by Jane Grix
Mr. Gardiner said cheerfully. “Don’t apologize. Every family has at least one.”
As his guests donned their coats and hats, Lady Catherine shouted, “Mr. Darcy is engaged to my daughter. What do you have to say about that?”
Darcy flinched.
“Are you engaged?” Elizabeth inquired quietly.
“No, I am not,” he said firmly. “And now, I must say good night.” There was so much he wanted to tell her, but now was not the time.
Elizabeth looked at him as if trying to read his mind. “Good night, Mr. Darcy.”
He hoped that her ‘Good night’ would not prove to be a ‘Good riddance.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
Darcy waited until all his guests had left before confronting his aunt. “Aunt Catherine,” he said carefully once they were alone. “If you wished to prevent me from marrying Elizabeth Bennet, you have gone about it in the wrong manner. What were you thinking to accost my guests?”
“Your guests? Bah, I do not care about your guests. What about my daughter Anne? You are engaged to her.”
Darcy sighed wearily. How many times must he have this conversation? “We are not engaged. I have told you this several times.”
“But it was the express wish of your mother. We planned it when you and Anne were in your cradles.”
“I am sorry to distress you, but even if my mother had expressed such a wish, it has no bearing on my behaviour now. Anne and I are both adults, free to choose whom we will marry.”
“But there is no one better for you than Anne,” she persisted. “I was horrified when I read a letter from my brother mentioning you and this Miss Bennet. Who is she?”
“She is a gentleman’s daughter. She lives in Hertfordshire and is currently visiting her aunt and uncle.”
“Who live in Gracechurch Street.”
“Yes.”
“Common sense should tell you that she is not for you, so you must be mad.”
Darcy smiled. He said, “Some people consider love to be a sort of madness, and I suppose it is.”
“Love? You intend to marry for love? What nonsense. Marriage should be based on fortune and connections. Your bloodlines –”
He interrupted. “I am not a race horse.”
“No, but the principles are the same. Your mother was the daughter of an earl. Your father’s family is of proud and ancient lineage as well, although untitled. You deserve better than a woman of inferior birth with no importance in the world.”
“I disagree.”
“Honour, decorum, and prudence forbid such a disgraceful match. Your friends and family will despise her. No one will accept her. No one will invite her anywhere.”
Darcy said, “No one who does so deserves my affiliation or respect.”
Lady Catherine said, “And if you marry her, I will never speak to you again!”
“Never?” Darcy repeated. “That would be a shame, but if that is your choice, perhaps you would prefer to begin now.”
Lady Catherine sputtered. “I am not finished!”
Darcy had thought not. Lady Catherine was a woman who spoke her mind.
His aunt eyed him with distaste. “And you are decidedly dishevelled tonight. You need to sack your valet.”
Darcy ran his hand through his hair. “Oh. If I am not perfectly tidy it is because I stood on my head tonight.”
Lady Catherine looked at him with alarm. “Perhaps you are mad.”
Darcy said, “Actually, I am thinking clearly for the first time. I have spent too many years trying to please others instead of myself.”
“I never thought you could be so headstrong. Are you determined to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
“Yes, if she’ll have me.”
She made a rude noise. “Oh, she’ll have you. I have no doubt she is a grasping, selfish girl.”
“You have said quite enough, ma’am.” Darcy stood and motioned to the door. “You may stay at Darcy House as long as you speak of Miss Bennet with respect. Otherwise, I must ask you to leave.”
“You would throw me out of your house? Your mother would be rolling over in her grave to hear you.”
Darcy took a deep breath to calm himself. He said, “If you do not wish to stay, I will gladly send for your carriage to take you to the Earl’s home.”
Lady Catherine bristled. “I would never be so rude as to arrive this late at night.”
Darcy bowed. “Very well. I will have Prewitt prepare your room and a meal, if you desire it. Good night, ma’am.”
