Chapter 1
Netherfield Ball, past midnight.
Elizabeth entered the library, closing the door carefully.
The darkness, the cold and the silence made it feel like she was in another world. The music could still be heard from afar, but it was less annoying.
Never in her life had she felt as ashamed and miserable as on that evening. Although she had looked forward to the ball and she had the pleasure of even Mr Wickham attending, the entertainment soon turned into the deepest embarrassment.
Her entire family seemed determined to make a spectacle of themselves, in every possible way.
Her mother speaking loudly of her expectation of Jane marrying Mr Bingley and all the advantages of such an alliance; then Mr Collins introducing himself to Mr Darcy and being received with the utmost disdain; Mary performing as ill as ever and her father stopping her as rudely as always.
Then she heard Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst expressing their revulsion regarding the Bennets and their hope that their brother would leave Netherfield for London and never return to that inferior company.
Elizabeth was not even certain if they were oblivious to her presence or quite the contrary, they spoke precisely knowing she could hear them.
Earlier, after two miserable dances with Mr Collins, she had to bear Mr Darcy’s company for a set.
She was puzzled why he had invited her to dance, since he had stared at her and her family with disdain and condemnation.
She suspected that he intended to make her even more uncomfortable as he had seen her talking to Mr Wickham.
In truth, her only moments of comfort were while she conversed and danced with Mr Wickham.
She had rarely met such a pleasant, handsome and amiable gentleman and his strength and dignity in the face of all the difficulties he had suffered at Mr Darcy’s hand was truly admirable.
She could not deny that she was flattered by his apparent preference for her, which that evening was obvious to everyone, as he had asked her for two sets.
And each time, she saw Mr Darcy’s countenance grow darker and more resentful. What a horrible man—to have disregarded his father’s wish, to have ruined his childhood friend’s life and now to be angry that Mr Wickham had finally found good employment and new friends.
Mr Wickham had just told her that Miss Darcy—of whom the Bingley sisters spoke with such utter admiration—had grown to be as proud and unpleasant as her brother.
As a true gentleman, Mr Wickham spoke nothing ill of the young lady, who he had not seen in recent years, but for whom he confessed having a brotherly affection in her childhood.
In the solitude of the library, Elizabeth finally calmed herself. She dreaded returning to the ballroom, as she expected to be again assaulted by Mr Collins’s attention.
Mr Collins’ interest in marrying one of his cousins was common knowledge.
His decision to pursue the second daughter came after he was informed that Jane was expected to become engaged soon.
As annoyed as she was for herself, Elizabeth felt grateful that Jane was spared from dealing with their cousin.
Sweet, gentle, kind-hearted and devoted to her family, Jane might have allowed herself to be convinced to accept a tedious marriage proposal in exchange for her mother and sisters’ secure future.
Elizabeth was prepared to face an argument with Mr Collins, but for the time being, she preferred to avoid the subject.
She observed his increasing civilities towards her, heard his frequent attempts at a compliment on her wit and vivacity, but chose to not take the hint and therefore postponed a serious dispute both with him and with her mother.
After all, Mr Collins might never make the offer, and until he did, it was useless to quarrel with or about him.
In the dark and cold library, Elizabeth sat on the couch, which was turned to face the window, with her back to the door.
The stars and the moon, as well as the fire burning, were the only lights in the room.
She closed her eyes, enjoying the peace for a moment longer, as she knew she had to return.
It was supper time and people would certainly wonder about her.
She startled when she heard the door opening, then steps and two angry voices.
“What do you want, Darcy? I have come at Mr Bingley’s invitation to all the officers!”
“Because Bingley does not know what a snake you are, Wickham! I hoped you would have enough decency to stay away, but your impertinence is only matched by your effrontery!”
“Why should I stay away, Darcy? You know I have never refused a good opportunity for entertainment! What surprised me was seeing you here! And even more—seeing you dancing truly astonished me! I know you never dance if you are not forced to!”
“I shall not begin such a conversation with you, Wickham. You should not play games with my patience. I wish to know what your intentions are. I am trying to keep my calm and give you a chance to justify yourself.”
