Unforgiving Temper (10 page)

“I am glad to hear it. The situation is
nothing too difficult, I promise you. For my part, each month you
fulfill your duties satisfactorily, I shall deliver one of Lydia's
letters for you to dispose of as you see fit. However, should you
choose to be difficult in any way or prove to be a less than
admirable companion, I will be obliged to expose your sister's
indiscretion.”

“You need not worry on my account,
Lieutenant. Just you keep your end of the bargain and send the
letters. Exactly how many letters are there, if I may ask?”

“Hmm…not including the one I have already
given you – I believe your sister has graced me with fifteen very
remarkable expressions of her affection,” he grinned
complacently.

“Fifteen! Certainly you would not separate me
from my family for so long! I beg you would give me
two or even
three
letters each month!”

“Alas, my dear, I must refuse. I agree it is
a rather difficult arrangement, but a necessary one.”

“Necessary? Dare I hope you would explain
yourself?”

“Unfortunately, there are circumstances which
I am not at liberty to disclose.”

“Naturally. And if my services are no longer
required before I have recovered all the letters; what will happen
then?”

“That depends upon you. There are certain
circumstances beyond your control that could arise to change our
little arrangement; which circumstances, again, I am unable to
divulge. But, if any one of them should come about, then the
letters are yours. However, if you should in any way present a
disappointing performance in your situation and fail to retain your
position, I shall publish them immediately.”

Elizabeth waited for Wickham to continue, but
he merely observed her silently.

“And this is all the explanation I am to
receive, sir?”

“Yes, I am afraid so.”

“Very well, Mr. Wickham, but I have a
condition of my own.”

“Indeed? And what would that be?”

“You will keep your distance from Lydia. Her
behavior is already called into question, and as you have made it
perfectly clear that you have no intention of marrying her, you
cannot allow her to continue her attentions to you.”

“Hmmm. Why should I deny myself the very
great pleasure of your sister's company?”

“Because if you are the cause of her complete
ruin, the letters will make no difference and I will be at liberty
to reveal all you have done. If that happens, I promise you that
you shall suffer equally in her misfortune.”

Wickham pursed his lips in irritation. Darcy
would have to fall in love with an intelligent woman! He considered
Elizabeth's defiant countenance for a moment. It did not really
matter to him. Lydia Bennet was entertaining, but he could be
equally satisfied with any number of girls in Meryton. “Very well,
as difficult as it may be to convince your sister, I shall keep my
distance as long as you keep your part of the bargain. Have you
spoken to her?”

“No, only my father.” She smiled archly at
his startled look. “But do not make yourself uneasy, sir. I judged
it wiser your identity should be kept a secret for the time being.
He only knows that I am to take a position in the north. Everyone
else shall believe me to be traveling with a distant relation. I
would not embarrass my family with the knowledge that I have gone
into service.”

“Of course. You may be assured of my secrecy
as well.”

“Indeed,” she replied with a measured look.
“And shall you tell me when I am to begin?”

“Arrangements have been made for you to
travel in two days' time.”

“Two days?!” Elizabeth reeled with
astonishment. “That is not possible!” In the next moment, her
simmering glare told him she had finally realized his absolute
certainty of her acceptance, and he smiled at her perception. There
had really been no choice.

“Oh, but it is! I have arranged for a coach
to be sent for you the day after tomorrow at half past seven in the
morning. Do not be late, for you will have to make a change to the
post and cannot afford to miss it. Bring only a small case and one
trunk for your travels. Everything else will be provided, including
a travelling companion. We could not have you arrive unescorted,
could we now? With good weather, your journey should not last
longer than four or five days at the most.”

“Five days travel? I had not realized I would
be going so far! Am I not to know my destination or the name of my
employer?”

“The less you know of our little arrangement,
the less others will know; and so much the better. Once you have
arrived, I suppose you are at liberty to say what you will, but I
would again caution you against saying too much if you wish to keep
your secret. The gossips have a way of finding out the truth when
there is promise of scandal, you know,” he grinned again as she
drew herself up with a strained composure. “I wish you a pleasant
journey, madam.”

