Second Glances: A Tale of Less Pride and Prejudice Continues (Tales of Less Pride and Prejudice) (15 page)

“Sir James!” he hailed him. “I guess your presence here means you either made a muck of the situation yourself, or that Mrs. Bennet could not hold her tongue. Which is it?”

“Both, I am afraid. It was Miss Lydia Bennet, informed by her mother, who sent the tidings, but as I created the circumstances in the first place, ultimate responsibility must fall on me.”

Mr. Bennet shook his head sadly, though with a hint of approval. “So be it! No use wallowing. What brings you here?”

“Well,” he began, his irrepressible grin emerging, “I did get the impression that you had taken a strong liking to me, sir, and I thought I might take advantage of your hospitality to regroup a bit while Miss Bennet remains in Kent. They left this morning, you know.”

Mr. Bennet narrowed his eyes with suspicious glee, “You did not watch their departure from a distance, did you? The very picture of the rejected lover?”

“Certainly sir, if it brings you joy, then I’ll happily say that I did.”

“Very good! The image is quite priceless, be it true or not! What shall I do for amusement when all my daughters are married? Lovelorn gentlemen are the most diverting entertainment! Come in, Sir James, come in! We shall have a glass, and you will disclose the entire predicament. And do not leave out any details just because they make you look foolish, for those are the very best parts!”

It felt good to laugh. “I would never dream of depriving you, sir, of all the entertainment to be had at my expense.”

When they were comfortably situated in the library, Sir James poured his tale into Mr. Bennet’s attentive ears. It seemed he did not find as much fun in the account as he had anticipated, for his face took on a contemplative intensity as he listened, not saying anything for several minutes after Sir James finished, as he muddled over his thoughts. Finally he snickered, “You know, it is a very good thing Mrs. Bennet is spending the day in Meryton. Your report would quite offset her, I’m afraid, and then we should really be in a tight spot.”

“I do not see how it can make the situation any worse now. She would not fly off to Rosings to demand Kitty marry me, would she?” Mr. Bennet’s gaze was answer enough. “She would! I knew I liked her, for it is precisely what I would like to do. I am glad that she is not privy to my current circumstances, though, for I do not think I could keep another such temerarious creature in check. I have a hard enough time squelching my own infamous impulses. Can you image the outrage I would confront if I stormed into Rosings and demanded an audience with Miss Bennet? There is a scene to tempt your fancy, sir1”

“A marvelous notion, indeed! Just the grand gesture to prove your affection, and not at all high-handed in the least! The thing would be quite perfect if you should fight a duel first, but unfortunately I know of no rivals for the lady’s affections. Such foolishness aside, I fear I owe you an apology, Sir James, for I am perhaps to blame for Kitty’s current sentiments. As you can see, it has always been my way to find humor wherever I can – particularly in the foibles of humanity. My wife is a great resource for this hobby, and she is fortunate to not be quick enough to ever find my amusements offensive. In that sense we are a very fitting couple, but I am learning that Kitty was cast in a different mold from her mother. She is far more sensitive than I ever imagined, more perceptive, too, and I am afraid I have given her good reason to shun satirical gentlemen.”

Sir James saw the truth in this, and while he found it frustrating, he had to respect Mr. Bennet for acknowledging the shortcoming, however little it helped his predicament. He was looking for the words to express these sentiments when their conversation was interrupted by a commotion in the hall. Excusing himself, Mr. Bennet rose and opened the library door to investigate. Immediately upon spotting him, Mr. Wickham stepped forward, brushing aside Mrs. Hill, who was attempting to belatedly announce him.

“Mr. Wickham!” said an unpleasantly surprised Mr. Bennet. “To what do we owe the honor?”

“Please, sir, may I have a moment of your time? I am in possession of some news that must interest you most dearly.”

“I have a visitor, as you can see,” he stepped aside to allow the newcomer a glimpse of Sir James, who had risen and stepped forward upon hearing the name of the invader. “If you will wait in the parlor, I will be with you shortly.”

Mr. Wickham took in the form of Sir James, whom he immediately recognized, with visible surprise. “Mr. Bennet, if you please, I believe my news may interest your guest as well. Sir James, you will not remember me, but...”

