The next day was their last at Hinckston, so they had several things they wanted to complete before they left for Hertfordshire.
First, Elizabeth spoke to the Humms about Mrs. Greeley and her readiness to become the housekeeper. When they said that they believed she was ready, Elizabeth met with her and confirmed her appointment. She set out the goals she wanted the housekeeper to finish over the winter. The Humms said they would leave as soon as they could pack and have their son come to pick them up. Elizabeth approved of their plans and made sure that their pension was settled.
Second, they all met with the steward to specify what they wanted him to accomplish while they were away. His assigned priorities were to make sure the tenants and home farm would be ready for spring planting. He was ordered to undertake some repairs to tenants' homes and to make the empty farm ready for occupancy. Lady Elizabeth assured him that his position was secure. She made sure he realized that she had high expectations about his work and that his performance would be evaluated based on his achievement of her assignments.
Elizabeth also found a chance to speak to her father about her personal management of her new estate. Mr. Bennet had a serious problem when he considered this. There was no question but that she was his favourite daughter as her mind was very similar to his own; she was certainly his most intelligent child, by far. He definitely wanted the best for her and he knew that her having a title and her own estate would ensure her future and likely the futures of her sisters as well. Not only would the estate ensure her financial security, but it would also attract a better quality of suitors as long as they could weed out the undesirable ones who would only want her for her title and estate. He was quite sure that Darcy was interested in her, but he was not sure how deep his interest was. The better he got to know him, the more he liked him. He actually hoped they would work things out between them, but not before she had a chance of being in the spotlight for at least one season. He wanted to make sure she would be in London for several months this winter to enjoy the entertainments and attention he was confident she would receive.
Bearing all this in mind, as well as the fact that she would reach her maturity next summer when her actions would no longer be strictly under his control, he agreed that she should return to the Abbey after the New Year, probably for several weeks or even a full month. He told her that he wanted her to go to London in late January to be able to take in a large part of the season. He also agreed that he would encourage Sir William Lucas to allow Charlotte to come with her to Hinckston as he also wanted the best for Charlotte and was well aware of Carlyle's obvious interest in her, even though their acquaintance was so recent. He thought that they would do well together and vowed to tell her parents about him and to give him a glowing report.
That evening, Mr. Bennet mentioned these plans to the others. They agreed to them and they could see that Charlotte was very interested in returning here, but no one teased her about this, not even Mr. Bennet. When he said that he wanted his daughter to enjoy at least part of the season in town, Darcy said, "My Lady, I expect that you do not know many people in the level of society to which you now belong because of your title. You will need someone to sponsor you until you become known. If you will allow me, I would like to assist you in this. I receive many invitations and would be pleased to escort you to some of these events so I can introduce you. I will also introduce you to my Aunt Grace, who is the Countess of Matlock and is well connected. I will ask her to help you as well."
"That is very kind of you, Mr. Darcy. You are right that I do not have any connections in that level of society. The only connection I have, besides you, is Prince Augustus Frederick. He told me to let him know when I will be in town. I am not sure if he will see that I am invited to any events that he will attend as I am sure that only the greatest peers socialize with the Royal Family."
Darcy shook his head. "You might be surprised. While I do not socialize with any of the royals, I know people who are not titled who are with them quite often. I agree that the higher your rank, the more likely you are to receive invitations from them. You just might receive invitations from people you do not even know because of his influence." Darcy was worried about part of this. He knew how attractive Lady Elizabeth was and the deplorable morality of some members of the highest levels. He could only hope that none of them would importune her improperly.
"I would only ask that you let me know when you arrive in town. I would also like to introduce my sister to you. I believe that you will get along quite well with her."
The next morning, they left in Darcy's fine carriage, followed by the better of the two carriages that had conveyed the staff from Pemberley. Darcy had offered it, with its four horses, to Lady Elizabeth until she could buy her own carriage as he knew she would be returning to Hinckston just after the New Year. The second carriage contained Darcy's valet and Emma, the maid who was appointed by Mrs. Greeley to act as Elizabeth's lady's maid, and all their luggage.
