Pride in Meryton, page 9
“What plans?”
“To be in company with the Darcys,” she admitted.
He smiled at her relentless scheming: “I suspect Darcy will return to Hertfordshire with me.”
“But you must convince him to stay in Town,” she insisted.
He laughed at the notion: “That would be most awkward since I have attempted to convince him to leave Town with me!”
She huffed with indignation: “How could you do such a thing?”
He folded his arms in front of his chest and regarded his irritable sister; the angry look on her face which he previously found annoying, he now found quite amusing: “You know, Caroline, Darcy and I discussed you during our ride to Town,” he playfully told her.
This statement caught her attention: “What did he say about me?” she inquired with hopeful anticipation.
“He finds your behaviour… what did he call it?” he teased, gazing upwards and tapping a finger to his chin, pretending to search his memory.
She sighed with exasperation: “Oh Charles, must you insist on vexing me?”
Pretending to suddenly recall the conversation, he continued: “Ah yes, he said it was most unbecoming,” he told her with a grin.
She gasped in horror: “He said no such thing!”
Charles merely nodded: “He reproached me for not having better control of you.”
“I shall not believe you,” she insisted, stomping her foot in rebellion.
He stood directly in front of his sister and grasped her hands: “Tell me, Caroline, is it my imagination or did Darcy ignore you most of the time that we were at Netherfield?”
She angrily withdrew her hands from his grasp: “Mr. Darcy has much on his mind, Charles.”
He retrieved his overcoat from the chair and draped it over his arm: “Indeed Darcy does have a great deal to think about but not one of those things involves you, my dear sister,” he told her with a smirk.
“Oh Charles, you are the most abominable brother!”
“Well then, I shall not impose on you a moment longer,” he replied as he quit the room and left the house.
~~~
The following day George Wickham and Carlton Denny met the lovely Bennet sisters as they walked into Meryton: “Good morning, ladies! I trust I find you well this morning,” George said with a friendly smile, warmly greeting them.
The sisters huddled together and continued walking: “Forgive us, Mr. Wickham, but we are in the greatest hurry and must get to our aunt’s house without delay,” Miss Elizabeth told him, without a trace of a smile.
He was alarmed by their reserved demeanours: “Oh dear! I hope nothing is amiss. Is Mrs. Phillips unwell?” he inquired.
Miss Bennet grasped her younger sister’s arms: “We must not tarry, Sir. Please forgive us,” she quietly told him as they rushed past him.
Mrs. Phillips flung open the front door of her house and flew down the front path in high dudgeon, grasping her youngest niece: “I shall see to my nieces, Mr. Wickham,” she told him. “Come along, girls,” she insisted, rushing them all inside and closing the door.
George was startled by Mrs. Phillips abrupt demeanour; she had been nothing but welcoming and obliging during their last visit. “What is she about?” he asked Denny who merely shrugged his shoulders. “That was quite odd, was it not?”
“There can be no doubt that the Bennet ladies had no wish to speak to you,” Denny replied.
George shrugged off the strange encounter: “Shall we pay a visit to the baker?” he suggested, hoping to sample a sweet treat. Denny accompanied him into the bakery and greeted the proprietor: “What delicacies have you prepared today?” he asked in a jovial manner.
“See for yourself,” the baker replied, gesturing to the baked goods on display.
George made his selection and the baker wrapped it in paper: “That shall be three pence for today and six pence owed from last week,” the baker calmly announced.
George noticed his stern demeanour and dipped into his pocket for the coins: “Thank you, my good man,” he said in a jovial demeanour. Denny paid for his own selection and they left the bakery.
“Did you notice the baker’s foul mood? I had thought him more amiable, especially to servants of the King,” George groused. He had always relied on his charming manners with merchants in the past and had never encountered such unwillingness to extend credit.
“I suspect you will find much the same treatment from the other merchants. Everyone must have heard of the story of your squandered inheritance by now,” Denny suggested.
George was startled by this observation: “Squandered? How can you say such a thing?”
