He carried the drinks back across the room and handed one to his cousin. Still holding the other, he sat down once again.
Colonel Fitzwilliam took a sip. Then he put the glass on a small console table next to his chair. He folded his hands in his lap and crossed his legs.
‘Could it not be that the meeting was a coincidence? Georgiana seems to think so,’ said Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Mr Darcy gave him a meaningful look.
‘A coincidence?’ he asked. ‘Does it seem likely to you that Wickham should just happen to turn up in Meryton shortly after Georgiana arrived, and then just happen to meet her out walking when I was not there? And does it seem likely that it should be just a coincidence that Georgiana’s new companion should encourage her to talk to Wickham, when she was clearly trying to get away?’
Colonel Fitzwilliam pursed his lips.
‘No. It does not seem very likely, I must admit. I am not arguing with your decisions, Darcy. Nevertheless, Georgiana is very distressed to think of her friend being in difficulties. It is just possible that you are mistaken and I know that you would not wish an impoverished young lady to be deprived of employment without reason.’
This aspect of the matter, as well as all other aspects, had troubled Mr Darcy greatly, but where his sister’s welfare was concerned he would allow no other considerations to sway him.
‘Do you have something to suggest?’ he asked.
‘It is difficult,’ Colonel Fitzwilliam admitted. He picked up his drink and took another sip. He looked at it approvingly as he thought, then said, ‘This is a fine brandy, Darcy. Is it the 1805?’
‘The 1801.’
‘I am honoured.’
‘Only the best for you, Cousin,’ said Mr Darcy with a smile.
It was a teasing conversation, but there was true affection beneath it. The two men had spent much of their time together as boys. They were almost of an age, and their friendship stretched back for almost thirty years.
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed and took another drink, then put the glass on the table. He settled himself more comfortably in his chair and then his brow furrowed as he considered the problem.
‘As Georgiana’s joint guardian, with you, I am equally obliged to make sure she comes to no harm. I am also equally determined to lessen her distress if I can,’ he began.
‘Then what do you propose?’ asked Mr Darcy.
‘I think you said that some officers had recently arrived in Meryton?’
‘Yes, that is so. The militia is stationed there and officers have flooded the town. When I saw Wickham he was accompanied by an officer named Denny. I believe the commanding officer is Colonel Forster.’
‘Ah, that makes things easier. I know him,’ said Colonel Fitzwilliam. ‘Very well, I will tell you what I am going to do. I am going to pay Colonel Forster a visit, and I will keep my eyes and ears open. If I see Wickham and Miss Bennet together, then you will have nothing to feel guilty about, for if the two of them are in league then Miss Bennet does not deserve your sympathy. But if not then I will help Miss Bennet to further employment; not with Georgiana, for we cannot take the risk, however slight, that Georgiana will come to harm. But I will ask my friends if any of them know where a companion or governess is needed, and I will make sure Miss Bennet is in that way provided for.’
Mr Darcy nodded.
‘I agree,’ he said.
‘Good. Then it is settled,’ said Colonel Fitzwilliam. ‘And now, tell me about Lady Catherine. Have you seen her recently? How is she?’
The two men fell to talking about their relations. They discussed Lady Catherine and her daughter, and then the conversation moved on to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s family, and so they passed the time until Colonel Fitzwilliam set out for Meryton.
Chapter Eighteen
There was much excitement in Meryton as the day of the Netherfield ball drew closer. All the young ladies of the neighbourhood were purchasing shoe roses and trimming their gowns, if they could not afford new ones, and the gentlemen were looking forward to sampling the wines from Netherfield’s fine cellar.
A period of rain set in and the Miss Bennets were confined to the house. But the inclement weather did not prevent Mr Bingley from riding over to Longbourn every day to pay his respects. Nor did it prevent Mr Wickham from calling several times. He was a great favourite with Kitty and Lydia, but it was Elizabeth he came to see.
Mrs Philips encouraged him, and told Elizabeth to do the same.