IN THE MORNING, THE Gardiner residence was busy with packing and arranging transportation to Hertfordshire. Mr. Gardiner did not want to leave his business for long but decided he would go for one day to speak with Mr. Bennet. “For,” as he said, “I am certain your father would appreciate my thoughts on both your young men.”
Jane could not stop smiling. “I have never been so happy,” she said when she and Elizabeth were packing in private. “I feel as if my heart will burst with joy. To think that I will be giving so much pleasure to our parents.”
“Along with some pleasure to Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth said dryly. She carefully folded dresses that were stuffed with paper so as not to wrinkle and placed them in a trunk.
“Yes. He seemed quite happy as well.”
“I’ve never seen a man so pleased,” Elizabeth agreed. His sisters had not been pleased, but at least they had the manners to say what was polite. Jane Bennet would be their sister-in-law whether they liked it or not.
Jane said, “And Mr. Darcy. He wanted to kiss you! Surely he will be proposing, too.”
“Actually, he has proposed already,” Elizabeth said. “Or almost so. We briefly discussed the possibilities last night.”
Jane hugged her. “Oh, my dearest sister. I could not ask for anything more. How wonderful if we are married to best friends.”
“Not yet,” Elizabeth said. “I have not given my consent.”
Jane stepped back, a frown on her brow. “Why not? It is clear that the man loves you.”
Was that all it took for Jane to fall in love – for a gentleman to love her? Elizabeth was not so easily won. She said only, “Time will tell. At present, I am still concerned about his treatment of Wickham.”
Jane said, “Bingley assured me that Darcy was without blame in the matter.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Bingley is a good friend. I do not doubt his sincerity. But I must decide for myself.”
Elizabeth had seen too many unhappy marriages to jump into matrimony without considering all the ramifications.
Jane nodded. “That is right. But I do want you to be as happy as I am.”
“Thank you.”
Before they left Gracechurch street, Elizabeth received a letter from Miss Darcy. She did not want to draw attention to it, so she left it in her reticule for the five-hour journey. Once they were back at Longbourn, her mother and father were astonished to see them, and equally astonished by Jane’s news.
Elizabeth had asked her aunt and uncle not to mention Mr. Darcy to her parents. “For we are not engaged, and I do not want to raise my mother’s expectations.”
“Say no more,” Mr. Gardiner had said. “I understand completely. I will keep your secrets.”
“Besides, there are no guarantees,” Mrs. Gardiner reminded her husband. “For all we know, Mr. Darcy will decide to marry his cousin Miss de Bourgh as his aunt wishes.”
Elizabeth thought that unlikely, but she could not dismiss the possibility.
She took the opportunity to find a quiet room and finally read Miss Darcy’s letter:
Dear Miss Bennet:
As much as I am happy for Mr. Bingley and your sister, I am sorry that you are leaving London today. I appreciate your friendship very much and I hope one day that I will be able to call you sister.
Please do not be alarmed that my brother Fitzwilliam mentioned his conversation with you. He only did so because he wanted me to write to you and outline my dealings with Mr. Wickham.
As you know, George Wickham is a handsome, charming man, but he is not to be trusted.
I will explain.
George Wickham is the son of my father’s steward, who was a respectable man. Wickham was my father’s godson, as well, and I knew Wickham when I was child for he lived at Pemberley. He spent more time with my brother, for they are of a similar age, but he did spend many hours for my entertainment. I considered him a friend, almost like an older brother. I saw less of him when he was at school and at Cambridge. Then after my father’s death five years ago, I did not see him at all, and I did not know why, although I sensed from some conversations with my brother, that he and my brother were estranged. All Fitzwilliam would say about him was “Wickham is not the man you thought he was.” Later, I learned the truth of the matter.