“Three thousand pounds; was it not?”
George was horrified that the amount of his inheritance was common knowledge and made no reply.
~~~
Aunt Phillips gazed out the front window of her house and drew the drapes closed with a snap: “Mr. Wickham is gone, my dear girls,” she announced with a sigh of relief. “Why did you not have your maid with you?” she inquired.
“Oh Aunt Phillips, there are five of us, after all!” Lydia insisted. “Certainly we were in no danger.”
“You must not attempt the trip back home without an escort, Lydia. That man is not to be trusted!” she urgently warned her nieces.
Lydia laughed: “La! What a great adventure that would be! Imagine being kidnapped by a handsome soldier!” she said with a girlish giggle.
Aunt Phillips grasped Lydia’s hands and pulled her to her feet: “You must not make light of such a thing, Lydia! A dishonourable man like that would steal your innocence in a trice!” she warned her niece. “You must promise me that you will have a care for your reputation.”
“Oh Auntie! How you exaggerate! My Mama would surely not complain if I were to marry a handsome soldier,” she replied with a cheerful air.
Aunt Phillips grasped Lydia by the shoulders and shook her: “Mr. Wickham may be handsome but I assure you, Lydia, marriage is the furthest thing from that man’s mind! He has no fortune and no means to support a wife! Everyone in town is talking of his disgraceful past!”
Elizabeth was surprised to hear this news: “Are they really, Aunt?”
“Indeed, he left Derbyshire without paying his debts,” she replied. “Nearly one thousand pounds,” she whispered. “Even Lydia must be sensible enough to know that that kind of conduct is unseemly.”
Lydia nodded her understanding and was silent.
“Your Papa told your uncle and me about it and I will make certain that every young girl in Meryton is warned about him!” she gravely told her nieces.
Elizabeth and Jane clasped hands and held each other tightly.
Aunt Phillips fluttered her hands in dismissal: “Let us speak no further about it, girls. We shall have a nice cup of tea and never mention the man’s name again.”
When her nieces were ready to return home, Aunt Phillips had her man servant drive them to Longbourn in her husband’s carriage.
Mr. Bennet greeted his daughters at the front door to welcome them home. Elizabeth followed him into his study and closed the door: “Papa, did Mr. Darcy advise you about Mr. Wickham’s past?” she asked him.
“Indeed he did and I will not repeat what was said but I will tell you that Mr. Wickham has conducted himself in a most ungentlemanly manner. He must not be trusted with the reputation of any young woman,” he replied. “Do you understand?” he inquired.
Elizabeth understood completely. Mr. Wickham was the type of man to use his charming manners and eloquence to deceive young women, just as he had done with her. He had been so sincere and so convincing that she had believed every word and if not for Mr. Darcy, she would have entrusted him with her friendship. Mr. Darcy had gone out of his way to protect her from Mr. Wickham. He had confided in her Papa so that she would not fall under the influence of a disreputable man. She could only marvel at his generosity and wondered if she would ever have the opportunity to thank him.
Chapter 10: Chaos
Elizabeth was crestfallen; Mr. Bingley had not returned by the end of the week, as she had originally thought. Had something delayed his business dealings? Had he changed his mind about returning? Had his sisters influenced him to stay in Town? Did he really have an attachment to Miss Darcy? Would Mr. Darcy return? Had Miss Bingley succeeded in her quest to become mistress of Pemberley?
Confusion and doubts swirled about her and she desperately attempted to quiet her mind. She would never give voice to any of these questions; she could not alarm her dear sister Jane or her Mama, who had repeatedly insisted that the gentlemen would return as soon as they were able and that they would enjoy a lovely supper together with two full courses.
How Elizabeth wished that her Mama was correct; that the gentlemen’s delayed return was of no consequence and they would both return and resume their residence at Netherfield. When she was in Mama’s presence, she fervently agreed with her Mama’s predictions. But when she was alone, feelings of dread consumed her.
