Everything Will Change, page 22
“That may indeed be the case, but Kitty certainly appreciated the gesture as did both you and your Mr. Darcy, I am certain.”
Elizabeth lowered her voice. “My Mr. Darcy?”
Lady Sophia looked at the daughter whom she had reared for the greater part of her life knowingly. “Is he not, my dear?”
Indeed, the question hardly warranted an answer, for, seconds later, Darcy, having accepted the invitation to take a family dinner along with his friend Bingley, was once again by Elizabeth’s side intent upon escorting her to the Bennets’ dining parlor. Elizabeth spoke to him softly when she could. “Sir, I thought you and I had a tacit agreement that we would guard our behavior towards each other in order not to give rise to the expectation of an understanding between us.”
“On the contrary—I promised I would wait until you were ready before I formally requested your hand in marriage. I did not promise I would pretend not to admire you. I couldn’t even if I tried. You know not what you do to me.”
Chapter 14 ~ Lofty Connections
Now that Bingley was once again in the neighborhood, Mrs. Bennet had ceased her attempts to promote an alliance between the heir of Longbourn and her eldest daughter. Bingley was a much better catch. In fact, Mrs. Bennet likened his return to his coming for Jane.
This left four daughters from whom to choose to promote an advantageous alliance with the heir of Longbourn, for she was just as concerned as ever that, should Mr. Bennet die, she would be left alone in the world without a home to call her own.
Elizabeth could have her choice of any gentleman she wished, Mrs. Bennet was certain, owing to her lofty connections as well as her particularly large dowry of fifty thousand pounds. There was no need to waste her time finding a husband for her.
Mary, being the next in line, must certainly come to mind. “What an excellent wife our dear Mary shall make for Mr. Collins, do you not agree, Mr. Bennet?”
“My dear Mrs. Bennet, if you think that Mr. Collins shall not take umbrage to your first attempting to align him with Jane only to change your mind when a richer suitor comes to town and your subsequently attempting to substitute one sister for another then, by all means, do what you must.”
“Oh, Mr. Bennet, how tiresome you can be when you’re of a mind to be so. I only meant to suggest that Mary would make a more fitting wife for a parson.”
“Pray what about my Lizzy? If you’re bent on substituting daughters, is she not the next in line?”
“Lizzy is far too good for the likes of Mr. Collins. In fact, were I a betting woman, I would wager that Bingley’s friend Mr. Darcy is fixed on Lizzy—which is a shame.”
“A shame, my dear? Why would you say such a thing?”
“Mr. Darcy has over ten thousand pounds a year. What use has he for Lizzy’s dowry? What use has she for all his wealth, although I do recall my sister Gardiner speaking of Pemberley’s grandeur, but do you not suppose that a lord or a duke would live in such a home as well? Whereas Kitty would be an ideal match for Mr. Darcy, and such an alliance would satisfy my favorite wish for our next youngest daughter.”
“Were that the gentleman’s wish, I would have no objection to his marrying Kitty. He is a fine, upstanding young man, whom I would be honored to call my son, but I fear you are wasting your time wishing for such an alliance.”
“Why do you say that? Our Kitty is every bit as lovely as our Lizzy.”
“Oh, but you are missing a crucial piece in the puzzle. Kitty does not like Mr. Darcy, and I dare say he does not even know she’s alive.”
“Nonsense, Mr. Bennet. Even you will recall the way he looked at her when he first visited Hertfordshire last year. Those two may very well be destined for each other. We must simply do a better job of helping them on.” Picking up her mending, Mrs. Bennet prepared to leave the room. “You wait and see. Our daughter shall be mistress of Mr. Darcy’s magnificent home in Derbyshire before you know it.”
Elizabeth and Darcy were walking along what was, by now, their favorite path, embroiled in a heated debate over her mama’s scheme for her sister Mary. While Darcy was of the opinion that an alliance between Mary and Mr. Collins would make a most advantageous match, Elizabeth insisted her sister was worthy of a far better man. All of her arguments were insufficient to sway him. Elizabeth considered that he was so much like the late duke in that respect—overly fond of his own opinion. She told him as much.
