Chapter 5 #2
“Charles left at first light with his sister,” Darcy finished and told her of his conversation with Bingley.
“He was furious with her last night; I have never seen the man so angry. No one will speak of it so long as she does not. There are too many witnesses to what happened for her to spread her version successfully, and my friends know I have always despised her. Nonetheless, Richard will return to town tomorrow morning and acquaint his mother with the story so she has the details in case anyone in town speaks of it.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “There is a part of me that is shocked by her brazen behaviour, but another part of me is not surprised. She was intent on becoming the Mistress of Pemberley, and I am afraid that when you told her you were engaged to me, she felt she had to act to secure it. I would not have expected her to announce her destination to a footman and demand entry.”
William rubbed his face with both his hands.
“I was always wary of her. That is why there were always footmen posted near my bedroom any time she visited. At Netherfield, my valet slept in my dressing room, and we barred the door at night as an additional precaution. While I always felt that I was a bit foolish to put these measures in place, I am still shocked that she finally tried it. And that she would be brazen enough to announce to all that I had invited her …”
Elizabeth stopped him with a slight tug on his arm.
“William, no one in his right mind believes you would invite her to your room. While I have not spoken to my aunt and uncle yet this morning, I know they will not believe it, and you told me both Richard and Charles spoke against Miss Bingley’s claims.”
“You are right, Elizabeth. But I have other news to discuss with you as well—Richard had another motive for arriving last night, and I fear it may be unpleasant as well,” Darcy said, taking her hands in his.
“Let us find a place to sit.” They walked forward until they came to a bench.
Darcy helped Elizabeth sit and then sat beside her, facing her and holding her hands in his.
“You are very serious, William. Is everything all right?” Elizabeth asked him, worry etching her lovely face.
“Richard’s purpose in coming was to relate some details about Wickham,” Darcy began.
“I realised after I left Kent that I had done little to prevent Wickham from damaging others. Here in Derbyshire, I have paid off debts for him with merchants, and they no longer give him credit, but in Meryton, I did nothing to prevent him from injuring shopkeepers there by running up debts he cannot possibly pay. I spoke with Richard, and he has subtly been watching him through Colonel Forster and others since April.”
“So, Colonel Forster knows to keep an eye on him?” Elizabeth interjected.
“He does now,” William admitted.
“I am glad to hear that, William. That man’s presence in Brighton was one of my biggest worries about Lydia going,” Elizabeth said before kissing his cheek. “Thank you!”
He laughed lightly. “Richard did most of the work, but I will accept your thanks on his behalf.” He sighed before continuing.
“There is more, though. Richard came to get evidence of debts from both myself and Matlock. He believes he will soon desert the militia—his debts and debts of honour will soon cause him to flee. Forster is aware of this threat, and they are waiting for him to make his move. As soon as he attempts to flee, he will be jailed and court-martialled for desertion. The penalty could be transportation or even death.”
William drew a quick breath, and Elizabeth laid her head on his shoulder. “And you are torn because you cannot imagine his death in such a way, but at the same time, he has used and abused your trust over and over again.”
He looked down at her. “That is exactly it,” he said.
“Richard could not understand how I would even want to consider suggesting transportation instead of death at the end of a rope or by firing squad. Of course, Richard would have run him through very easily last summer and still would if he thought he could get away with it. But I struggle to imagine my former friend deserving such a fate. It is hard to separate the boy I knew from the man he became. And the fact that my father loved him only adds to my struggle. Richard does not understand how I feel, but you, my dear, understand me exactly.”
“You are not so very hard to read, William. You are honourable to a fault, and you carry far too many burdens for the actions of others. Wickham had every advantage—he chose this path. Whatever happens to him is a result of his own choices.” Elizabeth squeezed his hands.
“There is little you could have done differently.”
