Chapter 5
Francis had spent much of the afternoon with Jane walking around the coast. Once she agreed to accept his help, they were able to speak about many other topics. He told her about his life at sea and the beautiful places he had seen traveling the world. It was hard for him to believe that she was a real person. For so many years she had been in his mind in the form of a Greek goddess, that sometimes he was afraid of waking up and realizing that it had all been a dream.
Although Francis had no doubt that Miss Bennet's resemblance to Aphrodite had first made him fall in love, after meeting her, it transformed into something much more profound. She was perfect in every way because, besides being beautiful, she was gentle and kind, worried sincerely for her family's future, and wanted to know more about the world and learn new things. Francis imagined that a future with Jane would be full of joy and love.
But in order to get everything he wanted, Francis needed to win Jane's love, and he was willing to do everything to accomplish it. He had spoken to his most loyal sailors and explained the situation to them, without giving names or many details. His men were discreet and did not ask any questions. They knew that they had to investigate and give him a list of possible candidates so that he could take charge of the situation.
In the bar near the port, the officers of Colonel Forster's division and the sailors who came and went met. Francis entered the place and immediately went to talk to his men.
"Do you have any interesting information?" Francis asked.
"Yes, Captain, I believe we have the information you need," Glover replied.
"I must admit, Captain, that it was much easier than we estimated. On the table near the window are our main suspects," Logan added.
"The one sitting looking this way is Captain Denny, a man of low morals and no scruples," Glover told Francis everything he knew about the officer. He said the officer always attended all the community dances and did not miss the opportunity to flirt with all the young ladies he could.
"But our number one suspect, Captain, is the man sitting to Denny's right, Lieutenant Wickham. He is very popular with the ladies and, as other officers commented, he always brags about having ruined the reputation of more than one girl." Logan explained that George Wickham was also a gambling addict and had multiple debts of honor.
"I thank you very much for your help, let me invite you to drink a good brandy with me," Francis said animatedly.
"You have nothing to thank, Captain," said both sailors.
Glover and Morgan were a little older than Francis and had known each other almost all their lives. They owed a lot to Francis because he had given them the opportunity to have a career and a family, and he had also taught them to save and invest their money to have a better future.
After talking with his men for almost half an hour, Francis decided to approach the gaming table to find out what those men were up to. He was good at math, and all the games involving logic and numbers were relatively easy for him. Besides, it was worth losing a few shillings just to be able to help and see his dear Jane happy.
Francis asked the officers if he could join the table, and they all agreed. They knew sailors always had money; they drank much and lost everything they had at the gambling tables.
In the first few games, Francis decided it was better to lose. The amount of money they were betting was minimal, and it was worth paying to get the information he needed.
"It seems that fortune is not on my side tonight," Francis said to start a conversation. Francis had introduced himself without saying he was a ship's Captain; he preferred that his table companions think he was just another sailor.
"Do not worry, Coleman. We all have bad nights sometimes," Denny replied, laughing.
"And I am having one of my best nights," Mr. Wickham added. He was happy because he would have a few extra shillings.
"I doubt a few coins will solve all your problems, Wickham. You would have to win for months to pay off everything you owe Fat Joe," Sanderson said, drawing laughter from the other officers playing at the table.
"Besides, Fat Joe is impatient and is looking for you, Wickham," Turner added.
The officers kept jesting at Mr. Wickham, which gave Francis the opportunity to learn many things. For example, Wickham had left unpaid debts in Meryton, he had debts with a large part of merchants in Brighton, and he had gambling debts with a very dangerous criminal in London.
"I know you love to laugh at me because I am lucky with the ladies. Not like you who only have the opportunity to enjoy the company of old and ugly women," replied Wickham, making all the men who were playing laugh heartily.
"I am not as selective as you, Wickham. If a woman wants my company, I cannot refuse. Although I must say that lately I have seen you very well accompanied by a lady, who is certainly very attractive, although a little too young and foolish for my taste," said Denny.
Francis believed that, at that moment, he had found the man he was looking for, but he needed to confirm his suspicions. "Do you like silly girls, Wickham?"
