Wild Goose Chase Page 4
She was not calmed by his words either. “But then what could Jane have meant? Is it possible that she has reason to believe Mr. Wickham will not marry Lydia? You doubted it, and you know him better than anybody.”
The concern on her face tugged at his heart. “I was too hasty in making that assumption,” he said, wanting to calm her.
But it was too late to take back his opinion now.
“No,” she said. “I believe that your interpretation is the most correct. Mr. Wickham has no reason to marry Lydia. I agree it is unlikely he ever meant to. He has left Brighton for some reason of his own.”
“He might have wanted to escape his creditors,” Mr. Darcy admitted. “He has formed a habit of running up substantial debts.”
“And he was not averse to taking her with him for company. But that does not make sense either. Why go to the extra expense of providing for a companion?”
“That is a good point. Incomprehensible though it seems to both of us, Wickham might really want to marry your sister.”
“We both know how unlikely that is. Nor did I ever see him pay any particular attention to her. I think it extremely unlikely that he could have fallen in love with her, and such an alliance will do nothing to help him with any financial difficulties.”
“He might be hoping that your father will be willing to settle his debts.”
“Perhaps, although it seems foolish to depend upon mere hopefulness, and he must realize that he would only get limited help at best. Do you suppose that he could have intentionally set out to ruin her?”
“I have to admit that he is quite capable of that, but only for a good reason, not for amusement, and I cannot think what reason he would have for doing so in this case. I believe he would gladly ruin me if he could, but he has no particular dislike for your family, does he?”
“No. I did cause him some anxiety the last time we met, but that was not sufficient to rouse any great animosity between us.”
“What sort of anxiety?”
She blushed. “He tried to raise the subject of his supposed grievances again, and I was not at all sympathetic. And I told him that I thought you improved upon acquaintance.”
If only he could have heard those heartening words under better circumstances. “He must not have liked hearing that.”
“No, but he made a great effort at pretending not to be concerned, even as his expression made it clear that he wondered what I knew. That cannot have anything to do with Lydia, however. Indeed, if anything, I felt that he would have preferred to avoid any further association with me. Really none of this makes any sense. I cannot believe that Mr. Wickham loves Lydia, or that he would marry without something to gain. I wonder if she somehow persuaded him into it. Or even compelled him. Dreadful though it is, I can imagine that she took advantage of some hold over him, or possibly threatened to call attention to his departure. If that is the case, he may yet try to rid himself of her. I fear that is a possibility. Perhaps he does not even intend to go the Gretna Green.”
“They were apparently travelling in the right direction,” he said hopefully.
“But he could be going almost anywhere that is north of London. And for any reason.”
“He might be thinking Scotland a good place to hide from his creditors.”
“In which case, it could well be his intention to divest himself of Lydia’s company once he has reached his destination. Then what will happen to her? She really will be utterly ruined, and our family by association.”
“Perhaps not,” he said, trying to be helpful.
“You are trying to be kind, but there is no denying it.”
“It might still be possible to intervene if you do choose to go after them.”
“I suppose it might, but Jane has begged me to return because she is greatly in need of comfort. Oh! I had not thought about that before. This makes it clear that they cannot be expecting us go after Lydia.”
“It could be worth trying though. Did your sister indicate how much time had passed before she wrote?”
Elizabeth hastily unfolded the letter and looked over it. “Very little time I would guess. She wrote that Colonel Forster had only just told them.”
“An express letter travels faster than a carriage,” he observed, “and who knows what sort of a carriage and horse Mr. Wickham was able to afford. It seems to be that there is an excellent chance of catching them. As to the question of whether or not, they have really gone to Gretna Green, there looks to be a good chance of it. I think the attempt should be made.”
“I am inclined to believe you are right. Sorting this situation out will give Jane as much comfort as anything, even though she will have to wait longer for it, and it seems prudent to attempt a rescue of Lydia for what it is worth. No, not a rescue. Our purpose must be to make certain that Mr. Wickham does marry her. It is a very distasteful notion, but I fear that it will be necessary to put some pressure upon him to do his duty.”
She sighed. “Connecting myself with such a man as Mr. Wickham is the last thing I want to do. Forcing him to marry Lydia will be very degrading, but there is no other choice under the circumstances. It is the only thing that can be done now for the sake of Lydia’s reputation, and my family’s by association.”
“I have to agree that they must marry, but I am sorry you should be compelled to this. It is a connection that I would not wish upon anybody.”
“No, I suppose not.”
It now occurred to him that there was something which he could do to ease her burden. “I hope things can be satisfactorily settled,” he said, “but in case Mr. Wickham is not cooperative, you may tell him that once he is married to Miss Lydia, I will settle his debts and do what I can to advance his career.”
“You cannot do that,” she said. “It is too much.”
“I want to,” he replied firmly. “I feel that I am partly to blame for this.”
“I do not think you can be held accountable for the defects of his character.”
“I might have made them better known.”
“That would not have carried any weight with Lydia,” she said bitterly.
