Monday, February 22, 1813 – Darcy House, London
Lydia had been installed in Darcy House for over a week and was becoming increasingly restive with the confinement. Darcy could not hope to hide her presence from Georgiana and had, reluctantly, informed her that Lydia was being held there in secret. The particulars of their plans had not been vouchsafed to Georgiana; however, the need for secrecy had been strongly impressed upon her. Lydia's only outing had been an afternoon with Mrs. Gardiner to a modiste to acquire her new wardrobe. None of the staff at Darcy House knew Lydia's name and most supposed her to be a Darcy connection. Darcy did nothing to disabuse anyone of that supposition.
Hodgkins knocked on the door of Darcy's study and, upon being told to enter, stepped into the room and said, "The young gentleman you are expecting is here, sir." He then ushered a young man of about three and twenty into the study. Darcy rose from behind his desk and greeted him with a short bow, "you must be James Simpson?" and directed him to the chair fronting his desk. "Tea or coffee?"
"Coffee, please and yes, my name is James Simpson."
Darcy considered the young man carefully. He was stockily built, about average height, not at all ill-favoured – in fact, he would probably be considered good looking by most women – and his hands showed evidence of hard work. His gaze was quite direct and, if he was discomposed by Darcy's scrutiny, he hid it fairly well. He spoke with a distinct Scottish accent but it was not unpleasant. According to Higgs, his steward for his Scottish estate, James Simpson had a good reputation in that area, no known predilections for drink or women and was reputedly a good worker.
"James, how much has Higgs told you about my offer to you?"
"He basically asked me if I were willing to marry a lass that had been seduced and left unmarried. In return, I would get sufficient funds to establish a large farm in the colonies – Canada. My answer was that I would be willing, if the lass were."
"There are a few more details we have to make clear to you. First, you and the young lady will travel to the colonies as soon as possible, but under assumed names. You will marry in York in the Upper Canada colony when you reach there. The young lady will be assumed to be a widow by the name of Lydia Wickham, her husband, George Wickham, having died during the previous winter. The funds mentioned will be released, to you, following the marriage. The young lady will write to her parents explaining the marriage, and the events leading up to it. You will be portrayed as a young man of some substance who needed a wife and met and fell in love with Mrs. Wickham."
Darcy thought for a minute, "I am sure you have some questions."
Simpson considered what he had been told for a few minutes before responding,"Farming is not an easy life. How much does the young lady know about it?"
"Virtually nothing, as far as I know," Darcy paused, "she is a gentleman's daughter and is, or was, rather spoiled. I don't know how much that has changed. I do suspect that she will struggle at first."
"Ah well, that is as may be. I must talk to the lass first. If I am to marry her, she must be my wife in all particulars."
"That reminds me, what do your parents know and think of all of this?"
"They are not too happy with my choice of a wife but recognize that I could not get a better opportunity to establish myself. She is a gentleman's daughter, after all. They will support me."
"Are they accepting of the need for secrecy?"
"Yes. They will simply say I am going to the colonies as your agent and will announce the marriage locally, only when I write them."
Darcy considered the young man. There was something that puzzled him and he very much wanted an answer. "Simpson, you puzzle me. You are a farmer's son but your words and manner of expression sound like that of an educated man."
Simpson laughed."I must credit my mother. She was a governess for an English family for ten years before she met and married my father. She was most particular about our education and schooling. She taught us, as much as possible, and saw that we attended school."
"Ah, that explains much. I am a little surprised that a young man with your attributes is not looking to make a future here in London, instead of which you are heading to the colonies."
"I have no great liking for cities. The air is foul, there too many people, it is noisy. I cannot think of much to recommend them. Besides, I like farming and I think my chances of prospering are better in the colonies with your funds to support me, than here in London Town with only my wits."
"Perhaps you are correct. I suspect that opportunities will exist almost anywhere for men with some education. Now, before I have the young lady brought down, there is something you must know. How familiar are you with the situation between England and the Americans?"
"Not very familiar at all."
"You have to know then that war has broken out and that American forces are attacking our Canadian colonies. The area into which you are venturing is close to the border with the Americans and could, even now, contain fighting. I do not know more than that at the moment. You will have to be cautious but, at the same time, there may be opportunities for a young man with funds."
"I see, I think."
Darcy could understand Simpson's concern. "I think it should be safe enough. I understand that additional troops are being sent to bolster our forces there. Now, shall I send for the young lady?"
