by APRIL FLOYD
Her uncle nodded. “I am happy to hear it. It is time the man found a wife what with his fortunes secure. Now, this Miss Darcy, is it her brother whom you claim to love?”
Elizabeth had not thought her father might tell the Gardiners of Mr. Darcy. Clasping her hands in her lap, she waited until the maid had served them tea before she spoke again. “Yes, he is her brother. And he reminds me very much of my father. He has the girls read as Papa did with me and my sisters. He is a gentleman farmer with a fine home and estate, but not as large as Pemberley — yet. I think you would like him, Uncle Edward.”
“Does he like to fish, Lizzy? Perhaps I might ask when we meet. Do you think your friends might have him for dinner to meet with us?” Uncle Gardiner asked.
“I cannot think why Bingley would not for he does take every opportunity to see Miss Darcy. I will ask him when he returns,” Elizabeth said and turned to her aunt.
Aunt Gardiner addressed her niece great interest. “I had not thought a man without a title would capture your eye, Lizzy. I know your father always wished for his girls to marry for love, but love alone is not always enough in a marriage. And you have not known this man for very long.”
Elizabeth was taken by surprise, but her aunt had married a viscount. Uncle Edward was more like a country gentleman in Elizabeth’s eyes. She had nearly forgotten his rank. “I am aware of the importance of money, Aunt Madeline, especially since my mother disowned me. But the duke was very wealthy. Lydia will accept his proposal because she wishes for the comfort his money will provide, but I simply could not. Her circumstances are quite different. As for knowing Mr. Darcy, I am not at all certain I know him well yet, but I do know he admires me.”
“There are men of wealth who are most assuredly gentlemen who know how a lady is to be treated. Take your uncle for example,” her aunt said and nodded to her husband.
Elizabeth smiled. “You were most lucky to capture his attention for he is a gentleman in all regards. I cannot help that my heart has decided upon Mr. Darcy.”
Uncle Edward took her hand and laced her fingers with his own. “Never mind the title and the wealth my dear, or the lack thereof. If he is a principled man of good character, I know your father will approve. I will report to him myself once I have met your young man.”
Two nights later, the Darcy’s came for dinner at Bingley’s invitation. Elizabeth was nervous for her aunt and uncle to meet the man she had fallen in love with in such a short time.
They entered the parlor a half hour before dinner, a long enough time to make introductions and allow for mingling before the meal. Elizabeth blushed as Mr. Darcy was introduced to her aunt and uncle. He bowed and was utterly charming.
Mrs. de Bourgh exclaimed over their good fortune in making an acquaintance with the Lord and Lady Stafford. “It is a pity your children did not accompany you on your trip to Hertfordshire. We are always happy to have young people visit the county, especially wealthy young men.”
Elizabeth winced for the woman was obvious in her matchmaking. Her uncle smiled and nodded. “It cannot be easy for young ladies to meet gentlemen of rank way out here in the country. You ought to bring your daughter to London, Mrs. de Bourgh. Has she had her season?”
Covering a laugh at the way her uncle was able to turn the conversation, Elizabeth moved to stand beside Caroline and whispered a suggestion. “Will you play for us? I think the music would be a welcome diversion.”
Her friend looked about the room. Bingley was seated next to Miss Darcy, his attention solely on the young lady.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s uncle were now standing by the fireplace with the colonel and Mrs. de Bourgh had cornered Lady Stafford near the windows that looked out over the front drive. “I suppose it would be nice if we asked Miss Darcy, then Charles might join the men.”
Elizabeth agreed. Caroline went to her brother’s side. “Charles, you must allow us to have Miss Darcy for a moment. We wish to hear her play.”
Miss Darcy blushed and looked down. “I am not as accomplished as you, Miss Bingley.”
“Oh my dear, you are wonderful! We may play together if you wish. Eliza will join us and turn the pages,” Caroline’s words and smile were sincere and so Miss Darcy rose and followed her.
Elizabeth watched them go and then turned to Bingley. “She has won Caro over has she not? You must propose soon, my friend. Would not a winter wedding be wonderful?”
