Fate and Consequences

by Linda Wells

  A man slipping into the booth made him look up and see Wickham. He had just returned from a thorough interrogation by Colonel Forster, and it was clear that his days of welcome in the militia were numbered. He could not think of why, unless some of the men he owed money had complained to his commander. He never meant to stay in long, and now he just wanted to finish this situation with Darcy, then he would be ready to go. “Well, it seems the news has spread quite rapidly.”

  John studied him, Wickham’s teeth were slightly bared, and a look of satisfaction was on his face. “It seems that you have been busy, it has taken on a life of its own. Why did you speak of Miss Darcy?”

  “You did not have the courage to speak the truth, so I did.” Wickham laughed. “I thought that you wished to save the fair Miss Elizabeth from Darcy. You have changed your mind?”

  John looked at him, not at all liking being the subject of his humour. “I do not wish to see her or Miss Darcy hurt. I wished to limit the exposure to telling the truth about his offences against you.”

  He met Wickham’s amused brow. “I believe it will undoubtedly hurt both of them, but you will certainly be there to comfort Miss Elizabeth, will you not? Or are you afraid of Darcy?”

  “He is no longer alone, his cousin is here.”

  Wickham sat up straight. “Cousin? A colonel?”

  John nodded, and watched with great interest the changing expression on Wickham’s face. “I saw him in church yesterday.”

  Wickham sat back again. Now he knew the source of his trouble in the militia. Fitzwilliam had been there. The window of opportunity was closing rapidly. He needed to learn more of Elizabeth, and it seemed his stooge would not be of use for much longer. “Tell me, what is it that drives you towards this girl? I met her, I rather enjoyed the experience, in fact, I would welcome a great deal of experiences with her…” He saw John’s eyes narrow. “As I am sure Darcy already has. You have seen them together enough times, Lucas; you see how compliant she is with him. Do you not imagine what she would be like in your embrace?” He nodded, grinning. “Ah, so you do, I can see it in your eyes. You often imagine the feel of her skin against yours, her muff opening to your stick; I daresay you think on it constantly.”

  John glared. “I will not have you speak about her in such a vulgar manner!”

  Wickham bent his head in contrition. “Then what is it? Why not approach one of the other ladies of the neighbourhood? Surely you must be of interest to them?”

  “I am.” John shook his head and opened his soul to the devil. “I have known Eliza for all of my life. She and I spent countless hours wandering the fields and lanes, climbing trees, imagining adventures of all sorts. She had no brothers, and her sisters were not at all interested in such things. And she read so many wonderful stories that her imagination was just …” He looked down. “I was a lad who had a wonderful playmate. Of course, I had to leave for school when I was twelve, and when I came home on holiday, she was deemed too old to be playing with a boy my age, it was no longer proper, so I only saw her from afar. I watched her grow up into the beauty she is today. We always danced together at the assemblies, and it was all in good fun, but when I returned from graduation … I … well, she was not only beautiful but so different from every other girl. She knew who I was, and what I had, and treated me with friendship and laughter, and teased me. No other woman does that, they all worry about my fortune or what I can do for them, Eliza just cared about the person I was.” His eyes grew bright. “And arrogant fool that I was, I did not recognize that. I came home from school thinking I could have any woman, my inflated self-worth … I had a treasure in my grasp and I let her slip away by acting a boy. Eliza needs a man. A man she can respect and love. She did not want a boy.” He spoke bitterly.

  Wickham regarded him speculatively. He could not appreciate the sentiment behind the confession, but he did recognize the power of emotion and behaviour. “She seems quite worth the effort then.” John nodded his head. “And Darcy was the man, as you say, who came along and took her away, and now you know what he is truly like. But you are the man who will save her from the life Miss Darcy suffers. Miss Elizabeth may not appreciate it now, but you are doing her and her family a great service. These rumours have undoubtedly spread to her home by now. Do you really think that her family will allow this engagement to continue?” Wickham met his eye. “You are doing the right thing by her.”

  “Not if it will hurt them. I should have gone to Mr. Bennet directly with this information. This idea of yours to spread gossip, I should not have listened to you … I should have let her go, let her find her own way. I should have listened to her. Maybe my pushing drove her to the first man who paid her attention. I do not deserve her any more than Darcy. I should just go to Mr. Bennet now.”

