Chapter 1
Chapter One
The second time Elizabeth Bennet met Mr Darcy as they walked the grove at Rosings Park, she asked the question she had been pondering for some time.
At the Netherfield ball, Mr Darcy stated that Lieutenant Wickham “is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends—whether he may be equally capable of retaining them, is less certain.” She had seen some evidence of this in the months since the Netherfield party departed and hoped he would answer her questions.
Taking a deep breath to recall her mind to the present, she slowed and turned slightly so she might face the quiet man beside her, her arm still resting lightly on his elbow, and began to ask in a halting fashion: “Mr Darcy, I wondered if I might ask you about something you said to me at the ball at Netherfield.”
He hesitated briefly, easily recalling their conversation during their dance, before responding quietly. “I would be happy to answer any questions you have, Miss Bennet,” he finally said, his voice betraying his tension.
“It is about Mr Wickham,” she began. The muscles under her hand flexed and tightened, and she saw his jaw clench out of the corner of her eye.
“I have been considering what you said about him making but not keeping friends since the night of the ball at Netherfield. Some of the officers he was initially friendly with are now hostile and distant towards him. I have also heard that many of the shopkeepers in Meryton are refusing him credit.” She paused before continuing, somewhat reluctantly.
“And, although he swore he would never discredit you because of his affection for your father, he openly shared his tale of the denied living after you departed, and the entire town is now aware of it.” Her voice trailed off, uncertain of how to continue, aware she had likely said too much.
She had watched him as she spoke, and his eyes revealed his obvious pain.
While the mere mention of that scoundrel’s name was sufficient to make him clench his jaw, suppressing the oath that threatened to escape, Darcy resolved not to provoke her ire as he had during the ball.
He tenderly squeezed the hand resting on his arm before releasing it and cautiously stepping back, taking a few moments to regain his composure through a series of measured breaths.
He returned to Elizabeth and said, “I do not know precisely what Mr Wickham said to you, but at one time, he was close to my family; we played together at Pemberley as boys. My father thought highly of him, but I am afraid he did not develop into a good man. Among his other vices, he regularly runs up debts he has no intention of paying. I regret I did not warn the shopkeepers in Meryton; however, I hesitated to speak ill of him then.” He sighed deeply and rubbed his hand across his face before continuing.
“In Meryton, he endeavoured to undermine my reputation by weaving partial truths into his narratives. It is conceivable that he could inflict significant damage upon those entrusted to my care by employing a similar strategy of telling additional half-truths.”
As Elizabeth had done earlier, he took a deep breath and paused to consider his words. “Miss Bennet, I would like to tell you my whole history with Wickham, and then you may judge his character, but I must beg your discretion in these matters as they could injure more than myself.”
She nodded, looking him in the eye. “You may be assured of my discretion, sir,” she replied. “However, do not feel you must tell me anything that causes you pain.” He smiled and covered her hand on his arm as they resumed their walk.
“Since you mentioned a denied living, I assume he has shared some of our history with you,” Darcy began.
“The senior Mr Wickham was an excellent man and was my father’s steward for some years.
When the elder Wickham asked my father to stand as godfather to his son, he agreed and promised to sponsor the child in school.
My father intended for his godson to become a rector and left him a living conditionally in his will.
However, at school, it became obvious, at least to me, that Wickham’s behaviour was unsuitable for a clergyman.
When my father died, my former friend had not yet taken orders, a requirement for the position, and when he came to claim his inheritance, he declared he had no intention of ever doing so.
Instead, he asked for three thousand pounds, claiming he intended to study the law.
He signed a document giving up any claim to the living, and I paid him the three thousand pounds in addition to the legacy of one thousand pounds my father left him outright.
When the incumbent passed away several years later, he wrote to ask for the living, and it was then that I refused him.
I supposed the money I gave him earlier was gone, and he now needed more.
