Chapter Twenty Five
Mr. Darcy was sorry that he had to leave Elizabeth at Pemberley, but he had no choice but to go to London. He regretted that he had not returned earlier. His first call the morning after he arrived was at the offices of Gerard and Kennington Solicitors near Sloane Street. He was relieved to find Mr. Gerard himself was at the office and had time to see him.
"I must apologise that I could give you no warning of my visit," said Mr. Darcy.
"There is no need, Mr. Darcy," said Mr. Gerard, moving aside some papers. "Do sit down and tell me what has forced you to make such an urgent call."
Mr. Darcy sat on the chair opposite the large desk. He had thought about what it was he wanted to say, but now he was here, the words did not come easy. "It's about George Wickham," he said slowly.
"Ah..." The solicitor sat back in his chair and stared over the top of his eyeglass at Mr. Darcy. "Sir, this is most unexpected. Naturally I am aware that you are related to Mr. Wickham."
"Only by marriage," said Darcy shortly. "And that is of no concern in this matter."
"So why exactly have you come?"
Mr. Darcy told him.
Two days after the doctor had called, Kitty arrived at Pemberley.
"It is so good to see you, dear sister," she said, hugging Elizabeth with much affection. "It is too long since I have seen you."
"Yes it is, Kitty," said Elizabeth as she guided Kitty up to her room. "But now we have four weeks together, so we will have plenty of time to talk."
Kitty took off her bonnet and laid it carefully on the chair and threw her coat over the back as one of the footmen came in with her trunk and a box.
"Thank you, Thomas," said Elizabeth as he carefully placed them at the end of the bed.
Thomas gave a brief bow and left them alone.
"I hope you will be happy here, Kitty."
"How can I not be?" said Kitty gratefully. "It is so good of you to have me to stay. I was rather worried that Father might say I could not come."
"How are the family at Longbourn?" asked Elizabeth leading her sister over to one of the window seats and sitting down.
"Father spends more time than ever in his library. I rather think he misses both you and Jane. He finds Mother's nerves rather trying."
Elizabeth had to hide a smile. Indeed, her father spent as little time with his wife as possible. Apart from their five daughters there was very little to bind them to each other.
With no male heir and Longbourn entitled to their cousin Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet constantly worried about her future after Mr. Bennet was no longer with them. Her father had long since given up thinking that far ahead and spent his days reading, occasionally drinking and writing or visiting his two eldest daughters. She had always been aware of the deficiencies of Mr. Bennet's behaviour, but she had always been inordinately close to him and even after four years of marriage she missed him greatly. He had taken to inviting himself to Pemberley when least expected and she hoped it would not be long before he came to visit.
"And how is Mary?" asked Elizabeth of their middle sister.
"Still philosophising," said Kitty with an air of disgust. "And boring us with her terrible singing."
"Kitty, you must not be unkind," admonished Elizabeth gently, though she secretly sympathised. Mary had no idea that people grew irritated with her extreme opinions on any number of subjects nor that her singing and pianoforte skills were worse than mediocre. Nothing delighted Mary more than playing in public. The family had all suffered the embarrassment of hearing Mary play to others.
"Well, there will be less time for her to play while you away. No doubt Mama will need her company."
"Indeed, she will. Mama still misses you all, especially now Jane and Mr. Bingley have also moved away."
"Have you heard from Lydia?" asked Elizabeth curiously.
"Not for a few weeks," said Kitty. "She says she is much too busy. What do you think will happen to Mr. Wickham?"
"I do not know, Kitty. We can only hope in time he will be set free."
"But do you think he did it?" asked Kitty, who rarely understood when to let a subject go.
"No… but we have to wait for the law."
"Well, I know Lydia thinks he's innocent. I am not so sure. I tried to talk to Father about it, but he would not let me do so."
How sensible of her father, thought Elizabeth. "Kitty, Father is right. There is no point in speculating."
Kitty looked sulky. She didn't like it if people questioned her behaviour in any way.
"Kitty, I know you are concerned, but let's not talk about this sorry business now. I have news for you."
Kitty immediately started to smile. "What is it?"
"We are going to hold a summer ball."
"A ball? Oh, Lizzy, are you serious?"
"Yes I am."
"A ball, with dancing and entertainment."
"It will be everything you desire," said Elizabeth
Kitty suddenly looked worried. "But Lizzie, my dress. I'm not sure…"
"Do not worry, Kitty. I'm sure your dress will be perfect."
"Well, I shall show it to Georgiana," said Kitty.
Elizabeth grimaced. "I'm afraid she's not here. She's on a tour with her cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"Oh Lizzy. I shall miss her. I was so looking forward to seeing her."
"You mean the company of your sister is not enough?" teased Elizabeth
Kitty blushed. "Of course it is. I wouldn't want you to think I am not grateful to be here."
"I know you are, Kitty. Do not worry about it. Georgiana is not here, but I promise we will be busy."
Kitty hugged her sister once more. It really was a treat to be at Pemberley.
Later on in the afternoon Lady Trentham arrived with four servants and a great deal of luggage.
Elizabeth laughed when she saw how much Anne had bought with her. "Are you going to say forever?" she asked her.
"I hope I am not going to be too much trouble," said Anne, who was looking very pale.
"You are not going to be any trouble at all," Elizabeth assured her. "I have been so looking forward to you coming."
"And I you. I was devastated when Fitzwilliam squirreled you away from London."
"It was disappointing," said Elizabeth carefully.
"But you never said why you suddenly left."
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. She loved Anne but this was something she could not explain. "Mr. Darcy had business back at Pemberley and wanted me to be with him."
"You mean it had nothing to do with the Wickham case," said Anne.
"It may have… but…"
"He doesn't want you talking about it," finished Anne. "Never mind, I shall not mention it again."
Anne groaned as she tried to get herself comfortable. "It is most unfair. I am huge considering I have so long before the baby is born."
"You must have plenty of rest while you are here."
"You sound like Lord Trentham," groaned Anne. "I cannot do much, but I shall enjoy taking a gentle walk about the gardens and I am looking forward to hearing you play for me again."
"I am hoping that you will be well enough to attend my ladies' tea."
Anne looked as excited as Kitty had been about the ball. "Naturally I will be there. Who have you invited?"
"Many of the key ladies who live in the area. I invited only twelve, so I will have the opportunity to talk to them all."
"How wise of you. Have you told Fitzwilliam what you're doing?"
"I did mention it, but his mind was elsewhere when I told him. I don't think he was interested in a ladies' tea party."
"No, I am sure he wouldn't be, but many men do not understand that not all women only talk about embroidery and children."
"Anne, do you harbour a wish to be a politician?" asked Elizabeth
"What nonsense you talk, Elizabeth. It will never happen. But the issues they often talk about are just as interesting to women as to men."
Elizabeth marvelled not for the first time how informed Anne was. It seems the years she'd spent isolated at her mother's home at Rosings had been wisely used to expand her knowledge.
"Have you invited Lady Wilmington?" asked Anne suddenly.
"No… Mr. Darcy asked me not to."
"That is wise," said Anne.
Elizabeth was relieved when Anne turned her thoughts to other matters. "And did you say you have your sister to stay?"
"Yes, she arrived this morning."
"I look forward to meeting her. Another Bennet sister."
Elizabeth felt a little apprehensive. She only hoped Anne would not find Kitty tiresome.