He strode purposely along the corridor towards the library, throwing the door open wide in his haste.
"Gentleman I must speak with you regarding a rather alarming matter," he called out gravely. Montague and Bingley sat at the large table, books and papers spread between the two.
"What has happened? Bingley asked, casting the purchase ledger aside as he eyed his friends unsettled appearance. "Have you learned something more of the unfortunate lad?"
Instantly Darcy felt guilty. Truth be told he had barely given the poor boy another thought after setting off to see Elizabeth. Upon hearing the news of Wickham and her younger sister's apparent elopement, his brain had focused on little nothing else.
"Alas no Charles," he replied sombrely. "I am afraid another matter has arisen; one in which I feel I must take immediate action. I have just come from the Inn at Lambton; it would appear not all is well within the Bennet family."
"Good god man," Bingley remarked, rising from his chair; "It is not Jane?"
Darcy all but winced at the concern in his friend's voice and use of the girls Christian name.
Darcy assured him it was not, and began to describe the letter and his exchange with Miss Bennet not one hour previous. Charles stood wide eyed, clearly shocked by what he was hearing. In contrast Montague sat quite composed, listening intently about a family and their circumstances which were entirely unknown and unconnected to him.
"What is to be done?" Charles asked in earnest. "Surely Darcy something must be done to help? How could the girl be so unthinking? To place herself in such a situation; to hurt her elder sisters so. No, I cannot think so poorly of the younger Miss Bennet that she did not enter into such an agreement without assuming marriage was the end offer."
"I tend to agree with you Charles. Wickham I am sure would be all charm and promises. Yet from what I know of him, marry her he will not. Where is the incentive? He is as ruthless as he is practical, he will only marry for money."
"This is distressing news indeed," began Montague. "A scandal such as this once public, has the power to ruin an entire family. Though I am afraid, as I know so little of those involved, I do not know what use I can be in the situation. However, I am at your disposal."
Darcy looked between both gentlemen. "I wish to leave immediately for London. If I ride I hope to be there by tomorrow evening. So much time is already wasted, yet I can do nothing to help the situation from here. I must get to London. It is my every intention to seek him out!"
Montague watched Darcy's countenance with curiosity. "Am I right in thinking there is some history between yourself and this Mr Wickham of whom you speak?"
Darcy sighed, running his hand though his hair. "Yes, I am afraid you could call it that. For far too long I have hidden the truth of the man from the world, fearful of my own reputation and that of my sister."
Montague said nothing, merely nodding. He was not one to pry, but the mention of Miss Darcy surprised him. The girl he had met seemed so young and innocent.
"If you wish it, I can return to London with you. I can be ready as soon as you desire. I have several men at my disposal which I am more than happy to task in helping you find the pair. Have you any idea where they would go?"
"No, I do not. But more importantly I must ask something more of you Cedric. I must ask if you will stay here and sort the matter of the boy. I must go, I cannot stress the importance of my finding Wickham. It is my wrong which I intend to right. If such news was to discovered it would ruin the lives of Miss Bennet and her sisters. I could not live with such an event on my conscious. I could have prevented this; hence I must help in the solution. I have long known what sort of man he is, yet I have always helped hide it from everyone for proprieties sake."
"I will come with you," Bingley spoke firmly. He saw his friend raise his eyebrow at the determination in his voice. "Do not dare argue with me on this point Darcy. Let me help. I can only imagine the distress that this news will cause Miss Bennet."
Where Darcy's main concern was Elizabeth, of course Charles would feel a similar protection towards Jane. Yet again guilt gripped his chest thinking of his part in separating the pair. There was another wrong he would need to try and amend.
"Of course, Charles. Go and sort what you need, I wish to be on the road by noon."
