Elizabeth did not even look at Lydia. She kept her eyes trained on Wickham. The look of relief on his face told her everything she wanted to know.
He nodded. “I will return, Miss Lydia. Please do hold your thought till I return.”
Wickham untangled her from his arm and crooked his elbow in Elizabeth’s direction. She took it and they walked across the street together, leaving the group behind to stare after them.
“I know that it may look indiscreet and there may be rumors started, but I could see you were uncomfortable with Lydia. And I wanted to speak to you about Mr. Darcy.”
Wickham looked at her. She noticed they were the same height. It made her feel strange. Either she was too tall or Wickham was shorter than average.
“I heard you have been spending time in his company. Are you sure you want to continue with that? There may be rumors about you and I, but those rumors will not put you out on the street.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Put me out on the street? Whatever do you mean?”
“I believe if your father’s family realizes that his daughter is spending time with an enemy of the family, they will be very upset. I do not think you want your family situation jeopardized because of Darcy, do you?”
She was beginning to get a bad feeling about Wickham. She knew that her extended family had no say on what would happen to their home. It was entailed and owned by her father, and would not pass to Mr. Collins until her father died. On the other hand, some of her distrust of Wickham could be because of her growing feelings for Darcy dictating the pattern of her thoughts. Though, there was something about his eyes that made her suspicious of him, too. She suspected he was lying about whom Darcy really was, despite the fact that he had known the man since childhood.
“What is it that makes you wary of Darcy?” she asked. “I know you mentioned he cheated you in the past. Is that right?”
Wickham paused before answering her. “In a way, yes. He became very…difficult when his father passed.”
“What was his father like?” Elizabeth was curious. She wished she had met Darcy sooner, so that perhaps she could have known his father. Despite what her own father thought, she never heard anything negative about the elder Mr. Darcy. Some of her mother’s friends’ husbands had nothing but kind things to say about the man and spoke highly of him.
Wickham’s face took on a nostalgic look. “I miss him. He was like a father to me. He was my benefactor before the current Mr. Darcy. He sent me to Eton and would have purchased a better commission for me, had he lived. But when he died and Darcy became difficult to deal with. Darcy did purchase my commission, but it was a low ranking one and I had to work my way up to officer.”
“Do you enjoy being an officer?”
“I do, very much indeed.”
“Do you oversee many men?”
“Not more than I can handle.”
Elizabeth raised one eyebrow. “It would seem to me that you would not have a problem with quite a few men.”
“I will take that as a compliment.”
“It was meant as one.” She smiled, though her heart was not in it. She hoped he did not realize that she was not being as honest as she normally would be.
“You must enjoy telling other men what to do,” Elizabeth said the words before she thought about them. They made him sound very off-putting.
He did not seem to take it that way. His smile was large and reached his eyes. They sparkled at her in the sunlight. “I do, as a matter of fact. I find it very satisfying. You do realize that there are ways to be stern without being hated. I use tact and logic to get the men to do what needs to be done. No matter what it is, I can convince them with these two traits. If that does not work and I outrank them, they will be firmly reprimanded and they know that.”
“You are a very smart man.”
“Yes, I try to be. When I do not let my emotions get the better of me.”
“What would make that happen? You seem to have your head on your shoulders quite firmly.”
He may have, she thought, but he certainly was not a great example of moral character or honesty. As time went on in his presence, she was beginning to think he was one of the most arrogant men she had ever met. She vowed to talk to Darcy about him and get his opinion. Since he had known Wickham for so many years, he was just as entitled to tell her his opinion of the man as Wickham was wont to tell her about Darcy. She would get to the truth of the matter. She was determined to. Her fondness for Darcy grew by the day, whether he was around her or not. Thoughts of him never left her mind.
She did not want to believe that Darcy was the scoundrel everyone assumed he was.
“I see a pretty lady and sometimes cannot control myself.”
