by Kate Speck
Elizabeth was thoughtful for a minute before replying. Although he had insulted her, it was apparent that Mr. Darcy cared very much for his sister and that he had wanted Georgiana to be protected.
“Mr. Darcy, you may not have heard me correctly when I was speaking with Mrs. Younge, but when I mentioned my companion, I meant my own companion of many years. Mrs. Annesley was my governess since I was six years old and she has been with me for the past fourteen. She is an excellent woman and you have yet to meet her only because she is visiting her daughter who resides near Berkeley Square, only several blocks from here. Her grandson was born only last week and she is taking a holiday until the end of the year. I am at an age where I need only a maid to accompany me if my aunt cannot attend me and I would be willing to inquire if Mrs. Annesley can be of service to your sister in two weeks, should you be wanting to meet her and interview her yourself. My dear companion is to join me back home in Hertfordshire at the end of December but perhaps if you permit her to travel to her daughter’s home often from here, she might be agreeable to keep Georgiana company for the next few months as soon as her daughter is recovered. Perhaps she may agree to be Georgiana’s companion longer. What are your thoughts on this?” Elizabeth asked.
Darcy immediately reached for Elizabeth’s hand and lifted it to kiss it. “It would be...” He quickly released her hand without kissing it and returned his expression back to a more stoic one. “Your suggestion is most welcome, Miss Bennet. I hope... Thank you and I apologise again for my offence. I had been concerned for my sister and I failed to think clearly before I suggested that you lower yourself and thoroughly affronted you. You have been a godsend.” He sat back and resumed drinking his tea. “I wish to invite her to the dinner that we planned in two weeks and if you can send word if Mrs. Annesley can join us, and your uncle and aunt as well, of course, they would all be most welcome. Please allow me to atone for my disrespect.”
Georgiana just then returned. “Disrespect? What have you done, Fitzwilliam Darcy? If you wound my friend, I will not forgive you, just like Richard!” Georgiana teased. “I have not yet finished chastising him and he will get an earful from me next time I see him.”
Elizabeth merrily giggled, “Your brother will explain later, I am sure. Now, I do have a dinner engagement and must return to Gracechurch Street.” She turned to Mr. Darcy. “Would you mind calling for the carriage? Oh, Georgie, is all well with the downstairs issue?” She asked, while Mr. Darcy spoke with the footman to ready his landau.
“Yes, all is well. One of the servants was injured after finding some broken jars but a surgeon has been called and she will be fine. No one knows how the jars were damaged but it was a minor issue.” Georgiana answered. “I do wish you could stay longer but I am most eager to see you next week. I will call on you at the Gardiner’s, Lizzy.”
“Georgiana, I have invited Miss Bennet’s relatives to dinner here in two weeks as well. Miss Bennet has graciously agreed to bring along her companion Mrs. Annesley if she is available, to consider being of service to us for a few months while that lady is in town for her grandson’s birth.” Darcy coloured as he continued, “I will explain later but I made the error of speaking without thinking and had offended Miss Bennet greatly. As acknowledgement for the error of my ways, I will be quite grovelling for Miss Bennet’s forgiveness during the next few weeks, I am sure.”
Elizabeth laughed cheerfully, “It is understandable, Mr. Darcy, and you are forgiven. Please do not think upon it further, as I know your actions were of a noble motive.” She stood and kissed Georgiana’s cheek. “I will see you on Wednesday for our museum outing, dear.” She bowed to Mr. Darcy. “Good day, sir.”
She soon departed Darcy House in the luxurious carriage with the same maid and contemplated her assessment of Mr. Darcy’s character. I see such different accounts of Mr. Darcy and he puzzles me exceedingly. My attempts to sketch his character shifts at each meeting and I still believe him arrogant but he has a softness toward his sister that makes him honourable as well. I cannot ascertain his true personality until I gather more information.
Chapter 4
Elizabeth curtseyed to the handsome gentleman, “It is very nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Wickham. I understand you are a special friend to Mr. Allens. Have you known him long?”
George Wickham flashed his most dashing smile. “The pleasure is all mine, Miss Bennet. It is not often I meet such a beautiful and charming lady! I have known Samuel Allens since the beginning of this year but it is a deep and meaningful friendship. I am very blessed to gain his acquaintance and Allens has been a very generous associate.”
“My aunt has known his mother for years, as his father, the late Mr. Allens, was one of my uncle’s business partners before his passing two years ago, and we are here to celebrate their good fortune of receiving his recent inheritance. It is my first time making Mr. Allens’ acquaintance but I have heard they will be moving north to their new estate in the spring and I am very happy for their future. And where are you originally from? Have you always lived in London?” Elizabeth asked.
Wickham’s face turned grave. “Oh, no, Miss Bennet. I travel often here but I grew up in a large estate in the north. I was raised with a very prestigious family in Derbyshire and was the favourite of that wealthy gentleman. Mr. Darcy loved me like a son and provided much during his lifetime to ensure I would be successful. I do miss that mansion very much. It is the grandest estate in all of England and it had been my home for many years.”
