Beginning, Section II
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Chapter 22
Elizabeth had also risen early that morning. After breakfast, her aunt and uncle had decided to walk across the village to visit an acquaintance of Mrs. Gardiner's. Elizabeth had planned to accompany them, but on receiving a letter from her father, she had asked to stay behind and read it. After the Gardiners departed, Elizabeth discovered that her normally careful father had written the direction so poorly that it had initially been misdirected.
The letter was short and to the point. Unbeknownst to the family, Mr. Wickham had been in London, apparently avoiding creditors in Brighton. He and Lydia had run off together, but they had not been seen on the road north to Scotland, and he believed them to be hiding somewhere in London. Mr. Bennet begged her uncle's return to aid in the search, confessing that he himself had no idea how to proceed. Elizabeth was overcome with tears, and it was in this state that Mr. Darcy found her.
Seeing her in this state, Darcy surmised that she had already heard the news. "Miss Bennet," he began, "If there is any way I can be of assistance to you and your family in this difficult time, please let me know."
Elizabeth looked at him in shock, and managed to stammer, "How did you know about Lydia and Wickham?" "Your sister?" Darcy asked, "Wickham? What has happened? What has that.... What has he done?" Through her tears, Elizabeth related the contents of her letter. Darcy expressed his shock and grief. He inquired if there was any possibility of a mistake. Elizabeth assured him that it was all too certain. Darcy asked what had been done to find and recover Lydia. Elizabeth related what she knew. He stood for some moments in silence, trying to think.
Suddenly remembering what Darcy had said upon his arrival, Elizabeth inquired what he had meant when he had offered his assistance "In this difficult time." Silently, he handed her the newspaper, and pointed to the relevant article. "Oh my God," she said quietly as she stared at the paper. The words which stared back at her were "America Declares War."
Chapter 23
Elizabeth again buried her face in her hands, as fresh tears fell from her eyes. For a moment the double tragedies of Lydia's elopement and the war were forgotten. All she could think was that she would never see Mr. Darcy again, and this pained her beyond measure. She realized now, when there could be no hope, that she loved him, and that next to that nothing else seemed important.
The Gardiners returned soon thereafter, having heard the news of the American declaration in the village. Elizabeth quickly related to them the contents of her father's letter, and they were packed and gone in half an hour. Once in the carriage, Elizabeth found her tears returning. How were they ever to find Lydia under the present circumstances? Her father surely could not be making inquiries about the whereabouts of a British officer....If her father even remained at liberty. Even if Lydia could be found, how were they ever to get home? Why at now of all times, had the Congress voted for war? The irony of the situation overwhelmed her. While Britain had been repealing the Orders in Council, America had been voting for war. Separated by thousands of miles of ocean, neither side had known what the other was doing.
Mr. Gardiner, recognizing the gravity of the situation, asked his wife and Elizabeth if they would be willing to sleep in the carriage, so as not to delay their journey with a night's rest in the inn. They both agreed, Elizabeth too numb to care about sleep in any case. They stopped only long enough to change horses and acquire some food. They arrived at Gracechurch street early the following afternoon, worried and exhausted. Elizabeth found Jane and her father in the parlor. Jane, with tears in her eyes, embraced Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle in turn. Mr. Bennet gave the newcomers the barest of acknowledgments before returning to staring into the fire. Finally, Elizabeth asked, "Where are Mama, Mary and Kitty?" Jane bit her lip and said, "Lizzy, you had better sit down."
Chapter 24
Three days before Mr. Bennet sent his letter, Lydia had been invited to dine with the Archer family, who lived on ---- Street in London. She and the eldest Miss Archer had become very close of late. Miss Archer was a rather silly, shallow girl, but the Bennets had no reason to think really ill of her or her family. At midnight, when Lydia had not come home, Mr. Bennet went to inquire at the Archer house. He was informed by Mr. Archer, who had obviously been asleep, that she had gone home about nine, and that Mr. Wickham had walked her home. On hearing that young man's name, alarm bells went off in Mr. Bennet's head. He spent the night searching the streets between the Archer's house and Gracechurch Street in vain, and at dawn there was still no sign of Lydia.
