Chapter 9 #2
“With wild living, he is a gambler and a womaniser.” She stared at all the young ladies hard but especially at Lydia.
“In Derbyshire we know of at least one child that he fathered and left the lady without as much as a look back. You ladies will do well to steer clear of such a man and the like. He is not to be trusted and his handsome face is all he has to offer. There is no goodness in him except the appearance of it.”
As they continued this very serious conversation, two horsemen approached them and dismounted.
“Lady Anne, Miss Bennet, what a pleasure seeing you all here.”
“Oh Mr Bingley, William, we did not expect to see you here.”
“Mother, is all well? You ladies look slightly alarmed.” Darcy said worried.
“We will talk about it later.” His mother said, “But now we are going to the milliners. Would you like to accompany us?”
Bingley was more than happy to offer his arm to Jane and walk towards the shops so they tied their horses to the hitching post and Darcy had no option but to follow.
Somehow Darcy and Elizabeth ended up next to each other, and he noticed she was paler than the usual and not her normal lively self.
“Miss Elizabeth, is all well? You seem a little quieter than your normal self.”
She looked at him, surprised, “I thank you sir; you are a good observer. Today I am, I must confess, a little shaken. Some events that happened last night, through no fault of my own, truly shook me. But just now, a handsome face reminded me of how fickle I can actually be and that has caused me to be a little more reflective than the usual.”
Darcy gasped, “was it you?”
“Was it me what?”
“Miss Bingley heard some gossip from below stairs this morning, about some unpleasant event happening at Longbourn last night. I did not think it was you.”
She chuckled, “I suppose you thought it might be Lydia, as unguarded as she can be. But no, unfortunately I was his target.”
A mad desire overtook Darcy; he wished he could be left alone with the man who had threatened Miss Elizabeth for a few minutes! He would beat the miscreant to a pulp... the strength of his anger surprised him.
“I am so sorry, Miss Elizabeth,” he fought hard to curb his ire, “Some men exercise no self control and they are a disgrace to our sex.”
“I know. I daresay you would not behave in such a fashion.”
“Certainly not; I have my faults and God knows they are many, but to disrespect a young lady is something that nobody can accuse me of.”
“At least not in actions,” She said teasingly.
His colour rose to the tip of his ears, he stopped and looked at her earnestly, “Miss Elizabeth, I have already apologised to you for my careless words at the assembly but now I truly beg your pardon. I was a scoundrel to say such falsehoods, cruel things about a lovely young lady and in her hearing, no less. It was very poorly done and I wish them unsaid. However, since that cannot happen I implore you to grant me forgiveness and give me a chance to prove to you that I am not a cad.”
Elizabeth was moved by such a heartfelt entreaty. She smiled, “granted, Mr Darcy.”
He smiled at her while beautiful dimples graced his face.
Elizabeth had to avert her eyes as she felt herself staring idiotically. Once she composed herself she said mischievously, “Shall we begin again?”
“Absolutely,” he agreed and looked along the cobbled lane, as if searching for someone, “wait here, please.” Then he entered the shop where their party had already arrived and came out soon afterwards leading Bingley.
“Dear Bingley, would you do me the honour of introducing this lovely young lady, please?”
Bingley blinked, confused, “I beg your pardon?”
She smiled, “pray do not hesitate, Mr Bingley, please,”
“Errr… but of course; Darcy, let me introduce to you Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn.” Then he turned to her, “Miss Elizabeth, this is Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.”
He bowed respectfully and she curtsied elegantly.
“It is an honour meeting you, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Likewise, Mr Darcy,” she said softly.
Darcy felt elation take over his heart... quite inexplicably.
Then all three of them laughed and Bingley opened the door. Darcy offered his arm to Elizabeth and they walked together into the milliners.
From some distance away Mr Wickham watched the scene unfold. Once they disappeared into the shop, he raised his brow and nodded with a snigger.
Over the following days he set himself to discover all he could about the Bennet family, about their circumstances and position in society, their financial troubles, and most significantly the fact that the estate was entailed and the lovely young women had very small dowries.
***
Mr Bennet and Elizabeth in their official testimonies against Mr Collins sealed the fate of the heir of Longbourn.
Life as he knew it was at an end. All his hopes for the future were dashed, ruined because of one ill conceived idea: the notion that he could impose himself upon a young lady and get away with it; and under her father’s roof, no less.
His punishment was transportation for life, on a ship that left for Van Diemen’s Land the following week.
By committing a crime he had also forfeited his inheritance, although his male offspring would still inherit Longbourn, if he had one.
If Mr Collins fathered a son in Australia, this son would still be the heir to Longbourn, as stated in Mr Bennet’s grandfather’s will.
But, judging by the appalling behaviour Mr Collins had exhibited in Hertfordshire, it was unlikely he would ever convince any woman to marry him, even should she be a criminal.
Mrs Bennet heard all this and pondered in her heart that she might still be allowed to remain at Longbourn, even for many years after the passing of her husband.
Unless of course, he outlived them all.