“Mr. Darcy? I have recently met a Mr. Darcy here in town. Are you familiar with him? I believe he is also from Derbyshire.” Elizabeth was surprised to hear of a possible connection.
“Yes, Miss Bennet, I know him. I know him very well, as I grew up with Darcy. I have been connected with his family in a particular manner from my infancy,” Wickham confessed. “His estate is called Pemberley and is extensive at a clear 10,000 per annum. And how did you find him? It has been a while since I saw him last.”
Elizabeth thought carefully before answering. For Georgiana’s sake, she did not wish to speak ill of Mr. Darcy’s character, one that she had yet to sketch in full, but she wished to be honest with this man who was affable, with a fine countenance, a good figure, and a very pleasing address. He had all the appearance of goodness and Elizabeth was flattered with his direct attentions.
“I have not been in his company long enough to set a firm opinion but he seemed disagreeable in public. He never smiled and I did not hear more than a few words during the first hour of meeting him. At the theatre the other night, rarely did anyone approach him and he scowled more than not throughout the performance.” Elizabeth confided in her new acquaintance. “I should take him to be an ill-tempered man and cannot ever imagine him being a pleasant one.”
“It is as I thought, Miss Bennet. I cannot pretend to be sorry that he or that any man should not be estimated beyond their deserts; but with Darcy, the world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his imposing manners but I have been honest and it gives me pain that we are no longer on friendly terms.” He looked at her intently with his blue eyes and spoke quietly, “Darcy keeps dark secrets, Miss Bennet, ones he has much to atone for. I was his great confidante for many years until I reminded him too much of his past.”
He put on a pleasanter face before continuing, “His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that ever breathed, and the truest friend I ever had; and I am always grieved to the soul to be in company of his son, as his behaviour to myself has been scandalous. But I verily believe I could forgive him anything and everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father.” Wickham determinedly announced.
Elizabeth gasped at hearing Wickham’s history with the family. “And what had the son done to incur such disappointment, Mr. Wickham?”
Wickham shook his head, “The late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best living in his gift.
He was my godfather and excessively attached to me. He meant to provide for me amply but alas, when the living fell it was given elsewhere.”
“Good heavens!” Elizabeth cried, “but how could his will be disregarded? Why on earth would the son disobey his father’s wishes? Is there no legal recourse?”
“No, Miss Bennet; it was an informal bequest and although a man of honour could not have doubted the intention, Darcy chose to treat it as a conditional recommendation and when the living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was of an age to hold it, it was given to another man and I am here in the world attempting to make my way on my own. He simply hates me, Miss Bennet. He hated that his father loved me more and he never had a temper to bear the sort of competition in which we stood. But until I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him. With Samuel Allens’ friendship, I have been able to find some comfort while looking for an occupation and although my plans this summer were foiled due to yet another interference on Darcy’s part, I will continue to press on to find happiness in my life.” Wickham replied.
Elizabeth was impressed with the young man, “Your character is one of honour and generosity and I commend your endurance in a difficult time. I certainly found Mr. Darcy to be very prideful and I agree with you that his temper is atrocious, as I just recalled his cursing in front of me,” she laughed remembering her fall at the theatre, “and I do wish you many blessings for your future occupation. Had you a chance for further education?” She eyed him carefully to assess his age. He appeared to be nearly thirty years in age.
“Oh, I completed university with Darcy at Cambridge. I am older than he by a year but we had begun our education at the same time with his father’s generosity.” Wickham smiled.
Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose. I believe Mr. Darcy is seven or eight and twenty and he must have completed his schooling many years ago. I cannot believe a man with a Cambridge education is still looking for an occupation at this point in his life. Even if the vicarage had gone to another two years ago, he does not appear to have accomplished anything else with the opportunities offered to him!
“And what is your opinion of Miss Darcy, Mr. Wickham?” She tested the genial man. “I understand she is a young woman of sixteen.”
George Wickham shook his head once again, “I wish I could call her amiable, as it gives me pain to speak ill of a Darcy, but she is too much like her brother: Very, very proud, unfortunately, and she is nothing to me now. She is a handsome girl and highly accomplished, but she has too much of her brother’s pride and I am certain she disdains those beneath her station. She is most likely very agreeable to those whom she finds worthy of her time but give no notice to anyone of a lower station or lacking connections.”
Wickham changed the topic, “I understand you are a favourite of Lord and Lady Suffolk. I heard your aunt speak with Mrs. Allens of the friendship and that you would be attending their ball next month.”
Elizabeth caught the hesitancy of his voice when speaking of Georgiana and wondered how he could speak so of the gentle, timid girl. She knew personally that Georgiana was not proud but rather shy, and someone who had known the family for so long would not have made such a mistake in judgment. But she had wished to learn more of this gentleman and gather all she could before deciding on his character as well as Mr. Darcy’s.
“I will certainly be there. Will you attend as well? Perhaps Mr. Allens can obtain an invitation for you.” She smiled.
Wickham bowed gallantly. “I do hope to see you there, Miss Bennet. I shall return to Allens’ side now. He has been glaring at me for the past half hour for taking up all of your attention.” They laughed discreetly. Samuel Allens was a corpulent man of twenty or more stones with very little hair on his head. He had received a sizeable inheritance after his distant relative died last Spring, and was now eagerly seeking a wife but unfortunately, although a very cordial man, he was nearly fifty and a known sloth.
