Before you read: I am posting this a little early; it needs polishing. My next update will be in three days instead of two, but I don't want people to think the story is over. We still have to unravel a mess. I am not asking you to dismiss chapters 1-14, but only to view them through a different lens. There is a hint about how this story will be resolved in chapter 15.

Chapter 20b ~ Amazingly Impatient

The Bingleys did enjoy much of their time with their guests. Preferring at times to continue in one another's exclusive company did not trouble them for they were confident their visitors could entertain one another very well. The Darcys, because their marriage was meant to remain a secret in Hertfordshire, were forced to use some subterfuge when they wished for privacy. Arranging stolen moments was not an entirely novel experience for the groom so thirty minutes secluded in the library was arranged with ease and just before they must dress for dinner the lovers revisited the secluded path where they shared their first kiss – Mr. Darcy effortlessly improved on his previous performance. Fortunately the horses had been returned and were ready for travel on the second morning. As the journey began they agreed that they would alter their plans and proceed immediately to Scotland, bypassing their week at Pemberley. Charles, being very eager to introduce his bride to his relations in Yorkshire would remain in that county with his Bride for a fortnight. Darcy would take his bride through Cumbria to tour the lakes before continuing to their small estate in Scotland where they would await the Bingleys. These arrangements were communicated to Mr. Bennet in a note. The servants at Netherfield had seen enough to leave them in doubt of the perfect propriety of these arrangements and whispers were soon passed along to through all the servant's halls in the county.

Before that merry procession of newlyweds had reached Lincolnshire, Mr. Wickham returned to Longbourn Village. Mr. And Mrs. Brown had only time enough to wave goodbye to him before being whisked away by the post chaise. Mr. Wickham would be on his own for the week. His Aunt Susan wished to come and keep house for him while the vicar and his wife visited their newest grandchild. He refused all her entreaties, uncertain if he could make his Aunt – who no longer expected luxury, yet was used to more comforts than the parsonage provided – comfortable. He would eat simply, bread and cheese, eggs and milk were abundant and he might go into town for a meal at the inn. That first morning was too quiet and he was eager to learn what he could about the wedding so by late afternoon he could resist temptation no more and walked to Longbourn.

Mrs. Hill observed the young man and knowing there was no company to be had at the parsonage greeted him with an invitation,

"The family are all at Lucas Lodge this evening, but if you don't mind our company you can join us in the kitchen."

He was very pleased with this arrangement and relaxed, feeling more himself among the common folk. When he socialised with his neighbours he was conscious of his insignificance. The pretty young ladies he was not yet circumstanced to pursue made him uncomfortable and quiet around them. Free from concern that he would be disapproved of or ignored he was easy and exceedingly agreeable. He had other reasons for good spirits, his time in London confirmed that he now had enough funds to purchase a living very like Kympton – time alone was wanting to find just the right situation. Once provided with a good living he might not be ashamed to think seriously about marriage.

With an evening to themselves, Longbourn's servants chatted and teased one another, easily including the cheerful curate in their conversation. They began well by sharing stories about their homes and families. Tempers flared when someone carelessly crticised an excitable young footman and a squabble started to simmer, Mr. Wickham intervened using his wit to ease the tensions. He was in fact so charming that he managed even to coax a smile from the sentimental chambermaid still saddened by Miss Jane's departure.

Hidden in the shadows observing the scene was a sulky Lydia. She had remained behind choosing to take a tray in her room to avoid Maria Lucas. Lydia – tired of listening to the other girl boast of the grand dinners she tasted and the fine dresses she examined while visiting her sister – told her the day before that if Mary had wanted that 'bumbling oaf' for a husband she herself would have been the one to 'eat lemon ices'. Maria in return said enough that the girls had not been on speaking terms ever since. Lydia, knowing that the food at her own home was superior to anything at Lucas Lodge did not mind missing the dinner. Alone in her room she started to feel unsettled and cross. In the otherwise silent house the laughter coming from the kitchen roused her curiosity.