Once again, they stopped for the night on the road as they did not want to travel in the dark. In the morning, they rearranged their seating for the final and shorter leg of their journey. Darcy rode with only his valet while the others went in the carriage that Lady Elizabeth would use. This way, Darcy could go straight to Netherfield without stopping at either Longbourn or Lucas Lodge. Darcy found that he missed being able to talk to Lady Elizabeth and even to be able to watch her sitting across from him. He simply missed being with her after almost two weeks of being constantly in her company.
Even though Darcy knew that his carriage could travel faster, he told his coachman to stay with the other carriage in case of trouble. His arrival at Netherfield was as he expected, as Miss Bingley complained about her missing his company for so long and Bingley just being delighted that he was back. Miss Bingley was not pleased to hear that Hinckston Abbey was a fine estate and that the manor house would be quite impressive once it was put back in its previous condition. She was still wondering what she could do to blacken Miss Eliza's reputation without any danger to her own. She just knew she would think of something.
Elizabeth's carriage first went to Lucas Lodge to take Charlotte home, where she was welcomed warmly by her family. The Bennets soon left for Longbourn where they were met with many questions about Lizzy's new estate. Of course, her mother wanted to know when the whole family would all go to see it, but Mr. Bennet told her that it was not in a condition to receive many guests and would not be for some time. Lizzy suggested that they might all go there next summer. She introduced her new lady's maid and said that she could be used by her sisters whenever she was not needed for herself. One topic they did not mention was the cash subsidy Lizzy had received as she worried that her mother might ask for some of it.
Mr. Bennet soon disappeared into his office leaving Lizzy to answer many questions about the manor house, the estate, and the neighbours. Their questions continued right through dinner and even after. The one topic she did not mention was Mr. Carlyle's apparent interest in Charlotte, or her interest in him.
When Mr. Bennet began to go through his correspondence, he found one letter that amused him to no end. It was from his heir presumptive, William Collins, who complained bitterly about the loss of his great expectations. He repeatedly mentioned how disappointed his esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh was with his loss and how she could not understand why the Prince Regent had ended the entail on Longbourn by Royal Decree. She vowed not to accept his Decree. Mr. Bennet thought that the Prince would not be pleased when he heard that she might try to interfere in his decision, which he knew would come to nought. He noticed that Collins did not mention anything about the estate in North Yorkshire. The only action that Mr. Bennet took was to throw the letter aside and chuckle.
The next morning proved to be cool but sunny, so the girls decided they would like to walk into Meryton. Lydia convinced her mother that she just had to go as she needed new ribbons to improve her dress for Mr. Bingley's ball. Mary declined to go as she said she was too busy with her studies. Lydia and Kitty were especially desirous of going as they had raved about all the red-coated officers they were likely to see as the militia regiment had arrived in the village to spend the winter. As they entered the village, Lydia, who was watching for any red coats who might be there, saw an officer that she knew.
"Denny!" she called to him, then she and Kitty ran across the road to greet him before Lizzy could stop her. He was with another gentleman who was not wearing a uniform. All were struck with the stranger's air; they all wondered who he could be. Mr. Denny addressed them directly, and entreated permission to introduce his friend, Mr. Wickham. "Ladies, may I introduce my friend Lieutenant George Wickham, who has just accepted a commission in our militia regiment. This is the reason he is not in uniform. He just returned with me just yesterday from town.
"Lieutenant Wickham, may I introduce the Bennet sisters, Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia. I regret that I do not know these other two ladies."
Lydia made the introductions. "These are my two oldest sisters, Miss Jane Bennet and Lady Elizabeth Bennet, Baroness Longbourn."
As soon as Wickham heard one of the sisters introduced as a baroness, his attention was immediately directed to her to the exclusion of the others. He decided that this lady was the one he wanted to get to know better. He was always on the search for ladies who might be charmed by him, especially if they were young and innocent or had money.
