by APRIL FLOYD
Elizabeth knew the man was a notorious flirt and that he was charming and too handsome by half. But where was the sin in that? And it might be true that he had gambled and owed money in his youth but so had some of Mr. Darcy’s circle.
Young gentlemen of means were known to owe quite a few debts. How would Major Wickham have advanced through the ranks if his character were so terrible as Mr. Darcy charged?
Elizabeth pushed aside her frustration with Mr. Darcy, he would surely come to her and make his apologies in a few days. She would keep her eye on Major Wickham for she did not think Mr. Darcy warned her out of jealousy.
Chapter 8
Mr. Darcy did not come in a few days to apologize nor did Miss Darcy come for tea. Lady Matlock and Major Wickham were the only visitors to Fitzwilliam House. Elizabeth hoped she might see the Darcys when she took her sisters to Mayfair the day after the ball, but it was not to be.
While her sisters went from shop to shop, Elizabeth was met with barely concealed curiosity. Several ladies she had thought she might befriend exclaimed over the excitement of her ball.
“My dear,” said Miss Covington, an heiress Elizabeth admired for her love of French couture, “you must tell us your romantic secrets. Every lady would like to have an officer and a gentleman vying for her attention.”
Elizabeth had merely smiled and changed the subject. She did not want to argue her case before those who only wished for scandal.
Now, as she sat in the salon with Mrs. Bennet and her sisters, Elizabeth longed for Mr. Darcy and the Bingleys. Young Richard had become increasingly difficult. He would run to the windows in search of Mr. Darcy on the street and then pout in her lap until Mr. Harley appeared.
Elizabeth hated to burden the butler with the boy but he assured her it was no trouble. “He is a good lad, Mrs. Fitzwilliam. It is wise for him to learn his role in the house. One day, he shall have the run of it.”
That certainty was the thing that kept Elizabeth in London and near her departed husband’s family. Thinking of Jane, she rose to write a letter to her sister and ask if she might return to London before summer arrived and drove everyone to the countryside.
Mr. Harley and Richard appeared again at the door of the salon with Major Wickham in tow. The butler wore a most displeased expression. It seemed he was in agreement with Mr. Darcy where the major was concerned. “Mrs. Fitzwilliam, I did ask him to wait in the entryway.”
“Nonsense!” called Mrs. Bennet as she rose and welcomed Major Wickham. Lydia joined her and left the pianoforte where she had sat with Mary. Elizabeth’s sisters had been dancing and gossiping again about the ball.
“Major Wickham, won’t you come and dance with us?” Lydia pleaded.
Elizabeth thanked Mr. Harley and asked the Major whether he might like to sit for a while before entertaining her sisters.
“I would not disturb you from your letter. I will dance with your sisters and your mother,” he said, taking Mrs. Bennet’s hand and causing her to blush like a schoolgirl, “and then after a while, you and I may talk before I must return to my men.”
Elizabeth did not see the harm in allowing him to distract the ladies of her family. She returned to her desk and wrote to her sister of the trouble with Mr. Darcy.
Jane would give her sound advice and when she had finished the letter, Elizabeth sent it with Thomas to the post. She went in search of Mr. Harley and Richard and found them in the garden again.
The butler was minding her son as he climbed easily up the small tree in the corner by the back wall. Elizabeth wanted to go to them and spend the afternoon in the sunlit confines but it would have to wait until Major Wickham had gone.
When she had waved at her son and encouraged his bravery, Elizabeth reluctantly made her way back to the salon. The major was sitting with Mrs. Bennet for the girls had tired him out as he was their only dance partner.
“I am sorry to have kept you waiting, sir. I sent my letter by the footman and went to the garden for a moment.”
Major Wickham stood and gave a small bow as Elizabeth sat across from her mother. “Mrs. Bennet has kept me entertained. I never miss the opportunity to bask in the attentions of beautiful women.”
Elizabeth thought the major too outlandish with his compliments, but her mother adored him for his wicked charm. “Oh my, Major Wickham! It is truly a wonder you have never married.”
