by Kate Speck
Mr. Wickham sneered as he replied, “I have found studying law not to my liking and have been convinced to become an officer instead. I must make my own way in the world and received an offer I could not refuse.”
The younger girls, who had already been made aware of George Wickham's reputation, were quick-witted to realise that Elizabeth’s warning to keep Georgiana Darcy’s name a secret had been warranted and pretended to be cordial to Mr. Wickham but kept their distance from him.
“Shall we continue on to visit Aunt Philips now, Lizzy?” Mary quietly enquired, desiring to get away from the detestable man who had been ogling at all of the Bennet daughters, “She is expecting us now.”
Before Elizabeth could answer, there were hoofbeats of horses and she could see Jane smiling tenderly at a short distance away. She looked back to find Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy approaching on horseback to make their greetings.
“Good morning!” Mr. Bingley cheerfully exclaimed as he drew near and dismounted. “We were going to ride to Longbourn to see if you were fully recovered and it appears you have.” He bowed and kissed Jane’s hand. “You look very well, indeed.”
Elizabeth noted the stern expression on Mr. Darcy who also descended from his stallion and nodded to the group. He made eye contact with Lieutenant Denny and then stared at Mr. Wickham without a word.
Lieutenant Denny spoke to Mr. Darcy, “A new recruit from town... sir, Mr. Darcy, sir. Mr. Wickham will be signing his papers today.”
Mr. Darcy was wordless and only nodded again, keeping his glare on Wickham the entire time.
“Come, Wickham,” Lieutenant Denny pulled his friend’s arm, “time to go. We are already late.” Wickham smugly tipped his hat to the ladies and walked off with his friend quickly.
Elizabeth was curious as to why Denny would appear nervous around Mr. Darcy, but recalling how Mr. Darcy had been often gone to dine with the officers, she thought it all Mr. Darcy’s fault for being an arrogant and frightening gentleman, even towards the officers in the area. She felt her cousin’s elbow tap her repeatedly and rolled her eyes, “Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, please allow me to introduce to you my father’s distant cousin, Mr. Collins.”
Mr. Collins immediately jumped in, “Parson Collins, at your service. Mr. Darcy, I have heard much about you from Lady Catherine de Bourgh and you will be pleased to know that as of three days and several hours ago, her ladyship and her most excellent daughter were in good health and that I am most blessed to have been in their marvellous company daily as the entrusted reverend of Hunsford which is located less than a mile from her ladyship’s most incredible home, to which I have been invited to dine twice weekly due to her generosity and condescension. I understand Miss Anne de Bourgh,” Elizabeth’s ears perked at the mention of Lady Catherine's daughter’s given name, “has been a frail creature all her life but Lady Catherine is adamant that she is improving daily and you will soon be able to visit your betrothed in the near future to...” He could not go on when Mr. Darcy raised one hand to stop him.
Mr. Darcy growled lowly, “I have no betrothed and it will do you well to never speak of my personal businesses. Are you heading to someplace specific? I wish to speak with Miss Elizabeth now.”
Elizabeth hid her laughter to see Mr. Darcy censure her horrible cousin swiftly in his typical obnoxious fashion and was nearly grateful that someone could make Mr. Collins close his mouth. “We are heading to my aunt’s home down the street, sir.” She answered in his stead. She saw Jane in deep conversation with Mr. Bingley, “Mary, Kitty, Lydia, we will meet you there while Jane and I walk at a slower pace. Please take Mr. Collins with you and make the introductions.”
The younger girls obeyed as the two couples strode leisurely. Mr. Bingley and Jane walked arm-in-arm, while Elizabeth kept a short distance from the imperious man, lagging behind her sister to speak privately to Mr. Darcy.
“I am certain you saw our interaction with Mr. Wickham, but I promise you that he does not know that we are aware of the details of the events this past summer and I did not let him know of my continued friendship with you-know-who,” Elizabeth began. “All of my sisters understand the importance of keeping that information to ourselves and I am rather glad that we were already aware of Mr. Wickham’s character, since without prior knowledge, my youngest sister, who is very welcoming and thinks well of strangers, might have been fooled into believing him to be a good man.” Elizabeth smiled, “At least something of import came from meeting him last summer.”
