Darcy sighed as he released her and took a step back. He smiled sadly as he placed her hand on his arm and began walking at a more sedate pace. “It was no more or less than I had expected of her.”
Elizabeth looked down at the road as they walked, “Mr. Collins …”
“Is a sycophantic fool who lives to kiss my aunt’s feet,” he said venomously.
Elizabeth looked at him, the shock clear on her face.
“Forgive me, my dear, it has proven to be a trying morning.”
She nodded in agreement and squeezed his arm. “Who is Mr. Wickham?” she asked softly.
Darcy stiffened and she looked up expectantly. “He is the man who tried to elope with Georgiana.”
Elizabeth gasped and fought the urge to look back toward town.
“Come, I will escort you home.”
“But what of your sister?”
“Richard is with her, she will be well. I will return to Netherfield once I see you safely to Longbourn.”
They walked in companionable silence until they reached the edge of the Bennet’s property where Darcy dropped his horse’s lead and led her off the road. Once he was certain they were out of sight, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her like a man dying of thirst. Her arms wrapped about his shoulders, clinging to him.
“Oh, Lizzy,” he whispered as he placed kisses along her jaw. She ran her fingers through his hair, knocking his hat to the ground, and sighed as he kissed her neck. Slowly, he pulled back and looked at her longingly. “We should continue on.”
She nodded before going up on tiptoe to press a light kiss to his lips. Darcy smiled, returned the kiss a little deeper, but then stepped away determinedly and offered her his arm. She chuckled as she bent to retrieve his beaver, brushing the dirt from the brim before placing it ceremoniously upon his head.
As they returned to the road, Darcy took up the horse’s lead and they walked, holding hands, while Elizabeth looked about them. Seeing no one, she asked, “Will you tell me the rest of the story, sir?”
Darcy looked at her questioningly.
“Mr. Wickham.”
He frowned.
“There must be more. What made him plot against Georgiana? You said he was once an acquaintance.”
Darcy sighed and squeezed her hand. “George Wickham is the son of my father’s late steward. Mr. Wickham was a very respectable man and George was my father’s godson. He was my playmate when I was young. My father liberally bestowed his kindness upon George, supporting him at school and afterwards at Cambridge. Father was not only fond of his society, he had also the highest opinion of him and hoped the church would be his profession. As for myself, I had begun to think of him in a very different manner.” His brow creased and his countenance began to redden. “He has vicious propensities, a want of principle, …”
Closing his eyes, Darcy took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before continuing. “Of course he was careful to guard this from the knowledge of my dear father, but being nearly of the same age with himself and having opportunities to see him in unguarded moments, I saw things Father could not.
“When my father died, his attachment to Wickham was so steady that in his will he particularly recommended it to me to promote his advancement in the best manner that his profession might allow; and, if he took orders, desired that a valuable family living might be his as soon as it became vacant. There was also a legacy of one thousand pounds. Within a year from these events, Wickham wrote to inform me that, having finally resolved against taking orders, he hoped I should not think it unreasonable for him to expect some more immediate pecuniary advantage, in lieu of the preferment, by which he could not be benefited. He had some intention, he added, of studying law, and I must be aware that the interest of one thousand pounds would be a very insufficient support therein.”
Darcy glanced up at the sky and said wistfully, “I rather wished than believed him to be sincere; but, at any rate, was perfectly ready to accede to his proposal.”
He turned his gaze back on the studious expression of his companion. “I knew that Mr. Wickham ought not to be a clergyman; the business therefore soon settled, he resigned all claim to assistance in the church, were it possible that he could ever be in a situation to receive it, and accepted in return three thousand pounds. All connection between us seemed dissolved. I thought too ill of him to invite him to Pemberley or admit his society in town. For about three years, I heard little of him; but on the decease of the incumbent of the living which had been designed for him, he applied to me again by letter for presentation. He assured me his circumstances were exceedingly bad. He had found the law a most unprofitable study, and was not absolutely resolved on being ordained.”