  “The work is finished, friend. He surely knows. Now you may reap the benefits.”

  “I do not want them. I do not deserve her.” John looked up to see the sardonic smile on Wickham’s face and made his decision. Tomorrow I will go and speak to Mr. Bennet.

  THE COACH containing the three ladies stopped at Netherfield first to drop off Georgiana. Elizabeth insisted that be done so that the young girl did not have to travel alone back from Longbourn. As much as she hoped that William would be there, she knew that he and Mr. Bingley were to visit a neighbouring estate for a hunt that afternoon, and would not be home for many hours. It was disappointing, but with the news of Mr. Collins arriving, it was likely for the best. They should greet their cousin without being surrounded by other guests.

  Elizabeth and Jane passed back through the village and once again the coach was the subject of great interest. “Why do they stare so?” Jane wondered. “Surely this coach is familiar to everyone by now; after all, Mr. Darcy has been here for over a month.”

  “It is strange, but I can not imagine the reason either.” Elizabeth watched the groups of people pointing and talking. “I suppose some sort of gossip about my engagement, perhaps? Remember all of the neighbours who came to the house to speak to Mama after the assembly?”

  Jane smiled. “I am sure that is it.”

  “Perhaps they will do the same now that you are being courted, Jane.” Elizabeth squeezed her hand. “What did Mr. Bingley say to you?” Jane blushed and shook her head. “Oh no, Jane Bennet; I have shared my letters from William with you. It is only fair that I hear of Mr. Bingley’s words.” She crossed her arms and stared at her. “We will be home soon, so be quick about it!”

  “Oh Lizzy, you are such a bother sometimes!” Jane complained. “All right, Mr. Bingley closed the door, and … said that he was a fool and begged me to allow him to court me.”

  She tilted her head. “That is all?”

  Biting her lip, Jane nodded. “He tried to explain his delay in asking, he was very sweet, tripping over his words and chastising himself, he was afraid of offending me while telling me his feelings … Why are you laughing?”

  Elizabeth was trying hard to keep a straight face. “Oh Jane, forgive me, but I do think that you two will get on very well together.”

  “Do you think me a fool?” She looked offended.

  Elizabeth wiped her eyes and hugged her. “No, dear Jane, I think that you and Mr. Bingley are both very sweet and neither one of you would ever want to cause any person offence.”

  She looked confused. “Well of course not, why would we?” Elizabeth was saved from her answer by their arrival at Longbourn. They entered the house where they were greeted by their mother.

  Mrs. Bennet took Elizabeth’s hands. “Oh my dear, come and tell me of your day.”

  “Mama, I would be happy to … but has our cousin arrived?” She could hear an unfamiliar male voice coming from the sitting room.

  Mrs. Bennet closed her eyes. “Miserable little man.”

  Elizabeth exchanged a surprised glance with Jane. “You do not like Mr. Collins?”

  “Oh, I suppose someone will have to … perhaps Mary would like him, she is so fond of her sermo
ns, after all.” Mrs. Bennet bit her lip and looked back at the room. “He was most disappointed to hear that you and Jane were quite attached. I suppose he expected to have the pick of the litter!”

  Elizabeth and Jane stifled their laughter and Elizabeth touched her arm. “Mama, I do not recognize you!”

  Mrs. Bennet looked at her soberly. “Come Lizzy, we must talk. Your father will wish to speak to you as well, but I want to see you first. Jane, you go in and meet your cousin.”

  Elizabeth followed her mother upstairs and into her bedchamber. “Lizzy, your aunt Philips came this morning.” She nodded. “She brought me news from town, about Miss Darcy and your Mr. Darcy …” She proceeded to tell her the conversation. Elizabeth’s anger flared, and she began to pace about the room in agitation.

  Mrs. Bennet watched in fascination and startled when an expression of sudden enlightenment came over her daughter’s face. “That explains the odd behaviour in town.”

  “What do you mean?” Mrs. Bennet asked with confusion.

