“That is because I do not spread tales, Mary.”
At Mary’s skeptical look, Elizabeth grinned. “Come, Mary. Just because I have said a few things about Mr. Wickham these past days does not make me a gossip.”
“Very well,” said Mary, waiting with expectation.
“Do you recall Aunt Philips’s card party the week before the ball at Netherfield?”
When Mary assented, Elizabeth continued. “That evening, Mr. Wickham made some comments about his history with Mr. Darcy, and in particular mentioned that Mr. Darcy had withheld a clerical living left to him in old Mr. Darcy’s will. He made someother claims about Mr. Darcy’s unchristian nature and claimed he would not defame Mr. Darcy out of respect for the man’s father.”
“That is not the sort of detail one shares with a new acquaintance,” observed Mary. “Nor does a man claim respectful silence while sharing that communication.”
“You see correctly.” Elizabeth sighed and summoned a wan smile. “At the time, I was far too immersed in my judgment of Mr. Darcy to see clearly. I should have been more skeptical, should have been more suspicious of Mr. Wickham’s claims. Yet I allowed him to mislead me as if I were as credulous as a child of five.”
“Then you suspect Mr. Wickham of being a bounder.”
Elizabeth nodded. “As I have concluded that Mr. Darcy was blameless in the matter, I must also suppose that his other communications are correct. Though at the time I thought Mr. Wickham prudent, his pursuit of Mary King, in light of this new intelligence, now appears opportunistic and mercenary.”
“Then what is your purpose for spreading tales about him?”
“I thought it would be obvious. As Mr. Wickham’s character is now suspect, I must question his behavior in Meryton. I know of no ruined ladies, and the shopkeepers have not spoken of debts, but I cannot ignore the possibility.”
“And if he proves to have behaved himself?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Then there is nothing more to be done. The regiment will leave, and Mr. Wickham’s reputation will remain intact. I doubt he has reformed here, so I suspect an investigation would discover activities that will expose him to all.”
For a long moment, Mary considered this, then she sighed. “I suppose you have not done this to spread rumors for the sake of gossip. What I cannot understand is why you did not expose him or tell Papa.”
“Because, Mary,” replied Elizabeth, “exposing him is not an option, for Mr. Wickham’s reputation is excellent and it would be a matter of competing tales—I have no direct knowledge, after all, only what Mr. Darcy has told me. My other motivation is to see Mr. Wickham called to account for his deeds. If I confront him, I am certain he will just depart in the night, which will leave him free to continue as he wishes in another neighborhood. He has done it before.
“Besides,” added Elizabeth, “Ididmention this to Papa.”
“Can I suppose he declined to take action?”
Elizabeth sighed and shrugged. “Papa said he would consider it, but as yet he has done nothing.”
Mary considered this and offered a tight nod. “Gossip by itself is sinful, but you have considered this carefully and acted to prevent greater consequences. While I do not condone it, I understand why you have chosen this response.”
“Thank you, Mary,” replied Elizabeth, a hint of irony in her voice.
“Do you need my assistance?”
“Another pair of eyes would not go amiss,” replied Elizabeth. “My primary concern is Lydia.”
A grimace was Mary’s response—knowing Mary and her opinion of Lydia as she did, Elizabeth knew her sister agreed with her about their youngest sibling.
“What of Kitty?”
Elizabeth allowed an affectionate smile. “Kitty is a co-conspirator. I made a few comments to them when they came to Watford, and when Kitty heard, it aroused her suspicions. Kitty’s task is to watch Lydia and ensure she does not do something foolish.”
“Very well,” said Mary. “I shall also remain watchful. Thank you for your honesty, Lizzy. I shall keep watch on Lydia as much as I am able.”
With those words, Mary stood and left the room before Elizabeth could so much as think about inviting her to stay. Perhaps it was best to take matters slowly; Mary would regard any blatant overtures with suspicion. As she recognized her sister’s solitude now, Elizabeth wanted to show Mary more attention, to bring her more into the bosom of the family and treat her as a dear sister rather than the tiresome young woman she could sometimes be.
Regarding Mary’s promise to watch Lydia, Elizabeth was of two minds. Elizabeth did not reject her assistance and knew that Mary could be indefatigable when she put her mind to it. What rendered Elizabeth uncertain was whether Mary could restrain her judgmental attitude, which would cause nothing but argument, and if she could even watch Lydia at all. The girls were not close sisters, the spats between them a product of Mary’s rigid morality and Lydia’s opinion of Mary, which was not at all kind. Mary would not open her mouth at an inopportune time and ruin what Elizabeth was trying to accomplish, but she might provoke an argument.
Sighing, Elizabeth turned down the coverlet and blew out the candle, settling into bed. There was no reason to worry, for there was nothing she could do to influence events more than she already had. Though Elizabeth wished Mr. Wickham to receive the just consequences for his actions, the most important point was that she protected the town. If Mr. Wickham fled before the consequences descended on his head, Elizabeth would call the matter closed and satisfy herself with that result.
THE NEXT MORNING, ELIZABETHlearned something unexpected—she was not certain how to greet the news if she was honest.