“You are doing a fine job with me, Mr. Wickham.”
He nodded. “That is because I have a great deal of respect for you. In addition, it looks like Mr. Darcy is showing an interest and I have no desire to become a rival with him for your affections or for any other lady’s. I am perfectly content where I am and doing what I am doing. I have no need for rivalry and jealousy.”
“I feel the same way. I am glad that you respect me, sir. I respect you, as well.”
He laughed. “Must you call me ‘sir’? Do you know how often I am called that by others? Let us be friends. Call me George.”
It was her turn to laugh. “That would be highly inappropriate. I will stick with Mr. Wickham.”
“If you insist,” he nodded, “I do understand your logic.”
She grinned. “Logic and tact. It gets them every time, does it not?”
His smile reflected his amusement. “Indeed it does, indeed it does.”
Chapter 25
Darcy went up the steps to Netherfield taking two at a time. The door opened before he reached it and he nodded at the butler who let him in. “I will announce myself,” he said as he passed him, handing over his hat and jacket to the nearest footman.
“Yes, sir, welcome back, sir,” the stately man replied, nodding at him.
He went down the hall to the parlor, stopping at the door to see if he could hear any voices. He heard none. He turned the knob and pushed the door open, poking his head in to see if the room was empty.
He cringed when he saw Miss Caroline Bingley sitting on the couch by the window, her cross-stitch embroidery hoop in her lap. He gazed at her, grateful to see that she was napping. He did not want to speak to her or deal with her in any way. He had overheard her thoughts on the Bennet sisters and he did not appreciate them at all.
He scanned her shapely body in the long gown she was wearing and even admired the way her dark hair curled around her shoulders. How could such a lovely sleeping creature be the vile, disreputable critter Caroline was?
He shook his head. No matter the beauty on the outside, he knew full well what was oozing on the inside. And it was not in the least pretty. He turned and went back through the door, closing it silently behind him. If only Caroline was that quiet all the time. She would be much more of a lady.
He wandered through the house, looking for other signs of life. It was as if the place was empty, without servants or owners. It felt like it had been abandoned. Darcy shook off the kenopsia and, when he was far enough away from the parlor, called out, “Is anyone here? Bingley? You here, old chap?”
“Darcy!” he heard a familiar female voice calling him, one that was not Caroline’s. He thanked God silently for that and went in the direction of the voice.
The study door opened at the end of the hallway and Jane’s face appeared. He tilted his head to the side. “Why, hello there, Miss Bennet. I did not expect you to be here today.”
“I am only here for a brief visit, Mr. Darcy. How have you been?”
Darcy went into the study, passing her with a smile. She smiled back. “I’ve been well, Mr. Darcy, much better than I was the last time I was here.”
“I do hope you do not take ill again. Perhaps next year or the year after.”
Jane laug
hed. “I do not ever want to be sick again, but I suppose that is wishful thinking.”
Darcy nodded. “Unfortunately, I would have to agree with you on that.”
He went to Bingley, who was standing by the window, scanning a paper in his hands. “Look at this, Darcy, old man. I cannot believe the prices they are asking for simple windows. I would not give them ten pence for what they are offering.”
Darcy took the paper from him. “Are they quality windows?”
Bingley snorted. “The quality cannot possibly be high enough for that price. Five pound sterling each? I believe they have lost their minds. I truly believe that. We are a wealthy family and we aren’t going to pay five pounds for one window. They are taking advantage and cheating less intelligent people out of their money.”
“That is how a rich person becomes poor.” Darby handed him back the paper. “I will ask some of my people if they know of a good window servicer, Bingley. Do not even respond to this offer.”
Bingley shook his head. “I had not planned on it.”
“Good job. Now what am I supposed to tell the people in town about your little visit here? You two, off secluded in a study. I do not know what to think.” He was teasing them and from the grin on Bingley’s face, they were aware of it.
