Disclaimer: As much as I wish they were my own, they belong to JA!
Chapter 12
"Mr Darcy!" Lydia Wickham exclaimed as she backed away in fear.
Darcy was still shocked at the discovery of his wife's youngest sister alone in London at this time at night. He recollected himself and greeted her civilly, "I did not expect to see you in town Mrs Wickham."
"I - I -" Lydia, unable to compose herself wept bitterly.
Darcy, unsure of what to do, observed the young woman and saw that she was with child.
"Mrs Wickham, do you have somewhere to stay?"
Lydia nodded, "Yes sir, but only enough money for one more night."
"Come, I shall escort you and then you can tell me what brings you here."
Lydia nodded and Darcy soon found himself in a somewhat dubious inn in Whitechapel. He looked around, taking everything in, shocked at the squalor in which Lydia was currently living.
"OI! Mrs Wickham! It's about time you returned, I'm not your nanny!" Darcy turned as a red faced woman emerged from behind a door, "Here's your brat and I ain't watching her again!"
Lydia stumbled over her apology and picked up the little girl. Darcy watched as Lydia kissed her daughter's dirty cheek.
"This is my daughter, Maria."
The little girl turned to look at her new acquaintance and Darcy found himself looking into George Wickham's eyes.
"Thank you sir for escorting me back," Lydia turned to go to her room.
"Mrs Wickham, where is your husband? Surely you are not in town without him."
Lydia stopped at the mention at her husband, she turned around, her face fearful and eyes brimming with tears.
"I - I - do not know. Mr Darcy, George fled Newcastle with his mistress. He has left me alone with our daughter and unborn child. I believe they are in town. Sir, I must find him, for the sake of my children. What future will they have, I have little to support them with."
Darcy's face became very grave as Lydia recounted her story. He thought Lydia Wickham to be a silly girl whose foolish actions had led her into this predicament. However, despite his dislike of the girl and contempt for her adulterous husband, he knew what he must do. He had been in this position before, she was Elizabeth's sister. Elizabeth. On seeing Lydia's distress at being abandoned, Darcy began to regret his thoughtless words and hasty actions, thinking perhaps leaving Pemberley had not been such a good idea. He quickly recollected himself and turned to Lydia,
"Mrs Wickham," he began, handing her his card, "I - I think you would be more comfortable, away from such a place."
"Is my sister in town?" Lydia inquired, puzzled at the gentleman's actions.
"No she is not."
Lydia, all the more surprised by the invitation, curtseyed, stumbling over her words of gratitude.
"I shall expect you tomorrow then." Darcy bowed and took his leave.
The following morning, Darcy was sat in his library with Colonel Fitzwilliam when there was a knock on the door.
"Enter."
"There is a Mrs Wickham to see you sir."
"Thank you, please show her into the sitting room, I will see her shortly."
"Yes sir."
The maid curtseyed, leaving Darcy to face his rather bemused cousin.
"Darcy, why should Mrs Wickham be calling on you when Mrs Darcy is not in town?"
"It seems her husband's habits have brought her to town."
The colonel raised an enquiring eyebrow.
"Wickham has abandoned his wife. I am sure the Bennets do not wish for anymore scandal-"
"Nor, I am sure, does Mrs Darcy."
"No, I expect not. I feel I must, once again, locate Wickham and return him to his wife."
"May I be of any assisstance?"
"It would be much appreciated. Excuse me, I must speak with Mrs Wickham."
Darcy strode into the sitting room where Lydia Wickham sat waiting. As he entered, she stood to greet him.
"Please sit down Mrs Wickham, I shall not keep you long. As you are probably well aware, you are in no condition to roam London alone. I shall assist you in your search and if my wife were here, I am sure she would insist on you staying here for the time being so I invite you to stay here until your husband is located." Darcy paused at the awkwardness of this invitation but knew he must be compassionate towards the unfortunate girl and her daughter.
"I - I- thank you very much Mr Darcy, it would be an honour."
"Yes, well, I shall a servant to retrieve your belongings."
"Thank you sir."
Xxxxxxxx
Darcy spent the following days, with the assistance of his cousin, visiting old acquaintances with whom Wickham had connections. They had little success as he had severed many connections, including Mrs Younge and Darcy was beginning to think he should abandon the search completely.
He and Colonel Fitzwilliam were beginning, once again, to consider this as they made their way along a murky street in Hackney after another fruitless search.
"Well Darcy, I certainly believed that it was our best lead."
"Yes, so did I and I am inclined to think that it still is."
"You think the man was not trustworthy?"
"No, I did not trust him, perhaps we might return a little later."
"Yes but in the meantime, how about we quench our thirst!" Fitzwilliam laughed, nodding towards a nearby inn.
"Aye, an agreeable idea indeed."
They entered the crowded inn and it was not long before their doubts of the man they had previously met we confirmed. Fitzwilliam glanced over towards a large group of people and pointed out the acquaintance they had just made,
"I believe our search has come to an end Darcy."
Darcy looked over to where his cousin had glanced. There, in the centre of the group, sat Wickham, laughing merrily with a girl on his lap. Wickham's gay countenance altered suddenly as he recognised Darcy and Fitzwilliam. He pushed the girl off his lap and scowled as he staggered towards the unwelcome visitors.
"What are you doing here Darcy?"
Darcy, trying to remain calm looked Wickham in the eye, "I think, sir, that you know exactly why I am here. I was most intrigued to find your wife in town."
Wickham scowled again at the mention of Lydia, "I daresay then that you have it in mind to return me to her. After all, you are so very good at rescuing her, I suppose this is all at your lovely wife's orders. Pray, how is the delightful Mrs Darcy? I am sure her lively mind and wilful independence has been quite a challenge for you, pray, is she happy with you? I am sure I could have made her just as happy as I once made sister, perhaps they both lacked that virtue, tis a shame I never found out."
At this slur on his wife's reputation, Darcy could no longer hold his temper in check and forced Wickham into a wall, pinning him against him.
"You will not speak about wife in such a manner! Do you lack the courage to take your revenge face to face? Using innocent women in your schemes for vengeance for my supposed wrong doings against you is hardly the work of a gentleman!" Darcy shouted.
Wickham forced his way out of Darcy's grip, his face flushed with anger and alcohol,
"Ah, dear Georgiana, is this what is concerning you? Do you suppose I might pursue her again? An unlikely event indeed!"
"Indeed, for you are too busy pursuing other women who are not your wife!"
"Yes, I forgot, Lydia," he spat vehemently, "my dear wife! I have no use of her, perhaps I should send her back to Longbourne unless, of course, her sisters would like to take their scandalous sister under their wings!"
Darcy swung out at Wickham, catching him on the jaw. Wickham reeled from the shock of this sudden blow, and, quickly recovering, went to return the blow.
The ensuing fight was vicious until Darcy pinned Wickham against the wall again,
"You will apologise, sir" he spat "for speaking ill of Mrs Darcy and you return to your wife."
"I will do nothing of the sort!"
Darcy did not see Wickham slip a knife out from his belt.
Well, it's taken a while but there you go! Please, please review, all advice is helpful!
There will probably only be one more chapter and an epilogue to go otherwise I'll never finish it!