by Zoë Burton
Before his prey could respond, there came the sound of a hard rain, and the view out the window was obscured by the downpour.
“Thank you, Mr. Wickham, but no, I think I would rather remain indoors.” Elizabeth gave him a small smile, relief filling her heart.
Wickham’s smile barely lifted his lips, and Elizabeth saw the flash of irritation in his expression. “Indeed, not,” he replied.
The rain continued for a full half-hour. At its onset, Mrs. Bennet had invited the gentlemen to stay, and so they did. Wickham was called by good manners to spread his compliments around, and so spent most of the time flirting with Lydia and Kitty. Elizabeth and Jane kept a close eye on the situation.
When the rain stopped, Mrs. Bennet invited the officers to stay for dinner, but their duties required their return to town. With a huge smile and a sigh of relief, Elizabeth waved goodbye. They had not been gone more than five minutes before the sun came out once more.
“Oh,” Mrs. Bennet fluttered, handkerchief waving in the air. “I do hope the roads dry out enough for our guests to arrive!”
Elizabeth assured her all would be well. “Look, Mama; the ground in the paddock is already drying out. I am certain Mr. Bingley’s carriage will be fine to travel.”
~~~***~~~
True to Elizabeth’s prediction, within an hour or two, the ground had dried enough from its soaking that travel was once again possible. Later that day, Bingley, Darcy, and Bingley’s family all arrived at Longbourn for a dinner party. Though Darcy was eager to speak to Elizabeth, and sent many longing glances her way, Mrs. Bennet monopolized his time and attention, as well as that of everyone in the room, with profuse expressions of gratitude for their attendance, a plethora of fussing over seating, and much gossiping. Thankfully, in his view, his hostess was not one to stand on precedence, and Darcy was able to escort Elizabeth into the dining room and seat himself at her side.
“How are you today?” Darcy leaned toward Elizabeth, breathing in the lavender of her perfume. Just yesterday, he had wandered Netherfield’s gardens, and had stood near a patch of the fragrant purple flower, enjoying the aroma and thinking of Elizabeth.
Elizabeth turned her head toward Darcy, leaning his way just a bit, as the servant placed a bowl of soup in front of her. “I am well. I am afraid Mr. Hill is not. I asked him to accompany me on my walk this morning; he is unused to the activity.”
The smirk on her lips and twinkle in her eye made Darcy chuckle. “I feel very sorry for Mr. Hill, then, but I am glad you did not walk out alone. Did you meet anyone on your walk?”
By this time, Elizabeth had moved away again. “No, not on my walk, but we did have …” She looked Darcy in the eye. “Visitors this afternoon.”
Darcy’s brows rose. “I see,” he said. “How did that go?”
“Very well. Jane never left my side, and it began to rain, so none of us could be separated from the rest.”
Darcy smiled now. “I am glad.” He finished the soup course with a small amount of conversation with Mrs. Bennet. She was, he thought, rather cold to him. Certainly, she was far more animated with Bingley. Darcy wondered at it for a while, but recalling Elizabeth’s recent explanation, he concluded that it was not surprising. He had insulted one of her daughters, and to a lady like Mrs. Bennet, he was sure that was tantamount to a declaration of war. It was with great relief that he was able to turn his attention back to Elizabeth. “The weather was very fine today.” He rolled his eyes, hoping no one saw him. That was a poor excuse for a conversational topic, Darcy. Get a grip!
“Yes, it was. Certainly much better than yesterday’s.”
Elizabeth’s quiet giggle made Darcy smile inside. He enjoyed her lively spirit and found himself craving it more and more.
“Anything would be better than yesterday’s weather,” Elizabeth declared.
Darcy chuckled, but was prevented from responding by the servants, who removed the soup course and replaced it with the next one. He was greatly pleased by Elizabeth’s next question.
“Will you tell me more about your sister?”
“Certainly. Georgiana is twelve years younger than I. She loves music and practices almost constantly. Her tutors declare her a good student in all subjects, but she prefers mathematics to reading and literature. She speaks French and Italian, and is studying German. She has a knack for languages.”
