Page 3 of Missing

George Wickham was well satisfied that he had achieved what he desired when he resolved to accompany his foolish friend to that small town in Hertfordshire.

He had, of course, calculated every step with care, yet matters had turned out far better than he could have hoped.

It had been worth enduring more than two months in a place where society was uncivilized and, with the exception of one or two individuals, there was no one capable of pleasing his refined taste.

Most of the women were dull and unappealing, save for Elizabeth Bennet, who was, unfortunately, far too poor for a man as ambitious as he.

"Mr. Wickham, do you know where my brother is? I must speak to him urgently," Caroline asked, visibly flustered.

When Wickham saw her enter the drawing room, he immediately rose and waited with satisfaction for the moment when he could deliver the news to his friend's disagreeable sister.

He detested that conceited, malicious woman and longed to witness her reaction upon discovering what her brother was doing at that very moment.

"Miss Bingley, Charles had breakfast and departed immediately for Longbourn. He wished first to speak with Miss Bennet and afterwards with her father."

"WHAT? That cannot be! It is far too early for courtesy calls. You must be mistaken!" Caroline cried furiously.

Hearing her sister's raised voice, Louisa hastened to the drawing room to see what had so upset her.

"Miss Bingley, it is nearly noon. It seems to me the perfect time to pursue what Bingley had planned," Wickham replied with a smirk.

"This was your doing! You cannot deceive me—I know very well the schemes of men such as you," Caroline exclaimed, unable to contain her anger.

"Caroline, please, do not be so agitated. Perhaps Charles is only calling upon the Bennets and will return soon," Louisa interjected. She wished to avoid the servants overhearing, for she dreaded any rumor that might damage her brother's reputation.

"No, Miss Bingley, it was not my idea. Your brother is a grown man, capable of making his own decisions," Wickham replied sarcastically.

"A true friend should counsel him if he is about to act irrationally. But what can one expect from the son of a servant? I cannot fathom how my brother endures the company of someone so inferior to us," Caroline concluded in disgust.

"I am the godson of George Darcy, one of the wealthiest men in England. Take care how you speak to me, Miss Bingley," Wickham retorted angrily. "Besides, you and your brother are nothing more than the children of a tradesman. You are no better than I."

"Out of respect for Mr. Darcy, we do not throw you into the street where you belong. But make no mistake, Wickham. We are rich, and you are, and always will be, poor," Louisa replied, defending her sister.

"And the few privileges you enjoy will vanish the moment George Darcy dies, so do not dare be insolent towards us," added Mr. Hurst as he entered the room.

Mr. Wickham perceived that it was three against one, so he had no choice but to withdraw and end the quarrel.

The night before, there had been a ball at Netherfield attended by the most prominent families in the neighborhood.

As always, he had danced and drunk excessively, so he retired to his room to rest. That morning, he had risen early only to ensure that everything went according to plan.

Meanwhile, Charles Bingley awoke full of energy despite having slept scarcely three hours.

He was expected in London on urgent business, yet he resolved to postpone his journey for a day, so that he might propose to the woman he loved and admired.

Jane Bennet was everything he had ever dreamed of in a lady, and thanks to his friend Wickham's counsel, he believed he had made the best decision of his life.

He hoped very soon to marry his beautiful angel.

◆◆◆

When Anne Darcy died, George Darcy mourned for nearly a year.

During that time, he neglected the management of his estate, and various business matters soon threatened his fortune and legacy.

At last, when he recovered himself, he resolved to live for his daughter and for all those who depended upon him, and he began to work diligently once more.

To regain what he had lost, he undertook new investments and, in the process, met Leonard Bingley.

Since both were alike in temperament, they became good friends despite the significant disparity in their social standing.

Thus, when Leonard died, George determined to extend his hand to his friend's son, offering him guidance and protection.

He well knew that young Bingley would need his assistance in navigating society.

Charles Bingley was sincerely grateful for the opportunity, cherished the memory of his father's friend, and truly valued his advice.

Louisa and Caroline, however, resolved to use their connection with the influential gentleman for their own advantage.

