Chapter Five
“The talent of flattering with delicacy …”
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, BINGLEY’S CARRIAGE CARRIED THE BENNET sisters from Netherfield.
Part of Darcy had hoped Miss Elizabeth would show some reluctance about leaving, and part felt the relief of her return to Longbourn.
She did not indicate by her actions that she expected him to pursue intentions he was not prepared to enact.
Taking his memories with him as a gauge for future romantic encounters, he was free to leave Hertfordshire and Miss Elizabeth Bennet behind.
Darcy would inform Bingley tomorrow of “pressing business” calling him away.
He hoped his friend was so enthralled with Miss Bennet the last few days to take no notice that Darcy had received no urgent communications.
Being left behind by both him and Bingley for church had incensed Caroline and Louisa.
Caroline desired to make her entrance on his arm, and she could not fathom he had presented Miss Elizabeth his attention instead.
After services, Caroline loaded her response with venom.
Bingley, too happy to care what his sister thought, found her display amusing.
Attempting not to replicate the foolish grin plastered across his friend’s features, Darcy schooled his expression, but it was difficult to appear gracious to Caroline’s exhibition.
Forgetting Elizabeth’s delicate touch as he assisted her into Bingley’s carriage proved trickier.
He could not call her a woman of refinement, but Elizabeth’s charm seared his composure.
Although he disliked deceiving Bingley, Darcy knew if he did not escape Hertfordshire soon, he would likely discount all his breeding in favor of a high-spirited country miss.
Glad to see Bingley up and taking his Monday morning meal, Darcy joined him at the table.
“Bingley, I have received unpleasant news. I have been called to London on business. I am sorry to leave you at Netherfield.”
“Darcy, are you confident this is necessary? I have drafted invitations for the ball I am to give. I would never have considered doing so without the knowledge you would be present.”
He judged Bingley’s agitation as genuine.
Darcy possessed fleeting recollections of the first gathering he organized at Pemberley and remembered his own apprehensions.
It went without saying that Darcy possessed a competent household staff accustomed to such affairs.
Bingley’s features spoke of worry. Darcy regretted his lie.
“I could likely address the arrangements in a post,” he said lamely.
“Please, Darcy,” Bingley pleaded. “I know I will forget a hundred details. Your expertise is invaluable. I require your assistance, my friend. I will repay you ten times over if you aid me in this endeavor.”
Darcy did not relish a longer stay in Hertfordshire.
His heart stood on dangerous ground. Although Bingley was quite capable of handling all the necessary arrangements without Darcy’s assistance, his friend lacked true confidence in his abilities, and it was that area in which Darcy prided himself.
Reluctantly, he agreed to remain through the ball.
Elizabeth’s departure from Netherfield would make that particular task easier.
But as he thought so, a flash of color moving quickly along a country lane, which, ironically, now possessed a face, hopelessly beguiled him.
His lack of sensibilities and his absence of self-control mortified him.
Could he rein in his admirations and not betray his vulnerability? That was an excellent question.
By Monday evening, “normality” returned to Netherfield.
With Elizabeth’s removal, Caroline’s hopes and expectations resurfaced.
Darcy noted the green-eyed monster no longer invaded her conversation, and she assumed a relaxed familiarity.
Yet, for him, the evening without Elizabeth was unpalatable.
All the niceties Miss Bingley offered did not fill the void.
The evening lacked passion, and even with every attempt at nonchalance, Darcy could not quash the desire to be three miles from Netherfield and sitting in Longbourn’s drawing room with Miss Elizabeth.
On Tuesday, Bingley announced his notion to deliver a personal invitation to the ball to the Bennet family.
Bingley claimed doing so was an opportunity to inquire on Miss Bennet’s health.
He asked Darcy to accompany him, and, although it was less than two days since he forswore earnestly against placing himself in Miss Elizabeth’s company, Darcy welcomed the opportunity to glimpse her countenance.
He could post letters in Meryton to disguise his enthusiasm.
Riding comfortably into the village, he and Bingley espied several of the Bennet sisters in conversation with a militia officer and two other gentlemen.