In the morning, Mr. Bennet returned to the Archer house frantic with worry. Miss Archer was confronted, and at length she admitted that Lydia had confessed her intention of going to Scotland with Mr. Wickham, and had offered as her explanation her conviction that Mr. Bennet would never allow her to marry a British officer. Mr. Bennet recollected that Mr. Wickham's regiment was stationed in Brighton, and thought it odd that the young man should be in London. The only intelligence the Archers could provide was that Lydia had introduced Mr. Wickham to them as a friend from Hertfordshire. As he had seemed a decent young man, they had invited him to join them for dinner.
A letter was immediately dispatched to Col. Forster begging for any information he could supply. Mr. Bennet then left to make inquiries at the inns on the road north from London. 24 hours later, Mr. Bennet returned to Gracechurch Street having determined that no one meeting his daughter and Mr. Wickham's description had been seen heading north. That evening, an express came from Col. Forster informing the Bennets that Mr. Wickham had disappeared from Brighton a week before, and had left behind substantial debts. Colonel Forster had added that he doubted the honorabily of Mr. Wickham's intentions. The next morning Mr. Bennet wrote to beg his daughter and brother and sister in law to return.
Shortly after Mr. Bennet dispatched his letter to Derbyshire, he himself received a letter from an old friend who was a Federalist congressman. His friend told him that the House of Representatives had voted to declare war, and that the Senate was expected to follow within days. Mr. Bennet buried his head in his hands. The letter had been sent over a month before. In all probability, he was living in an enemy country without even knowing it. Mr. Bennet re-read the letter, looking for some kernel of hope. If the Senate had recessed for the Summer before voting, word would reach Washington of the repeal of the Orders in Council before it reconvened.... But no. His friend's letter had explicitly stated that the vote was expected within days. Which meant that, depending on the winds, word of an American declaration of war might arrive in London any day, making his ship and cargo subject to confiscation, and himself and his family subject to possible imprisonment. Why had he allowed his wife to persuade him to make the journey at such a time? and what was he to do now?
After about half an hour, Mr. Bennet rose from his chair and went down to the docks. He boarded his ship, and went straight to Captain Macy, who thankfully was on board. At 29, Captain John Macy had spent more than half his life at sea. He had begun his career on the whaling boats which sailed from his native Nantucket, but having seen too many friends killed in the infamous "Nantucket Sleighrides," he had traveled north to Salem and signed on to one of Mr. Bennet's ships. His hard work and honesty had recommended him to his superiors, and he had been captain of the refugium for almost three years.
"How soon could you be ready to sail?" Mr. Bennet asked Captain Macy. "Bad news?" the Captain asked. Mr. Bennet nodded and handed him the letter. When the Captain had digested the contents, he said, "I can have the ship ready to sail in a few hours, but it will take the rest of the day to find all the men. Most of them are ashore. If Congress has really gone and declared war, I'll wager at least a few British men-o-war will have heard about it. It could be a difficult voyage" "I know," Mr. Bennet replied, "and I am going to make it more difficult by asking you to take my wife and three of my daughters with you while I remain behind."
Chapter 25
"Sir?" Captain Macy asked, baffled, "why on earth are you staying behind?" "One of my daughters is traveling in Derbyshire at present. I do not expect her back for several days at least. Another daughter is.....," Here his voice wavered a bit. "Another daughter is also not with me at present." "But Sir," Captain Macy said, would it not be wise to wait a few days?" Mr. Bennet shook his head. He had already thought it through. Word of the declaration might arrive at any moment. He had no right to ask Macy and his men to risk imprisonment, and he had a duty to get as much of his family as he could safely home. "Very well," the captain said, and ordered the men who were ashore to be found and the preparations for sailing to begin. "When will you bring your wife and daughters?" "Before nightfall," Mr. Bennet answered grimly, and departed to undertake what he knew would be the most difficult task of all: convincing his wife of the wisdom of his decision.