He squeezed her hand and glanced down at her. “You will hardly blame me for refusing to comply with this entreaty, or for resisting every repetition of it. His resentment was in proportion to the distress of his circumstances—and he was doubtless as violent in his abuse of me to others as in his reproaches to myself. After this period every appearance of acquaintance was dropped.” He sighed, “I did not hear from him again until we met at Ramsgate.”
“How awful,” she whispered and rested her head against his arm. “You must go and check on Georgiana.”
“After I see you home.”
Elizabeth chuckled softly, “You have, sir. I am on Longbourn property.”
“I will see you to your door.” She began to protest, but he laid a finger upon her lips. “I wish to speak to your father.”
“And reassure my mother?” she smiled wickedly as she drew away and his forehead creased in confusion. “Mr. Collins told her Lady Catherine was convincing you to end our engagement.”
“You knew I would not,” he searched her countenance hopefully.
“Of course, but Mama is still trying to understand what has occurred; why you would offer for me.” She blushed and looked out over the fields.
Darcy stopped walking and lightly brushed his fingers over her cheek, turning her so he could read her expression. “Lizzy, what has she said?”
“Nothing I have not heard before.” Her blush deepened as he pulled her into his embrace. “Mr. Darcy,” she looked about. “Someone will see us.”
“I want them to see us, Lizzy. I want everyone to understand that I love you. That I find you irresistible.” He kissed her until her knees grew weak and she leaned fully upon him. Reluctantly he broke the kiss and grinned.
“Perhaps we should ride the rest of the way,” he chuckled as he brushed feathery kisses over her cheeks. Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide and he quickly reassured her. “Do not fear, I shall not allow anything to harm you.”
After placing her on his horse, he quickly climbed up behind her and pulled her into his embrace. The ride to Longbourn was excruciating pleasure for Darcy as he contemplated showing her Pemberley in a similar manner once they were wed. With only a few stolen kisses along the way, they arrived much sooner than he wished.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet came out to meet them at the door as they approached. Darcy could not fight the urge to increase their shock at his behavior so he dismounted and lifted Elizabeth down, holding her a moment longer than necessary before turning to the older couple and smiling.
Chuckling, Mr. Bennet insisted they all come into the study as he took his wife’s hand and entered the house. Surprised that they had not been reprimanded, Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged a quizzical look but followed the older couple into the house.
After waiting until everyone was seated, Mr. Bennet announced that during their absence there had been a visitor to Longbourn. He nearly quivered with the excitement of telling his tale, while Mrs. Bennet blushed under his gaze. Darcy and Elizabeth urged them to say who it had been. “Why Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of course!” Mr. Bennet announced happily.
Darcy fell back in his seat and groaned while Elizabeth leaned forward. “Do tell, Father!”
“Not long after you had left, your mother and I heard a carriage. We thought i
t might be Darcy so I went out to tell him you had gone to Meryton. You can imagine my surprise when the illustrious lady instructed me to announce her arrival to the Bennets.”
He and his daughter chuckled, while Darcy simply shook his head, a hand covering his eyes. “Come, Darcy, do not be missish. I will have you enjoy this tale. You have not yet heard how your future mother-in-law shocked us all.”
It was Elizabeth’s turn to frown as her mother’s blush deepened. Darcy sat up and lowered his hand, clearly prepared for anything.
“That is better. I led her into the parlour where I introduced myself and Mrs. Bennet,” he gestured toward his wife and winked. “The great lady did not seem at all taken aback that she had mistaken me for a servant and offered no apology. She quite lived up to my expectations of her.” He beamed with pride in his ability to take an individual’s measure prior to making her acquaintance. “She took a seat, looked us over most disdainfully, and announced that we could be at ‘no loss to understand the reason for her journey hither.’” This last, he said in a haughty falsetto.
Elizabeth stared, a bemused look of shock upon her face.
