Lizzy, sensing his distress and not knowing how to respond, changed the conversation and asked if he would be attending the Netherfield ball.
“I have important business to see to in London, and I am not sure if I will be able to return.”
“I hope you will, Mr. Darcy, as I owe you a dance.”
“Which I would very much like to claim, but everything turns on events in London.”
Darcy was sitting with Miss Montford in the parlor of the family’s Mayfair townhouse. They had already discussed the weather and had talked about the families who had returned to London from their country estates, and with all the easy topics got out of the way, Darcy was staring off into the distance, hoping for divine intervention to assist him in finding something else to say.
“While you were in the country, did you shoot many birds, Mr. Darcy?” Miss Montford asked, and he silently thanked Providence for intervening.
“Actually, not a one. Mr. Bingley’s time was quite taken up with Miss Jane Bennet, a most agreeable lady and the daughter of a gentleman farmer. Shortly before I left Hertfordshire, he made her an offer of marriage, and she has accepted him. Understandably, he could think of little else.”
“That is very good news for Mr. Bingley that he is marrying well.”
Did he hear her correctly? Did she just say that Bingley was marrying well and not the other way around?
“Knowing Miss Bennet, I agree that Mr. Bingley is marrying well, but considering his fortune, it is also a good match for the lady.”
“What I meant is that Mr. Bingley is not a gentleman, but will be marrying a gentleman’s daughter.”
“You don’t consider Mr. Bingley to be a gentleman?”
This seemed to make Mr. Darcy unhappy, and so she demurred. “Who am I to say who is or who is not a gentleman? I was only basing my opinion on my understanding that his father was in trade.”
“Have you met his sisters, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst?” If she had, then she would know they were well educated, accomplished, and elegantly attired.
Miss Montford tilted her head to the side, which was something she did when she was puzzled. “How would I know them, Mr. Darcy, as we do not have the same friends? We may have attended some of the same events, but I have never been introduced to them. Do you think that I might be introduced to them?”
Darcy could not tell from her tone if she considered that to be a good thing. But surely if they were to marry, she would understand that the family of his closest friend would be invited to their home.
“Mr. Bingley tells me they will marry around Christmastime,” he said, ignoring her question. “He has a large family, so it will be quite an affair if all can attend the wedding celebration.”
“How nice for them,” she responded, and then the silence returned for what seemed an eternity. “Shall I play something, Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, please,” he answered eagerly, and then sank back into the chair with a sigh of relief. They would not have to talk as long as she was playing.
“Do you have a request, sir?”
“Surprise me,” and then he thought of something Elizabeth Bennet had said about what constituted an accomplished woman: “You see, Mr. Darcy, we are of necessity more practical in the country. Jane and I have painted many screens, but when every fireplace has one, we stop. Even the largest house can only hold so many tables, no matter how beautifully painted, and when it comes to the matter of music, many of our friends are talented on the pianoforte. But if the truth be known, most people prefer an air or a jig to a concerto as we love to dance.”
After thinking about Miss Elizabeth’s comments, he asked, “Miss Montford, something lively, if you will,” and she searched among the music sheets before finally settling on a Scottish air, and while she was playing, he could not help but notice how many painted tables there were in the room.
While Letitia played, Darcy’s mind was flooded with visions of Elizabeth. How he would love to wrap his fingers around her dark curls while gazing into her coal black eyes and to trace the outline of her face with his fingers. His thoughts of the lady spurred him to action.
“Miss Montford, I do not recall if I mentioned that Mr. Bingley is hosting a ball at his home in Hertfordshire, and I have promised that I will attend.”
She showed no sign of unhappiness at his news, and after deciding that the visit had lasted long enough, he rose, bowed, and beat a hasty retreat, and when he got into the hackney, he loosened his neckcloth as he felt as if he was being strangled.
At supper, after interrogating her brother about his visit with Miss Montford, Georgiana pronounced it to be satisfactory.