  “People were pointing at the carriage.” She resumed her pacing. William needed to know about this, but she would not see him until he and Mr. Bingley came for dinner tomorrow.

  “Oh my.” Mrs. Bennet began wringing her handkerchief. “Lizzy, do you believe any of the tales about Mr. Darcy? I will demand that the engagement be broken if you fear him.”

  Elizabeth could not say that she was completely surprised; she knew that she was hardly her mother’s favourite child, but she also knew that despite her desperate desire to see her children settled, she did love them. She felt more touched than anything, and stopped her movement to take her mother’s hand. “Mama, I assure you, Mr. Darcy is the best of men. Do not believe a word of this gossip about him, please.”

  “Your father said the same, but I wished to hear it from you.” Mrs. Bennet raised her chin. “Well then, we will just see what those gossips say when you are married and living in his grand estate, and their girls are lucky to win a clerk from a counting house”

  Smiling at her sudden change in support for William, Elizabeth said gently, “There are many good men who are clerks, Mama, and you may win one as a son someday.”

  “That may be, but none of them will have jewels like that necklace Mr. Darcy gave you!”

  Elizabeth left her mother after hearing her raptures once again about her pin money and carriages to go to her bedchamber, and wrote William a long note, telling him of the gossip in town. Georgiana was to come visit in the morning, and they had planned to walk into Meryton as a rare adventure for the girl, but she asked him if they should now forgo that plan. She sealed up the note and gave it to a servant to take over to Netherfield. She knew he was not there, so she did not ask that a reply be given. Caroline was passing the front door when the note arrived, and told the butler that she would take charge of it. She saw that it was from Longbourn, and knew it was from Elizabeth. She had no desire to read her love letters to Darcy, but she also felt he could do without them as well. She walked past the burning fire and casually dropped the letter in with a satisfied smile.

  Chapter 25

  Georgiana arrived at Longbourn in time for breakfast. Darcy was miserable watching her go, wanting to climb into the coach with her instead of Mrs. Annesley who would ride along then return with the coach to Netherfield, but he had promised a morning for Bingley to help him understand matters of the estate. Richard and Hurst would occupy themselves with billiards during that time, then they were all going to go shooting in the afternoon before Bingley, Darcy, and Richard travelled to Longbourn for dinner. Hurst said that he and Louisa had plans to eat dinner with Caroline and retire early. Georgiana delivered a note for Elizabeth, which she fully expected. It was sweet and loving, and he missed her, but made no mention at all of the gossip, or of any objections to them walking into Meryton.

  “I thought he would be incensed.” She tucked the note inside of her gown and followed the rest of the family back into the sitting room after they ate, thinking all the way. Should we go? William certainly would have made it clear that we should not go if he was worried somebody would approach us. I am sure that nobody would say anything to Georgiana, why, she is practically a stranger here, and so young, but … what of me? Would they say anything to me? She thought and thought, and could not remember any instances where a person was publicly accosted over any rumour. Perhaps there were people whispering behind their back, but they were safe … She nodded and looked at the smiling girl, anticipating her adventure. No, everything will be just fine, nobody bothered us yesterday after all, and the gossip was certainly known then. William is correct not to worry, and tonight we can talk about all of this and decide what should be done. We certainly should not hide away as if we are guilty of something.

  The evening before, when Mr. Bennet invited Mr. Collins into his bookroom for a glass of port, the obsequious little man tried to impress upon him that his fair cousin Miss Elizabeth could not possibly be engaged to Mr. Darcy, the nephew of his esteemed and noble patroness, as he knew that he was in fact long engaged to his cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh. Mr. Bennet listened to the man’s fevered assurances, wondering if his motive was to protect Miss de Bourgh’s interests, or to further his by making Elizabeth available for his own marriage prospects. Mr. Bennet called for Elizabeth to join them and gravely informed her of Mr. Collins’ news. Elizabeth patiently explained to Mr. Collins that she was well aware of Lady Catherine’s desires, but was also certain of Mr. Darcy’s, and that she was, in fact, his choice for wife. Mr. Bennet watched the man’s face fall, whether for himself or his patroness, he would speculate over with great amusement later that evening, alone.

