Chapter 15 #2
Rejoining the group in the street, she was received with overjoyed cries.
Elizabeth agreed to spend an hour at the Forsters’, and they all walked together.
She was in no disposition for such a gathering, but she was too tired and ashamed to argue with her sisters in public.
Lydia and Kitty’s manners were outrageous indeed, and the fact that Mrs Forster seemed to approve of them did not comfort her much.
As they were approaching the colonel’s house, another encounter delayed them. Mr Phillips climbed down from a large carriage, followed by a gentleman with an elegant appearance, fashionable and obviously expensive clothes, and a confident posture that complemented his handsome features very well.
An introduction was impossible to avoid, and the stranger was presented as Mr Andrew Ross, who declared himself pleased to make everyone’s acquaintance but said little else except the usual pleasantries.
Despite several attempts, Mr Ross did not allow himself to be drawn into the conversation, but he mentioned that he would remain in the neighbourhood for a while.
“Do you have any relatives in Hertfordshire, Mr Ross?” Mrs Forster enquired.
“No. But I hope to have my own house rather soon. My wife is much more inclined to spend time in the countryside than in town.”
“Wife?” exclaimed Lydia, her eyes widening at the mere mention of the word. “See, I told you. Mr Ross has a wife. How utterly tedious.”
Mr Ross turned an angry red, and Lydia found herself the recipient of numerous disapproving glances.
Mr Phillips cleared his throat before resuming the conversation.
“I hear you are staying at the inn.”
It is unacceptable for a gentleman to stay at the inn for more than a couple of nights,” Mrs Forster declared. “Is it not, my dear?” she addressed her husband.
“My dear, what seems unacceptable to a lady, for a gentleman might be perfectly acceptable, even enjoyable,” the colonel answered. “Men find amusement even when there is a lack of comfort,” he said with a wink to the other gentlemen.
“I invited Mr Ross to be our guest for the duration of his stay in Meryton,” Mr Phillips interjected. “We are sad that he prefers the solitude of the inn.”
“Mr Phillips’s invitation was very kind and much appreciated. However, I do not wish to intrude, and as the colonel mentioned, I am not much bothered by the lack of comfort. I have found my stay at the inn to be a diverting change and perfectly agreeable for a few days.”
“Well, sir, if you wish for more diversion and some amusement, you may always join my officers for a game of cards and a drink,” Colonel Forster said.
“Thank you, Colonel. I shall certainly accept such an invitation. Now please excuse us. Mr Phillips and I still have some papers to look over, so we must leave you. It was a tremendous pleasure to make your acquaintance. Ladies, gentlemen, have a good day.”
Mr Ross took his leave in the company of Mr Phillips. His status as a married gentleman had rendered him somewhat less captivating than he might have been had he been unattached. Soon his presence was altogether forgotten.
While refreshments were served, Elizabeth was sitting near Jane, restless, with little interest in Mr Ross but glancing at Mr Wickham frequently.
He was the man who held her attention; while she had been reluctant to attend the impromptu party, she knew it might be the last opportunity to speak to him before her departure.
She was too impatient to wait, too curious to feign disinterest in him, but not bold enough to approach him when he was surrounded by Mrs Forster, Lydia, and Kitty.
Eventually, Mr Wickham stood, and meeting Elizabeth’s gaze, he walked towards her. She rose too and, holding his gaze, forced a smile.
“Miss Elizabeth, I hope you will not trifle with me any longer,” he said when he was standing in front of her. “You must tell me the circumstances of our first meeting. I have hardly slept at all since we last spoke.”
“I doubt that my words had the effect of keeping you awake, Mr Wickham,” she said, smiling.
“They did. And I feared I might never know the answer. I have learnt that Darcy has visited your family several times, and I assume he has said nothing favourable of me. Since he is a friend of Mr Bingley, the logical conclusion was that you would refuse to speak to me again.”
“You are quite hasty with your conclusions, Mr Wickham. I have already told you that I form my opinions on my observations. Besides, you might be surprised to learn that Mr Darcy has said nothing worse of you than you have said of him.”
“I am glad to hear that,” he said, looking uncertain about how to take her words. “So, will you tell me, then?”
“I shall. May I ask first, when did you see Miss Darcy last? I know you mentioned it, but I do not recollect.” Elizabeth tried to speak in a light, composed tone.
He seemed determined to seek the information he desired, but so did she.
Her last question brought a shadow of worry to his face, but he concealed it behind a smile.