If Mr. Bennet thought a quarter century of dealing with his wife's nerves and hysterics had prepared him for the confrontation, he was sadly mistaken. Mrs. Bennet absolutely refused to consider leaving two daughters behind, as she had herself been left. "How can I think of leaving poor Lydia to the clutches of that horrible Wickham, and what of your precious Lizzy?" Mr. Bennet pointed out as calmly as he could that he would stay behind to continue the search for Lydia, and that he and Lydia and Lizzy would join them in Salem as soon as possible. In his heart, he knew it would not be soon, but he was not about to point this out to his wife. "Surely," she insisted, "your friend is just being an alarmist. Why, they just repealed those Council Orders, or whatever they're called. What can there be to fight over? And anyway, there has been war talk for months, why is this any different?" As calmly as he could, Mr. Bennet explained the facts and dangers, but Mrs. Bennet retreated to her room in tears.
Mr. Bennet then proceeded to inform his daughters of his decision. To his surprise, Mary and Kitty set about packing without a hint of protest. It was the reaction of his eldest daughter, however, which truly surprised him. Jane reminded him that she was charged with responsibility for the Gardiner children, and could not abandon them. "Oh for heaven's sake!" Mr. Bennet exploded in exasperation. "You can leave them with the housekeeper." "No, I can not," Jane responded. "Mrs. Smith left this afternoon to spend a fortnight with her sister. I promised Aunt Gardiner I would look after them, and I will." "I will take responsibility for the children," Mr. Bennet replied. "Your aunt will not blame you when she knows the circumstances." Jane shook her head. "You must search for Lydia. You can not do that and be responsible for the children at the same time." Mr. Bennet knew she was right, but he could not bear to expose her to danger. "The war may last for years, and at best, we will be stuck here for the duration. At worst.... Jane, citizens of enemy countries are sometimes imprisoned." "I know that." Jane replied, with a determination that surprised both her father and herself.
Mrs. Bennet remained adamant in her refusal to go, until finally Mr. Bennet announced that Mary and Kitty would be getting on the ship that evening, and that unless she wanted her daughters to make the voyage alone, she would get on the ship with them. Mrs. Bennet continued to argue, but that evening she got on the ship. With tears in his eyes, Mr. Bennet kissed his daughters good-bye, and begged them to look after their mother until he could rejoin them. Both girls put on a brave face, but he could see that they were terrified.
Once they were settled, Mr. Bennet found Captain Macy, and asked to speak with him in his cabin. "I trust you will get the best price you can for the cargo, and see that my wife receives the funds," Mr. Bennet said. "Of course." Captain Macy replied. Mr. Bennet then silently handed over a document. "If you get one of your men to witness it, I will sign it," he said. Captain Macy looked up in surprise. The document in his hand stated that the Refugium was his property until such time as Mr. Bennet returned to Salem. "If war comes, and you want to turn privateer, I have no objection," Mr. Bennet added. "Just look after my family, and get them safely home." Captain Macy was speechless. He had just been handed the opportunity to make his fortune. "I don't know what to say, sir." "Then don't say anything. Just get one of your men to witness my signature." Captain Macy did as he was told. Within minutes, the document was signed. "Godspeed," Mr. Bennet said, shaking the younger man's hand. "Godspeed," he repeated, then turned and departed. The Refugium sailed at dawn the following morning.
Chapter 26
Three days later, word reached London of the American declaration of war, and the last shreds of Mr. Bennet's world fell apart. He had made no progress in his search for Lydia, and now he was forced to stop. An American asking questions about the whereabouts of a British officer was likely to be regarded as a spy. The fruitless search for Lydia had been agonizing for Mr. Bennet, but it was nothing compared to the impotence he felt while forced to remain passively in the Gardiner's house awaiting their return.
