Author's Note: Another chapter for you

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Chapter 22

Although Wickham departed from Longbourn the following morning, he diligently gathered as much information as possible about the recently married Bennet daughter. Jane found it somewhat irritating when Wickham consistently redirected the conversation toward her sister. However, he showered her with enough compliments that she soon forgot her annoyance and was charmed by his attention.

Wickham claimed to have business that would take him to London in a day or two, although he would return soon. Kitty and Lydia recalled that when asked what he did, he only spoke of a denied living and did not mention any specifics of this mysterious "business" taking him to town. When he finally departed from Longbourn, lingering beyond the noon hour and, in Kitty and Lydia's opinion, making a pest of himself. Once he left, the two girls departed for a walk into town, although their real destination was Lucas Lodge to speak to Maria Lucas.

While none of the Bennet girls were supposed to visit Lucas Lodge, the youngest two found their way around these restrictions, as they usually did. They had worked with Maria to develop a signal to alert her to their arrival, and she would meet them outside so they could speak together.

"Maria, we need you to write to Charlotte," Lydia began. "There a man in Meryton who claims an acquaintance with the family. Neither Kitty nor I trust him; we do not believe he is telling the truth and is attempting to paint Lizzy's husband as something he is not. He claims that the elder Mr Darcy denied him a church living, yet there is something disingenuous about him when he says it."

"He is a sycophant," Kitty cried. "He reminds me of that gentleman who visited Meryton some time ago and fawned over and flattered everyone. He constantly praises Jane and Mama, and they delight in his behaviour."

"How did you meet him?" Maria asked curiously.

Lydia laughed. "That is another thing—he claimed to have been thrown from his horse and walked to our house. He was not dressed for riding, however, and he did not act like a man who had been thrown from his horse. The servants were sent to look for his mount, and none was found. He also remained at our house well past noon today and never again mentioned his lost horse."

Maria looked surprised at this. "I cannot imagine a gentleman not being terribly upset at the loss of a horse unless he were very wealthy. Do you think he is rich?"

Kitty and Lydia exchanged glances and pondered this. "I do not believe so," Lydia remarked. "While he did have nice attire, it was not as nicely made as Mr Darcy's, nor was it of such fine quality. I would venture to say he wishes to give the impression of affluence, although he probably is not as well-off as he appears. Moreover, he mentioned he was initially destined for the church but did not mention possessing a church living anywhere. In fact, he never would say what he did."

"What should I say to Charlotte?" Maria asked after the three girls looked at each other for several minutes.

Quickly, the two girls told Maria all they knew of the gentleman: his name, description, and what he said to them while he stayed at Longbourn.


Charlotte was travelling to Lucas Lodge when the letter arrived in London. Not wanting to open her friend's letter, Elizabeth kept it until she saw her friend, believing that Maria would tell her sister about what was in the letter when she arrived home. In the excitement of Charlotte's arrival home, however, the news of the visitor to Longbourn was forgotten.

Wickham extended his stay in Meryton for a day or two after his initial visit to Longbourn, and during this time, there was no news regarding his missing horse while he remained in the vicinity. Curiously, it appeared that only Kitty and Lydia were privy to this information, and how he arrived at Longbourn remained a mystery to everyone except those to whom he had initially recounted the story on his first night there. He did call at Longbourn once more before departing for London.

Kitty and Lydia were still in Meryton when Wickham made his departure. They deliberately kept a close eye on him while he lingered in the area. When he arrived to bid farewell to the Bennets—a gesture that appeared somewhat excessive for someone with whom he had such limited acquaintance—he had arrived on foot. He stated that his coach would arrive shortly to transport him to London. Nevertheless, Kitty and Lydia decided to accompany him to Meryton under the pretence of needing to visit a shop. They discreetly observed him from the vantage point of a store window as he boarded the mail coach.

"We should visit Lucas Lodge to see what Elizabeth said about the visitor to Longbourn," Kitty suggested. "We have not spoken to Maria since Charlotte returned."

"Jane is quite displeased with Charlotte's engagement to Mr. Livesay," Lydia remarked. "Both she and Mama were distressed when they heard about it from Mr Wickham, who heard it in town. Do you suppose Lizzy will be able to attend the wedding? While I would dearly love to see her again, I am uncertain how we could arrange it without Mama and Papa discovering our plans."

"Papa will not care what we do," Kitty retorted. "It is Mama and Jane who would be affected by her visit. They are already being treated poorly in town because of their treatment of Lizzy, and if she were to come here without visiting Longbourn, I am uncertain what people will say."

Lydia scoffed. "Jane has lost all her friends in Meryton. Since Lizzy's marriage, her attitude has driven everyone away; nobody wants to associate with her. Mama might try to reconcile with Lizzy, although I cannot imagine Lizzy being receptive, and her husband is even less likely to entertain the idea."

"True," Kitty replied reflectively. "Come, let us go to Lucas Lodge and see what we can learn." The two set off from town, happy to report that Wickham had departed for now. However, they wondered if the man would return when she said he would, as he told Jane he would return in a few days.

