Pride And Prejudice

12

The next morning a letter arrived from their mother with some very disturbing news. Charlotte was out on a walk with their aunt and uncle, leaving Louis to read the letter alone.

Dear Louis and Charlotte,

Something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming you-be assured that we are all well. What I have to say relates to poor Phoebe.

We have been blind! Phoebe has run off with Mr. Wickham. We were all shocked when we received the news. To Daisy, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. I am very, very sorry. You know I am not one to listen to gossip but words about Mr. Wickham's questionable character have reached my ears as well and I'm beyond anxious regarding my dear daughter. She is only sixteen of age! I cannot see what a man like Mr. Wickhams can possibly see in my daughter.

I beg both of you to return home immediately to help us find your sister.

Yours sincerely
Jay

Louis was horrified. He hurried to go out to search for his sister but the appearance of Mr. Styles startled him.
"I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find my sister this moment, on business that cannot be delayed; I have not an instant to lose."

"Good God! what is the matter? I will not detain you a minute; but let me, or let the servant go after Miss Tomlinson. You are not well enough, you cannot go yourself." Harry replied in concern.

Louis hesitated, but his knees trembled under him and he felt how little would be gained by his attempting to pursue them. Mr. Styles immediately called for a servant and asked him to find Mr. Tomlinson's sister immediately. Louis sat down, unable to support himself any longer. Harry got him a glass of water.
"Do I need to call for a doctor?"

"There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn." Louis replied shakily.

Harry waited for him to continue and Louis needed someone to confide in.
"I just received a letter from my mother, with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from anyone. My younger sister has left all her friends, ran away, has thrown herself into the power of Mr. Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton. You know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no connections."

Mr. Styles was fixed in astonishment. Louis continued.
"When I consider that I might have prevented it! I, who knew what he was. Had I but explained some part of it only some part of what I learnt, to my own family! Had his character been known, this could not have happened."

"I am grieved indeed, grieved, shocked. But is it certain, absolutely certain?" Harry asked.

"Oh, yes!" Louis cried out.

"And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her?" Harry asked.

"Nothing can be done-I know very well that nothing can be done. How is such a man to be worked on? How are they even to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope. It is in every way horrible!" Louis said upset.

Mr. Styles did not answer. Lottie came running into the room.
"Louis! What is the matter?"

Louis exchanged a look with Mr. Styles who bowed his head.
"I shall leave you to it."

As soon as Harry had left Louis showed his sister the letter from their mother. Lottie gasped.
"Oh, no! We must leave immediately."

An hour later they had packed their belongings, the carriage ready and they took farewell of their aunt and uncle before they began the two-day journey home. The topic of their discussion was their younger sister.
"Phoebe, what is she thinking? Did you suspect anything, Lottie?" Louis wondered.

"No. We both know that Phoebe likes to flirt but it is never serious. From what you have told me about Mr. Wickham she was an easy target, confusing his flirting with love. We both know these kinds of people, the preditors. Poor Phoebe." Lottie said unhappily.

"I hope that they have already found her." Louis replied.

When they finally arrived back home the house was in chaos. Their mother was on the verge of breaking. No one knew where Phoebe was. Louis immediately went to talk to the other officers. Mr. Payne and Mr. Malik had obviously heard the news but unfortunately, they couldn't shed a light on Mr. Wickham's whereabouts. They offered to help in any way possible. Louis suggested that they would ride to the towns nearby to inquiry about his sister and they agreed to go with him. He returned home to inform his family.

"Louis! She's home!" Fizzy cried as soon as he stepped inside.

Louis gasped and ran upstairs just to find Phoebe in her room.
"You silly girl, what were you thinking?" Louis argued upset but he took her in his embrace, relieved to see her.

"Spare me the lecture, Louis. Mr. Styles already took care of that." Phoebe muttered.

Louis pulled back and stared at her in confusion.
"Mr. Styles?"

"He was the one who found us and informed me of Mr. Wickham's true character. I'm so ashamed, Louis. I really thought that Mr. Wickham was a good person who loved me." Phoebe trembled.

"Did Mr. Wickham take advantage of you?" Louis asked.

"No." Phoebe reassured him.

"Oh, thank God." Louis said.

"But gracious me! I quite forgot! I ought not to have said a word about it. I promised Mr. Styles so faithfully!" Phoebe blushed.

"Your secret is safe with me." Louis promised. He kissed the top of her head. "Promise me that you will never do such foolishness again."

"I promise." Phoebe said.

Louis went to his room since he needed time to process what Phoebe had told him. Mr. Styles was an honorable, wonderful man who immediately after being told about his sister's misfortune made it his quest to find his sister and bring her safely home, without wanting to take credit. A less of a man would have used that to his advantage to try and impress him. But Harry had asked Phoebe to keep quiet. His respect for Mr. Styles only increased, and not just that. He saw him in a different light. Harry had stolen his heart completely.