Prepared to walk boldly in and join the fun, Lydia hesitated when she heard the familiar tones of the sour-faced curate actually making merry. She sat quietly on the steps unobserved and unwilling to disturb the scene. It was remarkable what a change had come over him. She really believed he was even handsomer than Captain Carter and was perhaps more fun than Denny – though he was only a clergyman. The conversation changed to a more serious subject and Mr. Wickham acknowledged that he expected that he would soon be looking to choose a wife.

"I will want to marry as soon as I have selected a living. I spoke to a man in Kent and another in Essex. I still hope for a bit more land to allow me to try my hand at farming." This was said a little too wistfully, so he added with smile, "When I have a home, perhaps then I can convince someone to take me on."

Mrs. Hill, with the air of a mother hen, answered him. "Oh, well, there shouldn't be any trouble there I am sure, handsome as you are! But I cannot be eager for you to run off! We are already missing our girls, they do say one wedding brings on another and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if our Lizzy comes back engaged to that Darcy chap."

"Engaged - Ha!" Replied her husband. "They'll be married or I'll eat my hat! They be going to Scotland with a pair of newlyweds and Mr. Darcy'd have to be made of stone not to-"

Mr. Wickham stood up suddenly bumping the table while a footman was heard whispering to his neighbour, "Better be engaged now after what Mabel saw at Netherfield and suddenly changing plans- might be-"

Unwilling to hear more, Mr. Wickham apologised as gracefully as he could manage before he made a request.

"I- It is only that I recalled some pressing business and I am afraid it will take me some days to finish. I know this will be a disappointment to Mr. Bennet. I will write to my old professor to send a student eager to try his hand a sermon-making to come on Sunday. Will you- I am very sorry to trouble you – provide me with some paper and ink for my letters, I will pay for them of course-"

Hill interrupted him. Pulling him into the shadows by the stairs, "Nonsense, but you could not possibly begin tonight. You will need to rest and that old nag of Brown's won't take you far. Best wait til morning, take the gig and a boy. I'll have one of the stable lads join you. He can drive at night and sleep during the day while you drive, you will make it to Gretna faster that way I reckon-"

"I hope I can catch them before-" Wickham stopped, his face as red as hot iron. He knew the other man had seen through him and that he had only confirmed Hill's suspicions.

"You are right. Yes please send a boy, but if we are to travel through the night I may as well go as soon as I have written my letters. Thank you Hill."

"Very good but to keep everyone else from suspecting your purpose, we will act like you are to leave in the morning. You do know it's probably a fool's errand-" Wickham nodded and Hill continued, "You must try nevertheless, I understand, she's a good girl, a right clever lass. I wish you godspeed. The boy will meet you at the turning where the lane meets the road to Meryton. He'll have some provisions to get you started. Will an hour be too long?"

"Perfect I should say."

In a louder voice the butler announced, "My wife has already brought the ink and paper. Did you find a sharp quill, love."

"Indeed I did. It is all ready, well I suppose our merry evening must end. They'll be just sitting down at the lodge, I think but there's plenty o' work ta' be done before they get home to keep us all busy."

While Mr. Wickham penned his two brief notes Lydia crept upstairs to write one of her own.

In a great hurry, Mr. Wickham accomplished his task and when he reached the place he was to meet the boy he slowed. Seeing no one about, he wanted to drive on but thought of a boy expecting adventure left alone in the dark and sighed. He must wait. Though it was no more than five minutes he felt it was an eternity before the child appeared – out of breath and dressed in his brother's cast offs no doubt. The basket was filled with hot rolls, hard cheese, a half dozen eggs well cooked and enough cold ham to keep their bellies full through the next day. The jug of coffee had been jostled enough that everything was splattered with little drops of it and George Wickham laughed.

"There isn't much coffee left lad, but if you don't object I will take it. I do not think I can sleep until tomorrow night and so I might as well do the driving."

The boy answered first in a high pitched squeak but finished in the husky tones of a youth, proving he was more child than man.

"Oh no! I had some tea before I came."

George nodded relieved. He could not trust the boy so soon and he needed the activity. Neither of them spoke until the first change of horses when he noticed the boy was shivering.

