Page 88 of Master of Himself

“I’ve been thinking, Mr Darcy, that when I stayed at Netherfield, I said some things I ought not,” she said.

He knew exactly to what she referred. “Please don’t trouble yourself over it. Everything you said was well deserved, and taken to heart.”

“You mustn’t suppose that I consider myself a model of good behaviour,” she said. “I’m too often outspoken and judgemental, with a long list of other flaws besides.”

“As am I, but I will always be honest with you.”

Once Mr Mullins had drawn the carriage around to the front door, Darcy assisted the ladies to board and sat beside Elizabeth.

“You need not have troubled your coachman, Mr Darcy. My sisters and I are well accustomed to walking to the village,” she said as they set off.

“But then I wouldn’t have the pleasure of being observed arriving at the village square with three lovely Bennet ladies.”

He was momentarily distracted by her appreciative smile until he recalled the purpose of this outing. “What’s our plan for announcing Lydia’s return to the schoolroom? Should we tell everyone, or is there someone we may rely on to spread the word?”

“Mrs Fletcher,” the three ladies said in unison, to Darcy’s astonishment.

“No one is more reliable in that regard than the butcher’s wife,” Elizabeth said in a bright tone to which her sisters added their hearty agreement.

“The Fletchers were the only people who recognised you in church yesterday,” he said.

“Yes, both are extraordinarily kind, but Mrs Fletcher is the best informant of the latest local news,” Miss Bennet said, to which her sisters nodded their earnest agreement.

When they reached the village square, he assisted all three ladies to alight and offered his arm to Elizabeth. As he’d predicted, all eyes were on them as Miss Bennet and Miss Mary led the way to Ward’s Millinery.

“Good day, Mr Darcy,” Mrs Ward said with eager anticipation as they entered the shop.

“Never mind me, Mrs Ward. I’m useless in a shop like this. The ladies know what they are about,” he said, then gestured to the proprietor. “Might I have a word, Mr Ward?”

Once in a quiet corner, Darcy continued, “I’m duty bound to make a full accounting of Mr Wickham’s debts in the community. Did you perchance extend any credit to him?” he inquired, although he rather doubted Wickham had patronised this particular shop.

“No, indeed, but I believe Mr Honeyfield and Mr Finch did so.”

“Thank you, I’ll call on them. You may have heard that Wickham has transferred into the regulars.”

“Has he? I suppose that’s for the best, considering the circumstances,” Mr Ward said, briefly glancing at the Bennet sisters.

Darcy nodded at this. “I’ve purchased his commission, so he’s now well out of the way and can cause no further harm in the neighbourhood.”

Mr Ward’s eyebrows shot up. “Very noble of you, sir.”

“Not in the least. No one should be made to suffer for his extravagance,” he said, clearly placing all the blame at Wickham’s door. “Ah, it seems the ladies have finished their business.” He took his leave of the Wards and left the premises with Elizabeth and her sisters.

The next stop was at the Meryton Inn. Unfortunately, Wickham had patronised this establishment but had left only a small charge, which Darcy immediately paid. “I apologise on Wickham’s behalf, Mr Finch. I had hoped that he would amend his bad habits, but I fear he has disappointed us all.”

Upon leaving the inn, he encountered Mr Denny who warmly greeted the Bennet sisters. “I’m terribly sorry about…what happened,” he said in a hushed voice.

Elizabeth remained calm. “Thank you, Mr Denny, but that has all been set to rights now. Lydia is attending a ladies’ seminary in town.”

“That’s excellent news.”

Darcy took the opportunity to inquire after the debts of honour Wickham had left behind. “May I trouble you to inquire with your comrades? If I can get a full accounting of his vowels, I’ll swiftly see to them.”

Denny assured him he would make discreet inquiries and report back to him.

Similar inquiries at the chandler and blacksmith revealed no debts, but not so at the dry goods shop, bakery and green grocer. Although the amounts owed were small, Darcy promptly discharged them, ensuring that every proprietor had observed the Bennet sisters in his company, and understood that Wickham was an unprincipled man.

To Darcy’s great satisfaction, Mr and Mrs Fletcher exchanged warm greetings with him and the Bennet ladies upon their entry to the butcher shop.