Immediately afterward, she suffered a pinch of remorse. “I’m sorry, Mr. Darcy. Please forgive me.”
“For what?”
“For suggesting that you are anything at all like the late duke.”
“Elizabeth, you and I have talked about this. I know you loved him and you cherish his memory. I shall not consider it a slight against me in any way. He was a great man, albeit a flawed man. We are mere mortals—all of us. None of us is perfect.”
Elizabeth’s spirits rose to playfulness. “The Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and Derbyshire is not perfect. Do not allow Miss Caroline Bingley to hear you say that, or your cousin Lady Victoria either, for that matter.”
She then went on to inquire, “How does she get along?”
“Miss Bingley?”
“No—no doubt she is exceedingly pleased what with your staying at Netherfield. I am asking about your cousin, Lady Victoria. How is she enduring your current separation?”
“You are aware that Lady Victoria and I reside miles apart? We are not nearly so inseparable as you seem to imply.”
“Your behavior in London suggested otherwise. Rarely did I see you when I did not see her last Season.”
“Well, I suppose you have a point there. While we are discussing my cousin, you ought to know that she spent a great deal of time at Pemberley during my recuperation from the accident.”
“Will you forgive me if I say I am a bit envious of her in that regard? I should have liked to have been the person who cared for you all those weeks.”
“Trust me when I say that I would have much preferred it was you. The thought of you is what sustained me, and rarely did I close my eyes that I did not see your face. And when I slept, I believe I dreamed only of you.”
“You dreamed about me, Mr. Darcy?”
“Indeed—often.”
“Do you care to tell me more?”
Darcy could feel the color rise in his face and frissons of excitement arousing him. “Now is not the time to speak of such things.”
“Oh, and when will be the proper time?”
Darcy placed his hands upon her face. Leaning, he lifted her chin and brushed his thumb across her lips. How he wanted to show her what he recalled of his dreams. He leaned closer still and spoke softly into her ear. “Not only will I tell you, but I also mean to spend a fair amount of time showing you when we are married.”
Chapter 15 ~ Into the Shadows
By the time Darcy espied Miss Bingley heading his way, at a gathering at Lucas Lodge, it was too late. “It seems that the heinous Montlake scandal has not diminished your admiration of Eliza’s fine eyes one bit,” she said.
“And why should it? In essentials, she is every bit the same as she ever was.”
“Perhaps, but what respectable gentleman would want to attach himself to such a scandal? Although I do understand she has a substantial dowry, which must surely tempt a lesser man. I understand an old acquaintance of yours is quite a favorite among the Bennet daughters and that he and Eliza are said to spend prodigious time in each other’s company. From what I can discern, she is his favorite.”
Darcy did not know which part of Miss Bingley’s gossiping he found more disconcerting: that she was making light of Elizabeth’s situation or that he would only encourage her with his next question. Still, his curiosity to know who was spending time with Elizabeth would not be repressed.
“An old acquaintance of mine?”
“Indeed. Lt. George Wickham.”
“Wickham!” What is that cad doing in Hertfordshire? “George Wickham—a lieutenant? Surely your sources are mistaken.”
“Indeed I am not! I have seen the gentleman in Meryton with my own eyes. My sister and I were riding in our carriage and I looked out the window. There he stood with another officer, surrounded by a hoard of foolish young ladies eager to garner his approbation.”
Darcy had heard enough, and he pardoned himself from Miss Bingley’s company with a slight nod. There was but one person with whom he wished to speak. He found her standing with his friend Bingley and Miss Bennet.
Bingley said, “Darcy, it is so nice of you to join us. You must help us settle a debate that finds me outnumbered by these two lovely ladies.”
“Perhaps another time,” said Darcy. “I find myself much in need of refreshment. Pray you will join me, Miss Elizabeth.” His speech sounded much more like a directive rather than an invitation.
