His eyes flicked from Crocker, who nodded decisively; to Goulding, who nodded much more tentatively, and finally to Richard. The latter said, index finger upraised, “As long as we remember that remote possibilities sometimes occur, I agree that these three seem most likely.”
Crocker addressed Darcy: “By the way, sir, I thought you should know that Mr Bennet was spotted coming towards Netherfield on horseback, and the servants followed your orders. The two maids, the companion, your sister, and Miss Elizabeth were all removed to the Nicholls house in High Cross by way of your carriage, with Miss Elizabeth lying down and obscured by the rugs. Mr Bennet was not belligerent, but although he seemed disbelieving and exceedingly displeased when he was told that neither Miss Elizabeth nor you were there, he left without fuss.”
Darcy rubbed his face with both hands. My God, he needed hours of time alone with Elizabeth, just to catch up on all that she had endured as well as to tell her all of what he had experienced.
Thanking Crocker for his report, Darcy knocked on the door of Lucas Lodge. Because Goulding knew Sir William, Darcy indicated that he should give his card. “Mr Goulding, Mr Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam to see Sir William,” the younger man said.
They were taken to the master’s study, and they found that one of his sons was in the room as well. Goulding made the introductions, and the son proved to be John Lucas.
Sir William was exactly as he had been described: friendly, interested in people and news about people, and eager to interact. “Capital, capital!” he exclaimed when he learnt that Darcy and Richard were staying at Netherfield Park. The man literally bounced where he stood, and Darcy wondered if the reason he seemed excited was merely meeting a colonel in the Regulars and a gentleman in such fine clothing. Sir William sat down again behind his desk and invited the others to do the same with a wave of his arm. Mr Lucas hurried to bring a chair that had been in the corner so that all three guests had a seat, and then he stood behind his father.
“What can I do for you fine gentlemen?” Sir William asked.
Richard swiftly answered, forestalling Darcy. “We are attempting to find the source of the recent untrue gossip about Miss Elizabeth Bennet. My mother, the Countess of Matlock, has always told me to talk to many people in an attempt to find from whom each person heard the rumour. I know from your reputation, Sir William, that you would be astute enough to know that the gossip is a pack of lies, but pray tell, did you hear that this gossip is circulating from one of your sons or daughters? From your wife? From a servant?”
Sir William’s smile had disappeared, but he seemed thrilled. He said, “The Countess of Matlock! What an honour, to meet her son! You are correct—I well know the stories to be inaccurate, and when I tell you that it was my wife who informed me, I wish to make sure that you understand that I told her not to believe this scurrilous nonsense and certainly never to spread it!”
He paused to take a breath but jumped into more words before either man could say anything: “I am very glad that someone is attempting to stem the tide of this poison. We all know that Miss Elizabeth is every inch a lady, and we know that you, Mr Goulding, are an honourable young man.” He nodded to Goulding but then hastened on: “As I said, my wife told it—but she told all of us at the dinner table. I not only warned her, I warned all my children that it was the sort of malicious rumour that could destroy lives. I told them it was almost surely untrue and tasked them to ignore or stand against such ugliness, rather than spreading it.”
“Thank you, Sir William,” Goulding said.
Darcy spoke up, addressing John Lucas, “Mr Lucas, was this dinnertime conversation with your mother the first time you heard about the rumours, as well?”
“Yes, sir. And my father did give everyone an earful of why none of us ought to spread the story. Just as he said.”Darcy looked him in the eyes and judged the man honest and straightforward.
Richard asked, “Sir William, Do you suppose we could meet your wife and eldest daughter, so that we can learn where they first heard the rumour?”
“Delighted to introduce you to them, indeed, indeed!” The man bounded up from his chair and ushered his guests into a large, pleasant sitting room. He rang for a servant, murmured to the maid who appeared, and was soon introducing Lady Lucas and Miss Charlotte Lucas to Darcy and Richard.
“And of course, you know Mr Goulding,” Sir William finished off. For the first time, Darcy realised that John Lucas had remained behind in the study.
Everyone curtseyed and bowed, murmured correct words, and then sat.
Everyone except Darcy. He had a strong feeling that they had to question the women without Sir William’s ebullient presence. He stood even taller and straighter than before, and he schooled his tone to be dismissive as he firmly said, “Thank you, Sir William.”
Sir William had been in the act of taking a seat, but when Darcy spoke as if he was issuing a dismissal to a servant, he stood straight again and said, “Oh, yes…. Well, good luck with your efforts.”
To make up for his arrogant attitude, Darcy said warmly, “Thank you. I hope we can count on your continued support and discretion?”
“You can indeed!” the man said, smiling even more widely than Bingley’s typical smile. Sir William sidled to the door, bowed once more, and finally left. At that point, Darcy finally sat.
One of these two ladies probably started the damned attack, Darcy thought. He was not sure what the most effective interrogation tactic would be, and he glanced at Richard.
Richard’s eyes met his, and it was not so much his cousin as the colonel who nodded and turned to the women with an air of authority. “Madam, miss, we know the rumours about Miss Elizabeth and Mr Goulding are fabrications. We imagine that one of you said something motivated by irritation or envy—something that you had not meant to grow and change to the ugliness that we became aware of this morning.
Miss Lucas began to cry. She said nothing, but instead covered her eyes with one arm and buried her face in the other. Eventually sobs could be heard.
Lady Lucas gasped, “It was not true?
Her daughter did not answer.
“I was so certain—” Lady Lucas started. “I never thought….”
“I am so sorry Mr Goulding,” Miss Lucas finally whispered.
Goulding looked affronted, and Darcy thought to intercede, but then he saw the young man take a deep breath, turn towards Lady Lucas, and ask with an even tone of voice, “Lady Lucas, can you help spread the word that the rumour was wholly without foundation?”
“I certainly will,” she said. She seemed very upset, and Darcy imagined that the trust between mother and daughter was at least strained, if not broken.