Mr. Darcy’s shoulders relaxed at her statement, “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You know not how valuable your service has been and I fear my debts to you might become insurmountable soon. Bingley was heading to Longbourn to invite you all personally to a ball that he will be holding on the twenty-sixth of November.” He drew closer to her and quietly asked, “If I may, would you dance the supper set with me?”
Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow, “Do you consider it paying your debt by offering to dance with me?” She smiled as she saw the corner of his lips rise, “I might lack for dance partners as per usual so I suppose I must accept. I do believe my cousin will be asking me also, so at least in that, I will have more than one dance partner.”
“What does he want with you?” Mr. Darcy gnarled under his breath. “He seems like the typical sycophant that my aunt would choose as her parson. You cannot be serious about a man like that.”
“Whether I am serious or not makes no difference, since if he asks, I cannot refuse,” Elizabeth answered, “and there are too many disadvantages of being a woman in this world.” She paused for a moment, “Your cousin is named Anne?”
“Yes,” Mr. Darcy replied, “but she is not my betrothed.” They stopped in front of their destination and he stood close to her and whispered as not to be overheard, “Dance the first with me, Elizabeth, and I will add it to my list of debts owed to you.”
Elizabeth could not breath, as his intense stares were intoxicating and she could only nod, before he stepped back to mount his horse while Mr. Bingley spoke loudly to wish them a pleasant day. She walked into her aunt’s home in confusion with Jane beaming next to her.
“Mr. Bingley asked me to dance the first set with him at the Netherfield Ball, Lizzy! Is it not wonderful?” Jane shared. “He is just as a young man should be.”
“I... I have been asked the same, Janey,” Elizabeth finally answered after gathering her wit. “Mr. Darcy asked me for the supper set but then asked me for the first afterwards. He confuses me and I do not understand him in the least.”
Jane’s mouth dropped open, “He asked you for two sets? He must like you, Lizzy. But I thought you despised... that is... do you like him, Lizzy? Two sets will mean...”
Elizabeth blushed, “I think not, Jane. He must mean one over the other. I cannot imagine... I do not know! What do I do?”
“Well, keep both sets open for him and perhaps he will dance the first with you alongside Mr. Bingley and myself, and then you can find another partner for the supper set. It will be well. How exciting! A ball!” Jane smiled broadly again.
Elizabeth continued to be baffled at Mr. Darcy’s behaviour and character but finally determined that he could be kind whenever he wished and all was at his whim at the moment of his mood. His disposition seemed so changeable and she was certain he would not wish to be seen dancing two sets with her in public, but she decided to hold both sets for him on her dance card for the time being. When Mr. Collins later asked her for the first set, she was at least satisfied that she did not have to dance it with him but reluctantly agreed to the second.
Chapter 11
Several days before the ball, Elizabeth walked out to visit a tenant in the far corner of her father’s estate. Due to the dampness and cooler weather, many families were suddenly ill, and Mary and Kitty were charged to visit the Joneses, while Jane and Lydia saw to the needs of the Smythes, and Elizabeth took it upon herself to deliver medicines to the Hansons, who resided near the border of Netherfield and the militia e
ncampment near Meryton.
After seeing that the young boy’s coughs were improving, Elizabeth began her trek home, only to be caught in a sudden rainstorm when she saw a large tree nearby where she could seek shelter. She ran towards it and groaned loudly as she shivered from her foot being cold, after her left shoe tore apart and the front of the sole was nearly off from the top leather. She continued awkwardly to the tree to wait out the heavy downpour and wondered how she would get home. She was thankful that she had on her thicker pelisse and gloves, but knew it would be difficult to walk gracefully with a broken shoe, and attempted to tie the ends of her shoelace around the bottom to at least make it home in one piece, when her the lace also frayed and her old shoe was made completely unusable.