Elizabeth was flattered by his attention. He was the handsomest man in Meryton, and the most charming. He was civil to her aunt and uncle, kind to her sisters, and extremely attentive to her.
‘Mr Wickham is a constant visitor here,’ said Mrs Philips to Elizabeth with a knowing look. ‘He accepts all my invitations and makes sure to seek you out when you meet elsewhere. It is a pity he does not have any fortune, but once he establishes himself in his profession he is sure to want a wife, and I am sure we will have a wedding before long. If I can only see Jane married to Mr Bingley and you married to Mr Wickham, I will feel I have looked after you both well. I know my dear departed sister would have approved of both weddings. I am sure two better gentlemen than Mr Bingley and Mr Wickham do not exist.’
‘Aunt, I beg you will not speak of it,’ said Elizabeth. ‘Mr Wickham and I have known each other for such a short time that any thought of a wedding is impossible. Besides, Mr Wickham is not in a position to marry, as you so rightly say. Even if does well in his profession it will be years before he can take a wife.’
‘That wretched Mr Darcy!’ said her aunt. ‘It is all his fault. If only he had given Mr Wickham the living, then you could have been married before Christmas. Mr Wickham has told me all about the living he should have had. It was a prosperous one with a fine rectory - a gentleman’s residence with a large and pleasant garden and well situated for its town. I do not know how he bears it. I am sure he is a saint. If someone stole my living from me I should shout it from the rooftops, but Mr Wickham never mentions it.’
Elizabeth could not help thinking that if Mr Wickham had never mentioned it, then her aunt would not know of it, but she did not say so out loud. Her aunt was kindly disposed towards Mr Wickham and would not hear a word said against him. Elizabeth, too, was well disposed towards him, but she also had the intelligence to know that he had spoken of his disappointment on more than one occasion.
It was not only Mrs Philips who liked Mr Wickham. Her sentiments were shared by all the other inhabitants of Meryton. News of Mr Darcy’s iniquity had spread rapidly since he had left the neighbourhood, and Mr Wickham was pitied everywhere. He made a very romantic figure: handsome, charming, deeply in love – for everyone spoke of his love for Elizabeth as a settled thing, since it made the pathos of the story far more interesting – and yet unable to marry because of Mr Darcy’s cruelty. Everyone was glad that Mr Darcy had left the neighbourhood. They had all accepted that Mr Darcy had dispensed with Elizabeth’s services because he had had to return to London, and they told Elizabeth she had had a narrow escape.
‘What will you wear at the ball?’ asked Mrs Philips.
‘I intend to wear the blue,’ said Elizabeth.
Her aunt nodded in agreement with her decision.
‘A good choice. You will look very well in it. And you, Jane. What will you wear?’
‘The pink,’ said Jane.
Her aunt nodded.
‘A wise decision. It sets off the gold of your hair. If I do not see you betrothed before Christmas I will eat my hat!’
‘You have not asked me what I am going to wear,’ said Lydia petulantly.
‘Well, Lydia, and what are you going to wear?’ asked her aunt.
‘I cannot decide. Perhaps the blue stripe or maybe the white satin. I am very glad Mr Darcy insisted on Elizabeth having some new gowns. I want to look my best for the ball. Captain Denny has promised to dance with me, and Pratt, and Gregson. My card will soon be full. I dare say I will be betrothed before l
ong as well, Aunt.’
‘You are young yet to be thinking of marriage,’ said Mrs Philips.
‘What a lark it would be if I were to be married before my sisters!’ said Lydia.
‘Stop being so foolish, Lydia,’ said Kitty. ‘We are all older than you, and we will all be married before you.’
‘I am not foolish, you are, if you think Mary will marry before me,’ said Lydia.
Mary looked up from her book of sermons.
‘I should not wish to marry before my sisters. It would be unseemly,’ she said.
‘Oh, la!’ said Lydia, dismissing Mary with a wave of her hand. ‘Mrs Denny. How well it sounds. Or Mrs Pratt. Or Mrs Wickham!’
