Chapter 22b ~ Quite Shocking

"Wickham, what could you be thinking? A child, one of your own parishioners. Elizabeth almost convinced me that you had indeed changed, but almost the very moment we received the express that Lydia was missing we hear her cries and find her with you! If the ladies were not present-"

At last all the confusion of the unexpected ambush settled enough for George to look at his attacker and words that had been lost in his mind's attempts to survive and protect the girl in his charge made sense. An essay on his blameless behaviour and perfect ignorance of the ruse until very recently took shape in his heart but the only sound that escaped him was, "Darcy?"

"Yes, thank God! I have not been a very religious man, however, this is beyond coincidence. You will travel with us back to Hertfordshire you will wait for banns and-"

Speaking as quietly as she could manage over Lydia's sobs, Elizabeth interrupted, "My, love, they must be married- they have been travelling alone all this time and to return home unmarried still would be scandalous indeed!"

Wickham hung his head in defeat, for of course it was already too late for an honourable marriage.

"Very well we must go to Scotland and," looking George Wickham threateningly in the eye, "you will both join us in my coach. Whatever clap-trappy thing you used to steal a young girl from her father's protection will be returned by one of Pemberley's men."

George watched as his accuser then turned to address Miss Elizabeth,

"I must send a servant after the express rider before he alarms the Bingleys; we have news to share. You may prefer to take your sister to our rooms-"

As Elizabeth wrapped Lydia tightly in her own pelisse and moved towards the door George turned to the other man and snarled under his breath, "You hypocrite-"

Unable to distinguish what had been said, Elizabeth nevertheless heard the unpleasant tone and instructed, "You are both of you far too good looking to allow your features to be spoiled by violence. Do try to be civil; you are very soon to be brothers, you know."

The gentlemen both reddened with embarrassment, Darcy recovered first and giving her an indulgent smile, he said "Of course, my dear; do not concern yourself. You must only take care of the child."

"Indeed I must. She- well it has been three days and I must see to her comfort-"

Disgust and abhorrence was evident on the face of both men as they hissed in unison as soon as the ladies were out of the room, "Wretch."

Stunned, for a moment neither spoke, when Darcy took the lead saying with emphasis, "My wife is correct we cannot brawl like the fools we are, we must act like gentlemen which I am confident we both can manage."

Dubious of the explanation, George nodded his agreement all the same.

"I have arranged for a suite of rooms above stairs. You will bunk with Davis."

Mr. Wickham, determined not to be obliged to the other man more than necessary, waited until they left the room to assert:

"I will provide my own room-"

Smiling tightly, for the sake of their audience, "I will not hear of it."

Mr. Wickham at once directed his steps towards the innkeeper and smiling his most engaging smile made his defiant request. "A room and a bath, if possible." Producing the coins he paid for both immediately adding with a look at his incredulous companion, "I would prefer to be near my family."

"Family! How pleasant, we have the room across the hall from Mr. Darcy if that will do"

With a pleased expression he answered, "Very well indeed."

They entered Darcy's room and that gentleman began to expatiate – in such self-righteous tones that Mr. Collins himself would have been impressed – on 'misplaced pride' and 'wasteful imprudence.'

George almost opened his mouth but held his lips between his teeth and listened in patient silence.

Hearing her husband's voice Elizabeth entered in high dudgeon.

"Mr. Wickham, I am shocked! How could you – with all your brooding moral conundrums – justify taking a young girl, not even sixteen, from her father's home and then deprive her of every comfort, no proper meals, no proper rest?"

"I-"

"It is shocking beyond anything and she will say nothing against you. How have you so poisoned her mind that she blames only herself?"

"She-"

"What manner of man will not accept responsibility, but blames a young girl?"

Defeated he collapsed into a chair with his head in his hands. "You are entirely correct, there is no excuse."

Satisfied that the reprobate had been thoroughly scolded and that her husband was informed of the treatment Lydia had endured, Elizabeth returned to her own room.

A noise across the hall informed them that the bath was being prepared.

"Darcy, you are not in the habit of listening to anything I may say. Please allow me to speak this once, trust it or not as you will, when I have done I will wash myself so I am fit company for ladies and return."

Darcy smirked, "Please do, your last attempts to weasel out of blame were so unbelievable that if it were not for the circumstances I would have found them entertaining."

With a huff of frustrated laughter and a weary smile, he said, "Thank you. I thought I was taking a stableboy with me. I did not know it was Miss Lydia until an hour ago when I decided she must be returned to her family. You may laugh, I cannot account for my blindness except that I was so determined to spare Miss Bennet from being married to you."

Mr. Wickham, already at the door, exited and had nearly entered his own room when Darcy followed at a quick pace, once they were both inside he closed the door abruptly behind him.

"Are you in love with my wife, you scoundrel?"

"Wife?! Impossible! You may have fooled her but I know that you had not time enough to make it to Scotland."

"We were married, by Mr. Brown, whose gig, I presume you stole-"

"They left it in my charge-"

"-at Longbourn in the presence and with the permission of her father as any good Christian would wish to do-"

"I went to Longbourn, you liar, and learned that you showed up, changed Bingley's plans rushing them to Scotland – everyone assumed that you would be less than honourable."

"Everyone indeed? Did Mr. Bennet say so?"

"The family were not at home but I was invited to join the servants for their meal and they had much to say on the subject."