He kissed her lightly, and she laid her head on his shoulder again. “You are a good man, William. The best I have ever had the privilege of knowing. I am so looking forward to a life with you.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I am a better man because of you, Elizabeth. I would not have taken these steps but for you. Bingley and Richard have remarked on the change you have wrought in me. Mrs. Reynolds approves of you, as well.”
They sat like that for several long moments. “Bingley will return on Saturday and make his way to Netherfield on Monday. I am ready to start my life with you, my dear. October seems so far away,” William said after a while.
“It does,” Elizabeth replied. “I think I could be content to remain at Pemberley forever. You have a truly wonderful estate. It is little wonder Miss Bingley would go so far to acquire it for herself.”
William scowled at her, and she laughed.
“She would not have been content to remain here. She prefers town and would have never been happy here for months out of the year. When we marry, I would be content to spend most of our time here. London has little appeal—although I do enjoy the bookshops and the theatre. I detest society and the ‘obligations’ of town. After Georgiana has her coming out, I could go years without venturing back except for short visits.”
“I have spent little time in town, most often with my aunt and uncle. While I have never undergone the whirl of a season, I do enjoy attending the theatre and musicals and visiting the shops. Well, the bookshops and music stores, not clothing shops. I dread shopping for a trousseau—too much sitting and standing still while I am poked and pinned within an inch of my life.” Elizabeth laughed.
“It seems we have much in common, William.”
“I believe we do as well,” he said. “But I will enjoy dancing this next season, so long as I can dance with you.”
She laughed again and looked up at the sun. “What time is it?”
He glanced at his pocket watch and groaned. “Time for breakfast, I dare say. Let us head inside to join the others. Your uncle and I are fishing this morning with Richard, and I look forward to your first riding lesson this afternoon.”
Elizabeth smiled wryly at him as they stood. “If I fall off, I will blame you entirely,” she said. “I wish women were permitted to ride astride—sidesaddle seems so much less safe.”
“When we are married, I will teach you to ride astride,” he told her. “My aunt has a modiste who has fashioned a kind of split skirt for a woman to ride astride and remain covered. We may ask her about it when we meet her in town.”
“That sounds shocking. My mother would have a fit if she saw me like that. But it does sound intriguing,” she admitted, laughing as she spoke.
“I have sent my aunt and uncle a letter to announce our engagement. I have asked them to keep it quiet for now since we have not yet heard from your father. It will be some time before we can hear from them since we posted the letters instead of sending them by express. I look forward to introducing you to the Earl and Countess—they will love you. They have despaired of my ever marrying. My cousin, the viscount, has yet to marry, and obviously, neither has Richard, and I believe they think we are all nearly a lost cause,” William told her.
“You just needed to unbend a bit, my darling,” Elizabeth said, then her eyes took on the teasing glint he adored. “And apparently, it took an impertinent country girl to force you to do so.”
He laughed. “I needed you, my love. I do not think anyone else would have done what you have done. I could not believe my good fortune when I saw you at Pemberley just two days ago, and I still cannot believe I have managed to convince you to accept me and that I will soon be able to call you my wife. I love you, Elizabeth, wholly and completely.” He leaned down and kissed her lips lightly.
“Six months ago, I could not have imagined this either. I was so embarrassed when I came across you here. I only let my aunt convince me to visit when I thought you were away. But I, too, am pleased with how things have turned out,” Elizabeth replied, reaching up to caress his cheek.
The newly engaged couple walked back to the house, her arm on his and his free hand covering hers.
When they reached the house, they made their way to the breakfast room, where Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle were already eating.
Richard was sitting at the table as well, having already eaten, and had briefly explained the disruption in the hall from the previous night and the result that led to the Bingley family leaving at first light that morning.
“For once, my over-cautious cousin was validated in taking such steps,” Richard finished. “Not that anyone would have believed her anyway, no matter what had happened.”
Aunt Gardiner was shocked at the lengths that desperate women would sink to but was pleased for her niece and soon-to-be nephew that things had been resolved satisfactorily. “Of course, we would never speak of this to anyone, which is what you will no doubt warn us of next.”