Mr. Bennet had expected that it would take two days for his letter to reach Derbyshire, and two more days for Elizabeth and the Gardiners to return. When the fourth day came and went with out any sign of them, Mr. Bennet's despair deepened. Jane did her best to console her father, assuring him that they had probably run into bad weather, or had problems with the horses or carriage. She insisted her uncle would know where to find her sister and Wickham. It was horrible to see him in this state, but Jane knew she had made the right decision in staying. She could only imagine what her father's condition would be if he were alone.
At last the Gardiners and Elizabeth arrived. Jane related everything that had taken place. Mrs. Gardiner was appalled to hear that Jane had remained behind on account of the children, and told her that they could have been left for a few days with almost anyone. Jane shook her head, and with a nod in her father's direction said, "I couldn't leave Papa." Mrs. Gardiner looked at her brother-in-law and inclined her head.
Mr. Gardiner immediately set about searching for Lydia and Wickham. His wife set about trying to lift Mr. Bennet's spirits, with little success. Elizabeth fared a little better. When they were alone, she looked at her father and said, "Papa, it is not your fault. You distrusted Wickham when I thought favorably of him. You had no way of knowing he was here in town. It is not your fault that Lydia chose to be foolish. It is not your fault the Congress voted for war." "I suppose you're right," Mr. Bennet acknowledged, but I should never have brought us here in the first place, and I should have kept a closer watch on Lydia."
"Papa," Elizabeth asked, "how long will this war last?" "I don't know," he replied. "The papers are saying as soon as word reaches Washington of the repeal of the Orders, it will all be over." "Do you believe that?" Elizabeth asked. "No," he replied, "I do not. The repeal probably would have been enough to prevent the declaration, if word had arrived in time, but now they will be too busy waving the flag to be sensible." "How long will it last?" Elizabeth asked again. Her father sighed. "The last one lasted eight years," he replied.
Chapter 27
When Darcy returned to Pemberley, he found the whole party assembled in the drawing room. "Where have you been?" Caroline asked suspiciously. "I was in Lambton," Darcy replied. "Did you see Miss Bennet?" Bingley asked. Avoiding a direct answer, Darcy said, "Miss Bennet and her aunt and uncle had to depart for London. The American Congress has declared war." Darcy handed the newspaper to Bingley, who studied the relevant article for several minutes. "Well," said Caroline with a smile, "It would seem that our army will have another opportunity for glory." Darcy was about to point out that with Napoleon controlling the entire continent, glory was a rather distant prospect, but thought better of it. "I have some business to attend to. You will excuse me?" he asked, as he headed for his study.
That afternoon, Darcy announced that unforeseen circumstances would require him to return to London in the morning. "Are you going to assist the Bennets?" Charles asked eagerly. "If you are, I should like to come with you." Caroline glared at her brother, and started to protest. Darcy silenced her by stating, "A childhood acquaintance has gotten himself into a regrettable situation, which unfortunately requires my intervention." Bingley said he should like to see if he could be of any help to the Bennets, and suggested he accompany Darcy. "May I speak to you in private?" Darcy asked his friend. The two gentlemen went to his study.
Once they were alone, Darcy said "I did speak to Miss Bennet while I was in Lambton. I fear the Bennets will need my assistance." Bingley nodded his approval. "Then can I accompany you?" "Bingley, I fear it will be impossible to accomplish my task if your sister is about, and if you return to town, she will accompany you. I think it would be better if you and your sisters and Hurst went on to Scarborough." Bingley's face fell. Darcy thought for a few minutes, and then suggested, "What if shortly after you arrived at Scarburough, you received a letter stating that some matter of business required your presence in London?" "Caroline would demand to see the letter," Bingley said. "Well, then, I shall have to have my man write one," Darcy said with a conspiratorial smile.
When the gentlemen returned to the drawing room, Bingley announced that they would be leaving for Scarborough in the morning. Caroline was disappointed to be separated from Darcy, but she was glad to see he still saw the wisdom of keeping her brother and Jane Bennet apart. She reasoned that even if Darcy did admire Elizabeth Bennet, he would never act on his feelings, now that their countries were at war.
