When the colonel entered, to the relief of the two visitors, the soldier withdrew. Colonel Fitzwilliam approached them in some surprise; he knew that Georgiana was with her brother, and could imagine no other reason for Miss Bennet’s appearance.
Elizabeth introduced her uncle, uncertain whether the two had met before; they all took their places around the small,round table. It had been agreed in the carriage that Elizabeth should speak, for she was the one best acquainted with the colonel.
Elizabeth drew a deep breath, as she had lately accustomed herself to do before every difficult conversation. Yet, this time the words were already formed within her mind, for she had prepared them.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, I have overcome every feeling of embarrassment to entreat your assistance in a matter essential and most distressing to our family,” she said, glancing towards her uncle to see whether he wished to continue, but he merely nodded, as though inviting her to proceed.
“Anything,” said the colonel, with such sincerity and kindness that Elizabeth blushed slightly, feeling somewhat reassured. He was the only person who might possess a degree of authority, should Mr Wickham still be connected with the militia.
“It is a disastrous affair for our family,” she said. “My youngest sister, Lydia, has eloped with Mr Wickham.”
To Mr Gardiner’s astonishment, though not to Elizabeth’s, the colonel clenched his fists and exclaimed, “The scoundrel!” Then, looking from one to the other, he continued, “How may I be of service?” Only then did some portion of the weight upon Mr Gardiner’s heart seem to lift.
“Lydia was at Brighton with the family of Colonel Forster,” she said.
“His regiment was quartered there,” the colonel replied thoughtfully, a sign that he was already forming a plan, though he lacked all particulars.
“Yes, but it appears they have come to London, although Mr Wickham has no intention of marrying her—”
“Oh!” cried the colonel angrily. “We shall see about that!”
The colonel’s distress was visible, and it gave them hope that the fugitives would be found, however well they intended to hide.
“Colonel Forster informed my father that he has gaming debts,” Elizabeth added, her voice little more than a murmur, so dreadful were those details.
“Which does not surprise me,” the colonel exclaimed. “What can I do?”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, permit me to speak plainly,” Mr Gardiner said at last. “I am a tradesman, and though I live in London, I have no notion of what passes beyond our quiet circle; my brother-in-law, Mr Bennet, is still more removed from every connection. We might take the streets one by one and inquire at every inn, yet it would be impossible; London is vast...and in such a case, every hour is of consequence. We dare entreat your assistance in finding the fugitives. You are our only acquaintance who might have success in such an undertaking.”
The colonel nodded, as though it were a matter of course that he should consent.
“I must speak also with Darcy...my cousin,” he said at length, and turning to Mr Gardiner, he added, “He knows this villain well. He is the son of the late Mr Darcy’s steward, and has done great harm to our family.”
The colour rose higher in Elizabeth’s face. Yet, she nodded, for she too perceived that only the two cousins together could hope to accomplish anything. “Mr Bingley has gone to him,” she said.
“Excellent!” the colonel replied, and his whole countenance revealed the resolution born of immense anger. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy were, indeed, the only men in London who did not judge Lydia too harshly, placing the chief blame where it belonged—upon that unprincipled man. It wasa considerable advantage, though gained through the painful lesson of Miss Darcy’s own narrow escape.
“How old is the young lady?” he asked.
“Almost sixteen,” murmured Elizabeth, lowering her head; yet she saw again the colonel’s fists close tightly, for it was precisely Georgiana’s age the previous summer when Wickham had endeavoured to seduce her.
“May I accompany you?” asked her uncle.
“Yes, an excellent idea. You would possess the authority of a family member.”
“Then Elizabeth might take the carriage and return home, while I go with you,” Mr Gardiner decided, and Elizabeth nodded. She longed to be in her aunt’s arms and to find some measure of comfort. To involve Mr Darcy in this affair was so painful to her that she scarcely knew which was more disastrous to her peace of mind—Lydia’s disgrace, or the necessity of acknowledging before Mr Darcy that the family for whom she had once contended so warmly was less deserving than she had maintained.
It was not merely a matter of wounded pride, but perhaps also of regret—that she had fought so vehemently with him for the honour of a family whose reputation Lydia had now destroyed. She knew well what Lydia was, and yet she had defended even her. Had she been less angry and somewhat more reasonable, she might at least have delayed her answer that day...and who could tell what the next might have brought?
And in those circumstances, it was impossible to forget him, nor did she make the attempt any longer. He was the love of her life, and she wished to weep for the loss of him...as she had never allowed herself to do before.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth was received by a company as if a house were in mourning. Her father rose from his chair and embraced her, and she could have sworn that there were tears in his eyes—an occurrence without precedent in her recollection.
“Tell us!” urged Mrs Gardiner.
“I found the colonel, and he was as indignant as any of us,” she said. “He knows Mr Wickham’s dreadful reputation well, for Mr Darcy’s family had suffered from his conduct in former days.”