“Of course we assured her we were unable to account for the honour. At which time, she announced that we were to refuse permission for your engagement. I asked upon what grounds and she quickly repeated the same balderdash Mr. Collins had pronounced earlier regarding Darcy’s engagement to her daughter.”
Darcy dropped his head again, but Elizabeth squeezed his hand comfortingly.
“I assured her ladyship that, if Darcy were so engaged, he could not have offered for my daughter. She then began to revise her tale, mentioning that it was a wish of the mothers from the time they were in their cradles. I did not rise to her bait and she began a new course.
“She pointed out that honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest forbid my blessing this union. She declared that my daughter would not be noticed by your friends or family, sir; that she would be censured, slighted, and despised, by everyone connected to you. I was about to respond, when I felt my wife’s hand upon my arm.”
He turned and smiled broadly at the still blushing lady. “’These are heavy misfortunes,’ she said softly, and Lady Catherine smiled gloatingly, thinking she had won until your mother continued. ‘But as the wife of Mr. Darcy, she must have such extraordinary sources of happiness necessarily attached to her situation, that neither of them could, upon the whole, have cause to repine.’”
Mr. Bennet smiled at them all. “I was so filled with pride, I was unable to speak.” He chuckled, “Lady Catherine had no such difficulty. She announced that she would not be ‘dissuaded from her purpose’ and that she was ‘not in the habit of brooking disappointment.’ ‘That will make your ladyship’s situation at present more pitiable; but it will have no effect on us or our daughter,’ says your mother as brazenly as could be.” At this point, Mr. Bennet could hold in his laughter no longer.
Elizabeth stared at her mother in shock until she noticed that Darcy had begun to shake. She turned to find he was softly laughing while tears glistened in his eyes.
Mr. Bennet waved his hands in the air as he tried to compose himself. “Lady Catherine was not finished. She declared that her daughter and nephew were formed for each other. She recited the family lines and then proceeded to rebuke ours. Your mother rose to the occasion again declaring Mr. Darcy a gentleman and Elizabeth a gentleman’s daughter and, therefore, equal. Lady Catherine went on trying repeatedly to discredit our connections, but your mother informed her that if her nephew did not object to them, they could be nothing to her.
“Your aunt, sir, had finally had enough and declared her shock and astonishment at not finding us more reasonable. At this point, I decided we had had enough and I informed her that as she had insulted us in every possible method, I felt it best that she leave our home.”
Darcy finally laughed aloud as he turned to Elizabeth and drew her into his embrace. “I am mistaken, dearest. You were correct regarding a match between your mother and my aunt.” He kissed her on the temple and released her.
Standing, he crossed the room and pulled Mrs. Bennet from her chair where he hugged and kissed her on the cheek. “Mother Bennet, you have amazed me.”
Mrs. Bennet turned crimson and pushed Mr. Darcy away, but the joyful smile she flashed toward her husband brought tears to Mr. Bennet’s eyes. He turned to look out the window and saw the others returning from town. The foursome walked out to meet them, enjoying Mr. Collins’ shocked expression when he saw their obvious amusement.
Mr. Darcy called for his horse, but made a show over kissing Elizabeth’s hand before glaring at the clergyman. He mounted his horse and rode off.
Mrs. Bennet smiled smugly at Mr. Collins as she invited everyone inside. Mr. Bingley excused himself, deciding it would be best to follow his friend. Once inside, Jane attempted to gain Elizabeth’s attention, but they were unable to speak privately until that evening.
As they prepared to retire, Elizabeth reassured Jane regarding Mr. Darcy’s feelings and explained his reactions in town were due to the shock of seeing Mr. Wickham. She went on to relate what had been disclosed to her. They discussed whether they should share the information regarding Mr. Wickham with their acquaintances and decided to leave the decision to Mr. Darcy. A smile crept across her countenance as Elizabeth fell asleep thinking of her mother protecting her against Lady Catherine.
