“At least my brother has given an accurate account of you,” said Miss Darcy. “He told me that you were adept at making others comfortable.”
“It is only that I dearly love to laugh,” replied Elizabeth. “I would not make life into a joke, but laughing is so much better than the alternative.”
“Indeed, it is,” agreed Miss Darcy.
Elizabeth nodded, but turned to Mr. Darcy. “Now that your testimony and Mr. Wickham’s misdeeds have made the truth incontrovertible, what will become of him?”
Mr. Darcy considered this. “Debtors’ prison is the most immediate consequence. Had he deserted, the army would have had the first claim on him.”
“Is it wise, Brother?” asked Miss Darcy. “With the debts you described, I doubt he will ever leave prison.”
“That is true,” said Mr. Darcy. “Then it may be best to write to our uncle and request that he arrange for Wickham’s transportation. At least in Botany Bay, he will work to support his upkeep. In debtors’ prison, he would rot away with no hope of release.”
“If I am not mistaken,” said Elizabeth, “Van Diemen’s Land will be no better for his temper.”
“It will not,” agreed Mr. Darcy, “but at least he can be useful there, and there will be no threat of escape. When we return to Netherfield, I shall see to it.”
“Darcy,” called Mr. Bingley, “Mr. Bennet has inquired if we wish to join the Bennets at Longbourn for dinner tonight.”
“Having just arrived, I imagine dinner at Longbourn would be more convenient.” Mr. Bennet grinned. “Besides, I believe we all—especially my excellent wife—would welcome you at Longbourn tonight.”
“Yes, I can imagine she would,” said Mr. Bingley, understanding Mrs. Bennet’s character but too well-bred to say anything further. “I was of a mind to accept. What say you?”
“I have no objection,” said Mr. Darcy. “Georgiana and I would be happy to accept.”
“Excellent,” said Mr. Bennet, his look at Elizabeth too knowing. “Then perhaps we should return to our homes—we have family at home who are waiting for an account of what has occurred today.”
“Very well,” said Mr. Bingley. “Thank you again for your kind invitation, Mr. Bennet. We shall join you at Longbourn by six o’clock.”
With that and a few more words, the party separated. The moment they were in the carriage, Elizabeth fixed her father with a glare.
“You are taking far too much enjoyment in this, Papa.”
Mr. Bennet laughed. “Not at all, Lizzy. To own the truth, I am anticipating what your beau will do when he learns you have betrayed the knowledge of his proposal to your family. If he does not flee in terror from your mother, he might be a man worthy of you.”
Jane laughed behind her hand, but Elizabeth refused to show any amusement. “I am afraid I do not care for the turn in your humor, Papa.”
“I am sorry to hear it, Lizzy; as you have known me for twenty years now, you should have expected it.”
Elizabeth did not dignify that with a response. Instead, she spent the journey back to Longbourn trying to anticipate how Mr. Darcy would react to the news, especially when her mother inserted her opinion on the matter. A sudden thought occurred to her that he might say something to provoke Mrs. Bennet further. When he arrived, she would need to take him aside and make it clear to him how unwise such a step would be.
BINGLEY, DARCY NOTICED, was unusually thoughtful on the way back to Netherfield Park. Darcy expected he knew what was occupying his friend, but he commented anyway.
“You should have expected it, my friend. Any father worthy of the title will act to promote his daughter’s interests. I would have thought less of Mr. Bennet if he had not spoken on the subject.”
With a sigh, Bingley offered a tight nod. “You have the right of it, Darcy. As I am determined to prove myself worthy of her, I am not offended, though Mr. Bennet has never appearedattentive to his duty to his daughters.”
“With that, I would agree,” said Darcy. “If I were to guess, the business with Wickham has changed his perspective. Other than the merchants, Mr. Bennet has more to fear from Wickham than any other man in the district, considering he has five daughters to protect.”
Bingley nodded, but his gaze never wavered. “At least Wickham is no longer a threat. You should have spoken of him at once, Darcy. The elder sisters can withstand him, but the dispositions of the youngest render them tempting targets for a man like Wickham.”
“The youngest are not like Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet?” asked Georgiana.
“They are... high-spirited to say the least,” said Bingley, attempting diplomacy.
“I would call them just short of wild,” said Darcy. “Unlike Bingley, I have little use for tact at the moment.”
“Do you suppose they will like me?” asked Georgiana, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.