Darcy's party did as Colonel Fitzwilliam bid, and it was thus not long before they arrived at Darcy House. Elizabeth had rarely been to Mayfair, and when she had been, it was only to pass through on her way to somewhere decidedly less grand. Subsequently, when their carriage arrived at the grand townhouse, she was astounded by its enormity. It was possibly greater in size than Longbourn and certainly more impressive. For such a home to exist in the heart of London was unimaginable.
Realising she was staring in an inappropriate manner, Elizabeth averted her gaze from the mansion and allowed the liveried footman to help her out of the cart. The cart seemed to mock them as it sat in front of the house, and she and her uncle felt even more ridiculous in their simple clothes, which were now coated with a layer of dirt from their travels. Darcy did not seem to notice, however. He offered his arm to Elizabeth, directing her into the house as if she were a duchess. Mr. Phillips followed behind, prudently allowing the young people some illusion of privacy.
The housekeeper, Mrs. Colley, was surprised at Mr. Darcy's arrival, for she had not been expecting them. She expressed her sincere apologies for the house not being ready. Mr. Darcy informed her that she need not worry excessively, as he had not given advance notice that they were coming to London. Indeed, he himself had not known until an hour before.
This confused Mrs. Colley, for it was more than an hour from Netherfield, where the master had been staying, to London, but she supposed that he must have meant an hour before his departure. Maids were instructed to get the bedchambers in order for the guests and footmen were dispatched to bring hot water and move bathing tubs into the bedchambers.
"Miss Bennet will need a change of clothing, as will her uncle. I think Colonel Fitzwilliam's things ought to fit Mr. Phillips, but I believe my sister might be taller than Miss Bennet. Have we any of my sister's gowns from last year?" asked Mr. Darcy.
"I believe we may still have one or two that have been passed on to Samantha," the housekeeper offered. Elizabeth supposed that Samantha must be Georgiana's lady's maid, as often ladies would pass on their old things to their maids, particularly if they were of a size. Otherwise, the clothes could be sold, or the fabric used to sew new garments.
Mr. Darcy did not like the idea of Elizabeth having to borrow clothing from a maid, but as it could not be helped, he gave the instruction for it to be done. Taking Mrs. Colley aside, he gave further direction. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Phillips are to have the utmost care taken of them."
"Of course, sir," said Mrs. Colley. Her attempt to hide that she was insulted by the insinuation that she did not always care for the master's guests was unsuccessful.
"I do not mean any offence. You, of course, are an impeccable housekeeper, Mrs. Colley." Mr. Darcy did not know how to impress upon his servant what he meant without simply stating it plainly. "Mrs. Colley, I know I can rely upon your discretion, and this should go no further. I am very hopeful that Miss Elizabeth Bennet will someday become mistress of this house. Therefore, more than the usual care ought to be taken."
Mrs. Colley, who had known the master since he was fourteen years old, was delighted by this information and assured Mr. Darcy that his young lady would be well-cared for. "Oh, I shall have Samantha see to her," said Mrs. Colley. "She ought to have a real lady's maid attend her."
Mr. Darcy again reminded Mrs. Colley that no one was to be told of this, lest the servants gossip, but he knew he could trust her. The servants might gossip, but if they did, it would be because of the prodigious care ordered for such a sudden guest, not because of anything his housekeeper had said.
Darcy ordered some bread, cheese, and water to ensure he had the necessary sustenance to reach Melbridge House and for what might happen after they departed for Surrey. He ate the food quickly while a servant packed a bag for him, and another readied his horse.
"Pray, be careful," came a voice from behind him as he took the bag of provisions and a change of clothes from the servant.
He turned around and saw Elizabeth, still in her dirty gown. "Was a bath not drawn for you?" he asked with a frown.
"I asked that my uncle's bath be made ready first, as I wished to see you off." Elizabeth looked down and blushed, embarrassed by the admission. Darcy, however, was delighted by this evidence of her regard.
"I will be careful, Elizabeth," he replied, using her Christian name without noticing he did so. "I am not one to be reckless."
"I know," she answered, "but this is not just a fox hunt or some such. I-I will worry for you."
"You need not," said Darcy, "I shall be well."
With that, unable to look at Elizabeth lest her tears prevent him from going, he was off.
When Darcy arrived at Melbridge House, he was not surprised to find that his cousin had assembled a veritable army of men. More than two dozen soldiers were gathered, listening to Richard's orders as he divided up the city among them. He was sending more men to the seedier parts of town, figuring that the sort of people Wickham would consort with would not be high-born. Yet, this was unnecessary, for the men had not yet been sent on their way when a carriage appeared in front of Darcy House.
