by Wells, Linda
“Our guests, Mr. Wickham.” Caroline took his arm. “Come, we must not stand by the window.”
“Certainly not.”
The Darcys arrived and were met at the front door by the Hursts. Bingley waited for them at the top of the stairs and beamed at them both. “Excellent, you were able to come.”
“I responded in the affirmative, did I not?” Darcy smiled. “I would have informed you otherwise.”
“Yes, yes, but after last night …”
“You heard about that?” Elizabeth gasped.
“Heard? What happened? I just meant that you were probably tired of socializing.” Bingley laughed to see her relief. “I have the impression that I should not delve into the subject?” He saw Darcy stiffen and Elizabeth’s eyes close. “Do you remember when we first met and we talked about how we were trying to fit into our new circumstances here in London? I would say that you have very handily, a ball with the peers one night, and dinner with the rabble the next.”
“I do not share your excitement. And besides, you are hardly rabble. I consider you to be a very dear friend.” She looked up at Darcy. “Do you agree?”
“I do, and we are happy to come and celebrate this occasion with you.”
“Well come and meet Caroline’s betrothed.” Bingley led the way. “I must say Darcy, you and Mrs. Darcy are the making of this evening, you have the highest rank.”
Darcy sighed. “I suppose that should not come as a surprise.”
“No, and I have another surprise for you.” Bingley laughed. “Remember I said that Caroline’s suitor grew up at Pemberley?”
“In all honesty, Bingley, I had forgotten.” Darcy’s brow creased as the memory returned.
“Well, he did, and he does not know that you are coming tonight. I thought it would be a reunion for you, he was speaking of his fondness for your father earlier.” Bingley entered the drawing room. “Our first guests have arrived. May I introduce Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy? Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, this is Caroline’s betrothed, Mr. George Wickham.”
Darcy’s eyes widened and his face grew red as he focussed his intense gaze upon the man. Wickham visibly shrank. “Wickham.”
“Darcy.”
Bingley had been watching eagerly to register their reactions, and his face fell as he sensed the tension between the men. He then looked quickly at Elizabeth when he heard her gasp and saw her hand rise to her mouth. Darcy turned to him. “May I speak to you, please?”
Wickham stepped up beside him and said in a low voice, “See here Darcy, what do you mean to say?”
“The truth. You are welcome to join us.”
“Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth said softly and touched his hand. Darcy bent to see her eyes. “Perhaps you should speak after the dinner?”
“I am afraid that I cannot possibly pretend to a good opinion for so long, Mrs. Darcy.” He smiled tightly, then turned back to Bingley. “Where shall we go? Your other guests will soon be arriving, and we should not be on display.”
“There is another parlour across the hall.” He said worriedly and began to move when Caroline swept across the room.
“Mr. Darcy, this is a wonderful surprise! I had no idea that Charles had invited you to come!” She glanced at Elizabeth and forced the smile to remain, “And Mrs. Darcy, may I congratulate you.”
“Only if I may offer the same sentiments to you, Miss Bingley.” Elizabeth smiled then returned her gaze to Darcy, who was not hiding his disdain for the man before him. “Mr. Darcy.” She prodded him.
He broke the gaze and looked at Caroline. “I was happy to hear of your engagement, Miss Bingley.”
“I am glad to know of it.” She looked worriedly between Darcy and Wickham.
Glancing meaningfully at Bingley, they moved across the hallway. Wickham hesitated. He had worked very hard for this and was too close to concluding the game to concede now, especially to Darcy. He lifted his chin and followed with Caroline trailing behind. Elizabeth, finding herself alone, joined the party. When the door was shut, Darcy looked at Wickham then to Caroline, and spoke without emotion. “I understand that Mr. Wickham claims a connection to me.”
“Yes, he grew up at Pemberley.” Caroline took his arm. “Surely you have not forgotten him?”
“Did you ever ask in what capacity he lived on my father’s land? Miss Bingley, I would have expected you to confirm his background before agreeing to a courtship. Mr. Wickham is the son of my estate’s former steward.”
“He …he is what?” She turned to look at Wickham, aghast. “But …you attend Cambridge!”
