Lady Catherine huffed, but she did not protest, though she could not desist without one last comment. “Very well. But if this proves to be a fabrication, and it delays my reunion with Anne, I shall holdyouresponsible.”
So, Lady Catherine entered the carriage again, calling for them to join her so they could be on their way. The three men exchanged wry looks, then Darcy gave the instructions to the driver and footman, and they entered and were soon off again.
“Your aunt is correct,” said Bingley as they got underway again. “It makes little sense for them to go through Watford, as that is a most indirect route. Do you suppose they did so to throw off any pursuit?”
“It is possible,” conceded Fitzwilliam. “However, my thoughts keep returning to George Wickham. If it is he as I suspect, his purpose for going through Watford and Meryton might rest on his familiarity with the location and his former fellows.”
Fitzwilliam snorted with disdain. “November is a long time for one of Wickham’s ilk to stay in one place—I might have expected the men of the regiment and the townsfolk to knowexactlywhat he is by now. He may intend to call in some favors if he was farsighted enough to accumulate such.”
“By now he must have worn out his welcome,” said Darcy.
“Yes, I expect he has.” Fitzwilliam regarded Darcy for a long moment. “There may be some succor for him in the regiment if he has refrained from angering them, an uncertain prospect to be certain.”
“I suspect we shall discover it before long,” said Darcy. “Mayhap they traveled a different road from Watford, but I suspect you are correct. It is almost certain we will at least findtraces of Anne’s passage in Meryton, even if it does not lead us to Wickham’s involvement.
“What is north of this Meryton?” asked Lady Catherine.
“Nothing but estates to the immediate north,” replied Bingley. “From Meryton one may go either to the northwest to Luton, or the northeast to Stevenage. Due north from Meryton will lead to Longbourn, Lucas Lodge, and my leased estate at Netherfield Park.”
Lady Catherine regarded Bingley for a long moment, her expression unreadable. “It is my understanding that you mean to raise yourself by purchasing an estate and joining the ranks of the landed.”
“It is my father’s particular wish,” said Bingley. “He charged me with exactly that just before his passing.”
The nod with which Lady Catherine responded was thoughtful. “That is well then.”
She turned to Darcy. “Then your friendship with Mr. Bingley is acceptable. His descent is still unfortunate, and it will take many years for his descendants to achieve full acceptance. But his intention to become a gentleman speaks well to his understanding of his family duty. While I might wish you showed a little more attention to upholding the differences between the classes, I can overlook it.”
“Thank you, Aunt Catherine,” said Darcy, endeavoring to show no hint of his hilarity. “I am glad you see matters as I do.”
Lady Catherine offered a regal nod then turned her attention to the passing scenery while Fitzwilliam regarded Darcy waggling his eyebrows in his amusement, while Bingley appeared bemused at the rather backhanded approval he had just secured. So, the journey continued, as they finally made their way from London and out into the countryside beyond. It was not where they had expected to go, but it appeared they had at least found the trail of their wayward cousin.
“Mr. Wickham!” called Lydia the moment she caught sight of the former officer. Kitty followed along behind her suddenly hurrying sister, grumbling at Lydia’s persistence. “We found your missing friend.”
The man turned a charming smile on Lydia whereas a moment before Kitty had been certain he was swearing. “Thank you for your timely help, Miss Lydia,” said he. “Where is she?”
“It is the most ridiculous bit of irony Mr. Wickham; I am certain you will laugh when I tell you.”
“If you do not tell me at once,” replied he, nothing of laughter in his voice, “that is the last thing I shall do.”
Lydia took no heed of his testy words. “Why, Kitty and I saw your friend departing from Meryton on the road to Longbourn in the company of my eldest sisters. Is that not a fine joke?”
“Anne was with your sisters?” demanded he, a sudden crease marring the skin between his brows. “When was this?”
“Perhaps five or ten minutes gone,” said Lydia.
Mr. Wickham appeared quite put out, and Kitty expected him to say something caustic. Whether he was or it was her misconception she could not say, for he mastered himself and turned another charming smile on them.
“I am certain it is nothing more than a bit of civility on their part. For you see, your sister, Elizabeth, made her acquaintance when she was in Kent.”
“Is that so?” asked Lydia, with more than a hint of interest. “Did you see her while she was there?”
“Regrettably,” said Mr. Wickham, beginning to walk down the street toward his carriage, “I arrived too late to be admitted to the pleasure of her company.”
“Yes, that is unfortunate, indeed.”
Kitty caught the hint of mocking in Lydia’s tone, and she could not imagine Mr. Wickham had missed it either. The man made no response, however, continuing his congenial act.
“It appears I must go to Longbourn to retrieve my companion. Should you wish it, I would be happy to see you to your father’s door in my carriage.”