“Indeed I do remember you, Wickham, though it has been some time,” replied a leery Sir James, who never liked George as a boy and had heard little good of him since. “What do you know of my interests?”

Mr. Wickham gathered all his dignity. “I have come on a matter of utmost importance to all who care for the good names of Bennet and Beaumont, at the behest of a member of the latter family.”

Mr. Bennet frowned and glanced to Sir James before turning his attention back to the intruder. “I suppose you ought to sit down, Mr. Wickham,” he said, returning to his own seat.

Mr. Wickham looked about before claiming not the hard bench which Mr. Bennet had indicated, but a cozy arm chair near the window. “I say, Bennet,” he began familiarly, “I had no notion you had such a fine library here at Longbourn. Your collection must be worth a small fortune.”

“You had something of urgent importance to address with me, Mr. Wickham. The good names of Bennet and Beaumont are at stake, remember? Pray tell, what is it?”

“Yes. Indeed I do,” said a more serious Mr. Wickham, fixing upon his face the proper degree of gravitas he deemed the topic at hand required. “Miss Beaumont is a dear friend of Mrs. Wickham’s. The two were at school together and have always remained close. Miss Beaumont has been deeply distressed ever since receiving a letter from her brother, Mr. Hugh Beaumont, this morning. He is sojourning in Bath, you see, at the home of his old guardian...”

“What care I for your friends’ travel arrangements,” interrupted Mr. Bennet impatiently. “Do get to the point, man!”

Mr. Wickham smiled benignly, “Certainly, Mr. Bennet! If my daughter’s reputation was at stake, I too would be distressed!”

“Not Miss Bennet!” cried an alarmed Sir James, rising to his feet.

“Calm down, Sir James!” replied Mr. Bennet grimly. “I see he means Lydia. What has she done? Exposed herself in some way? I always knew she would.”

A bit taken aback by the calm manner of his host, Mr. Wickham said straightforwardly, “We hope not, sir! She and Mr. Beaumont have hatched some foolish plan to elope. It is to be tomorrow night, and if you hurry, sir, they might still be prevented!”

Mr. Bennet rose from his seat, rage suffusing his face, and a quelled Mr. Wickham, quite shocked to see the normally placid man so incensed, dropped all bravado as he hurriedly explained, “I came as soon as I heard of it. They plan to take off from a ball tomorrow, held at Mr. Burke’s home in Bath.”

“I will leave at once,” announced Mr. Bennet, anxiously ringing
the bell.

“Stay just a moment, Mr. Bennet,” said Sir James. “I’d like to be of assistance, for this may be just the opportunity to prove myself. My horse is relatively fresh, and I could be in the saddle in a moment.”

Before Mr. Bennet could respond, Mr. Wickham, not one to let opportunity slip by, was quick to offer his aid as well. “I, too, will accompany you, sir, as there are more details to relate, and it will save time if we speak en route. My horse, however, is rather exhausted from my hurried ride here.”

“My stables are not extensive, but I can adequately saddle you until we reach the first posting inn. Mrs. Hill!” he cried to the lurking servant. “Get someone to pack my portmanteau, and tell your mistress I am off to Bath to visit my daughter. I will send word when to expect my return.”

Not an hour after Mr. Wickham’s arrival, a strange band of heroes set forth from Longbourn to rescue Miss Lydia from her own infamous inclinations. They journeyed as late as they could without stopping but to change horses, and arrived in Bath Thursday afternoon. Proceeding directly to Mrs. River’s school, the maidservant who answered the door was quite shocked by the appearance of three disheveled gentlemen on horseback, such an entourage rarely bringing good news to an establishment of young ladies. Upon asking to see Mrs. Rivers and receiving a timid reply regarding rules against interrupting classes, Mr. Bennet demanding Mr. Burke’s direction. It was presented, and disposing of their horses at a nearby saddlery, the gentlemen proceeded the short distance to his abode on foot.