She sighed, wishing she had been a bit more enthusiastic about updating her wardrobe like her sisters always were, and stood for several minutes when she saw a rider at a distance. Hoping she might be able to request the stranger’s assistance to either fetch her spare shoes from Longbourn or at least have her father send a servant to bring her home, she waved to the man to get his attention but regretted it immediately as soon as she discovered his identity.
“Miss Bennet!” George Wickham grinned, “What in the world are you doing out here in this weather? How may I be of assistance?” He dismounted his horse, appearing dashing in his new uniform, carrying a long sabre on his side under his overcoat.
Elizabeth wished to do nothing with this man but needing help, she thought to send him to Longbourn so that a servant could bring the carriage. “I was visiting a tenant and was caught in the rain and have been waiting it out so that I could walk home. I was delivering medicines for a young lad whose dream is to become a reverend in Meryton and he prayed several prayers in thanks that he was feeling better.” She smiled. “It would be of great assistance if you could ride to my father’s estate to have the carriage sent here, since my shoe is in disrepair and I do not think I can walk far in this state.” She lifted her foot to show him and laughed.
“I would be happy to assist, Miss Bennet.” Wickham continued as he walked closer, “I was supposed to have the living at the parsonage near Pemberley, did you know? Darcy’s father, he loved me, you see, and wanted me to be near the grandest home in all of Derbyshire so that I would have some comfort as his ward, but Darcy was jealous of the affection that his father showed me over himself and as soon as his father passed, the fiend disregarded Mr. Darcy’s wishes and promptly had me kicked off the property, forbidding me to ever return again. He hated the fact that his father loved me more and I attempted to study law, but he ruined my chances in everything I did and here I am, now a lieutenant and surviving all alone in the world.”
Elizabeth’s mouth dropped to hear of Mr. Darcy’s atrocious behaviour and she shook her head, unsurprised at the audacity of that man to govern other people’s lives as he saw fit and of his proclivity to hate anyone who defied him. She gritted her teeth as she despised the man all over again but felt her entire body quiver when she heard Wickham’s next question.
“Would you happen to know where Miss Darcy might be located right now, Miss Bennet? I have been searching for her and I wonder if you might be corresponding with her.” Wickham walked even closer under the tree with a flash of desperation in his eyes. “She took to liking you immediately and I am certain she would have wished to keep in touch with you.”
Elizabeth remembered the rogue that Wickham had been and stood taller to shake her head, “I have no idea where she could be, Mr. Wickham. We were only acquainted for a short time and I am sure she is well, since her brother is so very protective of her and takes good care of her. I do not like Mr. Darcy but one thing I do know for certain is that he is a protective brother.” She unlaced her other boot to tighten what she could of her ripped shoe. “The rain is abating and I believe I can walk home now. I can walk perfectly fine like this and it will give me something to tell my friends about the experience. Good day.” She curtsied to take her leave but then heard the thunderous gallops of two horses rapidly approaching them.
“WICKHAM!” She heard Mr. Darcy shouting at the man with Colonel Forster beside him. Elizabeth turned to see Mr. Wickham standing tall with a sneer on his face.
“Darcy,” he responded nonchalantly, “Colonel Forster.” He bowed to show his respect to his commanding officer.
Mr. Darcy signalled silently to the older gentleman and Colonel Forster spoke out. “Wickham, you are supposed to be at the camp. What are you doing here and with a young lady, no less?”
“I was running an errand for Denny and Miss Bennet flagged me down to be of assistance in the rain, sir.” He replied. “I was offering my services to go to her home but Miss Bennet had decided to walk home instead.”
Colonel Forster nodded, “Very well, Wickham, let us return now, you and I. I met Mr. Darcy on the road and saw that the young lady might need help, and we can leave a gentleman to do such a task while us officers have our duties to perform. I have an assignment for you that will require you to travel to London for a few days. Come now. I will explain on the way back.”
Colonel Forster and Lieutenant Wickham tipped their hats to Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth then promptly departed.
