Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
E lizabeth purposely did not talk to Mr Wickham alone for almost a week. She continued to see him, but always in company, and she was sure to keep Darcy or Georgiana nearby. Rebecca had written her a long letter in response to Elizabeth’s request that she share whatever she knew or could learn about Mr Wickham’s childhood and friendship with Darcy, and she studied it diligently. She did not know how she would use the information, but she had a few ideas and wanted to be prepared. Rebecca had asked her father and mother for their thoughts, since her own knowledge would be minimal, given her age and how little time she had spent with Mr Wickham. Mr Frederick Darcy claimed that Wickham’s connexion to Darcy had been almost that of brothers, and he had been a well-mannered, intelligent boy who appeared diligent about his education. He understood why Darcy’s father had taken an interest in young Mr Wickham and supported him at school and university. Rebecca relayed several anecdotes from her parents about the boys—harmless mischief they had been involved in, celebrations at Pemberley, and the like.
It was at Longbourn one afternoon that Elizabeth decided she had avoided speaking to Mr Wickham long enough. Kitty and Lydia begged Georgiana to go to their bedchamber and look at their gowns, hoping she would offer advice on how to make them appear finer. The rest of them were in the drawing room. Jane and Bingley had their heads bent together in quiet conversation by the window, and Mrs Bennet was speaking to Mary and Darcy. Elizabeth had been part of their group until she spied Mr Wickham on his own, looking like he was suffering from ennui.
“I am afraid a long afternoon visiting amongst our families does not suit you so well,” she said as she sat in a delicate armchair near him.
He gave her a lazy smile and shrugged. “Now that you have come to keep me company, it is much more to my liking. I was worried I had offended you at Purvis Lodge.”
She neither confirmed nor denied it. “Your wife and my soon-to-be husband are brother and sister, which means you and I are connected, in a way. I imagine all four of us shall see each other often, our children will grow up together. They will be cousins, after all, and I know how much Darcy values his friendships with Lord Bramwell and Colonel Fitzwilliam.” She chuckled to herself to see the look of disgust that crossed his face at the mention of the earl’s sons; he quickly erased it. “Who is to say that you will not settle near Pemberley? Once you have completed your studies of the law, that is. I would like us all to be on amiable terms, be friends, if possible, as well as family. ”
He scoffed. “Darcy would not agree with you. Ask him. You will see.”
She acted as though she was unconcerned. “I pray that you and he will one day rediscover your former kindly feelings. Soon, I hope. I would willingly help you repair what has been broken between you.”
He smiled indulgently and shook his head. “Darcy is too stubborn. His good opinion once lost is lost forever. Trust me, Elizabeth. I know him better than you do, likely better than you ever will, given I was there when his character was forming, and he was not so practiced at disguising his true nature.”
Elizabeth, is it? Rather presumptuous, but I shall allow it for now. As to what you say of my wonderful Darcy, you have given him ample reason to hate you and never forgive you. I shall not deign to comment on, or even remember, your terrible insinuations.
“Recent events have been a shock to him, which I believe is a reasonable and understandable response. But, once he has time to accept his sister’s choice, I am absolutely certain his wishes will match my own. Would you not prefer to live in harmony, especially knowing how it would please Georgiana, who is as darling a girl as I have ever met? I have been told that her father was particularly fond of you. I am sure he would be glad to know his daughter will always be happy and safe with you by her side, protecting her. Do you suppose I am correct? Would Mr Darcy have been pleased by your marriage, likely even that he would have rejoiced that you and his only daughter fell in love?”
Mr Wickham swallowed heavily and cleared his throat before saying, “Yes. I suppose so.”
He excused himself, and Elizabeth watched as he left the room. So, you do still have some tender sentiments. If you are affected by the mention of the late Mr Darcy’s affection for you, what else might do the trick? Perhaps being forced to remember how much you once cared for Darcy and hated to disappoint his father as I suppose you did, given he was your godfather and did so much for you.
As her gaze moved about the room, she noticed Darcy regarding her, frowning slightly. She smiled, her heart filling with love, and returned to her former place by his side.
What was Elizabeth doing speaking to Wickham so much? The question gnawed at Darcy. The last thing I need is yet another reason to be discontented! There were other words that might suit his mood better—vexed, restless, exhausted. This morning, the latter was particularly appropriate. He was walking through the copse at Netherfield, hoping the fresh air and autumn chill would revive him. The night before had been almost sleepless, as far too many had been of late. But, more and more, his thoughts of Elizabeth were being tainted by seeing her alone in company with Wickham. She was not entirely alone with the man, of course, but she talked to him without seeming to mind, and Darcy hated, positively loathed seeing it.
