Chapter Nine #2
Darcy recounted how he had discovered Mr. Wickham’s duplicity and how Georgiana had grieved for offending a brother to whom she looked upon as a father.
Darcy spoke of how Georgiana also pined for what his sister perceived as lost love, and how Mrs. Younge was dismissed at once.
Mr. Wickham, having been foiled in his plans, had departed the place with haste.
Mr. Wickham’s chief object was, unquestionably, my sister’s fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing that the hope of revenging himself on me was a strong inducement.
His revenge would have been complete indeed.
This, madam, is a faithful narrative of every event in which we have been concerned together; and if you do not absolutely reject it as false, you will, I hope, acquit me henceforth of cruelty towards Mr. Wickham.
Darcy finished the letter by excusing Elizabeth for being fooled by Wickham’s falsehoods. He offered Colonel Fitzwilliam as a witness to the truth of his plea. He would ask Edward to confide in Elizabeth his cousin’s knowledge of the events if she so wished. He finished with …
I shall endeavor to find some opportunity of putting this letter in your hands in the course of the morning. I will only add, God bless you.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
It was over. He had done all he could to change Elizabeth’s opinion of him.
He would return to London and then to Pemberley, and he would go on with his life without the hope of earning Elizabeth’s love.
The depth of his sorrow he would mask in reticence.
As the night deepened, his actions exhausted him.
Although he had convinced himself he neither sought nor deserved pity, tears welled in his eyes as he reached to put out the candle.
Without recalling he did so, he stumbled to the bed and sprawled in despair upon it.
Sleep came slowly; abhorring the self-indulgence of his loss, he summoned defiance and accepted blame.
The light of a new day streamed through the window as Darcy dressed.
He had written Elizabeth three pages in a very close hand and had sealed it with the Darcy insignia.
He would see her one last time and implore Elizabeth to read it through.
He hoped she would maintain her routine so Darcy waited along a section of the trail where he might espy Elizabeth before she knew he was there.
After a wait of five and thirty minutes, he noted her approach.
His heart clutched in despair when she hesitated at seeing him there, but he approached her respectfully and formally.
“Miss Elizabeth, I have been walking in the grove for some time in the hope of meeting you. Would you do me the honor of reading this letter?” He handed her the message and made his parting obeisance.
He walked away briskly. However, he could not resist the urge to stop and look at her one last time.
She filled his senses, and sorrow claimed his features. At length, he crossed the parkland.
Returning to Rosings, Darcy found his cousin enjoying a second helping of the breakfast repast. “I am glad to find you without company. I have something for which I must beg your assistance.”
The brusque manner in which Darcy had spoken captured Edward’s full attention. “Pray tell me there is nothing wrong with Georgiana.”
“There is no fear there, but of what I wish to speak does relate to my sister. May we be seated?”
“Certainly.”
Darcy took a deep breath before motioning the servants from the room. “There is something I have shared with no one about my time in Hertfordshire. George Wickham is stationed with the militia in Meryton, and I was briefly thrown into his company.”
Edward cut in, “Darcy, you jest. Wickham! How can that be? He lacks the discipline for such a life.”
“I agree, but I have other secrets to share. Miss Elizabeth’s sisters favor the company of officers, and the lady has been often in Wickham’s company.
As we both are aware, Wickham has his charms, especially when it comes to the ladies.
He filled Miss Elizabeth’s head with lies regarding his relationship with my family; and I, with much deliberation, have shared the story of Wickham’s betrayal of Georgiana with her.
” Edward’s shock could not be hidden. “I assured Miss Elizabeth you would verify my story; would you please make yourself available to her if she so wishes? Elizabeth respects your worth.”
“Darcy!” Edward exclaimed, “Are you confident Miss Elizabeth can be trusted with Georgiana’s future?”
“Implicitly.” Came his simple response.
Edward shook his head in disbelief. “Elizabeth Bennet must be a remarkable woman for you to risk Georgiana’s reputation.”
Darcy did not answer. He feared his heart would betray him if he spoke of Elizabeth’s worth.
Before taking their leave of Rosings, Darcy and Edward called upon the Parsonage to pay their respects.
Elizabeth had not returned from her walk, and Darcy was not certain whether he should rejoice at her absence or bemoan the lost opportunity to look upon her again.
He bid the Collinses adieu and left his respects for Elizabeth with them.
Edward waited upon her return for nearly an hour, but Elizabeth remained from the Collinses’ home.
Eventually, he and the colonel were upon their way to London.
Neither appeared much concerned for conversation, and so Darcy watched out the coach’s window as his life took a disconsolate turn.