by Kate Speck
“She loves him very much, papa.” Lizzy responded. “And Miss Bingley? She will be coming here for courtship herself?”
Mr. Bennet furrowed his brows. “Miss Bingley? I did not know she was in courtship. With whom, Lizzy? I admire any man travelling four hours to court a woman like your uncle had done.”
“Oh,” Lizzy answered, “It must not yet be public, papa. I thought she was in courtship. No matter now. I am glad to gain our new neighbours soon and I am most happy for Jane. I will be departing for Kent next month and am excited to join the viscountess in Matlock in the summer. Richard Fitzwilliam will be finally marrying Laura Jenkinson née Grantley and they have invited me to the wedding. Anne de Bourgh is to arrive with them and we will all travel together to Matlock after the ceremony. Anne’s new companion is a very kind woman named Mrs. Annesley and I hope to learn much from her, papa. She excels in herbology for medicinal uses and I believe It is a most useful skill and I hope to expand my education. I have only learned a little from books but to actually study with someone using herbs to cure ailments sounds fascinating.”
“I will miss you but I understand your desire to continue your education, Lizzy.” Mr. Bennet smiled. “Make sure to be a good guest to your Cousin William and Charlotte. If Mr. and Mrs. Collins have any needs, write to me and let me know. I am very pleased for their home in Hunsford and I know Charlotte is truly responsible for the parish’s success already.”
Lizzy laughed, “Yes, papa. She was beaming with joy when she last wrote me. After being married for a month, they are of the same mind and share the same opinion in caring for the people there. She has no cause to repine and I shall behave and be as little trouble as possible.”
“And your situation with William,” Mr. Bennet gently probed, “you have not heard from him yet? He asked about you often if you were still in Hertfordshire.”
“No, papa, he remained in London to pursue a proper wife and I have yet to receive word from him. I fear my friendship might have to come to an end and my heart breaks for that more than anything else. I cannot bear to see him suffer and I bring him only pain.” Lizzy looked out the window in misery. She missed her dearest friend and had spent the past month in uncertainty of her future.
“Well, since the militia is stationed here, at least you have had some diversion with the handsome officers. I have heard of Mary King’s delights and Mr. King is very pleased to have his niece engaged.” Mr. Bennet changed the subject after seeing his beloved daughter’s eyes tear up.
“Oh, yes,” Lizzy smiled, “The officers are very gallant and all of the unattached ladies are frequently occupied in front of the looking glass to make themselves look better and to add more lace to their dresses. They mean to capture one of them and I am only relieved that Kitty and Lydia are not yet out. Mary declares that she will not come out until at least eighteen so we have no worries from that quarter.”
“And Captain Wickham?” Mr. Bennet raised a brow. “You find him trustworthy now?”
Lizzy answered candidly, “He has changed much since I met him when I was a girl. He no longer appears arrogant but has told me several times that he is indebted to Mr. Darcy for the purchase of his commission to lieutenantship and that he would not have believed himself capable of enjoying being a militia officer, but he was promoted quickly after proving himself and he is grateful for Mr. Darcy to have given him the chance to succeed. He has stayed away from gambling and will make a fine husband with his current income.”
“I hope you will find your own contentment, Lizzy.” Her father consoled. “I worry for you, child.”
“Do not worry for me, papa.” Lizzy confidently smiled. “I am still the hoyden who can talk circles around anyone and will need very little in the world for myself. I only wish I was able to travel farther and see more of the world. But alas, I will be poor and become a doting aunt to Jane and Charles Bingley’s ten children.”
Mr. Bennet beamed brightly, “I believe it is time to tell you a secret, Lizzy. I had hoped to wait until Collins made the decision regarding Longbourn but I will spare you the misery and tell you of your fortune.”
“Fortune? I have no fortune, papa. I have fifty pounds saved up but that is not much to go on in the world.” Lizzy was baffled.
“No, child. You are a very wealthy woman, dear daughter.” Her father explained. “Do you recall when the Darcys first moved to Netherfield?” Lizzy nodded her head. “After you advised Lady Anne to cease the bloodletting and to seek Mr. Jones’ treatments, Mr. Darcy was so impressed with your honesty and intelligence that he began a trust for you. It has been seven years since, and from what your Uncle Edward had revealed to me last, Mr. Darcy has been adding regularly to it and your dear uncle was able to put part of the funds into an aggressive growth portfolio to increase your fortune. Your uncle also contributed to your trust and has been able to see a return of at least twenty per cent and all of his, yours, and my ventures have done well. Your uncle is extremely wealthy now and he was able to help us increase my daughters’ dowries to £4,000 each, and you, I believe, have at least £25,000 now, not including the £4,000 from your mother and myself.”
Lizzy nearly fainted with the news. “How... that is not possible, papa. Why have I not been told of... no, papa. You are jesting with me.”
Mr. Bennet laughed, “It is the truth, Lizzy. It was Mr. Darcy’s gift to you and your uncle had done all he could to increase it. If you wish, Lizzy, I will ask about your withdrawing some of it, so that after your travel to Matlock, perhaps you can consider going someplace farther away. I will miss you but if you have a dependable companion who can join you, I am willing to release you. I trust you, daughter.”