Darcy spoke softly and fixed his gaze directly on Wickham, who did not hide his glare. “He did, with me. What he does now is anybody’s guess. He did until recently spend a great deal of time at my club until he was identified as an interloper and was sent off. I see that you simply changed circles and went in search of another sort of pigeon.”
“Did it occur to you that I may have changed?” Wickham said through clenched teeth. “Is not a man allowed a second chance?”
Crossing his arms across his chest, Darcy leaned against a table, then gestured with his hand, waving him on. “Certainly, tell me all about school, Wickham. Tell me how you can afford a wife? You are just starting out in law. I know men who have come to the bar who cannot expect to marry for years. Are your successes at cards that spectacular? Did you cheat there as you did in the club and before at Cambridge?”
“Gambling!” Caroline cried and looked between the men. “But …he told me of his youth at Pemberley, and how he earned your father’s favour and how he was remembered in his will. He is very wealthy because of your father. That is why he can marry! He will be a barrister and is a gentleman! You know this! Your father made him wealthy!”
Darcy shook his head and smiled grimly. “You are still spreading that lie? I thought that you had learned your lesson at the club when you claimed to be rich and one of us. I am surprised that you did not spread the lie that I had refused you the living as well, or would that have harmed your plans? I imagine that the claimed connection to me was useful in this case.” He glanced over at Caroline then met Bingley’s eye.
“It is no lie!” Wickham growled. “I did receive his bequest and you did cheat me of the living!”
“Oh, and why did you come to me weeks ago asking for more money? Was not the four thousand I gave you quite enough? Just how much did you claim you had inherited?” Bingley groaned and moved to stand by his sister. The door opened and Hurst entered. Seeing the tension, he quietly closed it behind him in time to see Darcy’s already angry eyes take on a furious glare. “I will not have my father’s good name used by the likes of you, Wickham. I will not allow the faintest rumour of our connection to exist. Nor will I see the sister of my good friend hurt by your schemes. I am positive that your presence in this room is solely to gain her dowry.”
“No!” Caroline gasped.
“You cannot make such accusations without proof!” Wickham declared. “Besides, what is the difference if she gives it to me or some …so-called gentleman for his use?”
“The difference is that the gentleman’s settlement is not a tissue of lies.” He turned to Bingley. “If there is one?”
“Yes, yes there is, I have not signed it yet, but … he had documents to back up his claims …” Bingley’s voice trailed off.
“Forged, do you think?” Hurst asked and saw Darcy’s raised brow. “I should have caught this, I was too anxious to …” He glanced at Caroline then to his brother, “Well, I am grateful for your timely appearance.”
“He is making these claims … Caroline, surely you believe me! He was always jealous of his father’s attention to me!” Wickham declared as he saw his prize slipping away.
“You LIED to me!” She screeched. “I listened to your compliments and tales!”
The prize was not slipping away, it was long gone and Wickham knew it, and turned ugly. Pointing to Elizabeth, he snarled at Caroline. “You heard what you wished! You are
angry that Darcy chose a penniless country chit over you! You are a hypocrite, believing what I said and hoping for a connection to him through me and your brother.”
“Of course I want to maintain the connection! Without Mr. Darcy my brother would not be accepted into the first circles! He is our only way in! I want that life! I deserve that life!” She looked up at Darcy. “You are rescuing me.”
Darcy was disgusted to hear her confession, then recoiled a little, seeing a new light of adoration appearing in Caroline’s eyes. “No I am merely giving your family the facts to save it from shame. It is up to you to decide if you believe me or Wickham. I only suggest that you not announce this engagement publicly until you are certain.” He looked back to Elizabeth and she slipped her hand around his arm, while his came up to cover hers. “And you Wickham; do not dare to insult my wife again!”
“You cannot tell me what I can say or do, Darcy!”
“He is a thousand times the man you are!” Caroline declared and moved towards Darcy. “He is everything that a man should be!”
“Yes, and he did not want you!” Wickham snorted. “You wanted his life so badly that you were willing to believe me on the chance you might get near it. And your family wanted you gone so badly that they were willing to accept me.” He sneered at Bingley. “It was so easy.”
“I did not sign the settlement Wickham.” Bingley informed him. “At least I waited for that.”
“And what sort of fantasy do those papers describe, I wonder?” Darcy said softly.
