“That was my thought,” said Lady Catherine with a tight nod. “I discovered some evidence of their passage as I traveled to London, but I did not investigate closely, preferring to reach you as soon as I could.”
“That is understandable, Lady Catherine,” said Fitzwilliam with a nod to their aunt. “Something about it bothers me.”
Fitzwilliam turned to Darcy and said: “What do you know of Wickham’s latest movements?”
“Wickham?” demanded Lady Catherine, her response nearly a shriek. “You suspectthatlibertine of abducting my daughter?”
“An abduction implies force, Aunt,” said Fitzwilliam offhandedly. “There is no evidence that Anne was anything other than willing.”
Lady Catherine set her jaw in a moue of displeasure, but she did not gainsay Fitzwilliam’s point. Darcy, still shocked at the suddenness with which Wickham’s name had arisen, found himself unable to respond.
“Well?” asked Fitzwilliam, turning back to Darcy.
“What can Wickham have to do on the matter?”
Fitzwilliam held up his hand, counting the points on his fingers as he made them. “Anne has run off with an unnamed man, and as she refused to name him, it seems likely she did not because we would recognize the name. Wickham knows her and has long sought to acquire a fortune for himself. I know not how or why, but I suspect he recalled that Anne’s inheritance is Rosings itself, which would provide him with a steady stream of funds to fuel his habits.”
“Until he bled it dry,” snarled Darcy.
“Just so,” agreed Fitzwilliam.
“This is all nonsense, Fitzwilliam!” snapped Lady Catherine “Anne would never run off with such a man as my brother’s former steward’s son!”
“Only yesterday,” said Fitzwilliam, “none of us would have thought Anne capable of stirring from Rosings, let alone traveling to London and perhaps beyond. Something tells me that Wickham is involved; call it a premonition if it makes you feel better.” Fitzwilliam turned back to Darcy. “Do you know ofhis recent movements?”
“Meryton, Darcy,” said Bingley.
Darcy nodded to Fitzwilliam’s interested glance. “Bingley leased an estate in Hertfordshire last autumn. While we were there, Wickham joined the nearby militia regiment.”
“Wickham?” snorted Fitzwilliam with contempt. “A soldier? I can think of no profession less likely to suit him than the structured life of a soldier.”
“Except for perhaps that of a parson,” said Darcy.
His cousin eyed him and nodded. “Then, as I recall, there is another connection here, for is Meryton not the town the delightful Miss Elizabeth Bennet calls home?”
“It is,” said Darcy.
“Here, what has Miss Elizabeth Bennet of all people to do with it?” asked Lady Catherine.
“Nothing, so far as I know,” replied Fitzwilliam, unruffled by her manner. “It is a matter of interest, for Meryton is where Darcy and Bingley made the Bennets’ acquaintance.” Fitzwilliam turned to Darcy. “Could it be possible that Wickham recalled Anne’s status because of something that happened in Meryton?”
Darcy considered the matter, wondering what he should say. Lady Catherine would no doubt take the merest suggestion of Miss Elizabeth’s involvement as proof of her guilt, and while he knew she could do nothing, he did not wish to insert such thoughts into her head. This was doubly important because of how Lady Catherine would react should she learn of Darcy’s interest in her, though the only way she would was if Darcy persuaded her to accept his suit.
“I can recall no conversation where Anne or Rosings arose while I was in Hertfordshire,” said Darcy carefully. “And certainly not when Wickham was present.”
“Of course not,” said Fitzwilliam, his manner appearing impatient. “The mere mention of Miss Elizabeth visiting herfriend in Kent, along with the knowledge ofwho elselived there might have prompted him to remember.”
“Are you suggestingMiss Elizabeth Bennetset Wickham on my daughter?” screeched Lady Catherine as Darcy had known she would.
“Do not be a simpleton, Aunt!” snapped Fitzwilliam.
While few could speak to her in such a manner and emerge unscathed, Fitzwilliam was among them, for she knew he did not tolerate silliness. A retort seemed poised on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it with difficulty. Fitzwilliam nodded once upon seeing it.
“If you recall,” said Fitzwilliam, “Miss Bennet had no acquaintance with you and little knowledge of your situation. If you wish to apportion blame, you may as well direct it at that ridiculous parson of yours, for it washe, unless I miss my guess, that spread the news of his fortunate position far and wide.”
“Aye, that he did, as I recall,” laughed Bingley. “I only made his acquaintance in passing, but the names ‘Rosings Park’ and ‘Lady Catherine de Bourgh’ passed his lips several times as I recall.”
Fitzwilliam nodded and turned back to their aunt. “I say that only to emphasize there is no blame in this situation, Aunt. Though my instincts tell me it is Wickham, there is no proof that I am correct, and even if I am, let us set the blame on Wickham’s shoulders where it belongs.”