~~~
Darcy sat in his study and recalled his friend’s bold statement: ‘My feelings must not be denied.’ “Why should I deny my own feelings?” he wondered. “Am I not the master of Pemberley? Am I not my own man? I could have any woman of my desire, just for the asking. Why should I not have Miss Elizabeth?” he reasoned. However, he knew that there would be many arguments against such a match.
“Is she from the first circles?”—his Aunt Catherine would ask. No, she is not.
“Is her family respectable?”—his Aunt Eleanor would ask. No, certainly no one would think so.
“Does she have a large fortune?”—his Uncle Alexander would ask. No, not in the least.
“Does any of this matter to me?”—he wondered. Well, he had to pause there; it used to matter. At one time, it was of the greatest importance.
“Why should I give her up? Why should I allow another man the honour of being her husband when I desire that honour for myself?”
He attempted to imagine what his life might be like if she married another man. How would he feel if she gave her smiles away to someone else?-he wondered. Of if she were to bear another man’s heirs? If she were to quarrel with another man? Her smiles, her touch, her wit, even her anger would all be meant for another man.
When she was angry, he would not be there to reason with her. When she was sad, he would not be there to comfort her. When she laughed, he would not be there to hear her. When she gave birth to her first child, he would not be there to rejoice with her. He would not be there to hold her, to love her, to honour her, to cherish her, to give her sons and daughters or to grow old with her.
He shook his head to dispel the notion. No, the possibility was far too unimaginable. He could not allow such an outcome. He must return to Miss Elizabeth as soon as may be, to declare himself and address her. He would have no rest until he had successfully done so.
~~~
Georgiana quietly entered her brother’s study and cautiously approached him: “William, I have attempted to leave you to your privacy, but I must ask you; have you come to a decision?”
He nodded: “I have decided to return to Hertfordshire,” he told her with a broad smile.
She grasped his hand; “I am delighted, William!”
“You will love Miss Elizabeth as much as I do.”
“And I hope she will come to love me as she loves her other sisters,” she told him.
“How could she not love you?” he teased. “You are the best sister in all of England!”
Georgiana secretly hoped that her brother was correct.
~~~
After breakfast on Monday morning, Darcy asked Charles to join him in the study: “When are you returning to Hertfordshire?” he inquired.
“I plan to finish my business today and return to Netherfield after breakfast tomorrow morning.”
Darcy nodded.
“Have you decided to return to Miss Elizabeth?” Charles inquired.
“I find Miss Elizabeth quite… remarkable,” he replied, describing her to perfection. She had not the angelic demeanour of her older sister, but Darcy had no interest in heavenly creatures; he preferred Miss Elizabeth’s passion and determination.
“I suspected as much,” Charles replied with a knowing smile.
“May I join you?”
“You need not even ask, Darcy! Of course, you are most welcome to join me,” he assured his friend. Upon observing Darcy’s cheerful demeanour, he continued: “Could you have imagined six weeks ago, that we would encounter two such lovely women as Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth?”
“I must admit, I had no such expectations but now that I have met Miss Elizabeth, I could not imagine the rest of my life without her.”
“I feel the same about Miss Bennet.”
“Well then, you must go and attend to business matters so we may leave on the morrow!” Darcy replied, extending his hand to his friend.
“I intend to!” Charles replied as he shook Darcy’s hand and took his leave.
~~~
Darcy called on his uncle at Matlock House. He was somewhat hesitant to notify his uncle of his expected match with Miss Elizabeth; would he disapprove?-he wondered.
“William, my boy! How are you?” Uncle Alexander warmly greeted him.
Darcy assured his uncle that he and Georgiana were both enjoying the best of health. They exchanged the usual civilities about the weather and the state of the roads when his uncle regarded him with some scepticism. “Out with it, William!” he insisted. “What has brought you here today?”
Darcy braced himself for a difficult encounter: “I met a woman in Hertfordshire.”
Uncle Alexander nodded his understanding: “Ah, I wondered when you would meet someone. Who is she? Do I know her father?”