“Oh the usual, old chap,” Bingley replied, with a wave of his hand.
Jane’s eyes widened. “The usual? Are you in the habit of entertaining young women alone on a regular basis?”
Bingley laughed. “Not at all. I was just continuing the joke. Do not act a goosecap. You know I could never get away with that having two sisters.”
“Especially the sisters you have,” Darcy remarked. “I saw Caroline napping in the parlor.”
“Did you wake her?”
Darcy thought it was funny how Jane’s voice sounded a little frightened by the prospect.
“Not a chance, my dear,” Darcy replied. “I do not want to arouse a sleeping snake. Would you?”
Jane shook her head. “No, sir. I am glad you did not wake her. There is no telling the rumors she would spread.”
“She would not say a word,” Bingley replied, sitting at his desk and tossing the paper into the small waste bin to his side.
“She would not?” Jane looked at him, surprised.
“No. She would not want to tarnish our family reputation and name over something so petty. She knows that you and I are following all of society’s rules.” He grinned at her. “Even though the temptation to grab you up and ravish you is always present in my mind.”
Darcy groaned and rolled his eyes. “There is someone else present in the room, Bingley. Or has her beauty blinded you to the presence of others?”
Bingley and Jane both laughed. “Not at all, my good friend. I just like to make her feel beautiful and appreciated.”
“And desired,” Darcy added.
“Yes,” Bingley nodded. “That, too.”
“I think it is smashing that the two of you are getting along so famously,” Darcy said, taking a seat on the couch across from Bingley. “I am a little surprised that you have not started a fire. Are you not cold? The winter season is upon us. It is time to warm up the house.”
“You do not live here, do you?” Bingley looked around as if he was confused as to who owned the house.
Darcy laughed. “I am simply looking out for your well-being. Should you catch a chill, you may become ill and not recover as well and as quickly as the lovely Miss Jane Bennet here.”
“I would not be so lucky, you are right, my friend,” Bingley replied, mournfully.
“The only good thing that can come of that is if you were to pass the illness on to your sweet sister, Caroline.”
Jane gasped. “What a terrible thing to say, Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy shook his head. “I am only teasing, my dear. Do not fear. I am not that bad.”
“My sister does not seem to think so. Have you spoken to Elizabeth lately?”
“I have not had that pleasure, no.” Darcy’s voice took on a sad tone. “I have sent messages and she has sent replies. But until the next round of the Season, I fear I shall not see her.”
“I am sure there is a way we can work around that,” Bingley said. “Shall we schedule an outing, the four of us?”
“That sounds lovely! We should do that!” Jane exclaimed in an excited voice. “What shall we do? It is too cold for a picnic or a walk or a ride through the park.” She bit her lip, sitting on the armrest of the couch Darcy was sitting on. “Oh dear, what might we do?”
“We could have a dinner here,” Bingley said. “Prepared by the finest cook in all of England.”
Jane raised her eyebrows. “Your cook is famous?”
Bingley laughed. “Only in our household. But I daresay, she creates the most elegant, delicious dinners I have ever had.”
“She has been working here most of your life,” Darcy said. “Her dinners are the only ones you have ever had.”
They all laughed.
“We cannot have it here,” Darcy said. “There will be other people coming and going that we do not want to interrupt our good time. We should have the dinner at Pemberley House. And if you believe your cook to be better than mine, we might trade for a day. Although I do believe Bess would not be very happy about that and I fear I would get an earful from her. I may not live it down. You do not want to anger a cook, you know. They make the food you eat. I do not want to hire a food taster so that I am not poisoned.”
“We shall do fine with your cook,” Bingley snickered. “And thank you for opening your home to our little soiree.”
Darcy smiled. “It is absolutely my pleasure to do so. I have been wanting to see Elizabeth for several weeks. To be quite frank, it almost feels as though she might be angry with me.”
“Why in heaven’s name would you think that?”
“The last letter I received from her sounded different from usual.”
