Page 62 of Master of Himself

Wednesday 27 November

Shaken from his slumber, Darcy squinted at the candle flame flickering above. “What is it, Hobbs?”

“It’s Henderson, sir.”

Darcy groaned at his unintentional error. Another slip like that could be disastrous.

The valet lit a wall sconce, illuminating the room more fully. “An urgent message has come from Longbourn, and a footman is waiting for your reply,” Henderson said, pressing the letter into his hand.

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Darcy rose and examined the sealed note, which was addressed in large block letters to MR BINGLEY from BENNET at LONGBOURN. Wondering what could have prompted this missive from Mr Bennet, he broke the seal and read the contents, written in a flowing hand.

Dear Mr Bingley,

I beg your pardon for this breach in propriety, but an urgent matter has arisen at Longbourn, and we are desperate for any help or advice that you and Mr Darcy might be able to offer.

Lydia has run away with Mr Wickham. Kitty confessed her knowledge of the scheme to escape the house when no one was watching and fly to town. With the entire house in an uproar, Mr Collins also learned the unfortunate truth, had a terrible quarrel with my father, and has left Longbourn.

Papa has gone to my Uncle Gardiner’s house on Gracechurch Street to beg him for his assistance in searching for Lydia. He has instructed us to advance the story that he has gone to town on a matter of business and Lydia has accompanied him.

My poor mother is besieged with nervous complaints and has taken to her bed. Jane is holding up as well as can be expected, but I fear that my sisters and I are in grave danger.

My father intends to inquire at the posting stations, but I doubt he has any chance of discovering their location. If you or Mr Darcy have any knowledge of Wickham’s favourite haunts, please advise us at your earliest opportunity.

Hopefully,

EB

Darcy silently cursed Wickham for his effrontery. Only three months after attempting to secure Georgiana, he had carried off another gentleman’s daughter. However, he refused to believe that a girl with no fortune had tempted Wickham into matrimony. The prospect of one thousand pounds at some future date wouldn’t keep him in his preferred lifestyle.

Yet, Darcy couldn’t excuse his own negligence. He alone had had the power to expose Wickham’s true character, but he had chosen to remain silent rather than risking Georgiana’s reputation. While he’d succeeded in protecting his sister, Wickham had been allowed to mingle in polite society. Now another young lady faced ruination, and the entire Bennet family stood to lose their standing in the community.

He had warned Elizabeth, but only in the most obscure terms. He couldn’t have exposed her to the sordid details of Wickham’s past, but he should have fully confided in Mr Bennet. What’s more, he ought to have advised Sir William and Colonel Forster, who had more influence in the community. If he had properly exposed Wickham, this never would have happened.

Yet, as Charles Bingley, this would have been impossible, nor could he have asked Charles to speak on his behalf.

For Elizabeth’s sake, he had to do everything in his power to return Lydia to her family. He had succeeded in keeping Georgiana’s youthful indiscretion quiet, and there was no reason in the world he couldn’t do the same for Lydia Bennet.

He rose from his bed and donned Charles’s blue banyan. “Please tell the footman that Darcy and I will see to the matter immediately.” Then hastily added, “Bring hot water for my shave and have Lockhart bring my carriage to the front door in thirty minutes.”

After the valet had gone, he lit the bed candle. “Wickham will ruin us all,” he groused, then crossed the hall to Bingley’s room and knocked on the door. When there was no response, he opened the door and peered into the darkened chamber. “Wake up, Charles!”

“What happened?”

Darcy lit the wall sconces. “Lydia Bennet has run off with George Wickham,” he said, handing the note to Charles, who quickly scanned the message.

“Good God! What are we to do?”

Darcy raked a hand through his dishevelled hair. “We must go to town, find them, and return Lydia to her family. If we don’t, she’ll be ruined, and all her sisters with her.”

“But where could they have gone?”

“The only person foolish enough to take him in is Mrs Younge, my former employee. He has nowhere else to go but to her place,” Darcy said, heading for the door. “I’ve ordered your chaise.”

“Yes, we must go, but what if someone recognises us, like last time?”

“We’ll stay inside the carriage for the duration, and Lockhart can see to the horses at the coaching stations. No one on Edward Street will know us. We’ll make better progress if we go without Hobbs and Henderson. Can you be ready in half an hour?”

Charles checked the Darcy heirloom watch on the nightstand. “Yes. I’ll meet you at half seven,” he said then pulled the bell to summon Hobbs.