Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I must keep my temper under control, avoid arguing with Wickham, and think only of what is best for Georgiana , Darcy reminded himself at breakfast. It had become a common refrain whenever he was with the couple, especially if they were not surrounded by many others. The man was goading him, attempting to force him into displays of anger he might point at to convince Georgiana her brother was unreasonable and hateful and would never accept their revolting union. No doubt, Wickham intended to use it as a way to increase his price to disappear from their lives.
Although, he is unlikely to do us such a favour. He might leave for a time, but as soon as he needed more money, he would be back. He will be a thorn in my flesh until the day I die. Only his love for his sister kept him from hating her for doing this to him, Elizabeth, and their relations.
Presently, the four occupants of Netherfield were in the breakfast room. Wickham was acting as a solicitous, affectionate husband yet again, asking Georgiana if she was satisfied with her meal, if she wanted more tea, whispering in her ear and making her blush.
When they were all almost finished eating, and just as Darcy was imagining how wonderful it would feel to be away from them and off to Longbourn to see Elizabeth, Wickham managed to vex him even further.
“Are you feeling better after that upsetting visit with your uncle and cousin?” Wickham asked Georgiana. He kept his voice low, but not soft enough to avoid being overheard.
It was four days ago! Stop reminding her of it, and perhaps she would no longer be uneasy.
Bingley looked his way, giving him a sympathetic smile, which helped a little.
In response to Wickham, Georgiana shrugged and said, “You are so good to me.”
“It is no more than you deserve, my dear,” Wickham replied, caressing her cheek.
Abruptly, Bingley stood and addressed the couple. “If you do not mind, Darcy and I must be off. We have a meeting with the steward.” He turned to Darcy. “Shall we?”
Darcy was already walking towards the door. There was no meeting, but he did not mind the small lie; indeed, he was grateful for it.
Elizabeth spent every minute possible with Darcy. It was what she would have wanted to do regardless, but, at the moment, he required someone to whom he could speak freely about Georgiana and Mr Wickham. Fortunately, the weather remained agreeable; it allowed for long walks and thus time to speak privately. The day after deciding on her scheme, they, Jane, and Mr Bingley went to Oakham Mount, which was a favourite walk of the Bennet girls. Jane and Mr Bingley were soon well ahead of Elizabeth and Darcy, and as they strolled, he expressed his irritation. Another lady might find it tiresome, she supposed, but it was what he needed of her. Having devised her plan, which she intended to implement as soon as possible, she hoped he would have fewer reasons to complain before many weeks had passed.
“I can only imagine how challenging it is to say nothing and be polite to him,” she said. “Whenever I see him, I want to kick him, and I know it is far worse for you. It cannot continue for much longer.”
He let out a heavy sigh. “I hope you are right, but I fear you are not. Have I told you yet today how indescribably glad I am to have you?”
Their arms were linked, and she was as close to him as she could be as they walked. He repeated the sentiment often, but she did not mind; it was another way for him to express his love.
“Bingley received word from his sisters. They do not intend to return to Hertfordshire any time soon. Thank God. It seems they believed their brother’s assertion that Wickham and I have resolved our differences”—he snorted in disgust—“and Mrs Hurst made a thinly veiled comment about being uneasy in the company Bingley is keeping. If they were to come, they would immediately inform everyone they knew about Georgiana’s elopement. How they would delight in being the first to spread the gossip, regardless of what good friends they have claimed to be to my sister and me.”
“I find it surprising that Mr Wickham has not shared the news himself, or threatened to do so, if only to anger you and try to force you to give him Georgiana’s fortune.”
Darcy shrugged. “I cannot explain it, but I am sure he has what seems to him a perfectly logical reason. No doubt he will threaten to write to every newspaper in the country when he decides it is time to conclude our negotiations, such as they are. I worry what will become of my sister when he makes it known that he only married her for money and he has no interest in being her husband or even in living with her.”
