“Mr Wickham!” Mary wailed.
Surely, it could not be so. Darcy halted abruptly, whilst poor Georgiana turned frightfully pale. It had to be a misunderstanding; the girls had not been out unchaperoned, and Mr Wickham was in Brighton with his regiment.
“But where are Mama and Papa?”
“I do not know! We all went to Gunter’s for ices, where we encountered Miss Clarissa Darcy and her brother. Kitty and I were invited to join them as they were about to return home, and I suppose Lydia became jealous because she was not included.”
Elizabeth found it stranger still that Mary had not left with Kitty if they had both been invited, but she thought it unwise to interrupt her sister. Her ire rose, though she could hardly believe her own ears.
Darcy spoke softly to Georgiana, who disappeared up the stairs. He watched his sister ascend before he ushered her and Mary into his study. His face was drawn, making Elizabeth’s heart ache for him. What heinous trouble had she now brought to his door? It was in every way horrible!
“Firstly, none of this must ever be spoken about outside this room.”
Elizabeth could easily forgive his harsh tone. Knowing him so well, it was the situation rather than she and Mary that had raised his wrath. Mary flinched, and Elizabeth put a steadying hand on her arm. Her sister did not know him as well as she did. Mary need not fear Darcy.
“Tell me, as accurately as possible, exactly what happened. No detail is insignificant.”
Darcy stared at Mary, who cowed under his stern look and lowered her head to the floor.
“I suppose Kitty gloated too much and strongly suggested that Mr Augustus Darcy was partial to her. The rivalry between them flared, and Lydia immediately declared that she did not want either ice or tea because she had more shopping to do. My father would not allow her to venture out onto the streets unchaperoned, so Mama decided that I could be sacrificed to do the task. Mr Augustus Darcy is courting Kitty whilst I am only Miss Clarissa Darcy’s friend…
“Lydia was even more vexed than I and set out at a ferocious pace down the street. We had walked rather far from Gunter’s when Lydia espied Mr Wickham across the road and dashed madly after him. I am so sorry, Mr Darcy, but I had no choice but to follow.”
Mary raised her teary eyes from the floor and continued hurriedly, the words tumbling out in anguish.
“Lydia greeted Mr Wickham with her usual exuberance, flirted wildly, fluttering her lashes whilst smiling coquettishly. Mr Wickham had hired a hackney, you see, and was about to depart for his lodgings. Then Lydia complained about being fatigued, and Mr Wickham offered to drive us back to Gunter’s. I protested vehemently, but he argued it would not be improper since there was a married lady in the carriage—a Mrs Younge. I tried to stop Lydia, but she would not listen to me. Mr Wickham aided her into the hackney, then he entered himself and shut the door in my face. I tried to open it, but Mr Wickham rapped on the roof. I ran after them, calling for Lydia, but it gained speed rather quickly. I was forced to accept defeat and returned immediately to Gunter’s, but Mama and Papa were not there. I had no time to look for them and made haste back to Darcy House.”
“On foot?” Elizabeth could not stop herself from enquiring.
“It is of no consequence,” Mary demurred. “Time was of the essence. I knew I must inform Mr Darcy as soon as possible.”
Mary must have discovered, too, that of Mr Darcy and Mr Bennet, the former was more dependable. It sparked no little pride in her husband, and even more shame for her own family.
“There you are!” Mrs Bennet screeched, entering the study without knocking. A more sedate Mr Bennet followed her. “Why would you return to the house without us? We have been looking for you everywhere!” Her mother waved her arms, then looked about the room. A frown appeared between her brows. “But…where is Lydia?”
“Please be seated,” Elizabeth prompted before Mary related the horrible news.
Mrs Bennet wailed, Mr Bennet cursed, whilst Mr Darcy folded his arms across his chest, shaking his head in disgust.
“We are ruined!” Mrs Bennet cried. “All will shun us. No more parties, dinners, or balls. I have such flutterings and spasms all over me. How could Lydia do such a thing to her poor mama? I rue the day the militia entered our society. I told you, Mr Bennet, that it would be the end of us. Did I not? You should never have introduced us to the officers.”
“I did not. If I am not mistaken, it was Mr Phillips who subjected the Bennet family to such reprehensible connections.”
Mrs Bennet huffed. “But what are you going to do about it?”
“We are going to find Mr Wickham and make him marry Lydia.” Darcy’s calming voice spoke from the window he was staring out of. “Mrs Younge is a mutual acquaintance. I have her direction.” He turned and looked directly at Mr Bennet. “We leave as soon as I can find it.” Then his gaze shifted to Elizabeth. “Would you be so kind as to take your mother to her room and see to her comfort?”
“Certainly, but should I not join you and Papa? Knowing Lydia, she could resist what she might perceive as high-handedness.”
Darcy’s eyes narrowed and his upper lip curled.
“No.”
“Whyever not?” Elizabeth protested meekly.
“Because Mrs Younge’s lodging house is located in a disreputable part of town. I would never allow a lady under my protection to be subjected to such debauchery as is to be found there.”
Elizabeth could not move; it was all too dreadful. What would happen now? Was it possible for Lydia to marry Mr Wickham if it was necessary? Her youngest sister did admire the reprobate, so it was unlikelyshewould mind. But would Mr Wickham accept such a meagre fortune as a mere one thousand pounds? It was not likely… It was to be hoped that this Mrs Younge woman had not left her charge unchaperoned, but as she was an associate of Mr Wickham’s, Elizabeth dared not trust her. What could be done?