Elizabeth accepted his proffered arm and excused herself from Bingley and Jane’s company with a polite smile. Darcy spoke not a word until they were alone on the balcony.
Turning to face her, he said, “Wickham, Elizabeth?”
“What about Mr. Wickham, sir?”
“Is it true that you have been spending time in his company in my absence?”
“I beg your pardon, sir, but I hardly understand the question, and I surely do not abide your tone. What does your presence, or lack thereof, have to do with whose company I choose to spend my time in?”
“Well, there is a bit of subterfuge if ever there was an intention to avoid one’s question.”
“Sir, you speak as if I mean to hide something from you, which I assure you is not what I am about. As for the substance of your question, yes, I have renewed my acquaintance with Mr. Wickham since my return to Hertfordshire.”
“Surely you will recall my admonishment to you to be wary of that gentleman.”
“Yes, I believe that was when you and I first made each other’s acquaintance. However, I will tell you precisely what I told Avery when he attempted to do the same. I will keep my own counsel as regards Mr. Wickham. He is a great favorite wherever he goes. Why should I allow your sentiments to fashion my own?”
“Wickham is blessed with such happy manners that he is sure to make friends wherever he goes—whether he is capable of keeping them is less certain.”
“I know that he has been so unfortunate as to lose your good opinion, as well as Avery’s, but, as I said, that can have nothing to do with me.”
“It ought to.”
“Surely you do not allow my opinion of others to inform your views, sir.”
“In what regard?”
Elizabeth crossed her arms. “For one, I do not like your cousin Lady Victoria Fitzwilliam, and you seem to think she walks on water.”
“That’s a lofty charge. I am well aware of my cousin’s faults.” More now than ever, he considered. “However, I will not allow you to distract me from my purpose. I am not at all comfortable with your spending any time in Wickham’s company.”
“You truly are serious about this?”
“And why wouldn’t I be? The man is not fit for polite society.” At that moment, two officers walked past Darcy and Elizabeth. His voice filled with annoyance, Darcy said, “I am surprised he is not slithering about this evening.”
“Mr. Wickham was called away to town on matters of business before you arrived in Hertfordshire. He is to return in a fortnight.”
Darcy said, “You seem to take an eager interest in that gentleman’s comings and goings.”
“Nonsense, Mr. Darcy. Being privy to such a fact is hardly the same as being eagerly concerned.” She placed her hand on his arm. “What is the source of all this acrimony? I know you do not like the man and I accept that, just as you accept the fact that I do not like your cousin. If I did not know better, I would say this is more than dislike, but jealousy—which, I might add, does not become you.”
His countenance softened considerably. He took her hand and raised it to his lips. He then kissed her wrist, sending frissons of pleasure laced with anticipation through her body. Darcy pulled Elizabeth into the shadows. “The thought of your spending time with that scoundrel, with any man, for that matter—” He brushed his lips against hers. “The thought of another man gazing into your amazing eyes—” He swept his lips along her neckline. “Thinking such thoughts as these does things to me.”
Elizabeth, who loved being so close to him, thought better of where they were. Not truly wanting to escape the magic of his kiss, she placed her hands on his broad chest and lingered a second or two before gently pushing him away. “You know I would never allow such intimacies with anyone other than you.” She pursed her lips teasingly. “If you and I do not cease and return to the others, my papa might insist that you marry me.”
“I want us to be married—I want to take you away from all this.”
“I am not ready to leave any part of this behind.”
He ceased his amorous ministrations. Biting his lower lip, savoring the sweet taste of hers, he said, “Of course not.” He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Promise me you will meet me in the morning.”
Elizabeth smiled. She nodded.
Releasing her hand, Darcy said, “You must return. I shall join you momentarily, my love.”