They understood that with George Darcy's patronage, no one would dare look down upon them.

Moreover, Mr. Darcy's vast fortune would one day belong to Georgiana, a timid and insignificant girl in their estimation, with neither character nor personality.

For that reason, they cultivated her friendship and schemed to secure her as a wife for their brother Charles.

They need only wait another year or two and ensure that she found no other suitor.

But Mr. Wickham's designs for Georgiana were entirely different.

He destined her to be his wife; in that way, he would become master of a great estate and a fortune that could furnish him with every luxury he had ever craved.

When he perceived Georgiana looking with affection upon Bingley, he knew he must act.

He could not risk losing what he believed rightfully his.

Thus, he advised his friend that it was time to purchase an estate and to marry. But he had never imagined that Bingley would fall in love with a poor, unconnected young woman with such a ridiculous family. Charles invariably lost his senses in the presence of a pretty face.

"Louisa, what are we to do now?" Caroline asked anxiously.

"We have no choice but to wait until Charles returns and pray he has not acted foolishly," Louisa replied, every bit as troubled as her sister.

"If Bingley has already spoken with Miss Bennet's father, there is nothing to be done.

Miss Bennet may be poor and unconnected, yet she is still a gentleman's daughter.

If word spreads that Bingley offered for her and then withdrew, it would be the social ruin of him and the family," Mr. Hurst declared emphatically.

"I shall never forgive Charles if he destroys everything we have gained with such sacrifice. He has always been an irresponsible fool!" Caroline exclaimed.

"Do not despair, Caroline. Whatever comes, we shall face it together."

Louisa ordered tea to calm their nerves as they waited for Charles. Neither sister could believe that their thoughtless brother might throw away all they had accomplished in the past two years, thanks to the patronage of George Darcy.

◆◆◆

Mrs. Bennet talked incessantly of all the events of the previous night at Netherfield. She could not be silenced, while Kitty and Lydia added inappropriate remarks about the officers and how much they had enjoyed the ball.

Elizabeth, however, was far from happy. She recalled too vividly how poorly her family had behaved.

She had noticed the disdainful glances of Mr. Bingley's sisters, and even the amiable Mr. Wickham had seemed surprised by her family's lack of decorum.

She prayed only that Mr. Bingley would overlook it all and recognise that Jane was different.

Jane, too, had been conscious of her family's impropriety, but she could not express anger or frustration as Elizabeth did.

Instead, she closed her eyes and tried to imagine that nothing had occurred, or that no one would remember.

Patient and gentle, Jane preferred to avoid conflict and endured her mother's folly without complaint.

Elizabeth was relieved when Mr. Bingley arrived at Longbourn the next morning. All the family imagined the reason for his visit, and their suspicions were confirmed when he requested a private interview with Jane.

Mrs. Bennet ordered all her daughters to leave the lovers alone and sent Elizabeth to the small sitting room near the entrance, declaring that she needed to speak with her later. Then she rushed to her husband's study to celebrate the excellent news.

"Oh, Mr. Bennet, we are saved!" cried Mrs. Bennet as she entered.

"Saved from what or whom, Mrs. Bennet?" asked Mr. Bennet, without raising his eyes from his book.

"I have the most wonderful news, Mr. Bennet! This is one of the happiest days of my life!"

"I was under the impression that our wedding was the happiest day of your life; at least, you once assured me it was," replied Mr. Bennet dryly.

"Mr. Bennet, do not tease me, for it is unkind to my poor nerves. Let me tell you what is happening at this very moment," said Mrs. Bennet merrily.

"Have I any choice in the matter?" he asked, but his wife, carried away by her own excitement, did not heed him. She sputtered with such eagerness that Mr. Bennet could scarcely follow her meaning.

"Jane is to marry Mr. Bingley, and Lizzy is to marry Mr. Collins!"

"What?"

"At this very instant, Mr. Bingley is proposing to Jane, and Mr. Collins to Lizzy. We shall have a double wedding, and I shall never again have to trouble myself about the future!"