Elizabeth nodded. “There is something musical about many languages. Perhaps her talent in music has helped her with them?”
“You may be correct. Whatever the reason, I am pleased with her progress. Of course, she has also learned other, more feminine skills. She embroiders beautifully and has learned to set a fine table. She has helped my aunt plan several dinner parties at Matlock House in town.”
“I understand she designs beautiful tables, as well.” Elizabeth smirked again, tipping her head toward Bingley’s sister, Caroline, who sat two places down from Elizabeth, between Lydia and Mr. Hurst.
Darcy had taken a sip of wine as Elizabeth was speaking, and began to laugh as she continued, leading him to choke on the liquid in his cup. He brought his napkin to his mouth to prevent it from spewing all over the table, and felt Elizabeth take his cup, then slap his back two or three times. When he had himself under control, he noticed that she was attempting to rein in a chuckle and only barely succeeding. Her lips quivered with the effort, and she looked away for a moment. “That was unfair, Miss Elizabeth. You should have waited until I had set my cup back down before you attempted to make me laugh.” Darcy struggled to keep his own smile from overtaking his countenance.
“Oh, but Mr. Darcy, the effect of such an endeavour is so much more enjoyable when the object is unsuspecting.”
At this, neither could hold on to their glee. They shared a laugh and a grin.
Darcy thought about that moment for a long time that night. He had felt such a warmth in the region of his heart, and a longing to share moments similar to that every day. He lay in bed, his mind alive with images of the lovely, laughing, Elizabeth Bennet.
Chapter 5
Over the course of the next several days, Elizabeth spent part of every afternoon in the company of Jane, Darcy and Bingley. Her mother had pulled her aside the first day and asked her to accompany Darcy.
“Keep him occupied, so Jane has time with Mr. Bingley. I know he is not pleasant, but surely you can do this for your sister’s future happiness!” Mrs. Bennet was insistent, even grasping Elizabeth’s arm and squeezing it, as though she suspected her second daughter might refuse her request and run out the door.
“Yes, Mama, I will keep Mr. Darcy’s attention on me. I promise.”
With Elizabeth’s assurances, Mrs. Bennet finally let go. With a few parting words, threatening dire consequences if Elizabeth disobeyed, the matron bustled off to settle a dispute that could be heard from upstairs between her two youngest daughters.
Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth made her way to Longbourn’s front door, where Jane waited with Bingley and Darcy. The four quickly walked away, headed in the direction of Meryton. As they walked, they paired up, with Bingley and Jane in the lead, and Darcy and Elizabeth bringing up the rear, striking up a conversation.
“Your mother does not seem to like me,” Darcy observed.
“No, I fear she does not,” Elizabeth replied with a frown. “I was rather vocal in my retelling of your insult at the assembly. I am not Mama’s favorite child, but she does not take kindly to people insulting any of us. I have not taken the time to attempt to change her mind, at first because I did not want anyone to know how well I liked you, and then because I did not know how to do so without telling her about Mr. Wickham.”
“Fear not, I understand completely why she feels the way she does. I shall simply have to sway her with my charms.”
Elizabeth snickered. “Yes, you should. When you choose to be, you are quite amiable.”
Darcy blushed. “When I am among company that I enjoy, I am. I do think that it behooves me to be in th
e good graces of all of your family. It would not do to attempt to win you without their approval.”
It was Elizabeth’s turn to blush. She felt her courage rise as she spoke words that were far more forward than anything she had ever said before. “You have already won me, sir.” Her flush became deeper, her eyes no longer able to rise about his waistcoat.
Though she could not see it, Darcy grinned broadly. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth.” Though he wished with everything in him to kiss her, he simply held out his elbow to her, and she tucked her hand in its bend. Tilting her head slightly, she peeked up at Darcy out of the corner of her eye and saw his broad smile. She lifted her head, looking up at him admiringly.
“Since you feel that way, I have a question for you before we continue our walk.” Darcy looked at Elizabeth, continuing after she nodded. “I love you. Will you marry me?”