The occasion was Miss Burke’s seventeenth birthday, the momentous age at which she was due to leave Mrs. River’s establishment and prepare to return to her Aunt’s care, just as soon as that good lady could be persuaded to undertake the task. Mr. Burke, who was entirely unfit to have guardianship of his headstrong daughter, was famous for his entertainments, and Letty’s party was to be the grandest affair the house had seen in many years. Several of her school friends were guests during the festivities, and with all the attendant hustle and bustle, the butler of the establishment had his hands quite full. He did not look kindly upon the gentlemen gathered at the door. He would have liked to bar their admittance altogether, as their travel-stained appearance was less than genteel, but he could not deny the rights of Mr. Bennet – as the father of a house guest – and the cards presented by his companions had these advantages: Sir James’ announced his rank, and Mr. Wickham’s was exceedingly fashionable. Leading the visitors into the closest parlor to wait while he found the master of the house, the butler maintained a suspicious air that left none of the party in any doubt that the disruption they were about to create would be highly resented. Those members of our little band who concerned themselves with the feelings of others found consolation in the knowledge that the inconvenience to Mr. Burke, should Lydia and Mr. Beaumont’s plans come to fruition, would be far worse than what a timely warning would wreak.

It was not long before Mr. Burke made his appearance. A well-intended man, if too indulgent of his only child, Mr. Burke shook Mr. Bennet’s hand with great enthusiasm, noting that “though they might get into more mischief together than they could conceive of alone, his little Letty’s friendship with Miss Bennet was a great thing for both girls.”

Mr. Bennet could not help replying sharply, “Yes, a great thing indeed. For were they not such friends, I would be happily ensconced in my library at Longbourn, rather than partaking of the sites of Bath. What opportunities would be lost!”

Mr. Burke, who had no ear for wit, began to cheerfully elaborate on his city’s greatest attributes. As Mr. Bennet, in his odd humor, seemed ready to allow him to enumerate on these at length, all much to Mr. Wickham’s amusement, Sir James decided to put forward the matter at hand.

“Excuse me, Mr. Burke, but I am afraid we have little time to discuss the sites right now,” he said, with a conscious look at Mr. Bennet. That gentleman cleared his throat, agreeing that Sir James was quite right, and asked to see his daughter.

“Of course! I shall have Miss Bennet seen in at once,” but when his summons was answered, it was only to deliver the report that the butler, anticipating the need for Miss Bennet to make an appearance, had failed to locate the young lady in any of the obvious places. Several housemaids had been sent in search of her.

At this news, Mr. Bennet turned a disturbed mien on Mr. Wickham. “Are you sure their plans were to make off during the party?”

“Yes. At least that is what Miss Beaumont told Mrs. Wickham.”

“Excuse me,” inserted Mr. Burke, the realities of the situation beginning to dawn upon him, “but do you anticipate some trouble?”

“Trouble,” insisted Mr. Wickham, “is precisely what our presence here will avoid, I hope. I come as the emissary of Miss Beaumont, Mr. Burke, who is the dear friend of my wife.”

“Eustacia?” interrupted a confused Mr. Burke. “She is in good health, I hope?”

“Yes,” continued Mr. Wickham, “very hale, I believe, but she is concerned for her brother, who has written to her confiding a scheme to make off with Miss Bennet tonight. As you can imagine, she is quite distressed!”

“What! You mean Hugh? Elope?” he replied incredulously. “Impossible! You must not be long acquainted with the Beaumonts, my boy, for you should know that not a one of them has ever behaved exceptionally in his life! Fact of the matter is Stacy should know better, even if you do not.”

“Nevertheless,” interposed an impatient Mr. Bennet, “you see the urgency in locating my daughter, do you not, sir?

“Yes! Yes, indeed! Sutton! Go find Mr. Beaumont and ask him to join us, please.”

“He is here? In this house?” asked an alarmed Mr. Bennet.

“Of course he is! Why the boy is like a son to me. His father and I were friends all our lives, and a thoroughly gentlemanly young man he is, too. I cannot imagine he would engage in such antics.” But when the butler reappeared saying that Mr. Beaumont, like Miss Bennet, was not to be found, Mr. Burke lost his amiable demeanor and betrayed real concern. “I want the entire house on this, Sutton. Find them! And send my daughter to me at once!”

Miss Burke was quick to make her appearance, and although she entered the room timidly, there was a notable glint of defiance in her eyes.

“Letty,” her father demanded, “where is Miss Bennet?”