Caroline’s eyes widened. “The settlement was false?” She gasped and her hand went to her mouth. “What were you planning to do with me?”
“What do you think a man does with his wife?” He leered at her. “He owns her.”
Bingley stepped forward and drove his fist into Wickham’s stomach. Taken unprepared, he gasped and opened his eyes to see Caroline coming at him with her nails ready to strike, and a screech on her lips. Darcy smiled. “I think that this interview is finished, Wickham. I suggest that you run.”
“I … Damn you, Darcy! I will not forget this!” He turned and threw open the door. They could hear the sound of his boots on the stairs along with a constant barrage of curses. A guest at the window in the drawing room called out that he was striding down the street, gesturing and clearly talking loudly. Hurst held back Caroline from going after him.
“I am such a fool.” Bingley turned to his sister who shook off Hurst. “Caroline, I am sorry that I did not protect you as I should.”
“I am not a child, Charles.” She looked pointedly at Elizabeth. Closing her eyes, she willed herself to calm, then stared up at Darcy and stepped closer. “I was charmed by him and saw what I wished. Thank you for this Mr. Darcy, I will forever be grateful for your timely assistance, if there is any way that I might repay your kindness …”
He spoke stiffly and stepped back. “I was merely exposing his character, Miss Bingley, it is not the first time, he has hurt others, and it is my fault for not exposing him long ago when we were in school or at Pemberley. If I had known his identity sooner, I would have informed your brother immediately and you would not have suffered for his actions. Thankfully the settlement was unsigned so there is no contract between you, and this situation is dissolved without further incident. I am sorry to see you disappointed.”
“I am sorry to be disappointed as well.” Caroline’s gaze moved from his eyes to Elizabeth’s wedding ring. “I had such hopes.”
Darcy shifted uncomfortably, feeling the same sense of foreboding he experienced when in the presence of Anne. He turned to Elizabeth. “Forgive me dearest, but I think that we should return home.”
“Darcy …” Bingley called. Darcy stopped his movement and turned back to his friend.
“I apologize, Bingley, I should have inquired more when you first mentioned the suitor and his claim to a connection with me. No doubt that claim helped to assure you of his worthiness.”
“I admit that it did, but I also knew how you were burdened with your own concerns, and did not pursue the matter as I should.” He watched as Caroline walked across the hallway to the drawing room and began whispering to Louisa, then heard Hurst announcing to the other guests that Wickham was called away unexpectedly and no announcement would be made. “I doubt that Wickham will be welcome in any other circles after this gossip makes the rounds. I am certain that Caroline will speak of his betrayal loudly and often. I know her, she will be the picture of propriety until the guests leave and then she will turn ugly. She is humiliated as are we all. We will be laughingstocks.” He glanced around the room at the curious and murmuring guests and then back to his friend. “Please stay.”
“No, I …”
“Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth said softly. “We should stay.”
“Elizabeth …”
Elizabeth took his hand and squeezed. “Your continued presence will lend credence to your friendship with Mr. Bingley, and show that your offence remains where it should, with Mr. Wickham. I am so proud of you, Fitzwilliam, you knew this was wrong and stopped it from going further. Not speaking immediately would have allowed the farce to continue, and we know how hard it is to live down rumours. In the past two days I have seen you reject my pleas to step away from a confrontation. Clearly I have learned that my husband will protect anyone who he feels resides under his care. I will not question it again.”
Darcy raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “No dearest, I am not infallible. I rely on you to check me. After all, I was about to walk from this house, was I not?”
“We will stay, then?” She smiled and caressed his temple.
He nodded but glanced at Caroline then back to his wife. Elizabeth knew that she needed to relieve his concern if he was to stay and leaned forward to whisper to Bingley. “Do you see how your sister stares at my husband? I do not wish to start a fight with her, now do I? Imagine the gossip! I hope that you will repay the favour of our remaining by keeping her occupied?” She felt Darcy’s hand grip hers hard and she laughed to see his expression relax.
Bingley smiled with relief and gladly joined Elizabeth. “I will be happy to do so. I am relieved that I decided to show Darcy the settlement before signing it, as well. At least I managed to do one thing right. I am ashamed of how gullible I have been. Whatever Caroline is thinking, I promise I will make it clear that her future will not in any way be connected to you. We are all aware now that her desire for Wickham was really her desire for Pemberley.” Darcy closed his eyes and groaned. “That is what she stated, was it not? That is what was behind her accepting Wickham? It certainly was not his level of society; it was the hope of blending into yours.”