Chapter 28
As soon as they were alone, Darcy informed Miss Bennet that her family were frantic with worry, and offered to convey her to her uncle's immediately, and assist the family in arranging their return to America. Lydia seemed indifferent to her family's concern, and expressed her determination to stay with her "dear Wickham." She felt certain that they would be married at some point, and did not seem overly concerned about when. Darcy asked her if she were aware of her country's declaration of war. She nodded, but said "what has all of that to do with me?" As delicately as he could, Darcy asked her if she were aware of the circumstances of Wickham's departure from Brighton. Lydia was a bit vague on the details, but seemed to grasp that his commission was forfeit. She was unconcerned by this, however, and felt Wickham would find some means of securing an income. Darcy could see he was not going to convince Lydia to depart voluntarily, so he next asked to speak to Mr. Wickham.
When the two gentlemen were alone, Darcy asked Wickham to explain his financial situation. Wickham admitted that his debts exceeded a thousand pounds, and that he considered his commission forfeit. Darcy next inquired what his intentions were towards Miss Bennet. Wickham shrugged. "At present," he said with a leer, "I find her company enjoyable." When Darcy pressed him as to whether he would marry her, Wickham allowed that he intended to make his fortune by marriage. Darcy pointed out that Mr. Bennet was a man of some means, and that Miss Bennet presumably stood to inherit a substantial sum. Wickham laughed. "The Bennet girls will have only 500 pounds apiece. Mr. Bennet told me himself he had signed everything else over to his nephew. "Suppose," Darcy said, "I were to make it worth your while to marry her." "What do you propose?" Wickham asked. "I propose to discharge your debts, and secure a new commission for you, in a regiment of my choosing." "and?" Wickham asked. "I think," Darcy replied, "that is more than you have a right to expect under the circumstances." Wickham laughed. "Under the circumstances? May I remind you that one of the circumstances is that the lady is the citizen of a country with which we are at war? That will not exactly boost my career." Darcy smiled. "Those are precisely the circumstances I have in mind," he said.
Wickham looked at Darcy in confusion. Darcy's smile broadened. "Let us consider the circumstances. You disappear from your regiment without permission. You are found in the company of an American. Now, if some important military papers, papers dealing with the deployment of our forces to Canada were to disappear, and they were to be found in your possession....." Wickham was growing worried, but tried to keep up his bravado. "Don't be ridicules, Darcy, I never had access to such papers." "No," Darcy replied, "but my cousin does. Such papers cross his desk every day." Now Wickham was growing alarmed. "But what about Miss Bennet? surely you would not wish to see her hanged as a spy?" Darcy laughed. "A sixteen year old girl? That would not look very good. I can imagine what the American papers would say. No, she would be exchanged for some prisoner the Americans have taken, and sent home. You, on the other hand....." Darcy allowed his voice to trail off. "You could not prove it!" Wickham sputtered. "Perhaps not," Darcy said. "There is always debtors' prison." Wickham walked to the window, and looked down. He saw the rather burly fellow lurking in the shrubbery near the entrance. "There's another fellow in the back," Darcy offered. "So," Wickham asked with resignation, "when am I to be married?"
Chapter 29
In the first days after returning to London, Mr. Gardiner scoured the city for any trace of Lydia and Wickham, but came away empty handed. After almost a week of fruitless searching, he was compelled to devote a few hours to his own business, and spent the morning at his warehouse. While he was out, a letter came for him, and Mrs. Gardiner asked Elizabeth to take it to him. While she could have sent a servant, Mrs. Gardiner suspected Elizabeth needed an excuse to get out of the house. As Elizabeth entered the building, she heard her uncle's voice coming from his office, and was about to deliver the letter, when the sound of a second voice stopped her short. It could not be.... it was not possible.... After listening for several minutes more, Elizabeth was quite certain that the other voice belonged to Mr. Darcy. From where she was standing, she could only hear snatches of the conversation. "...would not listen......over a thousand pounds......American spy......finally agreed....... .regiment near Newcastle....." Elizabeth remained frozen in place, trying to decide whether or not to enter the office. What was Mr. Darcy doing in London, and what on earth was he discussing with her uncle? Elizabeth was still standing there, eavesdropping and trying to decide what to do, when Mr. Stone, her uncle's clerk, appeared. Elizabeth gave him the letter, whispered that it was for Mr. Gardiner, and then disappeared.
