by Linda Wells
Wickham smiled. “Excellent, sir. I believe you will soon have your Miss Elizabeth in your arms.”
John smiled at the thought and he stood along with Wickham, shaking his hand. He took his leave and strode out of the inn with purpose. He felt that he was a knight going to save his lady, and not once considered that he was now the victim of a master of manipulation.
Yes! Wickham chortled to himself as he watched John approach a group of men. The fool believed it all! He is dying to tell the world, and will soon speak to her parents. Now, I believe that I should go dress for tea. Wickham stopped by his rooms to check over his uniform, then meeting Denny and some other officers, made his way to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Philips, and hoped he would meet Miss Elizabeth.
DARCY WAS AFFORDED no private moment with Elizabeth to tell her of his discovery, but did manage to whisper a request to walk with her the next morning before church, if the weather was fine. He relaxed, thinking that she was to stay home and rest, and with Mr. Bennet’s assurance that Wickham would not be allowed entry; he would not have to worry about her meeting him before they spoke. A kiss on her hand was all that he was allowed, and with sadness the two parted. He returned to Netherfield with Bingley to hold the long-delayed conversation with Georgiana. Elizabeth found herself thrown back into her mother’s frenzied wedding plans.
Almost as soon as the gentlemen left; Mrs. Bennet demanded Elizabeth’s attention. “Lizzy! Oh there is much to be done! We have lost precious time while you were lounging around Netherfield!”
Elizabeth’s eyes rolled to the ceiling. “Mama, I was hardly lounging, I was ill!”
“Yes, but I could not make calls with you when you were there!” Mrs. Bennet was itching to parade Elizabeth around the neighbourhood.
“But Mama, Mr. Darcy was very pleased to have my company, do you not think it has helped to cement our engagement?”
Mrs. Bennet paused and turned to take in her now favourite daughter. “Oh, what a clever girl you are Lizzy!” She beamed and clutched her hand. “Yes, yes you were so wise to take advantage of your location. Why, I never thought of it!” She turned to Jane. “You should thank your sister for arranging her illness so conveniently Jane! Mr. Bingley was certainly paying close attention to you today; you must have pleased him very much during your time there! Very good indeed, girls!” Elizabeth and Jane exchanged exasperated glances.
It would do no good to argue with her. “Yes Mama, I am sure that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were pleased.”
Mrs. Bennet bustled about. “Now, we are going to my sister Philip’s for tea. She has invited a number of people there to announce your engagement, and while we are in the village we will begin selecting fabrics for your trousseau. I know that you must go to London for most of your things, but we can begin ordering your morning dresses here, they are not so important.” She was almost talking to herself.
“Mama, please, must we do this today? I am still rather tired …”
Mrs. Bennet snapped around. “You looked fine when you were batting your eyes at Mr. Darcy just now. You are quite capable of going to tea.” She looked her over and did see signs of fatigue. “Very well, we will postpone the trip to the dressmaker until Monday, but that is all!”
Elizabeth and Jane went upstairs to change and Jane followed Elizabeth into her room. The trunk from Netherfield lay on the bed, untouched as yet. Elizabeth heard Susie coming down the hall and quickly closed the door. Jane watched her with curiosity as she opened the trunk and drew out a folded white cloth, and placed it in her closet.
Before she could ask, Susie knocked. “Miss Elizabeth? I came to collect your things for washing.” Elizabeth stood by the open trunk and handed her the soiled items.
“Susie, I was speaking with Mr. Darcy, and he said that his messenger Danny has been calling on you.”
Susie blushed deep red. “We don’t do anything improper, Miss!”
Elizabeth smiled. “I did not mean to suggest that you did. I only ask because I thought that I might ask my father if you could come with me to Pemberley as my abigail when I marry. Would you like that?”
“Go to Pemberley?” Susie’s face lit up. “Do you mean we could … oh yes! Yes, Miss Elizabeth!”
“Very well, I will speak to my father. I know that my mother and sisters will be disappointed to lose you, but I do hope to have a familiar face with me there, it will be intimidating enough to face my new position on my own.”
Susie lifted her chin. “Well Miss, I will be proud to be your lady’s maid.” She gathered up her laundry and bobbing, exited the room, barely containing her excitement.