Offering a formal bow, Wickham turned and
walked away, leaving a furious Elizabeth to stare after him. He was
too far away to hear anything when she finally gave voice to the
loathing in her heart. “You may have won this battle,
Mr. Wickham, but the war is not over yet. You shall pay dearly
for the misery you have brought to my family.”

* * * *

Elizabeth moved about as silently as she
could, placing the few remaining items into her traveling bag. She
carefully checked the packet of coins hidden beneath her skirt one
last time before taking the bag in hand and retrieving her spencer
and bonnet from the bed. One cursory look was all she gave her room
before making her way downstairs, being careful not to wake the
rest of the family. She had made her farewells to the family the
night before, knowing this morning she could not maintain the
façade of a happy adventure in the face of any prolonged
parting.

Announcing her departure had been difficult
enough. In spite of the animosity her mother harbored against her
father's side of the family, Elizabeth had been pressed for more
details than she cared to give. It was only through a concerted
effort that she and her father satisfied Mrs. Bennet without
exposing the true nature of her departure. Mary had shown only a
polite interest in Elizabeth's plans, while Kitty and Lydia were
wild with envy at the romantic notion of traveling through the
countryside with a rich relation. The hardest part had been lying
to Jane. A swell of guilt rose anew, but Elizabeth pushed it back,
reminding herself that it was Jane's happiness she was
protecting.

Coming down the stairs, Elizabeth's courage
wavered at the sight of her father and Jane waiting for her. How
could she leave the two people she loved most in the world?

“Well, Lizzy, the carriage has come.”
Mr. Bennet's voice was heavy with emotion. He opened his mouth
as if to say more, but thought the better of it and silently took
her bag out to the waiting coach.

Elizabeth looked to Jane who was standing
quietly in the doorway; a forced smile beaming in contrast to the
sadness in her eyes. She could not hold her sister's penetrating
look for long for fear that she would betray the anxiety she felt.
She trusted Jane implicitly, but she knew her sister could not know
what she was doing. No one could.

“I shall miss you, Jane.”

“Oh, Lizzy! I shall miss you, but I am happy
for you to have this adventure. Perhaps this opportunity will
acquaint our families well enough to mend the breach. You are the
perfect choice for such a task, I am sure of it!”

“I shall do my best,” Elizabeth answered with
a false cheerfulness. “I do not think I shall be able to write very
often, but you will hear from me as soon as I have an
opportunity.”

The sisters linked arms as they walked out
and Elizabeth fought back her response to the tears she saw
glistening in Jane's eyes. It was uncertain how long it would take
for her efforts to bear fruit; but she was confident it would be
long enough to hold the gossip at bay while Jane and
Mr. Bingley came to an understanding. Long enough for their
love to grow stout enough to withstand the rigors of scandal,
should it come to that.

An older carriage, clean and in good repair
in spite of its worn appearance, stood waiting in the drive. The
coachman wore a uniform of no distinction and looked to be
impatient for their departure.

The cool morning air revived Elizabeth's
flagging spirits. Taking a fortifying breath, she approached her
father who was speaking to a pleasant-looking woman of about five
and thirty sitting within the carriage.

“Lizzy, this is Mrs. Ann Tipton, your
traveling companion.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Tipton.
It looks like we have pleasant weather for our journey.”

“I believe we do, Miss Bennet.”

“Yes, indeed, Lizzy,” Mr. Bennet agreed
affably. “I have been asking Mrs. Tipton, here, about the roads you
will take, but she is unable to give me any details. Tell me,
madam, do you know how far you will go today?”

“It is not certain, my dear Mr. Bennet.
I am but a simple companion and have not a thought in my brain for
such things. However, I do know we must be on our way if we are to
get anywhere at all.” Smiling broadly, she ignored
Mr. Bennet's frown and urged, “Shall you come,
Miss Bennet?”

