Chapter 10 #2
“She is, indeed! She has spoken of her late sister, Lady Anne, very often. Her daughter bears the same name.”
Obviously happy to be in possession of much information on the subject, Mr Collins looked dangerously animated, so Elizabeth intervened.
“My aunt grew up in Lambton as a child. She still holds fond memories of Pemberley and calls it the most beautiful place she has ever seen.”
“I certainly agree with your aunt, Miss Elizabeth. I doubt there is another place as beautiful as Pemberley.”
“I assure you that Rosings Park—” Mr Collins interjected, but Elizabeth quickly stopped him.
“I assume you are closely acquainted with the Darcys, Mr Wickham.”
“I am… Better said, I was. I have hardly seen any of the family or even visited Pemberley in the last five years since my parents then the late Mr Darcy died.”
“Oh… May we ask why?” Sir William asked, paying no attention to Mr Collins, who was on the verge of intervening once more.
“I would rather not discuss the details. All I can say is that the late Mr Darcy loved me and supported me my entire life and even left me with the means to make an honourable living for myself. Unfortunately, the present master of Pemberley does not share his father’s affection and desire to support me.
Quite the opposite. He refused to honour my godfather’s wish, denying me the living that he bestowed upon me. ”
“That we can easily believe!” Lydia exclaimed. “We all know that Mr Darcy is arrogant, proud, and insufferable, and nobody likes him!”
“Lydia, enough!” Elizabeth censured her sister severely, more and more astonished and puzzled by Mr Wickham’s confession. She felt offended on Mr Darcy’s behalf hearing her sister speak so ill of him, but her curiosity in regard to his connection to Mr Wickham was even greater.
Lydia’s outburst had a significant effect on Mr Wickham. His countenance immediately changed, his cheeks reddening. He frowned and stood up from his chair.
“Are you acquainted with Darcy?” he asked with apparent perturbation.
“Yes, yes! More than we like!” Lydia responded. “He is Mr Bingley’s friend and is staying at Netherfield. He has even visited us a few times. I do not know why Papa keeps inviting him!”
“Darcy is here? In Meryton?”
“Indeed, he is,” Sir William confirmed.
Elizabeth watched Mr Wickham’s face change colour again, this time to white, and his expression betrayed a mixture of feelings.
“How can it be? How unexpected indeed… What a coincidence,” Mr Wickham mumbled.
“That is what I wished to tell you earlier, but nobody listens to me,” Mr Collins interjected with a trace of bitterness. “I too consider it an extraordinary coincidence, about which I have written to Lady Catherine already.”
“I am sure Lady Catherine was thrilled,” Mr Wickham said in a cutting tone, visibly annoyed. “Do you know whether Darcy will remain long in the neighbourhood,” he then asked Sir William.
“I have no knowledge of Mr Darcy’s plans,” Sir William answered, appearing nervous.
“So, I do not understand… May I ask… Are you and Mr Darcy related?” Lady Lucas asked, her brow crinkled in confusion.
Mr Wickham made an obvious effort to compose himself before answering.
“No, ma’am. The late Mr Darcy was my godfather, and as I mentioned, he loved me and cared for me like I was his son — something that his actual son did not approve of and held against me.
We are not related in any other way,” Mr Wickham concluded, his voice bearing none of its previous amiability and charm.
While the others were still glancing at each other, he looked at Mr Denny and then addressed his hosts.
“Sir William, Lady Lucas, please accept my gratitude for welcoming me into your family so warmly. I must leave now, but I hope we shall meet again soon.”
“It was our pleasure, Mr Wickham. Please know you will always be welcome at Lucas Lodge,” Sir William replied, while the officers bade their farewells.
From the door, Mr Wickham glanced back, and his eyes met Elizabeth’s for a brief moment.
And it was in that instant, as she looked at his face, his thin lips twisted into a sad smile, but a hint of fear betrayed by the small crease between his brows and the glint in his green eyes, that Elizabeth remembered where and when she had seen George Wickham before.
The revelation stirred some deep feelings that made Elizabeth absent to everything.
Memories invaded her, while she only heard pieces of conversation between Sir William and Mr Collins, then her sisters, Charlotte, and Lady Lucas speaking, and the names Darcy and Wickham reached her ears several times.
Another half an hour passed until, at Elizabeth’s insistence, the visit ended.
It was getting rather late, and the air had become chilly.
Elizabeth’s thoughts were disturbed by the chatter around her, and she longed to be home and have some rest and peace in her room to think of all that she had learnt.
Whatever had happened between Mr Darcy and Mr Wickham, it sounded serious, and the little she had heard did not speak well of Mr Darcy’s character.
And as for George Wickham, how much and in what way had he changed since their harsh argument in the halls of Pemberley?
Their group was on its way back to Longbourn when she heard Lydia exclaiming again. Finally paying attention to those around her, Elizabeth was stunned to see Mr Wickham, accompanied by Mr Denny and Mr Pratt, approaching them.
To her increasing puzzlement, Mr Wickham moved alongside her and said, “Miss Elizabeth, please forgive my boldness. I promise I shall not bother you for more than a moment. Would you allow me a private word? I shall not detain you at all. We shall escort you towards your house.”
“Yes, of course,” she accepted in wonder. She could not imagine what he wished to say to her. Had he recognised her too?
Mr Collins quickly came to her other side, and she said harshly, “Mr Collins, please allow me some privacy to discuss a certain matter with Mr Wickham. You may walk with my sisters and the other officers.”
Her tone allowed no argument, and whilst offended by her demand, the clergyman stepped away.
Elizabeth slowed her pace, walking slightly behind the others with Mr Wickham.
“Miss Elizabeth, I must beg your forgiveness for my awkward and un-gentlemanlike behaviour. Instead of sharing pleasant memories about Pemberley, I acted like a savage. I have no excuse other than my history with Darcy is difficult and painful. I hope to have a chance to explain it to you, especially since my current assignment forces me to cross paths with Darcy.”
“Sir, there is no need to apologise to me. You certainly did not act like a savage. I confess I was intrigued by your connection to the Darcys, but you need not explain anything more to me,” she said, trying to sound polite but not betray her real interest.
“I hope my past with Darcy will not forbid me from becoming a friend of your family.”
“Mr Wickham, I pride myself on being able to judge my friends not by their past but by their present actions towards me.”
“I am glad to hear that, Miss Elizabeth,” he said, and Elizabeth tried to comprehend the reason for his interest in her good opinion and wondered for how long he intended to escort her.
Then Mr Wickham stopped, and so did the rest of their group.
Still caught up in her thoughts, it was several moments before Elizabeth noticed Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, on their horses, gazing at them.
One of them dismounted, with a large smile and joyful greetings, while the other, frowning and silent, remained in the saddle, gazing at Elizabeth and her companion.