"If the lady is over fifteen, has the body of a woman, and flirts shamelessly with all the officers, no one can convince me she is a girl," Wickham replied.
"If that is the case, I suppose you are correct. I am sorry if I am being intrusive, but what interest can you have in a young lady with so little to offer? I assume you are not so dishonorable as to want to ruin her." Francis wanted to know how cynical Wickham could be.
Mr. Wickham did not like Francis's objection to his behavior and responded arrogantly, as he always did when someone dared to question him: "Coleman, you should not get involved in matters that do not concern you."
"Are you always so insolent, Wickham, or do you only get like that when someone beats you?" Francis asked. Then he made a move and won the last game.
Wickham was furious. Francis had left him penniless and ridiculed him in front of all his friends. Wickham could not stand men with airs of self-assurance and superiority like Francis. They reminded him of the man who had ruined his life, Fitzwilliam Darcy.
"I do not think your pretty lady can help you with your money problems, Wickham," Sanderson said.
"You should find yourself an old, ugly woman, but with money," Turner added, making everyone at the table laugh.
"Say whatever you want. That does not change the fact that beautiful ladies prefer and enjoy my company," Wickham said and stood up. He did not want to be the center of all the ridicule and went to the other officers' table.
"This Wickham is such an arrogant fool," said Francis. "I thought the advice you gave him was very sensible. If you have money problems, it is better to find a woman who can help you and stop wasting your time with silly girls."
"It looks like this girl has family who can pay... you know what I mean," Denny said, smiling.
By this point in the night, all the officers were a little drunk, and Francis ordered another bottle of wine to keep the spirits light. That way, he found out that Lydia had told everyone that she had a rich uncle who had a large warehouse in the city and that she would spend the next season in London.
"Let us keep playing and forget about Wickham and his affairs with the ladies. There is no point in talking about that sore loser anymore," Denny explained.
"Excellent idea," Francis replied. Then, he filled his new friends' glasses and played cards with them for another half hour. Then, he asked the bartender to bring another bottle of wine, said goodbye to the officers, and walked over to his friends.
"Turner, Glover, you did an impeccable investigation. I have all the information I require. Now, I need two trustworthy men who can travel to London tomorrow. Can you talk to the rest of the crew?"
"It is not necessary, Captain. We can travel," Glover said immediately.
"Perfect! While we walk back to the barracks, I shall tell you what you need to do."
Francis had devised a plan to stop Wickham and needed to put it into action as soon as possible. He knew there was not much time and that soon Miss Bennet's reckless sister would return to Brighton.
P&P
Colonel Forster had told Wickham that his wife and Lydia would return to Brighton that afternoon. His situation was increasingly precarious, and he needed to get money at any cost. His plan was to cajole Lydia to elope with him, take her to London, and demand that Mr. Bennet and her tradesman uncle pay him ten thousand pounds to marry her. Otherwise, he would abandon her to her fate, damaging the reputation of Lydia and all her sisters forever. For that reason, Wickham was in front of the Forster house to try talking to Lydia.
After two days of traveling, Lydia finally returned to Brighton. She was eager to see all the officers and participate in balls and gatherings at the homes of her new friends.
When Lydia exited the carriage, she saw Mr. Wickham on the front sidewalk. He motioned to her that he would be waiting for her in the small garden next to the Forster house.
"Harriet, I have been sitting in this carriage all day. I need to walk for a few minutes."
"Do what you want, Lydia. But if you are back on time for dinner, you will go to sleep without eating. Also, I shall ask Harris to leave your trunk in your room, but you must organize your clothes and the rest of your belongings." Harriet could not stand Lydia another day. She had been an excellent friend when going to balls and playing cards. But by the time she needed some support with her mother's situation, Lydia had turned into a true nightmare.
"I shall give some coins to one of the maids, and I am sure she will be happy to organize all my belongings," Lydia replied petulantly. She did not understand why Harriet was becoming increasingly hateful towards her.
Lydia walked to the small garden, and Harriet entered the house. Colonel Forster was very happy to see his young wife and received her affectionately. She informed him that her mother had recovered and that they had not had any problems on the trip.
