Mary seemed pleased, though she attempted to conceal it. “Very well,” she said. “Then I shall speak with him as soon as I can find an opportunity.”
“Very good,” Elizabeth agreed, and turned to Jane. “Now we must speak of your role.”
Jane looked slightly surprised. “My role? I should be glad to help, but I do not know what I can do.”
“You can do something of great importance. If we are to investigate Mr Wickham’s character, we must know something of his behaviour in Meryton.”
Jane hesitated only a moment before understanding. “You mean among the tradespeople.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Precisely. We cannot ask them ourselves, not and expect a direct answer, but luckily, we have a most capable housekeeper. Hill is our best chance for learning if anything is amiss.”
Jane considered the idea with quiet seriousness. “I see. You are quite right; Hill would know how to inquire without causing unnecessary alarm.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Hill knows everything that occurs within twenty miles of this house.”
Jane laughed softly. “That is probably true.”
“If you were to speak to her,” Mary suggested, “and ask her to mention the matter discreetly among the servants and shopkeepers, we mightlearn whether Mr Wickham has been behaving as honourably as he pretends.”
“And it must be you, Jane,” Elizabeth added. “Hill will naturally hesitate to speak of such improper things with young ladies. You are the eldest, and of a most sensible and responsible character. You will have the best chance to persuade her we must not be kept in ignorance.”
Jane looked thoughtful. “I will do my best. Hill will agree to make inquiries, I think. She has always taken prodigious care of our family.”
Mary looked between them. “And what of Lydia?”
Elizabeth drew a slow breath. “I think we can best protect her by gaining a clearer understanding of Mr Wickham himself. That shall be my task.”
Mary’s eyes widened slightly. “You intend to confront him?”
“Not confront,” Elizabeth replied. “Question.”
Jane leaned forward anxiously. “That may be very uncomfortable.”
“I expect it will be.” Elizabeth squared her shoulders. “But it is necessary.”
Mary regarded her with admiration. “You are very brave.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I am merely very tired ofLydia behaving like a heroine in a bad novel.”
Jane smiled despite herself, and Mary inquired, “What will you say to him?”
Elizabeth considered this carefully. “First, I shall attempt Jane’s preferred strategy.”
Jane looked hopeful. “Which is?”
“To hope for the best and determine whether he might have reformed.”
Mary shook her head immediately. “I think that unlikely.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly. “As do I. But it costs us nothing to discover.”
Jane nodded slowly. “And if he has not?”
“Then I shall ask a few other questions.”
Mary leaned forward with interest. “About his debts?”
“Yes, if I can broach the topic.” Elizabeth’s expression grew more serious. “And about Lydia.”
