Darcy saw the instant she caught herself and the joy left her and his sister’s eyes pointed at the floor. “Anna, I am very happy to see you.” Darcy saw the eyes lift and a somewhat sceptical look in them. “Anna, dear sister, how would you like to join me at Netherfield Park, the estate Mr Bingley is leasing in Hertfordshire?” He invited her.
“Y-you w-w-want m-me t-t-to j-join you?” Anna stammered disbelievingly.
“Of course I do! Anna, think back, when have you ever known me to say something I do not mean?” Darcy responded. “Have I not told you, many more times than once, how I blame those who manipulated you and even myself far more than I do you?”
Anna nodded. “I thought you wanted to be away from me and my shame,” she said softly.
“That is not right!” Darcy exclaimed forcefully. “You and I are the only members of our branch of the Darcy family left in the world. There isnothingyou can do that willevercause me to not want to be in your company.”
“You really do want me to accompany you?” Anna saw her brother’s emphatic nod. “But is not Miss Caroline Bingley there? She is the lady you said you do not want me to meet, is she not?”
“That is why I am asking this now. Miss Caroline is no longer present.” Darcy decided that the days of not telling his sister the truth about things that he thought were distressingwere over. He related a sanitised version of Miss Caroline’s loss of her grip on reality and what her brother was busy doing.
“It pleases me that you are willing to tell me that and not treat me like a delicate flower,” Anna stated with a half-smile.
“Richard will travel with us,” Darcy added. “And even better, I will make you known to the Bennet sisters…” He told his sister what he knew of them, holding back the information that he was attracted to the second Miss Bennet. “I think Bingley may be interested in the eldest Miss Bennet.” He paused and repeated his invitation. “Have you reached a decision about travelling with me to Netherfield Park?”
She went silent again, and from the way her eyebrows were knit together, Darcy could see she was considering something difficult. He remained quiet and allowed Anna time to cogitate.
“Before I answer that, I have a question. You said I would meet these sisters, and you say they are very well-behaved and genteel.” Anna watched her brother nod and confirmed what she had said was correct. “Then would I not be dishonest if I did not tell them how bad I was?”
“It is your story to tell, if you chuse to do so, but it is hardly necessary when first meeting them,” Darcy replied. “However, as I said whether or not you tell them will be your decision.”
“Will they not be disgusted with me and want nothing more to do with me once they know what I was willing to do?” Anna worried.
“The Bennets are not judgemental. Let me tell you about myfaux pasand how they forgave me and accepted me as a friend regardless…” Darcy told of his statement at the assembly and everything that occurred afterwards. “They were very understanding, especially Miss Elizabeth, the second eldest of the five, and she was the one whom the insult most affected. The question remains, would you like to join Richard and me and travel to Netherfield Park?”
The fact that her brother was not perfect and also erred made Anna feel somewhat better. What he said about the Bennets encouraged her as well. She looked at Mrs Annesley questioningly and saw an encouraging nod from her companion. “Thank you, William. I would like to come with you.”
“That is capital. I wanted to depart at first light on the morrow, so I will come collect you both, and Richard. When I return to Darcy House, I will send an express to Miss Bingley, Bingley’s aunt who is his hostess, to tell her we need another suite prepared. Richard will be able to use the unused bedchamber in the suite I am using,” Darcy enthused. He was very happy that Anna had perked up and was no longer looking at the floor. What he was looking forward to greatly was being in Miss Elizabeth’s company again.
After bestowing a kiss on the crown of Anna’s head, Darcy went back up to the family sitting room. There he informed his aunt and cousin of Anna’s decision. Both were pleased.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
George Wickham had finally felt enough confidence that he was not being searched for in London that he began to venture away from St Giles. He did not stray into that part of London the Darcys and Fitzwilliams frequented, but he was willing to be seen in Cheapside.
Being in that part of the capital brought back a memory of something his late father had mentioned once. From what his father knew and told him; there was a distant cousin who owned a profitable business concern in the area. All the elder Wickham had mentioned was the last name, Daltry. He thought that if he could find the man and his family, he mayfind a much better place to reside and, by telling his oft-told sob story, get some funds.
He made some subtle enquiries, but no one knew of a Mr Daltry in the area in any sort of business. Wickham gave up as it was too much like work, and he only had the one name. On the way to the Cock & Bull Inn which he began to frequent, he passed the warehouses of Gardiner and Associates, but as the name meant nothing to him, he never asked anyone there if they knew of a Daltry who lived and worked in the area.
He had played some games of cards, and so far, Lady Luck had not smiled on Wickham so his coin was dwindling.
Then, one night his luck changed. He was at the Cock & Bull Inn nursing an ale. He was watching every coin. The landlord only allowed credit to very well-known patrons, and only a handful of those, which took away that avenue of purchasing what he wanted. Truth be told, none of the merchants would offer him credit. Unlike the fools in small towns, the shopkeepers were far more sceptical about giving the privilege of credit to very many.
It was that night Wickham spied two officers wearing the scarlet coats of the army. They sat close enough for him to hear the conversation between them. He quickly identified them as being named Denny and Saunderson, both lieutenants from what they were saying, officers in a regiment of the Derbyshire Militia.
“Denny, we have not found one man who could be an officer in our regiment. Colonel Forster will not be happy,” Saunderson stated dejectedly.
“We are here until the morrow,” Denny responded. “I am sure we will find a man from Derbyshire with a gentleman’s education to accept a free lieutenancy in our corps. All we need is one.”
Listening, Wickham realised that this was his chance toget far away from London and any Darcys or Fitzwilliams. He was aware that Richard Fitzwilliam was in the army, but he was in the regulars and more likely than not, out of England, fighting some battle somewhere on the continent. Either way, he would be safe in the militia, both from Fitzwilliam and from having to risk life or limb in war.
“Excuse me, gents, I did not miss what you were saying about looking to recruit an officer for your regiment, one who is like me, from Derbyshire, who enjoyed a gentleman’s education from Cambridge. I find myself desirous of a new career, and of late, I have been interested in joining the army,” Wickham said as sincerely as he was able. He made sure to give himself a stronger than normal Derbyshire accent.
After giving his friend an ‘I told you so’ look, Denny extended his hand. “Lieutenant James Denny from Lambton, this is Lieutenant David Saunderson from Beeley, and you are?”
Lambton. Just his luck. Wickham searched his memories and could not remember owing money to a Denny or seducing anyone with that name. “George Wickham of Kympton at your service.” Depending on the reaction to his name, Wickham was prepared to bolt. There was none.