"I am pleased to know that everything is well with your mother. I promise you, my dear, that I can take several weeks off in the fall so we can spend time with your family. Darling, where is Lydia?"
"She went for a little walk, she said she needed to exercise because she had spent the whole day locked in the carriage."
"I Understand. Dear, I hope the news I have to give you will not be heartbreaking for you. Mr Bennet and Miss Bennet are in Brighton. They came to fetch Lydia and take her back home." The Colonel did not want to see his wife sad. He knew that she had become very good friends with Lydia Bennet.
"Darling, it has been a long time since I have had such good news," Harriet said and hugged her husband. "Come with me to my room, and I shall tell you why I do not want that little viper in my house even one more day."
The Colonel was quite surprised, but as his wife told him everything that had happened with her parents, he understood perfectly why his wife no longer considered Lydia a friend.
At the same time, a block from the Forster house, Mr. Wickham was using all his charms to convince that silly girl that he loved her deeply.
"My dear Lydia, you do not know how difficult these days have been without you," Wickham said, caressing Lydia's cheek.
"Oh, Wickham, I missed you so much too. Having to spend a week in that place caring for that old ill lady was horrible. But fortunately, we are together again."
"That is precisely what I want to talk to you about, my love. I am not satisfied with having you only for a few moments. Lydia, I want us to be together all the time. My dear, would you make me the happiest man in the world and agree to be my wife?"
"Wickham, my love, of course, I accept!" Lydia said and hugged her future husband. Then she started making all kinds of plans and would not stop talking. "I shall be the first of my sisters to get married. I am dying to see Lizzy's face when she sees us leave the church as husband and wife. I have to write to my mother to start planning the wedding, and you have to talk to my father…"
"Lydia, do you not realize that if we do that, your sisters will do everything they can to separate us? I do not think your older sisters will be happy to know that their youngest sister will be getting married before them. They may even convince your father that you are too young to get married, and we shall have to wait years to be together."
"Oh, Wickham, you are right! Jane and Lizzy will never let me get married before them. They always say that I am very immature and criticize me for everything. Wickham, what can we do then?"
"We can elope and get married in Gretna Green. Afterward, I shall talk to your parents, but by then, you will be Mrs. Wickham, and no one can separate us."
"What an excellent idea! You are not also the most handsome officer, but you are also the most intelligent. Even if they want to, no one will separate us."
"Lydia, now you need to listen carefully. Promise me you will have everything ready to elope tomorrow night."
"I promise you, my love."
Lydia hugged Mr. Wickham happily. She could not believe that all her dreams were coming true: she would be the first of all her sisters to marry, and her dear Wickham was a handsome and charming officer. His sisters and all the women of Meryton and Brighton would undoubtedly envy her for having such a handsome and agreeable husband.
P&P
In recent days, Mr. Darcy had had the opportunity to visit many places accompanied by the Gardiners and their beautiful niece. Although they had spent much time together, he and Elizabeth had not had the chance to talk more privately, and he had not yet been able to apologize to her for his behavior and how he had treated her in Kent. Furthermore, he noticed that although she seemed to enjoy his company, she avoided discussing past events.
The Gardiners and Elizabeth would be busy in the next few days visiting friends and family and also, in a few more days Georgiana and the Bingleys would arrive. Mr. Darcy knew that he should take advantage of the little time he had left to talk to Elizabeth, so he invited them to have luncheon with him at Pemberley and promised to show them the library and its main collections. The two times they had been to Pemberley, they had dedicated themselves to exploring the park and gardens and had only been there for a few seconds, full of encyclopedias and books that were very difficult to find in other libraries.
Mrs. Reynolds had organized a delicious lunch on the main terrace overlooking the garden and had taken care of even the smallest details. She knew that the Gardiners and their niece were very important visitors to her young master, and she did not want him to have reasons to complain.
The guests arrived a little before noon. Mr. Darcy received them with great joy and invited them to come to the terrace. After a few minutes, they began to talk about everything they had done in the last few days, remembering each of the landscapes they visited.