“Mother, you must not meddle in his affairs. Soldiers rarely make good husbands as their duties take them far afield.” Elizabeth looked to her guest and saw the wink he gave her.
“I do not mind the scrutiny, Mrs. Bennet. I suppose I have yet to find the woman adventurous enough to marry a military man. Yet, your Elizabeth chose just such a partner. Do you think she might again?”
Elizabeth’s cheeks grew hot at his lack of propriety. To ask such a question of her mother would surely set Mrs. Bennet on the path of needling Elizabeth about the major as a suitable match.
Mrs. Bennet looked from the major to Elizabeth and back again. “The two of you would make a lovely couple, but I believe my daughter would prefer a man who would be a good father to my grandson. Do you wish to be a father, Major Wickham?”
Elizabeth had heard quite enough. “Mother, speaking of children, would you mind seeing to young Richard in the garden? I am certain Mr. Harley has other duties he must attend.”
Major Wickham chuckled and stood as Mrs. Bennet rose to quit the salon. “Madam, it has been my great pleasure. I hope to come again soon.”
Mrs. Bennet held onto the hand he offered a bit too long for Elizabeth’s comfort and exclaimed over how delighted they all would be to have him visit Fitzwilliam House as often as he wished.
When her mother had gone, Elizabeth asked the major about his plans. “Will you be in Town for some time?”
Major Wickham took this question as a good sign. The lady would not ask if she did not care for him. He recalled his last visit when she had spoken of remaining friends with him. Friendship could easily turn to love. “I should be in London through the summer though I would much rather retreat to the country as the gentry are wont to do.”
“I had thought to take my son to Hertfordshire then for I have missed my father.” Elizabeth was pleased to tell him for she did not want him to think there might be a future between them beyond friendship.
The major became excited at the idea. “Perhaps I ought to ask for leave or a transfer over the summer to Meryton? It would be a sight better than London.”
Lydia overheard his declaration and left Mary to practice with Kitty. “Oh la! Do come to the countryside, major! We shall play cards and stroll the gardens of Netherfield for Jane would certainly welcome the company.”
Elizabeth knew Jane would not welcome such company but held her tongue. Much the better for her if the major gave his attentions to Lydia. She would never interest him for very long and he might find another young lady amongst their neighbors.
Much to Major Wickham’s chagrin, Lydia commanded his attention for the remainder of the visit and Elizabeth allowed it. There was nothing scandalous he might accomplish with her youngest sister while surrounded by her family.
Chapter 9
Elizabeth announced her plans to return to Netherfield at dinner a week after the Easter holiday passed. “We have all been away so long and I wish to take Richard there so he may have more than a small garden in which to play.”
Lydia and Kitty pouted and fussed. “But Lizzy, how shall we find husbands there? We should stay here with mother for the summer.”
Mary was pleased with the plan to return to Longbourn and shushed her younger sisters. “There will be no suitable gentlemen in Town for the summer, ladies. They all leave for their country estates, you know.”
Mrs. Bennet took the news fairly well. “I do miss your father, girls. It would be nice to see Lady Lucas and Mrs. Long, and my sister too. And Jane and the children.”
“Jane has said she and Charles will not return to London before the summ
er. I am all the more eager to see her again, it has been too long. It is settled then, we shall leave by the end of the week.” Elizabeth finished her dinner in high spirits for the thought of returning home delighted her more and more.
In the salon after dinner, Elizabeth sat at the writing desk and took out paper and wrote to Miss Darcy of her plans. Elizabeth had missed the young woman and hoped Mr. Darcy might relent and allow her to visit them again when they were returned to London in Autumn.
It pained Elizabeth to leave Town when Miss Darcy would have her season but she knew with Lady Matlock in charge, and the decision already made on the young man she would marry, there would be no crisis or dramas to settle. Only the fun of dancing with every young man of the Ton.
