In short, this columnist regrets to inform you that I, like yourselves, have been grievously misinformed by recent reports. It has come to this author’s attention that all theinformation received about the young ladies by the last name of B and regarding the D family were made not in good faith, but in malicious conspiracy and with the intent to commit extortion. The scheme was uncovered through the cooperation of parties possessing both discernment and integrity; the scoundrels responsible have made a full confession and issued an apology for repeating false claims. Now, it remains only for me to do the same.
Those who were able to recognise the persons concerned may oblige this columnist by considering the record revised in full.
The Bennet sisters had once again found themselves in print, only this time as vindicated heroes, not villains.
Elizabeth exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening on Jane’s shoulders.
“That is a rather pleasant reading experience for a change,” Mrs Gardiner said.
Jane pressed a hand to her heart. “I scarcely dared to hope it would be so plain.”
Elizabeth’s eyes lingered on one line in particular, that which noted that Mr Wickham’s scheme had been uncovered “through the cooperation of parties possessing both discernment and integrity.”
She knew beyond a doubt whose integrity was meant.
The relief that swept through her was swift and dizzying. It was as though weeks of tension had been released all at once, leaving her light-headed in its wake. Yet even as her spirits lifted, she felt a familiar spark of indignation kindle anew.
“I wonder,” she said dryly, folding the paper, “how long it will be before someone claims to have suspected the truth all along.”
She did not have to wait long to find out.
∞∞∞
Caroline Bingley arrived at Gracechurch Street that afternoon, accompanied by a rather harried-looking Louisa Hurst.
She burst into the parlour with the air of someone delivering news of the greatest importance, though Elizabeth suspected she was as eager to display her proximity to scandal as to distance herself from it.
“My dear Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Bingley exclaimed, seating herself without invitation. “What a shocking business! I trust you have seen the dreadful revelations?”
Elizabeth inclined her head, barely suppressing a smirk. “I have.”
Miss Bingley shook her head with theatrical regret. “To think how everyone read and repeated these columns, and put such faith in them! One must be so careful, must not one? It is difficult to know whom one ought to trust.”
Elizabeth met her gaze coolly. “So I have heard.”
Miss Bingley continued, unfazed. “Of course, I always believed you and your sister to be quite innocent. I said as much, and often!”
Elizabeth doubted this very much, but saw no reason to dispute it.
“I am sure,” Jane said politely.
“And what relief for Mr Darcy,” Miss Bingley added, with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes. “Though I imagine he will wish the entire episode forgotten.”
Elizabeth smiled back, sweet and composed. “Oh, I imagine Mr Darcy will wish the truth remembered. He is, after all, a man of great integrity.”
Miss Bingley’s expression dimmed briefly before she rallied. “Well. One must move on. Society is nothing if not forgiving once a new diversion presents itself.”
With that, she rose, her appetite for drama evidently satisfied.
Elizabeth watched the Bingley sisters go, feeling only a faint echo of irritation. Miss Bingley’s spite had lost its power, and now knowing her to be innocent of any crime greater than repeating gossip, Elizabeth fully intended to think of her as little as possible.
However, one truth remained clear after her departure. If the Bennets’ reputations were restored, Wickham’s was irrevocably undone.
The consequences were swift and public. Wickham was dismissed from the militia in disgrace, his charm no longer sufficient to shield him from the weight of his actions. Mr Denny, having confessed fully, was spared the severest penalty but would carry the mark of his desertion for the rest of his life. Both men vanished from society with remarkable speed.
Elizabeth felt no triumph in their fall. She had spent so many hours suffering because of them, and yet she only felt a grim satisfaction that justice had prevailed.
Perhaps something of happiness could now be hoped for. Now that the rumours had been dispelled and the Bennet name restored, there must be some hope for Jane and her happy ending — that was all that mattered now.