‘You have as much chance of becoming Mrs Wickham as I have of flying to the moon,’ said Mrs Philips. ‘Everyone knows Mr Wickham means to marry Elizabeth. You had better finish trimming your reticule or it will not be finished in time for the ball. I am glad that odious Mr Darcy has gone to London. Now none of you will have to dance with him.’
Elizabeth was glad, too. After the way he had treated her, she never wished to set eyes on Mr Darcy again. But she missed Georgiana. She had written to her young friend, but she had not received a reply. She guessed the letter had never reached Georgiana’s hands and she was sorry for her own sake, as well as Georgiana’s, that their friendship had come to such a mysterious and unfortunate end.
But she could not be downcast for long. The ball had cast its magic over the household, and everything was cheerful as the Bennets made their final preparations.
The day of the ball arrived at last. Jane was warmly greeted by Mr Bingley, who seemed more and more in love with every passing day. Kitty and Lydia were welcomed by Captain Denny and his friends. Mary went to sit with the chaperones, and Elizabeth found herself very quickly approached by Mr Wickham.
The dancing began. Elizabeth was delighted to find that Mr Wickham was every bit as good a dancer as she had hoped. He drew admiring glances from the ladies, and jealous glances from the unmarried gentlemen. One gentleman in particular seemed to watch them closely. He was a military man, but one Elizabeth did not know.
‘Who is that gentleman with Colonel Forster?’ she asked. ‘You spend most of your time with the officers. Is he anyone you know?’
Mr Wickham turned his head in the direction Elizabeth indicated and then, to her surprise, she saw him go white.
‘Who is he?’ she asked.
Mr Wickham turned to look at her and his face was now its usual colour, so she wondered if he had blanched at all, or if it had just been a trick of the candlelight.
‘I am afraid I do not know,’ Mr Wickham said. ‘He must have only just arrived in town.’
‘He seems to be watching us,’ said Elizabeth.
‘There are many gentlemen watching us and all, I warrant, would like to be in my shoes,’ said Mr Wickham gallantly.
Elizabeth blushed.
‘You must not say such things.’
‘Why not, if they are true?’ he asked. ‘You are the most sought after partner at the ball. Your card is already full.’
Elizabeth could not deny it. Even so, she felt the gentleman was watching her with a thoughtful air, rather than an admiring air.
‘I am glad you found me two places on your card,’ said Mr Wickham. ‘I was lucky that I asked before the invitations had even been sent out, or I think I would have been disappointed.’
Elizabeth was glad to think she had another dance with Mr Wickham later in the evening, for his ease of movement made the dance very pleasurable for her.
‘I must make the most of your company this evening, for I am afraid I must go to town tomorrow on business,’ said Mr Wickham. ‘I may be gone for some time. At least I will have the memory of your smiles to take with me.’
Elizabeth was startled. It was the first time Mr Wickham had mentioned it.
‘I thought your business was now soldiering,’ she said.
‘And so it is,’ he replied. ‘I have been made very welcome here and I am delighted to be joining my friend Denny and the others in the militia, but before I can join the army I must wind up my other affairs. I must set my old life in order before embarking on the new one’
‘Of course,’ said Elizabeth, recovering herself.
It had come as a shock to think of losing Mr Wickham, and this showed her how much she had come to enjoy his company, and to look forward to it.
‘It will not be for long,’ he said. ‘A day or two – a week at most - and then I will return. Might I hope you will miss me when I am gone?’
This tied in so exactly with what Elizabeth had been feeling that she thought Mr Wickham must be a mind reader! She was about to tease him with this when she remembered that no well-bred young lady could admit to the idea of missing a gentleman to whom she was not betrothed.
However, the boldness of his speech suggested Mr Wickham’s intentions were serious.
She saw that he was looking at her expectantly, waiting for her reply.
‘I cannot answer that. It would be most improper,’ she said, in some confusion.
‘I hope the time is coming when it will be proper for you to give me a reply,’ he said, with a meaning look.
Elizabeth found herself wondering what she would say if Mr Wickham did propose. If he joined the militia he would have a small income, not enough to marry on initially but perhaps in time he would rise in his profession and be able to support her comfortably.
