Chapter 15
Returning home from the Bingleys’, Darcy reflected that his expectations of an evening of misery had been proved wrong.
Despite the worrisome report of Wickham’s presence, the dinner had been the most pleasant he had experienced in the last year.
Nothing had been different. The Bennets, the Gardiners, and the Bingleys had all been the same.
But Elizabeth…
Her eyes had sparkled more in her slightly tanned face. The disquiet she seemed to exude around him had seemed to diminish as they spoke. Strangely, talking to her about Wickham had appeared to strengthen their fragile attempt at friendship.
Perhaps the absence of Lord Alveston had helped too.
Darcy could easily recollect Elizabeth from the early days of their acquaintance—witty, smiling, and teasing amidst her family and friends.
His pleasure had been heightened as he had witnessed both Georgiana and Anne in the company of the Bennets and Gardiners, growing more confident, laughing heartily, and bearing Mrs Bennet and the youngest sisters’ impropriety with amusement.
As always, Colonel Fitzwilliam’s role had been worthy of gratitude.
His cousin had a talent for making everyone feel at ease amidst the sharp wit of Mr Bennet and the excitability of his wife.
The colonel had seemed as enchanted as ever with Elizabeth, but whether it was an earnest attraction or only a trifling flirtation, Darcy could not say.
A year ago, at Rosings, Darcy had been jealous of his cousin for the first time in his life.
Every time he had seen Richard and Elizabeth together, he had feared their delight with each other would grow into something more, adding to his inducements to propose to her in such haste at Hunsford.
Since then, he had come to know Elizabeth well enough to understand her preference for the colonel was merely friendship.
At dinner, Darcy had collected enough proof that her opinion of him had indeed improved.
No one word or gesture had convinced him, but her voice, expression, and silent reaction to him had held promise.
Although nothing had changed in their situation, a strange sense of hope lit up in his heart.
There was also new concern regarding Wickham.
The more he thought of it, the more he realised he must be cautious with Georgiana too.
However, he presumed the man’s present interest was in the youngest Bennet girls, as Elizabeth was to be married into a wealthy, well-connected family and the likelihood the younger sisters’ dowries might improve would be an enticement.
Wickham’s intentions were always selfish, and he would easily sacrifice anything and anyone for his own gain.
He had left Colonel Forster’s regiment a year ago, so he must have found another way of supporting himself.
“Brother, you asked to see us?” Georgiana asked from the doorway. Behind her was Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Darcy waved them in.
“Can we not discuss this during breakfast? I confess I just woke up and I am starving,” the colonel said.
“I shall only keep you for a moment,” Darcy assured them. “There is something of importance that I wish to speak to you both about. Please sit.”
Worry immediately shadowed Georgiana’s eyes. “What is it, Brother?”
“Dearest, last night at dinner, Miss Bennet told me that Wickham was in Brighton.” He paused, watching Georgiana’s face pale and the colonel’s lips narrow in fury.
“How does Elizabeth know George?” Georgiana asked in a trembling voice.
“I have not mentioned this to you before, as I saw no reason to bring up the subject previously. Two years ago, Wickham joined the militia. During my stay at Netherfield, his regiment was encamped in Meryton.”
“I see. And does Elizabeth know about our past dealings with him?” Georgiana asked.
Darcy hesitated to tell half the lie, but the complete truth was impossible to confess to his sister under the present circumstances. Finally, he spoke.
“I did share some information with Miss Bennet that helped her to see his true character. Sadly, I did so too late. For a while, the Bennets considered Wickham to be a friend, an honourable man. I regret the youngest Bennet girls still favour him.”
“What do you mean ‘too late’? You stayed in the same village as Wickham and did not take any measures?” the colonel asked angrily.
“I only saw him once. Briefly. Soon after he arrived in Meryton, I returned to London,” Darcy explained.
“Brother, is there anything else you wish to tell me?” Georgiana whispered.
“My dear, I am sorry I troubled you.”
“I am well…I shall see you at breakfast,” she said, hastening out of the room.
Darcy followed her out into the hall. Gently, he grasped her arm and led her to the drawing room. She was tearful and could not hold his gaze.
“Georgiana?”
“It is nothing. I am well. Forgive me. I am being silly.”
“My dear, I did not realise you were still suffering from thoughts of Wickham. I shall not allow anyone to upset you. If you wish, we may leave Brighton tomorrow to avoid a chance encounter with that scoundrel.”
