Page 93 of The Mistress of All & Torn

Elizabeth tried to calm herself, while Jane intervened gently. “Lizzy, I believe we must speak thoroughly with Lydia and Kitty. She cannot recognise her error. Please keep in mind that they have spent most of their lives in Meryton, among old friends. We cannot blame them for behaving as they have always done.”

“You are right, Jane. I am sorry for my outburst,” she addressed her younger sisters. “I admit I was unpleasantly surprised by the company. I am in no disposition to entertain.”

“But Lizzy, can we go to the party tonight? Harriet said you should all come! It is close enough—it took us less than half an hour to get here!”

Elizabeth hesitated a moment. “Only if Jane and Charles are going too. You will go and return together.”

More opposition followed, then countless pleas to the Bingleys until they finally accepted. The girls kissed Jane gratefully, then hurried upstairs together with Mary, to see their room.

In the drawing-room there was a moment of welcome silence, after the previous din.

Then Elizabeth rang for more tea and said, “Cece, I will explain to you who Mr. Wickham is. There are details that Jane and Charles are still unaware of too, since we have not spoken of this subject in many months.”

She related Darcy’s story, except for the part regarding Georgiana. The knowledge was received with astonishment and even disbelief by Jane. The notion that a man they had called a friend could have been so dishonest and that Mr. Darcy had to suffer so greatly because of him, troubled Mrs. Bingley exceedingly.

Bingley was as dumbfounded as his wife.

“Darcy mentioned something of it to me, but he never told me the entire story. If I had known, I would have treated him as he deserved! To spread such lies about Darcy, after all the late Mr. Darcy had done for him!”

“And to have the audacity to come here and behave like he was your intimate friend! The man has no shame,” Cece added.

“I trust we will not see him much in the future,” Elizabeth replied. “We will leave tomorrow. Charles, please take care of Lydia and Kitty tonight and thank Colonel Forster for his generosity to them. Tomorrow, we return home.”

The rest of the afternoon passed calmly. Around six o’ clock, the Bingleys and the three younger girls left.

Elizabeth and Cece were at home, preparing for dinner, when a most unexpected caller was introduced. Bewildered, they barely had time to stand before the visitor entered.

Mr. Cesar Johnson bowed from the doorway, his hat in his hand and an expression of utter distress on his face.

“Lady Barrington, Miss Cecilia, I beg your forgiveness for my impromptu and most inappropriate visit. There is something of great importance that I must tell your ladyship without delay.”

His grave voice disquieted Elizabeth and she immediately feared something had happened to her sisters.

“What is it, sir? Is someone hurt?”

“No, ma’am. Forgive me if I frightened you. Nobody is hurt but the matter is delicate and urgent nevertheless. If your ladyship would grant me only a few private moments…”

“Mr. Johnson, please sit down. Anything you wish to tell me, I am ready to listen to, but I have no secrets from my friend. There is nothing I would not wish her to hear, so please speak freely.”

Mr. Johnson was still reluctant. He sat, put his hat near him, then moved it to the other side.

“The matter is quite delicate, something I never considered doing before. I struggled with the decision of coming here and I still might be in error, but I shall take the risk to act as my conscious dictates.”

“Mr. Johnson, I can see you are troubled, which is quite unexpected for an army man. Please speak unrestrainedly, sir.”

“Very well. Lady Barrington, we called here earlier out of my own curiosity but also because Wickham led us to believe that he entertains a close and intimate friendship with you. He assured us you were eager to see him. Of course, the moment we entered the house, I could see you were far from welcoming our visit or enjoying his presence.”

“Your observation was correct, sir. I have left Mr. Wickham with no doubts either.”

“Yes, but… in the last week, I have heard Wickham bragging about the subject to many fellow officers. To my knowledge, he has accumulated significant debts at cards; he plays often and rather ill. He induces people to believe that he will have the means to pay his debts soon. And…”

“And…?”

“It is not for me to judge but he seemed to have an intimate friendship with Miss Lydia, too. I would not dare speak of this matter if your sister was not so young and I had not observed how upset you were about our visit.”

If in the beginning, Elizabeth had wondered about the usefulness of the conversation, the latest details worried her.

“As I said, I am aware my behaviour might appear inappropriate, and I would never have imagined I could betray a fellow officer. But I know your ladyship has been through a most difficult time and…”