“Georgiana? Um…I am not certain. A few years ago…”
“Only a few years ago?”
“May I ask why this is important to you, Miss Bennet?”
“Because I am trying to sketch your character as accurately as possible, Mr Wickham.”
“How intriguing. May I ask what has been your progress since we last met? I doubt you have found anything good, considering the source of your information.”
“I have not made much progress. I am trying to balance the universal good opinion of you with the fact that you seem unwilling to provide me with accurate answers.”
“This is a harsh accusation, Miss Bennet. May I ask what I have done to deserve it?” His serene countenance and light tone differed from his words.
She smiled in anticipation of his response.
“Mr Wickham, I am just a lady, and therefore I do not interfere in gentlemen’s affairs.
Your business dealings with Mr Darcy are not my concern.
But I happen to know, beyond a doubt, that you have seen Miss Georgiana Darcy this year.
Quite recently in fact. Since I doubt your memory has betrayed you, I must question the reason behind your denial of that meeting. ”
She felt that her voice had become sharper and experienced a slight satisfaction when he paled.
“Um…this is…I am not…I assumed such information was of no real interest to you.”
“Even if that was the case, did you believe that a dishonest response was appropriate? That is a peculiar choice, I dare say.”
“I believe a man is entitled to discretion when he wishes it. May I ask what you know of my recent encounter with Miss Darcy?”
“I know what I need in order to complete my sketch, Mr Wickham, based on my own judgment, as I promised when we met last week,” she said, her smile broadening while his expression darkened even more.
“I am sorry you disapprove of me, Miss Bennet. I truly wished to be friends, and your good opinion was important to me. Nothing will convince me that Darcy had no influence in your judgment.”
Elizabeth took a moment to compose herself. They were in a room full of people where everybody was talking and laughing while the two of them were carrying on a distressingly serious conversation.
“Mr Wickham, I am not trying to convince you of anything. And I can understand it is easier for one to blame another person for their own faulty behaviour. If one lacks the desire to examine one’s own decisions and actions, one might not expect any improvement.”
“Miss Bennet, I am sorry to sound disrespectful, but I have heard such a lecture many times from Darcy himself. I am in no disposition for more repetition,” he replied, his confidence apparently returning.
“I have no right and no wish to lecture you, Mr Wickham. I understand you dismiss anything coming from Mr Darcy. However, you said your godfather always loved you and treated you as his son. Have you ever wondered what he would have to say if he witnessed the growth and success of his beloved godson?”
“I…I am afraid this is not your concern, Miss Bennet.”
“Apparently it is not yours either, Mr Wickham. And in order to clarify everything between us, I shall tell you about our prior meeting.”
She paused, looked him in the eyes, and brought back the smile to her lips as he watched her, obviously intrigued.
“It was at Pemberley, ten years ago. I was a visitor there. Perhaps the mention of my jumping into the lake to pull Georgiana out of it might refresh your memory. I remember you, as you were watching as she almost drowned. Just as well as I remember you asking her to steal things for you. It was during that time that you were much loved and supported by the late Mr Darcy. Perhaps I should have told him, as I intended, despite the fact that you called me a servant and assured me he would never believe me over you.”
Mr Wickham’s astonishment was now complete, and he stared at her, standing still, blinking, holding his breath.
“But that was in the past, when we were all foolish children,” he said with barely suppressed anger.
“Yes, indeed we were. But we are not foolish children now,” Elizabeth concluded. “Mr Wickham, what matters is what we grew into and how much each of us improved. I hope you agree with me at least on this, Mr Wickham.”
Mr Wickham’s face twitched, but before he could reply, he was interrupted.
“Wickham? What are you doing here? What are you talking to Miss Elizabeth about so seriously? Come, we need you. We want to play cards!” Mrs Forster intervened, grasping Mr Wickham’s arm.
“Please do not count on us, Mrs Forster,” Elizabeth said. “We should leave soon. My mother might come to summon us at any time.”
“Oh, let us worry about that when she comes,” the young lady replied, taking Mr Wickham with her. He did not look back, nor did he attempt to speak to Elizabeth again, only casting some dark glares at her whilst he smiled charmingly at his other companions.
Elizabeth resumed her place near Jane, while the others took seats at the tables.
Another hour passed until Mrs Bennet finally arrived.
Mr Collins immediately joined the conversation.
Relieved that her mother had arrived, and loyal to her earlier decision, Elizabeth took her farewell and, together with Jane, returned to Longbourn on foot, allowing the cold autumn breeze to cool her face and her mind.