“You have…been watching him?” Elizabeth asked before she even realised she had spoken aloud.
“I have.” Mr Darcy met her gaze without flinching. “I knew I could no longer trust to chance where he was concerned. The man I engaged reports directly to me. He followed them to a house in Edward Street, owned by the woman I mentioned. That man did not know I was acquainted with Mrs Younge. He came to inform me, but by the time I arrived at the house, Mrs Younge declared the fugitives had left again, travelling towards the North.”
Mr Bennet closed his eyes. “Then they are gone. And my youngest daughter is ruined, along with every one of her sisters.”
“Not if we act swiftly, sir.” Mr Darcy’s tone was firm, almost commanding, and he cast another look at Elizabeth. “Two of my men are following them. Fresh horses will be waiting at post-houses along the Great North Road. They are travelling by carriage, so even if they are a few hours ahead now, we should be able to catch them soon if they continue in the direction of Gretna Green. We shall enquire about them at every stop.”
“You intend to follow them?” Mr Bennet asked, dumbfounded. “Surely we cannot allow you to go to so much trouble to save my silly daughter. It is my responsibility, as it was my fault that this happened. If I were not a careless father, my daughter would not have eloped with any scoundrel who asked her.”
“Mr Bennet, as rude as it might sound, I would rather not debate this matter now, since time is pressing. Just know that Wickham has deceived many people, most of them older and wiser than Miss Lydia. If someone should be blamed, it iscertainly me. I should have exposed Wickham for the wretch he is a long time ago. If I had revealed the truth about his character when I first met him in Meryton, perhaps many people would have been saved from his cunning. So the fault is mine, and so should the remedy be.”
Elizabeth stared at him in disbelief, exchanging incredulous glances with Jane and Mrs Gardiner.
“What happened? Why was Mr Gilroy fetched? Is anybody ill?”
Mr Gardiner suddenly appeared at the door, gazing at the gathering with puzzlement and concern. Behind him was the apothecary, Mr Gilroy.
“Brother? What are you doing in London? Are you hurt? And Mr Darcy?”
“My dear,” Mrs Gardiner replied, “you have arrived just in time. We should allow Mr Gilroy to examine our brother Bennet while we explain everything to you.”
Following her suggestion, they moved to the drawing room, where Mrs Gardiner explained the situation to her husband. The gentleman could not conceal his amazement.
“As I already informed your family,” Mr Darcy concluded, “I shall begin my quest immediately. Everything is settled for the journey.”
“But why would you undertake such a thing, sir? Knowing what scandal may yet attach to our family, you surely know it might affect you too. As grateful as we are for your help, we are not even related. You should not take such a burden on your shoulders,” Mr Gardiner said.
“I know precisely what sort of scandal may arise,” Mr Darcy answered quietly. “And I know what damage Wickhamhas already inflicted upon many people. I am not related to you, but I am related to him, in a way, since he was my father’s godson. That is enough reason.”
Elizabeth felt the words like a hand pressed to her heart. She wanted to speak, to thank him, to beg him to be careful, but the words tangled uselessly in her throat.
“Then I thank you, and I shall join you,” Mr Gardiner said.
“As you wish, sir.”
Their conversation was once again interrupted by another guest — Colonel Forster, of the regiment Mr Wickham had recently deserted. The man’s demeanour revealed his turmoil and his tiredness after the long ride.
“Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner, forgive me for arriving unannounced. Your sister Mrs Bennet gave me your direction. I understand Mr Bennet is already in London, and I wondered whether you had any news… I assume you know about the elopement of one of my officers… Mr Darcy! I did not expect to see you here, sir!”
The colonel seemed unable to speak coherently, bouncing from one foot to the other.
“I cannot apologise enough…I cannot imagine how it happened! My officers are honourable men. I never expected any of them would—”
“Colonel Forster, let us make haste and postpone the explanations. We do have news about Wickham, and I am about to set off in pursuit of him. Mr Gardiner and I shall leave shortly. There will be time for more conversation later.”
“Then I shall come with you,” Colonel Forster declared. “He is my responsibility, and I must remedy his errors if possible.”
“How strange that so many honourable gentlemen consider Wickham their responsibility and feel compelled to remedy his errors,” Elizabeth whispered, and only then did she notice she was speaking her thoughts aloud. She swallowed and added, “Since my uncle is going, I would like to come too. Perhaps my sister needs help. Perhaps I might be of some use…”
“Absolutely not!” Mr Darcy’s refusal came immediately, gentle but determined. “You would slow us down, Miss Elizabeth. We mean to ride hard — changing horses at every stage, no carriage, no delay. You would be in danger on the road, and we cannot afford even an hour’s hindrance. Your place is here, with your father and your sister. Trust me to bring her back.”
His words, as well as his hoarse voice and deep gaze, silenced Elizabeth, causing her to quiver.
Trust me, he had said. How could she respond?? The word hung between them, simple and enormous. Did it mean something more, or was her mind too hazy to understand properly?
Elizabeth searched his face and found there the same steady resolve she had glimpsed so many times since the theatre: the man who had written that painful, honest letter; the brother who had shielded his young sister; the friend who now championed Jane without hesitation.
She nodded once, her throat too tight for speech.
