Chapter 13 #2
The first was his hesitation when she had asked him about his career.
By the time his godfather died, he must have been old enough to have graduated from Cambridge and found the right path in life, even without any further support.
And yet, he had seemed to spend his time undertaking long journeys, as he had confessed.
The second thing, and the one that most bothered Elizabeth, was that Mr Wickham had proclaimed he had spent most of his life at Pemberley.
That meant he would have known Miss Darcy since she was an infant, would have watched her grow up, and she must have been like a little sister to him.
The fact that he had persuaded her to elope at the tender age of fifteen gave Elizabeth pause; she found it awkward and disturbing.
Would an honourable man do such a thing?
Despite her favourable first impression, she knew Mr Wickham was certainly not a man without fault, but she still could not blame herself for inviting him into the house.
She had acted as any decent woman would in a similar situation; she would not have denied a stranger shelter from the rain and cold.
And if Mr Darcy had any objections, he could have presented them to her in a more civil manner, not demanded she obey him! That was certainly outrageous!
Many other thoughts invaded her tired mind, and she turned them over until she eventually fell asleep.
When she awoke again, she moved to the window and pulled the curtains open, realising in the dimming daylight that she had slept almost all afternoon.
Watching the wind blow the trees and the rain turn into sleet, she was concerned for Jane, who was expected to arrive in London either that evening or the next morning.
She intended to finish the note for Mrs Gardiner she had begun earlier but was interrupted by a soft knock on the adjoining door, and her anger returned.
“Yes?”
The door opened slowly, and Mr Darcy appeared but stopped in the frame.
“Elizabeth, may I come in?”
“You may do whatever you wish, sir. It is your house and you decide when and which room you want to enter and who is allowed in the house, as well as when you dismiss those whose company is undesirable to you. After all, you are the master, and everyone must obey you.”
Her voice sounded cold and sarcastic, but she did not regret it. He did not even look surprised.
“Elizabeth, I deeply apologise for my manners. I know you find it difficult to forgive me, but you must understand how shocked I was to find George Wickham — of all people — in my house, chatting with my wife.”
“I must understand? How could I, when I know nothing except that he was your father’s godson — which I only learnt from him — and is your sister’s husband? Or is he not?”
“He is. But he is not welcome, nor allowed, in this house!”
“And since I was not acquainted with him, have been told nothing about him, and he mentioned he was waiting for you, should I have left him to wait out in the cold rain?”
“It would have been better since he was a stranger to you.”
“Indeed? I may not have been born or raised in the highest, most elevated circles, like you and all those accomplished ladies whose company you probably prefer, but I learnt that if an acquaintance, or even a stranger, is freezing outside your door, you should invite that person in or at least provide some shelter.”
“I do not have the pleasure of understanding what circles and what ladies you mean.”
“This conversation is certainly not pleasant for either of us. If you demand I obey you and accept your censure, you should at least warn me about your expectations. You should write a list of all the people who are not allowed in the house.”
“There is no list and certainly no censure, madam. You have complete freedom to invite any acquaintance, friend, or relative into the house whenever you please. Even a beggar from Hyde Park if you wish. But not George Wickham or any of his friends.”
“May I invite Mr Wickham’s wife, your sister, if I happen to meet her?”
His face darkened even more. “Did he tell you where Georgiana is?”
“No, but I assume she is in London too. He said he did not want to expose her to the bad weather.”
“How considerate of him,” he uttered bitterly, and Elizabeth held her breath.
“Did you not ask him where your sister was?” she enquired.
“He would not have told me in any case,” he answered, shocking Elizabeth.
“I am not sure what all this means, Mr Darcy. Mr Wickham said he intended to remain in London from now on, but he mentioned it depended on some things. I am sure he would have told me more if I had asked him.”
“Never be sure of anything in regard to George Wickham. Never assume and never trust anything he might tell you.”
“You make him sound frightening, Mr Darcy. Are you not too hard on him because he is nothing more than the son of your father’s steward?”
“Being the son of a hardworking, loyal man who was not only steward but a friend to my father is one of the very few qualities George Wickham possesses, but his faults do not excuse my ungentlemanlike behaviour towards you. For that, I apologise again.”
“I am content you realise your error, Mr Darcy. Unfortunately, I am in no disposition to attend dinner tonight. I shall ask for a tray in my room.”
“Very well. I shall not be home for dinner either. I have some urgent business to attend to tonight.”
“Oh…I see…I wish you good luck with your…affairs.”
“I shall certainly need good luck. One more thing — Mr Gardiner sent me word that your sister has arrived in Gracechurch Street. Your father is with her too.”
“Thank you! This is indeed good news. I was most concerned about her travelling in this weather. And Papa is in London too? What a welcome surprise!”
“If you wish, we may call on them tomorrow, after church, or you may invite them here. I would be delighted to make their acquaintance.”
Elizabeth could not conceal a smile of pleasure.
“You are very considerate and I appreciate it, sir. Let us see whether you complete your business tonight, then we shall decide when and where to meet them tomorrow.”
“Good evening, Elizabeth,” he said formally, then bowed and withdrew to his room, closing the door behind him.
Elizabeth remained in the middle of her chamber, staring at the door; unsettled, she wondered whether she was still offended and angry with him for his earlier behaviour or whether her present agitation was due to the announcement of his late-night business.