44. Chapter 41: The lips of the wise protect

Ch 41: The lips of the wise protect them.*

Fitzwilliam sighed. He had seen the housekeeper deliver her correspondence to her, noting how anxiously she left the room. With a soldier's stealth, he followed her, until she came to rest at the stone bench. How peaceful it is to simply watch her. It is as though she brings serenity with her very presence. How many nights on campaign did I long to feel what I am feeling now? This may be the only opportunity I have to obtain what I have longed for. I will not waste it. I do not think Mother and Father ever believed me when I told them that I would not marry for wealth and connections. Father ignored my rantings and Mother just patted my shoulder and assured me that I was just upset over the indiscreet comments I had overheard, I would change my mind soon enough. She will be very disappointed in me when she sees I have not.

He threw his head back against the tree trunk. The Army son! Father said, it would be the making of me. Without a doubt, it has made me, but I do not think you or Mother understand what it has made me. He shook his head against the grim images that threatened to assault his mind's eye. What a fine figure you cut in our red coat! Mother declared. How I despise that color. I have seen far far too much of it. Would that I never have to see it again.

Unconsciously he flexed his hands into fists. I left the Army a changed man indeed. Changed by the screams of dying men. Changed by the fear that death was waiting for me behind the next tree. Changed by seeing the rich bleed and die just like the poor. Changed by knowing how I have played a role in so many of those deaths. No I will never be the same again. I do not see how any man can be the same after years spent in combat.

Drawing a deep breath, he willed himself calm. None of what I once cared about has meaning any more. I simply want to find a place of peace and rest where I can live out my days and forget the screams of the battlefield. That God might allow me that with a wife and a family is almost too much a blessing to believe possible. But there she sits, angelic in her countenance! She could sit for a sculptor seeking to capture Irene* in marble. But could such a woman wish to spend her days with a battle scarred man such as myself?

His reverie was broken by Jane's soft gasp. He watched as she lifted her fist to her mouth to bite her knuckle, a look of great distress in her eyes. Without a thought he rushed to her side, perching on the bench beside her. "Miss Bennet, are you well?" he exclaimed.

'Oh! Colonel Fitzwilliam!" she cried. "I did not realize you were there." Why does it seem that you are always there when I least expect it? And how is it that I suddenly feel so safe with you watching me?

"I am so sorry for startling you. I was…walking by and I heard you. You sounded so distressed." He glanced down at the letter in her hands to hide the flush he felt on his cheeks. "Have you received bad news?"

She glanced down at the folded paper for a long moment. What will he think of us if I tell him? But he will find out. There is no hiding such news. "You are correct sir. I have received a letter from my Aunt Gardiner. While she writes of continued improvements made by my mother, there is painful news regarding my sister Lydia."

I feared as much! I can only imagine Miss Caroline's gossip has some validity after all! How dreadful for Miss Bennet and her sisters.

"I told you earlier of the concerns I had when my aunt wrote earlier of Lydia's despondency." Fitzwilliam nodded somberly. "She has finally found out what my sister has done…and what is being said about it." Jane's shoulders sagged sadly.

After a brief silence, Fitzwilliam sighed, "I imagine that the gossip that is circulating is far worse than the truth underlying it."

"You are quite correct." Tears welled in Jane's blue eyes, spilling quietly over her cheeks.

"It seems the way of people, I am afraid." Very softly he caught her tears with a fingertip. "I have assured you of my friendship, Miss Bennet. If sharing this burden would ease the weight you carry, I would be most honored to listen."

"You are too kind." She swallowed hard. I would rather he hear this from me first. Even if it costs me his good opinion, it is better this way. Blinking hard, she looked up into the cloudless sky. "My sister is a lively girl and at times lacks restraint. She also wants discretion and can display the selfishness that is so common at her age. But she is not a mean-spirited girl and would most certainly not do anything to intentionally hurt another. I know her well enough to be most certain of that. Though not always as sensible as I wish she would be, she was raised with strong principles. But it seems her indiscretions have finally caught up with her."

Dear me, it sounds as if much of what Miss Caroline said may be true after all. "You said that she was staying with Colonel Forster and his wife. Did something happen to her while she was with them?"

"Yes, but I fear it was largely of her own making." She rubbed the remaining tears from her face.

"What happened?"

"As was her practice when the Regiment was stationed in Meryton, Mrs. Forster entertained many of the younger officers in the afternoons. Lydia made it her occupation to flirt with them as often as possible. But had begun and ended there, we would not behaving this conversation." Jane frowned deeply. "Whilst she was in Brighton, Lydia encountered the Miss Carvers, the sisters of Mr. Carver who was the previous occupant of Netherfield. Mr. Carver left Meryton to escape…" her voice hitched, "undesirable influences on his sisters."

