Page 42 of Missing
“You gave us such a fright, Aunt. I hope you will never be so stubborn again, and that you will listen to the doctor and remain in bed as long as necessary,” added Mrs. Gardiner.
“Do not worry; I have learned my lesson. I have never felt so ill as during these past few days. But what troubles me most is that my dear Lizzy could not travel with William because of me,” Violet said with sincere regret.
“You must not begin that again, Mother. You only need to rest. If you continue improving, you will be out of bed within two days,” Elizabeth replied, kissing her forehead.
Mrs. Gardiner kissed her aunt goodbye as well, promising she would return later to read aloud to her.
She had been greatly concerned for her Aunt and felt a little guilty, knowing Violet had fallen ill whilst caring for them.
She also wished to use the occasion to speak with Elizabeth about other matters.
“Lizzy, you look content. I assume you have been able to settle your difficulties with William,” Mrs. Gardiner said gently.
“Yes, Aunt. William apologised for his behaviour. I must learn to understand that my husband is a very private man, and he finds it hard to express his feelings. He was distant because he did not wish to burden me with his concerns, but at last he understood that he must trust me.”
“I am glad he decided to confide in you. It is always easier to endure difficulties when one is supported by the person one loves.”
“To be honest, Aunt, I do not think William has told me everything. Yet I feel I should give him time and not press him. I know he trusts me, but I sense he is not ready to face certain matters, and therefore, he is not ready to discuss them. He told me only that he has some very sad childhood memories.”
“I know from aunt Violet that William endured a traumatic event when he first came into her and uncle Aaron’s lives. While they gave him a home filled with love and opportunity, some memories must remain painful and difficult to overcome.”
Elizabeth valued her aunt’s counsel. Mrs. Gardiner always helped her temper her judgments and see her own problems from another perspective.
But Mrs. Gardiner also wished to raise another subject: Jane. Mrs. Bennet had written, anxious that Jane had not corresponded for weeks, and begged her sister-in-law for news. Yet Mrs. Gardiner knew nothing either. Jane visited sporadically, but never invited them to her home.
She did not have the chance to speak of it then, for Jane and Mr. Bingley arrived to call upon Elizabeth.
Mrs. Gardiner immediately perceived the tension between the sisters and concluded something was amiss.
She therefore thought it best to leave them time to speak alone.
After greeting the newcomers politely, she excused herself and returned home, intending to come back later to see her aunt and speak further with her niece.
Elizabeth welcomed Jane and Charles into the drawing room and ordered a tray of tea. After some trifling conversation, she decided to address something of importance.
“Jane, I received a letter from our mother yesterday. She is worried, for she says you have not written to her, and she longs to hear from you.”
“I am sorry, Lizzy, but I have not had time. We have been busy these last few weeks. But I promise I shall write today and tell her everything I have done.” Jane’s tone was calm, but Elizabeth noticed she seemed reluctant; indeed, Jane had only come to the Daltons’ house because her husband insisted, and she did not like to contradict him.
“I am glad. I know our mother will be much pleased to hear of the amusements you have enjoyed in London,” Elizabeth replied.
“We have had great enjoyment, have we not, my Angel?” asked Mr. Bingley. “Yesterday we attended a friend’s ball and danced the entire evening, and the day before…”
He continued eagerly describing their many invitations, while Elizabeth, though listening politely, could not help comparing his endless social pleasures with her husband’s diligence at work.
“Lizzy, what time is Dalton arriving?” Bingley asked suddenly.
“My husband is travelling, Charles.”
“Travelling? Where has he gone?”
“He was obliged to go urgently to Manchester. I could not accompany him because my mother-in-law is unwell.”
Jane and Charles inquired about Violet’s health and wished her a speedy recovery. But Charles had another purpose in his visit.
“Lizzy, do you know when your husband will return to London? I need his advice on an urgent matter.” His solicitor had pressed him to decide quickly regarding Netherfield’s future crops.
The steward had sent detailed reports on the advantages and disadvantages of diversifying, and his solicitor urged him to study them without delay.