Bingley stood and followed Elizabeth to the piano forte instead of joining the men. His countenance was bright as he whispered to her. “I will ask her tonight after dinner. I will speak with Mr. Darcy in the library before we return to the parlor.”
Happy for her friend, Elizabeth smiled up at him and offered her congratulations. “I had not thought she might be the woman for you, Charles, but I was so wrong. I am sorry to have interfered.”
Bingley waved away her apology. “You were only protecting me, Eliza. I would do the same for you. I do think Mr. Darcy is a good match for you. I know Caro teases you about him, but she and I are in agreement. Will you ask him to marry you?”
Elizabeth laughed. “Certainly not! It is enough that I am going against my mother in pursuing him. I think he must be the one to propose. In any case, I do not know for certain that he returns my feelings.”
Bingley laughed. “Oh, I think he does. He watches you whenever we are all together. He seems sad and wistful when you are near. Perhaps you ought to give him some encouragement, Eliza. Men sometimes do not know how to approach a lady, especially one as beautiful and impertinent as you.”
“So you think he fears me, is that it?” Elizabeth seemed concerned.
“Any man ought to fear you if he knows what is best for him. Falling in love with you is not for the faint of heart,” Bingley said and moved away so she could not box his ears.
Elizabeth laughed and watched him go before turning the pages for Caroline and Miss Darcy. She thought of her friend’s advice. Perhaps she ought to make her feelings known to Mr. Darcy so that he did not have to wonder.
Chapter 12
A few days later, Elizabeth was paying a call to Longbourn with the Bingleys when Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived with a man she had hoped to never see again.
As he was introduced around the room, she only nodded when he spoke to her. “Miss Bennet, how lovely to see you again.”
It took all her good manners not to spit in his face. Mr. Wickham had become Lieutenant Wickham and stood before her as guileless as a lamb.
“Mr. Wickham,” was all she could manage with her teeth gritted.
Elizabeth watched as he moved away and joined Mr. Darcy in conversation. She wanted to shout to them all that he was a rake who would only bring ruin wherever he went but instead, she stood and moved toward the parlor door.
Caroline called out to her, but Elizabeth kept going until she was outside Longbourn. Anger burned bright in her heart as she breathed in the cold, winter air.
In a moment, the Bingleys joined her. “Eliza, are you unwell? I gave our regards to the Darcys. I must see you to Netherfield and send for a doctor.”
Bingley laid a hand upon her shoulder. “Truly, Eliza, it is no trouble to send to London for help.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I am fine, I promise. It is only a headache. You know I get them at times. Please stay. I will send the carriage back for you and Charles.”
Caroline would not listen. “Nonsense, I have already said my goodbyes. Let me take you home and see that you are well. I could not sit and make idle chatter knowing you are in pain.”
Bingley seconded his sister. “I am certainly able to find my way home. Go, and I will be home to see that you are well in but an hour’s time.”
Elizabeth boarded the carriage with Bingley’s assistance and sat back on the bench. She placed her forehead against the cool pane of the carriage window and shut her eyes. Thankfully, Caroline did not engage in conversation but only held her hand in commiseration.
As the carriage rolled a
nd bounced toward Netherfield, Elizabeth recalled the trouble Wickham had brought to her family.
He was like family to the Bennets for he had grown up with them as his father was her father’s steward at Pemberley. Wickham had lived in the stewards cottage not a mile from Pemberley. He was trusted, underestimated in his ability to lie and deceive.
Just the past summer, he had followed the family to Ramsgate where they would spend months before returning to London.
Lydia had always been flirtatious and a foolish girl at that. Looking back, Elizabeth felt she ought to have seen the trouble the two of them would make.
It was only the good sense of her sister Mary that had sent Elizabeth and Jane after Wickham and Lydia to disrupt their plans.
Mary had overheard the two plotting their elopement. They were on the balcony unaware that Mary had meant to come there and read. Instead, Elizabeth’s middle sister had stopped when she heard their laughter and saw the two in an embrace, kissing.