What did that man say to Miss Bennet? Surely he did not find her influence undesirable?

"Lydia regularly invited the Miss Carvers to meet the officers at the Forster's house. The sister's followed Lydia's example, or so Mr. Carver believed, and became known among the regiment as shameless flirts. Their brother was not aware of his sisters' activities, at least not at that time." Fixing her eyes over his shoulder, she continued. "Miss Carver, who I am distressed to say was quite forward even coming into Lydia's company, was quite taken by a young lieutenant in the regiment. One of his friends was fond of my sister. Miss Carver persuaded Lydia to agree to a clandestine meeting in the woods outside of town."

"Were the young ladies compromised?" Fitzwilliam gritted his teeth, dreading the answer.

Jane sighed, "Their virtue, my Aunt reports, was not ruined, but Lydia is no longer the innocent she once was. They were fortunate that Mrs. Forster received word of the meeting and the Colonel happened upon them before something more serious happened. I fear if it were not for his fortuitous appearance, the results would have been far worse. As much as I would like to believe otherwise, I cannot bring myself to believe that young men who would make such a suggestion would do so with the most wholesome of intentions."

"No doubt." He laid three fingers over hers on the bench.

Her voice caught in her throat at the touch of his hand. He eyes drifted down for just a moment, savoring the sight of his hand on hers. I should pull my hand away, this cannot be proper. "At that point Colonel Forster wrote Father and insisted that he come retrieve Lydia saying she had become unmanageable. Though he did not make known the severity of the Colonel's censure, my aunt's letter leaves me with no doubt. Stupid, stupid girl!" Jane crumpled the paper in her hand and exhaled heavily. "For her part, Lydia, it seems received a great fright. She had no idea of the danger she had put herself in nor the liberties the officer might attempt to take with her. She understands a great deal more now. I am deeply sorry that she should have to learn in such a terrible way. But it seems at least that has had a positive effect on her. My aunt writes she has become far more discreet."

"That is welcome news. But surely that is not all that has happened. I can see it in your eyes; there is more to your tale." His eyes sought hers, holding them in an intimate embrace.

"I am afraid you are correct. The elder Miss Carver received an offer of marriage from her lieutenant and agreed to elope with him. Apparently she thought it a great romantic adventure. Though Lydia did not support her friend's decision, she was persuaded to help her accomplish the elopement. Miss Carver threatened to spread word of Lydia's compromise throughout Brighton if she did not assist. Colonel Forster threatened to flog the two young men involved if word of their meeting got out, so Lydia thought she would be safe from exposure. Given Miss Carver's threat, Lydia did as she was asked." Jane broke their gaze, feeling as exposed under his scrutiny.

"Of course. I imagine she did not tell Colonel Forster what was going on because he was already so put out with her."

Surprised, Jane met his eyes once more, finding them filled with understanding. "Yes, that is quite correct. But it appears that there were few secrets in the Regiment nonetheless and Mr. Carver was made aware of his sister's plans in time to intercept them on the way to Gretna Green. He was able to stop what would have been an imprudent marriage on both sides."

"But the Carver's blamed Lydia?" He pressed her finger's warmly.

"Indeed. Mr. Carver blamed my sister both for influencing Miss Carver and for assisting in the deed. Miss Carver declared that it was Lydia who convinced her to go through with the elopement. Miss Martha Carver, her younger sister, agreed and the three have been telling the story to anyone who would listen not only in Brighton, but now in London. He went so far as to confront my Aunt in her own drawing room, bringing these accusations against my sister to her face. Aunt Gardiner writes it was a very unpleasant interview and that my Uncle was required to remove Mr. Carver." Jane swallowed hard. With a weak smile she added, "So it seems the Bennet sisters have quite a reputation in London now." Tears filled her eyes again. I know you have pledged your friendship, but with connections such as yours, you cannot risk associating with our family.

Fitzwilliam considered his response carefully. "I find it interesting that they would so freely circulate the tale of their sister's indiscretion, for whatever reason. For them to place the blame on your sister is to say that Miss Carver is a woman of weak mind and even weaker values. A woman who could be so easily persuaded to act against her principles is surely not one that any respectable man would wish for in a wife. In their efforts to cast a shadow upon your sister, I believe they have put themselves in an even poorer light. What is more, those who are familiar with the ways of society, given a few moments to consider the tale, would be apt to ask why they spread such gossip themselves unless they are trying to prevent the truth of the story from coming out."

Jane started at him wide-eyed and skeptical.