Bingley looked at the papers scattered before him on the table. He and Montague had been reviewing more information with regards to his father's earliest investments, trying to trace back all investments made during that first two years. Sensing his conflict, Montague spoke;"
"Do not be alarmed Mr Bingley. I am more than capable of sorting out these papers. We shall speak directly as soon as I myself return to London. Darcy with your permission I shall send for the local magistrate today and fill him in with regards to last night's events. I gather the boy is still pretty out of it, but the doctor is hopeful in a day he shall pull through and be ready for questions. What would you have me do?"
"I am sorry to put this on you. Though I will not lie I am entirely thankful for your presence. Would you stay until the end of the week? When the boy is ready, ,dfind out what you can, liaise with the magistrate and give him anything else he should desire. I want to know what happened and who is responsible. I will not tolerate such behaviour on my lands, especially if it turns out to be at the hands of one of my tenants. Then I must ask of you the greatest favour. Would you then escort my sister with you back to London? I would rather she was returned to my care. Who knows how long I shall now remain in London."
"I shall of course do all I can to settle last night's matter. But surely Mr Hurst and your sisters would be best suited to bring Miss Darcy back to London? I am sure they would not object."
"Montague, if you would," Charles began thoughtfully. "I must ask if you would help by keeping my sisters here until the end of the week also. The longer we can keep the unhappy truth secret the better. I am ashamed to say it but I would rather my sisters did not know the reason behind our departure. Darcy what say you?"
"I could not agree more Charles. We shall say business has taken us back to ton and say no more on the matter. Are you in agreement?"
"Capital. If required I am sure Caroline would be able to assist you in reviewing some of the old ledgers. She and mother were thick as thieves; sometimes I am certain she knows a damn deal more than I. How easy life would have been if she could only have been my brother!"
Montague nodded. Of course, he would help in any way possible; yet the thought of another four days in the company of Miss Bingley alarmed him. Last night he had lost control, a scenario he did not believe before to be possible. He had still not seen her since their exchange in the wee small hours, after he ruthlessly kissed the girl. He had barely slept replaying the exchange over and over again. How could he have been so careless, he did not even like the girl. And she had been looking for another! He glanced at Darcy. He doubted the man would have taken such an interruption well; he highly doubted the man would have ravished the girl, regardless of it being her intention. Lord but he had! Even when he knew she did not desire him. But that kiss, well, she may not have sought him out, but she had kissed him back; and with all the passion and fire he would have expected from a girl like her.
He had purposely avoided breakfast, not ready to face her and had been cooped up in the library with Bingley all morning. The matter of the boy he was not hesitant over, it would all be worked through and resolved he was certain; but in essence Darcy was asking him to play host! The thought terrified him.
"Well, if we are all in agreement, let us be away with our tasks. Charles, I shall meet you in the stables. Montague if you will stay but a moment, I have another matter I would very much like to discuss."
A light knock upon the door drew her attention from the window. She remained silent as her shoulders tensed.
"Caroline are you there, please may I speak with you a moment."
She breathed out with relief and opened the door to face her brother.
"Louisa told me you have not left your chambers this morning. It is unlike you to remain at rest, is all quite well?"
No all was not quite well, but she was in no position to explain to her brother the reason for her turmoil. Truth be told she had barely slept. Not only had she spent the entire evening berating herself for her complete and utter stupidity; she could not stop replaying every look, every word and every sensation brought on my that odious man! Add to that a rather dull headache brought on by an ill-conceived indulgence of sherry, and she was feeling exceedingly embarrassed and sorry for herself.
"What do you want Charles? Can I not simply have one morning to myself without you or Louisa seeking me out?"
"Of course, my apologies, it was not my intention to disturb you." He looked at his sister with curiosity. She appeared tired, her hair was still in a thick single plait down one shoulder and her morning dress was nowhere as polished as her usual attire. He knew it was not worth pressing the matter, but he would be sure to raise his concerns to Louisa before his departure.
