Confusion, Confession and Conviction

by Victoria Winfield

  "None of this, Miss Bennet. Not between us! We are friends are we not? Windfell will do quite nicely.” He smiled at Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, who approached at once.

  "Your Grace." Mr. And Mrs. Gardiner spoke simultaneously and made their obeisance.

  "What a quaint little parlor you have here," Windfell pulled his gloves off as he looked around the room. "Shall we sit?"

  He waited until Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner were seated while Mr Gardiner sent for some refreshments.

  "How kind of you to join us, Your Grace," Mrs. Gardiner murmured, folding her hands together in her lap, stitching abandoned for the moment.

  Elizabeth pressed her lips together. What wretched timing. Darcy would arrive any moment, bringing his sister with him. She had planned to meet them without any other additional guests, in order to ease any embarrassment the younger girl might feel.

  Another knock sounded at the door.

  "Ah," Mr. Gardiner rose as the door opened, aware of whom they were expecting.

  Getting to her feet at once, Elizabeth curtsied to both Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy, who was looking at her expectantly.

  “Oh. I beg your pardon, sir." Darcy bowed to Mr. Gardiner. "I was unaware you were entertaining."

  "Not at all. Come in, do." Mr. Gardiner stepped back and allowed them entry. Darcy, finding the entry table full of hats, held his in front of him as he bowed.

  "Mrs. Gardiner. Miss Bennet."

  "Windfell, may I introduce Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and his sister, Miss Darcy."

  "Sir." The Duke nodded his head.

  "Mr. Darcy, this is His Grace, the Duke of Windfell. He joined us just a moment before you arrived."

  "Ah." Darcy narrowed his eyes and looked steadily at the Duke for a moment, before bowing. “Your Grace."

  Elizabeth's brows rose at Darcy's tone. Was he acquainted with the Duke? His tone suggested that he disliked the man.

  "Miss Bennet," Darcy looked at her. "I am afraid we are somewhat de trop in light of your guest's arrival. You must excuse us. We shall call again, perhaps later?"

  A frown creased Elizabeth's forehead. She looked from Darcy to Georgiana, whose face had taken on a slightly sad expression.

  ""What's this, Miss Bennet?" Windfell's voice filled the room, touching her shoulder lightly in order to gain her attention

  Mrs. Gardiner's eyebrows rose at the Duke’s behaviour, making Elizabeth wince slightly.

  "Had you plans with Darcy for today?” the Duke continued, sounding surprised. “How very gauche of me to intrude. I shall leave at once, of course, and make another arrangement, shall I?” As he spoke, Windfell worked his way from behind the table, forcing Darcy and Miss Georgiana Darcy to press against the far wall to accommodate him.

  "Oh, no, your grace," Elizabeth began. “I mean - ” Confused and unsure what to do, Elizabeth felt her cheeks grow hot.

  "No need, Windfell." Darcy's eyes flashed and his face darkened. He drew his sister away from against the wall and positioned her near the door. "My sister and I merely came to invite Miss Bennet along with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to tea this afternoon."

  He locked eyes with the Duke. Neither man looked away.

  "I see."

  Elizabeth tensed, aware that it would be rude for Mr Darcy not to include the Duke in the invitation, but Mr Darcy did not seem willing to do so. The Duke's jaw tensed, and still Mr Darcy said nothing..

  Mr. Gardiner cleared his throat. Elizabeth placed a hand on Windfell's arm.

  Windfell raised his chin, evidently choosing to step aside and ignore the slight. “I shall call on you again tomorrow, Miss Bennet. Good day to you all.”

  Chapter Four

  “I understand you are quite a talented musician?” Elizabeth looked at the girl beside her as they strolled across the lawn towards Pemberley

  Georgiana smiled. “My brother exaggerates my ability, I assure you. I do love music, though. I lived in London for several years studying with the masters.”

  “And how did you like London?”

  “Not at all,” Georgiana sighed. “It was much too busy for me. And the noise!”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I must agree. I have stayed with my Aunt Gardiner many times and I am always shocked by the hawkers shouting their wares so early.”

  “Yes, that is precisely what I mean.” Georgiana smiled up at Elizabeth, only for it to fall a moment later

  “Georgiana! Dear Georgiana!” Caroline Bingley’s nasal accent cut across the formal gardens to where Elizabeth and Georgiana had wandered, near the path to the lake.

  Elizabeth’s eyes lit up as she laughed quietly

  “Oh, dear, it appearshave been found out. Shall I distract her for you?”

  A slight smile crossed Georgiana’s face. She sighed. “No, I thank you. My brother wishes me to become a good hostess, so I shall greet Miss Bingley and walk some way with her. She grasped one of Elizabeth’s hands. “I do thank you, Miss Bennet. I am so very happy Fitzwilliam introduced us at last.”