Following my refusal, he swore revenge on me, but I ignored it, believing it to be an idle threat. ”
He stopped walking, and Elizabeth turned to look at him.
She was surprised to see the obvious pain etched on his face.
“You need not continue. He has clearly lied about the living; I can only assume he sought retribution by impugning your character to all and sundry. I am sorry I played a role to help him in that in Meryton,” she said to him.
She looked down at the ground, appalled at herself for believing the rogue.
“Not only did I spread the story of your slight at the assembly, but I also commiserated with Mr Wickham and denounced you as heartless.”
He drew a breath. “As much as I would prefer not to tell you the rest, I think I must, Miss Bennet.” He looked around and, spying a fallen tree trunk, gestured towards it. “Might we sit?”
At her nod, he removed his large handkerchief from his pocket and spread it on the log to protect her dress.
Once they were both seated, he began speaking again.
“This is the part that requires your discretion, Miss Bennet. I would tell you, as I think perhaps you might be able to help. This summer, Wickham again intruded on my family’s notice.
My younger sister, who is just fifteen, was in Ramsgate with her companion for a holiday.
Unbeknownst to me, Mr Wickham was in league with her companion, and the two planned to convince Georgiana to elope to obtain her dowry, which is thirty thousand pounds.
I arrived a day before the intended elopement, and Georgiana confessed all to me.
Mrs Younge was promptly dismissed, and Wickham disappeared, but not before ensuring Georgiana knew he had no interest in her apart from her dowry.
Before he left the house, he told her she was boring and plain, and her fortune was his only inducement to wed her.
She was, of course, broken-hearted since he persuaded her to fall in love with him, and she had since taken his words to heart.
Miss Bennet, it has been above six months, and she still believes her dowry is all she will ever have to offer anyone. ”
Tears welled up in Elizabeth’s eyes. She reached out to gently touch his arm and spoke quietly.
“He is truly a terrible man, and I am sorry I ever listened to a word he said. I am heartbroken for your sister and the disappointment and hurt she must have experienced—she is still experiencing. I am so sorry for believing his vicious words.”
He placed his hand over hers, relishing the opportunity to touch her so intimately, as neither was wearing gloves.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet. I am afraid she needs the company of another young woman, one who would be sympathetic to her difficulties, but she is painfully shy and, like me, struggles to make friends. She has a new companion who is very motherly, and of course, Richard and I have done our best to try and convince her of her worth, but she needs the companionship of someone nearer to her own age. We have not wanted to share her story outside our small circle, but I find myself increasingly unsure how to help her.”
Elizabeth was startled at this intelligence. “Then why, sir, have you shared this with me since you have kept it so closely within the family circle until now?”
It was Darcy’s turn to start. “Miss Bennet, I apologise for burdening you with this story,” he said haltingly.
“I did not consider…” he paused again, unsure how to proceed.
Coming to a resolution, he picked up the small hand on his arm and enclosed it in his much larger one.
“Since meeting you first in Hertfordshire and again here at my aunt’s, I have come to admire you very much.
I have been wondering these last few weeks if you would be willing to be a friend to my sister.
If you are to spend time in London after you leave Rosings, I would like to introduce my sister to you, if, if you would allow it. ”
Drawing in a sharp breath, Elizabeth considered his words.
He seemed to be implying far more than his words were saying.
Nor was she unaffected by her hand tightly grasped in his.
Glancing down, she replied, her cheeks colouring brightly.
“I intended to spend only a day or two in London before returning to Longbourn. Perhaps my aunt and uncle would allow me to extend my stay a few more days so you might introduce me to Miss Darcy.”
“If it would help, I could convey you to London myself and then to Longbourn after a few days with my sister. Unfortunately, with Wickham and the militia still in Meryton, my sister would not be able to visit there,” Darcy offered.
“Yes, I can understand that,” she replied, suddenly nervous around him.
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy blurted, his resolve firming even as he formed the words, “would … would you allow me to court you?”