Chapter 9 #2
“I would have to agree, Eliza. Such behavior does not fit the Mr. Darcy we have come to know in the last few weeks. Are you certain he was speaking about the same person?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “He mentioned Derbyshire in his tale, and Mr. Darcy has told me that he has few relations on his father’s side of the family and none in his county.
His uncle lives full time in London and is a judge.
His aunt is married to a gentleman from Lincolnshire.
All of his cousins reside with their parents, either in town in the case of his uncle’s children, or on their father’s estate.
Mr. Wickham could only be speaking of my betrothed. ”
Charlotte glanced at Jane but spoke again to Elizabeth. “What will you do with this information?”
“I am going to speak to him about it as soon as possible.” Elizabeth paused.
“I will ask Papa to allow me to take the gig out tomorrow morning. Mr. Darcy often rides out early in the day and I can, perhaps, meet up with him along my route. I know Mr. Wickham’s story to be a blatant falsehood, but I cannot in good conscience keep it from Darcy.
It would not do for him to hear of it from someone else. ”
Jane nodded. “I think that is an excellent plan. Information such as that, true or not, can hurt a gentleman’s reputation. Mr. Darcy is too good for something like that to happen to him.”
At this, Elizabeth’s humor overtook her sense of offense. “You only say that because he agreed to marry me so quickly and because you are fond of his friend.”
Jane blushed and rolled her eyes, but chuckled along with her sister and friend. “You think that if it makes you happy, Lizzy.” She laughed. “Come, let us have a cup of punch and find a fourth for Commerce. Mrs. Hurst does not appear to be engaged at the moment.”
Elizabeth agreed, and soon, she and her friends were engaged in a rousing game of their own . As they played, they maintained a lively discussion.
“So, Charlotte, I see that Mr. Madison has not waned in his attentions to you.” Elizabeth raised a brow as she looked at her friend over her handful of cards.
Charlotte blushed and focused her attention on the game, but answered readily enough. “He has not.”
Elizabeth’s lips twitched. “How do you feel about it?”
Charlotte shrugged and made a show of arranging her hand, moving the cards around multiple times. “I like him very much, but you know as well as I do that it may come to nothing. I will not get my hopes up for anything from him beyond friendship. He may simply be passing time while in the country.”
“Mr. Bingley told me he has never seen his friend behave so with any lady.” Jane looked from her own cards to Charlotte. “He believes Mr. Madison is well on his way to being in love with you.”
Charlotte’s blush deepened. She did not reply.
“Oh, come now, Charlotte.” Elizabeth lowered her cards to the table, nearly forgetting to keep them hidden in her eagerness to speak.
“You know as well as I do that Mr. Madison is a very nice gentleman. He is intelligent and kind.” She glanced over her shoulder when the voice of her cousin suddenly rose above the murmur of the other players.
“And he is not ridiculous, as is someone else we all know.”
Charlotte rolled her eyes, shaking her head when Jane giggled. “He is not ridiculous, I grant you, and I have done my best to make my interest in him known, but I am not convinced of his interest in anything more than a conversation.”
“Well, you think that way if it makes you feel better.” Elizabeth asked for a card and was given one. “Mrs. Hurst, you are residing in the same house as Charlotte’s caller. Do you have an opinion on his interest in her?”
Louisa’s eyes widened, as though she was surprised to be addressed, but she smiled. “Mr. Hurst commented just the other day that Mr. Madison seems to be quite enamored of you, Miss Lucas. I am certain your friends are correct and that it is likely he will offer for you before he leaves the area.”
“That is good to hear,” Charlotte replied. “I confess I hope he does.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I like him very much and would be delighted if he were to propose.” She leaned back. “What about you, Jane, and your Mr. Bingley?”
Jane sighed. “He is the most amiable gentleman of my acquaintance. I like him very much.”
Elizabeth tilted her head and looked at her sister. “Enough to marry him?”
It was Jane’s turn to blush. She took a deep breath, looked around as though to make sure no one was listening, and leaned forward. In a soft voice, she replied. “Oh, yes. How can one not fall in love with someone so kind, generous, and handsome?”
Louisa laughed. “He is a charmer, is he not? I hate to tell tales and give away his secrets, but I believe he likes you just as much.” She paused, fingering the tops of her cards.
“Charles must be cautious in all his dealings at this point. He must be sure of both himself and those around him. I cannot say why.” She looked around at her new friends before addressing Jane once more.
“In the past, he often acted on the impulse of the moment. It has only been recently, in the last few months, that events have taught him to be more careful and … thoughtful; to consider the consequences of his actions before he moves.” She bit her lip.
“I wish it did not have to be so. I believe he was happier before. But, it is what it is.” She looked up and smiled.
“I do not mean to be cryptic. I just wished to assure Miss Bennet that Charles likes her very much but feels that he needs to be certain of himself before he makes any decisions about his future.”
“I am happy to hear it. I pray he soon finds the certainty he needs.” Jane smiled and played her hand.
Not long after that, the party began to break up. The Bennet ladies made plans with Charlotte and Louisa to get together at Netherfield for tea in a day or two, then they went their separate ways for the night.
~~~***~~~
The next morning, Elizabeth gained her father’s permission for the use of his antique carriage.
She waited patiently for the groom to hitch the mare to it, then eagerly climbed in and took up the reins.
Though she would usually whip Gracie up to a gallop, today she maintained a much slower pace.
She headed directly toward the spot she had seen Darcy the last time she and her father took the gig out.
Upon reaching the spot, she pulled the horse to a stop and waited, soaking in the quiet of the morning and listening carefully for the sounds of a horse and rider.
She was just beginning to think he was not coming when she heard hoof beats approaching.
She sighed in relief and, when he got closer, waved at him.
Darcy reined his animal to a canter and then a trot, finally stopping him altogether when he reached the fence that separated the field in which he was riding from the road where Elizabeth was seated. He smiled at her.
“Good morning. Were you waiting for me?”
Elizabeth laughed. “I confess I was. Will you join me?”
Darcy grinned. “I will.” With that, he dismounted, tied Apollo off to a fence post, and clambered over the railing, dropping to the ground on the other side.
In two steps, he was next to the carriage and climbing up in.
After a quick glance up and down the road, he leaned over and brushed his lips over hers.
“What a fabulous way to begin a day.” He settled back into the squabs and took her hand. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Elizabeth was silent for a moment as she stared at him with a smile tipping the corners of her lips up, but then she looked down and sobered.
“I wished to tell you something that happened last evening.” She bit her lip and brought her gaze up to meet his.
“There was a gentleman there, an officer, who said terrible things about you. I know they must be dreadful falsehoods and I do not believe for a second that you are capable of such actions, but I could not rest until you were made aware of them. I fear that your reputation could be tarnished if this man spreads his stories to anyone else, and as Jane pointed out, you are too good and honorable a person to have to go through something like that.”
Darcy’s brow creased. “Who was this gentleman and what did he say?”
“He was a lieutenant named Wickham.” Elizabeth saw Darcy start but pushed forward with her story.
She watched his lips press tighter and tighter together and his countenance grow increasingly grim the longer she spoke.
When she was finished, she waited in silence as he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.
Finally, she saw him swallow and he looked into her eyes.
“I am sorry you were subjected to Mr. Wickham’s presence. Did he touch you? Did he hurt you at all?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, he did not. He maintained a respectable distance, and the only injury I received was the unpleasantness of his speech.”
Darcy took a deep breath. “Good.” He sighed, looking down at their joined hands, and nodded once. He looked up. “Allow me to tell you my side of the story.”
“Please do.” Elizabeth smiled encouragingly.