~*~
Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy and remembering the pains he caused several others, she quickly dipped a curtsey and began to walk home, not caring however clumsy she might appear.
Mr. Darcy dismounted with a chuckle, “Please allow me to take you on horseback. You are not fit to walk like that for another mile further.”
“I am perfectly well enough to walk home, sir. You have seen me covered in mud and it should be no surprise to you to see me appearing as ghastly as I do now.” Elizabeth retorted. “You should be well-accustomed to seeing me humiliated but what care have you for anyone so wholly unrelated to you? I know you only care about your pride and reputation and that you think it humorous to catch me at my worst.” She began to stomp away faster.
Mr. Darcy easily caught up to her, “Why can you not ever accept my assistance? Have I wronged you in some way? Is it not I who owe several debts to you?” He held her arms and turned her to face her. “You cannot walk like this and will hurt yourself, and remember, I am doing this for your own good.” He easily lifted her in his arms to her to carry her up off the ground and walked to his stallion as she kicked and squirmed. “You must sit still on Pegasus or else he will throw you off. Be still, Elizabeth!”
Elizabeth growled as he grabbed her waist with both hands and sat her up on the saddle sideways. She hurriedly grabbed for the pommel so that she would not fall off and grunted. “You never listen to anyone else but your own voice! Why are you so stubborn?!”
“Me? You are telling me that I am stubborn? You, who are more stubborn than any horse I have ever tamed, calling me stubborn?” Mr. Darcy laughed loudly. “You are a silly girl, Elizabeth, even if one of the cleverest ladies of my acquaintance. I do admire your courage, though.”
Elizabeth found the humour in this situation, as she had been behaving like an impertinent, obstinate girl, and could not help but laugh as the horse began to move and Mr. Darcy held the reins alongside her to walk to Longbourn. She observed the gentleman, who was easily walking through the uneven, muddy grounds in his Hessian boots without a word for several minutes when he asked her a question.
“Can you tell me what you are doing out here? The weather is not as bad this morning but you are quite far from home.” Mr. Darcy enquired cordially.
“I was delivering medicine to a sick son of a tenant and was caught in the rain unexpectedly. My shoe had torn and I had been attempting to find a way to get home without becoming soaked to the bone.” She lifted her foot to show him how she had tried to mend her boot. “I was prepared to walk like a mule with only my stubbornness to deliver me home safely.” They both laughed again when the rain began to fall harder once again. Elizabeth shivered, as she had been damp for too long and being higher up on the horse, the wind had blown stronger
against her cold clothes.
Mr. Darcy saw her and took off his great coat to wrap it around her from the other side of his horse for warmth and hastened their trot to the Bennet residence. Elizabeth was surprised at his chivalry and thankful for the warmth, when she noted that he was wearing a large sword on his left side.
“What were you doing out, Mr. Darcy? Why do you carry a sabre as if you are an officer of the military?” Elizabeth asked. She had seen Mr. Wickham’s as well as Colonel Forster’s weapons, but Mr. Darcy’s was even more elaborate and the handle appeared to be of the highest quality metal.
Mr. Darcy did not speak for a moment but soon responded, “I like to observe what the officers do and sometimes take time to make their patrols with them or attend their training to see how they are done. My older cousin is a colonel in the army and I had always been envious that he could dedicate his life to King and Country to serve during time of war. I believe everyone should be assisting in the effort and it had been a childhood fantasy to become a great general, but you know I am no general.” He smiled softly and looked up. “I will protect you, I promise.”
Elizabeth laughed, “You have been very gallant today so I will not tease you of the fact that you seem like a young boy who wishes to follow their older brothers or cousins to be like them when they grow up. It is too bad that you are a gentleman with a large estate with too many letters to write. I know Miss Bingley is not the only one who is glad that lot falls on you.” They laughed again, recalling Caroline Bingley’s ridiculous conversation at Netherfield while Jane had been ill. Elizabeth remembered Wickham’s question about Georgiana and decided to bring it up before he asked about it.