"I wanted to inform you that I must leave for London directly. A matter most urgent has arisen which I am afraid cannot wait. I have spoken to Darcy and it has been agreed you all shall remain at Pemberley until the end of the week then return to London. I am sorry Caro that our fortnight stay has not quite gone to plan, but we must leave now."
Suddenly her face lit up and she smiled at him. "A business matter you say? Oh, how unfortunate. Never mind I am sure we shall manage a few days deprived of your company. And if Darcy wishes our little party to remain till the end of the week, then who am I to argue with such an excellent plan. Certainly, I shall not detain you further." She could not believe her luck.
He smiled at her. "Thank you for your understanding." He turned to leave the room.
"Oh, and do give my best to Mr Montague. How happy he must be to be returning to London so promptly."
"Oh no," Charles replied passing through the door. "It is myself and Darcy who must return, Montague has agreed to act as chaperone. I shall see you early next week."
By late afternoon much had transpired. The gentleman had taken their leave promptly; the magistrate called; the doctor interviewed and the boy was showing improvements. A name had been found and Darcy's steward, Mr Simmons, was currently making enquires to locate the boy's family. Luckily if the boy continued to improve, he could be questioned tomorrow. Montague was hopeful the matter would be tied up nicely.
He looked out the window of the library. Perhaps a short walk would do him good before he retired to dress for dinner. He was not looking forward to dining with only the others still present. In truth he was most not looking forward to facing Miss Bingley.
He headed in the direction of the lake, sticking to the gravel path which crunched satisfyingly underfoot as he walked. He breathed deeply, enjoying the fresh air after being so long indoors. A man could get used to grounds such as these. Oh, his uncles' estate was exceedingly fine, but there was something quite inspiring about the Pemberley landscape.
He passed the long grass as it merged with the reed beds at the edge of the lake, several willows sweeping their branches lazily against the water's surface. A noise in front of him drew his attention, though he could not see from where it came. Suddenly he heard someone curse loudly with enough venom to make a sailor blush. He stepped forward, rather gingerly, before setting eyes on the source of the blasphemy. Someone really was going to need to teach that girl some proper manners. It took all his strength not to burst out laughing.
"Well, I must say if there is one thing you are not, you are never dull." he grinned.
It was not her proudest moment. She did all she could to keep some element of calm across her features as she clung to the tree with all her might.
It had once been so easy, a game both she and Charles has played as children. She had as a going girl been rather good at it, scampering up the old apple trees outside their family home. Her competitive nature driving her to climb higher and faster than her brother ever could. Though that had been many, many years ago. How could she have been so foolish as to think she could simply hop up a tree and hide from view now as a woman of twenty?
Though that is exactly what she had attempted to do. Upon walking along the lake back towards the house, she saw him approaching on the same path. In a moment of sheer panic, not wishing to speak to the gentleman after their heated exchange last night, she at first attempted to move off the path into the rough. However due to the time of year and nature of the ornamentals, the grass was too high and difficult to navigate. A rather large willow leaned out from the bank, its branches thick and spreading – it was perfect. Without a second thought she had pulled her skirts and dove at the trunk, digging her foot into the fold of the lowest branch and pulling herself up. If she could just get to the larger branch above, she was certain she could sit there unnoticed until he passed.
Of course, irrational, 'bright' ideas do not tend to always go as one intended. Leaning forward she grasped the branch above and leaned over it hoping to pull herself up, yet pull herself up she could not. Somehow, she found herself bent double over the thick branch, her feet unable to reach back to the main trunk in order to even get back down. She cursed loudly. Pulling herself forward she slide a little further along the branch only to find herself stuck in the most ungainly of positions, stomach flat against the branch, bottom almost in the air. She heard footsteps draw closer and held her breath frozen still, hoping he would just pass by her.
"Well, I must say if there is one thing you are not, you are never dull."
She scowled down at him, clinging to the tree with all her might.
"Pray what are you doing up there Miss Bingley?"
"You could at least offer me assistance rather than simply standing there laughing at me!"