She stood and jumped into her father’s arms. “Thank you, papa! I will consider it and I am relieved that I will not be a burden to you or Jane. I had despaired after losing Will...” she quickly changed the topic. “I am very eager to see the world and I hope to see Scotland or as far as Ireland if I can tolerate the sea-travel. Someday, I wish to travel to the continent but I have hope now and I will be able to have my fondest wish.”
“Lizzy,” Mr. Bennet sympathetically soothed his daughter, “speak with William. I know you had your share of disappointment and I do not know what caused your disagreement this time, but he has loved you for a long time and I know he loves you still. Please speak with him. You have always considered him your blood-brother and could you not settle your differences again?”
Lizzy kissed her father’s cheek. “I will try, papa. He is the very best of men and it is my fault that we have gone so long without communicating. I wish him all the felicity in the world.”
Mr. Bennet kissed the top of her head and sat at his desk to write to Edward Gardiner while Lizzy walked to her tree to think about her future.
~*~
William arrived in Meryton several days later with dejection in his heart. After her abrupt departure, he had spent the miserable month in London without Lizzy by his side, but he had hoped that she would send a sign of some sorts, anything that might wish him near her, and he would have returned quickly to Hertfordshire.
After his father encouraged him to search his heart to be certain of his decision, he had attended several balls and dinner parties to try to look for someone who could spark an interest. He escorted Miss Bingley to a few outings and came to the quick realisation that all Miss Bingley was capable was putting on a façade which had nearly tricked him again. Although she had improved in her manners, in essentials, she was still the same mercenary, grasping shrew who knew little of the current events in the world, and her true character was evident when he had tested her by purposely confusing her with his comments, and she had begun to agree with everything he had said.
William thought hard to contemplate his next steps. He knew Lizzy would not be interested in speaking with him but he could not stay away any longer. If she had no further desire to continue their friendship, he would leave England for the next several years and attempt to forget
her, but he knew it would be an impossibility.
After dismounting his horse, he walked towards the bookstore to look for a copy of Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth to entice Lizzy to speak with him, when he saw two officers of the militia conversing in front of a store.
“Have you heard that Wickham is getting hitched?” A lieutenant spoke with amusement.
William’s ears perked with the mention of his friend’s name and stood behind them to eavesdrop on their conversation.
Another officer answered, “I had not heard it, Denny! Who is he marrying? He is very popular with his good looks and proper speech, and Colonel Forster has him picked out for another promotion soon. Wickham will be colonel himself someday if he continues this way.”
Denny laughed, “He is very gallant and has been an exemplary officer. Everyone owes him a favour or two because he is very generous and is adamant that he had been a prodigal man at a point in life and he owes everything to a kind gentleman who had forgiven him and purchased the commission. He has nothing but praise for Mr. Darcy and his son and has been very pleased to be stationed in Hertfordshire. Who would have guessed he would find a wife here as well?”
“So, who is she? Some pretty young lass with a big dowry?” The other officer asked.
“I think she has some funds but I think he does not care about that. She is a pleasant young woman who grew up here and her uncle is quite well-off, I believe. He adores her and he hopes to marry in two months. Their engagement has not been long but I believe it was love at first sight.” Denny explained as they began to walk away from William.
William smiled as he heard of the good report about George Wickham. His father had paid for Wickham’s commission into the militia after Wickham had acted honourably by refusing to marry Anne de Bourgh, and the young man had sent frequent letters to update of his successes and of his appreciation for the wise advices from Mr. Darcy.
He wondered who the young lady could be and entered the bookshop to make his purchase. William hoped that Lizzy would be at her tree as her custom so he could beg for her forgiveness. He knew their shared kiss was likely the reason for her rebuff in London but all he desired was to taste her lips again.
Chapter 14
“Do you come up here often, Miss Elizabeth?” The handsome officer asked as he dismounted his horse. “It is beautiful here.”
Lizzy smiled, still sitting under her tree, “It is my favourite place in the world, except for Pemberley. I recall meeting you for the first time atop a tree there, Captain Wickham. I believe I made many of my first acquaintances from above ground.” They laughed. “I find the solitude very peaceful and I do not come across many here. Had you been journeying from Meryton?” She pointed to the ground next to her so he could take a seat.
Wickham answered with a smile while he sat down, “No, I had left the King residence and I actually became lost. I hope you will not give me away! My men will find it shameful that I do not know how to travel from one of the homes back to Meryton!”
Lizzy laughed as she replied, “Your secret is safe with me. If you head toward that road down there,” she pointed to the path that led to Meryton, “it will get you back to the encampment directly.”
“Thank you, Miss Bennet! I have been here for only a month but my travel to the King residence has been frequent as of late and I thank you for showing me the shortcut.” Captain Wickham commented. “We are to be here until autumn and I am most anxious for the next weeks to pass quickly. I have been writing to Mr. Darcy often and I had last heard that they should be returning to Hertfordshire mid-June. I shall be most happy to see Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne again as they have been so generous. I had also been told that William is seeking a wife. Do you know anything about that? I know you and he have been good friends for years and I had been rather surprised that he had not married earlier. There was talk of an impending betrothal last year, I believe.”
