In a few short sentences, Elizabeth related what had happened with Kitty these past days, from Kitty’s surprising insight after their meeting at Watford to her promise to keep watch on Lydia. Mr. Bennet listened with a surprise that equaled Elizabeth’s, though he said little during the telling. When she finished, Mr. Bennet appeared most amused, and perhaps even a little proud of his second youngest child.
“Well, well, that is most curious,” chuckled Mr. Bennet. “You are correct, Lizzy—this may be an excellent opportunity to help Kitty gain independence.”
Then Mr. Bennet grimaced and added: “That may be difficult until the regiment decamps.”
“Kitty has seen through Mr. Wickham,” replied Elizabeth. “If we handle it correctly, she may learn a hint of caution for all the officers.”
“You may have the right of it,” said Mr. Bennet.
With that, Elizabeth excused herself to retire, leaving her father in his study in a contemplative mood. What he would decide in the morning, Elizabeth did not know, but she hoped he would not remain passive.
The other question she could not answer was what Mr. Wickham would do. Now that he had been so thoroughly exposed, she expected he would flee when the opportunity arose. Elizabeth could not help but suppose that would be the best for everyone involved—Mr. Wickham would no longer be present to bedevil the town, and while he would leave debts in his wake, the damage would not become worse.
Deserting in wartime, even from the militia, was a serious offense, such that Mr. Wickham would have difficulty should he flee. It might even push him to leave England. If he did, Elizabeth would not be sorry to see him go.
When she entered her room, she found Jane waiting for her—Elizabeth laughed, knowing she should have expected it. Though Jane was her dearest sister, Elizabeth wished for nothing more than to go to bed. But Elizabeth had revealed too much—Jane was here to demand an accounting.
“Come, Lizzy,” said Jane, pulling her sister into the room. “I shall help you prepare for bed, and you shall explain certain matters to me that you kept hidden.”
“I suppose pleading fatigue will avail me nothing,” jested Elizabeth, allowing Jane to tug at her arm.
“If you thought that would appease me, I would question your sagacity,” replied Jane. “Now, Lizzy, I want to know what happened in Kent, not the reduced version you told our family.”
Elizabeth sighed and allowed Jane to unbutton her dress. “How explicit do you want me to be, Jane?”
Silence settled over them as Jane considered Elizabeth’s question. “Can I assume what you learned was more than just Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham? Perhaps you also heard something about Mr. Bingley?”
“Perceptive as always,” said Elizabeth, smiling at her sister. “Yes, Jane, Mr. Darcy spoke of Mr. Bingley after I accused him of acting to prevent his friend from returning.”
“I am not fragile, Lizzy,” replied Jane. “Though I still think of Mr. Bingley as the most excellent man I have ever known, I am not pining after him.”
Elizabeth was uncertain of the truth of Jane’s assertion, but she did not demur any longer. As she was preparing for bed, and then when they had settled together on the counterpane, she explained the scene in the parsonage, and even related what she had told Mr. Darcy the following morning about telling Mr. Bingley the truth. Jane listened with care, but asked no questions. When she had told all, Jane leaned against the headboard and sighed. Jane’s first question did not surprise Elizabeth at all.
“Do you suppose that Mr. Darcy will do as you suggested?”
“I am certain I cannot say,” replied Elizabeth. “Since my judgment of him has not been at all accurate, I am not confident that I can predict what he will do.
“What Iwillsay,” continued Elizabeth, playing with a corner of the blanket, “is that Mr. Darcy’s information about Mr. Wickham has all proven true.”
Jane nudged her gently. “The matter of his debts has not yet been proven, Lizzy.”
“No, but I have every confidence it will be. When I accused him, Mr. Wickham’s reaction spoke volumes. I half expect he will have fled overnight, for he will not wish to risk debtors’ prison.”
“And Mr. Darcy?” asked Jane.
Elizabeth sighed. “I must suppose that to a certain extent I have misjudged him. When he was here in Hertfordshire in the autumn, Mr. Darcy’s behavior was not the best—of that I am confident. Yet this business with Mr. Wickham has informed me that Mr. Darcy is not so reprehensible as I had supposed.”
“Is your opinion improved enough to reconsider his proposal?” asked Jane, showing a sly smile.
Her laugh was freeing. “An improved opinion of the gentleman is not tantamount to repenting of my refusal. There is no way that I could accept him, even knowing he is blameless in his dealings with Mr. Wickham.”
“What if he renews his addresses?”
Elizabeth shook her head, still amused that they were having this conversation at all. “It is difficult to imagine Mr. Darcy being in a position to renew his addresses, Jane.”
“Unless he informs Mr. Bingley of his error. Then he might return to Netherfield with Mr. Bingley.”
“That is possible, I suppose,” conceded Elizabeth. “However, I still think it is rather unlikely. What man, when refused, will risk a repeat of the first? Though Mr. Darcy is a better man than I thought, he still possesses an excess of pride. Surely that will prevent him from any further attempt to gain my favor.”