The 'boy' as you have no doubt surmised was no boy at all. Lydia Bennet had decided to stage a coup. Neither Lizzy nor Mary would wed the surprisingly handsome clergyman. After scrawling a note for Kitty confessing that she had eloped without disclosing the name of the gentleman – it would be a very good joke to return home married to someone she always said she hated – she found Johnny and gave him two whole guineas to give her a suit of clothes and let her take his place. When he started to make a dust about it being a "confounded, silly scheme" she gave him another guinea and told him to hide away at the parsonage. Johnny had sense enough to take the coins, but he told her he would not give them back even if she came home in disgrace. Before she had ascended into the hayloft to change her clothes Johnny collected the hamper and walked halfway to the parsonage leaving the basket where she would easily find it.

Now dressing in breeches when one is not used to them can be rather tricky but after putting them on the wrong way round she tried again with more success. She had very little time left but filled her pockets with a handkerchief and hair pins from her reticule when she realised she could not take it along. Last of all she wound her braid about her head, pinned it in place, and covered it up with the cap Johnny supplied from his own head, since he had but one. She buried her own clothes under the hay and ran towards the place where Mr. Wickham expected to meet her. The cap fell off and knowing that could ruin everything she went back to discover it in the dark. Hearing the gig behind her she firmly pinned the cap in place, collected the hamper and ran towards her triumph.

As they drove along in silence she wondered if perhaps Johnny was right, she was most uncomfortable and cold and the curate was once again dull and dour but when he turned to her with gentle concern and said:

"Your coat is not keeping you warm enough. There is a rug just behind you, lad. What is your name? I should have asked before."

Her heart began to thrum and she answered cheerfully, "Everyone calls me Laddie sir."

"Very well, Laddie. You can call me George." She sighed quietly. "We are to be companions and should be friendly I think. I hope you aren't terribly keen to handle the ribbons, perhaps when we reach Cambridgeshire I'll let you have a go. You might as well sleep while it is dark."

Lydia agreed wondering what he could want her to do with ribbons and sure she could manage that better than Johnny for she could do remarkable things with ribbons. Thinking of fans, bows, rosettes, and cockades she made her way to the in for a moment of privacy.

George watched the lad move unexpectedly towards the inn, as the fresh pair had not been brought George did not object.

"Do not tarry, son, I mean to travel swiftly."

That scene would occur frequently over the next several days. Wicham assumed it was curiosity that compelled the boy to wander off and tried not to be irritated. Still ignorant of his companions identity he was irritated the next day when Laddie confessed that he had never driven before. When the truth was revealed he would look back and wonder at his own stupidity.

"I cannot understand why Hill would send you-"

Smiling quite against her will she responded, "He did not. He chose another boy but I wanted to come so badly he agreed."

"Hill?"

"No, Johnny."

"I see. Well I will need you to do some of the driving so I can sleep. You are not afraid to learn are you?"

Rather more excited than otherwise, for this was far more like a lark than only sitting and collecting road dust in her mouth and on her lashes she wore a determined expression and shook her head. George observed his companion nod confidently, like all twelve year old boys, perfectly sure of their own success at any task. It was amusing to watch how stubbornly the boy persevered to gain mastery over the horses. He soon understood that a looser grip is easier to maintain and the animals respond better to the cues.

For the first day, fearful of the boy's inexperience, George traded drivers at every other stop and they shared little conversation that was not instruction. In the afternoon Laddie was advised to rest, he had done very well and would take the reigns after dark. For Lydia rest did not come easy she was thinking of they way he first guided her, wrapping her in his arms and placing his hands over hers. If she did not want so badly to please him she might have chosen to be very stupid only to have George teach her again.

When evening came, George congratulated himself that driving seemed to come quite naturally to the child and he was confident that they would cover as many miles while he slept as when he drove, for Laddie seemed exhilarated by a swift trot.

"Good. The roads are mostly quiet at night so it will be easy driving. Just keep the team on the road and after two hours you must find an inn."

He settled into a corner, resting his head on the canopy and allowed himself to sleep in earnest. By the time they swept into Derbyshire, he was snoring softly and Lydia did not attempt to wake him. When the horses were changed, she chose to remain with the gig. He took over for a time while it was still dark and let his capable young friend rest. It was mid morning the next day when Laddie took over, and George dozed once again. Lydia saw the carriages of both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley as she passed them by, set the horses to a good trot, and did not look back.