Elizabeth embraced Jane with some restraint,
not wanting to cause any undo concern. Nevertheless, she absorbed
every minute detail around her as a parting memory. It would be a
great comfort in the unknown days ahead. Turning to their father,
she met his eyes and exchanged a look of encouragement before
kissing his cheek.

“Look after Jane for me, Father,” she
whispered.

Mr. Bennet pressed her arm and nodded
slightly. Casting a glance in Jane's direction, he lightened the
mood with a merry smile and led Elizabeth to the door of the
carriage, helping her in.

“Well, Lizzy, off you go! I wish you God's
speed. Do not worry about us for a minute, we shall be fine – all
of us.”

Fighting a desperate feeling of loss within,
Elizabeth entered the carriage and took her place across from Mrs.
Tipton. Waving one last farewell, the ache in her heart swelled as
the pair standing in the drive and all that had been her life until
now passed from view.

* * * *

Much to Elizabeth's consternation, the
journey did not begin well. Once they were away from Longbourn, her
attempts to engage Mrs. Tipton in conversation were met with short,
unresponsive replies. She was still puzzling over the mystery of
the woman's abrupt change in manner when the driver brought the
horses to a stop and Mr. Wickham stepped into the carriage.
Her concern and surprise only increased when Mrs. Tipton's distant
manners instantly transformed into a warm and inviting welcome.

Wickham kissed the older woman's hand, and
turned a gleeful smile to Elizabeth.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, may I introduce
you to an old friend of mine – Mrs. Ann Tipton…Younge.”

Elizabeth caught her breath at the name. With
sinking heart she realized her companion was the very same woman
who had betrayed Darcy's trust and exposed his sister to ruin! What
was Wickham up to? Had she made a fatal error by placing herself in
the power of these two people?

Their obvious amusement at concealing
Mrs. Younge's true identity did nothing to assuage Elizabeth's
concerns. Wickham's callous manner underscored his non-existent
regard for Lydia's feelings or those of her family. …
your
selfish disdain for the feelings of others
… The words burned in
her memory. How very wrong she had been! It was not Mr. Darcy
who was deserving of those words, but the man who sat down across
from her as the carriage moved off.

The party travelled for some time in an
awkward silence. Elizabeth tried to focus on the passing scenery
but was frequently distracted by the knowing looks and occasional
whispers of her two companions. After one such exchange that
required her to find a diversion in the handiwork of the small
cushion beneath her arm, her curiosity was roused by a tiny
monogram she discovered embroidered into the decorative edging.
Looking closer, she saw “LDB” worked in elegant, impressively
minute stitches. Her contemplation as to the owner of the initials
was interrupted when the carriage came to a stop in front of a
small country inn. Looking out, she observed a building sadly in
need of attention. Guests of any quality, it seemed, were not a
common occurrence.

Wickham handed the ladies out of the carriage
and Elizabeth stifled an involuntary shudder when her gloved hand
connected with his. As they stood in the courtyard, he whispered
something to Mrs. Younge, then bowed to Elizabeth with
murmured instructions to wait a moment. The two women remained
where they were without speaking as he entered the long, low
structure, then returned a few minutes later to escort them
inside.

Adjusting her eyes to the dim light,
Elizabeth found herself being guided down a long hallway that
emptied into a sparsely furnished sitting room whose only light was
a low, smoldering fire in the soot-laden hearth. Although there
were several private rooms that opened off this main room,
Elizabeth deduced from the eerie stillness permeating the air, that
they were quite alone. They entered one of the private rooms and
she found that it too exhibited the same worn and shabby condition
as the rest of the building. She was in the midst of looking around
at her bleak surroundings when the rasp of a bolt sliding solidly
into place sounded behind her.

She spun around to see Wickham coming toward
her, a menacing look on his face. Stepping backward as he
approached, Elizabeth ran into the solid figure of Mrs. Younge
standing behind her. She turned to plead for the woman's help, but
the words lodged in her throat as she saw Wickham's cruel smile
echoed on Mrs. Younge's face. She gasped as Wickham's arms
wrapped around her, his hands forcefully grabbing her wrists in a
crushing grip.