“How so?”
Darcy thought for a moment. “Less genuine, I suppose. Not as caring as she usually sounds.”
“The only thing I know is that she talked to Mr. George Wickham in Meryton several times when we went to visit Auntie and Uncle.”
Darcy bristled immediately. “George Wickham? Why would she be talking to that rogue? What in heaven’s name would they have to talk about?”
He and Bingley shared a look. They both knew what George Wickham was talking to Elizabeth about.
Chapter 26
Jane looked frightened. Her eyes were wide as she stared at Darcy. “I am sorry to upset you, Mr. Darcy. I did not know that you and Mr. Wickham were enemies.”
“We are not enemies, per say,” Darcy replied in a gruff voice, leaning forward and clasping his hands together with his fingers laced. “We have a long past and I do not trust that man. He is a money-hungry rogue and I do not think Elizabeth should be keeping company with such a man.”
“I understand. Have you told Elizabeth?”
“This is the first time I am hearing that she has been spending time with him.” Darcy was surprised by the hurt he felt. No other woman had ever made him feel that pain. Any other time a woman showed more of an interest in another man, he walked away. No woman was worth the pain she caused.
Except perhaps Elizabeth. He knew it was already too late to walk away. His heart was telling him he needed to stay and explore what might happen in his future with Elizabeth in it. He pictured her face and his heartbeat sped up. He pulled in a deep breath, calming himself.
“Do not be angry with her, Mr. Darcy,” Jane pleaded. “She did not know… I am sure she does not know how you feel about him.”
“I must wonder how they met. Do you know?”
“Mother spoke of Mr. Wickham. He has been speaking to Lydia most often, I must say. And Kitty. My sisters are very popular with the officer’s regiment.”
Darcy nodded. It did not surprise him. He did not want to say it aloud lest he hurt Jane’s feelings. But the girls were incredibly
flirtatious and Darcy did not think their father would appreciate their behavior, even if they were trying to find husbands. He doubted Mr. Bennet wanted them to be with anyone in the Queen’s army or any kind of military faction. From what Darcy had learned of the Bennet patriarch, he was a good man, a gentleman on all counts. He had spent enough time with Elizabeth and Jane to know that their father’s influence was a good one. Over time, it had made him want to appease the man’s cross feelings toward his family even more.
It had become less a pride thing and more a matter of the heart.
Elizabeth’s influence on him was strong. The realization made him feel strange.
“Mr. Darcy?” Jane took a step toward him, tilting her head to the side. “Are you all right?”
He focused on her and shook his head. “I apologize. I was lost in thought for a moment. I… What were we discussing?”
Jane and Bingley shared a look but no words were spoken. “We were speaking of Mr. Wickham and your dislike for him,” Jane said, gently.
Darcy frowned. “Yes. I will have to talk to Elizabeth about this. She should not be keeping company with such a man.”
Jane took a step back and lowered her head. “I will give her a message for you.”
Darcy shook his head. “No, I will go to Longbourn myself. I wish to speak with her in person.”
“I do not know if she is at Longbourn at this time, Mr. Darcy.” Jane kept her head down but moved her eyes up to look at him.
The motion reminded Darcy so much of Elizabeth, he was taken aback. The girls did not look terribly similar. Both were beautiful but in their own way.
“I will go there and see.”
“My father may not appreciate a surprise visit from you, Mr. Darcy,” Jane said quickly, still using a gentle tone. “He is not prepared to forgive whatever blight our ancestors had toward each other.”
“I am trying to find a way to rectify that,” Darcy said, not knowing why he felt the need to explain himself to her. “I do not want this feud to continue. At some point, your father and I may need associate with each other. I would like to settle things with him before any such opportunity comes about so that he will know I am genuine in my efforts to reconcile.”
Elizabeth and Darcy: A Romeo and Juliet Twist: A Pride & Prejudice Regency Variation Page 13