Chapter 16

Darcy and Elizabeth met as usual on Monday morning, the day of his departure for London. It was bittersweet, knowing that their time together was limited and uncertain when they would see or hear from each other again.

"Once matters with Wickham are sorted, I will be able to return to Hertfordshire for a brief trip. Georgiana stayed at Pemberley this spring, and I had planned to bring her to Hertfordshire once I had your father's agreement, but now I am uncertain how to proceed. I would like the two of you to have a chance to get to know each other ahead of the wedding, but I am unsure how to make that happen now," Darcy said.

Elizabeth frowned at his words. "It is difficult to believe that you are soon to depart, taking my heart with you. I enjoyed the time together in Kent and being able to see you each morning since your arrival at Netherfield."

"I am very sorry to leave you, my darling, but I will be glad to have these matters with Wickham finalised. Once he is in debtors' prison, he will not be able to cause any more trouble for us or anyone else."

Nodding, Elizabeth moved to wrap her arms around Darcy's middle. He quickly reciprocated. "I will miss you. Please send letters for me to Mr. Bingley or Uncle Phillips. And anyone else who might be inclined to share your news with me. I wrote to my aunt and uncle to explain the situation and posted that letter in Meryton yesterday. I wrote that they should expect you to visit later this week."

"I will return in a sennight if I can arrange things that quickly. You can tell me when I return if I should remain at Netherfield or if I can join any of the entertainments in the neighbourhood. Obviously, I cannot call at Longbourn unless your father changes his mind …"

"He will not," Elizabeth interjected. "I spoke to him again yesterday after I met with you, and he remains obstinate. Regardless of the situation with my father, we would have likely waited to marry for a month or two, so I suggest we seek my aunt and uncle's advice. It has occurred to me that we could marry in Lambton with a common licence when I arrive there, though I am uncertain how to get around needing my father's permission. I do not know if my uncle could give his approval for it."

"I also intend to speak to my aunt, the Countess of Matlock. I believe she will support our marriage and may have some ideas for getting around our not having your father's permission and blessing. For a time, I considered presenting our marriage to them as a fait accompli, but Fitzwilliam told me his mother may be more amenable than the earl, and she will be able to bring him around."

"When will you depart for London, William?" she asked.

"Soon. My valet was finishing packing my things, and my cousin was to meet one last time with Colonel Forster to ensure the transfer was secure. At my cousin's recommendation, I sent for several armed men from London to accompany us; they are former soldiers whom Richard knows. They agreed to ignore propriety to travel on the Sabbath and arrived yesterday afternoon. I have never trusted Wickham and fear he may only appear beaten. I do not want to give him any room to escape or to avoid his punishment."

A rider quickly approached the mount where they stood just then. "Darcy!" Colonel Fitzwilliam shouted, his voice tinged with alarm. "Wickham escaped. His colonel does not know how, but the guard—they only had one man watching him overnight—was stabbed and the door forced open. Before he escaped, he was heard ranting of getting revenge on you and Miss Elizabeth. Forster was to ride over to Longbourn to inform Mr. Bennet of the circumstances, and I came here, thinking the two of you may be together."

Elizabeth gasped. "My father will not take the threat seriously. What if he harms others in my family? Lydia is not convinced he is the villain I claimed, and I could not tell her all I know, particularly about your sister, and his assault on me. She would have little compunction in sharing the tale all over Meryton, embellishing it to make it appear worse and probably making Mr. Wickham the hero of the entire story." Elizabeth thought for a moment. "William, if you go to Longbourn, my father will be even less inclined to believe the story, but I no longer trust him to keep me safe or to do what is best for me. I am truly concerned for my family, my love." Her voice shook, betraying her concern, and Darcy noticed the tears pooling in her eyes.