“So, you steal our maid and arrange a romance at the same time.” Jane smiled at Elizabeth who grinned.
“I am sorry, but Danny is such a sweet boy, and after William and I marry, he would likely come here but rarely. I could not bear to see them parted.”
“You are an incurable romantic, Lizzy.” Jane walked over to the closet and opened the door. “Now, what exactly did you hide away in here?”
Elizabeth closed the door and looked her in the eye. “Nothing.”
“Lizzy, it looked like a night dress. Why would you hide that?” Jane watched as a blush crept up Elizabeth’s face. “It is not a night dress.”
Jane crossed her arms in front of her chest and stared. “Well?”
“Oh Jane, please, let me have a little secret!”
It is not a nightdress … She gasped. “Lizzy! Is that Mr. Darcy’s night shirt?” She whispered urgently, her eyes darting back to the closet.
Elizabeth bit her lip and closed her eyes, then nodded. She opened them slowly and saw Jane’s gaping mouth. “I told you not to ask.” She took her sister’s hands. “William and I slept together, but I promise, you have nothing to fear.”
Jane searched her face. “But why …”
Elizabeth smiled. “It carries his scent. Someday you will understand … with Mr. Bingley, perhaps?” It was Jane’s turn to blush.
Mrs. Bennet opened the door. “Girls! You must dress, we leave in an hour!”
She disappeared and Elizabeth grinned. “We will talk all about Mr. Bingley tonight. I think it is time for you to be embarrassed for a while!”
“YOU WISHED TO see me, Brother?” Georgiana asked softly.
Darcy stood and smiled. “Yes, come in, dear.” He walked from around the desk in Netherfield’s library and took her hand. “I thought that we could do with a talk.” He settled her on a sofa and went to close the door. Richard was in the hallway and looked at him with raised brows. Darcy signalled him to mind his business and made sure he turned the key. Trying to remember all of the ways that Elizabeth drew him out, he put a smile on his lips and took a seat next to his sister.
“I wished to speak with you today because I am afraid that you are concerned with my rather unhappy behaviour of late, and that it might be because of something you did?” He tilted his head, trying to see her eyes which were cast down at her nervously twisting hands. As it was clear that she would not speak, he made himself continue. “For example, the morning that I received that letter and shut myself away in here, I apologize for acting so poorly. You see, it was news concerning Aunt Catherine, and you can imagine that any word from Rosings would not be received with delight by me.”
“Does she demand something of you?” She whispered.
“Actually she demanded something of both of us.” Georgiana finally looked up into his concerned eyes. “She wished to acquire a husband for you, in the hopes that I would then marry Anne.”
Georgiana stared in shock. “She … she wished to send me away with some man I had never met?”
Darcy nodded, and seeing the tears begin to form; he instinctively took her hand. “That is why I was angry dear; it was because of her presumption and, well because Richard and his parents acted to stop the scheme without telling me first. I felt that I was deemed too weak to care for you. Elizabeth pointed out that I was acting petulantly.” He smiled. “She did so in a
very kind way, but behaving as a child, I certainly was.” Seeing that she was still crying, he pulled her to him in a slight embrace. That unusual act stopped her tears instantly, and she held him tightly. Darcy increased his hold.
“I will not have to marry…”
“No dear, you will marry when you wish, and whomever you wish.”
“You mean whoever will have me.” She sobbed. “Nobody will ever want me now!”
Darcy’s eyes filled with pain, hearing her hopeless voice. “You do not know that. Besides, you are too young to worry about such things. Give this time. You are a very good girl, and with Elizabeth’s help you will have a wonderful life. All that matters is you finding happiness.” He pulled back and lifted her chin. “I promise.”
“I wish that I could believe that.” She sat up and wiped her eyes. “I do feel a little better, but I am so afraid of behaving wrong.”
“Yes, Elizabeth said that your shyness has been remarked upon. She would like to spend this month helping you to overcome it in company.” He squeezed her hand. “Perhaps you might even be brave enough to play a duet with her at Longbourn or here at Netherfield one evening.” Her eyes grew wide at the prospect, and he spoke hurriedly. “Or not, it is not necessary.” He smiled a little, and was relieved to see her relax.
