Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
Despite her smiles and teasing, Elizabeth felt sick. She could not listen to him speak of his being found guilty, and disliked the idea of being at the inquest, of hearing others cast doubt on him, but she did not wish to be parted from him, and he needed her. This she knew for a certainty.
She bade her family farewell, refusing her father’s offer to accompany them, entered Darcy’s carriage, and they rode in silence.
At the inn, he handed her down, and they walked through to the room of the inquest. She greeted her friends and neighbours, smiling her most gracious smile, hoping that even this small act might tip the scales of justice in favour of the man she loved.
Mr Brown asked all to sit, and for Darcy to share his history with Mr Wickham with the jurors. “It has come to my attention that there is more to the story, and I think we ought to understand Mr Darcy’s relationship with Mr Wickham.”
Darcy looked to Elizabeth and she offered the smallest of nods. He rose and stood straight, showing his full regal bearing then explained their shared history at Pemberley and about Wickham’s years of fecklessness and immorality, and the inevitable severing of ties.
“I had three peaceful years with no word from him, then he applied to me again by letter. His circumstances, he assured me—and I had no difficulty in believing it—were exceedingly bad. You will hardly blame me for refusing to comply with this entreaty. He did not take this calmly, and spread vicious lies about me, many of which came back to my ears. Being a gentleman, I did not publicly respond. As such, some thought me callous, selfish, parsimonious, but my true friends knew my good character. We did not seek each other’s company and I received no more letters from him.
I suspect his circumstances worsened and he tracked me to Meryton. ”
Elizabeth noted he had entirely passed over the events involving Georgiana, but thought that right. There was no need. Mr Wickham’s character had been painted fully enough.
“From the actions he took before I came upon him at Longbourn, it seemed he was attempting to ensnare one of the Bennet girls or to sully my reputation with the family. Perhaps both. Whatever his purpose, I flew at him in a rage, knowing his character to be unsavoury, and Mr Bennet told him to leave his property. It was not until I was called for this inquest that I knew of his death.”
When Darcy lowered his head, an indication that his story was at an end, a murmur passed through the room. Elizabeth kept her eyes fixed on him, but he did not look up.
Mr Brown leaned forward. “You said repeatedly that you wished him dead. Are we meant to believe that was mere hyperbole?”
Darcy sat up and took a moment to look from man to man on the jury. “I admit that I did wish him dead.”
More murmuring.
“No one has angered me as much as Mr Wickham. Not one soul on earth. And yet, to take such severe, violent action against another is not in my nature. I had not laid hands on him since we were boys, though I had been given cause repeatedly in recent years. Not until he came to prey upon the Bennets. I lost my senses at the sight of him in their presence, much as I lost my senses when I met Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She won me over, I love her ardently, and would do nothing to jeopardise our union.”
At this, he looked to Elizabeth, and she wiped away a tear. She could not lose this man.
Mr Brown said, “It is a compelling explanation, Mr Darcy, yet without evidence to the contrary, I do not know how a decision might be made.” He frowned.
“We are awaiting those seeking out Mr Thompson. We shall pause for an hour and reconvene with or without having located him, at which point I must move on to another town. Thank you, gentlemen.”
Elizabeth went to Darcy, who had remained seated, brow furrowed, eyes fixed on the floorboards. “Darcy, let us go to the dining room. A drink and some food might do you good.”
He shook his head. When she touched his shoulder, he rested a hand on hers, but did not look up. She wanted to reassure him, to say something that might help, but she could not find words that did not seem false or hollow.
Mr Goulding approached. “Darcy, you will mull for the remaining fifty-nine minutes if left to your own devices. Come, let us drink or eat. I suspect you refused breakfast, and a man cannot face his fate without a full belly. And perhaps drunk. At least he ought not to.” Darcy nodded to his friend and rose.
Mr Goulding winked at Elizabeth, who had never appreciated the man so much in all her life.
They found a table and sat, and though she wanted nothing, she would order so Darcy might eat or drink. He had to keep up his strength.