Chapter 1 #2
Hesitant, distressed by her new knowledge regarding the two men’s past, embarrassed to be caught in such a compromising situation, tormented and astonished by Wickham’s suggestions that Mr Darcy might be jealous because of her, Elizabeth stood up and said in a low voice,
“Good evening, gentlemen. I am afraid I find myself in a most disagreeable situation, as all three of us are trapped here.”
∞∞∞
The two men remained still, as she took another step closer. It was still dark in the library, their eyes struggling to see anything.
“I believe some light is necessary,” Darcy said coldly, as he began searching around. Shortly, several candles were burning, making it easier for each to see the others’ shame and misery.
“Miss Bennet, I must tell you that…” Wickham began.
“Mr Wickham, before making this situation even more miserable with further explanations, please keep in mind that sadly I heard your entire conversation with Mr Darcy. It was not my intention, your entrance caught me completely by surprise and I had no time to intervene. You may, of course, count on my complete discretion and I hope to forget everything by tomorrow,” Elizabeth said severely.
“Well, I… There are things that need to be explained,” Wickham continued.
“Apparently so. But for now, I would suggest finding a way to leave this room. Anything else can wait.”
Darcy was already opening the window, and Elizabeth realised he would do anything to avoid her gaze.
“I believe I may climb down from the window. The distance to the ground is not so high,” he said.
Elizabeth approached and looked outside. The distance was far from being safe, but very likely, a man like Darcy would be in no real danger. Wickham, for his part, said nothing.
“Sir, forgive me for being selfish, but, if you leave me here with Mr Wickham, that would be a compromising situation for me,” Elizabeth said.
Darcy seemed puzzled and finally looked at her.
“Indeed, I did not consider it carefully enough. Would you suggest anything else, Miss Bennet?”
“I truly do not know…The library is far from the ballroom and it is unlikely someone will come… The party should gather for supper soon and someone might wonder about us though… I truly do not know,” she repeated.
“It is also very cold in here. Please take my coat,” Darcy said, much to Elizabeth’s surprise. “I shall try to open the door.”
He did something which Elizabeth could not see and she heard him whispering a curse.
Wickham laughed. “Come now, Darcy, it is impossible for you to repair it! Be realistic! Let us knock down the door or yell outside or something…”
He immediately did as he suggested, leaning out of the open window and yelling, “Hello! Anyone, please? We are locked in the library!”
In the meantime, Darcy opened the drawers, looking for a knife. Soon enough, both men abandoned their attempts. Elizabeth, covered in Darcy’s coat, stared at them.
“So what should we do?” she asked.
“Well, nothing but wait. If Darcy could master his temper, we would not be in this situation. But he only ever considers his own wishes,” Wickham said with resentment.
“It is easy to put all the blame on others, and pretend innocence on all charges,” Elizabeth replied, much to both men’s astonishment. “We all must face the consequences of our actions. For the time being, we should find a way to open the door.”
“I am surprised by your harshness against me, Miss Bennet! I wonder why such unexpected resentment.”
His ungentlemanlike reply made Elizabeth blush. Not because of the obvious offence, but for holding that man in the highest esteem until an hour ago.
“I was equally surprised, Mr Wickham, to hear your argument with Mr Darcy, and to learn about facts that contradicted my previous knowledge. I can only blame myself for unwisely trusting stories without proof.”
Wickham’s face changed. “You are very quick in making accusations, Miss Bennet! But you must admit, if you had made your presence known, this embarrassing situation would have been avoided.”
“True; thank you for pointing out my flaws to me, Mr Wickham. I am more than ready to share the blame with you, both for this incident and for our previous encounters. One may only fool those who are easily fooled.”
“How strange, Miss Bennet. Only recently I felt we were the best of friends and now, all of a sudden, you seem to favour Darcy! Whom you said only an hour ago was the most disagreeable of men and the last man in the world with whom you wished to dance.”
Such impertinence stunned Elizabeth. Having her words repeated to Darcy—when they seemed to have been unfair—made her miserable, but this new proof of Wickham’s unworthiness made her even more ashamed.
What sort of gentleman would behave in such a way?
Several minutes of facing the truth were enough to ruin her previous judgments and to leave her with remorse.
She breathed deeply and said, “Realising my silly mistake in trusting your words does not mean I favour anyone else! As much as Mr Darcy and I dislike each other, I cannot accept an injustice done to him from a man I trusted and considered a family friend. And the mere mention of a young lady, the daughter of your godfather, in such an uncivil tone as you used, is unforgettable and unforgivable. Mr Wickham, let us not speak any longer. Being trapped together in the same room is too much of a nightmare already!”
“Well, I might well say the same, Miss Bennet. Perhaps I should try to escape through the window after all, if that would end our mutual misery.”