Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
T wo days before Fitzwilliam would be at Netherfield, Darcy happened across Wickham in the house.
“Ah, you might be able to help me.” Darcy pointed at him and smiled in a manner meant to suggest he was pleased to see him.
In return, Wickham eyed him suspiciously. His expression was almost comical; he grimaced and seemed to flinch.
“For some reason, I was thinking of when we and Fitzwilliam were at school together,” Darcy said. “It was speaking to Elizabeth yesterday that brought it to mind. She mentioned the games she and some of the other children in the neighbourhood used to play in the summer. There was a boy we knew. I think he was more Fitzwilliam’s friend than ours, but the four of us were often together. I cannot recall his name. It might have started with a ‘b’, or perhaps a ‘d’, and I have no notion where he was from. Brown hair—like both of us, so I suppose that does not help. Large nose and ears. There was the one time we all decided we had to finish a game of cricket even though it began to rain heavily. We were all dripping wet, covered in mud.” He laughed heartily. “Do you know whom I mean?”
There was a brief pause before Wickham, speaking slowly, said, “Do I remember a boy we knew at school, that we were friends with? That we played cricket with?”
Darcy nodded. “I quite liked him. We both did.”
Wickham shook his head.
“Perhaps my cousin will remember his name. I wonder what became of him? I do not believe he followed us to Cambridge.”
“What the devil are you about?” Wickham demanded. “Reminding me of when we were boys, talking about us all going to Pemberley?”
“I told you I believe we must make an effort to stop being at odds with each other. It does neither us nor our ladies any good.”
Wickham scoffed. “After everything that has happened between us these last years, you expect me to believe you want to be friends again?”
Darcy did his best to appear artless. “You have married my sister, whom I love dearly. For her, and for Elizabeth, who deserves everything I can possibly give her, especially a husband that is not constantly irritated, yes. I do not know if we shall ever call each other friends again. I admit, that seems…difficult.” Impossible. I promise, it will never happen! “But I do not see why we cannot attempt to reestablish more amiable relations. Elizabeth has helped me understand the benefits of choosing the path of happiness, of thinking of the past only as it brings us pleasure rather than clinging to that which vexes us. I refuse to believe you prefer to live always being in conflict with your family. ”
Wickham appeared to start at the final word. It was impossible to guess what he was thinking, but Darcy saw that he swallowed heavily.
“Well, I am off to Longbourn shortly,” Darcy said after a lengthy silence. “I shall return to prepare for the party at Purvis Lodge this afternoon. I shall see you and Georgiana then.” He gave Wickham a quick nod and walked away.
Knowing when Colonel Fitzwilliam would finally make his appearance in Hertfordshire, Elizabeth enlisted Jane’s help so that she could have a private conversation with him and Darcy. After breakfast, she made her way along a lesser-used path where they were unlikely to meet anyone else. The gentlemen were waiting for her in a small clearing. Colonel Fitzwilliam greeted her warmly.
“I am very glad to see you again,” he said. “Being so far away these last weeks has been difficult, but I have consoled myself that my cousins had you nearby.”
She smiled. “I have done what I can for them.” Her gaze drifted to Darcy, who stood beside her.
Darcy held her elbow. “Elizabeth’s presence has helped more than I can ever express. But let us get to the point of this meeting. It is too cold to be standing about like this.” To her, he explained, “I told my cousin how we hope to remind Wickham that he was not always the horrible person he is today.”
Fitzwilliam laughed. “I was relieved when he finally did. I arrived not long before dinner, and we did not have a chance to talk until after the meal. Watching him speaking so calmly and amiably to Wickham was shocking. I began to worry he had suffered an injury to his brain. The letter he sent to me has not found me yet.”
Elizabeth chuckled but her laugh was more because some response seemed necessary than true amusement. The situation was too important for her to find much humour in it.
Fitzwilliam continued. “I am glad the role you have assigned me does not demand I act as though I wish to be his friend. It is all I can do not to?—”
Elizabeth interjected, “I understand, Colonel. Believe me, I would just as soon kick him. I cannot count the number of times my toes have itched to do it. I would much rather strike out than smile at him, but I remind myself this way will be more beneficial for your cousins—and me. I hope I am allowed a little selfishness.”
He smiled and said, “I do not know if my mother and father are aware of what you are attempting to do. Darcy, have you informed them?”
Darcy shook his head. “But Bramwell said he would tell them when they meet in Shropshire. They must all be there by now.”
“I shall write to my mother about it too. I know she and the earl were…hesitant about your union,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, speaking to Elizabeth. “But this will change their view. What family would not value having such a clever, devoted lady join them? Whatever the outcome of this attempt to improve the disaster Georgiana has got herself into, thank you for trying.”
“I do not need your gratitude, and I trust you know I have not done any of this to gain Lord and Lady Romsley’s approval. I already consider Darcy part of my family, and Georgiana as well. Family should do what they can to protect each other, even if one of them brought the trouble upon themselves.”
Darcy kissed her hand, and they spent the next few minutes ensuring they agreed on what they should do and providing suggestions to each other regarding how they should act around Georgiana and Wickham.
“I think it will be a miracle if he shows any signs of being the boy I once knew and considered a friend,” the colonel said. “However, I have no idea what else to do, other than run him through or get him drunk and throw him onto a ship bound for the far corners of the world while he is insensible. Now, before you return to the warmth of your home, Miss Elizabeth, tell me when I shall have the privilege of meeting your family.”