by Jennifer Joy
He shrunk before the officer with a look of fear in his face that Elizabeth could see even from across the street and through a window. The officer, whoever he was, knew Mr. Dixon. And Mr. Dixon knew him. The words the two men exchanged were few, but the effect they had on the fieldworker was great. Even after the officer left, he stood motionless for some seconds before shaking himself off and continuing about his day in a greater hurry than he had before.
Impulse took over and Elizabeth stood. "I will return shortly," she said as she dashed out the door and crossed the street in pursuit of Mr. Dixon. She knew she should not meddle, but her nature often led her to act before thinking things through thoroughly and something told her that her old friend, Mr. Dixon, was in some sort of trouble.
She stretched her legs to lengthen her gait and walked with a purpose so that it did not take long before she had caught up with him.
"Mr. Dixon," she called when she was close enough for him to hear.
He turned and smiled when he saw who had addressed him from the street. "Miss Elizabeth. Pleasure seeing you here today."
"Please forgive me for intruding, but I was at the milliner’s shop and saw you speaking with an officer across the street. He did not seem very friendly and…" And what? The ridiculousness of her offering help when she did not even know if it was needed or proper to give caught up with her.
“Always looking to help out a friend, are you, miss? I appreciate it, but you had best keep your distance from that man. I would not involve you.”
“Might I ask his name?” She was sure she would recognize the officer anywhere, but she wanted to warn her sisters if Mr. Dixon felt that he was not good company. And she was curious.
He shuffled his feet and looked at the ground. "Aye, his name is Mr. Wickham."
"It appeared to me that you are acquainted with him, but his manners were anything but welcoming. How do you know Mr. Wickham?" She had to try to get more information.
"All I will say is that I wish I did not know him."
Everything in Danny Dixon's manner was closed off, and Elizabeth knew she would get no further information from him. Unwilling to admit defeat so easily, she asked, "Why?"
"I cannot say, Miss Elizabeth. However, I will advise you and your friends to keep your distance from Mr. Wickham. That is all. Now, if you will excuse me, I must be on my way."
He hurried away before she could ask anything else. Why did Danny not only warn her, but he warned her friends to keep their distance? Of which friends did he refer? Her friends at Netherfield Park were the first to come to mind. With a sigh, Elizabeth turned back and returned to her sisters in the milliner’s shop.
Jane glanced up, a question on her face.
Elizabeth only shrugged her shoulders. She had unanswered questions too.
Mr. Dixon knew more than he would say, but something scared him. Whether or not it had anything to do with the Darcys and Bingleys, she did not know.
What she did know was that she did not like Mr. Wickham, and she determined to keep her distance. Judging solely from appearances, he was the sort of man who usually got what he wanted. No doubt, he was exceptionally charming. His type always was. But she had seen the look he had given Mr. Dixon. Mr. Wickham was a bully.
After an hour or so, Darcy and Bingley retrieved their horses from the stable, ready to turn back to Netherfield Park.
That was when Darcy saw Wickham. He was laughing with a couple of other officers. His back was to the stable.
Darcy had brought Georgiana to the very place Wickham was assigned to stay for the winter. He hoped to leave unnoticed so he might gather his thoughts and decide how best to proceed. They might need to leave Hertfordshire early. Disappointment enveloped him. He did not want to leave yet, but how else could he protect Georgiana?
“Yoo hoo, Mr. Bingley! Mr. Darcy!” said the shrill voice of Mrs. Bennet. She waved her white handkerchief in the air, doing her best to draw attention to herself and the gentlemen she called. Her two youngest daughters were with her, bouncing and giggling at her side.
Bingley, the good sport he was, walked over to converse for a moment. Darcy looked over to where Wickham stood as he walked over to join Bingley. Cold chills ran up his back and stood the hair of his arms on end at the sneer on Wickham’s face.
The conversation with the Bennet ladies was very short and consisted mostly of reminders about the ball Bingley had promised to have in his home. Darcy felt Wickham’s eyes boring into the back of his head. He refused to give Wickham the satisfaction of turning around. Instead, he controlled his demeanor, pretending as if he could not care less.
When it was time to leave, Darcy looked steadily at the man until his smirk went away. Darcy would play no games where his sister was concerned, and he needed to make this clear to Wickham.
Darcy considered warning Bingley about Wickham, but how could he do so without giving away any details? Georgiana’s reputation must not be put into question and any mention of Ramsgate must be avoided. He decided to guard his silence. Bingley knew enough about Wickham’s habits to prevent him from pursuing a friendship with him.
On arriving to the house, Darcy sought out Georgiana. The unsettled feeling he got from Wickham’s look had not faded in intensity since they had left the village. There had been something menacing in his eyes.
He found her in the library scribbling in her journal, a novel nearby. She paused writing and looked up.
“How was your ride into Meryton?” She had decided not to go into the village with everyone else. The sight of too many militiamen would only bring back painful memories. Darcy had thought her choice wise and now, he was grateful she had stayed behind.
“I saw him, Georgie. He gave me such a look which puts me on edge. He means us ill will, and the more I think on it, the more I am convinced we should take our leave.”