“And I must return to my aunt. There are several of whom I have not seen for years and I wish to converse with them as well. It was a pleasure, Mr. Wickham.” Elizabeth dipped her head and left her seat.
Elizabeth noted Mr. Wickham in dialogue with several of the guests and wondered of the charming man. She could not fathom Mr. Darcy ignoring his father’s wishes but could not believe Mr. Wickham would invent such a fabrication to slander the family from his childhood. She pondered what great secrets Mr. Darcy might be keeping and hoped Georgiana might be able to shine some light next week when she called at Gardiner House.
~*~
“Good morning, Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth smiled, “I did not know you attended Southwark Cathedral.”
Bingley replied, “I was told the services here were quite superior,” making everyone laugh. “Actually, I attend St. Paul’s with Darcy when I do choose to go but I always feel guilty that I am not as devoted to attending church services regularly. Darcy does not miss a Sunday if he can help it and tells me that I have much atonement to make.”
Elizabeth laughed, “Perhaps the ones who attend regularly have need for more atonement. Those who know they are sinners have more to confess.” She recalled Mr. Wickham’s comment about Mr. Darcy’s need for remuneration but put that thought aside. “St. Paul’s is actually closer and I have attended there many times with my other relatives, but I believe it does not matter where you go, as long as the heart is sincere. Southwark is a wonderful church and I enjoy the walk.”
“We are to return to Gracechurch Street for luncheon. Would you be available to join us, Mr. Bingley?” Mrs. Gardiner offered.
“It would be an honour. Thank you.” Bingley immediately agreed.
Mr. Gardiner asked, “And where are your sisters, sir?”
Bingley scratched his head, “It is possible they are at St. Paul’s today but they do not often… that is to say, they may still be at home.”
“I reckon ten o’clock might be too early after a late night out for some, do you agree?” Mr. Gardiner jested. “Although Lizzy can go to bed before dawn and still rise with the sun, she does not miss church if she can help it, either.”
“It is but a short walk to our home across the bridge, Mr. Bingley, but you must have ridden. Did you arrive on horseback or in a carriage?” Mrs. Gardiner inquired.
“Oh, I have my carriage and it is here now. May I offer you all a ride home?” He asked.
After agreeing, Elizabeth sat with her aunt while Mr. Bingley and her uncle sat on the other side. Elizabeth looked out the window to see the riverside and saw a man below the bridge who looked very similar to Mr. Darcy. She wondered if it could indeed be him, as the man was dressed as a gentleman and was tall with dark hair. She laughed at herself for thinking of Mr. Darcy once again, as many of her acquaintance could be described as tall and dark, although only a few were as tall as Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley was tall but his hair was bright red. Her attention returned to her companions in the carriage when Mr. Bingley began to speak to her.
“Miss Elizabeth, I received a note from Darcy that he had invited all of you for dinner in two Fridays. He had asked for me to attend as well but my sister Louisa’s birthday dinner has already been scheduled and I will be unable to join you. He shared that you and Miss Darcy have been getting along famously and have several outings planned. I do hope you will not mind too terribly if I am able to join you some of those days, Miss Bennet. There is much to experience and I shall like to attend some outings with you as well.” Bingley offered.
“That sounds wonderful, Mr. Bingley. We have plans for the museum and the gardens, as well as several concerts and another play in December. We shall be a merry party!” Elizabeth replied.
She liked Mr. Bingley very much but knew there was no romantic attachment and could not see herself marrying such a man. But she did enjoy his company and hoped that perhaps Jane might be introduced to him someday and her sister might find him a worthy partner for life. Their personalities were similar and Elizabeth could envision their happiness together.
After arriving at Gardiner House, the group enjoyed their conversation throughout luncheon and confirmed their plans for outings the next week.
~*~
“She must go.” The bitter voice declared. “They are giving her too much attention and I will not have her mock me. Get rid of her!”
“Could I not ruin her instead? I can take my time to disgrace her so she can never show her face in public again. I have never killed a woman before,” another voice grumbled.
“No! She must die. You will do it if you want me to continue to protect you. Just point your pistol from a hidden spot and fire. How difficult can it be?” The first voice commanded. “Do this for me or you will be on the streets once more. I will expose you to everyone and you will hang for your crimes.”
“Fine!” the second voice acquiesced. “When?”
The first voice explained the day and the time for the attack. “Do not fail me. I do not care if you feel skittish; you will do what I wish and I will continue to give you what you want.”
After agreeing, the two parted ways from the dark room.
~*~
Elizabeth was taken aback when Mr. Darcy accompanied his sister for all of the outings planned for the next two weeks. On Wednesday, they had visited the museum together; on Friday, the Kew Gardens; Saturday, they had gone to the menagerie to look at the exotic animals. Today, they would dine together at the Gardiners, then Wednesday, a musical concert would follow, and as previously arranged, they would have dinner with Mrs. Annesley on Friday.