Chapter XI #2
“You did,” replied Elizabeth, feeling the superiority come over her again, “but you suggested you would not act at once. Knowing the wickedness Mr. Wickham was capable of unleashing, I decided his consequences could not wait. During a morning visit to Lucas Lodge, I conferred with Charlotte, and we brought the matter to Sir William’s attention. ”
“And he took action.”
“He did,” agreed Elizabeth. “Sir William has many ties in Meryton—he acted at once to protect his former associates and the rest of the townsfolk. Almost the moment we explained the matter to him, he departed from Lucas Lodge and came to Meryton, speaking not only with the current mayor, but with Colonel Forster. The colonel then investigated.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “You see the results of that now. I can only hope nothing irreparable has happened yet.”
Satisfied with the growing amazement on the gentleman’s face, Elizabeth fell silent, watching him expectantly, daring him to take her to task for her actions and, in particular, not waiting for him to move against Mr. Wickham.
Mr. Darcy did not reply at once, as he tried to understand the downfall that Elizabeth had set in motion against his stated desire to act with caution.
“Well, Miss Elizabeth, it seems that you have taken the dilemma in hand and solved it with ruthless efficiency.”
“It was what you would have done, is it not?” asked Elizabeth.
The gentleman laughed and shifted his weight. “Yes, I would have approached the colonel, but I knew nothing of Sir William’s influence in Meryton. That was not the decisive blow against Wickham, I think, but it certainly helped.”
“Yes, it did,” agreed Elizabeth. “The merchants will act when they feel their livelihoods are threatened, but I doubt they would have done so with such alacrity had Sir William not involved himself. He has their respect, as he was their leader before he became a gentleman.”
“Then you have my congratulations, Miss Elizabeth. It seems you acted decisively and to great effect.”
“There is one more benefit to my actions,” said Elizabeth.
Mr. Darcy arched an eyebrow. “And what is that?”
“You did not act against Mr. Wickham, Mr. Darcy—his downfall came about because of Sir William’s actions.
Mr. Wickham does not even know that I brought the matter to Sir William’s attention.
When we discussed it with him, Sir William agreed that his involvement would also remain unknown—that way, Mr. Wickham has no notion that the information came from you. ”
Elizabeth offered the gentleman a lofty smile. “All Mr. Wickham would know is that the colonel approached the merchants to ensure his men had no improper debts. Thus, he has no reason to retaliate against Georgiana, and no reason to spread his stories.”
The gentleman chuckled, then looked at her with an expression far more admiring than any she had ever seen from him. “It appears you have thought of everything, Miss Elizabeth. I appreciate your sensitivity to my sister’s situation and your actions to ensure she is not harmed by this business.”
“Not at all, Mr. Darcy. Your sister is a dear girl—I have no wish to injure her. But I could not sit idly by while Mr. Wickham might be ruining reputations while we waited.”
“True,” said Mr. Darcy. “It was a masterful bit of reasoning.”
Elizabeth regarded the gentleman for several moments, curious about his lack of reaction.
She had been certain he would at least state his disapproval of her recklessness and had been prepared to refute all his claims. This Mr. Darcy was unknown to her—he remained the same haughty man he had always been, but his easy acceptance of her actions was quite beyond her expectation.
Then Georgiana hurried toward them, her girlish excitement at odds with her previous reticent demeanor. “Oh, Elizabeth! You heard about Mr. Wickham’s difficulties?”
“I did, Georgiana,” replied Elizabeth, catching the girl’s hands in her own. “It is no less than his due.”
“Yes, I quite agree,” said Georgiana. “I expected to meet him on the street today, though I did not suppose he would speak to me.” Georgiana showed her brother a shy grin. “My stern elder brother would have kept him at bay. But I am pleased there was no chance of it.”
“We shall not need to endure Mr. Wickham again,” said Mr. Darcy. “I have already sent for the debt receipts I hold in his name. When they arrive, I shall be sure to approach the colonel—Wickham will finally pay for his misdeeds.”
“Thank you, Brother,” said Georgiana. “I am pleased to know it.”
AS THE LADIES CONTINUED to speak in animated voices, Darcy watched them, still feeling the hint of astonishment at how decisively Miss Elizabeth had moved against Wickham.