Elizabeth spent much of the afternoon trying to make sense of what she had heard. Did Mr. Darcy think her family were spies, and had he come to warn her uncle? Was he warning her uncle that someone else suspected them of espionage? or was the conversation about something else, and had he only mentioned something from the newspaper about a spy?
About four o'clock, Mr. Gardiner returned to the house, and announced that Lydia and Wickham had been found, and that while they were not yet married, they soon would be. He was immediately bombarded with questions from all present. It seemed that he had spoken with Lydia that afternoon, and she was quite determined to remain where she was. It seemed that Mr. Wickham's debts had been greatly exaggerated, and that Wickham's friends would assist him in getting a commission in the regulars. All that was required on Mr. Bennet's part was that he give his consent to the marriage so that a license could be speedily procured. Mr. Bennet reluctantly agreed to give his consent.
Later that evening, after the Gardiners had gone upstairs, Mr. Bennet looked at his daughters with resignation, and wondered aloud how much money Mr. Gardiner had laid down to bring about the wedding, and how he was ever to repay him. Jane did not at first understand his meaning, but Elizabeth saw it clearly enough. She could not imagine a man would flee his creditors if the debts were trifling. "You may not be able to repay Uncle Gardiner immediately, Papa," Elizabeth said, "but surely after the war..." "If my ships do not make the fortune of some lucky English captain," replied Mr. Bennet. "But what of the land in New York?" Elizabeth asked. Mr. Bennet laughed wryly. "My dear Lizzy, have you never looked at a map? If the British decide to invade from Canada, my land will be right in their path. Even if they do not invade, the tenants will all have gone off to fight."
That night Elizabeth lay awake trying to put together the puzzle of the day's events. She could not escape the suspicion that Mr. Darcy had somehow been involved in finding Lydia. Just how involved, she could not decide. Conjectures of all sorts hurried into her brain, but she was satisfied with none. She wished she could ask her uncle about their meeting that morning, but to do so would require her to admit that she had been eavesdropping.
The day of Lydia's wedding finally came. The day began dark and dreary, and as the Bennets and Gardiners left for the church, a light rain began to fall. As they entered the dimly lit church, Elizabeth saw two gentlemen standing near a pillar. As she drew nearer, she recognized the first gentleman as Wickham. The second gentleman disappeared out a side entrance before she was able to see who he was. Elizabeth thought this odd, but as the ceremony was about to begin, she put it out of her mind.
The newly married Mr. and Mrs. Wickham departed directly from the church for his new regiment. As the carriage was about to pull away, Mrs. Gardiner said something about hoping they found Newcastle agreeable. Elizabeth started at this. Her uncle had mentioned that Mr. Wickham's new regiment was quartered in Northumberland, but he had not mentioned a specific town in Elizabeth's hearing. Elizabeth well remembered hearing the words "regiment near Newcastle" spoken by Mr. Darcy in his conversation with her uncle. So it was true! Mr. Darcy had not only found the couple, but, it appeared, had helped Mr. Wickham to get a new commission. Why should he do such a thing?
Elizabeth knew she would not be able to rest until she knew the full extent of Mr. Darcy's involvement. That evening, she found herself alone with her aunt, and as casually as she could, asked how Mr. Gardiner had managed to find Lydia and Wickham. Mrs. Gardiner looked a little uncomfortable, and replied, "you uncle made many inquiries, and was fortunate enough to eventually get some intelligence as to where they were staying." "What role did Mr. Darcy play?" Elizabeth asked bluntly.
