Page 187 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Kitty soon called Georgiana's attention to the oak Elizabeth had claimed as her reading tree when she was younger. Their attention shifted to Elizabeth when she showed them how she had scaled the trunk and pointed to the branch where she had spent many hours reading.

Georgiana regarded the branch with interest. “You truly climbed all the way up there?”

“Many times.”

“She would take a book with her and disappear for hours,” Kitty said. “Mamma complained that no one could find her when she was wanted.”

“Which was the reason I climbed the tree,” Elizabeth admitted.

Georgiana laughed.

Jane and Bingley reached the summit a few minutes later, and the six of them remained long enough to enjoy the view before beginning the walk back to Longbourn. Kitty and Georgiana again went ahead, although they no longer had enough energy to run, while Jane and Bingley followed at their own unhurried pace.

By the time they reached the house, Mary and Caroline were in the drawing room examining the fire screen Jane had made for her mother's room. Caroline had spread it across a table near the window and was studying the roses when the others entered.

When Mr. Bennet joined them, Darcy approached him. “Mr. Bennet, if you can spare me a few minutes before we leave, I should like to speak with you privately.”

Mr. Bennet regarded him for a moment. “Certainly, Mr. Darcy. We can use my study.”

Darcy followed him across the hall. Once the door had closed behind them, Mr. Bennet gestured toward a chair.

“What can I do for you, sir?”

“Miss Elizabeth mentioned during our walk that Mr. Wickham arranged a clandestine meeting with your youngest daughter and that you intend to speak with Colonel Forster. I hope you will forgive her for speaking of a family matter, but during our conversation, I happened to mention that a man with whom I was raised had joined the militia stationed at Meryton. When she learned I spoke of Wickham, she told me what had occurred.”

Mr. Bennet's expression hardened at the mention of Wickham. “Lizzy did nothing wrong in telling you. I should have spoken to Colonel Forster before now, but my wife's illness began almost immediately after Lydia was brought home. I have had other duties since.”

“Of course.”

“I intend to see him now that the burial is over.”

“Then I should like to accompany you, if you will permit it.”

Mr. Bennet studied him. “Why?”

“Wickham was my father's godson. We grew up together, and my father provided for his education at Cambridge. He thought very highly of him and intended to provide him with a valuable living when it became vacant.”

“But Wickham did not take it?”

“No, sir. He refused it. After my father's death, he informed me that he had no intention of entering the church and requested money in place of the living. I paid him three thousand pounds in accordance with his wishes.”

Mr. Bennet's eyebrows rose. “Three thousand pounds?”

“Yes. He spent it within a few years and then demanded the living after all. When I refused, he blamed me for his circumstances.”

“I begin to understand the man better.”

“There is more that I can tell Colonel Forster. Wickham has accumulated substantial debts, and there have been other instances of conduct toward young women that give me reason to take what happened with Lydia very seriously.”

Mr. Bennet's face changed. “How serious?”

“Serious enough that I would not willingly leave any girl of fifteen in his company.”

For a moment Mr. Bennet said nothing.

Darcy continued, “My sister is also fifteen, sir. I know how easily a young girl may be deceived by a handsome face and genteel manners, particularly when the gentleman employing them has spent his life learning how to gain the confidence of those around him.”

Mr. Darcy rose and crossed to the window.