Aside from her obvious triumph at how it had all come about, Darcy had not missed the current beneath her words, that she had acted in his stead, and Mr. Wickham was neutralized—no thanks to Darcy himself.
As it happened, he did not disagree with her.
The cold fact was that Darcy had often found himself unwilling to act against his childhood companion.
Fitzwilliam had urged him many times to deal with Wickham, but Darcy had always resisted, content to hold Wickham at arm’s length and let him do as he would.
Perhaps it was because of his reverence for his father, or maybe it was for some vestige of the camaraderie they had shared as boys.
Darcy no longer knew. That Wickham was now to reap what he had sown was the important point.
A short time later, Bingley returned with Miss Bennet, and while she greeted her sisters, Bingley sidled closer to Darcy. “Something strange has happened, Darcy, and it seems to have something to do with your old adversary Wickham.”
“Yes, it does,” agreed Darcy, still bemused by Miss Elizabeth’s audacity.
Bingley studied him. “It seems you already know something of this matter.”
“It was Miss Elizabeth’s doing.”
This time, Bingley regarded him with surprise. “Miss Elizabeth?”
“Georgiana told her about Wickham yesterday, both Wickham’s bad behavior and her experience in Ramsgate. It seems she took exception and acted to ensure Wickham would no longer be a threat.”
Bingley laughed. “Darcy, I know what you think of Miss Elizabeth, but I declare that she is a fine woman, and anyone who cannot see it is blind or willfully obtuse.”
“That is a truth I shall not dispute, Bingley,” said Darcy. “I cannot agree more.”
Though Bingley directed a level look at him, he did not press, and Darcy did not speak again.
He had nothing to spare for Bingley; all his attention was now on Miss Elizabeth, the attraction he had felt before the ball now returned tenfold.
As Darcy watched, he saw the way she listened to his sister speak, the sparkle in her eyes as she replied, the unpretentious laughter at something her sister said.
Darcy had thought he had put aside his attraction to her, but now that his suspicions were proven false, her courage revealed in the way she had managed Wickham’s downfall, the fascination had returned with a vengeance.
“Shall you not all return to Longbourn with us?” said Miss Bennet, interrupting his reverie. “Our mother would be pleased to welcome you.”
“What do you say, Darcy?” asked Bingley, his manner suggesting a test, as if he wondered if Darcy’s claimed alteration extended to a willingness to visit Longbourn without previous intention.
As it happened, Darcy was not at all averse to the notion. “I have no objection, Bingley. I shall have a word with the driver to precede us—I assume you mean to walk with the Bennet sisters.”
Bingley turned to Miss Bennet, who smiled, and for the first time, Darcy was able to confess that she was, indeed, very beautiful, not that she held a candle to Miss Elizabeth.
“We walked to Meryton, Mr. Bingley,” said Miss Bennet. “Then, with a mischievous air Darcy had never thought she possessed, she added: “Of course, if you wished to make your way to Longbourn in the comfort of your carriage, my mother would receive you. We will make our way back and join you there.”
The laugh that was Bingley’s response was genuine. “While I cannot speak for my friend, I am not inclined to wait for you at Longbourn. For my part, I shall walk with you.”
“As will I,” replied Darcy, already wondering if he could somehow claim Miss Elizabeth’s company for himself.
In short order, they had it all arranged, the carriage preceding them northward.
The driver had looked at Darcy askance, but he had not protested Darcy’s orders.
Then they organized themselves into what looked suspiciously like a marching order and made their way north toward the road to Longbourn.
The youngest Bennets were in the lead, with Georgiana walking close beside them, Miss Mary following behind.
Then came Bingley with Miss Bennet, and finally, Darcy next to Miss Elizabeth. It suited his purposes perfectly.
“I see your sister’s attentions to my friend continue,” said he in a casual tone.
Miss Elizabeth’s eyes found him, and Darcy knew that she was not amused. “If you will pardon me, I believe the situation is the opposite.”
Darcy affected a critical gaze at Miss Elizabeth’s sister. “You may be correct, Miss Elizabeth. But that only proves my point about Miss Bennet being indifferent to my friend.”
The way she looked at him, Darcy was certain she thought him deficient.