"I have no talent for falsehood Lizzy," Mrs. Gardiner said, "and I can see I will have to tell you everything, though that gentleman asked me to keep it to myself. Mr. Darcy left Derbyshire the day after we did, and came to town with the resolution of hunting for them. It seems he knew a lady, a Mrs. Younge, who had once been governess to Miss Darcy, and who was intimately aquatinted with Mr. Wickham. He went to her immediately on his arrival in town, but it was some time before he got the desired information. I presume the woman demanded a bribe of some kind. Once he had the address, he went and spoke with them. He first tried to convince Lydia to return to us, assuring her that he would do all in his power to insure that she and the rest of you might return to Salem as soon as may be. Lydia absolutely refused to leave, and insisted that she loved Wickham and meant to marry him. Mr. Darcy next spoke with Wickham, and quickly discovered that gentleman had no intention of marrying her. Mr. Darcy offered to pay his debts, which amounted to over a thousand pounds, and to secure him a commission in the regulars, but Mr. Wickham was not satisfied with this." Mrs. Gardiner smiled. "Our friend," she said, "then played his trump card. He threatened to find some secret military documents in Mr. Wickham's possession, and report him to the authorities as a spy, suggesting that your sister's citizenship and the circumstances of his disappearance from Brighton might lend credibility to such a charge. Upon seeing that the exits of the building were being watched, Wickham readily agreed."
"Mr. Darcy then came to see your uncle," she continued, "and they spent some time discussing the matter. Your uncle accompanied Mr. Darcy back to their lodgings, and tried to convince Lydia to come home with him, but she still refused. Your uncle then returned home and told all of you of the situation. Mr. Darcy brought Wickham to the church this morning, but left as soon as we arrived. He asked your uncle not to tell your father or yourself about his involvement, saying he did not wish you to feel obligated to him."
It was several minutes before Elizabeth could say anything at all. Finally, she said, "He has done so much. I can not imagine why he has done so much! And to think that I shall never be able to thank him!" Mrs. Gardiner smiled. "The motive he professed for his interference was that it was owing to himself that Wickham's worthlessness was not known. He also expressed the concern that your father would be unable to act under the present circumstances. If he had another motive, I am sure it would not disgrace him. As for thanking him, you may do so tomorrow, for your uncle has invited Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley to dine with us. The latter gentleman is, I understand, only just returned to town."
Chapter 30
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley came for dinner the next day, as promised. The meeting between Jane and Mr. Bingley was at first a little awkward, but they soon relaxed and regained much of their former ease. When they sat down to dinner, Mr. Darcy asked Mr. Bennet to what ports his business had previously taken him, and Mr. Bennet responded with descriptions of many distant lands. The conversation flowed freely, and it was quite late when Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy finally departed.
The gentlemen returned the next morning and proposed that they all take a walk. Mr. Gardiner needed to attend to business, and Mrs. Gardiner wished to stay behind with her children. Mr. Bennet still thought it unwise for him to appear on the streets where he might be recognized as the citizen of an enemy country. Jane and Elizabeth agreed to accompany the gentlemen, and somehow the two couples became separated in the London crowds. Mr. Bingley and Jane were the first to return to Gracechurch Street, whereupon Mr. Bingley requested Mr. Bennet's consent to their marriage, which was readily given.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth returned about an hour later, and Mr. Darcy made a similar request of Mr. Bennet. The latter readily gave his consent, but added, "As to the matter of a settlement, Mr. Darcy..." Darcy immediately interrupted him. "I understand that your business is to go to your nephew, and that each of your daughters shall have 500 pounds at your death. I assure you that I have no further expectations in this regard." Mr. Bennet stared for a moment, and then burst out laughing. Darcy was a bit discomfited by this, and did not know what to make of his prospective father in law's reaction. Finally, Mr. Bennet said "I can guess where you heard that. I can not tell you what fortune I will posses when this war is over, for my ships may be seized by your navy and my land by your army, but whatever I have shall divided amongst my daughters. Darcy still looked puzzled, so Mr. Bennet explained, "The story about my taking on my nephew as a partner was for Mr. Wickham's benefit. It got rid of him for a while. A pity it didn't get rid of him permanently." Finally comprehending, Darcy found himself developing a new respect for his future father in law.