Darcy shook his head: “You do not.”
His uncle became suddenly alarmed: “Please do not tell me that the Bingley woman has ensnared you! I could not bear to see you trapped in a loveless marriage with a ruthless fortune hunter.”
“No, Uncle, it is not Miss Bingley,” he assured the earl.
“Well then?”
“Her name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet; she is everything lovely.”
His uncle seemed perplexed: “I know of no Bennets from Hertfordshire.”
“No, the Bennets do not spend much time in London.”
“This woman has not entrapped you, has she, William?”
“No indeed, Uncle, she has not and I assure you, I have not made this decision lightly.”
His Uncle regarded him with some scepticism: “What are you not telling me, William?”
“The Bennets are not of the first circles,” he replied, waiting for his uncle’s disapproval.
Uncle Alexander averted his eyes and was silent for a few moments: “I had always hoped you would find a stellar match,” he said, appearing quite disappointed. “She has no fortune, then?”
“No, none at all but Miss Elizabeth is a gentleman’s daughter,” Darcy advised his uncle.
“Are you engaged?”
“I have not yet addressed her.”
“But you intend to and have every expectation that she will accept you.”
Darcy nodded: “I hope she will.”
“There may be some talk about you marrying outside of your sphere,” Uncle Alexander advised him.
“I care not for gossip amongst the Ton. I have conducted myself as a gentleman and have offered no fodder to the gossips.”
Uncle Alexander smiled: “Well, I dare say, your Aunt Catherine shall be displeased. She has always planned for you to marry Anne.”
Darcy shook his head; Aunt Catherine had made no secret of her long-standing desire for him to marry his cousin. “I have never agreed to such a plan.”
“No, of course not! You would not suit!”
“But Miss Elizabeth suits me in every respect. Besides being beautiful, she is intelligent and witty, gracious and generous, she is devoted to her family and would be an excellent influence on Georgiana,” he insisted.
“I suspect that her influence on Georgiana is not what first drew you to her,” his uncle suggested with a grin.
“No indeed, it was her impertinence. She is quite outspoken and put me in my place quite effectively,” he gladly admitted.
“Well then, she will no doubt make an excellent mistress of Pemberley.”
“Without question,” he replied with a smile.
He went away from Matlock House with feelings of pride and joy. He would soon be reunited with the lovely and remarkable Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
~~~
Tuesday afternoon, Darcy and Charles rode into Meryton and noticed a group of militia men standing on the side of the road. Darcy signalled the driver to stop, alighted from the carriage and greeted the men: “Do you know where I might find Lieutenant Wickham?” he inquired. He was directed to the town square and Darcy immediately approached the blackguard. George Wickham rose and greeted him, appearing unnerved by the encounter. “George, might I have a word with you?” Darcy politely inquired.
George seemed somewhat taken aback by his polite demeanour and cautiously agreed. They took a few steps away and Darcy lowered his voice. “I feel obliged to inform you that I have taken the liberty of settling your debts from Derbyshire.”
“Thank you, William. I had not expected you to do so,” George humbly replied.
“No, I suspect that you never had any inclination that those merchants should ever be repaid for their kindness to you,” Darcy smugly suggested.
George hung his head and made no reply
“Make no mistake, George. I did not do so as a favour to you. I now hold those notes and will demand payment at the time of my choosing.”
George’s eyes flew open with alarm: “But I have not the means to repay you!”
“No, I have no doubt of that, George. The sum is nearly one thousand pounds.”
George hesitated: “So then, you have no expectation of ever being paid?”
Darcy shook his head: “None whatsoever.”
George breathed an audible sigh of relief.
He took a step closer, placed his hand on George’s shoulder and smiled: “Please rest assured that if you ever find yourself in the slightest bit of trouble that I shall not hesitate to call the notes due,” he calmly told his friend. He squeezed George’s shoulder: “I must caution you that life in the militia is infinitely preferable to life in debtor’s prison.”