"And why do you suppose they would assume the worst? Your own false tales-"

"I told those stories only to Miss- your-" uncertain of her true status and unwilling to say what was distasteful he continued, "and her father. That either of them would consent after-"

"One obviously jealous man's gossip! Shocking indeed. But we will continue this conversation after you have washed, you look a disgrace. Have you fresh garments?"

"Under the bench in the gig."

"Lydia?"

"I know not." The scorn on Darcy's face proved that he credited not a word Mr. Wickham had said and considered him a thoughtless oaf.

"I will send a servant." Leaving the man to his bath he left the room and having taken possession of the key locked the miscreant inside. His next tasks involved searching out Davis to serve as gaoler and sending someone to search the gig. Those tasks reminded him of the letters he must send to Longbourn and Scarborough; they were promptly sent and he returned to his room still restless.

Elizabeth was waiting for him, unpicking the hem of one of her gowns. "She cried herself to sleep, poor dear, insisting all the time that she was the only one to blame."

"That is the story he is telling too. Ridiculous! any fool can see the difference between your sister and a stableboy."

"I am not so sure, she was very insistent that she forced herself on him. Recalling that she may have cost him his 'chance at a living' she wailed and she sniffled fearing he would always hate her when she 'loved him so.' It is in every way unaccountable, she always thought him very dull and he hardly looked at her."

"I am certain of that. He confessed that he was terribly concerned about you and ran off with your younger sister only to pursue you! Perfectly reasonable! I vow that he feared you would throw yourself away on a prosperous landowner when you could have married a penniless curate and he was determined to rescue you from your folly."

Laying the dress aside, she answered, "He had no reason to hope I would have him."

"To be sure neither had I." His brow raised and his mouth curled in amusement, "It did not stop me either." He reached for her hand.

Taking it she moved swiftly into his embrace. "I am very happy it did not."

Relieved and grateful he decorated her face with kisses as he teased her, "Your poor sister will be married to a man who is in love with you. We will need to be very firm about any visits. You are much too tempting-"

Davis announced his arrival with his usual tap at the door and willing himself not to be annoyed Darcy stepped aside and bade him enter.

"The gentleman has finished shall I show him in-"

Sighing, Darcy shook his head – they would speak of things his wife need not hear. "I will go to him."

Elizabeth smiled, touched his arm to reassure him as she passed, then returned to her work. He left her pleasant company for that of a man he could neither like nor respect and yet must soon call a brother.

"You look decent, at least."

"I am more comfortable now - - you were truly married respectably?"

"We were. Rather absurd of you to grill me on that point."

"I will not argue with you."

"Did you not speak to Mr. Bennet before rushing off to save- What am I thinking? You stole away another of his daughters, your actions make no sense. Did you think that by taking Lydia you would recommend yourself to Elizabeth?"

"I have tried to explain before but you refuse-"

"To listen to lies when the evidence is before me? I do not deny it. You do continue to bring her up, it is very strange that while pining for one woman you ran away with her sister."

"No! I-"

"That is the truth is it not? The woman you 'love' stopped listening to your lies so you decided to harm her."

"I wanted to protect her. It was never love, not really. I admire her, but I have not allowed my hopes to reach quite so far. But though I cannot marry her, I believe she deserves a better man than you."

"Undoubtedly!" The frank admission erupted from Darcy before he could stop it. Wanting to be made angrier by having confessed as much to Wickham of all men, he found he could not. Rather it was pride that filled him as he mused aloud – more to himself than his audience, "My character matters more to her than anything else I have to offer, and I adore her for it. I will be worthy, I am determined."

Mr. Wickham's face softened into a smile, "I believe you mean that."

Shocked by the response Darcy blurted, "Of course I do." and examined the other man's face; his happiness was honest. "Right, well you were very foolish to run off as you did. If it was not revenge, why would you take Lydia? How did you convince a girl who always thought you very dull to come away?"

"I did n-"

Yet again Darcy answered his own question, pleased he could so easily account for the unaccountable. "It was the adventure, and the romance that lured her."

"I told you before: I thought she was a stableboy until two hours ago."

"She is no astonishing beauty but she is not so bad as that."

Mr. Wickham laughed, "I cannot explain it. Hill told me he would send a boy with a basket to speed me on my way. I never doubted- I was consumed by my mission."

"You hate me that much."

"I was sure you would marry for money and connexions; there were always rumours about an engagement to your cousin; what I learned about your activities in Cambridge - all of these - convinced me that you had no very honourable intentions."

"You thought me so low that I would seduce the sister of my friend?"

"I thought you may marry her but would not respect her, would not give up your - - habits."

"I gave up my habits long ago, before I left school. By the by, they never amounted to habit. I occasionally indulged in vice. You however-"

Mr. Wickham rubbed his face in frustration.

"I can see we have both had enough of this conversation. I will send a hot meal, though you do not deserve it-"

"I can afford to pay for my meals-"

"I am certain you can on your curate's wages – do not play the big man with me. You wasted enough on this room. You will soon have a wife to support."

"Mr.-"

"Save your breath to cool your porridge, I am weary of this-"

Mr. Wickham responded with a mocking smile, "As am I."

Shaking his head at the other man's effrontery, Darcy moved towards the door, "If the ladies are rested enough we shall leave early on the morrow. Be ready." and with that he left.

George Wickham chose to laugh at his ridiculous circumstances. He enjoyed his meal in company with Davis and retired early, sleeping very peacefully.