At first, Darcy did not see Elizabeth among the group, but the officer turned slightly away, and there she was.
Vivacious. He knew instant pleasure in observing her.
She turned to acknowledge Bingley. “Mr. Bingley, it is so good to see you so soon.”
“And I you,” Bingley responded. “We were on our way to Longbourn to deliver an invitation to my ball, and, naturally, to inquire on Miss Bennet’s health.”
“I am nearly fully recovered,” Miss Bennet responded quietly. “I am honored by your concern.”
Elizabeth rejoined, “With your permission, gentlemen, may I present our cousin Mr. Collins?”
Bingley touched the brim of his hat and nodded his head, but Darcy was not conscious of whether he followed suit or not.
Memorizing every line and each gesture, he focused exclusively on Miss Elizabeth’s countenance during this exchange.
He now diverted his attention to the others in the party.
There was Miss Bennet and two of the younger Bennet sisters; a militia officer, Mr. Denny, was also in attendance.
The man identified as the Bennet cousin, Darcy noted, was a somewhat pudgy clergyman.
Then his eyes fastened on the third male member of the group.
Shock. Revulsion. The third man was George Wickham!
The scoundrel was in Hertfordshire! The man whom Darcy despised most in this world stood on Meryton’s streets conversing casually with the woman Darcy found most exciting.
What a twist of fate this was! How could God have sent him such a trial?
The maligned feelings must have been obviously written on his countenance, for he noted the surprise in Miss Elizabeth’s eyes as she observed Darcy’s and Wickham’s silent exchange.
Wickham recovered from the initial revelation quicker than did Darcy.
With a smirk, he tapped his hat in an extemporaneous greeting.
Darcy’s repugnance would not permit his returning the greeting.
Instead, he spun Cerberus away from the group.
Bingley’s horse finally came abreast of his, and Darcy reined in his mount. “Darcy, what is amiss?” Bingley asked most gingerly.
Swallowing his anger, Darcy spoke sternly, “Bingley, do you remember your promise to repay me ten times over if I stayed for your ball? Hopefully, you meant what you said, for I am going to call in your debt. Please promise me that the gentleman we met on the street just now with the Bennet sisters will not be a guest.”
“Which gentlemen, Darcy? Mr. Denny? The clergyman?”
“No, Bingley,” Darcy steeled himself, “the other one, Mr. George Wickham.”
“Anything, Darcy,” Bingley considered Darcy’s stern countenance.
“I planned to issue a general invitation to Colonel Forster’s officers, and Mr. Wickham, according to Miss Bennet, will be joining the Meryton militia, but I will speak privately to the colonel to tell him Mr. Wickham is not welcome at Netherfield. ”
“Thank you, Bingley,” Darcy released some of the tension he had felt with the encounter.
“I know this is an unusual request, and I am not at liberty to explain all of my objections to Mr. Wickham. I will only say I have known him since my youth. His father was my own father’s steward, but Mr. George Wickham betrayed my family’s trust upon several occasions. ”
“Even without your explanation, Darcy, I would meet your request. Your objection to the gentleman would be enough censure for me. I respect your opinions on such matters.”
Later in his room, Darcy thought long and hard about Wickham’s unexpected appearance in Meryton.
Every time he thought himself free of Mr. Wickham, the man rose from the ashes.
It was unbelievable how often such a spurious creature had insinuated himself into Darcy’s life.
Was Mr. Wickham in Meryton because he knew Darcy was here?
Was it possible? Could Mr. Wickham possess such knowledge?
And if he did, would he use it to torment Darcy?
After consideration of all the possibilities, Darcy determined it was more likely the man was in the country because of some indiscretion he committed in Town.
Leaving gambling debts and broken hearts in his wake, Wickham’s infamous reputation often followed him.
Broken hearts? Could Miss Elizabeth be Wickham’s newest triumph?
Darcy felt as if someone had struck him, the ache and pain very real around his heart.
For once, Elizabeth’s poor connections gladdened him.
Such might save her from Wickham’s notice.
Customarily, Darcy’s long-time enemy preferred women with a substantial inheritance.