Despite the chaos and fear of that moment, Darcy closed his eyes at hearing Elizabeth refer to him in such a way. How he ever considered leaving her behind was unfathomable to him. Finally, he spoke. "Your uncles, both of them, will be far more reasonable in this matter. While Fitzwilliam escorts you to Longbourn and speaks to your father with Colonel Forster, I will speak to Mr. Phillips to see what he suggests can be done. Colonel Forster should offer your family some measure of protection, given that Wickham is one of his officers. Fitzwilliam, can you send your men to watch over the Bennet family? The ones we brought to help us escort Wickham to town? They may need to be covert if Mr. Bennet proves intractable."

"If he refuses, he will prove that he is not only obstinate but foolish. Wickham is likely to strike in any way that he sees as advantageous. If he ruins one of your sisters, Miss Elizabeth, he will believe it will make you unmarriageable, especially to a man like Darcy here. Of course, my cousin would not forsake you for any reason, but Wickham has never understood any emotion other than greed and jealousy. He certainly cannot fathom love or loyalty."

Darcy looked at his cousin carefully. "I am surprised at you, Fitzwilliam. I have never heard you speak like that."

"I believe in love, even if I have never felt it, nor have I ever met a woman I felt enough for to rhapsodise, as you have been doing about your intended. Despite its brevity, I can see the connection between you and feel envious that I have yet to find a woman who inspires such devotion."

Elizabeth blushed brightly as this conversation took place around her. "I should return to Longbourn. If Colonel Forster has already arrived, the house will be in an uproar, and Jane will need my help to calm everyone. If you come, Colonel Fitzwilliam, I apologise in advance for my family. I am certain you will not see them at their best this morning."

"I think most families would struggle if they learned a villain in their midst sought to do them harm. I will attempt to speak to your younger sisters to impress upon them the danger Wickham poses. Perhaps they will listen since I am wearing my uniform." The colonel winked at Elizabeth as he said this, recalling the favour Darcy had asked of him about speaking to Elizabeth's youngest sisters.

Elizabeth sighed deeply. "I hope so, Colonel. Nothing Jane or I have said to them has sunk in, but perhaps hearing it from you will work. William, I suppose you will remain close by for now, though my walking to meet you will not be wise until Mr. Wickham has been located."

"You are correct, my love," Darcy said, capturing Elizabeth in his embrace. She blushed, apparently embarrassed by the colonel witnessing this display, but did not pull away. "Be safe, my darling, and I will find a way to see you. Do not go anywhere alone. Forster should leave a guard, but regardless, I will supplement whatever he leaves. It may take a day or two to arrange matters to my satisfaction, and once that is done, perhaps we can return to our meetings."

"You will not be safe alone either, William," Elizabeth protested. "You must be cautious."

"I will, dearest. My saddlebags contain two pistols that are easily accessible as I ride, but I will take care not to be alone, either. Wickham has never been able to beat me in a fair fight, but he is also disinclined to play fair when he can help it. I have, however, learned a few tricks that I doubt he is aware of that should level the playing field a bit more."

"Oh, do be careful, William," she cried again, but he stopped her protest with a kiss. Fitzwilliam chuckled quietly before he turned his back on the couple and gave them a few moments of privacy.

Finally, he coughed. "Yes, well, Darcy, I need to get Miss Bennet home, and you need to go to Netherfield to tell Bingley about the change of plans and have the carriage unloaded. I dare say you have several letters to write, and you also intended to pay a call on Miss Bennet's uncle," Fitzwilliam said once he had the couple's attention.

Darcy scowled at the reminder but, after another brief kiss, released Elizabeth. "I love you, my dearest. Be safe and know that we will ensure Wickham does not harm you or your family. And remember, no matter what happens, I will marry you. Never doubt that, Elizabeth."

She smiled tenderly at him through her tears. "I love you too, William, and I will be waiting for you on October seventh, no matter what happens in the meantime."

With those words, the three separated, with Colonel Fitzwilliam escorting Elizabeth to Longbourn and Darcy heading to Meryton to visit Mr. Phillips. Then, he would return to Netherfield, where he had several letters to write.