“Since you are gone so frequently, perhaps you might consider writing a poem or love letter.”
“Please, Georgiana, I am not a romantic.”
“Flowers?”
“May we have this conversation after I return from Hertfordshire?”
“Yes, and I have a surprise for you, Will. I have been feeling guilty about not going to the country with you, so I have changed my mind. I shall attend the ball at Netherfield.”
Instead of the expected response, her brother put his head back and rubbed his temples as if fighting a headache.
“Georgie, would you pour a glass of Madeira for me? I have something unpleasant to tell you,” and he advised her of Wickham’s presence in Meryton.
It had been several weeks after Wickham’s attempted elopement before Darcy could speak to his sister about the events in Ramsgate, and he had only relented because Anne de Bourgh had written, encouraging him to listen to what his sister had to say. Georgiana had successfully convinced her brother that she would never have married without his permission and that she was ashamed of the romantic notions she had harbored.
“Will, surely, you do not think I would have anything to do with Wickham. I have learned so much from that unfortunate affair, and it has stood me in good stead this past season when I was able to recognize insincere flattery for what it is: an attempt to secure my fortune.”
“No, it is not that at all. I know he will not come to the ball as he is a coward and will not face me. It is just that the militia is always about in the village, and there is the possibility you might encounter him.”
Georgiana, whose clothes were made by the finest dressmakers in London, laughed. “I am going to Netherfield for the purpose of attending a ball, not to shop in Meryton.”
“Forgive me. I am tired. As an aside, you may be interested to know that after the ball, Louisa and Caroline will return to town, and Mrs. Crenshaw will come to keep house for Bingley.”
“Mrs. Crenshaw and her little band of ruffians! The same ones who put mud in my riding boots? I am convinced that it was Athena who actually did the deed, but she was put up to it by those monster brothers of hers.”
“I can easily believe it. When Bingley leased the house in Surrey, I saw Athena throwing rocks at the ducks. For such a little girl, she was remarkably accurate.”
“Why does Charles put up with their obnoxious behavior?”
“He finds them spirited.”
“Spirited! If they were in my care, I would spirit them away to the nearest woodshed for a proper whipping.”
Darcy reached out his hand, and his sister came and sat beside him. “I know you are eager for me to begin a courtship with Miss Montford, and I will do so upon my return from Hertfordshire. Since it is now certain the Crenshaws will take up residence with Bingley, I can assure you I will not be at Netherfield nor in Meryton nor in Hertfordshire when the Crenshaws arrive. I think I can safely remain in England. However, it is a good thing to know where they are at any given time,” and brother and sister shared a good laugh.
George Wickham was the talk of the village. Within three days of his arrival, everyone knew the basics of his biography. He had been brought up on a great estate in Derbyshire. After attending Cambridge, he had planned a living in the church, but his dreams went unrealized because the money that should have
been available for such a purpose had been denied him. However, being a gentleman, he would not name the person who had caused him so much personal suffering, and the Darcy name went unmentioned. Fortunately, he explained, he had many friends, among them Captain Denny, who had assisted him in securing a commission in the militia.
Because he was so handsome in his regimentals, gracious in his manners, and possessing a fine baritone voice, Wickham had been inundated with invitations to dinners and card parties. As a result, he had appeared almost nightly at some social event in the Meryton neighborhood, including a card party hosted by Mrs. Philips, the wife of the local solicitor, and the sister of Mrs. Bennet. Out of curiosity, Lizzy decided to attend.
As Elizabeth watched the gentleman move about the room, it was easy to see why he had the village all abuzz. He showed a genuine interest in his company, and with his deep, resonating voice, he had a way of conversing that created an intimacy that had some of the girls, as well as their mothers, all aflutter. Lizzy made no attempt to engage him. She was there to observe, not to be charmed, but as soon as she had stopped playing cards, Mr. Wickham sought her out.