“Are you so sure that will happen, that he will abandon her? He will not live with her and continue to demand more and more from you?”
“I do not believe so. He will want to be at liberty to amuse himself, but if I am not careful, he will return whenever he finds his purse empty, tormenting my sister each time. When I am eventually forced to pay him, I shall do everything in my power to ensure he will never see any of my family—especially Georgiana—again. The earl will be happy to assist me in determining how it might be done. I dream of finding a way to convince Wickham to go abroad. He could live more inexpensively elsewhere.”
They continued mostly in silence until they reached the summit of the mount, making only the occasional comment on their surroundings. There they met Mr Bingley and Jane and ate the savoury buns they had brought before returning to Longbourn, where Mrs Bennet invited the gentlemen to partake of a family dinner with them.
“I shall send a note to Netherfield to invite your darling sister and her charming husband,” she said to Darcy.
“I believe they will enjoy being by themselves,” Mr Bingley said before Darcy could respond.
Elizabeth laughed and agreed. “They are lately married, after all, and must surely prefer each other’s company above that of others.” She sat beside Darcy and squeezed his hand in apology for the speech she had thought it wise to make. To him, she whispered, “You deserve a reprieve from them. It will do you good.”
The warm, affectionate look he gave her was thanks enough.
Soon after, the residents of Netherfield Park and Longbourn met at a soirée at Purvis Lodge. More often than not, Elizabeth saw Georgiana sitting quietly, usually not with her husband. The young lady was shy, and marriage had not changed that. She was also unpracticed at being in society. Mr Wickham, on the other hand, evidently relished it. He spoke to everyone, smiling and laughing, and seemed particularly popular with the young gentlemen and single ladies—including Kitty and Lydia. It was no secret that they found him extremely affable and handsome. Darcy remained with Georgiana, but from what Elizabeth witnessed—either when she was with them or as she observed from other parts of the room—they exchanged few words.
I am afraid Mr Wickham’s attempts to make her displeased with her family are working far too well.
She had a short conversation with Georgiana during a moment alone, having sent Darcy to fetch beverages for the two of them.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” she asked.
Georgiana nodded, once again biting her lower lip; Elizabeth worried the young lady would do herself permanent injury if she did not stop abusing it.
When she did not speak, Elizabeth continued. “Do you not want to chat with any of the other guests? You know my sisters, and I would gladly introduce you to anyone you like.”
“Oh, no!” Georgiana said, shaking her head. “I-I could not. I would not know what to say or how to act.”
Because you have only just left school and had not entered society before you rashly eloped.
“Wickham says he does not mind if I sit quietly while he speaks to or dances with others, as he did at the assembly. We do not have to both do it, and since he is a gentleman and older, it is natural that he would be the one to mingle. He even says he would agree to me remaining at Netherfield. As much as he prefers to have me with him, he knows I would be more comfortable staying at home. Now that I am a married lady, I need not go into society at all.”
Fortunately, Darcy returned at that moment, sparing Elizabeth the need to reply to the outrageous statements.
Late in the evening, she deliberately stood by herself. She had decided not to seek out Mr Wickham but rather give him the opportunity to come to her. She believed he would, hoping to further vex Darcy, and she was right. When she saw him approaching her, she averted her gaze to appear a little reluctant—not so much that he changed his mind, but enough to add to his determination to win her over.
Please let me be right about his character! If this does not work, I shall have to try something else, but I fear there is precious little time left before he does irreparable damage.
“You are by yourself,” Mr Wickham said, lifting his glass to his mouth to take a sip of punch.
“As you see.” She glanced at him and then looked away .
“Do you not find the party diverting?”
“ You do.” She faced him, her brow slightly arched. He asked her to explain, and she continued. “I have seen how popular you are amongst my neighbours and that you have a great deal to say to them.”
He laughed. “I do like to be in company, especially when they are friendly. Since we are new to each other, I suppose it makes conversation easy. Your mother and younger sisters have been especially welcoming and helpful in introducing me to others, ensuring I am aware of how everyone is connected to everyone else.”