But Charles had not the patience, and desperately wanted William’s counsel.
“I do not know exactly, but I believe not for at least ten days, for the journey is long,” Elizabeth explained.
“It cannot be! Had Dalton told me he meant to travel, I would have come earlier to consult him,” Charles said anxiously.
“I am sorry, Charles, but you must wait until his return,” Elizabeth answered firmly.
“I cannot, Lizzy. I need his help at once.”
“Is it business, then?” Elizabeth asked, turning her gaze towards Jane.
“Yes, it concerns Netherfield. There are documents I must decide upon by the end of this week.”
“Then perhaps you might speak with uncle Gardiner. He is experienced in such matters and very wise.”
“You are right, Lizzy! You always have excellent ideas,” Charles exclaimed with relief. He knew Mr. Gardiner to be both knowledgeable and obliging, and he was certain he would help him.
Jane, however, was mortified. She had thought they came merely on a courtesy call; she had not imagined her husband intended to beg for aid from Elizabeth’s husband.
Mr. Bingley, unwilling to waste more time, said his goodbyes, eager to go at once to Gracechurch Street. While he put on his coat and gloves, Elizabeth drew her sister aside.
“I hope it is now clear that your husband always seeks my husband’s assistance. While Charles spends his time at balls and social gatherings, William is labouring.”
“Lizzy, you should forget what I said a few days ago. I truly believed Mr. Dalton was interfering in Charles’s affairs. Your husband is strong-willed, and Charles so amiable, that I thought my apprehension justified. But it is better to forget that conversation.”
“Jane, I advise you to tell Charles what you said about my husband, for otherwise William will.”
“It is time to go, Jane. Thank you for everything, Lizzy, and please give our regards to Mrs. Dalton,” Charles interrupted, unaware of the tension between his wife and sister-in-law.
Elizabeth bade them farewell with civility, but inwardly she was troubled. Jane and Charles seemed so immature, so incapable of managing their own affairs, that it was no wonder the influence of others easily swayed them.
◆◆◆
Mr. Darcy had recovered and felt much improved.
He resumed full control of all his business affairs and laboured diligently throughout the day.
Richard asked him to review a proposal that William had presented.
Without doubt, it was an ambitious plan, yet admirably conceived: the projected growth of the textile industry through the automation of production processes.
After reading the details, and observing how carefully everything had been prepared, Mr. Darcy could not help but admire Mr. Dalton.
The young man was unquestionably brilliant, full of new ideas, and indefatigably industrious.
But Mr. Darcy’s peace was soon disturbed. An express message arrived from Rosings’ steward, Mr. Evans, who reported that Lady Catherine had once again interfered in every matter of management. He declared it impossible to work with her constant disruptions.
Two years earlier, Lord Matlock and Mr. Darcy had discovered that Lady Catherine’s debts were so significant that she was on the verge of losing her estate.
She blamed poor harvests, yet Rosings was the only estate in Kent that was not productive.
Upon Sir Louis’s death, she had dismissed the steward and engaged one who was incompetent but submissive.
He possessed no knowledge of estate management, and thus Rosings fell into such a precarious condition.
George Darcy had promised to rescue Lady Catherine only on the condition that she refrained from all interference. He hired Mr. Evans, under whose care matters greatly improved. Yet it seemed Lady Catherine could not resist meddling in affairs she did not understand.
For that reason, Mr. Darcy resolved to travel immediately to Kent.
He must warn his sister-in-law that, unless she permitted Mr. Evans to do his work, she must relinquish all hope of his financial support.
A letter would have been easier, but Mr. Darcy knew her well enough to foresee that she would ignore it, and later claim never to have received it.
Georgiana, however, chose to remain in London with Mrs. Annesley. Her aunt intimidated her exceedingly, for she never ceased to criticise and make her feel insecure. Moreover, Lady Catherine seldom permitted her daughter to converse with anyone unobserved.