Chapter Five
The following morning found Charles, Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana arriving at Longbourn as early as propriety allowed. The weather was particularly warm and they were able to convince Mrs. Bennet to rest from her wedding planning so they could all take in the fresh air in the gardens. Lydia laughed as Kitty pushed her in a swing, and Jane and Mr. Bingley walked nearby while the others wandered amongst the few remaining blooms. Mrs. Bennet questioned the Colonel relentlessly regarding his adventures on the continent, and he charmingly obliged her.
Taking advantage of her mother’s distraction, Elizabeth led Darcy away toward the small wilderness to the east of the gardens and, as she had discussed with Jane, asked what he intended to tell the people of Meryton regarding Mr. Wickham. When he indicated he would not say anything, she was shocked and demanded to know his reasons.
“Surely you understand I cannot speak against him,” he stated through clenched teeth.
“No, sir, I do not understand. You know Mr. Wickham is a danger. Why will you not expose him?” Elizabeth huffed her frustration, hands fisted at her sides, as she walked ahead of Darcy who had stopped to watch her.
“Elizabeth,” he said softly.
“I realize you do not want to endanger …” She stopped and lowered her voice as she glanced about before turning back to him. “Your sister,” she whispered. “But is that reason enough not to warn my family and friends? In doing nothing, you are giving him free reign to have his way with them.”
“Elizabeth,” he said again as he reached out to her so that she stopped and turned back to meet his gaze. “These people turned their backs on you …”
“And does that mean that I must turn my back on them? That I should do nothing to protect them?” she asked in amazement.
“I did not say that,” he sighed, exasperation clear in his voice.
“Then what are you saying, sir?” she crossed her arms and tapped her toe lightly as she awaited his response.
Darcy’s lip twitched in amusement and he approached her slowly, as one would a skittish colt, before reaching out to her again. Reluctantly she unfolded her arms and allowed him to hold her hands. He found it hard to refuse her anything, especially knowing she was correct.
“Wickham normally attempts to elicit sympathy from others by telling stories of how I have wronged him by not giving him the position in the church as my father mentioned in his will. If he does so, I will refute him.”
Smiling triumphantly, she stood on tiptoe to kiss him quickly on the cheek. “With your permission, I will tell my f
amily and the Lucases that I do not believe Mr. Wickham should to be trusted. The word should spread from there so that none will be harmed by him.”
Darcy nodded and, slipping her hand onto his arm, turned back to join the others on the lawn.
As the couple emerged from the wilderness, Lydia suddenly leapt from the swing and ran toward Jane and Mr. Bingley who were strolling by the hedges. “Mr. Bingley, as we returned to Longbourn yesterday you promised you would have a ball at Netherfield. Do you remember?”
Charles nodded, saying he did indeed.
“It would be the most shameful thing in the world not to honour it,” she pouted.
“Lydia!” Elizabeth cried out in embarrassment over her sister’s forwardness.
Charles chuckled and waved her away. “I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my promise.” He glanced at his friend who appeared very relaxed next to his betrothed and was suddenly inspired. “In fact, I shall throw a ball to celebrate Darcy and Miss Elizabeth’s engagement.” Everyone applauded, but the couple looked ill at ease.
“Please, Mr. Bingley, I would prefer you do not honour us in that way. Simply have your ball and we shall attend.” Elizabeth looked to Darcy who nodded in agreement with her request.
Charles relented quickly, remembering how his friend disliked being the center of attention. The rest of the morning was spent in discussion of the ball, until Mr. Bennet, having had his fill of lace and giggling, suggested the guests return to Netherfield to make Mr. Bingley’s family and staff aware of his decision.
After the Netherfield party departed, Mrs. Bennet pulled Elizabeth aside. “Mr. Bingley was showing you a great honour, Lizzy. Why did you decline it?”
Elizabeth sighed as she brushed imaginary lint from her gown, not wishing to meet her mother’s gaze. “Mama, do you not remember the way everyone treated us following the ball at Meryton? I simply do not wish to endure anymore falsehoods.”
The Ball At Meryton: A Pride and Prejudice Alternative Novella by Bronwen Chisholm Page 8