Elizabeth’s heart soared in her chest, filling her with a warmth of feeling. She felt tears prick her eyes and her smile widen with joy. “Yes, Mr. Darcy. I would be delighted to marry you. I love you, as well.”
Darcy drew her arm closer to his side. The happiness shining out of her eyes and her smile were mirrored on his face. “Thank you. You have made me the happiest of men.”
The pair continued their walk, each in quiet contemplation of their future felicity.
Once in Meryton, the gentlemen had to stop and speak to the blacksmith, because Bingley had commissioned something from him and wanted an update on its progress. Jane and Bingley stopped a few yards from the blacksmith shop on the edge of the town, and waited for Darcy and Elizabeth to catch up.
“Would you ladies like to go on ahead, and we will catch up later?” Darcy’s grip on Elizabeth’s hand where it lay on his arm told her that he did not wish to separate, but a blacksmith’s shop was no place for a lady, and she knew it.
Elizabeth looked at Jane, who nodded. Looking back at the gentlemen, Elizabeth said, “We will do that. We need to stop at the milliner’s. Will you join us there when your business is finished?”
“We will,” Bingley replied.
“We will not be long.” Darcy bowed to the ladies and followed Bingley into the building.
Down the street, George Wickham stepped out of a tobacco shop. Sticking his fingers in the pockets of his waistcoat, he looked up and down the dirt avenue and across the way. He saw two of the Bennet ladies go into a shop on the other side. Recognizing Miss Elizabeth and her elder sister, Wickham knew his chance had arrived. Looking both ways so as to avoid traffic, he darted across the dusty expanse and ducked into the store. Wickham rolled his eyes after seeing that it was a millinery shop. Feminine fripperies did not interest him, except in the case of using an item to entice a lady to his side.
The shop was a large, open room, with three or four wide tables spaced apart across the floor. Above each table hung a display—ribbons, lace, and other accoutrements. There were a half-dozen ladies in the shop, but given the layout of the room, it was easy enough for Wickham to locate his prey. He approached them with a practiced smile on his face.
“Good afternoon, ladies. What a delight to see you here.”
Elizabeth and Jane jumped at the male voice that suddenly intruded on them from behind. Spinning, Elizabeth was dismayed to see Wickham grinning down at her. Quickly schooling her features, she returned his bow with a curtsey, as did her sister beside her.
“Good afternoon.” Elizabeth smiled as graciously as she could manage given her increased heart rate and tense muscles.
When neither lady said anything else, Wickham scrambled to find a topic of conversation. Looking around him, he gestured with his right hand, “Are you thinking of buying a new hat?”
Elizabeth wanted to roll her eyes. “We may, though I am uncertain there is anything new to be had. We may instead decide to purchase some ribbons or feathers and remake an older bonnet.”
“Ah, yes. I recall Miss Lydia mentioning that as being a favored activity.”
Feeling badly that the whole of the conversation had thus far been laid on Elizabeth’s shoulders, Jane interjected, “Yes, my youngest sister has a talent for it that far outstrips ours. We do enjoy the activity, but our skills are not as good as Lydia’s.” Jane linked her arm with her sister’s, something Elizabeth very much appreciated.
Wickham nodded. Glancing around again, he saw a ribbon in a pretty shade of puce and tried to draw Elizabeth’s attention to it. “This is a lovely ribbon. It would complement the hat you are wearing quite nicely.”
Lifting the corners of her lips in a slight smile, she thanked him but did not take a step away from Jane. “It would, I concur. I am looking for something else, though. That color would not match the gown that will go with the bonnet I want.” Please go away. I do not want you near me. Elizabeth mentally prepared to run out the door if Wickham persisted.
Wickham nodded, and Elizabeth heard him sigh. He attempted to entice her toward other items in the shop and away from where Jane had become immersed in a conversation with a villager, but Elizabeth would not budge. When the bell above the door tinkled, she and Wickham both looked that direction.