“Have we not already had this conversation, Mr. Darcy? If you continue to labor under your misapprehensions, let me tell you here and now that Jane loves Mr. Bingley. No other inducement will suffice to allow my sister to welcome Mr. Bingley’s attentions. ”
The smile he gave her was a little knowing by design—Darcy found himself enjoying the ability to tweak her nose. “I am sorry, Miss Elizabeth, but I do not see it. Your mother has made it clear that she approves of Bingley’s attentions. Is that not the truly important point?”
By now, Miss Elizabeth was glaring at him, her eyes flashing in displeasure. “No, it is not the important point. It is Jane’s opinion that is important, not my mother’s.”
“You will forgive me if I am skeptical.”
“Then shall I inform you of my proposal of marriage? What would you say if I told you that I rejected it because I did not love the man who proposed to me? My mother did not carry her point, though she approved of the man in question—my father supported my right to make my own choice.”
Hearing it from her own mouth confirmed Bingley’s information, and told Darcy what sort of woman he was dealing with.
The last remnants of Darcy’s opinion of Miss Bennet, that she would accept Bingley because of her mother’s insistence, fell away.
Darcy did not know how much Miss Bennet esteemed his friend—she was inscrutable, even more than he himself was.
As Bingley had said, that was Bingley’s responsibility to discern.
Darcy was more interested in the woman before him.
“That is most curious, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy aloud. “I had not known you had a suitor.”
“If suitor you can call him, I had one,” replied she. “Mr. Collins proposed to me only days after coming to Hertfordshire and making my acquaintance.”
“Ah, yes, my aunt’s parson.” Darcy nodded, making a show of sage understanding.
“It is well that you refused him—you are far too forthright to live comfortably under my aunt’s patronage.
She prefers that those under her authority accept anything she decrees—I cannot imagine you would appreciate such interference. ”
“No, I would not,” said Miss Elizabeth, the heat in her voice fading.
“Regardless,” said Darcy, “that you rejected a proposal does not prove that your sister would do the same. You are far more forceful and confident than Miss Bennet.”
“That Jane does not show her confidence does not mean she is lacking it.”
“Perhaps. But it does not prove it either.”
Now Miss Elizabeth was peering at him, wary of him, or he was no judge of her. “Then I suppose you cling to your determination to do whatever it takes to persuade Mr. Bingley against my sister.”
For the first time, Darcy understood the true measure of their misunderstanding, and he wondered how two such rational, intelligent people could misunderstand each other so completely.
Now was not the time to consider it—Miss Elizabeth was known for teasing—Darcy had felt the effects himself.
It was time she experienced a little from the other side.
“Perhaps I shall. Bingley does listen to me, you know. It would be the work of a moment to convince him to depart tomorrow. As you know, he is most impulsive.”
Her expression darkened. “Have you listened to nothing I have said?”
“Your connection to this matter is not disinterested, Miss Elizabeth. You are hardly an impartial observer.”
“And you are?” demanded she. “Confess it, Mr. Darcy. My sister is simply not good enough for your dynastic ambitions for Mr. Bingley.”
“More impartial than you,” said Darcy. “Bingley is only my friend, while Miss Bennet is your sister.”
“I invite you to try to separate them, Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley’s devotion to Jane is so steady that I suspect all you will do is make yourself look foolish.”
“That sounds like a challenge, Miss Elizabeth.”
“You may accept it in whatever way you wish, Mr. Darcy. When Mr. Bingley refuses to bow to your ‘advice,’ you will see that I am correct.”
Darcy had to confess, the woman had pluck.
She was not intimidated, was not willing to back down, and would not, Darcy suspected, even if she was not so certain of her convictions.
The knowledge made the affection in Darcy’s breast deepen further.
Miss Elizabeth was a bright light, a truly exceptional woman, one who was wasted in the countryside.
Darcy felt all restraint, all uncertainty bleed away.
With it, he no longer felt any need to tease or vex her.
Now was the time to begin repairing their relationship—he suspected she would not make it easy for him, but he knew he needed to have her good opinion. Nothing else signified.
“Then let me state to you openly, Miss Elizabeth, that I have no intention of interfering in Bingley’s affairs. Should he choose in your sister’s favor—and I must suppose he will, given he has already declared his intentions, I will do nothing more than wish him every happiness.”
Miss Elizabeth regarded him, now uncertain. “Then why did you provoke this argument?”
“Because, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy, turning to look directly at her, “I have often observed that the true beauty in your eyes is released through strong emotion. In short, there is a beauty in your anger that I find most appealing.”