“Leave Brighton? Absolutely not! I do not suffer for George Wickham, Brother. I do not fear meeting him. I am ashamed to remember what a complete simpleton I have been and how close I came to hurting you and our entire family. If Elizabeth, Jane, or Anne knew of it, they would surely reconsider their opinion of me.”
Darcy embraced his sister to alleviate her distress.
“You are too severe upon yourself. At such a young age, you show wisdom and strength that few older ladies possess. I could not be prouder of you, and I am sure your friends would think no different. You must know that Miss Bennet also believed Wickham’s falsehoods when they first met.
She considered him a friend, and we even argued about him as she accused me of ruining his life. ”
Georgiana was stunned. “Did she?”
“Yes. Eventually, she recognised her error and was as ashamed as you are to admit it to me and apologise. For the deception that you both suffered, I feel at fault. I should have long ago exposed Wickham’s true character.”
“You take too much upon yourself, Brother. To me, you were never at fault. I can easily understand why you were reluctant to reveal George’s dishonourable actions. He was part of our family for many years, and Papa held him in high regard. And what will you do now?”
“I am not certain. I shall speak to him first, and his response will tell me how to proceed. I am just relieved to know you are not suffering over him any longer.”
“Any actions you take I am sure will be appropriate. And for me, you must not worry.”
“Very well, my dear.” He embraced her. “I shall return to Richard now.”
“And I am going to see Anne.”
When Darcy returned to the library, his concern was allayed, but the colonel looked distressed.
“How is Georgiana? I cannot believe she is still pining for that scoundrel.”
“She is well enough. Better than I feared. And she is not pining for anyone. She is a wise young lady, and we should trust her strength more.”
“I am glad to hear it. But, Cousin, what do you mean ‘too late’ about Wickham?”
“It does not matter now. What is done is done. I must speak to Wickham and discover his present intentions. I must be assured he will stay away from Georgiana and the Bennets.”
“I will assist you. You were always too lenient and too forgiving with Wickham, even when he attempted to elope with Georgiana. You scolded me most undeservingly when I joked at Miss Bennet’s expense, but you seem to grant that scoundrel much liberty.”
“I did not scold you undeservedly. Let us not resume that debate. And why would you assume I forgave Wickham? You did not witness my discussion with him.”
“But if your conversation with him had convinced him, he would avoid being anywhere near Georgiana now,” the colonel said furiously.
“I doubt his purpose is related to Georgiana. I suspect he is spending the summer in Brighton, with its parties and balls, to take advantage of old and new acquaintances. And he has likely heard that the eldest Bennet sisters have made advantageous matches, and he sees the younger Bennets as easy prey,” Darcy declared.
“You might be right,” the colonel admitted, struggling to control his ire. “So, what should we do?”
“I shall discover his whereabouts and have another talk to him. Miss Bennet said she would speak to her parents and sisters.”
“Good. I say, Darcy, I am glad your relationship with Miss Bennet has become more civil, if only for the sake of the Bingleys. She seemed so angry and spiteful towards you when we were in Kent that I thought you two would never find any common ground. But I imagine her befriending Georgiana and Anne has helped too.”
“You believed Miss Bennet was spiteful to me in Kent?”
The colonel was stunned. “You believed otherwise? She did not even take the trouble to conceal it. I have rarely seen a lady despise a man so.”
The colonel’s words were painfully accurate, expressing a truth Darcy had failed to notice at the time and for which he had paid dearly.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth watched Jane and her husband whispering to each other as they sat side by side on the sofa, the image of pure happiness in marriage.
“Lizzy darling, I hope you slept well,” Jane said, embracing her.
“Very well, thank you. Is Mary still in her room?”
“Yes. I shall send a maid to fetch her. Breakfast is ready.”
“What do you ladies plan to do today?” Bingley enquired. “I do not wish to be in the way.”
“Do not worry, my dear brother, you are never in our way,” Elizabeth said. “I will gladly do whatever Jane and Mary like, but I must speak to Papa first.”
“Dear Lizzy, would you mind if Charles accompanies you to visit Papa? I want to rest a little more. It is too hot for me.”
“Not at all. Rest as much as you want. And I do not want to bother Charles either. I can walk there by myself. It is not far.”