"I would have you know I have managed not to laugh once. I had no idea what an accomplished outdoorsman you were. Now tell me, are we looking for honey or perhaps we are simply an avid bird watcher?"
"Do not be so absurd. I demand you help me down this instant."
"I hardly think you are in a position to be demanding anything," he smirked, enjoying the view.
"Will you just assist me get down?"
"Please..." he coaxed eyebrow raised expectantly.
"Yes, blast it all. Please, please, please, will that suffice?"
"Well, as you asked so nicely, I am powerless to refuse."
He approached the tree and stood beneath her half upside down state. He looked up at her in sheer surprise; he really had no idea when it came to this girl.
"Perhaps if you give me your hand? You could then slide back and I could help you move..." he held his hand out, waiting for her to accept it. She looked at it with a mixture of disgust and dread. "You never did tell me how you happened to find yourself half way up a tree?"
"That," she hugged, still clinging to the tree, "is absolutely none of your business."
"I flatter myself, for there was a moment I wondered if you were but trying to avoid me?"
"Of all the most ridiculous things to say. Why should I hide from you? I have no reason to be ashamed. It is you who should be avoiding me."
"And why should I do such a thing as avoid you?" he asked his hand still out stretched. "I am not the one who turns up uninvited in the middle of the night half-dressed to seek out unsuspecting gentleman."
"How dare you. You know I would never, if I had known it was you! I forbid you to speak of last night again."
"Oh, you forbid me, do you?" he asked his temper rising as she clearly yet again repeated, he had not been her attended companion. "Will you just take my hand so we can get you down?"
"On further thought I think I am fully capable of getting myself down. You are dismissed."
"Dismissed" he scoffed. Where did this woman get off? How could she still manage to be so belittling, so dismissive, when she was the one in need of help. His help! "Miss Bingley just take my god damn hand."
"No."
"I demand you take my hand and get out of that tree this instant."
"You cannot make me; I wish you to leave me."
"I will do no such thing."
"Then you will have quite the wait for I have no intention of accepting your assistance nor am I inclined to get down whilst you continue to remain when it is abundantly clear your presence is no longer desired."
"Funny you should say that, for last night I was under the impression my presence was very much desired."
"You sir are a cad; last night you took advantage of the situation. You are no gentleman. I only hope you have enough sense to keep the entire distasteful episode to yourself."
"Distasteful!" he cried. "I do not think you found it so distasteful when you seemed more than willing to be kissed again!"
"How dare you, I desired no such thing. You sir took advantage of me!"
"I took advantage of you? You?" He stepped forward suddenly and place his hands firmly on her waist, gripping her tightly, he pulled her down. She was heavier than he imagined, solid. Although she was slender, her height and figure were in no way delicate. He could feel the heat from her body radiate through his hands as he left them encircling her waist as she finally stood before him.
"I am not the one who went looking to entrap a certain gentleman half-clad and half cut in the middle of the night."
"Then why did you kiss me?" She asked defiantly. "Why did you kiss me even when you knew full well, I desired another."
"Because I wanted to!" he yelled. "Blast it all, I wanted to."
He looked into her dark eyes, he still wanted to. He let go of her waist and stepped back. "I am a man, Miss Bingley. At the end of the day, we are slaves to our basic nature. You were merely an opportunity."
She looked at him, the word opportunity stung, was that all she had been? "Well in future I would like you to refrain from displaying all aspects of your nature, basic and or otherwise."
He smirked, lifting an eyebrow. "You can hardly blame a man when you appear in the wee small hours as you did barely even..."
"I said do not repeat anything of last night. The quicker it is forgot the better."
"If that is what you wish then who am I to argue. We shall agree, the exchange shall simply be forgot and no more said on the matter."
"Exactly," she replied keeping her face neutral of expression.
