Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Elizabeth chafed at the requirement that she always be escorted.
Waiting for another to accompany her when she wanted to leave quickly, whenever the whim took her, was maddening.
Not only could she not think properly with someone at her heels, she felt that she was constantly being handed off from one man to another.
The day finally came when she welcomed it.
She had been particularly impatient to get to Meryton, but Davy was assisting Osbeck and was not immediately available.
After waiting for a short time, she informed the footman that she would start walking and he could catch up to her.
She had gone a quarter of a mile when who should step out of the shadow of the trees but the last person she ever wished to see again.
Mr George Wickham sauntered into her path. He performed a low, courtly bow. “Miss Bennet, how delightful it is to see you.”
He was at his most charming, indeed even more so than usual.
His expression was one of genuine surprise and unexpected delight, as if he had not carefully planned the encounter, which she assumed he had.
He still appeared handsome and gentlemanlike, but now she could see it, the flash of calculation in his eyes, instantly disguised; the care with which he arranged his movements and postures was visible to her as if she had grown a new set of eyes. In a way, she had.
“Mr Wickham, you are supposed to be with the regiment in Brighton, are you not?” Elizabeth said as she stopped, warily keeping her distance.
“Colonel Forster has entrusted me with a special errand in Meryton,” he said, lowering his eyes and inclining his head in a show of humility. “He is already planning our return in the autumn and sent me to begin preparations.” Mr Wickham stepped closer to her.
Elizabeth did not believe him for a moment.
It was evident that the news of her inheritance had made its way to Brighton, which was not surprising.
Most likely it had reached London as well.
News travelled fast, aided by the many gossips of Meryton, including her own sister Lydia, no doubt.
Elizabeth quickly stepped out of his reach, suddenly understanding that she might be in some danger. Why had she not waited for Davy?
“I understand that congratulations are in order,” Mr Wickham said, again moving adroitly in front of her.
“I would prefer condolences,” she replied stiffly. “My family and I mourn the death of a dear friend and neighbour. I do not count that as any reason for congratulations.”
His countenance transformed so quickly into an expression of sorrow that it was rather comical. Elizabeth almost laughed out loud.
“I do sympathise, Miss Bennet. I too have suffered the loss of dear friends. The loss of my parents and my godfather, indeed, the betrayal of my dearest childhood friend have taught me to deeply understand the pain of oth—”
“Should you not be carrying out the orders of your commanding officer?” Elizabeth interrupted. “Surely he has ordered you to perform your errands speedily and return to Brighton to take up your duties there?”
“I have been given time enough to carry out his orders as well as to reacquaint myself with dear friends. I have always taken special delight in your company. I hope to call on you and your family soon.”
“I am afraid that we have suspended our social commitments in honour of our friend’s death.
” It was a lie of course. Only days before, their drawing room had been packed to the rafters with single men.
Her mother still had not got over it. But Elizabeth would say anything to get away from this man.
She stepped quickly to get around him, but he countered the movement.
Mr Wickham chuckled and held out his hand.
“Come now, Miss Bennet. We are friends, are we not? Perhaps we can be more to each other than friends. You have always cherished a tendre for me, I know. I do not doubt that I disappointed you with my attentions to Miss King, but the scales have fallen from my eyes, and—”
Elizabeth batted his hand away. “No doubt they have, to the tune of an unexpected inheritance. The scales have fallen from my eyes as well. I see you for what you are, and you—”
His hand shot out again, and he grabbed her wrist. “I am very sorry to have somehow lost your good opinion, madam, but there are other ways to win your hand.”
She screamed and prepared herself to put up a fight just as Davy came running around the corner, surprising Mr Wickham and shoving him to the ground.
She wanted to collapse with relief, but she would be damned if she let the villain know how much he had frightened her. Her chin came up.
“Go back to Brighton. You will find no welcome here,” she said, taking Davy’s arm and hurrying away.
Davy escorted her to Mr Philips’s office, not leaving her side until he knew she was safe. The moment she entered her uncle’s office, he could evidently see something was wrong. “What has happened, Lizzy?” he asked, rising from his desk.
She told him about Mr Wickham’s return, though did not go into detail. She needed to think about how to warn others about the man without breaking Mr Darcy’s confidences.
Mr Philips sat down at his desk, gesturing for her to take a seat. “I thought you liked Mr Wickham.”
“I did like him. I was rather charmed by him, in fact, but have since learnt, from a reliable source, that he runs up debts wherever he goes. He also…” Elizabeth struggled with what to say. “…he has a history of…of ruining young women from all spheres of society.”
“Those are serious charges, young lady,” said her uncle, peering over the top of his spectacles at her.
“I have promised discretion to the person who shared that information with me.” She hesitated again, thinking of the colonel.
“Two persons actually, of good family, whom I met in Kent. They are from the north, where Wickham grew up. They have known him all their lives. If you need proof, I have been told they would both be willing to provide it.”
Mr Philips leant back in his chair. “He should be in Brighton with the rest of the regiment, but you said he believes you have inherited Mr Goulding’s estate outright?”
“That seems to be the prevailing opinion, unfortunately.”
Mr Philips groaned. “Unfortunately, indeed! I deeply regret that this has happened, Lizzy.” He rubbed his chin in thought. “If he is truly a cad, perhaps he has deserted. I will make some enquiries. We will find out more about him, even if only to warn others.”
“I would be grateful to you, Uncle.” Elizabeth sighed in relief.
“Now let us get down to business. Two letters have arrived for you; I put them on your desk.”
“That is excellent! I welcome this work,” Elizabeth said with a brisk nod. “The sooner we can implement what we learn and complete this business, the sooner I may return to my usual life.”
Uncle and niece spent a pleasant few hours reading and discussing the advice contained in the letters, making extensive notes regarding the suggestions that would best suit their town, after which Davy escorted her back to Longbourn.
Later that afternoon, Elizabeth knocked on the door to her father’s library and entered at his bidding. She told him what had happened on her walk into town.
“That is indeed distressing. Might I remind you that it would not have happened at all if you had refused the will,” he said, frowning at her.
“This house has been turned upside down as a result of Goulding’s ridiculous charge to you.
You should quit being stubborn and let other, wiser persons carry out his wishes. ”
Even though she knew her father’s nose was out of joint because of the will, Elizabeth had expected him to at least show some concern.
“Mr Goulding, for whatever reason, chose me to carry out his wishes, and carry them out I shall. Not only do I feel it is my duty, but I do so in tribute to his memory and his kindness.”
Mr Bennet glared at her for a moment, then relented.
“Take the carriage into town, then. If the horses are needed on the farm, take Davy with you. If Osbeck has need of Davy, call on Goulding’s servants.
I daresay they are not busy. Or Bingley, he seems to be haunting the place. Let us put him to some use.”
When applied to for assistance, Mrs Neeson agreed that their footman Anthony would be available for escort duty. Mr Bingley was only too happy to oblige. He and Jane appreciated any opportunity to get out of the house.