She smiled to think of Miss Darcy in her bountiful assortment of exquisite dresses being escorted by her handsome brother to lavish balls. It had been decided Elizabeth would see all three of her sisters have a season next year. Perhaps Lady Matlock might be persuaded to help guide them again.
The day came at last for the Bennet sisters and their mother to quit London. Mr. Harley had surprised Elizabeth with his insistence on joining them. “Wherever Master Richard goes, I must go too.”
Elizabeth would not deny him and the idea of an extra pair of eyes and hands on the children assured Lady Matlock that her one and only grandson would be safe until he returned to London with his mother.
Nanny would not be needed in the countryside, but Elizabeth asked if she would care to return to Hertfordshire with them to see her own family until the winter brought them back to Town.
The young lady was delighted and offered to come to Netherfield or Longbourn whenever Elizabeth might have need of her. “You have only to send for me, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and I shall come straight away.”
Once the carriages were loaded and her family and servants settled, Elizabeth closed the front door of Fitzwilliam House. Most of the servants had gone for the day since the house was closed but several would remain to see that the house was secure and tend the horses in the stable.
Elizabeth had hoped to hear from Miss Darcy before they left, but a letter had not come. If one arrived later, a servant would send it express to Netherfield.
Thomas, the footman, handed her into the carriage with her son. Nanny and Mr. Harley were already settled on the bench across from Elizabeth and young Richard. Her mother and sisters were in the second carriage.
The party left Town in the late spring sunshine and never saw Mr. Darcy as he approached Fitzwilliam House.
The man sighed in deep regret as he watched Elizabeth and her family leave for Hertfordshire. For a moment, he thought to ride after them and ask to speak with her. But he would not for it would be unseemly to chase after her in such a manner.
Instead, he turned his horse for home and thought of the letter Georgie had written Elizabeth. A footman had been prepared to deliver it to Fitzwilliam House but he took it and relieved the servant of the task.
He wished he had arrived only a moment sooner for he did not think he would be able to leave Town with Georgie having her season. He wanted to mend the trouble over Wickham and see Elizabeth and Richard again.
She had given him much to ponder which made him uncomfortable and he had come to see that he was behaving more like Lady Matlock than his cousin the colonel. Elizabeth deserved better.
Perhaps he would write to Bingley and seek an invitation to visit once Georgie’s season was done.
Chapter 10
Elizabeth awoke in her old room at Netherfield and stretched before rising from her bed. The smile on her face had not left since arriving home the day before.
Richard and Rose had been inseparable and so there was no question they would take up residence again in her sister’s home rather than at Longbourn.
She would go to see her father in the afternoon and bring Richard and Rose along, and Mr. Harley. Elizabeth thought her father and her butler might get along famously.
The quiet of the house caused her to stop and listen with a grateful heart. With her sisters gone to Longbourn with their mother and Richard ensconced happily in the nursery with Rose and Sophia, the golden silence was a treat.
Fitzwilliam House had come alive with the Bennet sisters and young Richard running up and down the stairs and gathered at the dinner table. Her heart gave a twist for they had all made the townhome feel more like her home.
She washed her face and dressed quickly before a maid might come and fuss over her hair and attire. A simple day dress and her hair pinned up would more than suffice for a day wandering the fields and visiting her father.
When she entered the breakfast room, a footman welcomed her and went to retrieve the post. “A letter came for you early this morning, Mrs. Fitzwilliam. It is from London.”
For a moment, the hope that it was from Mr. Darcy filled her heart but she knew it was likely from Miss Darcy.
She took a plate and helped herself to the offerings on the sideboard. There was freshly baked bread and a wonderful pot of blackberry jam that she preferred over the heavier dishes.
With her plate before her and a hot cup of tea, Elizabeth relaxed and enjoyed breaking her fast alone in familiar surroundings. The footman returned and gave her the missive.
“Is there something more I might do for you, Mrs. Fitzwilliam?” he asked.
“Yes, please. Could you send Mr. Harley to me. I have need of him today.”
