Chapter 1.18 #2
An inner smile lit his face as his thoughts rested upon his intended.
He could still smell her scent and feel the softness of her lips pressing against his, the skin of her neck shivering under his touch, her tentative but promising response to his caress.
He could not help but wonder whether she had missed him and enjoyed the roses he sent her.
Would she be as shy as she was the previous day when they were alone?
Would she allow him to kiss her again? Without any consideration for propriety, he was determined to secure at least a few minutes with her in privacy if she would agree.
Darcy breathed deeply, almost frightened by his need to see and touch her again.
He started at the sound of Wickham’s ironic voice. “I say, Darcy, I never would have thought it possible for us to become brothers after all. It is the most astonishing thing.”
“Wickham, do not entertain any hopes of taking further advantage of the situation. You will never be my brother; in fact, you will never be my anything except the scoundrel who betrayed my father’s trust and affection.
In truth, I have no desire to speak to you anymore.
I have had enough of you these last days and, quite honestly, these last years. ”
“I am truly sorry you harbour such harsh feelings towards me, Darcy. Say what you want; when the announcements appear for both marriages, the whole town will know that the master of Pemberley is married into the same family as the son of his father’s steward. What a joke!”
A defiant grin and a daring look concluded his derisive words, and he searched with satisfaction for the first signs of irritation on Darcy’s face.
He knew how to get a reaction from him, and it was satisfying to see Darcy struggle to keep his countenance, his decorum, and his gentlemanlike manners.
Wickham had always found great satisfaction in hurting him since they were children. He never felt anything but resentment, jealousy, and hate—yes, even as a boy he hated him!—for being his rich godfather’s son and for being a boring, unpleasant boy whom everyone seemed to admire and praise.
Oh, it was true that old Mr Darcy was kind to Wickham, allowed him to remain in the family’s company, and invited him to family parties when he grew older.
Yes, everybody enjoyed the company of “…the young Mr Wickham—such a charming, pleasant gentleman, and very handsome too.” However, the young Darcy was praiseworthy in everything, and though not fond of society—preferring studying and riding with his father to balls and parties—he was declared one of the most handsome and desired single young men in town.
Darcy’s father was fond of his godson and enjoyed his company, but he always said how proud he was of his son.
“He is my pride,” he used to say. Yes, he did buy his godson the finest clothes and pay for him to attend the best school—but to what purpose?
The young master was always the best at school, the best at sports, and the best at every damn thing.
Wickham never could win any praise when competing with him.
Of course, his own father always insisted that he needed to try harder and learn more if he wanted to be proficient, but the extra work and hours of study were not to his liking.
He dreamed constantly of besting Darcy, but in truth, he wanted to be Darcy.
He had a bit of remorse at such feelings, but he was almost pleased when Lady Anne and then his godfather passed away. The Darcys were no longer happy.
What he did not take into consideration was that the young master of Pemberley was not as easily deceived as the late one had been.
Losing his benefits, rather than making him regret what he had and had not valued as they deserved, only increased his hatred towards Darcy.
And after he failed to conclude the affair with Georgiana, he was certain—more than anything—that he would never be around any member of Darcy’s family or even speak to one of them again.
Now they were to be brothers after all, and Darcy was to wed a woman who favoured Wickham first. For the first time, he felt he had a secret power over Darcy, and he intended to use it.
Now it was indeed so easy to win, at least partially and for a short time.
However, he wanted to savour the taste of Darcy’s defeat.
“Come now, Darcy, do not be so harsh with me. Last night I was under the impression that Miss Elizabeth’s charms improved your rude manners, at least to some degree. You seem…bewitched by her.”
Darcy gave him a dark, warning glare and then turned his head to the window in an attempt to dismiss him, but with little success.
“You know, I must confess I did not guess the nature of your interest in Miss Elizabeth at all. I had noticed your attentions towards her, but it never crossed my mind that you would be induced by her into matrimony. To succeed where so many young heiresses and their mothers failed year after year must be the supreme proof that her qualities and accomplishments are above those of most ladies. You must feel very fortunate that she chose you to be the recipient of her…charms.”