Epilogue
The two couples were married about a month later, in a quiet ceremony with only the Gardiners, Mr. Bennet and Miss Darcy present. With the help of some of his father's friends in the government, Mr. Darcy was able to secure permission for Mr. Bennet to remain at liberty, provided he promised not to say or do anything in support of the American cause. He readily agreed to this, and only broke his promise once. That lapse occurred when word reached Pemberley while he was staying with the Darcys that Mr. Wickham had been killed during the attack on Washington. It seemed that Wickham had entered one of the more fashionable houses in that town, with the intention of carrying off the silver. The owner of the house, however, was still in residence, and had other ideas. Mr. Bennet found he could not resist offering a toast to his fortunate countryman.
In late 1813, Mr. Bennet received a letter from Captain Macy, which was accompanied by a letter from his wife. From the anxious questions Mrs. Bennet asked, it was clear she had received none of the letters he had attempted to send to her by such round-about means as were available to him. She knew nothing of the marriages of Lydia, Jane and Elizabeth. Both letters, did, however, convey some important news. The refugium had safely returned to Salem. They had only spotted a British man-o-war once during the voyage, and were able to escape into the fog. It was never even certain that the other vessel knew there was a war on. Mrs. Bennet had spent much of the voyage below deck in a deep depression, attended primarily by Mary. Kitty, on the other hand, had spent much time in company with Captain Macy, and by the time they arrived in Salem, she had agreed to marry him. Captain Macy had wanted to wait until Mr. Bennet was able to return, so that he might ask his permission, but Mrs. Bennet had assured him their was no doubt of her husband's approval, and no reason to delay. They had been married shortly before Christmas.
Mrs. Bennet also wrote that Mary had recently become engaged to a young clergyman, and they planned to marry soon. Mrs. Bennet thought the young man, a Mr. Robinsn, to be a rather bookish sort of fellow who dressed far too plainly for her taste, but said Mary appeared happy.
Captain Macy wrote that he had gotten a very good price for the cargo. The Salem merchants knew that with a war on, the English goods he brought would be in short supply for some time to come, and readily paid top dollar. Additionally, most of Mr. Bennet's ships had made it safely back to port. The only one to be seized had been in port in the British West Indies at the time word arrived of the declaration.
When the war finally ended, Mr. Bennet returned to Salem, and despite her protests, took Lydia with him. Lydia had hoped to marry again, perhaps to one of the officers in Mr. Wickham's regiment, but Mr. Bennet was unwilling to allow her to become a burden on her sisters. Lydia was still young and pretty, but Mrs. Bennet's hopes of marrying her widowed daughter off to one of the young men in Salem were always dashed when Lydia mentioned the circumstances of her "dear Wickham's" death to those gentlemen.
Captain Macy had done well enough as a privateer during the war that he could have gone into business alone at the end of the war, but when Mr. Bennet offered to make him a partner he readily agreed. Mr. Bennet undertook many trading voyages to England, often staying a good deal longer than his business demanded. Captain Macy also brought his wife on several voyages, allowing her to see her sisters again.
With the building of the Erie Canal, Mr. Bennet's land in western New York soared in value, and he sold it, investing the proceeds in the mills which were springing up throughout the Merrimack valley. By the time he died, he was able to leave the shipping business entirely to Captain Macy, and still have a rather substantial sum to divide amongst his other daughters.
Mrs. Darcy and Mrs. Bingley missed their parents and sisters of course, but when Mr. Bingley bought an estate in a neighboring county to Derbyshire, they were able to see each other frequently, and of course, their beloved husbands and children were always with them.
Finis