Elizabeth and Jane had followed the pair as they left the home in search of a post chaise that would carry them on the first leg of the long journey toward Scotland.
When Wickham left Lydia to hire the conveyance, they had grabbed their little sister and dragged her back home.
Lydia had fought, but Jane and Elizabeth were older and stronger. When they were home again, they locked her in her room with Mary as her jailer and told their mother of Wickham’s betrayal.
When Wickham came the next day, Elizabeth met him at the door and threatened to have him hunted down if he did not leave the Bennets alone. She recalled the last words she had spoken to him. If I tell Papa, he will know the men to set after you.
Caroline shook her shoulder gently and Elizabeth opened her eyes to find they were at Netherfield. The memories of that day in Ramsgate had only made her feel worse.
“Thank you, Caro, for being such a good friend. What would I do without you?”
“Come dear, let us go inside and I will have Cook send up some chamomile tea for you. I have laudanum if you think it might help,” Caroline said as she climbed down from the carriage.
Elizabeth leaned against her friend as they went inside Netherfield. She wished laudanum would help her forget about Wickham.
At Longbourn, Mr. Darcy asked his sister why Miss Bennet and Miss Bingley had left so abruptly. Miss Darcy seemed worried but Mr. Bingley gave an answer. “Eliza’s head sometimes hurts her terribly. My sister will see that she is put to bed with tea. She will soon be well again.”
Mr. Darcy accepted this reply and said he hoped that the lady did not suffer very long. The men sat down to play cards as the young ladies were sent to Mr. Darcy’s study to read.
After two rounds of whist, Mrs. de Bourgh and the young ladies of the house returned to the parlor with Hill who had brought out a freshly baked pie.
Mr. Darcy rose and packed his cards away so that his sister and Anne might sit at the table and dine with Mr. Bingley and the colonel. His aunt never did like gambling and card games and Darcy knew that was her reason for bringing out the pie.
Lieutenant Wickham had gone to stand beside the window that looked out on the side garden and wood beyond. “It is a lovely home you have Mr. Darcy,” he said as his host joined him.
“Thank you, Lieutenant Wickham. It is quite the pleasure to be master of one’s own kingdom. Pray tell, how did a young man such as yourself end up a soldier?” Mr. Darcy asked, curious over his new acquaintance.
“It is a sad and tragic tale, to be sure. I was raised in Derbyshire on a lovely estate where my father was steward. The gentleman who owned it treated me as a son. I suppose with five daughters, he must have felt as though I was like a son,” the lieutenant paused and shook his head.
Mr. Darcy thought of Miss Bennet when the man mentioned five daughters and Derbyshire. She was from such a family. “What could have happened to remove the opportunities such a connection might afford?”
Wickham gave a bitter laugh. “I hate to speak of it to one I hardly know, but Miss Bennet is one of the man’s daughters. Seeing me here today is likely the reason she left so soon. I am sorry to have caused a guest in your home to become uncomfortable. Her father meant for me to have the living at Kympton but she argued him out of his decision. When my own father died, I thought Mr. Bennet might reward me with the stewardship since he had seen to my education and trusted me. But again, Miss Bennet turned her father away from what he might have done.”
Intrigued, Mr. Darcy wished to know more. “Miss Bennet, and her friend Miss Bingley, were known to be proud and rude when they first came to Hertfordshire but now she is different.”
“Oh I daresay she can charm anyone as she pleases, for she is a beautiful lady, but when jealousy or envy enters her heart, she is evil I tell you. Mr. Bennet sent me away because of Miss Bennet’s hatred of me. I believe it was jealousy. Her father favored my opinions over hers many times and she could not stand for that. He brought her up with too much education and reading. Made her think she was as intelligent as any man.”
Lieutenant Wickham turned away from the window after his speech and Mr. Darcy did not know what to say. Miss Bennet could be proud and vain, but to take away a man’s living and reduce him to casting about for his way in the world? It seemed beyond comprehension.
To have a gentleman speak so of a lady did not seem proper either, but his tale was one that would astonish anyone who heard it.