Lizzy’s heart broke at the thought of her dearest friend but she took a deep breath, “I believe he is serious about an accomplished lady in town, Captain. I hope to hear his good news soon. It is certainly believed that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife, is it not?” She smiled softly. “He deserves an excellent lady who will care for him for the rest of his days. He deserves the best.”
Wickham raised an eyebrow, “I have known him very closely since childhood and I am quite surprised that he did not pursue yo... a lady of a closer proximity, but I suppose the heart moves where it wishes without regard to long-standing friendships. I honestly thought he would be content with someone like yourself, Miss Bennet.”
“Oh?” Lizzy was surprised. “Why did you think that, Captain?”
“I saw the way he was protecting you when you and I first spoke at Pemberley. He shielded you from me as if you were the most precious thing in his life and I had never seen him so stern as that time. He must cherish you as close as he does his sister and if he is serious about another lady, she must be very lovely.” Wickham honestly answered. “Mr. Darcy had mentioned that William was guarded with ladies at outings but he must be ready to marry now.”
“I believe he is, sir. I wish him every happiness.” She stood up to take her leave. “I will give you the magnificent vista to enjoy if you would like to stay a while. I will return home now.”
“Should I escort you, Miss Bennet?” Wickham politely asked as he stood also. “I would like to be of service to you if you wish.”
“No, I will be fine, Captain Wickham.” Lizzy grinned. “I have my faithful stallion with me and I have been coming here since I was a tiny girl. I will be fine.” She began to take a step but Wickham had laid down his sabre next to their feet and she had not seen it. She tripped and Wickham instinctively caught her.
“Are you well?” He asked.
Lizzy nodded as she slowly fixed her feet and stood tall, “Yes, I am fine. Thank you for catching my fall. You have provided your gallant service and I thank you for it.” She curtseyed and mounted Snowflake to ride back to Longbourn. As she surveyed her surroundings and waved to the officer, she noted someone racing down the hill on an unfamiliar horse, as if being chased by the devil himself. She could not tell who it was but the man’s seat looked very similar to that of William’s.
Lizzy headed home to ask her father if he knew when William would return. She wondered if he had already returned home to Netherfield and how soon he would marry Miss Bingley when she arrived at Purvis Lodge.
~*~
William could not believe his eyes. He had been anxious to see Lizzy again and had been smiling to himself that Wickham had finally become a good man and that he would be marrying a worthy woman soon. Hope arose in his heart that if a man like Wickham, who had been a profligate and a gambler in the past, could now find a worthy wife, that he himself might have a chance to gain Lizzy’s regard and possibly her love. He was determined more than ever to beg her to forgive him and to take her to Ramsgate for a short holiday before Richard’s wedding. Lizzy had been invited to Kent and then was to spend the summer at Matlock with the viscount and viscountess, and he knew they would have to be cordial with each other at the wedding but he had desired reconciliation above all else.
Now, after hearing of Wickham's betrothal, then seeing that man and his beloved together under their tree at Oakham Mount, after seeing Lizzy in Wickham’s arms and burning with jealousy and disappointment, he knew he had lost Lizzy forever. That she could not accept him and love him was agonising, but he could not stay a second longer to witness the couple in further affections and he had ridden back to Netherfield in anger and in pain of the acutest kind.
He bellowed at his valet to pack up his belongings so he could journey to Pemberley that day. Poor Wilkins was in astonishment at the harsh manners that his employer exhibited for the first time during the entirety of his employment, but obeyed quickly to arrange for the travel north. William had no wish to return to the insipid friends in London and he could not stay in Hertf
ordshire. He did not know if he would journey to Kent for Richard’s wedding now, since she was to be there and he could not face her with amity.
He sat on his bed in a daze while the image of Lizzy in Wickham’s arms burned in his head, and he felt rage and despondency, that he could not have the one thing in life that he desired above everything else. With their long friendship, he thought he would be able to at least stay in her proximity and show her the world, and if perchance, she changed her mind or he was able to convince her that even if a platonic one, a marriage of convenience might benefit them so they could stay together, and he would have provided her with everything within his power. Even if she could not love him as a husband, he would have accepted whatever brotherly love she was willing to give, and having her next to him was all he had desired.
He knew that he had lost her forever now with her betrothal to another man, a man of a lesser consequence, with whom she would not have to be concerned about being a hospitable mistress or forced to flaunt those impractical accomplishments expected of a lady of the ton. William understood that she would be happier with a man who likely proposed to her without asking her to change, and he felt his tears roll down. He pulled out his handkerchief to wipe his face when he saw the squiggles of the embroidery, which looked more like a serpent than a ‘W’. It was the one he carried most often and had always brought a smile to his face but today, it brought only misery.
William thought of Lizzy’s shining eyes and the sounds of her laughter, and knowing that a captain of the militia was still paid very little, he knew he could not leave without seeing to her future. He loved her and he would leave England as soon as arrangements could be made, but he had to see her one more time to properly say his farewells and give her his final gift.
