Page 26
Among his fellow officers, he had several debts of honor. They began complaining to Colonel Forster. No one would play cards with him to allow him to win back some of the money he had lost. He was not finding the militia to his liking at all, especially not this militia.
Deciding that it was once again time to start over, Wickham crept out of his lodgings late at night. Being the greedy, grasping man that he was, he decided he would rather start out anew with a few coins from the regimental purse in his pocket. Unfortunately for him, Colonel Forster was a light sleeper.
When it was learned that Mr. Wickham would be facing a court-martial and possible transportation, the matrons of the town were delighted. They exclaimed to each other over and over that they had all seen through the dastardly fellow.
Several of the other officers even found themselves with an increasing number of invitations as the gossiping matrons tried to discover even the tiniest of details concerning Mr. Wickham.
On the day that Wickham was escorted out of Meryton, several of the matrons just happened to be gathered in the town. After he was carted away, many gathered in the home of Mrs. Phillips so that they could continue the discussion of what an evil man he was, and how glad they were that they were now all safe from him.
Caroline Bingley watched her maid finish packing her trunks. Soon, she would be on her way to Lyme. When Caroline had first talked to Louisa and her husband about a trip to the seaside, Hurst had suggested Brighton. As it was a favored destination of the Prince Regent, Caroline had agreed. Then, she learned that the militia would soon be leaving for Brighton. To Caroline, appearances were everything, and under no circumstances would she give the appearance of following a militia to their next location. So, to Lyme they would go. It may not be the most fashionable location available, but it was acceptable. Most importantly, it was not located anywhere near Hertfordshire.
The trunks now packed, Caroline took a deep breath and made her way downstairs.
“Are you sure you will not wait until morning?” Charles was asking Louisa as Caroline entered the room.
“It is still morning,” Caroline replied for her sister. “By starting now, we will be well on our way before we need to stop for the night.”
Mr. Darcy nearly rolled his eyes, noting the time as one o’clock. He had delayed his visit to Longbourn in order to farewell Bingley’s sisters. He had no desire to do so a second day in a row, even if they would not be able to get more than thirty miles or so into their trip by leaving so late in the day.
“We do not want to delay you,” Darcy said. Knowing it would be the quickest way to gain Miss Bingley’s compliance, he offered his arm to escort her from the room. He pretended not to notice when she grasped it much tighter than needed.
“Are you certain that you are set on your course?” Caroline asked him.
“I am,” Darcy answered.
“Very well,” Caroline replied, trying to hide her huff of displeasure. “Give my regards to Miss Elizabeth. I hope to see both of you again when next we are in London.”
When they exited the front door, the footmen were still in the process of securing the last of the trunks to the carriage. If he did not know it would be inappropriate, Darcy would have handed Miss Bingley into the carriage even before the footmen were done.
The evening before their departure, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst had discussed the different possibilities for the future. They had no desire to fall out of favor with the Darcys, but neither was ignorant of the fact that the future Mrs. Darcy did not hold them in any sort of esteem. They had long been hoping for a marriage between their brother and Miss Darcy in order to facilitate a more familial relationship, and increase the number of invitations to Pemberley. Unfortunately, Miss Darcy was only sixteen years old. With the strained relationship between Caroline and Miss Elizabeth, there was no certainty that the friendship between the families would be maintained for the few years needed before Miss Darcy would be old enough to marry. Miss Bennet, on the other hand, was the favorite sister of Miss Elizabeth.
On the way out of Netherfield Park, Louisa Hurst set a very slow pace at her brother’s side. When she was certain that Caroline was out of earshot, she began her campaign.
“We were shocked to hear Mr. Darcy’s news when we arrived,” she began. “When you have your own news to share, I hope that you will notify us immediately so that we can wish you joy.”
“I do not know when that will be,” Bingley replied.
“Oh!” Mrs. Hurst exclaimed, feigning surprise. “I thought you had decided to pursue Miss Bennet.”
“I am as yet undecided,” Bingley admitted. “I must first discover if she still cares for me.”
“I am certain that she has some regard for you,” Mrs. Hurst assured him. “She seems to welcome your attentions.”
“But, is it possible to overcome the heartbreak I caused by leaving in November, or am I too late?”
“You should ask her,” Mrs. Hurst responded. “We are ready to welcome her into the family when you do. I am certain I know what her answer will be.”
“There are still several months before she will be out of mourning. It would not be appropriate, yet.”
“Then tell her you would like to ask her a very particular question when the timing is right,” Mrs. Hurst said. “Ask her if she wants you to stay and ask the question, or if she would rather you left.”
“But, what if she tells me she wants me to leave?” Bingley asked.
“She won’t,” Mrs. Hurst insisted.
Darcy had instructed the stables to have his horse ready at the same time as the Hursts’ carriage.
The moment the footmen stepped back from securing the last of the luggage, Darcy stepped forward to hand in Miss Bingley. He looked behind to encourage the Hursts to get in the carriage as well, only to see Bingley and his sister dawdling. After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at the carriage. After exchanging farewells, Mr. Hurst handed his wife into the carriage, then stepped up behind her. As the door of the carriage closed, Darcy mounted his horse.