  “Oh, Georgiana!” Miss Bingley’s call ended on a strident note.

  Georgiana looked back at Elizabeth, giving her a slightly wry smile

  “I had better go. I shall see you at dinner tomorrow?”

  “Yes, of course. We are looking forward to it.

  “Miss Bennet!”

  Startled, Elizabeth whirled round. Mr. Darcy was striding across the lawn toward her, with something of a stern expression on his face. Oh, mercy. She had hoped to avoid a tête-á-tête with Darcy. Thoughts of their last conversation at Rosings plagued her. Especially since his behavior and manner were now so markedly different. Her fingers toyed with the fringe of her shawl as she watched him approach.

  Stopping a short distance away from her, Mr Darcybowed.

  “Thank you for waiting. I have been hoping to speak with you on a particular matter for some time, but it has been proving difficult to capture your sole attention.”

  Elizabeth caught her breath, clasped her hands in front of her and drew back slightly.

  Darcy’s eyes opened wider. He flushed.

  “No, Miss Bennet. I do not mean to discuss with you the topic of our last conversation at Rosings, you may rest assured of that.”

  Elizabeth’s cheeks warmed. “I do beg your pardon, sir. I have no wish to discommode you. I apologize if I have given you that impression.”

  “Not at all,” Darcy smiled and offered his arm. “Would you walk with me, Miss Bennet?”

  What is he about now? Elizabeth gave him a slight smile and laid her hand lightly on his arm. At least I do not have to face him as we walk.

  They proceeded slowly along the lake path in the direction of the house.

  “Miss Bennet, forgive me for being impertinent. I do have a reason for asking this question, as inappropriate as it might seem.”

  “Pray go on, sir.”

  Darcy cleared his throat. “Miss Bennet, how long have you been acquainted with the Duke?”

  She turned her head to look up at him. “About two months, sir. We met just after I left the Collins’s. My coach met with an accident on the London road and, fortunately, the Duke came upon us and pulled us from the wreckage before it slid down the embankment into the water.”

  Darcy stopped. His free hand grasped the hand resting on his sleeve and spun her to face him.

  “Good God! You do not mean…you might have been killed!”

  Elizabeth winced from the pressure of his grip, although she was surprised by his sudden fervor. As she continued to study him, she saw him blanch.

  “How did the accident come about?” His grip loosened, but he retained her hand.

  “The road was quite muddy from an all-night storm.” Elizabeth kept her voice calm and started walking. “Or, so I was told by the Duke.” Frowning, Elizabeth realized she was still a little unsure as to what exactly had happened. “I must say that road is not kept in very good repair for being a major thoroughfare,” she continued, glancing at him.

  Darcy’s eyes
narrowed, but he said nothing.

  “There must have been some kind of obstacle, if I remember rightly. The coachman attempted to avoid it, but unfortunately, the coach slipped off the side of the road and down an embankment. Our fall was arrested briefly by a few trees, but it was long enough for the Duke to pull the other traveler, Miss Grace, and then myselffrom the coach before the trees gave way and it fell.” She gave a slight shake of her head. “At least, I believe that is what the Duke said occurred. I had not thought to ask anyone else.”

  “I…I had not heard,” Darcy murmured, as they began to walk together once more.

  “No. I should think you had not. We have very few common acquaintances, none of whom were informed of the incident, except Lady Catherine, of course.”

  “Yes. Forgive me. The news unsettled me for a moment.” Colour began to return to his pale cheeks as he pressed her hand once more before letting it go entirely.

  Elizabeth smiled a little tremulously. “It unsettled me, as well.”

  She laughed. “Now, why do you ask about the Duke, sir, if I may be so bold?”

  “Oh, yes. Forgive my impertinence and trust that I truly have only your best interests in mind.”

  Elizabeth’s brows rose again.

  “I have known the Duke since our days together at university.”

  “Ah,” Elizabeth murmured, remembering the strange awareness between the two men when they had met at the inn.

  “Whilst you might not be surprised to hear that, given the scene at the inn,” Mr Darcy continued. “I must say that our dislike is mutual.It pains me to say this, but I know him to be a close confederate of George Wickham, having much the same temperament and vices.”

  Perhaps he had not changed as much as she thought he had.

  Elizabeth eyes narrowed and she shook her head. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Darcy. Of what do you accuse Mr. Wickham now?”

  “Miss Bennet, have you not received my letter?”

  “Your letter, sir?”