He paused to take another sip of punch and stepped closer to her, softening his voice. “Would I offend you if I said I had hoped we would have occasion to know each other better? After all, we are almost family, yet whenever we are in the same place, Darcy is always lurking nearby, keeping you to himself, like a dragon hoarding his gold.” He smiled, and she thought he winked a little, although she might be mistaken, the motion of his eye being so slight.
To herself, she laughed. He was flirting, but not so obviously that it could not be believably denied. “I would hardly say he lurks. We are engaged.”
“Ah, yes, so I have heard. It has been some months, has it not? When is the wedding?”
“We have not yet selected a date.” She was bitter about that; if it were not for him, she and Darcy would be making arrangements and talking about their removal to Pemberley rather than worrying about his sister.
His features screwed into an expression that reflected concern, regret, even a touch of pity. “You did not know each other long before he proposed, did you? You had not met his family? ”
“Not until after we had settled things between us,” she confirmed.
This time he sighed and shook his head. Really, she thought, the way he used various gestures to emphasise his words made it seem as though he were speaking to a small child, and it was necessary to ensure she understood his meaning. She loathed men who believed all ladies were empty-headed, as he apparently did.
“I speak as one who knows them far better than I would like,” he said. “And, as you are aware, one who has recent experience with their disapproval. As admirable as you are, I am sure Darcy’s family has told him they do not agree with his choice of bride. You must know that my old friend was raised to believe he would marry a lady like his mother in birth and wealth. I do not say that he doubts the wisdom of his actions…”
Yes, you do, she silently responded.
“But they will have reminded him of their expectations in the strongest terms. I do not understand them at all.” He shook his head again and sighed sadly. “No one of sense could object to you. Indeed, they should rejoice to be gaining such a lady for their family.”
“As you said earlier, Mr Wickham, we do not know each other well. How can you be sure I am worthy of such praise?”
Tell me more, she dared. Perhaps that I am too good for Darcy or that he and his family have mistreated you horribly. Both, if we have time. Try to win me to your side in this game only you are interested in playing.
He chuckled. “I believe I understand your essentials, Miss Elizabeth. I have an excellent ability to sketch characters, and I saw at once that you and I are quite similar. I would like to know more…details, I suppose you might say. What is your favourite dish or colour, that sort of thing.”
Leaning forwards so that he was almost whispering in her ear, he added, “You and I shall have to be allies, vowing to support each other as we claim our place amongst the Darcys and Fitzwilliams.”
Elizabeth took a step to the side. “Do you mean to discompose me? You will not. I see what you are about, Mr Wickham.”
He pressed his lips together, giving her the impression he was trying not to laugh at her. “And that is?”
“You hope I shall become unhappy with Darcy since he has made you unhappy. But I know him, and I do not doubt his love for me or his devotion. He is the best man in the world.”
Take that as you will! I would not want to make your conquest, so to speak, too easy, lest you guess what I am about!
“I have every reason to be displeased with him,” he said sharply. He paused briefly and was calmer when he continued. “Naturally, you have only heard his interpretation of our shared history, and he would ensure it made him sound like the injured party.”
Not wanting to listen to his lies, at least not at this first exchange, she said, “You know I must believe him, put my faith in him, above any other man. He will be my husband. It would be a mistake on my part to displease him.”
“You truly have a high opinion of him, do you?” She nodded once. “But will you once you have been married a month or a year? I fear you will not, once you know him as well as I do.”
“Are you not afraid that Georgiana’s high opinion of you will diminish, once she knows you better? After all, from what I have been told, you have rarely seen each other for years, and when you were all at Pemberley, she was still in the nursery. She knew you as a child, not as a lady old enough to marry.” Not that she is at present!
Mr Wickham’s jaw was tight, as was the short smile he gave her before he raised his glass to his lips. Elizabeth excused herself, well satisfied with their conversation—and more than ready to be away from him.