Chapter 18
PROPER DECORUM
Elizabeth, still as determined as ever to avoid those situations that rendered her vulnerable to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, was finding that she liked the dashing Mr. Wickham more and more each day for it seemed they had a common adversary: Miss Bingley.
The young woman did not have a kind word to say to the gentleman, and thus she said as little to him as proper decorum would allow.
Likewise, Wickham had little, if anything, to say to her as well.
One evening when it had become exceedingly obvious that Miss Bingley and Mr. Wickham did not care very much for each other, Elizabeth, who always fancied herself a studier of people’s character, sought to know the reason for their mutual dislike.
“You may or may not be aware, Miss Elizabeth, that although old Mr. Darcy is my excellent godfather, my late father - my father, who has passed on, was Mr. Darcy’s steward for some years.
Indeed, Miss Bingley did not always suffer my company so poorly as she does now.
Upon first making each other’s acquaintance, I would say that that young lady was one of my greatest admirers …
that is to say, until she learned about my family.
“How convenient that in showing such undisguised disdain toward me, she has managed to forget that her own family’s wealth was amassed through trade.
She is not even a full generation removed from such a supposedly wretched stain, and yet she looks down on those without the means to purchase their entrance into high society.
Is there any wonder I find her equally, if not more, intolerable than she finds me? Women of her ilk are my abhorrence.
“You, on the other hand, are a gentleman’s daughter with every claim to all the rights and privileges such a distinction of birth entails, and yet you treat everyone with dignity and respect with no regard for the person’s lineage.
Is there any wonder I find it such a pleasure spending time with you? ”
“Mr. Wickham, you know so very little about me. Although I am exceedingly honored by your generous and kind commendations, I do not know that I deserve them.”
“On the contrary, Miss Elizabeth, I believe I know you very well. You are charming, witty and oh so lovely.” Here, he took her hand in his, raised it to his lips, and bestowed a kiss.
Against her will, Elizabeth threw a glance in Mr. Darcy’s direction hoping that he had not observed the gentleman’s gesture.
She really did feel some obligation to respect the way he felt about Wickham, even though she did not necessarily feel the same way.
His good opinion meant a great deal to her.
To her utter dismay, Mr. Darcy did witness what had unfolded.
Perhaps he had been studying the two of them for some time.
Whatever was the situation, he made no attempt to mask his disappointment, choosing instead to express his displeasure by quitting the room and thereby ignoring the protests of Miss Bingley, with whom he had been standing.
The worse part was there was nothing to be done about it on Elizabeth’s part — not at that moment. How would it be for her to follow him? What would she say?
Perhaps I shall endeavor to speak with him alone, when I am certain we will not be interrupted, she silently pondered, pulling her hand away from Wickham’s.
Perhaps then, I will find the words to explain to a gentleman who is more obligated to my sister than he will ever be to me that I am in no danger of ever losing my heart to a man whom he so dislikes, even distrusts, because I have already lost my heart to another.