Page 21

M r. Darcy visited the Gardiners the next day. He received a warm welcome from Mrs. Gardiner. “Mr. Darcy! This is a surprise, but of course a very pleasant one.”

“Mrs. Gardiner, I must first apologise for being delinquent in paying my respects to you and Mr. Gardiner. I recently learnt that Mrs. Bennet passed away, and I know she was Mr. Gardiner’s sister.”

“Ah, poor Fanny. To have that happen, on top of Lydia’s misstep! The Bennet family has suffered a good deal.” She shook her head.

“And Miss Elizabeth?” He could not help asking.

“She feels it most deeply, I fear. We were not able to arrive in time for the funeral, given the season, which made it all the worse for her. And then, of course, she blames herself for Lydia’s situation, as she did not warn her family about him.”

“I believe the blame to be mine alone, rather than hers. It was for me to tell what I know of him, and I did not. Have you had any news of Miss Lydia? I had hoped that she might make her way to you, Mrs. Gardiner.”

“No, we have not seen her, though I truly do not know where we would even begin to look.”

“Mrs. Gardiner, I pray I have not overstepped, but I have made some efforts in that direction. None of them successful,” he added, hastily, seeing her face light up. “But I have spoken to any number of innkeepers, asking if they had seen an army officer and a young girl on the day in question.”

“That truly is like looking for a needle in a haystack, Mr. Darcy.”

“I know it; but I must do something. It occurred to me, though, that I would have better success had I a drawing of Miss Lydia.” He paused and looked at Mrs. Gardiner expectantly.

But Mrs. Gardiner shook her head. “I have no artistic skill whatsoever, Mr. Darcy. My niece, Kitty, is a fair artist, however. She may be able to make drawings for you. I can write and ask her, if you like.”

“I think I will travel to Meryton and speak to her myself, Mrs. Gardiner.”

“And perhaps visit Elizabeth while you are there?”

He could not mistake the twinkle in her eye. “I hope so, yes; do you think she would be amenable to a visit from me?”

“I think she would be delighted, Mr. Darcy.”

“My cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, will continue the search for Miss Lydia in my absence.”

“You know, I imagine, that the story being told is that Lydia is quite ill in Brighton.”

“Mr. Bingley so informed me, yes.”

“Of course, the fiction cannot be maintained indefinitely.”

“I understand that; at some point, Miss Lydia must return to Longbourn, which can only happen if she is found. If she is not –“ he stopped.

“Yes, we are well aware of the difficulties inherent in the situation. And, on that note, I believe I can speak for the entire family when I say that we are grateful for your efforts, regardless of the outcome. No one could blame you if you simply washed your hands of the entire mess.”

He shook his head. “It is a mess I helped to create, but I have another motivation.”

“Elizabeth, of course.”

“Yes. I am willing to marry her regardless of her reputation, but I cannot deny that my family would disapprove quite strongly if she was considered ruined as a result of Miss Lydia’s actions.”

“You are related to the Earl and Countess of Matlock, I believe.”

“They are my aunt and uncle.”

“Their disapproval would be a difficult burden for Elizabeth, were she to attempt to enter London society. Ah, and you are concerned for Miss Darcy, of course. I see that you are strongly motivated indeed, Mr. Darcy. If there is anything I can do to help, you have but to ask.”

“If you see Miss Lydia, hear from her, anything at all, I beg you to send word to me. I may be at Netherfield for the next few weeks, possibly longer, but any message you send to Darcy House will be forwarded to me at once.”

With that, he bowed respectfully, asked that his condolences be passed on to Mr. Gardiner, and took his leave.