"Oh yes, there are always those who will believe whatever they are told by the first person who tells them." As is most certainly the cast with Miss Caroline, I am afraid. No one could mistake her for a woman of good sense though. "However, the older women of the Ton are as canny as the officers that I used to serve with in the Army. They are not prone to take such intelligence merely at face value. I truly believe that the Carvers are unknowingly doing more damage to themselves than they are to your sister and the rest of you."

"You are very kind. But My Aunt also writes that she expects that word of this sordid affair will be reaching Meryton soon. We are not so far away from London and many come and go from there regularly. I would be surprised if the gossip is not already making its way around the neighborhood." She blinked hard and rubbed her temples. "I do not believe that the gossip-mongers of our small village are as savvy as those of the Ton's first circles. Here, it will be taken at face value. I fear we will feel the effects most dreadfully. I must discuss this with Lizzy. Perhaps it will be best that we do not attend the assembly after all. There is no need to expose ourselves in such a way, especially when we are already imposing upon Uncle Gardiner to chaperone us."

I cannot tell her that Miss Caroline has already been a part of spreading such malicious gossip. But I will not stand idly by and allow Jane and her sisters to be so damaged. "I have been a soldier for a long time, Miss Bennet, and if I may be so bold as to suggest this is not the time for a retreat. To do so is to suggest that the gossip is truth. If I were leading this campaign I would charge in with a frontal assault, fighting back this malice directly."

"I am afraid I do not understand. For my sisters and I to argue with such…"

"I do not mean for you and your sisters to argue. You are correct, it would not reflect well upon you. With your permission, allow me to share this with Bingley, Darcy and Pierce. Allow us to fight for our fair maidens. I am certain we can counter this attack on your family and successfully defend your reputations."

Our fair maidens? Did I hear him correctly? Does he mean what I think he means?

Fitzwilliam watched her face closely, suddenly realizing he had let slip more than he had intended to in his simple statement. He suddenly laughed to himself.

"Forgive me, sir, but I fear I do not understand why you are laughing." I have misunderstood! He is laughing at me! What a fool I am!

"Most particularly when you have been discovered in such an inappropriate encounter." Mr. Bennet's voice came from behind them. He leaned heavily on a thick cane, scowling at the couple.

"Papa!" Jane exclaimed, jumping up to rush to him. "Please, come and sit down. I did not think you were supposed to be walking about on your own yet."

Hobbling to sit down as his daughter directed, Mr. Bennet continued, "Do not distract me, Jane. I could not keep to the house for one moment longer. While I appreciate your concern, I still require an explanation for this indecorous meeting."

Jane stammered, but Fitzwilliam cut her off. "It is my fault, sir. She was sitting here reading her correspondence when I came upon her. I suppose I should not have joined her as I did without a chaperone present."

"No, you certainly should not have." Mr. Bennet glared. "What moved you to make your inappropriate choice, sir. I am quite certain that a man of your standing know much better."

"I could see Miss Bennet was distressed by what she had read and I was concerned for her comfort."

Glancing at Jane, Mr. Bennet saw the traces of her tears. His anger grew. "Then explain to me your laugher! I see she has been crying and you find amusement in that?"

"Papa! Please, it is not like that." Jane protested laying a hand on her father's arm.

"I do not take my amusement at her expense, sir, far from it." Fitzwilliam sighed in resignation. "I was laughing at myself sir."

"At yourself? I require more explanation than that." He tapped his cane on the ground impatiently.

"You should have it," Fitzwilliam agreed, seeking Jane's eyes. "We were speaking of a military campaign. I laughed at the irony. I revealed my secrets to you without even realizing it. I suppose it was good that I never faced interrogation during my tour in the Army since I give up intelligence so easily."

"Your secrets sir?" Jane's brows rose. Then I did hear him correctly? A pretty blush rose on her cheeks.

A broad smile lit Fitzwilliam's face. And I have her answer! A sudden light-headedness rushed through him. "I believe I need to have a discussion with you sir, one that you have perhaps had in recent memory with my cousin?"

Mr. Bennet's frown and huff revealed his answer.

"Lizzy and Mr. Darcy?" Jane exclaimed excitedly, clapping her hands. "How wonderful! She did not tell me, but I could see in her eyes that something important had transpired. We tried to speak last night, but…"

"Yes, yes, my dear. Go speak with your sister. She will have much to tell you I have no doubt. It seems I am destined to have another very difficult conversation. I should be prepared for this by now, but this may just be too much for a father to bear all at once." He waved her off.

She gasped, alarmed, and turned to Fitzwilliam. Both men looked at her and laughed.

"My dear girl," Mr. Bennet patted her hand. "You are indeed too good. You see only the best in others, but you are most easily fooled by our teasing." He turned to Fitzwilliam wistfully. "Perhaps she does need one of His Majesty's finest to protect her after all."

*The Greek goddess of peace

**PR 14:3