But she had known him for a very short time. Although he seemed perfectly agreeable, she reminded herself that she had found Mr Darcy agreeable on short acquaintance, but then had her thoughts and feelings turned on their head by his arrogant and despicable behaviour. Caution must be her watchword.
Mr Wickham seemed to sense her mood and he introduced some other topics of conversation. They conversed on more trivial subjects until the dance came to an end.
Mr Wickham made her a low bow and Elizabeth performed an elegant curtsey. Then he escorted her to the side of the room, where her aunt and uncle were sitting with the other chaperones.
‘How well you dance, Mr Wickham,’ said Mrs Philips, as he was about to walk away.
She was eager to detain him for as long as possible.
Mr Wickham thanked her for the compliment.
‘We hope you will dine with us at Longbourn tomorrow,’ said Mrs Philips. ‘It will be a small family party, with one or two friends. We are counting on you!’
Mr Wickham gave her a charming smile but said, ‘I am very sorry, I must go to town for a few days to deal with some business affairs.’
‘Next week then. I insist,’ said Mrs Philips.
‘Yes, I should be back by then. I would be honoured to accept,’ said Mr Wickham.
There was time for no more. The next dance was about to begin, and Elizabeth was promised to young Mr Purvis. He came up eagerly and took her on to the dance floor. Mr Wickham, meanwhile, was promised to Miss Smith, and set off to claim his partner.
Elizabeth bore Mr Purvis’s poor dancing and poor conversational skills with a good grace and danced several more dances, with several more gentlemen, before she was once again due to dance with Mr Wickham.
When the time approached, however, Captain Denny walked up to her and gave her a note. It was written by Mr Wickham, apologising and excusing himself, saying that he was not well and had had to leave the ball.
‘Bad luck for Wickham,’ said Captain Denny. ‘Looked awfully pale, poor man.’
‘I thought he looked white earlier in the evening,’ said Elizabeth in concern. ‘He has not left the ball alone, I hope? If he is ill he should have someone with him.’
‘Gregson went with him,’ said Captain Denny. ‘I should not worry, Miss Bennet. Gregson will call the physician if necessary.’
‘What an unfortunate time for him to fall ill, with his business in London needing his attention.’
‘Business in London?’ echoed Captain Denny, looking surprised.
‘Now that you mention it, I do remember him saying something of the sort,’ said Captain Denny.
Elizabeth rallied, and tried not to sound as disappointed as she felt.
‘I am sorry he is ill, but glad he has withdrawn if that is the case. I only hope it will not interfere with his going to London.’
‘I dare say he will feel better tomorrow,’ said Captain Denny.
‘Let us hope so,’ said Elizabeth.
Lydia ran up, saying, ‘Denny! Denny! Whatever is the matter with you? You are not engaged to dance with Elizabeth, you are engaged to dance with me.’
Captain Denny laughed as Lydia took his arm and dragged him off to dance, and Elizabeth resigned herself to sitting down.
But before she could reach a chair, Mr Bingley appeared with the military gentleman she had seen earlier.
‘Miss Elizabeth,’ said Mr Bingley. ‘Here is Colonel Fitzwilliam eager to make your acquaintance. He is a friend of Colonel Forster and will be staying in Meryton for a few days.’
Once the introductions had been made, Colonel Forster asked Elizabeth for the honour of the next dance and she found herself once again being escorted onto the floor.
‘I noticed you watching me earlier,’ she said, as the dance began. ‘Have we met before?’
‘Alas, no,’ he said. ‘I am sure I would have remembered. Allow me to compliment you on your dancing. It is always a pleasure to watch grace and elegance combined.’
‘You flatter me,’ she said, with a smile.
‘Not at all,’ he replied. ‘I noticed you earlier. I am afraid I was not very guarded in my appreciation, but you and your partner seemed well matched and your dancing drew my eye. I am afraid I am just a military man and I cannot hope to meet his standard of excellence.’
A Companion For Miss Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 19