“It would have done with others. Anyway, I feel that he is my responsibility. I am determined to do this. It is bargaining power for you, Miss Bennet. Please do not hesitate to use it.”
“I shall not,” she said. “Thank you.”
“It is the least I can do.” He felt the truth of these words, and a great desire to do more.
“You have been kind to put up with my agitation and indecisiveness,” she said. “I am not usually at such a loss to know what to do, but this is so confusing. It has helped me to discuss the situation with you.”
“I am glad to have been of use.”
“I am sorry that this is putting such a sudden end to our visit. We have been enjoying our stay at Pemberley.”
An uncomfortable look flitted over her face, and he guessed that she was afraid that had sounded like a hint for another invitation.
“I have enjoyed the company,” he said, trying to put her at ease. He wanted to add that perhaps they might come again some day, but caution held him back.
“I had better go now and help my aunt with the packing,” she said. “The sooner we can leave, the better it will be for everybody concerned.”
He wondered if she was thinking of him as one of those concerned. Was she fearing that he would want her gone as soon as possible so that he would not be tainted by association with her disgrace? She had probably comprehended what his thoughts and concerns were.
As she hurried away, he hated himself for not having made what would amount to a declaration of continuing friendship. He should have said more. He should have tried harder not to care that a match between them was even less desirable than ever.
But if he married her, he would be brother-in-law to Wickham. Or he would share in her family’s disgrace. Both of these were disagreeable prospects.
Yet he still loved her. Those feelings could not just b
e discarded. If he gave her up, he would hate himself for putting consequence ahead of happiness. And for not being a true friend.
Feeling very displeased with himself, he left the house again, choosing to walk over to the stables instead of sending a message. It might help him to clear his thoughts.
CHAPTER 7
In the drawing room, the eavesdroppers straightened up.
“I cannot believe he offered to pay off Mr. Wickham,” Miss Bingley said with disgust. “What could he have been thinking? And Eliza Bennet. Whatever was going through her head? She actually told him what was in the letter.”
“I was astonished to hear her speak so openly on the subject,” Mrs. Hurst agreed, rubbing a crick in her back.
“She is a complete fool, but that is to our advantage. She has saved us the bother of doing anything. Mr. Darcy knows everything now, and he will tell Charles.”
“Did you think he was surprisingly sympathetic to her?”
“He was only being polite.”
“But what about his desire to help.”
“He feels the need to take responsibility. That is all. You heard how eager he was to have their carriage readied. I am sure he cannot wait to have them off the property.”
“But did you not think that he seemed particularly concerned about the business?”
“No,” Miss Bingley snapped. “I tell you, he was only being polite. Beyond that, he is undoubtedly filled with disgust for the entire family. He never liked them in the first place, and now he will want nothing to do with them.”
“I suppose so. I just think it remarkable that she told him when she would not say anything to anybody else. They seem to have some shared knowledge of Mr. Wickham as well. Do you not think that very interesting?”
“Not at all interesting,” Miss Bingley said firmly.
“I was wondering if there might be an understanding between them.”
“Certainly not!” Miss Bingley cried in outrage. “It is impossible.”
“It would explain why she willingly told him everything.”
“Mr. Darcy would never marry a Bennet. You know he would not. Have you forgotten what he said to Charles on that subject?”
“Perhaps he has changed his mind. He did invite her to stay here.”
“She manipulated him into doing so. That can be the only explanation. Believe me, Louisa, there is no understanding between Mr. Darcy and Eliza Bennet. Oh, he has sometimes joked about her fine eyes, but that was all a joke meant to tease me. He does not really admire her.”
“He did talk to her at great length last night.”
“Only because she trapped him on a sofa and would not let him go. I am certain that he found it tedious, poor man.”
“He never seemed to care much for her conversation when she was staying at Netherfield,” Mrs. Hurst conceded.
“Quite so. Indeed, it was obvious that he found her dreadfully argumentative.”
“She said just now that she thought he improved upon acquaintance.”
“That does not mean he finds any improvement in her,” Miss Bingley said with irritation.
“No, I suppose not. You are quite right. He could not have offered for her.”
“As I have already said.”
But her sister did not take the hint to give up the subject. “Yet it seemed as though he was trying to be very helpful in giving her advice. As though it mattered to him as well.”
“He should have been colder in his manner toward her,” Miss Bingley admitted. “But that does mean anything.”
“He did not seem so disgusted by her sister’s elopement either. And he is usually such a fastidious person.”
“Of course he was disgusted. Mr. Darcy is very particular about such things.”
Mrs. Hurst continued her musing. “Maybe there is some reason he does not have as much repugnance for the disgrace of an elopement as we thought. I wonder what it might be. Do you suppose that his parents eloped? Or perhaps somebody else close to him?”
“Do be serious, Louisa. The Darcys are an impeccable family, and his mother was descended from earls.”
“So is Lady Caroline Lamb, and look how shocking her behaviour has been these last few months.”