The fact that Mr. Wickham would soon be bearing a red coat was exactly as it should be, for the young man wanted only regimentals to make him perfectly charming to the ladies. His appearance was greatly in his favour; he had all the best part of beauty: a fine countenance, a good figure, and a very pleasing address. He showed that he had a happy readiness of conversation—a readiness at the same time perfectly correct and unassuming. However, the two youngest sisters were not pleased when he directed his conversation almost exclusively to Lizzy.
The whole party was still standing and talking together very agreeably, when the sound of horses drew their notice, and Darcy and Bingley were seen riding down the street towards them. On distinguishing the ladies of the group, the two gentlemen came directly to them and began the usual civilities. Bingley was the principal spokesman and Miss Bennet the principal object. He was then, he said, on his way to Longbourn on purpose to enquire after her.
Mr. Darcy corroborated their plans with a bow, and was beginning to determine not to fix his eyes on Lady Elizabeth, when they were suddenly arrested by the sight of the stranger. Elizabeth, who happened to see the countenance of both as they looked at each other, was all astonishment at the effect of the meeting. Both changed colour, one turned white in shock, the other red in anger. Mr. Wickham, after a few moments, touched his hat—a salutation which Mr. Darcy just barely deigned to return. What could be the meaning of it? It was impossible to imagine; it was impossible not to long to know. She was determined to find their relationship and the reason why they reacted as they did when they encountered each other.
After hesitating for just that brief moment, as soon as Darcy realized that Wickham was standing next to Lady Elizabeth, he jumped off his horse and ran up to him and stood between him and the Lady. Elizabeth had to take a step backward to give them room. Darcy was virtually nose-to-nose with him and growled, "Wickham, what are you doing here? How dare you cross my path again?"
Lieutenant Denny stepped forward. "Sir! Why are you confronting Lieutenant Wickham? He is an officer in the King's militia."
"Are you really in the militia? That is great news!" Darcy turned to Denney, "My cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam will be very pleased to hear that. He has wanted to meet Wickham again but could not find where he has been hiding in London.
"Wickham, you can expect to be transferred to his regiment as soon as the orders can be cut. He will enjoy having you under his command." Darcy then muttered under his breath, "But you will not." He turned again to Denny, "Lieutenant, I suggest that you advise your colonel to keep an eye on Wickham until he is transferred. He has a habit of disappearing when things get too hot for him and either unpaid creditors or angry fathers are looking for him. I suggest that you follow my advice very carefully as you do not want to incur my cousin's wrath. If you do, you will find how much influence he has with army headquarters."
Darcy then turned to the ladies, "Ladies, please avoid this person. He is a known gambler, a cheat, a debtor, and a liar. Your reputations could be at risk if you associate with him in any way. He will be gone from here in just a couple of days. Now, may Bingley and I escort you to wherever you are going?" While he was tempted to mention Wickham's predilection for young and impressionable girls, he refrained as he did not want to shock their gentle sensitivities.
He turned his back on Wickham, showing his disgust for him. Denny and Wickham went off, with Denny asking him what that confrontation was all about. He worried that there must be some substance to Darcy's accusations.
Lady Elizabeth said, "Mr. Darcy, thank you for warning us about that person. His appearance gave us no hint about his character."
"Wickham has the gift of making friends easily, but he cannot keep them for long."
"We were going to my aunt's house and will be pleased for your company." They all set off down the street to the Philips's house with the youngest girls chattering in excitement on witnessing this confrontation.
While they were walking, with the gentlemen leading their horses, Darcy, who wanted to change the subject, asked, "My Lady, may I request that you save a set of dances for me at Bingley's ball? I assume you will be quite popular there."
"With pleasure, Mr. Darcy. However, I thought you did not care for dancing."
"I admit that I do not care to dance when I do not know my partner. However, I feel that we are friends now and I saw that you are an excellent dancer. I am looking forward to being your partner."
When they arrived at the Philips's house, the gentlemen left them and resumed their ride. The ladies had a lot of news to tell their Aunt Philips. With her love of gossip, they knew their news would soon be known throughout the area.