Chapter 14 #2
“Really? Well, well, I am glad to hear that my daughter is not as silly as I feared. It is encouraging that you finally opened your eyes. I mean—come, Lizzy, it was so obvious that he lied. No man of honour would tell such private stories to everyone if they were true. You would have caught on immediately if he were less handsome. Women are as easily deceived by a pretty face as we are. That is rather disconcerting.”
Elizabeth did not join in her father’s mockery, not even when his other two companions laughed along with him.
“Papa, I accept your censure, but my point is—”
“Your concern is appreciated, Elizabeth,” Mr Wilson interjected, “but nobody who lives in this house needs my approval to invite someone to call. Besides, having Wickham visit might be rather diverting.”
Elizabeth grew even more annoyed but struggled to stay calm.
Mr Bennet continued his jest. “Wilson told me Darcy and Bingley will come to dinner tomorrow night. Now that is a circumstance I did not see coming. I was certain we would not see those two anytime soon, if ever. Let’s just not tell your mother yet, or she will come to Town immediately.”
“Papa, if Mr Wickham happens to come tomorrow afternoon when the other gentlemen are here, it might turn into a most unpleasant encounter. Jane certainly does not need more distress.”
“You worry too much, Elizabeth,” said Mr Wilson. “Men are used to unpleasant encounters. And this one might be entertaining. I assure you there is no need to worry.”
She knew she had ample cause to worry, but she found no strength to continue the fight any longer.
So she apologized and left, at the edge of torment.
Precisely when things seemed to improve, something was meant to ruin them again—for Jane, of course.
She had no expectations regarding Mr Darcy, and she surely did not expect any improvement in their acquaintance—none at all.
∞∞∞
As Sir William was to return to Hertfordshire the following day, Mr Wilson could not allow him to leave without any amusement. So, late in the afternoon, he invited all three of his male guests to his club.
“I bought my membership first thing when I returned to Town. I confess I was extremely lucky to have the Duke of York’s recommendation; otherwise, I probably would not have been accepted, considering my modest origins.
However, once they allowed me in, money compensated for anything of that kind that I lacked. ”
“I was introduced at St. James’s some time ago, but I confess I never attended this club,” Sir William said with a failed attempt at composure. The others said nothing.
As soon as they entered, Mr Wilson’s popularity was shown by the staff’s diligence.
They were offered a comfortable table by the window.
The room was not crowded as it was rather late.
To their surprise, however, at a near table, a common acquaintance was enjoying a glass of wine and looking at them with surprise.
Darcy rose from his chair and hurried towards them. “Mr Bennet! Sir William! I am pleased to see you. How are you?” His friendly openness left both named gentlemen staring in disbelief.
“I am fine, thank you,” Mr Bennet eventually replied. “And you?”
“Quite well. Would you do me the honour of allowing me to introduce my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam?”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam… Is he Lord Matlock’s son?” Mr Wilson intervened.
“Yes, the younger son of my uncle,” Darcy explained.
The introductions were readily performed.
Sir William was too affected by the solemnity of the moment to speak more than a word, while Mr Bennet attempted to understand the obvious change in the most unpleasant man he had ever met.
He realised it was the first time Darcy had addressed him personally and they actually spoke to each other since they met last September.
“Would you like to sit with us? If you do not have anything private to discuss, of course,” Mr Wilson offered. The cousins looked at each other briefly.
“Thank you, we would like that. The colonel has just arrived from his regiment, and we were having a drink together. Nothing private,” Darcy said.
“I am so happy to make your acquaintance,” Colonel Fitzwilliam declared. “I had the great pleasure of meeting Miss Elizabeth in Kent, and we talked frequently. She spoke very highly of her family, and I have long wanted to make your acquaintance.”
Mr Wilson nodded. “We are happy to meet you too. I am sure Miss Elizabeth would be glad to know we saw you. In fact, we expect Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley for dinner tomorrow evening. If you do not have other fixed engagements, we would be honoured if you would join them.”
He did not delay his answer a single moment. “I would like that very much, thank you.”
“Excellent. What a fortunate coincidence this has been! I have been waiting for such an animated evening for quite some time,” Mr Wilson concluded.