  Mr. Collins was cautious meeting Georgiana. He had heard so many complaints of her from Lady Catherine that he was quite unsure how to receive her. Mr. Bennet was amused to see his effusions die away whenever he looked in her direction, which was quite delightful for the rest of the family. During one particularly long soliloquy, uncomfortably directed towards Mary, she leaned over to Georgiana. “I wish you had been here last night, and then we would have heard less of him.”

  “Mary!” Georgiana gasped. “Elizabeth told me that your mother hopes he will be attached to you.”

  Mary gasped this time. “No! Oh I will not accept such a … oh Georgiana, why would you wish him on me?”

  “I do not, it was your mother.” She said in her defence.

  Mary sighed. “I am invisible to mother until she wants a convenient daughter to marry off to a toad.”

  Georgiana giggled. “You will not kiss him and see if he is a prince?”

  Mary made a face. “I would likely get warts.”

  Elizabeth tilted her head and smiled at the two. “What are you giggling about?”

  Mary looked down. “Mama wishes me to marry Mr. Collins.”

  “Yes, but Papa will not make you marry anyone you do not wish. So the decision is yours. With Jane and me settled, the fear over the loss of Longbourn after Papa passes is not as urgent. We will simply bear Mr. Collin’s attentions while he is here, and with luck, he will find some other lady in the neighbourhood to be the partner of his future life.”

  All three girls giggled and Jane leaned in. “I can hear what you are saying … and I agree!”

  Elizabeth looked up at the clock. “Well, if we are to walk into town and back before dinner, we should begin. We must not waste this beautiful day. Do you still wish to go Georgiana?”

  “Oh yes, Elizabeth. I know that I am not a great walker as you are, but I have never done anything like this before. It is quite exciting!”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Well, if this is what passes for excitement at Pemberley, I may have to rethink your brother’s offer!”

  Georgiana turned white. “You are teasing me are you not, Elizabeth? You would not reconsider William? He would just die if he lost you!”

  “You, my dear, must learn to laugh. Yes of course I am teasing; your brother is stuck with me. Nothing will stop me from meeti
ng him at the altar, I won him, and I will keep him!” She smiled warmly and stood, and announced their intentions to leave. Within a quarter hour they were out the door and on their way to Meryton. Mr. Collins was panting and trying to keep up. Elizabeth and Jane led the way, and to Mary’s dismay, Mr. Collins attached himself to her arm. Georgiana took her other arm to lend support, and Lydia and Kitty drew up the rear. Mr. Bennet watched them go, and thought briefly that perhaps they should have skipped this trip, but then, with a group so large, and in the company of a vicar, surely nobody would dare say a thing to them. He returned to his book and sipped his port.

  “LIZZY WHAT HAPPENED?” Mrs. Bennet watched as Elizabeth and Jane practically carried Georgiana in the door. “Not now Mama, we need to take her upstairs.” With surprising speed and silence, Mrs. Bennet led the way upstairs to the guest bedroom and opened the door. Elizabeth dragged the hysterically sobbing girl into the room and gratefully pushed her onto the bed. Jane removed her shoes and lifted her legs, and Mrs. Bennet covered her with a blanket. Mrs. Hill appeared and called for a maid to start a fire.

  Elizabeth wrapped Georgiana up in her arms, rocking her, whispering reassurances. She looked to Jane. “Laudanum?” She nodded and left the room.

  “Lizzy, what happened?” Mrs. Bennet asked again, and sat beside Georgiana and rubbed her back.

  She took a moment and caught her breath, then sat shaking her head. “Oh Mama, it was horrible. We walked into Meryton, and it was as if we were fools on display. People were hurling insults at Georgiana, I saw women shielding their daughters from looking at her, they acted as if she was diseased … and then the things they said about William … oh Mama, if I had not Georgiana to care for, I would have taken them all on! The lies that spew from the lips of people I considered friends!” Elizabeth was crying. Hot tears of anger fell down her face. “How could they accuse him of hurting Georgiana? Or speculate on my future? And defending that … man! Mr. Wickham! How did these stories spread? Who would wish to harm Georgiana or William?” She stared at her mother and clutched Georgiana to her fiercely. “They have been suffering so long with this!”