Chapter 2

Much as Elizabeth had predicted, Mr. Bennett had been grateful to see his favorite daughter. Although he did not have any good new to share. There still had been no word on either Lydia or Mr. Wickham and he had no idea how to continue his search. He and Uncle Gardiner had spent the majority of that first day home locked away in the study while Elizabeth and Aunt Gardiner took the children to the park. When they had returned, they inquired for news from the housekeeper, but were told that the only thing that had occurred while they were gone was a visitor that had requested to meet with Mr. Gardiner about business, but neither Mr. Bennett nor Mr. Gardiner had emerged from the study.

When dinner came about the two men withdrew wearily to eat with the family. The only conversation revolved around the children and had been spoken in hushed tones. As soon as they had been sent off to bed and everyone gathered in the drawing room for drinks Elizabeth could wait no longer to get information.

"Is there any news father?" she asked anxiously.

Mr. Bennett shook his head. "I'm afraid not my dear. Colonel Forster did not know enough about Mr. Wickham to suggest that he had any family or relations here in London that he could be staying with, and he is certainly not at any of the reputable inns in town for I have send word to all of them. It is quite certain that they do not wish to be found."

"I have made some inquires of my own and should hope to hear something tomorrow," Mr. Gardiner.

"I'm sure that I owe you an apology, my dear Lizzie," Mr. Bennett said, "You were quite right to warn me back in May about letting your sister go away. You showed great insight and I am a fool for not having listened to your advice then."

"Oh father! You mustn't blame yourself. No one could have expected this even from Lydia," Elizabeth proclaimed.

Mr. Bennett grunted and then said, "I shall return to Longbourn at first light tomorrow."

"So soon father? Are you certain?" Elizabeth inquired alarmedly.

"Quite certain, Lizzie. There is nothing more that I can do here. I must return to Longbourn and tend to affairs there. Will you be accompanying me?"

"I'd prefer to stay with my aunt and uncle until there is some more news if you'd allow, father," she implored.

Mr. Bennett nodded. "That would be quite all right, my dear, although Longbourn would be much easier to bear with you at home, but I cannot blame your wanting to stay if your aunt and uncle have no objection."

"We'd be most pleased to have Lizzie stay in our company for a bit longer. Perhaps tomorrow we can tour the shops down the way." Aunt Gardiner said in delight.

"It is settled then. I shall retire for the night in order to leave first thing." Mr. Bennett stood and kissed his daughter on the head as he made his way out of the room.


Several hours after Mr. Bennett had left the following day, Mr. Darcy called upon Mr. Gardiner. After speaking with him for several hours they had finally been able to come to an agreement about Lydia and Mr. Wickham. It had not been easy to convince Mr. Gardiner to take credit for the arrangements with Mr. Wickham, but Mr. Darcy had been most insistent since he knew himself to be to blame for not having revealed the dishonorable nature of Mr. Wickham.

Upon arriving onto the street in which Ms. Younge's boarding house was located, Mr. Darcy's attentions were called to the unusual amount of traffic standing about in the street. Navigating his way through the crowd he saw a distraught Mrs. Younge conversing with a constable. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he pushed past the officer attempting to maintain the crowds and approached the pair.

"What has happened Madam?" Mr. Darcy inquired with command.

"Oh Mr. Darcy! You must know that I never dreamed the girl was in any danger! You mustn't fault me for this!" Mrs. Younge protested hysterically.

"You must settle yourself," the constable soothed. "Might I ask your name, sir, and your connection to this woman?"

"I am Fitzwilliam Darcy and I have come to call on a young couple staying here at this house. What does she mean danger, sir? Has something happened?"

"I'm sorry to be the one to say so, sir, but there has been a most dreadful incident. A young girl has been killed. We are still attempting to sort out the details of what has occurred," said the constable.

Mr. Darcy felt as though the world had begun spinning. Surely this young girl could not be the youngest Miss Bennet. Surely Mr. Wickham was not capable of causing physical harm to the girl. Yet he knew in his heart that it could be no one else.

"You must take me to the girl. I must be allowed to see for myself what has happened to her. I am acquainted with the family and know they would wish to know the particulars if it is indeed Miss Bennett," Mr. Darcy insisted.

With a nod, he was led into the house and into the room that Mr. Wickham had let. Lying on the ground still with her once bright eyes opened in a look of shock, lay Miss Lydia Bennett. The wound in her chest was, thankfully, covered with a blanket but the red stain on the floor that had spread out from beneath her could not be so easily concealed.

Mr. Darcy muttered a quick prayer under his breath and then quickly made his way downstairs followed by the lawman. He had never seen such a scene and was most hopeful to never encounter one like it again.

"Well sir?" the constable asked. "Do you know the young lady?"

"Unfortunately, I do. Her name is Miss Lydia Bennett." Darcy sighed heavily trying to clear his head. "I am sure that her family must be notified immediately. I will have someone send for her relations near Meryton immediately. She has an aunt and uncle here in town that must be told. Though I do not know how I will break such news to them."

"I will accompany you, sir. This is an open investigation, and I will need to get a statement from the family and make the official notification," the officer said not unkindly.

With a nod, Mr. Darcy led the way out of the house and into the street. His mind was muddled with the news and fearful on how Mr. Gardiner would reproach him on hearing this news. Surely there could be no doubt about his guilt in this matter. He should have insisted that Lydia be removed from Mr. Wickham's company immediately upon discovering them. Her blood was now on his hands. There could be no questioning that. How was he to face her family now?