The conversation turned to other subjects and lasted for another hour before they separated. But the encounter and the opinions about it were vigorously discussed the entire evening in both houses, as well as their expectation for the next evening.
Sir William departed with the regret that he had lost future chances for such illustrious company but had many stories to share in Meryton.
∞∞∞
Anticipated by everyone who knew him, Mr Wickham did not wait long before he called.
He came alone before noon on the second day after his arrival in Town and asked for Mr Wilson. The family was gathered in the drawing room, and he entered with his usual charming smile and friendly greetings.
“Mr Wickham, I am so happy that you came!” Lydia cried. “Did you see in what house we are staying? Can you imagine? And on one of the most famous streets in London! What do you say? Is this not astonishing?”
“I am happy to see you all, and I am honoured that you received me,” Wickham said, gazing mostly at Elizabeth. “Mr Wilson, I must congratulate you on this beautiful house. It is exquisite. It reminds me of the Darcy house, which is only a street away.”
“Indeed, you must not congratulate me as I have no merit in the beauty of the house—except for having the money to rent it,” Mr Wilson responded. “But I admit it is a handsome place, which was the main reason I chose it.”
“Very handsome,” Wickham repeated as he was invited to sit and offered a drink. “Miss Elizabeth, may I ask how you enjoyed your trip to Kent?”
“Very well, actually.”
“Is Mrs Collins pleased with her new home?”
“She is, Mr Wickham. She has a lovely house and an excellent household; thank you for asking.”
“And Rosings? I heard it has a wonderful park, but I never visited it,” Wickham asked further.
“Rosings is impressive in many ways. And the park was just beautiful in spring,” Elizabeth said, trying to keep her voice friendly.
“And I must ask: What did you think of Lady Catherine and her daughter?” Wickham’s addressing her for so long in a room full of people became improper, but he continued with great self-confidence.
“I enjoyed meeting them very much,” she replied, barely concealing her displeasure. “Lady Catherine was just as I expected her to be, but Miss de Brought turned out to be a lovely surprise.”
“Truly? Do you think she will be a proper wife for Darcy,” he asked insolently, winking at her.
Elizabeth stared at him with disbelief and hidden anger. Wickham’s impertinence struck her, and she wondered how it was possible that she missed it before. How dare he wink at her? How could he imagine she would tolerate it in front of her family?
“So, you imply that Darcy is about to marry Miss de Bourgh?” Mr Wilson suddenly intervened.
“Yes, sir. I have known that for many years. In fact, the subject has been discussed among them since I was a young boy. She might be a good choice; with so little pride and self-esteem, she will complement Darcy, who has an excess of both,” he said mockingly.
Elizabeth noticed Mr Wilson’s darkening countenance. “So, I assume the Darcys treated you as one of the family since they discussed such subjects in your presence.”
“Indeed; I have always felt myself a part of the family,” Wickham hastily answered.
“I see. Well, I heard the same. I also heard that George Darcy paid for your schooling in the hope that you would become an educated man and make yourself a valuable and safe living.”
“He did! As I told you earlier,” Wickham admitted.
“It is remarkable and as generous as I would expect from him. I am sure you worked hard to repay his kindness and make him proud of your accomplishments. And may I ask, what have you studied so far? What profession did you choose? I see you are in the militia now.”
Wickham suddenly paled and put his glass down. His smile faded slightly.
“Well, I…”
“Mr Wickham is in the militia because Mr Darcy denied him the living that was left by his godfather! He was cruel and threw poor Wickham into poverty!” Lydia cried as Jane tried to temper her.
“Yes, we all know that story,” Mr Wilson said calmly.
He then walked closer to Wickham and inquired further.
“So, you wished to dedicate yourself to the church, but you could not because of Darcy’s cruelty?
And you were forced to join the militia because Darcy refused to give you what was rightfully yours without any compensation? ”
Wickham’s handsome features changed into a grimace. “Well, I…the thing is…”
“What is the thing, Mr Wickham? I am curious to have more details since I have heard information that contradicts my initial knowledge of your past affairs with Darcy. You surely understand my confusion and my desire to discover the truth.”
Wickham attempted to defend himself. “It is not…I cannot provide more details, but the situation was more complicated. I do not wish to discuss such private matters publicly.”