"Please"
Darcy left the room and Simpson could hear murmurings from the hall outside and Darcy returned. "She shall be along shortly. Let us move to the library, and await her there." Saying this, he led Simpson the short distance to that room, stopping on the way to instruct a maid to have tea and coffee brought there. "Please, make yourself comfortable."
Simpson was awed by the volume of books contained in the library."You are truly blessed, sir. I love to read and my mother would want to take up residence here. It was always a happy day for her when she could get a new book." He wandered around the room, running his hand over the backs of the books as he considered them. He was interrupted by the sound of the door opening, and a young woman being ushered in.
Darcy, who had been following Simpson's wandering about with a small smile, also turned towards the door and immediately moved to Lydia. Taking her hand, he brought her to face Simpson. "Miss Bennet, may I introduce Mr. James Simpson. Mr. Simpson, Miss Lydia Bennet."
Simpson's bow and Lydia's curtsy were all that was proper. "I believe that you both need to discuss your possible life together. I will return to my study and leave you to do so. There will be a footman stationed outside the door, Mr. Simpson. When you are done, please let him know, and he will bring you both to my study. Is this acceptable to you both?"
Receiving their acknowledgement, Darcy returned to his study and awaited events. Some half hour later, he heard a knock on the door and Simpson and Lydia were shown in by a footman. He considered them both, as he bade them sit in the chairs fronting his desk. Lydia looked a little unhappy, but not unduly so. "Am I to understand that you both have agreed to the proposal?"
Simpson looked at Lydia, before answering. "Yes, I believe so. Miss Lydia is not too happy about the prospect of being a farmer's wife but I have assured her that the funds we have will most likely allow us to hire someone to help in the house while she learns what must be done."
"Excellent! Simpson, how soon can you be ready to leave? Miss Bennet has acquired all her clothing and is ready to leave now. Is this not true, Miss Bennet?"
After Lydia mumbled her agreement, Darcy continued, "There are two letters that Miss Bennet must now write. We have drafted them for her to copy." Turning to Lydia, he handed her several sheets of paper. "Here are the letters we have drafted. We need you to copy them in your own hand. You may write here at my desk."
While Lydia undertook to write the two letters, Darcy and Simpson moved to the chairs by the fireplace. "So, when shall you be ready to leave, Simpson?"
"I came fully prepared, sir. All my belongings are with me in my trunk. I suppose I could leave tomorrow."
"No need to be quite that precipitous. I have tentatively booked passage on a ship departing several days hence. I was not quite sure when you would arrive but I can now confirm those arrangements. You have some few days if you need to supplement your clothing, although I would recommend waiting until you arrive in York to do so. You could visit a bookstore or other shops perhaps. I will provide you with an advance of £200 to cover such costs as may arise during your trip."
Conversation continued in this fashion as Darcy outlined the arrangements he had made with respect to the funds, letters and secrecy. "One thing must be made perfectly clear to you both. No hint of these arrangements must ever arise in any communication with Miss Bennet's family. The story we have constructed must become the reality. Your respectability and that of Miss Bennet's family depends upon it. You may, however, write to me in fullest confidence, should the need arise."
Lydia then approached them, handing over the transcribed letters which Darcy scanned quickly. "I will seal this and have you address them. This letter," and he handed one to Simpson, "you will post from York when you arrive. The other I will keep and post after you sail. Now, I will have someone show you to your room, Mr. Simpson. If you wish to borrow a book from the library, please feel free to do so. You may do likewise, Miss Bennet."
A footman was summoned and led the young couple to their respective rooms, as Darcy moved to put the finishing touches to his efforts. A note was written, to be delivered to the captain of the ship, confirming the passage arrangements. He would visit the Gardiner residence this evening to advise them of the progress in the arrangements. He was looking forward to seeing Elizabeth since he had been circumspect in his attendance for much of the past week. The presence of Mrs. Bennet, in town to help Jane buy her wedding clothes, had absorbed a lot of Elizabeth's time and, as well, Darcy did not want to make himself too obvious such that Mrs. Bennet's match-making instincts would focus on him. At the moment, she seemed to accept him as associated with Captain Stovall, and had made only one or two passing references to the perfidy of his 'friend' Mr. Bingley. She was back at Longbourn now, and he could enjoy Elizabeth's company once more.