She tapped her pencil against the paper and stared off into a corner of the room.
When she came to, her chin was set and her gaze steady. “I want to stay. I cannot spend my life running away from him. I think that if I did, he would see it as a weakness and would use it against me. I refuse to live like that.”
Her answer took Darcy by surprise. It sounded like something Miss Elizabeth would say. “Your opinion of him has changed considerably.”
“It is not of my own doing, though I wish I could take the credit. There is still a small part of my heart which would defend him and his actions, but it is shrinking every passing day.”
“Are you certain, Georgie?” He ran a hand through his hair and rested it on his tense neck.
“Let me make this one choice. Let me decide. If he tries anything, I will find a way to deal with it. At least here we are not alone. We have friends. Please, William, let us stay. I am stronger now, and it would look much worse if we ran away.”
“You sound like Miss Elizabeth. You have not told her about Ramsgate, have you?”
“No. I have only entrusted this diary with my secrets. Do you really think I sound like her?” She sat taller.
Darcy was still concerned about the diary. “Guard it carefully, Georgiana. If someone were to read it, the consequences would be disastrous.”
“Of course. It is not let out of my sight, and I have been especially careful since we arrived to Netherfield Park.”
“Good. And yes, I do think some of Miss Elizabeth’s determined spirit has rubbed off on you. I hate to say it, but I am almost glad Miss Bennet fell sick here. Otherwise, you should not have had opportunity to enjoy their company as you did.” He thought of the conniving Mrs. Bennet in a new light now.
Georgiana laughed. “I should like to call on them soon— if you will accompany me.”
“I am certain they would rather Bingley grace their threshold than me.”
The sparkle in Georgiana’s eyes dulled.
“But, as a dutiful brother I will go.”
She considered his comment for a moment before replying, “I would not assume such a thing if I
were you.”
“I daresay Miss Bennet thinks everybody agreeable, but a good deal of my time spent with Miss Elizabeth was in quarrels. I hardly think she would welcome my presence in her home.”
The glint in Georgiana’s eyes returned. “I wonder why people quarrel. Could it be because they care?” She tapped her chin, studying him for a reaction.
“I fear I do not understand your meaning.” The conversation got more uncomfortable by the second.
“Wickham and I never quarreled. In my hours of pondering on the subject of true love, I have come to the conclusion that lovers who never quarrel cannot truly love each other. We only get offended or hurt when we care because our words and actions have more of an affect. If a person does not care, it does not bother them.”
Darcy was speechless.
“Am I right?” she insisted.
If he admitted she was right, he would have to admit that his feelings for Miss Elizabeth were warmer than he was ready to allow. If he admitted she was wrong, he would undermine a reasoning that helped her cope with her dying feelings for Wickham. She had backed him into a corner.
“You have given me much to ponder. Let me think on it,” he finally said.
“Very well, Brother. You do that. In the meantime, will you accompany me to the Bennets’ this afternoon?” Her smile was much too calculating for it to be sincere, and Darcy felt like she was up to something.
Chapter 16
Mother received Mr. Bingley with a happy welcome into the Longbourn sitting room. She received the Darcys with more apprehension.
Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised to see Georgiana. She could not say the same of Mr. Darcy. She decided to do her best to ignore his comments and dedicate her conversation to Georgiana. He nettled her so.
Mother ensured everyone was comfortable before creating some excuse for her and her younger daughters to leave the room. Elizabeth knew what she was about. She held high hopes that Mr. Bingley would propose to Jane and Mr. Darcy intimidated her, so she would leave him alone with Elizabeth and Georgiana.
Mr. Bingley and Jane fell into conversation immediately, taking full advantage of the short time a proper call allowed them. Elizabeth settled in a chair on the opposite end of the room, providing them with some privacy.
“How good of you to come visit,” she said to Georgiana.
“Did you go into town this morning? William did not say that he saw you.”
Elizabeth looked at Darcy for the first time since he had entered the room. He had a kindly expression on his face which only made her feel worse for her proud reaction at the post office.
Said Darcy, “That was because our meeting was so brief. I was only able to stand idly by as she helped another in need. It was most generous and gracefully handled under the circumstances. Had I been permitted, I would have done precisely the same thing.”
“You, Mr. Darcy, would hardly be put in such a circumstance in the first place. Still, I thank you for the compliment. I know it was given in kindness.”
Georgiana looked between the two. “What happened? I do not understand a word you are saying.”
Darcy chuckled and Elizabeth tried to think of how to present the events of the morning in such a way as not to bring more shame on her family.
“Miss Elizabeth saved a respectable young lady’s reputation by covering a debt which had been made in her name. The young lady, of course, suspected nothing of these events, nor do I imagine she knows of them at present.”
Elizabeth had not told Jane. It would have embarrassed her too greatly.
“How fortunate for the young lady to have you as her friend, Elizabeth. It takes so little to soil a lady’s reputation, I am sure she would be most grateful if she knew. I know I would be,” Georgiana said.
“I did nothing I would not have done for any friend of mine. It was nothing. You would have done the same.” That was as close to an apology as she could get without revealing the identity of the friend she had helped.