Mrs. Gardiner noticed Mr. Darcy's particular interest in Elizabeth and was concerned. After discussing it with her husband, they agreed that it was best for Mr. Gardiner to speak with Mr. Darcy to clarify some important points before discussing personal matters.
For this reason, before they began to dine, Mr. Gardiner sought an excuse to speak more privately with his host.
"Mr. Darcy, if I am not abusing your hospitality, I would like you to show me the greenhouse. I just want to see it from the outside so I can better appreciate its architecture and be able to describe it to one of my friends who is a lover of this type of structure."
"Of course, Mr. Gardiner," replied Mr. Darcy. He stood and showed the way to his guest.
When they were far from the ladies, Mr. Gardiner decided to be honest. "Mr. Darcy, although it is true that I would like to appreciate the architecture of your greenhouse, there is another issue that I would like to discuss with you." Mr. Gardiner explained to Mr. Darcy everything that Elizabeth had told them about him when they went to Longbourn for the holidays.
"Mr. Gardiner, it is true that Miss Bennet and I have not always been good friends, but we have managed to resolve much of our misunderstandings. I believe there is no doubt that today we are friends."
"Of course not; otherwise, we would not be here. What worries me is of a much more serious nature than whether or not you wanted to dance with my niece at an assembly. Sir, I refer to what Mr. Wickham said about your person and your character."
Mr. Darcy took a deep breath and thought for a few seconds. Perhaps Elizabeth had not said anything on the subject for fear of compromising Georiana's reputation. "Mr. Gardiner, I explained that matter to your niece, but this is a sensitive topic, and perhaps she did not feel comfortable talking about it."
As they walked, Mr. Darcy told her everything he knew about the scoundrel Wickham, keeping his sister's name a secret. "Sadly, my father never knew who the real Wickham was and supported him until the last day of his life."
"I understand, Mr. Darcy, but you do know very well who that man is, and yet you allowed him to approach and engage in friendship with my nieces and other young ladies," said Mr. Gardiner angrily.
"You are correct, Mr. Gardiner, and believe me, I am aware that I made a horrible mistake. I have been thinking a lot about this recently. On my next trip to London, I have decided to speak with my solicitor to suggest the best way to force this man not to continue staining my honor with his intrigues and to alert the authorities about his immoral habits."
"If you need help, Mr. Darcy, do not hesitate to seek my support. I do not want that man around Lizzy or my other nieces."
"As I told you, Miss Elizabeth is aware of all this."
"Yes, of course," said Mr. Gardiner, a little nervously. He could not tell him that his niece did not remember that part of her life.
Mr. Darcy again noticed something odd; he did not doubt they were hiding something from him, but he did not know what it could be. At least, he was certain that Elizabeth had not told anyone about his failed marriage proposal. Furthermore, from what he had gotten to know about the Gardiners, he knew that they were honorable people. So, if they were hiding something from him, it was because they were not free to discuss it or because it was a topic of a certain gravity that could not be revealed to someone they were just getting to know.
"Mr. Gardiner, Miss Bennet told me about the accident she had had and I was quite concerned. I hope no one else in her family was hurt."
"It was an unfortunate incident that had us all very worried. When Jane and Lizzy were returning to Longbourn after spending a few days at my house, the carriage in which they were traveling overturned. Lizzy did everything she could to protect her beloved sister, and that is why she got the worst of it. Jane only suffered a few scratches, but Lizzy hurt her arm and suffered a blow to the head…" Mr. Gardiner noticed Mr. Darcy's curious look and preferred not to elaborate. "But everything is well now. My two nieces have recovered and are in excellent health."
"I am glad to hear it, Mr. Gardiner," replied Mr. Darcy. He felt great anguish when he found out that his beloved Elizabeth had been injured, and he had not even known about it.
When the gentlemen returned to the terrace, the servants served luncheon and stayed nearby in case any of the guests needed anything. Furthermore, Mr. Gardiner made a sign to his wife to let her know that everything was alright and that he had managed to elucidate what was worrying them.