“Oh, she has made a spectacle of herself,” Miss Bingley cried, diving into this fascinating topic. “Her obsession with that man is outrageous.”
“She is quite out of control.”
“Completely unhinged, I think.”
I expect it will all end badly. They say he is already growing tired of her theatrics.”
“I do not know what he saw in her in the first place. I can see no beauty in Caroline Lamb. She is too thin, her complexion has no brilliancy, and her features are not at all handsome.”
“Oh, she is quite hideous,” Mrs. Hurst agreed, glancing at her own reflection in a mirror and patting one of her curls into place. “There is nothing of beauty in her appearance.”
“Rather like Eliza Bennet, now that I think of it. They share the same shrewish look. And the same conceited independence with no regard for decorum. There is not much difference between Miss Eliza’s dirty petticoat and Lady Caroline’s habit of dressing like a footman.”
Mrs. Hurst shrieked with laughter.
“To return to the point,” Miss Bingley said, recollecting what they had been discussing, “one cannot count her as an example of the usual behaviour of the nobility. She is practically out of her wits, but I am quite certain that Mr. Darcy’s mother would never have behaved so disgracefully as to elope, nor anybody else connected with him.”
“I sometimes think his aunt is a bit unstable.”
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh? She is an odious woman, to be sure. Always looking down her nose at people. But it is a bit much to call her unstable, besides which, one cannot imagine her eloping.”
“No, I suppose not.”
“Anyway, Mr. Darcy’s family history can have nothing to with his generous treatment of Miss Eliza. I must admit that I am a bit surprised by that, but I am sure it was only because she is still a guest here. Once she and her relatives are gone, I expect he will be eager to discuss how dreadful the Bennets are. It will be just like when we were at Netherfield.”
“Oh, that will be amusing. He did say some very witty things about them.”
“I look forward to hearing a few more, but after that, we shall never mention them again.”
“That will be best,” Mrs. Hurst said. “Charles will be guided by his example.”
“I do not see how it can be otherwise. He actually heard Miss Eliza say that she does not believe Mr. Wickham will marry her sister. That must have completely shocked him.”
“Oh yes, it must have done. I hope that Mr. Wickham will not marry her. Once Lydia Bennet is well and truly ruined, Mr. Darcy will certainly not want to have anything to do with the family.”
“You are forgetting, Louisa, that I wrote Miss Eliza’s letter. Lydia Bennet has not actually eloped with Mr. Wickham.”
“Of course not. Silly me. I was carried away by thinking what a delightful piece of gossip it would be.”
“It would indeed. It really is a pity that Miss Lydia has not eloped. That is a story that I would enjoy telling all my acquaintance; however, it is equally satisfying to have gained the upper hand on Miss Eliza. All her hopes of gaining Mr. Darcy are completely gone.”
“Oh, they are, and she will be going all the way to Gretna Green for nothing.” Her tone was gleeful. “It was very clever of you to send her on a wild goose chase.”
“I did not anticipate that she would go in pursuit,” Miss Bingley admitted. “But it is very amusing.”
CHAPTER 8
On his way to the stables, Mr. Darcy met up with Mr. Gardiner, who was hurrying toward the house with a look of concern upon his face. He was accompanied by Mr. Bingley, who was looking equally concerned and was the first to speak.
“Has something happened at Longbourn?” he cried. “Has any harm come to Miss Bennet?”
“Miss Bennet is fine,” he said to settle Bingley’s agitation. Then he addressed Mr. Gardiner. “I can assure you that all your relatives are well.”
“Thank God,” Mr. Bingley exclaimed, earning himself a second look from Mr. Gardiner.
Mr. Darcy continued. “Miss Elizabeth has received some unfortunate news, however. While there is nothing to fear concerning anybody’s well-being, this has made her desirous of leaving as soon as possible. With her agreement, I am just on my way to the stables to give instructions for your carriage to be made ready. I hope you will not think it too much of a liberty on my part.”
“No,” Mr. Gardiner said. “If Lizzy finds it necessary to leave, then I believe we must. I trust her judgement.”
“You may be quite astonished by it today,” Mr. Darcy said frankly, “She is about to make what will seem like a strange suggestion to you, but her reasons are sound.”
Mr. Gardiner looked puzzled now.
“Anyway, she will explain everything. You will find her and Mrs. Gardiner upstairs attending to their packing.”
Mr. Gardiner thanked him and hurried away.
“What do you mean by unfortunate business?” Mr. Bingley asked.
“Walk with me, and I shall explain.” Mr. Darcy said, resuming his walk to the stables. “What I mean is that an event has occurred which will have unfortunate consequences for the Bennets. Miss Elizabeth’s letter contained the information that Miss Lydia has eloped from Brighton with one of the officers.”
“How dreadful,” Mr. Bingley exclaimed. “Poor Miss Bennet. She must be greatly distressed.”
“I understand that she was,” Mr. Darcy admitted. It did not escape his notice that this was his friend’s first thought. “Miss Elizabeth said that her letter had not been written in the most coherent style. It also begged her to return home immediately.”