“William, you explained why the letter upset you, but why were you unhappy last night? You looked at me so sadly.”
Darcy sighed and stood up. “Last night a man approached me, making accusations that I have heard many times before … the story that I cheated George Wickham of the bequest by our father.” Georgiana gasped at the name. Darcy pressed on. “I spoke to Mr. Bennet this morning about it, so that he would know the rumours were false in case they found their way to his ears, and in the process …” He turned and knelt in front of her. “I learned that Wickham may be here in Meryton, serving with the militia.”
“Oh, no!” Georgiana began sobbing in earnest. Darcy was at a loss, he reached for her, but was not sure if he should embrace her or take her hands. The sound of knocking and the door handle rattling drew his attention and he heard Richard’s voice calling. He helplessly looked at his sister and jumped up to open the door. Richard entered and looked to Georgiana, then Darcy. “I told her that I believe Wickham is here with the militia.” Darcy closed the door and glanced at her then at Richard.
His eyes were wide with the news, but he hurried over to Georgiana’s side. “There, there, sweetest. He will not get to you here. You are quite safe from him.” He patted her hand, and Darcy sat on her other side, vaguely rubbing her back. The men looked at each other with the same lost expression. Finally Darcy drew a breath and wrapped her up in an embrace. Georgiana quieted, and Darcy closed his eyes in relief.
“Are you better?” He asked tentatively. She nodded. “You will not have to see him. Mr. Bennet assures me that Wickham will not be welcome in his home.”
Richard chimed in. “Yes, and I met the militia’s colonel today. He tells me that the men spend their days training, so it will be quite safe to visit town during the day, and I sincerely doubt that he would ever appear in church, so there is nothing to worry over.” He raised his brows and smiled.
“I do not wish to be the cause of any problems for you and Elizabeth.” Georgiana sniffed and drew back.
Darcy was relieved and attempted a smile. “How could that be? We are publicly engaged, Mr. Bennet has signed the settlement and I have already sent Danny to London with the papers to be kept with our attorney. All that is left to do is take our vows. There is nothing to stand in our way. You, my dear, cannot possibly cause us any worry, not that you ever would.” He kissed her head.
Georgiana looked at Richard then her brother. “I do not know what I would do if I had to hear those people saying things about me again.” She looked down at the handkerchief clutched in her hands.
Worriedly Darcy glanced at Richard then at her bowed head. “Well, I cannot imagine a single reason for Wickham to want to tell the tale of how he attempted to elope with an innocent young girl. It would only bring him shame here and likely lose him his position in the militia. He is obviously in dire straits if he joined with them.” He saw Richard’s confirming nod. “So as we have lived here for a month with no hint of the scandal, I daresay we will be fine for the next four weeks. You have nothing to fear.”
MRS. BENNET DRAGGED Elizabeth in triumph around her Aunt Philip’s sitting room four times before she finally made her escape, and found a chair in a corner to rest. Despite her apparent recovery from the fever, the frenzy of crowing by her mother had left her feeling dizzy and longing to lie down. A voice with a familiar accent caught her ear and she looked up to see an officer standing nearby, smiling and laughing with Lydia. She watched them interact. Lydia was entirely too friendly, and Elizabeth was about to rise and advise her on proper behaviour when the couple turned to her. “Lizzy, you must meet my new friend, Mr. Wickham!” She beamed at him, and then looked up at Kitty calling to her. “Oh bother. Well, I will leave him with you, Lizzy; you are engaged so I do not have to worry about you stealing him away!” She giggled and smiled at him before dashing off across the room.
Wickham watched her go, thinking of when he would make his move, and then looked down at her sister. So this is Darcy’s choice. “Miss Elizabeth? It seems that your sister did not finish introducing us.” He smiled and took a seat next to her. “I understand that you are to be married soon? Congratulations.”
Elizabeth smiled and nodded, but looked at him warily. “Did I hear her correctly, sir? Your name is Wickham?”
Wickham was instantly on alert. Darcy had spoken of him. He affected an easy attitude. “Yes, it is. A common name, I have found.”