The look Mr. Darcy gave her assured her that he thought no less of her. They could still be friends.
Elizabeth’s friendship with the Darcys recalled the events of the morning to mind. “Oh, that reminds me… all this talk of friends. I chanced upon the strangest interchange while in Meryton and I somehow think you are involved, though I do not understand how.” She described the exchange between the handsome officer and Danny Dixon.
“When I questioned Mr. Dixon about it, he warned me. He said that I should keep away from this gentleman and that my friends should stay away as well. You are my most recent new acquaintances, so naturally, I thought of you first. Do you know what he could have meant?”
Georgiana’s eyes grew large. “What was the name of the officer?”
“It was a Mr. Wickham. Do you know him?”
Mr. Darcy jumped in with an explanation. “He grew up on Pemberley grounds. His father was our steward. Unfortunately, he has chosen a path which prevents us from remaining close friends as we had once been. You should heed Mr. Dixon’s advice— as will we.” Mr. Darcy spoke quickly and firmly. Georgiana had closed her eyes while he spoke.
Taking a deep breath and opening her eyes, Georgiana said, “Thank you for sharing this with us. Who is this Mr. Dixon? Is he from Derbyshire?”
Elizabeth had promised Danny she would not tell anyone her suspicions of his origins. “I am not sure. However, if Mr. Wickham has been in the militia for any time, he may have met him somewhere else, as they do move about a lot.” Doubtful, but slightly possible. Elizabeth was more convinced than ever that Danny haled from Derbyshire. Maybe even very near Mr. Darcy’s estate in Pemberley.
Elizabeth sensed Georgiana’s unease at the mention of Mr. Wickham again, so she changed the subject. “Speaking of travel, my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner often talk about taking me with them to tour the Lake District. Aunt spent a good part of her youth in Lambton as well and wishes to visit her childhood friends. What do you suggest we see while there?”
“When are you hoping to go? Lambton is so close to our home, you must come by for a visit. Imagine that, William, perhaps Elizabeth’s aunt knew Mother and Father.” Georgiana, who had been subdued, brightened as she talked about her family home.
Mr. Darcy did not object to the invitation and Elizabeth took heart that her presence would not be unwelcome at Pemberley. This knowledge brightened her day considerably.
A quarter hour quickly passed and with Mr. Bingley and the Darcys’ departure came the arrival of Aunt Phillips. Elizabeth watched their carriages meet and pass each other within view of the front door.
Aunt Phillips hurried inside seeking Elizabeth.
“Oh, my dear Lizzy, I simply must unburden my mind now that I have remembered. It has been bothering me, and it will continue to do so until it is told.”
Elizabeth had no idea what she meant, so held her tongue until Aunt explained.
“I finally remembered the name of the steward. It was Wickham. There was a son, and he was quite the hero in the whole thing. It was he who found the murderer, or murderess, I should say. It was a woman. But, I already told you about that.” She fluttered her hands in the air, gathering her thoughts. “Before the woman’s trial, it was learned that one of her children had gone missing. Her being of little importance, not much was done about it. But young Mr. Wickham, who must only have been fifteen years at the time, searched for the child until all efforts to recover him were called off. Such heroic behavior and maturity for one so young…”
“The child was never found?”
“No. Once the family was sent away, there really was no use continuing the pursuit. The only reason I even remembered the child was because your mother was convinced he or she, being the offspring of a murderess, would travel all the way to Hertfordshire to murder us in our beds. Her fit of nerves lasted almost a week. Oh, I feel much better. Now, I have some bits of news for your mother.” She looked around her for the listeners she sought.
Mother and the girls had f
ound their way downstairs and received Aunt properly in the sitting room where a good amount of gossip was exchanged in by both parties. With the militia in the village, there was more news to share than usual.
Elizabeth was grateful for the incessant conversation. It gave her time to think, and it did not take her long to draw conclusions. Could Danny Dixon be the missing child? But, why would he run away? And what did Mr. Wickham have to do with it?
All of the occupants of the carriage returning to Netherfield Park were merry. Georgiana was the first to speak. “Oh, William, how lovely to have Miss Elizabeth for a visit at Pemberley! I wonder what her aunt and uncle are like. She spoke highly of them. You do not perhaps know them, do you, Mr. Bingley?”
To Georgiana, everyone in trade must know each other. She had so few acquaintances from the working class, she did not know how large that population was.
“No, though I vaguely recall hearing of Mr. Gardiner. He is spoken of well. I am tempted to present my card next time I am in London.”
Darcy did not think a card would be necessary if he went with Miss Bennet as his wife. Georgiana apparently though the same. She looked at Bingley with a crooked grin. When her eyes met with Darcy’s, she shrugged her shoulders. Bingley had no idea why they started laughing, but he joined them all the same.
They carried their happy mood back to Netherfield Park where they find an agitated Miss Bingley pacing in the entry hall.
“Charles, where have you been? There is something of great importance I wish to discuss with you. It is quite urgent and will prove to be a special treat for our friends.” She stretched her lips over her teeth into what must have been a smile, but it looked like it pained her to effect and Darcy wished she would stop looking at him like that.