“I did not think you would ever quit the whist table, so that I might seek an introduction,” Wickham said, after sitting on the sofa next to Lizzy.
“But you did not seek an introduction, sir.”
For a brief second, Lizzy saw a flash of displeasure before he stood up and asked Mrs. Pritchard to do the honors.
“So, Miss Bennet, now that we have been officially introduced, I am no longer at risk of being denied the pleasure of your company.”
They chatted about topics that Mr. Darcy would have found to be tedious: the weather, Meryton, the next assembly, the vicar and the important role the church played in the lives of its parishioners, and other such drawing-room topics. After those subjects were exhausted, Mr. Wickham mentioned Mr. Darcy.
“I believe we have an acquaintance in common, Miss Bennet: Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley.”
“Other than that he has an estate in Derbyshire and a house in town, I do not know very much about him. He is of a taciturn nature and says but little.”
“I know Mr. Darcy very well, as I was brought up on the Darcy estate. My father was the steward at Pemberley, a truly wonderful man, as was the elder Mr. Darcy,” and as he said this, his tone softened to great effect. “I wish I could say the same for the son.”
With Mr. Darcy’s warning echoing in her mind, she sat quietly, giving him no encouragement, but Mr. Wickham was determined to have his say.
“You might ask why I do not hold the son in the same regard as the father.” Fearing that Lizzy might not ask, he continued, “It was my greatest desire to study for the church, and the elder Mr. Darcy, recognizing my calling, left me a bequest sufficient to purchase a living. However, his son gave the living to another.”
“That is a truly shocking statement, Mr. Wickham,” Lizzy said in genuine amazement. “For Mr. Darcy to go against his father’s wishes, I assume you and the son had quarreled.”
“I wish that were the case. Then I could understand his actions.” Mr. Wickham went quiet and a look of sadness came over him, and Lizzy had the impression she was watching a performance. “We were friends all through our childhood. Although it was true we did not see each other much while at Cambridge, when we were in each other’s company, I sensed no rancor.”
“If you remained friends while you were at university together, how do you account for his subsequent actions?”
“Many a night I have lain awake trying to come up with a reason, but with little success. Possibly because of his superior rank and being free of his father’s guidance and supervision, he became conceited and arrogant. There might also have been some jealousy involved as his father made no attempt to hide his affection for me. When Mr. Darcy died, his son sought to diminish my importance by denying me the living I so ardently desired.”
“As I said, Mr. Wickham, I know little of the gentleman.”
“From what I have heard in the time I have been in Meryton, Mr. Darcy made a very poor first impression.”
“That is true,” Lizzy said, and her remark made Mr. Wickham smile. Wickham, who was used to women hanging on his every word, was unhappy with Lizzy’s reaction to his comments. Why was she not asking for more details about the injustices he had suffered? “However,” she added, “realizing he had slighted many, he made a real effort to begin anew.”
“That is typical of Mr. Darcy. He offends and gives the appearance of amendment. But I can assure you it does not last, and his true nature eventually emerges.”
“As to his true nature, at the moment he has succeeded in hiding it. He has been our guest at Longbourn on several occasions because his friend, Mr. Charles Bingley, is engaged to my sister Jane.”
This information startled Wickham, and he quickly looked about the room to see if Mr. Bingley was present.
“Mr. Bingley is not here, Mr. Wickham. He is at Longbourn visiting with my sister, and Mr. Darcy is in London with his sister. The two men are very close friends, and considering your description, I am surprised to find Mr. Darcy developed a friendship with someone not of his sphere. Do you know Mr. Bingley?”
“I do not. But do not be surprised by his friendship with someone who is his social inferior, as he is most comfortable when surrounded by subordinates and sycophants.”
“In light of all that you have told me, you will be happy to know that Mr. Darcy will be returning to London following a ball being hosted by Mr. Bingley at Netherfield. All of the officers have been invited. Will you be attending?”