“She will never be welcomed there.” Darcy said quietly. “Forgive me, Bingley, but I will not be swayed from that.”
“I understand, I only hope that I am still welcome.”
Darcy felt Elizabeth lean on his shoulder, and he met her gaze. His lips lifted in a little smile and he squeezed her hand. “I think that we can tolerate you. You struck Wickham, that is worth a great deal in my book.” His smile fell away. “I apologize for failing you.”
“Hardly. I failed my sister, and that is my responsibility. I cannot imagine you being so oblivious that a man could make such an attempt on Miss Darcy.” Noting the look of horror on Darcy’s face, he nodded. “No man will ever win her hand solely for her dowry; you will make sure of that, Darcy. Your sister will be treasured just as Mrs. Darcy is treasured by you.”
“I hope so.” He looked back to Elizabeth.
“Will Mr. Wickham seek revenge upon you?” She asked worriedly. “He did narrowly lose a fortune because of your interference.”
“I will not lose sleep over him.” Darcy kissed her hand.
“Miss Bingley seems to be taking the news surprisingly well.” They looked at her and collectively shuddered at the fixed smile on her face.
“As I said, the storm will come after everyone departs. Look how disappointed my brother is.” Bingle
y nodded to Hurst. “He thought he was at last going to be rid of her.”
“After this embarrassment, perhaps she will be willing to look at the genuine gentlemen who would not mind marrying her.” Darcy said thoughtfully.
“It would have been a good match for her if he was genuine; there is no shame in marrying a gentleman who has studied the law.” Elizabeth observed then felt Darcy’s finger tracing over her wedding ring and looked up to his face. “Of course, I prefer farmers myself.”
At last Darcy’s eyes lit up and he smiled and laughed. “And I prefer the farmer’s daughter.”
8 JULY 1809
There was a small item in the paper this morning about Miss Caroline Bingley withdrawing her affections from George Wickham, Esq. and announcing that any rumours of an engagement were to be ignored. I had to laugh at the speed with which Miss Bingley moved to announce her availability to the world again. I suppose with only a month left in the Season, she needs to act quickly before the available suitors disappear to the countryside, at least the ones that interest her. I remain amazed at the entire situation. I would say that under other circumstances, Wickham and Miss Bingley were actually well-suited for each other. If money had been no object, they would have got on quite well, but each was using the other for their own means. I wonder if he would have abandoned her after marriage. At least this way she still has her dowry and may look again, otherwise she would be Hurst and Bingley’s responsibility forever. Elizabeth assures me that an invitation to Miss Bingley to visit Pemberley is not forthcoming from her, and as she is the mistress, I will of course bow to her will. It does not at all pain me to do so.
Tomorrow we will visit the Gardiners and say our farewells. We have not seen them since the wedding and it will be a novelty to sit in their parlour and not be distracted with thoughts of how to steal a moment alone with Elizabeth. Instead I imagine I will be distracted with thoughts of our last encounter. Even now my beautiful bride sleeps only feet away from me, exhausted by our long night of lovemaking. I cannot get enough of her, the feeling of surrounding her body with mine and the sensation of her heart pounding against my own thrills me to the bone. She is still shy at the most unexpected times, I wonder if I will see her that way forever, I cannot help but say that I enjoy it, but I am also enjoying her beginning to take the lead in instigating our play, and each new touch of hers makes me want her more. I suppose that I am simply lost to her no matter how she comes to me, shy or bold. I cannot imagine living with a woman and calling her wife without such desire. It would be a farce. I read the vows we took last night as she slept and it occurred to me that those who marry for security also lie when they marry. We vow to love each other. No love exists in a marriage of convenience. If I am grateful for anything my ancestors have given me it is the freedom to marry honestly. I am desperately anxious to bring my dearest friend home. I dearly wish to hear her opinions and see her happiness. I cannot wait to invite her to work by my side and learn with me. I am still so lost there; I cannot imagine the loneliness I would have felt to return without her.