Darcy used his time alone for two purposes: one to allow his ardor to cool and, two, to contemplate his options where George Wickham was concerned. He is sure to return to Hertfordshire soon, and, no doubt, he will resume his attentions towards Elizabeth. It will not do. Other than his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, Darcy had spoken to no one about what happened in Ramsgate. He tried and failed to secure Georgiana’s dowry. What is to stop him from attempting to get his hands on Elizabeth’s fortune? There is no telling what that scoundrel would do to bring about such a prospect. Darcy’s choice was clear. He needed to tell Elizabeth everything about George Wickham. I see no other way to open her eyes to his true character before it is too late.
Early the next morning, Darcy waited for Elizabeth in their usual place. When she came into view, he noticed she was not alone. Moments later, when they were face to face, he said, “This is not a complaint, but you might have told me that your companion would be with you this morning.”
She huffed. “Her being here is not by my design, I assure you.” Indeed, Elizabeth was quite surprised to see Miss Greene waiting by the doorway to accompany her on her morning walk. Insisting that she must be allowed to do her job properly, she would not take no for an answer. She did not say that the Duke of Dunsmore would be most seriously displeased to know that Elizabeth had a habit of arising before the rest of the household and taking long, solitary walks about the countryside, but those words were buried in her tone. At least she had agreed to give Elizabeth a bit of privacy, which explained her having settled herself some distance away, once Darcy was in sight.
Darcy said, “I suppose it is just as well, your being accompanied when you are away from Longbourn, especially now that the likes of George Wickham are lurking about.”
“Pray we will not spend what little time we have together this morning discussing that gentleman again. I thought we had reached an agreement—you hate him, and I do not. Further discussion is inconsequential.”
“No—I am not content to leave it at that. I need you to understand the basis for my dislike of the man, and then I trust you will know how to act.”
“Mr. Darcy, you ought to know that Mr. Wickham attempted to poison my mind against you earlier on in our acquaintance. I would not hear a single word spoken against you. Do you not suppose I ought to give him the same courtesy?”
“I would like to think your allegiance to me does not compare to any loyalty you may feel towards that scoundrel.”
“You are correct, sir. As you are determined to persuade me of the gentleman’s unworthiness, I am obliged to listen, so long as you will give me leave to think what I will afterward.”
“Elizabeth, it is important to me that what I am about to confide in you be regarded with the utmost discretion, for it has to do with my sister, Georgiana. You know enough of my family’s history to know that my father loved George Wickham.” Darcy went on to convey to Elizabeth the basis of his abhorrence of the vile man.
What an unfortunate circumstance that had been—one he wished to forget. “Georgiana had been in a Mrs. Younge’s care for nearly a year, ever since I took her from school and put her in her own establishment. The entire time, Mrs. Younge had presided over the establishment without incident and thus given me the impression that she was truly a decent woman, as all her credentials had advised.
“I had no idea she had a prior acquaintance with George Wickham. Undoubtedly by design, that despicable man followed Georgiana and Mrs. Younge to Ramsgate last year. By the latter’s connivance and aid, Wickham so far recommended himself to Georgiana, whose affectionate heart retained a strong impression of his kindness to her as a child, that she persuaded herself she was in love with him and she consented to an elopement.
“What a travesty such a scandal might have wrought upon my family had I not arrived when I did. Georgiana, unable to support the idea of disappointing me by acting in a manner that she knew must certainly grieve and offend me, acknowledged the whole scheme.
“I knew precisely how to act. Wickham’s chief object was, without question, Georgiana’s fortune of thirty thousand pounds. Still, I cannot help supposing the hope of revenging himself on me for what he continues to insist was my ill use of him regarding my father’s final wishes and the living in Kympton was a strong inducement. Wickham’s revenge would have been complete indeed.”
How wretched Elizabeth now felt having defended a man who was capable of such wickedness. “I am very sorry for all that your sister had to endure as a result of Mr. Wickham’s cruel intentions.”
“Pray now you understand why I find the thought of your spending time in his company so objectionable. He does not warrant your approbation or your kindness.”
