Page 47 of Wickham Likes 'Em Young
“I know. It is upsetting. But I am wondering why Jane would keep letters and notes from three different men. She tried to hide them, but then she left them behind. None of it makes any sense.”
Mary said, “I suppose leaving them behind was just a mistake. Jane could have ordered the feather bed be included in her luggage, but that order was forgotten or disregarded.”
“I cannot think of a better explanation. As for why she would keep what could be scandalous evidence of communicating secretly with three different men…. Well, I wonder if Jane was worried about scandal—worried about marrying, and so she kept the letters and notes as evidence…in order to force someone’s hand.”
“Marry me or I will show my father your scandalous love letters?” Mary whispered.
“Maybe.” Elizabeth shuddered and said, “Mary, we have been close to Jane our whole lives. We will always be her sisters.”
Mary stared at her but slowly nodded to all of that.
“And I do not wish whatever is written here to get in the way of our feelings for Jane.” Elizabeth said the words, aware that they intimated that those feelings were purely loving rather than a seething cauldron of confused emotions.
Mary nodded more vigorously but protested, “But I hate the idea of destroying something of Jane’s that she tried to keep, and I also hate the idea of giving her a little pack of letters, saying ‘Look what we found!’ And keeping them hidden anywhere has its risks.”
“Precisely. But there is someone I trust with my life. Someone who knows two of these men very, very well. Someone who already does not think very well about Jane, but who has demonstrated great compassion for her, and protectiveness of her, whether for my sake or because he would show the same for any woman.”
“Mr Darcy.”
“Yes. I believe that we should give him the letters and notes, explain where we found them, and ask him to read them in order to ensure that the best decision can be made about what to do with them.”
Mary gave the idea careful consideration and then nodded. “I believe that there is nobody as trustworthy,” she said.
“And if Mr Darcy believes that they should be kept, he would have the knowledge and the means to safeguard them. He has at least one banker who keeps Darcy documents and property in a fireproof lockbox, far from Pemberley; he explained it when he was speaking of his investments. In addition, Mr Darcy has referred to several different solicitors and attorneys who are entrusted with other sorts of documents, wills, and deeds. And I am positive that all good bankers and attorneys live and die by their promise of discretion.”
“I agree, Lizzy. Speaking of discretion, how can we discreetly give him the letters and notes?”
“In a book?” Elizabeth chose the largest of the books stacked on her bedside table, and the two sisters carefully placed each letter or note between pages.
“Now,” Mary murmured, “we ought to try to get some sleep.” Elizabeth felt reasonably certain that sleep would elude her most of the night, but thankfully she dropped off very easily.
CHAPTER 20
28 November 1811
The next morning was drizzly, and Darcy arrived at Longbourn in a carriage. Elizabeth greeted him happily but cocked her head. “No Georgiana today?”
“No. She and Mrs Annesley are putting in a few days of lessons before our relations arrive.”
“Good for her,” Elizabeth said. “I admire anyone who attends to work and lessons as well as art and sport.”
“So…today it is just me.”
“Mmm, good for me!” She laughed but almost immediately sobered.
“Actually, it is quite good for me, because I have something delicate to ask of you. But with the rain…we cannot walk….”
Mrs Bennet bustled into the parlour, commented on missing Georgiana that morning, and then asked, “Mr Darcy, I assume you came by carriage, given the weather?”
“I did. Can I be of service to you?”
“I hope so. I was hoping that Lizzy could take one of her gowns back to Mrs Taylor for another adjustment, and she could then pick up the three that Mrs Taylor has completed. Do you suppose that you could take her to Meryton?”
“Certainly. Do you have an appointment, madam? Or is it a matter of any time today?”
“No appointment. The shop will be open soon; I hope you can go early, and maybe she will have the time to sew the adjustment while you wait. If…if that is to your liking, sir.”
Darcy turned to Elizabeth, saw her satisfied nod, and turned back to say, “That will do very well.”
