“Then there may be some hope,” said Bingley.
“There is always hope, Bingley. In that vein, when this business with Anne is complete, might I beg for an invitation for Georgiana to join us at Netherfield?”
Fitzwilliam guffawed and Bingley chortled at the request, so patently transparent was it. “Well played, Darcy,” said Bingley. “My sister has so often used yours to recommend herself that I see you understand the potential though in reverse. May your endeavors be more successful than hers have been.”
“This is most interesting, Bingley,” said Fitzwilliam. “You have forgiven Darcy for his offenses with little hesitation. You must be an excellent chap, indeed.”
“It appears there is no choice,” replied Bingley. “If we are to be brothers someday, I must tolerate him as a closer connection.
“Of course,” added Bingley with a wink, “it will not be in the manner my sister always wished. I shall swallow my offense on her behalf, for I suspect Miss Elizabeth Bennet will be a most excellent wife for your cousin. If nothing else, she will keep him on his toes!”
“She will at that!” exclaimed Fitzwilliam.
At that moment, the carriage slowed, the three men looking out on several buildings set close together with little apparent planning. It seemed they had arrived in Watford.
Chapter XII
Henry Bennet surveyed the scene before him as he stepped from the house. The solid and dependable strength of the footman at his back—a man he trusted implicitly—reassured him, as did the imposing bulk of the two stable hands, men who were brawny and had lived at Longbourn for years. That the driver and the gardener, a man of sixty years if he was a day and would likely be of little use if the situation descended to violence had joined them provided Bennet with a measure of dark amusement. The greater their numbers, the higher the possibility they could run this Mr. Wickham from the property, so Bennet was grateful for their support regardless of the efficacy of their actions.
Mr. Wickham stepped from the carriage as Bennet exited the house, his eyes roving over the assembled men arrayed to meet him. A glance back at his driver revealed a man who had taken a commission and nothing more; he would not join if Wickham pushed the matter. Wickham was cool, to be certain. The odds were six against one, and three were young and strapping men. Bennet had not pulled his pistol or his rifle from storage, not wishing to provoke any unpleasantness that was not needed. Unless he had badly miscalculated, Wickham would not push that far.
“Good day, Mr. Wickham,” said Bennet in a congenial tone he did not think the man deserved. “It is a surprise to see you, sir, for I recall you resigning your position in the regiment and departing some weeks ago.”
“Indeed, I did,” replied Wickham, proving that he was not lacking pluck. “A more beneficial situation came to my attention, and I seized it.” Wickham shrugged and added: “The life of anofficer is not bereft of its charms, but I find it did not agree with me.”
Bennet nodded but did not speak, his silence forcing Wickham to state his case. It appeared the man understood and was not pleased, but he did not hesitate to speak.
“I understand from your youngest daughters that Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth escorted Miss Anne de Bourgh to Longbourn.”
The mention of his youngest set Bennet on edge. The girls had gone to Meryton with Elizabeth and Jane and had not returned with them. The possibilities whirled through Bennet’s head, though he studiously avoided looking at the carriage. It would not do to allow this man to see fear, for he appeared the sort of man who would exploit any weakness to his advantage.
“Miss Lydia herself directed me to Longbourn,” said Mr. Wickham, his tone almost conversational. “They are fine girls, Mr. Bennet. I very much appreciate their help.”
Sanity settled on Bennet’s shoulders. The girls would not be in the carriage, for they had not yet descended, and he did not see any way Wickham could have coerced them to remain silent, and no way he could have bound two, or even three at once. It was equally unlikely Wickham had captured or held them in some other location. His purpose was to sow doubt, and Bennet did not mean to accept the bait.
“I cannot agree more, Mr. Wickham. Perhaps you should tell me your purpose here.”
Wickham appeared disappointed. “You already know my purpose. Miss de Bourgh is at the window at this very moment. I thank you for your hospitality and seeing to her comfort, for I understand she found the distance and speed at which we traveled tiring. Now, however, it is time for us to depart.”
“And you think I will allow you to take her away?” asked Bennet.
“I think you will allow her to do as her heart dictates,” rejoined Wickham. “You have no authority to hold her against her will.”
“Ah, then I believe we have arrived at the source of this misunderstanding,” replied Bennet. “You see, it appears Miss de Bourgh has reconsidered. As you speak of the dictates of conscience, you understand that her wishes take precedence; she has no wish to continue in your company.”
“Mr. Bennet,” said Wickham, displaying exaggerated patience, “I traveled far today, and I am tired and dusty. We must still travel several hours until we reach our destination for the night. I know not what your daughter has said to poison her against me, and I care even less. Regardless of your wishes, I will depart with Miss de Bourgh at once.”
“I wonder how you mean to exert your will upon us,” replied Bennet. “I already informed you that Miss de Bourgh does not wish to leave with you—I have that from her own mouth. We are six arrayed against you, sir. Do you mean to fight through us all to reach her?”
“He will not fight, for Mr. Wickham is naught but a coward.”
Startled, Bennet turned to see Miss de Bourgh standing on the stoop, her eyes fixed upon the “libertinous” scoundrel. It was not the best course, for she would be safer if she stayed in the house. Yet perhaps Wickham would understand if her refusal to go with him came directly from her. If nothing else, it would be amusing to witness his consternation.
The ability to hear everything that passed between Mr. Bennet and Mr. Wickham was not without its drawbacks. It was satisfying in that Elizabeth could readily see and hear that his worthlessness of character was exactly what Mr. Darcy had charged. Elizabeth could only wonder now at her gullible acceptance of his tales with no corroborating evidence.
The drawback was that Anne also heard him, and it wasclear what she heard did not amuse her. Elizabeth listened to the exchange outside with half an ear, while watching Anne, prepared to prevent her from an outburst she was certain would not help the situation. When it finally occurred, however, there was nothing she could do to prevent her.
“Oh, you will, will you?” snapped Anne when Mr. Wickham asserted his intention of taking her away from Longbourn. “We shall see about that.”