When they rejoined his family by the table, Mr. Darcy considered the lieutenant’s words. He had thought he might love Miss Bennet, but now he wished he had never known she might be so conniving and vengeful.
Sighing, he left his guests and went to his study. The hatbox containing the bonnet Miss Bennet had admired that day in Meryton was still on the top shelf in the corner. Had he been mistaken to purchase it as a gift when he did not know her so very well? Mr. Darcy sat in his chair and stared out the window in deep thought.
In his parlor, Lieutenant Wickham sat with Miss de Bourgh and complimented the young lady much to her mother’s dismay. Mrs. de Bourgh did not think any soldier, not even her nephew Colonel Fitzwilliam, to be a good match for her daughter.
Though Mrs. de Bourgh was widowed, her husband had been of the gentry like Mr. Darcy. It had been gambling debts that had seen his money lost, save for Anne’s dowry. It was the reason she frowned on Darcy playing cards with their friends and neighbors.
Now, as the lieutenant leaned closer to Anne, Mrs. de Bourgh scowled. Mr. Bingley and the colonel were laughing with Georgiana as they played piquet with Mr. Bingley keeping score.
Mr. Darcy had left them all and gone to his study. Completely out of sorts and angry, Catherine de Bourgh snapped at her daughter. “Anne, surely you might be better engaged at the piano forte than laughing at a soldier’s tales. Heaven knows you do not practice enough.”
Anne, not wishing to have Mr. Wickham banished from Longbourn by her imperious mother, stood and made her way to the instrument. Mr. Darcy’s father had purchased it for his wife before either Anne or Darcy had been born.
It was a beautiful instrument, and though her mother said she would be a proficient except for her poor health, Anne played very well. But not as well as her Cousin Georgiana.
The merry tunes she played drew Mr. Darcy back into the parlor and he danced once with his sister before allowing the colonel and Mr. Bingley a turn. Lieutenant Wickham asked Mrs. de Bourgh for a dance but she only waved him away and mumbled some epithet at his retreating form.
Mr. Darcy watched as the young man made his way to Anne where she sat on the bench, her fingers trailing easily over the keys. He sat beside her before long and Anne was laughing and missing notes as the lieutenant teased her.
He liked seeing his cousin happy and healthy. The lieutenant was certainly charming. His tale of Miss Bennet caused Darcy to recall how she had been when they first met in Meryton and how she had seemed to change.
Perhaps her tale of the duke’s proposal in London was
not all that it seemed and perhaps Miss Bennet was not all that she seemed either.
Chapter 13
When Elizabeth came down for dinner, her friends and family were delighted she was much improved. She smiled at them all and made her apologies. “I am sorry to have caused concern where there should have been none. The pain was so great I could not remain in the company of Mr. Darcy’s family.”
She was not lying about the pain, just that it had been in her head. The pain had been in her heart to see Mr. Wickham here amongst the good people of Hertfordshire.
Since they had all returned, Elizabeth had paid calls with Caroline to the Lucases, Miss King and Mrs. Long and her youngest daughter, the vicar, and several elderly widows. The young ladies of Hertfordshire were all in danger of ruin with the lieutenant present.
Even now, Wickham was likely gambling or running up debts. It was what he had done in Kympton and Lambton and the reason he could never have had the living at Kympton.
Aunt Madeline rose and took her hand. “Come sit with me, dear, and do not worry. Mr. and Miss Bingley have assured us the Darcys were worried too.”
Elizabeth did not think her departure had caused such concern until her aunt produced a note that had been brought from Longbourn. Inside, Miss Darcy had written that she hoped Elizabeth was well and that even Mr. Darcy had been concerned.
“How very kind of her to write me. I must pay a call on the morrow to show her I am indeed well.”
The conversation turned to Bingley’s wedding to Miss Darcy and Caroline said that with it being after the new year they might not expect many of their friends from London.
“I do not mind, Caro, for there will be many of Georgiana’s friends here and her family. We do not require a large wedding. It will be all the more special with only those who love us best present,” Bingley said and Elizabeth thought he was most romantic to say such a thing in front of them all.
