Chapter 14 #2
As Kitty and Lydia obeyed, Georgiana stood and began to wander the room.
Although Elizabeth and Darcy had been in quiet conversation before the interruption, it trailed off.
Elizabeth observed as Darcy watched his sister take up a place by a window, where she gazed outside with an odd, forlorn expression.
His expression cooled even more as Mr Wickham wandered over and began to speak to her, the young lady blushing in obvious pleasure.
His countenance settled into the barely contained rage Elizabeth had come to recognise when Mr Wickham approached the very young ladies.
“Wickham, did you not say just this morning that you were meant to be on duty soon?” Darcy inquired of his father’s godson.
“I most definitely did not, Darcy.” Wickham smirked, knowing instantly what disturbed Darcy.
“I am certain that you did. I heard you with my own ears,” Priscilla interrupted her conversation with Jane and Mary to say.
“I am not on duty until midnight,” Wickham disputed.
“Perhaps you misremember.” Darcy was firm. “You should go. It would not behoove you to be on bad terms with your colonel. You know how important your progress in the regiment is to my father.”
Darcy Senior seemed confused as he looked back and forth between his son and his godson.
“I do not remember such a remark, but if there is any chance that you might be mistaken, George, you must go. I would not have you be disciplined already. Fitzwilliam, tell my groom to take him in my carriage so there is no chance of George being late. I can return back to our cottage in yours.”
Darcy rose and left the room, a satisfied expression upon his face, a displeased one upon the face of Mr Wickham, who followed him out, unwilling to openly disobey his godfather.
When Darcy reentered the room, Kitty and Lydia had also returned. Lydia was sullenly displaying her meagre efforts to her father and a bewildered Darcy Senior.
Kitty approached Georgiana tentatively, eyeing her father in hopes of not being disturbed again. “Georgie, would you like to go into the garden to begin reading the novel I selected for us at the library? I do hope you have not read it.”
“Yes, I would. Thank you, Kitty.” Georgiana turned, and with a strangely displeased glance at her brother, followed her friend outside.
“Miss Elizabeth, have you taken your exercise today? Could I tempt you outside for a walk?” Darcy asked Elizabeth quietly.
“Yes, Lizzy, do go. You refused to leave Jane this morning, but you can see that she is well attended now,” Charlotte encouraged.
“I am happy to keep Jane company,” Priscilla promised. “She is far too sweet to be left on her own.”
Elizabeth accepted, with a sharp glance at her stepmother. Just because she wished to accompany Darcy did not mean she required Charlotte’s assistance, nor did she want to be managed.
Elizabeth retrieved her bonnet and accompanied Darcy out to the lane, taking his arm as he steered her in the opposite direction of the Bingleys’ cottage.
“Thank you for your assistance with Mr Wickham,” she ventured. “I fear that if my sisters had become disobedient in order to enjoy his attention, my father might have offended yours in an effort to separate them. It is obvious that Mr Darcy has great affection for the gentleman.”
“The gentleman barely warrants the term,” Darcy growled.
“I cannot tell if my father and Charlotte sense whatever concerns you about Mr Wickham, or if they are merely being firm with Kitty and Lydia,” Elizabeth continued.
“The girls were informed before we came that they are not here to be courted, nor to consort with officers. They may view the parades and embarkations, but that is all, and if they disobey, or even disagree, my father will return them to Longbourn immediately.”
“Your father is an intelligent man,” Darcy replied.
“I think it is more likely that Charlotte is very different from my mother,” Elizabeth explained. “My mother wanted us to marry, at any cost, to anyone who would have us. Charlotte wants us to marry quite as fervently, I think. However, she considers our welfare more carefully.”
“Let us not speak of Wickham, it is such a distasteful subject,” Darcy suggested.
“I hope that my sister and I have not been too demanding of your time. She is so determined to visit the confectioner’s often.
I believe it is because it has been a few years since we visited Ramsgate, and she is not certain we will visit next year.
I believe that it also gives her an excuse to spend time in your company each day, which she enjoys very much. ”
“Oh, it is no trouble.” Elizabeth was quick to assure him. “It is a charming adventure, and I am honoured to be invited to embark upon it.”
“There is something I wish to ask you.” Suddenly, he seemed uncertain.
“Of course.” She stopped and looked up at him expectantly.
“I know that you have already been a great deal more generous than I deserve after my behaviour the day we met. I sense your forgiveness is complete. It is obvious that you did not promise it in an effort to be rid of my company. But I hoped…might I enquire…if I have improved your regard enough to obtain your respect and friendship.”
Elizabeth’s expression softened. “In full measure.”
“Truly?” His countenance turned to something akin to joy.
“I have seen you amongst your family enough to see that your behaviour that day was an aberration. You have their sincerest trust and affection. Your sister, your cousin, even Mr Bingley have lauded you as the very best of men, and the very best of friends. At the very least, Priscilla is not a lady who would exaggerate the merits of anyone, not even her own family.”
She turned, and they continued to walk as she spoke.
“I have seen Mr Wickham’s behaviour and your reaction to him.
I suspect your conduct that day had something to do with that man.
You even warned me to guard my sisters, though your own father has great affection for him.
I can see that you are honourable. And you saved my life yesterday.
Mr Darcy…how could I think of you as anything but my friend? ”
Something in his face eased immediately. They walked several paces farther.
“I am more fortunate than I deserve.” His voice was low.
Elizabeth laughed. “Somehow, I sense that you underestimate your true merits, which have nothing to do with fortune or station, and that you deserve far more than you imagine.”
Their conversation trailed off, and they walked in companionable silence for a short while before they turned back, Darcy citing a need to ensure that his father would not tire himself.
He was correct, for when they returned, his father was returning to their carriage.
“Your sister will remain another hour to read with her friend, and Priscilla will spend some time with Miss Bennet and Miss Mary. Come with me, son. We will send Mrs Younge in the carriage to accompany them home.” Darcy Senior was obviously tired.
“Of course, Father.” Darcy ensured that his father was comfortably settled in the carriage before escorting Elizabeth to the door.
As they lingered on the doorstep, he spoke in a low voice, as if to a lover. “Miss Elizabeth, you gave me too much credit, for I must confess that I am a selfish creature.”
“I could never believe it, Mr Darcy.” She looked bewildered. “Not in a thousand years.”
“I confess that I am unashamedly selfish enough to pray that one day, I may inspire a much more precious sentiment from you than mere friendship.”
Elizabeth gasped as he bowed low and kissed her glove, then turned and boarded his carriage.
Darcy was quietly contemplating Elizabeth’s reaction to his declaration as he rode in the carriage with his father.
“You found her then,” Mr Darcy said gently to his son.
Darcy met his father’s gaze in surprise.
“Your future wife,” Darcy Senior elucidated.
Darcy was candid in his reply. “I hope so. I pray you do not disapprove.”
His father reached across the carriage and placed his hand over his son’s. “My dearest boy. I could never disapprove of any choice of yours.”
“Only my opinion of Wickham.”
“You do not give my godson any credit for the loss of his parents or his background,” Darcy Senior murmured thoughtfully. “What do you think that was about with the younger girls today?”