But first, my story, which I know you will keep confidential. Last summer, I went to Ramsgate with one of my teachers, a Mrs. Younge. While I was there, I met Wickham again. I was so pleased to see him. As we spent time together, he told me he loved me and I, not knowing the ways of the world, believed I was falling in love with him. The next part of my tale embarrasses me, but I must confess it. He convinced me that we should elope. He said that Fitzwilliam would not give his permission, so eloping was our only road to happiness.
I should have known better, but in my youth and inexperience, I did agree. In my defence, I was only fifteen years old, but I should have known better.
By chance, my brother came to visit a day or two before our planned elopement, and I told him everything. I thought that once Fitzwilliam saw how happy Wickham and I were, that he would give his permission for us to marry, but he did not.
Instead he told me all about Wickham.
My father had always liked Wickham, but he did not know his entire character. Fitzwilliam who knew him better, knew that he was profligate and immoral. At university, Wickham ran up gambling debts, drank to excess, and seduced numerous women. Fitzwilliam explained that although our father had wanted Wickham to be a clergyman and had offered him a living in his will, Wickham did not want to take orders and had accepted three thousand pounds in exchange for the promised living. Later, when the position became available, Wickham asked for it again because he was in bad straights, having spent all of the money he had received earlier.
My brother said that Wickham wanted to marry me for my dowry, and in hindsight, I see that was true.
My brother also told me that Wickham had conspired with Mrs. Younge, who had previously been his courtesan, to meet me. That made sense, because Mrs. Younge encouraged our romance and often told me what a fortunate girl I was to have such a handsome, charming suitor. And yet, sometimes she seemed jealous of his attentions.
As soon as Fitzwilliam arrived, Wickham fled Ramsgate without a word to me.
Fitzwilliam dismissed Mrs. Younge and hired a new companion, Mrs. Annesley, whom you have met.
I was humiliated and heartbroken at first, but now I thank God that I was not ruined.
Marrying Wickham would have brought me a life of sorrow and regret.
I do not know all that Wickham has said against my brother, but I hope you will believe what I am telling you. My brother is one of the kindest men, and George Wickham is a villain.
If you need further confirmation, Colonel Fitzwilliam can attest to the truth of all these matters for he is my legal guardian along with my brother.
I shall write again when you are at Longbourn. I hope your journey is a safe one.
Your friend,
Georgiana Darcy
Elizabeth read the letter quickly first, astonished by Miss Darcy’s tale. Then she read it a second time more carefully.
Could this be true? Could Wickham be a villain? Surely Miss Darcy would not lie about such matters.
And that living – if Darcy had already paid Wickham, he had no reason to complain. She thought back on Wickham’s assertions. He had boasted that he had no fear of Darcy, but he had chosen not to attend the ball at Netherfield. And he had waited until Darcy had left Meryton before telling everyone his sad tale.
And as for his engagement to Miss King, his motives now seemed suspect. He had not liked Miss King at all before she inherited her a fortune.
What did she know of Wickham’s character anyway, other than what she had heard from his own mouth?
At least Darcy had several people to speak for him – Bingley, Miss Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. All of them would vouch for him.
Elizabeth was embarrassed to realize that she had believed Wickham because he flattered her, and she had judged Darcy harshly because he did not want to dance with her.
It was a lesson for her to reserve judgment in the future.
CHAPTER NINE
Bingley spoke to Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bennet gave his permission, and Mrs. Bennet had the supreme pleasure of giving the news of Jane’s engagement to all their neighbours. There was no reason for the young couple to wait, so the banns were read the next Sunday and the wedding date was set.
Mr. Gardiner returned to London and Mrs. Gardiner stayed to help with the wedding preparations. Elizabeth and Mary often watched the Gardiner children, keeping them entertained. Kitty and Lydia, left without any supervision, flitted about, laughing, teasing, and flirting with the officers, for there were many neighbourhood social events as the wedding approached.
Elizabeth saw Wickham again on several occasions, but she did not speak to him directly. He was handsome in his red coat and as charming as he had been before, but now that she knew him better, his charm seemed practised and insincere.
