Page 92 of Near Pemberley

Lydia looked surprised. “Not even my sisters?”

“No.”

She was silent for a moment. Then, with a faint smile: “Not even Kitty?”

“Especially not Miss Kitty.”

To his relief, she laughed. The sound was brief but genuine. “That is just as well; she cannot keep a secret to save her life.” Then her expression became serious once more. “I promise.”

Darcy inclined his head.

After a moment, he added: “There is one exception.”

Lydia blinked.

“Miss Elizabeth already knows.”

“Lizzy?”

A faint warmth touched Darcy’s expression before disappearing almost immediately. “Yes.”

Lydia regarded him for a moment. Then, very slowly, she smiled.

Darcy immediately suspected he had said too much.

“Good evening, Miss Lydia.”

“Good evening, Mr. Darcy.”

***

The following day passed with less agitation than the one before.

Darcy met with the Colonel’s trusted man. They studied Gardiner’s map and notes, and he answered the man’s many questions about his former friend. The thought of referring to Wickham as his ‘once-friend’ still sat uneasily with him. He agreed to have Wickham’s likeness brought to London post-haste.

It was good to be occupied.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner visited Lydia in the morning and remained with her for some time. Upon their return, Mrs Gardiner told Darcy that her niece appeared greatly altered – quieter, more thoughtful, and far less inclined to dismiss serious matters than she had ever been.

Gardiner himself seemed cautiously encouraged. “She has suffered,” he told Darcy. “Perhaps more than we realised.”

Darcy made no reply. He had seen enough to know that was true.

Darcy and Mr. Gardiner talked more about what could be done about the situation, but they did not find a solution.

***

The next day brought Mr. Gardiner’s note.

Darcy broke the seal while finishing his lunch.

My dear sir,

Mr. Bennet arrived in town in response to the express I sent after your kind visit.

If it is convenient, I should be obliged if you would call upon me this afternoon, as there are several matters concerning Miss Lydia which require discussion.

Should prior engagements prevent it, we shall instead wait upon you tomorrow.