His insinuating tone, with its offensive implication, gave a twisted meaning to his words as he impertinently held Darcy’s sombre glare.
“But, Darcy, did you not ask yourself whether her preference towards you would have been the same if not for your financial condition? Surely, her mother did not fail to notice your attentions towards her and persuaded her to accept you. That woman would kill to secure a son-in-law half as rich as you are. Poor Elizabeth never stood a chance against her influence.”
The effect of his words was so powerful that Wickham could detect the agitation in Darcy’s body as his jaws clenched and a small vein pulsed violently at his temple.
The carriage cabin was too small to hold the extraordinary suspense, and Wickham knew he put himself in danger, but he simply could not stop—any more than he could stop playing a card game with enormous stakes.
“Oh, do not be angry with me—I only speak the truth! You surely must have been aware that she greatly disliked you at the beginning of your acquaintance. I know for sure that she did because she told me as much. She and I were always good friends, you know. She was pleased to accept my attentions from the first moment we met, and we spent a very enjoyable time together, talking and…well, let us say just talking, shall we? I mean, before you became intimate with her. I cannot condemn her for choosing you. She is a very smart woman, and she knows her own interests only too well.”
Wickham’s words sounded insulting even to his own ears, and he knew the danger of his daring speech, but the sudden change of countenance in Darcy—his frozen, wounded gaze—was worth any risk.
In the next moment, Darcy silently moved closer to him, his eyes fixed on Wickham’s face and his eyebrows knit together menacingly. Then his whole body moved suddenly in his seat, making Wickham startle and turn his head to avoid the blow.
What followed was more powerful and painful than a hundred blows: Darcy resumed his original position, leaned against his seat, and began to laugh—a hearty, unrestrained laugh as though enjoying himself after a good joke.
He cast a pitiful glance at his childhood companion, shaking his head at the sudden revelation that struck him.
“Wickham, I must thank you, for you have helped me finally understand the truth. I have known you almost my entire life, and until this moment, I never truly understood what an utter simpleton you are.”
“I—I do not know what you are talking about.”
“I can easily believe you do not understand me, which only proves that my statement is correct: you are an idiot! Allow me to enlighten you. Only an idiot would assume that I would consider marriage with Miss Elizabeth without being assured of her worthiness or her true feelings for me. And only an idiot would purposely offend my future wife, knowing that his entire future is in my hands. Only an idiot would try my patience, knowing that I can throw him in debtor’s prison in the blink of an eye or have him be dishonoured and forced to beg on the streets whenever I please. ”
He paused a moment and then started to laugh again.
“You know, I should kill you for your attempt to discredit Miss Elizabeth, but you are such a poor excuse for a man that you do not deserve earnest belief. I shall tell the story to Elizabeth tonight so we can enjoy the jest together. I think Mr Bennet, too, would be diverted by my tale as proof of his new son-in-law’s worth.
And now, out of my carriage and out of my sight, Wickham, before I throw you into the street.
I cannot bear your presence a moment longer. ”
Darcy unlocked the door and pushed him unceremoniously, forcing Wickham to jump from the still-moving carriage. “I should have thrown him out years ago…”
Relieved and contented with himself, he put the blackguard out of his mind, his thoughts more pleasurably engaged in the anticipation of seeing Elizabeth again. And hopefully not just seeing her…
∞∞∞
She remained at the door, watching the lively chat and Georgiana’s delicate laugh for several moments. The last time she had seen Georgiana, the girl was just recovering from her dreadful illness and could scarcely sit up in bed. Could that have been less than a week ago?
“Good day. I hope I am not interrupting your conversation.”
Startled, both young ladies turned to the visitor who was moving towards them with superior elegance and a severe countenance, resting an intense gaze upon Elizabeth.
For the first time in her life, Elizabeth felt intimidated as she rose to her feet, blushing.
“Lady Ellen! What a pleasant surprise!” cried Georgiana with as much joy as affection.
“How are you, sweetie?” A loving smile lightened Lady Matlock’s face as she tenderly kissed her niece’s cheeks. “You look marvellous, Georgiana.”