"There are so many delicious things that I do not know what to choose. It is amazing, but there is nothing I do not like," Elizabeth said as she looked at the variety of dishes and fruits available.
Mr. Darcy wanted to tell her he had ensured she had everything she liked, but he did not want to make her uncomfortable. "Miss Bennet, I suggest you take out a small portion of everything you like, so you can try everything."
"Very good idea, Mr. Darcy," replied Elizabeth.
"Wonderful, good idea; I shall do exactly the same," added Mr. Gardiner.
"Mrs. Gardiner, I imagine you must be very excited to spend time with family and friends you have not seen in so long," Mr. Darcy said.
"I left Lambton when I was thirteen, and there are some friends I have not seen since." Mrs. Gardiner told Mr. Darcy about the people she was going to visit and the plans for the next few days.
After they finished eating, and as promised, Mr. Darcy invited his guests into the library. He told them a little more about the construction of the first library and the last addition his father had made before he died to accommodate the new collections of books the family had acquired.
The Gardiners took a keen interest in an old collection on the history of the area's major estates, while Elizabeth skimmed through the classical authors section. Mr. Darcy took the opportunity to approach her so they could talk more privately.
"Mr. Darcy, if my father came into this library, we would never be able to take him out again; I am sure he would set up his bed here," Elizabeth said, laughing.
"When I was a child, on cold winter days, I always came here to read."
"I would have done the same, Mr. Darcy. In a place like this, it is impossible to get bored." Elizabeth was fascinated by reviewing each of the book titles.
"Miss Bennet… I… I mean that… I would like to have the opportunity to speak with you more privately. Maybe later I can invite you to walk in the garden. I wish I could apologize before introducing you to my sister…"
Elizabeth once again became nervous. 'Why does this gentleman have to apologize to me? What happened between us?' Elizabeth wondered desperately.
"Mr. Darcy, I would love to walk you through the garden, but once we finish touring your beautiful library, we must leave. Please do not worry about anything; it is all that is in the past now."
"I know, Miss Bennet and that is one of the reasons I admire you so much. Mr. Gardiner asked me about Wickham today, so I assume you have not told him anything. That letter, which I must admit, I wrote when I was angry and hurt, is another reason why I must apologize."
'A letter? What letter? Why did Mr. Darcy write me a letter, and why was he angry and hurt? What did I say or what did I do?' Elizabeth wondered almost desperately.
"Mr. Darcy, how about instead of worrying about the past, we should enjoy this entertaining afternoon in this fascinating place. This is the first time we have had the opportunity to spend time in a library. Let us not waste it arguing about the past; it would be better if you could tell me more about this collection of books."
Mr. Darcy smiled, although he was even more confused than she was. "Excuse me, Miss Bennet, but this is not the first time we have spent time in a library. I hope you have not forgotten that time we spent at least half an hour together in the Netherfield library. I must admit that I did not talk much, but you…"
Mr. Darcy was going to say that he did not speak but that Elizabeth did not want to prolong the conversation. Knowing how she acted in situations like that, Elizabeth said something that greatly surprised Mr. Darcy.
"And I talked about many topics that did not interest you, and you had no choice but to say you agreed with me. I am very tempted to do the same, like tell you that this book must be one of the best books Shakespeare wrote, and you will have to agree with me," Elizabeth said, smiling.
"Of course, I would never dare contradict you," Mr. Darcy replied.
As Elizabeth talked about her favorite books and the ones she had not read yet, Mr. Darcy kept wondering. Indeed, Elizabeth did not remember what had happened just a few months ago in the Netherfield library.
'Is there anything else you do not remember, my dear Elizabeth? Does that carriage accident have anything to do with you not remembering events that transpired so recently?'
Mr. Darcy thought he understood why Elizabeth was acting so strangely and why the Gardiners seemed to be hiding something. He had made it his mission to get to the bottom of the matter as soon as possible. He needed to know what was going on before he could make plans for the future.
P&P
My sincere thanks to everyone who follows the story and leaves comments.
In the next chapter, Mr. Darcy will try to uncover the truth, and Lydia will be surprised when she sees her father and Jane.
See you soon!
Saludos,
Yo