The footman nodded and gave a small bow before leaving her again. Elizabeth opened the letter and sat it on the table to smother her still warm bread with the blackberry jam. It was indeed a letter from Miss Darcy.
The young woman wrote of how terribly she missed Elizabeth and her sisters and that she hated they had removed to Hertfordshire in the midst of her season.
Elizabeth regretted leaving her friend but her sorrows would soon be remedied by the many demands on her time.
She scanned the letter for any mention of Mr. Darcy and there, near the end, Miss Darcy had written of his temperament since their argument.
He is short tempered and altogether most disagreeable. I have never known him to be in such a mood for long but it is his daily habit to lock himself in his library and address anyone who enters in a curt and irritated manner. I believe it has to do with your absence. I have spoken with him and said that when my season has come to an end, I will travel to Hertfordshire myself to see you.
Elizabeth smiled for she thought how funny it would be to see Miss Darcy do just that whether her brother approved or not. There was only so much pressure a gentleman might endure before indulging the women in his life.
Jane entered with Charles and Elizabeth stood to hug them both. “I am so happy you saved my room for me. It is so good to be home again.”
Charles was as happy as Elizabeth. “Rose has nearly driven everyone in the house mad in her crying for Richard. Thank heavens you came!”
Jane asked about the letter. “It seems someone was missing you before you left Town.”
Elizabeth did not mind sharing her problems of the Fitzwilliams and Darcys with Jane and Charles. “Yes, Miss Darcy was sad to see us repair to Hertfordshire. She writes that she may come for a visit when the season is over. I don’t know that her brother would allow it.”
Mr. Bingley filled a plate for Jane from the sideboard and then got one for himself. “And Darcy, was he sad to see you go Lizzy?”
Jane admonished her husband but only in a halfhearted manner. “Charles, it is her first day home!”
Elizabeth folded Miss Darcy’s letter. “I do not know Mr. Darcy’s mind on the matter. He and I had a disagreement over Major Wickham and he kept Miss Darcy away from Fitzwilliam House. I was surprised to receive a letter from her.”
Mr. Bingley sat and pushed around a sausage on his plate. “Why was Darcy upset about Major Wickham? Was the man attempting to court you?”
Again Jane attempted to soften her husband’s forthright questions. “Lizzy may not wish to speak of it
just now, my love. I would not be surprised if the Major did have such feelings. He was partial to Lizzy years ago when he was a lieutenant stationed in Meryton.”
Mr. Bingley gave a low chuckle. “That would set Darcy off if I recall his temperament correctly. He and Wickham have a history of sorts.”
Elizabeth’s ears perked up at this. “What do you know of their differences, Brother?”
“Well, Wickham grew up at Pemberley and Darcy’s father favored him. He sent him to school with Darcy and wished for him to have the living at Kympton when he passed. He never put it in the will but Darcy knew of the unwritten promise.”
Jane placed her fork on her plate and leaned in closer. “Do go on, what else is there? I had no idea Major Wickham was connected to the Darcy family.”
“Oh, indeed. I am certain Darcy wishes he never met the man. He paid him a small fortune over the living at Kympton. You see, Wickham was never the kind to become a vicar and live a pious life. Ho no! He was too popular with the ladies. There were whispers of bastard children at one point.”
Charles waggled his eyebrows here drawing gasps from his wife and sister.
“And he gambled heavily. Always Darcy would fix everything because of the connection to his family. I suppose that all ended when he bought Wickham his commission but I don’t know for certain. Darcy complained less about him after that.”
Elizabeth looked stricken as she lost her appetite for her breakfast. “I did not believe the man was so bad as all that. Mr. Darcy warned me several times and was quite angry I did not agree with him.”
Charles nodded his head. “Oh he was as bad as all that, and may still be the rake Darcy charges him to be. If Wickham set his sights on you, and he would be stupid not to see the prize you represent, I could understand Darcy’s behavior. It might have seemed overbearing to you, like his warning me against Jane, but in this case I would side with Darcy.”
