Page 84 of Near Pemberley

“Certainly.”

“You are not assisting us merely because you happen to know Mr. Wickham.”

It was not quite a question.

Darcy met his gaze. “No.”

The answer was so direct that Gardiner found himself momentarily taken aback. He had expected evasion.

Instead, Darcy continued quietly, “I would have considered it my duty in any event.”

Gardiner inclined his head. It was a respectable answer. It was also not the whole answer. Yet he judged the moment unsuitable for further enquiry. Instead, he said, “My niece would be grateful to know that.”

Darcy looked away. “That is not necessary.”

“No,” said Gardiner softly. “Perhaps not.”

“The neighbourhood?” Darcy asked after a moment.

Gardiner gave a humourless smile. “I fear Meryton has behaved very much as Meryton was always likely to behave.”

Darcy said nothing.

“There have been a few exceptions, certainly. Some genuine kindness. Some attempts at discretion. But not many.” His expression darkened.

Darcy’s jaw tightened. “I see.”

“My sister’s family receives very few visitors now. Invitations have ceased almost entirely. Those who do call seem unable to decide whether they have come to offer sympathy or satisfy curiosity.” Gardiner looked at him steadily. “No meal is eaten without someone mentioning it. No walk is taken without lowered voices. They all suffer from it.”

The simple statement carried more force than any longer explanation might have done. “Jane attempts to shield the others. Elizabeth pretends not to care. Neither succeeds particularly well.”

Darcy lowered his eyes briefly.

Gardiner shook his head. “It is an unfortunate thing, Mr. Darcy, to discover how quickly society punishes an entire family for the errors of one member.”

The words lingered between them.

Darcy found himself thinking of Longbourn. Of five sisters condemned together for a fault committed by only one. The injustice of it struck him more strongly than ever.

He nodded slowly.

For a moment, neither said anything. Then Darcy set aside the map. “Mr. Gardiner,” he said, “there is another matter of which you should be informed.”

Something in his tone caused the older man’s attention to sharpen immediately.

Darcy hesitated only briefly.

“Miss Lydia has been found.”

For perhaps the first time since Darcy’s arrival, Gardiner lost all composure. He stared. He appeared unable to speak at all for several moments.

Then he rose abruptly from his chair. “I beg your pardon. Found?”

“Yes.”

“Yes – How? Where? Good God! Is she… well?”

“She is.”