Chapter 3 #2
His father’s head dropped, shaking it for a moment, but he made no answer. Still angry, the younger Darcy stalked from the room, glad to have at least finally convinced his father of Wickham’s true nature but unable to understand why his word had not been trusted in this matter.
He had not gone far before he ran into the girl. “Excuse me, miss. Did Mrs. Reynolds take care of you?”
“I am well, but I am ready to return to Lambton. The servant stepped away, and I thought I would attempt to find my way to the entrance, but this house is much larger than I realised,” the girl responded, her voice and tone indicating she was still affected by earlier events.
“Allow me to show you the way and arrange a carriage to take you into the town. Do you need me to accompany you to explain to your relatives what happened?”
She sighed. “Perhaps it would be best. There is no one here to introduce us and doing so would be easier if you knew my name. I am Elizabeth Gardiner.” She stuck out her hand in a way more common to gentlemen than ladies, and surprising him, grinned pertly.
He took her hand, and returning her grin, raised it to his lips instead.
“I am honoured to make your acquaintance, Miss Gardiner. As you have no doubt already realised, my name is Fitzwilliam Darcy. The other man you met is George Wickham, my father’s godson.
I believe you have finally convinced him of what George really is; I have been attempting the same for years.
I suppose I should applaud you for managing to do what I have long attempted. ”
“I am sorry.”
“For what?”
“That your father did not trust you. I … I understand a little of what you must feel.”
“Truly?”
Elizabeth hesitated for a moment before she continued.
Seeming to recognise that this young man faced similar struggles to what she had experienced as a child, she found herself telling him far more than she ought to confess to a stranger.
"My mother never believed a word I said.
I was … I was sent to live with my uncle after my mother unjustly blamed me for causing my older sister an injury.
It … it was why I was unwilling to ride your horse; my father's horse was to blame.
Well, that and the fact that we were where we should not have been.
But my mother insisted it was my fault. She …
she did not love me, did not even like me.
She called me a changeling because, apparently, I should have been born a boy but was a girl instead.
" He watched tears form in her eyes. "Forgive me again.
My aunt and uncle have encouraged me to leave it behind, and I have taken on their name instead of my father's.
I am no longer that girl. I have been blessed by being placed in my aunt and uncle's home and have benefited from it far more than had I remained at Longbourn. "
“Your father is a gentleman? But you now live in London with an aunt and uncle?” Darcy asked, intrigued by this girl's story.
“Yes, my uncle is in trade. He does well for himself, and I was fortunate that he took me in when my father ordered me cast out from my former home.”
“While my father always seemed to prefer Wickham and never would believe what I said about him, I have never believed him capable of replacing me with another, whatever Wickham may have said. I cannot imagine casting off a child or despising her for not being a boy,” Darcy said sympathetically
Again, Elizabeth debated telling this stranger too much about her family, but decided it felt right to tell him all.
“My father’s estate is entailed. My mother bore five daughters; I was the second.
I am not certain why I was hated in particular, but my mother took out her frustration at not bearing an heir on me.
My elder sister, Jane, is blonde like my mother, while I have the darker hair of my father’s family.
I always supposed that was part of it. Mrs. Bennet considered me troublesome since I preferred the outdoors to sitting quietly inside. ”
Suddenly, they arrived at the front hall. Darcy spoke, changing the topic to one less personal with servants about: “Here we are. Let me ask for a maid to join us in the carriage. I assume from your clothing that you are not yet out, but it is still necessary to protect your reputation, and mine.”
“My uncle will appreciate your thoughtfulness,” Elizabeth replied
The two engaged in lighter conversation during their journey into Lambton, the presence of the maid limiting the topics they could broach. Darcy accompanied Elizabeth in the inn to meet her aunt and uncle.
After exchanging pleasantries, Darcy took Mr. Gardiner aside and spoke to him about what had transpired earlier.
He explained the situation with Wickham and how he had intervened to protect the young woman from harm.
Mr. Gardiner listened attentively, his expression grave as he took in the details of the encounter.
“I am grateful for your intervention, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner said solemnly. “It seems we owe you a significant debt of gratitude for protecting our niece.”
Darcy waved away the thanks, his expression serious. “I could not stand by and allow Wickham to harm her or anyone else,” he replied. “I only hope she is unaffected by this event.”
Mr. Gardiner nodded, his eyes flickering with concern. “We will see to it that she receives any assistance she may need,” he assured Darcy. “And I trust you and your family will make sure Wickham faces the consequences of his actions.”
"I hope this incident will finally open my father's eyes to Wickham's true nature. For years, I have tried to persuade him to withdraw his support, but I have always failed. Your niece, however, was far more convincing. I pray that my father now realises what a menace Wickham truly is."
Gardiner clasped his hand on Darcy’s shoulder. “It is sometimes difficult for a man to admit when he has been wrong and that his inaction has harmed another. Give your father some time to accept what is right in front of him.”
Darcy sucked in a deep breath. “It is difficult, sir, but I appreciate the advice. My uncle has said something similar before; that one day, Wickham would show his true colours in a way that even he could not brush it aside. I am uncertain what will happen to him after this, but at the very least, I hope my father will withdraw his support at Cambridge and here in Derbyshire.”
“Would he accept my call tomorrow to discuss what happened to my niece? If your father is protecting him, perhaps being confronted by the guardian of one of his intended victims will help reinforce what his inaction might cost. I am uncertain as to whether I would be able to bring charges against him without harming my niece’s reputation, but since she is not out yet, and frankly, of little importance in the society hereabouts, it could be done.
She is a gentleman’s daughter, and he is not a gentleman,” Gardiner suggested.
“Wickham’s actions are well enough known in Lambton that it might be easy to protect your niece from harm should you decide to press charges against him.
May I think on it and speak to you tomorrow when you visit?
If your wife and Miss Gardiner would like to visit, we would enjoy having you all, though I realise Miss Gardiner may not want to be seen in public for a few days.
” Darcy was nearly holding his breath, hoping the gentleman would accept.
Miss Gardiner was far too young to think about seriously, but something about the young lady drew his attention.
“I will ask my wife and send a note in the morning to let you know if I will call alone or if we will all come. Elizabeth is a brave girl and may not wish to hide, especially as your staff already knows what happened today,” Gardiner replied.
Feeling a weight lift from his shoulders, Darcy thanked Mr. Gardiner once more before rejoining Elizabeth and her aunt, feeling a sense of release and gratitude for the unexpected turn of events.
After only a few more minutes, he took his leave, first from the gentleman and then from the ladies.
His eyes lingered on the young lady for a few minutes, trying to assess for himself if she were well before he finally departed.
He rode back in the carriage, wishing he had his horse with him so he could ride again.
After all that had transpired, he needed a hard, bruising ride for the second time that day and he briefly wondered if the entire summer would be this way.
Though, if Gardiner pushed this idea of holding Wickham legally accountable, then perhaps his father would be compelled to take action.