"The Bingley carriage?" asked Darcy with astonishment when he looked out the window.
Richard joined him at the window, although both men were careful to ensure they could not be seen by those alighting from the carriage. Mr. Wickham exited first, then Miss Bingley, and Jenson. Mr. Bingley, Culver, Issacs and Handle followed close behind them. His countenance was contorted into a look of absolute fury, something Darcy had never witnessed before on the face of his even-tempered friend. Wickham tried to look back and say something to Bingley, but the latter placed a firm hand on his shoulder, shoving him towards the door of Melbridge House. It was then that Darcy saw the glint of metal, and he was astonished to see his good-natured friend holding a gun to Mr. Wickham's back. Upon closer inspection, it became obvious that Wickham, Miss Bingley's, and Jenson's hands were all bound.
"Should I let them in, Sir?" asked the Melbridge's butler of Richard.
Richard agreed, for there were more than a score of men within and if Culver and his men were with them, hopefully that meant all was well. Whatever might happen, the incoming party was outnumbered and in unfamiliar territory.
A moment later, Bingley and the others appeared, shoving the three villains in with great force. "Darcy, I do not even know where to begin, but I know where your valet is now. Also, Wickham requires medical attention."
Darcy did not know where to begin, either. He glanced over at Wickham and saw that his left hand was swollen and bruised a deep, dark purple. Whatever had happened, it was no more than Wickham deserved.
"Call for a doctor," Richard said to the butler, who was still lingering just outside the room. The servant nodded and went off to do his master's bidding.
"Let us start with where my valet is, I suppose," said Mr. Darcy after a moment.
"Tell him," said Bingley to Wickham.
Wickham stared at Darcy with loathing. His jaw was tight and his lips were pursed as if he was gnawing on an exceptionally unpleasant piece of gristle.
Bingley kicked Wickham and gestured with his gun before repeating his command.
"At Mrs. Younge's," Wickham finally said. "He is in the attic at Mrs. Younge's."
"Fisher, Evers, Fitzjames, Haythorne," Richard called out several men's names, gesturing with his head for them to go to Mrs. Younge's boarding house to fetch the valet. He was fairly certain what Walson, Armann, and Bankes would already be there, but it did not hurt to send more help in case it was needed. Other of his men had already begun to restrain the miscreants. Once they were securely tied to chairs, Bingley put away his gun and his expression softened just slightly. Miss Bingley tried to protest her ill treatment, loudly proclaiming that she would have the men brought up on charges, so they gagged her as well.
"Do you care to explain how come you to be here and what all has happened?" asked Darcy.
"I know very little, actually," said Bingley. "One of my servants, Dinah, overheard something between Mr. Wickham and my sister during the night. Apparently, they have been carrying on an affair for a while," said Bingley. His sister squealed a protest, but he cut her off. "No, Caroline. You had best be silent. I do not care if you are ruined. You shall be lucky if you do not hang."
She was silent, for she had not actually thought about the implications of being caught. The idea of hanging certainly had never entered her mind.
"Anyhow, she told me what they said, that they were for London in the morning and that they would stay at Hurst's house, as it would be empty, even of the staff as Hurst has not the funds to keep them on when he is not in residence," Bingley continued. "Then, as Caroline is of age, they would obtain a common licence and marry. Between her twenty thousand and 'their other money', they would be able to buy an estate and be genteel. Knowing a little of Wickham's nature from you, I decided to go to Hurst's house early in the morning and await them. I brought several footmen with me, thinking that I might need help to subdue Wickham. Imagine my surprise when they showed up with twenty thousand pound in bags, talking of what they should do with Mr. Witting's body after they killed him. I found Hurst's dueling pistols, and took one for myself and gave one to John, my valet. We surprised them, and there was a bit of a brush — John stomped on Wickham's hand when he nearly got my gun — but we won out in the end, as you can see."
Darcy was speechless. Bingley, whom he had assumed was a shallow fop or else a kidnapper, had actually saved the day. He felt awful for ever having doubted his friend.
"But what of my men?" asked Richard.
"Oh, yes. Your men showed up with great timing. We had somewhat subdued them, but we could locate no rope or anything strong enough to bind their hands with. I am sure you understand what a chore it would have been to transport them without anything to bind them. Then too, the men knew where to take them, so that was quite useful."
"I thank you, Bingley," said Darcy when he finally regained his speech.
"You have nothing to thank me for. It was my terrible sister who did this. I cannot apologise enough," said Bingley.
Darcy declared that all was forgiven of Bingley, but now they needed to learn more about what had occurred from Miss Bingley, Wickham, and Jenson.