It was no surprise that Wickham soon learned of Mr. Darcy’s absence, for his informant at Darcy House was quick to convey the news. He lost no time in devising how he might use the opportunity to approach Georgiana, under the pretence of wishing to speak with his godfather.
Yet he was not the only one who came to the house that day.
Caroline Bingley also arrived, intending to warn her young friend against the dangers of keeping company with Eliza Bennet.
She believed Georgiana to be timid and impressionable, and she wished to secure control over her without interference from that impertinent chit.
Mrs. Annesley, seated in the little sunny room adjoining the drawing room, was content with her embroidery while Georgiana practised a new and difficult piece with her music master.
“Caroline Bingley, how delightful to see you,” Wickham sneered as he entered.
“Let me tell you, sir, the pleasure is entirely yours. If it were up to me, I should never see you again,” Caroline retorted coldly.
“I suppose you are waiting for Georgiana, and she will come soon enough. Thus, I must speak quickly. I have a plan and need your help.”
“You are a fool if you think I shall assist you. I have told you many times that I desire nothing to do with you. Do not disturb me again.”
“Then I shall be brief. My godfather’s physician has admitted that his ailment is chronic and that he may not live many more years, unless he rests. You know how gravely he has been unwell; I am not lying.”
“Wickham, cease wasting my time. Tell me what you want, so I may tell you no.” Caroline loathed his sly, insolent manner.
“If my uncle dies, Fitzwilliam will have charge of Georgiana and her fortune. He despises us; you and I will be shut out of this house and from Pemberley forever. He will marry her to some gentleman of the first circles, and he will not suffer his new wife to associate with the daughter of a tradesman.”
Wickham’s words, though distasteful, struck Caroline. The Colonel and his family had never welcomed her, and if Mr. Darcy were gone, she feared the Bingleys’ connection to the first circle would vanish.
“And your brilliant plan to prevent that?” she asked at last.
“I knew you would see reason, my dear Caroline.”
“You have one minute, and do not call me Caroline again. You and I are not friends, Wickham.”
“Very well. My plan is simple. Since my godfather is in Kent, invite Georgiana to your house, or arrange a private appointment with her here. Then allow me to be near her long enough to place her in a compromising situation. You will report to Mr. Darcy what you saw, and he will have no choice but to consent to our marriage. We shall tell him we are in love—such nonsense as silly girls and sentimental old men always believe.”
“And what is my reward?” Caroline asked nervously.
“My gratitude, and my promise that you will always be welcome at my properties.”
They conversed a few minutes longer, until Georgiana entered to greet Caroline.
Mrs. Annesley, who had overheard the entire scheme, was deeply troubled.
Mr. Darcy was away in Kent, Richard in the north, and the Matlocks occupied elsewhere.
She suspected Wickham had been informed by someone within the household that Mr. Darcy was gone.
She was determined to protect Georgiana. When Caroline departed, Mrs. Annesley never left the young lady alone with Wickham for a moment. He wished to stay for dinner, but Georgiana, with presence of mind, feigned indisposition and retired to her chamber.
That evening, Mrs. Annesley confided in Georgiana all she had heard. Together, they devised a plan.
“That is an excellent idea, Mrs. Annesley. Thank you for caring and protecting me. I could not bear to marry a man who desires only my fortune.”
“Do not weep, my dear Miss Darcy. All shall be well.”
Mrs. Annesley retired to her room and immediately wrote a letter to Richard. She knew he alone would grasp the gravity of the danger and would defend her actions before Mr. Darcy if necessary.
◆◆◆
Elizabeth was reading again the tender message her beloved William had sent, while she sat at breakfast. The butler entered and informed her that visitors had arrived. Surprised, for it was not the usual hour for calls, she expected only that it must be someone close to the family.
When she entered the drawing room, she was astonished to see Mrs. Annesley and Georgiana, dressed for travelling and carrying a small suitcase.
“Mrs. Dalton, we beg your pardon, but we need a place to stay for a few days. May we request your generous assistance?” Mrs. Annesley said, a little embarrassed, yet resolved to explain all.