Utilising their signal, Maria was summoned. The three girls spoke together for several minutes before Maria returned inside to get Charlotte.

"Charlotte, did you receive my last letter to you in London? The one about the strange visitor to Longbourn?" Maria asked her elder sister.

Charlotte furrowed her brow in thought. "I do not believe so, Maria," she replied. "When did you send it?"

After further discussion, Charlotte realised the letter was posted the day before she departed from London and that it likely arrived too late. "What did the letter contain? Why would you write to me about a visitor to Longbourn?"

"He was far too interested in the Bennets, and he appeared out of nowhere," Lydia blurted out. She began to tell Charlotte what Maria had written and explained what they had learned about Wickham from his subsequent visits to Longbourn and his time in town.

Charlotte contemplated this for a few moments. "I shall write to Eliza without delay and send it via express. The Darcys are scheduled to arrive in Hertfordshire in a matter of days, and they intend to stay at Netherfield with my intended until the wedding. Although I have little knowledge of this gentleman, considering his claims of acquaintance with the Darcys and his unfavourable opinion of them, it may be prudent to alert them to his presence in the vicinity before their arrival."

After asking a few more questions, Charlotte returned to the house and wrote to Elizabeth, telling her what she knew about one George Wickham and his ventures into Hertfordshire.


In London, the Fitzwilliams Darcys were in their home preparing to depart for Hertfordshire and, even more greatly anticipated, their return home to Oakridge Manor. They had spent such a short time there and were looking forward to truly settling in there as master and mistress of their estate.

The arrival of an express from Hertfordshire filled Elizabeth with apprehension. Upon recognising Charlotte as the sender, she promptly opened the letter and hastily perused its contents before leaving her dressing room to seek out her husband. Elizabeth encountered Fitzwilliam on the staircase, as he had been apprised of the arrival of the express moments after it had been delivered to his wife.

"Is everything well, my love?" he inquired.

"Your former friend Mr Wickham was in Hertfordshire," she said, handing the letter to him. Fitzwilliam looked startled at the mention of Wickham and quickly began to read the missive.

"What is this?" he asked, disbelief written across his face.

"Your brother warned us that he might seek out my family, and it seems he has. Charlotte writes that my youngest sisters did not trust his 'appearance of goodness' and immediately contacted Maria about writing a letter," Elizabeth responded. "For now, he has departed Meryton, though he did not leave without speaking ill of the Darcy family to Mama and Jane."

Fitzwilliam growled in his throat. "Let us leave the packing to the servants so we might pay a call to my brother. He needs to know where Wickham has been and perhaps speak to Richard as well. I wonder if Richard might join us in Meryton…" he trailed off as he continued to think of additional precautions to take as they travelled now.

"Fitzwilliam," Elizabeth snapped, "what on earth are you thinking to make you scowl in such a way?"

"Oh, Elizabeth," he responded, returning from his thoughts, "I was contemplating the measures necessary to ensure your safety. I am aware of your penchant for exploring in the countryside, but during our stay at Netherfield, you shall refrain from doing so. You must have protection if you venture outside, and you shall not roam alone."

"I shall, shall I," Elizabeth retorted. "We are not to discuss things now; you are to tell me what I 'must' do."

"Elizabeth, I am your husband, and I want to keep you safe," Fitzwilliam replied. "I will do everything I can to protect you from harm, particularly from Wickham. Unfortunately, I know him too well and know what he can do."

"And it did not occur to you to speak to me about the dangers instead of merely commanding me to remain indoors," Elizabeth replied tartly.

Fitzwilliam gazed at her in silence, and Elizabeth returned his gaze. In that brief moment, neither of them uttered a word. Then, comprehension illuminated Fitzwilliam's countenance.

"My dearest, I apologise for not discussing this matter with you. My sole concern was your safety," he admitted. "Of course, I shall share my plans with you, but I hope you understand the necessity of staying close to the house if Wickham is nearby. I will still need to discuss this development with George and Richard, but rest assured, I will keep you informed of all the details."

He pulled her into his arms and explained his fears for her and more regarding his history with Wickham, including some of that man's escapades with women during his time at university. "Wickham is not an honourable man, not even a good man. He is a rake of the worst kind and does not care if the women he uses are willing. I fear for your safety, my love. I am uncertain exactly how angry he is with George, and he has never liked me. Even though my father took his side over mine, or perhaps because of it, he has always sought to take what was mine. I want you safe, my love," he confessed.

"I apologise for getting angry when you only meant to protect me," Elizabeth replied, snuggling deeper into his embrace. "I must learn to trust you more than my reaction just now demonstrated. Of course, you would only act in my best interest." She leaned her head back in a signal for him to kiss her, and he obliged her with a passionate kiss.

A sudden noise made the couple realise this entire conversation had taken place in the stairwell, and before their passions could run away with them, they removed to her chambers, where they proceeded to express their love. Some hours later, they finally departed for Darcy House to share what they had learned with their relations.