“I have nothing to justify. Here, you have little power. You might not know but everybody in this county despises you, while I am universally liked. There is nothing you may say or do against me to make people approve of you. Quite the contrary.”
“As I said, Wickham, you should not tempt me. I have shown you too much generosity and too much indulgence over the years. Far more than you deserved.”
“Generosity? From my godfather, perhaps. But you have always criticised me and nothing I have ever done was good enough. And you denied me the living that was rightfully mine!”
“Oh, stop this nonsense, Wickham! You have told this story so many times that you have begun to believe it yourself. You asked for three thousand pounds in compensation and you received it! What living? You never intended to be a clergyman or take any other respectable career! Nothing you did was good enough for me, because you have actually done nothing at all! Nothing that could be mentioned in a decent conversation! You have always expected others to give you something!”
“I expect nothing from you now, Darcy, except to not bother me. I have found a place and employment that suits me very well! Not to mention I am among lovely young ladies who are just waiting for me to choose one of them!”
“No employment suits you, Wickham. But I have long ceased any attempts to correct your behaviour. And I would certainly not speak with you about ladies.”
“And why not? I noticed we share the same preference for Miss Elizabeth Bennet? What a pity that she favours me as much as she detests you,” Wickham laughed. “What a pleasant change, to see your superiority laughed at in this small village.”
Darcy said nothing, so Elizabeth heard Wickham continuing.
“Are you surprised? Truly? Is your pride and arrogance so great that you cannot imagine a woman detesting you? And surely not one with no consequence, from a small village. That is certainly worth laughing at!”
“I am glad you amuse yourself. I warn you that tomorrow I will speak to Colonel Forster. I will relate to him the true history of our past dealings. I will allow him to decide if any precautions against you must be taken further, but I must know I have complied with my duty of honour.”
“Really Darcy? Duty of honour? Do you truly wish to open a debate about our past dealings? Are you certain you want me to share my side of the story involving Georgiana? Will you take such a risk, just to satisfy your vanity?”
“Wickham, do not toy with me! One single word from you about Georgiana and you will have to face my anger as never before! I can see that you feel somehow safe, surrounded by people who have been deceived by your insincere, pleasant manners. People who do not know your vicious character yet. You seem to have made many friends, but as always, you will not be capable of keeping them. But I shall not allow you to bring more harm to my family! You have been ungrateful and dishonest to my father’s memory.
You have been shallow, wasteful and reckless.
You are a poor excuse for a man. But if you dare to hurt Georgiana with even a word, you will suffer my revenge! ”
“Your revenge? In what way? Will you kill me?” Wickham laughed sardonically.
“I have nothing to gain from you, I know that. But I do not fear you. You are too foolishly honourable to do anything to disgrace yourself. I have no such restraint, as you well know.” Wickham’s tone was mocking, cynical and cold.
Elizabeth shivered. If she had not heard the name, she would have never imagined that voice belonged to her favourite gentleman.
“I will not kill you. But I may easily purchase your debts and then throw you in prison. In fact, I shall do that just. And if you play longer with my patience, I may simply take my cousin’s advice and beat you into the ground. You surely deserve that.”
“What uncivil threats, Darcy! Could it be because you are jealous of my close friendship with Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Do not believe me oblivious to the way you look at her! I know you well enough to guess the feelings you hide behind your aloof stares. I don’t know you any less than you know me!”
“Do not toy with my temper, Wickham,” Darcy repeated in a cold, cutting voice, then his hurried steps went to the door. He pulled at the doorknob forcefully and a strange noise threw Elizabeth into despair. Her worst fears became a reality when she heard Wickham speak.
“Nicely done, Darcy! You have broken the doorknob! You and your bad temper! Congratulations! You have both of us trapped in here until God knows when!”
“Shut your mouth, Wickham! You have angered me enough and now, since we are locked in here alone, I might very well kill you, after all,” Darcy said, barely restraining his ire.
At that moment, Elizabeth realised that there was no chance for her to keep her presence unknown.