One evening at her Aunt Philips’ house, he approached her when she was near the punch bowl. “Miss Elizabeth,” he said. “It is good to see you again.”
She bowed her head briefly in acknowledgement. “Mr. Wickham.”
“I understand your sister is engaged to Mr. Bingley.”
“She is.” Elizabeth looked across the room to where Bingley and Jane sat next to each other, talking.
“I wish her every happiness,” Wickham said.
“Thank you. I think she will be happy for Mr. Bingley is an honourable man.” Unlike you, she thought.
Wickham smiled wryly. “And a prosperous one.”
Elizabeth thought his comment was unfair, especially considering the fact that he was engaged to a wealthy young woman. She looked him in the eye and said, “Money can sweeten the pot, I suppose.”
He did look a little displeased by her comment but then changed the subject. “Did you enjoy your visit to London?”
“I did. I spent a great deal of time with Mr. Bingley and his sisters as well as Mr. Darcy, his sister, and his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. Are you acquainted with the Colonel?”
Wickham looked startled, concerned, but said that yes, he knew him. “He is a very gentlemanlike man.”
“Yes.” And he knows all about your near elopement with Miss Darcy.
“How did you like him?”
“I liked him very well.”
Wickham said, “His manners are very different from his cousin’s.”
“At first, perhaps. But I think Mr. Darcy improves on acquaintance.”
“Indeed!” said Wickham with alarm, then caught himself and moderated his expression. He said lightly. “And how is that? Has he improved in address or civility? I dare not hope he is improved in essentials.”
“Oh, no,” Elizabeth said. “In essentials, I believe he is very much what he ever was. It is only that in knowing him better, I now appreciate him more.”
Wickham swallowed. “And how did you find Miss Darcy?”
“I thought she was an amiable young woman,” Elizabeth said. “Shy rather than proud. And in a few weeks’ time, we became close friends.”
His eyes narrowed as if wondering what Miss Darcy might have told her. He said only, “How nice.”
Elizabeth enjoyed seeing him squirm. She sipped her punch and then said, “I look forward to seeing her soon. She and Mr. Darcy will be here for th
e wedding, of course.”
“Do you know when they will arrive?” Wickham asked nervously.
Elizabeth said, “I expect to see them any day now.”
Wickham’s face grew pale, but he smiled and changed the subject again. “Are you going to play cards?”
“No, I think not.”
Wickham excused himself and walked over to a table where his fiancé Miss King was playing cards.
Elizabeth watched him go, having no desire to see him again.
Three days later, Elizabeth was surprised to hear from Lydia over breakfast that Wickham and Miss King had eloped to Scotland. “I think that is so romantic!” Lydia said.
Mr. Bennet looked up from buttering his toast and said, “It is not romantic in the least. I hope none of your girls would be so foolish.”
Elizabeth felt a moment’s guilt that she had not told Miss King about Wickham. She and Miss King were not close friends, but should she have warned her?
On the other hand, Miss Darcy had not given her permission to share her story.
Mary asked, “Why would they elope when they were already engaged?”
Lydia said, “Mr. Denny says that Miss King’s uncle did not approve of Wickham’s debts.”
Mr. Bennet said, “Very wise of him. Do not marry a man unless he can support you.”
“Like Mr. Bingley,” Mrs. Bennet said happily. “I wish each of you could find a man half as excellent as he is. And it shouldn’t be too difficult to follow your sister’s example. Her marrying Bingley will throw you in the way of other rich men.”
Kitty said, “Like his tall friend?”
Lydia said, “Mr. Darcy? I didn’t like him at all.”
Mary said, “He is very rich, though.”
“And handsome, I think,” Mrs. Gardiner said. She looked pointedly at Elizabeth who did not respond.
Elizabeth pushed the eggs on her plate with her fork.
Jane spoke. “We saw Mr. Darcy and his sister Miss Darcy quite a bit in London. They invited us to dinner and to the theatre.”