Anne lay with her eyes closed, utterly and entirely content. Never had she felt happier. She lazily traced the fabric beneath her cheek with one finger, trailing it slowly in small circular motions. She listened peacefully as he read aloud from a book of poetry. She would never tire of hearing his rich baritone voice and rolling R's. It was, as usual, growing exceedingly late. Each evening was getting more and more difficult when it came time for them to part.
So relaxed the pair were, when the room of the parlour at Grosvenor Square opened abruptly by an apologetic Mrs Marks, the couple did not instantly separate.
"Anne my apologies for the late intrusion," called out the voice before the gentleman had even entered the room; "but I saw your light whilst passing and I am afraid time is rather of the essence. I was hoping you could send word to Colville with regards to..." He paused upon seeing the sight before him. His jaw dropped before averting his eyes awkwardly towards the ceiling.
"Fitz for heaven's sake!" Anne cried uncurling herself from her unladylike position of being laid full out across the settee, her head resting upon Edwards lap and he read aloud to her. Her cheeks grew scarlet. She glanced at Edward, both surprised and apologetic for her cousin's sudden arrival. He simply smiled back at her with impish glee. Lord the man was no help!
"Darcy," Edward exclaimed. "How wonderful to see you again. How fortunate that rather than merely having your fair cousin here send word for my attention, I am already present and willingly at your disposal."
Darcy finally looked from the ceiling to make eye contact with the gentleman, his temper rising seeing the rather amused look upon his face. What in the devil did he think he was doing with Anne alone, in such an intimate setting? He had a good mind too...
"Colville, I do not know what you think you are playing at but I warn you, do not try me today. Remove yourself from my cousin this instant."
"Darcy steady on now. I know it may appear rather familiar but it is all innocent I assure you. If my fiancée and I should wish to spend an evening in the company of one...
"Your fiancée!" he cried looking to Anne. "Forgive me, I had not seen the announcement. I am very happy for you both. Yet still I believe..."
"Darcy," Anne soothed, "all is fine. Edward was about to leave. You have seen no announcement as I have not allowed Edward to make it public knowledge yet."
"Do not worry I have not taken it to heart, her desire to keep our pending union secret."
"Oh hush," she scolded him playfully. "Until I speak to mother you know I cannot."
"Lady Catherine's blessing has not been sought?"
"Oh, it has been sought," remarked Edward with exasperation, standing from his seat and straightening his cravat. "The old battle-axe would not grant me permission to speak with her. Three days I tried; calling on her, following her around Bath like a fool, but to no avail."
Seeing Darcy's puzzled expression over the mention of Bath, Anne spoke;"
"Shortly after you left for Pemberley, mother and I had a disagreement, she left Rosings for the house in Bath. Lord Colville arrived not long after, asking me to be his wife which I happily accepted. Of course, he then went to Bath the next day to seek out mother's permission, though she refused to see him. I have tried myself but given up. As I said, we had a disagreement and although our parting was civil, her temper has clearly gotten the better of her."
Edward reached out and took Anne's hand. "I am sure she will come around my dear. And even if she does not give her blessing, I shall still marry you, never you fret. But I shall not wait forever. I want all of London to know our happy news." He grinned at her teasingly. It had been the happiest week of his life; he could wait a moment longer before he shared his happy news with the world. Right now, he had Anne and that was all he could ever wish for.
"I cannot tell you how happy I am for you both," Darcy replied with a forced smile. He was happy for his cousin he truly was; Colville was an excellent match. The man was clearly besotted with her and he was a Viscount no less! He really could not understand his aunt's behaviour. They seemed so perfect for one another, simply happy. Would he ever be so lucky? His thoughts turned to Elizabeth, what he would do to be able to spend an evening alone in her company. Heaven's Elizabeth!
"I am afraid I am here on a rather urgent matter. Colville it is your help I seek. Do you have many acquaintances still in Epsom? I am trying to locate a missing girl, last seen in Epsom when they changed coaches."
"They?" Anne asked. "Darcy, I think you had better explain, I shall ring the bell for tea."