Her brow wrinkled. “I can only agree with you, as I have not travelled often beyond Hertfordshire.” She tilted her head. “Where is your family, sir?”
Smiling he relaxed. “My family is from the northern counties.”
“Derbyshire?” She asked, watching carefully.
He did not flinch. “I believe I have some relations there. Why do you ask?” He smiled again, charmingly, he thought.
Elizabeth’s eyes wandered over his face and she affected an equally charming smile. “Why your voice, sir. The accent reminds me of the man I will soon marry. Mr. Darcy is from Derbyshire, and coincidentally knows a family by the name of Wickham.” She raised her brow.
Wickham was suddenly unsure how to respond. He could not decide if she was baiting him or not. “Well, that is a coincidence, indeed!” He leaned forward. “How does he know the family, perhaps I may be related to them?”
“Perhaps, the gentleman he knows was a favourite of his father, and was left a living in his will, which he rejected in favour of a great sum of money.” Her eyes danced, but she was watching him closely. “It seems the man felt that he was not suited for the church.”
He was entranced, even with her challenging his own tale; her impertinent delivery was intriguing him. “Well, how good it was that the man recognized his own abilities in time to allow a more worthy candidate to take the position.”
“Ah yes, what a good man he is, indeed!” Elizabeth laughed. “So tell me Mr. Wickham, what brings you to the militia? Men seem to prefer missing this particular duty.”
Laughing he sat back again, regarding her with delight. “I needed an income, and frankly, joining the regulars and risking Napoleon was simply not in my plans. This will do for a while, until something better comes along.”
Her eyes sparkled at him with challenge. “Such as?”
“Ah, I hope to marry a girl with a great fortune!” He tilted his head and took in her smile, her lips, and her enticing form, yes; he could understand what attracted Darcy to this girl. She was so much more than her sisters.
“Well sir, I am afraid that you will have to look beyond this village for such a catch. There are few ladies who will serve your desires here.” Elizabeth was not sure if this man was Georgiana’s seducer or not. She had
no description of him, and it was possible that George Wickham did have relatives in other parts of the country. That he was undoubtedly charming was clear.
“I am sorry to hear that news, and to hear that you have been captured already.” He met her eyes and saw her brow rise slightly. That move was very provocative and he wet his lips. “Alas, I will have to perhaps settle for someone less amiable.”
“You flatter me sir, but I have no doubt of your eventual success.” Elizabeth began to feel uncomfortable, and stood. Wickham was immediately on his feet. “I believe that I should join my sisters, sir. I wish you great success in your chosen profession.” She began to move away when she felt Wickham’s arm brush against hers. She looked up immediately, and saw for just a moment a disturbing glint in his eye, and then it was gone.
He smiled. “I hope that I have not offended you in any way, Miss Elizabeth. I only wish to compliment you, both for your beauty and your great fortune in securing Mr. Darcy. He is a lucky man, indeed.”
Elizabeth searched his face, still unsure of his intent, or who he was. “I can not be offended by a sincere compliment sir; however, I did not set out to secure Mr. Darcy. It was, as you say, a matter of fortune for both of us.” Wickham bowed in acknowledgement and watched her move to the other side of the room. He took up a station by the window and watched her reflection in the glass.
Chapter 23
Darcy arrived early at their stile, determined to never again risk the chance of Lucas finding Elizabeth alone. He checked his watch and impatient, he directed his horse onto the path for Longbourn, and spotted her walking towards him. Riding forward, he stopped near a closely planted stand of trees and dismounted, tying up his horse.
“Good Morning!” Elizabeth called when she came closer.
Darcy strode forward and wrapped her up in his arms. “Good morning, my love.” He smiled and squeezed her, delighting in her warm laugh. “I missed you last night.” He said heatedly and captured her lips before she had a chance to speak, and they were soon engaged in an ardent exchange. Elizabeth’s arms wound around his neck and her fingers trailed up the back of his head. Darcy pressed himself upon her and he attempted to recreate the sensation of her soft nude body rubbing against his. “Oh my Lizzy …” He whispered, and his mouth moved to her throat, where he groaned at the impediment of her bonnet ribbons.