Chapter 4
As soon as the three guests departed, the speculations and comments burst out at Longbourn.
Mr Collins attempted to express his opinion, but nobody was interested in it, and the ladies were too joyful to worry about his sensibilities.
Consequently, they mostly disregarded him while debating the admiral’s astonishing presence.
However, shortly after, the three officers arrived, and the ladies’ enjoyment increased.
So absorbed was Elizabeth by the previous visit, that she had forgotten Mr Wickham and his companions were expected too.
She wondered what would have happened if Mr Bingley and his party had remained a little longer or if Mr Wickham and his fellow soldiers had arrived earlier.
Did the admiral know Mr Wickham? If so, how much did he know about the injustices he had suffered at the hands of Mr Darcy?
And what would Mr Darcy have done, faced with the prospect of being in the same room as the man whom he had so grossly wronged?
“My dear gentlemen, do come in,” Mrs Bennet uttered.
“What a lovely day this is! If you had arrived only a few minutes earlier, you would have had the chance to meet Admiral Howard! Yes, yes, I know it is astonishing, but it is true! An admiral was here, at Longbourn, and he will join us for dinner tomorrow night! A happy day indeed.”
The three seemed disconcerted, looking for a place to sit. Mr Wickham appeared slightly distressed and undecided whether to sit near Elizabeth or not. Eventually, Lydia asked him to sit between her and Kitty, and he obeyed.
Lieutenants Denny and Pratt expressed their curiosity about the admiral’s presence in Hertfordshire.
“He is visiting Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy. He is a relative of Mr Darcy’s. He got lost in the woods yesterday, and Lizzy showed him the path to Netherfield. The admiral got lost, not Mr Darcy,” Lydia explained incoherently.
“Truly? How brave of Miss Elizabeth,” Mr Wickham offered with a smile.
“Not at all.” Elizabeth laughed. “I simply showed him the direction. I believe we are giving too much importance to a simple gesture.”
Mrs Bennet disagreed with her daughter.
“Well, the admiral was impressed. He is a gentleman. He is so polite and friendly enough. My type of gentleman. Not like others who are silent and aloof. But I suppose those gentlemen possess other qualities that are admired in certain circles. Rich people are very strange at times.”
Mr Collins readily interrupted her.
“I beg to differ, my dear madam! I have had the privilege of meeting enough rich people through the benevolence of my noble patroness, and I can testify they are well-educated, gracious, and courteous.”
“Mr Collins, we already know Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a woman with no faults. Happily for us, very few are the same, or else we would not have anyone to make sport of,” Mr Bennet said.
The officers smiled at the statement, but Mr Collins seemed lost for words once again. Any remark about Lady Catherine that did not contain flattery was obviously hard for him to comprehend.
“Mr Wickham, are you acquainted with the admiral?” Elizabeth asked. “I understand he has some close connection to Mr Darcy’s family, but you did not greet each other, did you?”
The officer looked surprised.
“Not really. I did see him a couple of times when I was very young, at Pemberley, but not in the last few years, and I doubt he remembers me.”
“Well, you may come to dinner tomorrow and meet him,” Lydia cried.
Elizabeth saw Jane’s eyes widen at such an improper invitation; fortunately, Mr Wickham immediately declined it.
“Thank you, Miss Lydia, but I already have another engagement. Besides, I am sure my presence would displease Darcy and consequently would ruin your party. I would not want that.”
“You are more than welcome to dine with us some other time. All three of you,” Mrs Bennet said to the officers.
“You are very kind, Mrs Bennet. It would be our pleasure,” Mr Denny answered on everyone’s behalf.
“Indeed. I imagine it is more convenient for the officers lower in rank to dine separately. Many titled people prefer to only mingle with those of their own rank. Of course, Lady Catherine is not the same. She often invites me to dine at Rosings Park,” Mr Collins said solemnly.
“How fortunate for you,” Mrs Bennet replied. “Gentlemen, how do you like Meryton so far? Does it meet your approval, compared with other towns where your regiment has camped before?”
“Meryton is a lovely place, and the company is particularly delightful,” Mr Wickham replied, looking at Elizabeth, then back to her mother and sisters. His meaningful glance was not subtle, and Elizabeth did not miss the narrowing of Lydia’s and Kitty’s eyes as they looked in her direction.
