Mrs. Younge, a co-conspirator in his scheme to elope with Georgiana, managed a boardinghouse. Although it was located in a rather squalid part of town, he believed Wickham would seek her out for accommodations.
When he finally came upon the streets of London, the sun had just dipped over the horizon. The lamps were being lit along the streets and he allowed the horse to slow its pace. It let out a few grunts, letting Darcy know it was most grateful.
As he came into the city, he directed his horse toward Cheapside. He would stop by the Gardiners’ first, acquaint them with the situation, and then set out to find Wickham.
He manoeuvred the horse down busy streets to the Gardiners’ modest home on Gracechurch Street. It was well kept and clean and surrounded by similarly respectable homes. He alit from the horse, slapped the reins around a post, and walked up to the front door and knocked.
When the door was answered, the maid recognized him from his earlier visit.
“Good evening, Mr. Darcy. What can I do for you?”
Darcy took off his hat. “Are either Mr. or Mrs. Gardiner at home?” he asked.
“Yes, they are just sitting down to dine. If you will wait here, I shall inform them that you are calling.”
“Thank you.”
The maid walked into the dining room and Darcy heard Mr. Gardiner’s voice boom in a loud, surprised fashion. “Mr. Darcy? Well, invite him in, by all means!”
The maid returned. “This way, please.”
As Darcy entered the small dining room, Mr. Gardiner was up on his feet and walking toward him. “What a surprise this is, Mr. Darcy! To what do we owe the honour of this visit?”
His grin was soon displaced by a more sombre look as he met Darcy’s gaze.
“What is it, my friend?”
“I am afraid I do not bring good tidings.” He looked over at Mrs. Gardiner and the children. “Good evening, Mrs. Gardiner.” He nodded at the children. “May we speak alone?”
“Certainly! This way.”
Mr. Gardiner led the way to his study, where the two had sat just a few weeks earlier when Darcy came to reveal his marriage to Elizabeth. At that visit, Darcy had appeared nervous and on edge. This evening, he appeared far more distressed.
“Pray, what has happened, Mr. Darcy?”
“Mr. Gardiner, I regret to inform you that your youngest niece, Miss Lydia Bennet, has run off with one of the officers stationed in Meryton with the intention to elope with him.”
Mr. Gardiner shook his head. “This is very disturbing, indeed! I always feared she would do something reckless!” He turned back and looked upon the gentleman standing across from him. “But how is it that you have come to inform me of this?”