“No, Miss Bennet, I will not. My temperament is such that I do not seek confrontation. If Mr. Darcy was to see me in his friend’s home, it might put him in a foul mood, and that would ruin the evening for others.” And that was his final word, as he stood up, bowed, and moved on in search of a friendlier audience.
When Lizzy returned home, she related the whole of the conversation to Jane and asked for her thoughts.
“I do not see how Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy could be friends if Mr. Darcy is so very bad, but Mr. Wickham’s recollections are so detailed.”
“I thought about that, and to my mind, he supplied too many details, especially in light of Mr. Darcy supplying none. Instead, Mr. Darcy relied on my knowledge of his character to make up my own mind.”
“But do you think there is any truth in what Mr. Wickham said?”
Lizzy quickly ran the events of the evening through her mind, as well as her last conversation with Mr. Darcy, and shook her head. “No, I do not. In fact, I suspect the injury was to Mr. Darcy and that is why Mr. Wickham is so eager to have us all think ill of him. In that way, we will be distracted from an examination of his character.”
“When I next see Charles, I will ask him what he knows about it.”
“Please do. Although Mr. Darcy has his faults, I do not think he is in any way dishonest or vengeful.”
“Lizzy, think of how much your opinion about Mr. Darcy has changed since that first meeting at the assembly.”
“Yes, my opinion of him altered when he came to Longbourn to apologize for his unkind words, especially since I would have thought I would have been beneath his notice.”
“You certainly are no longer beneath Mr. Darcy’s notice. All during the celebration of my engagement to Charles, Mr. Darcy was looking at you.”
“Jane, I like him very much, but you know very well that I am of a practical nature. I know that the Mr. Darcys of the world do not court the daughters of gentlemen farmers.”
“But by that measure, a man such as Charles, who could marry practically anyone because of his wealth, should not be interested in me.”
“I wish to take nothing away from Mr. Bingley, but he is not a Darcy and that may be a good thing. Unlike Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley is not burdened with a legacy that extends back to the Conquest and who must marry a lady of a rank. It is sad to think that with all of his money, his name, and his elevate
d position in society that happiness might elude him because he may have to marry a woman he does not love. On the other hand, it would be difficult to truly be miserable when you take into consideration the enormity of his wealth, his large estate in Derbyshire, and a house in town.”
“Elegant carriages and paintings by the Masters,” Jane said, adding to Lizzy’s list.
“An invitation to Almack’s.”
“Tickets to the opera.”
“A stable full of horses…”
With Mr. Bingley coming to Longbourn every afternoon, it wasn’t but a day or two before the subject of Mr. Wickham arose, and Jane was able to share with Lizzy what she had learned.
“Charles said that in all the time he has known Mr. Darcy, the name ‘Wickham’ has come up only once. It was when they were discussing how powerful people attract enemies. Mr. Darcy said he knew of his having only one enemy, the son of his late steward, and that Wickham had ‘injured his family.’”
“He said ‘his family,’ not just himself? Then this must have something to do with his sister.”
“When Charles realized Mr. Wickham was included in the invitation to all of the officers,” Jane continued, “he offered to speak to Colonel Forster. But Darcy told him that it was unnecessary, saying, ‘He will not come. He is a liar, and you cannot lie about a fellow if he is in the same room with you.’
“Charles was all praise for Mr. Darcy, and although it is never discussed, he is aware that there were some in London who criticized Mr. Darcy for his friendship with a man whose fortune was made in trade. Charles emphasized that the most important person in Mr. Darcy’s life is his sister, which is the main reason he travels so frequently to town, but there is another reason for his visits. Because the heir to the Darcy estate must be a male, Georgiana Darcy cannot inherit. Therefore, Mr. Darcy must take a wife and have a son. During this past season, he seemed to settle on Miss Letitia Montford, the daughter of Sir John Montford, and the granddaughter of the Earl of Darent.”
A Wife for Mr. Darcy Page 4