“It means nothing,” he whispered hoarsely, banishing his memories of her purposely crossing the parlour to speak to him and their earlier tête-à-tête at Purvis Lodge. “I do not doubt her. I trust her, and she trusts me. When I told her what manner of person he was, she believed me.” Even if she wondered if he was exaggerating, Lord Romsley and Bramwell’s coming to Hertfordshire as they had added weight to his claims—as did the fact that Wickham had convinced his sister to elope.
How Darcy longed for this period of his life to be over! He wanted to be married and living with Elizabeth at Pemberley. He spent a few minutes day-dreaming of showing her his favourite places at the estate and in the neighbourhood, proudly introducing her to his neighbours as Mrs Darcy. Soon, he vowed. He would convince Mr Bennet to give his permission for them to plan the wedding, and he would insist on selecting a date no more than four or six weeks away.
“I might even speak to Bingley about proposing to Jane so that it can be a double wedding.” Darcy knew that Elizabeth and her sister had dreamt of sharing a wedding day, and—without asking Bingley—he suspected the only reason he had not yet proposed was because of Darcy’s present difficulties. It was unfair to the couple, and it added to the weight of his distress.
Returning to the house, he saw Wickham near the entrance he had intended to use. He almost decided to direct his steps elsewhere, but Wickham called to him.
“You always were sickeningly fond of wandering the countryside.” Wickham yawned widely, not covering his mouth.
“I recall when you enjoyed exploring the grounds at Pemberley.” He made to walk by him, but Wickham was apparently in a talkative mood.
“Ah, dear Pemberley. Elizabeth mentioned it to me the other day, when we chatted at Longbourn.” He whistled. “You did catch yourself a pretty little thing. I congratulate you.”
He is attempting to provoke you. Do not allow it! Think of Georgiana. The silent assertion helped enough that Darcy was able to fix a cold, stern gaze on him. For a long moment, neither spoke.
“It made me realise how much I long to return to my old home,” Wickham said. “I can hardly wait to see all my old friends and neighbours, hear them call Georgiana ‘Mrs Wickham’.”
The parallel to Darcy’s earlier contemplations was startling, and he bit the inside of his cheek almost to the point of tearing the skin to keep from responding.
“I know my wife wishes to return home. When she asks you to arrange for us to go—because she will soon, I promise you—I shall enter the neighbourhood a married man. Will you?”
“What the devil do you mean by that?” Darcy exclaimed, instantly regretting that he had spoken.
Wickham chuckled, sounding satisfied. “Mr Bennet is not at all pleased with your engagement. I have seen how he looks at you. Elizabeth might change her mind—or have it changed for her by her father. Come, Darcy, you must know he has spoken to her of ending it. It is so glaringly obvious. She cannot marry without her father’s permission, unless you are willing to follow my lead and go to Scotland. If you decide to carry her off, do let me advise you on the most comfortable inns.” Once again, he laughed. “You are too honourable to take what you most want, are you not? Thus, you may end your days a bachelor, because I expect one or both of them will decide the benefits of the match are not worth the?—”
“Do not finish that,” Darcy snarled. He strode towards the door knowing he would run straight into Wickham if one of them did not step aside. As he suspected, Wickham moved, putting him out of range of Darcy’s fists rather than risk feeling his wrath.
Climbing the stair to his apartment, Darcy sought calmness in remembering his sister and the need to do what was best for her. That meant behaving as though there was nothing amiss. It would lessen speculation about her situation. During the party at Purvis Lodge, Mrs Philips had asked him why there had been no announcement in the newspapers of Georgiana’s marriage yet. Darcy had made a vague excuse, glad Elizabeth had been by his side to cleverly convince her aunt there was nothing odd about it. The last thing Darcy wanted was for people beyond Meryton to know. It was strange that Wickham appeared to share that feeling, but—beyond reserving it to use as a threat—Darcy supposed he might not want people to know he was married, other ladies especially. Then, when he finally left Georgiana to resume his dissolute way of life, he could more easily profit from befriending them.
If necessary, Darcy and his relations would slowly talk about the union, acting as though it were not remarkable—much as he, Elizabeth, Bingley, and Jane had done in Meryton. At present, it was better that they lived quietly, and Hertfordshire was preferable to Derbyshire. There were fewer families of note here, meaning those that spent much time in town and amongst those in his circle. The Bennets were respected in the neighbourhood, and Elizabeth was well liked. He was counting on the people wanting to protect her happiness and reputation, thus being willing to overlook the circumstances of his sister’s connexion to Wickham.
Elizabeth. As little as he wanted to admit it, Wickham’s words bothered him, which he attributed to having seen the two of them in what seemed like easy conversation. Had she said something to Wickham that encouraged him to wonder how dedicated she was to their engagement, to Darcy?
I refuse to believe it. Elizabeth cannot like him, would never want to be his friend. She and I love each other, have almost since the night we met. All will be well. That is what she has said to me many times, and I believe her. All will be well for Georgiana and for Elizabeth and me. I will accept nothing less!