“We hope you will come to the Netherfield ball,” Lydia said.
“We have not received an invitation yet, but if Mr Bingley sends one, we shall gladly accept,” Mr Denny replied.
“I know Mr Bingley intended to issue an invitation to Colonel Forster for all the officers,” Jane admitted warmly, clearly hoping to put Mr Bingley in a favourable light.
“I never doubted him,” Mrs Bennet said. “Well, a ball without officers, especially when they are in the area, has no appeal. Many young men willing to dance are often the most important asset at a ball!”
“Well, I shall comply with my duty and will dance at least one set with all my cousins,” Mr Collins promised in earnest.
Elizabeth was already engaged for the opening dances with the irritating parson, and whilst her sisters may somehow manage to escape their cousin’s clumsiness, Elizabeth had no chance.
She cringed when Mr Collins offered her a broad grin of contentment.
Suddenly, the ball became an event to be dreaded, and she wondered how she could avoid it.
Not even the presence of the charming Mr Wickham and the prospect of dancing with him was enough compensation.
What was she to do to discourage Mr Collins’s preference towards her?
Would it be helpful if she were more impertinent towards him?
Friendlier towards the officers? Less respectful of Lady Catherine’s greatness?
Or to simply point out to him — straight and decided — that any possible connection between the two of them was only in his mind?
Of course, he had not expressed his intentions yet, so such a response from her would be improper and even ridiculous.
Not to mention the damage it would cause her mother’s poor nerves, for which she would never be forgiven.
No, there was nothing else to do but wait and hope the upcoming days and the ball would not be as disastrous as she feared.
∞∞∞
Seeing Wickham at Longbourn pained and angered Darcy. That scoundrel seemed perfectly at ease, as though he was certain nothing could touch him. And he appeared to visit the Bennets with the familiarity of a close acquaintance.
During all the years since he had discovered Wickham’s true character, Darcy had rarely considered exposing him.
First, because he wished to avoid hurting his father.
Then, because he did not want to reveal his personal problems and bear the rumours and gossip that would arise.
And lately, because such a disclosure would hurt Georgiana too, and nothing in the world was worthy of his sister’s suffering.
In his mind, it was other people’s responsibility to see beyond Wickham’s charming manners and to discover his true nature for themselves.
If they were not able to do so, that would be entirely their problem.
The thought of Elizabeth being deceived by Wickham made him cringe.
There was only one sort of friendship Wickham could have with a young lady, and to imagine Elizabeth in such a circumstance disgusted and sickened him.
He could not allow it, or he would blame himself for the rest of his life.
He had to think of a way to warn her and perhaps Mr Bennet too.
It was his duty to at least tell her as little as was required so she could decide for herself whether Wickham was worthy of her consideration.
It was a matter he had to ponder carefully to determine how much he trusted her, how much he could say without causing more damage to those dear to him.
And such a conversation could not take place in public, in her parents’ home. But where else? And when?
He had already decided he would break the connection with Miss Elizabeth Bennet soon.
And his judgment told him that the best course would be for Bingley to separate from Miss Jane Bennet too, before it was too late.
If things occurred as he imagined, he would soon put his acquaintance with the Bennets among his memories.
But his care for Elizabeth would not disappear.
He wished her to be safe and happy. It was both his duty and desire to accomplish that goal.
How would he do it, and how much would she allow him to interfere in her life? It was difficult to presume. But telling her the truth about Wickham was the least he could do.
And suddenly, the revelation struck him; he knew when and how.
She often took long walks alone, far enough from her home to assure privacy for a delicate conversation.
He would ride twice a day on the grounds between Netherfield and Longbourn for as long as he was still in Hertfordshire until he happened upon her.
It was a good plan, and Darcy was quite pleased with it.
∞∞∞
“How did you enjoy your visit to Longbourn, Admiral? Was it entertaining enough?” Miss Bingley asked that evening, during dinner.
“Exceedingly well. Just as I enjoyed the long ride back. The estate is lovely and the neighbours very pleasant. I congratulated Bingley for renting it.”
“Netherfield is a good property,” Mrs Hurst agreed. “Of course, it is nothing compared with Pemberley but good enough to rent. Charles should think of something of more consequence when he decides to purchase.”
“And hopefully in another county,” Miss Bingley added.