Seeing Darcy and Bingley enter, Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment and felt the tension drain from her body. She turned to discover Wickham’s reaction to the gentlemen’s entrance and was surprised to see that he had vanished. Her eyes roamed the store, and she finally saw him, making his way quickly to the door. Alerting Darcy and Bingley to his presence, the men turned in time to see Wickham’s back as the door closed behind him.
Immediately, Darcy turned back to the ladies, reaching his hand out to grasp Elizabeth’s once more. “Are you well?”
Elizabeth heard the urgency in Darcy’s voice. “We are. He only spoke. He never touched Jane or me.”
“What did he speak of?” Darcy’s expression was dark, and Elizabeth was grateful that she could reassure him somewhat.
“He spoke of hats and ribbons, of all things. It was rather odd, to be honest.” Elizabeth went on to explain the manner in which Wickham had pointed out ribbons and other decorations that were further and further away from where she stood.
“He was trying to draw you away from your sister,” Bingley observed.
The crease between Darcy’s brows deepened. “He tried something here, in a public place? What is wrong with him?”
“Better he sees me here than tries to accost me in a more private location.”
“True,” Darcy agreed. “I am happy, though, that he was unable to draw you away.” He pulled Elizabeth as close to his side as propriety allowed.
Elizabeth smiled tenderly then. “I am, as well. Now that I know his true nature, I can promise you never to allow myself to be alone with him!”
~~~***~~~
George Wickham was frustrated. He had tried repeatedly over the course of the previous two weeks to maneuver Elizabeth Bennet into a compromising position, to no avail. At every dinner, dance, and card party, she had been attended to by one or a combination of three people: her oldest sister, Charles Bingley, or Darcy. No amount of distraction would pull the chaperones away, and Wickham had tried every trick he knew.
Nor did Elizabeth walk out alone, not to Meryton, not to Oakham Mount, not to her father’s tenant houses. On every occasion, she was accompanied by a male servant, if she went at all. Wickham did not understand it. He had been assured by her sister that Elizabeth rambled the countryside every day that it didn’t rain.
“Come to think of it, I have not seen Lydia alone, either.” Wickham mused. The thought entered his head that the two things might be related, but pushed it to the side, choosing instead to focus his attention on solving the problem at hand. “In what other manner may I accomplish this,” he asked himself. He looked around from his perch on a boulder part way up the hill that was Oakham Mount, seeking inspiration. Finding none, he began walking down to where he had hidden his horse, in a thicket of trees at the bottom.
It was not until hours later that Lieutenant Wic
kham came up with a method to achieve his goal with Elizabeth.
With his plan in mind, Wickham began to pay more attention to the gossip in and around Meryton, as opposed to allowing his attention to wander when people were talking. He quickly determined that, despite its outward serenity, the village was a seething hotbed of viciousness, especially toward the leading families in the area, those being the Lucas, Bennet, Long, and Goulding families. Even between the families, there was an undercurrent of strife, as evidenced by comments he had heard during visits with all of them.
Once Wickham discovered the lack of loyalty and friendship that existed between the families, it became a simple matter of choosing which person to choose to carry out his plan. He evaluated each person who had spoken badly about the Bennets, especially about Elizabeth, narrowing down the list of possibilities by eliminating those who appeared to have more wit. Then, he engaged each of the people who remained in conversation, intent on discovering who disliked Elizabeth Bennet the most.
After enduring a dozen inane conversations with just as many insipid ladies and gentlemen, Wickham found the perfect pawn for his game.
Robert Goulding was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Goulding of Haye Park. The family had leased the estate for at least the last decade, and were very happy there. Robert had been to University, where he studied law. He generally lived in London, where he was a clerk under one of the most successful solicitors in town, but made frequent visits to his parents.
That young Mr. Goulding made it through his university years was a surprise to Wickham. The gentleman clearly had a mean understanding of the world, and a low opinion of anyone of a lesser social standing than himself. However, he did fit Wickham’s requirements in that he very much disliked the Bennets in general and Elizabeth in particular.