  Darcy closed his eyes, briefly, then opened them again. “After ourconversation at the rectory--that last night in Kent--I wrote you a letter regarding some topics you mentioned during our discussion. When I arrived at the rectory to take my farewell, Mrs. Collins informed me that you were gone. I gave the letter to her. She said she was traveling to Hertfordshire within the fortnight and would deliver to you.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “But Charlotte’s visit was delayed by the illness and death of several parishioners. She and Mr. Collins plan to visit Hertfordshire later this month. What was in the letter, sir? Can you not just tell me?”

  Mr Darcy thought hard for a moment. “I suppose I must, given the situation.” He sighed, heavily.

  Remembering her previous concern over Mr Wickham, Elizabeth placed her hand on Mr Darcy’s arm, forcing him to look at her. “Please, trust me with this Mr Darcy. I myself have felt some concern over Mr Wickham, although I cannot tell you from where such feelings come from.”

  “Your instincts do you good,” Darcy replied, heavily. “In short, Miss Bennet,George Wickham is a scoundrel—a libertine of the lowest ilk. He leaves mountains of debt and broken lives in his wake whenever he quits one place to move on to another where he is unknown.”

  She gasped. “Truly?”

  He raised his eyes to hers, truly struggling with what he had to say. “I would ask you not to mention Mr Wickham to my sister, Miss Bennet.”

  “Of course,” she promised, still curious.

  “There is a long story to be told,” he said, softly. “Mr. Wickham is the son of a very respectable man, who had for many years the management of all the Pemberley estates. My father supported Mr Wickham at school, and afterwards at Cambridge. He had also the highest opinion of Wickham, and hoping the church would be his profession, intended to provide for him in it. My excellent father died about five years ago; and his attachment to Mr. Wickham was to the last so steady, that in his will he told me to ensure Wickham had a valuable family living the moment Wickham took orders. There was also a legacy of one thousand pounds. His own father did not long survive mine, and within half a year from these events Mr. Wickham wrote to inform me that, having finally resolved against taking orders, he sought some financial support in lieu of the living my father had hoped to provide for him. I rather wished than believed him to be sincere; but, at any rate, gave him three thousand pounds. All connection between us seemed now dissolved as I thought too ill of him to invite him to Pemberley, or admit his society in town.”

  “I see,” Elizabeth murmured, gesturing him to continue.

  “For about three years I heard little of him; but he soon wrote to me again, stating that his studies in law had come to naught and that he now intended to become ordained. Of course, he requested yet more funds. You will hardly blame me for refusing to comply with this entreaty, or for resisting every repetition of it.”

  “Indeed, I would not,” Elizabeth replied, stunned over what she was hearing about Mr Wickham.

  He gave her a quick smile. “I am glad to hear it. Nevertheless, Wickham’s resentment was more than apparent, but shortly after, we no longer saw one another. His entreaties stopped entirely. But last summer he was again most painfully obtruded on my notice.” Darcy stopped walking, passing a hand over his eyes. “I must now mention a circumstance which I would wish to forget myself, and of which I have barely told another single soul.”

  “You can be assured of my confidence,” Elizabeth said quietly. “Whilst I must give this some consideration, I must say that I am inclined to believe you.”

  Mr Darcy nodded his head, giving her a grateful look. “I trust you, Miss Bennet, otherwise I would not speak so. In truth, it concerns my sister, who is more than ten years my junior.”

  “Miss Georgiana?” Elizabeth gasped, her eyes widening. “What did Wickham do to her?”

  “About a year ago, she was taken from school, and an establishment formed for her in London; and last summer she went with the lady who presided over it, to Ramsgate. Unfortunately, Mr. Wickham also travelled there, undoubtedly by design. In now appears that there was a prior acquaintance between himself and Mrs. Younge, Georgiana’s guardian, in whose character we were most unhappily deceived.” His face darkened. “By her connivance and aid, Mr Wickham recommended himself to Georgiana, whose affectionate heart retained a strong impression of his kindness to her as a child. In short, she was persuaded to believe herself in love, and to consent to an elopement.”

  Elizabeth’s gasp of shock and horror had him shaking his head. “She was then but fifteen,” he murmured, still hardly able to believe it himself. “Thankfully I joined them unexpectedly a day or two before the intended elopement; and then Georgiana, unable to support the idea keeping such a thing from me, told me all. You may imagine what I felt and how I acted. Regard for my sister's credit and feelings prevented any public exposure, but I wrote to Mr. Wickham, who left the place immediately, and Mrs. Younge was of course removed from her charge.”

  “I can barely believe it,” Elizabeth whispered, her eyes growing round with surprise, and her skin paling with the shock of it all. “What was his intention?”

  Darcy’s lips thinned. “Mr. Wickham's chief object was unquestionably my sister's fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds, although I expect he also sought some kind of revenge on me. By eloping with Georgiana, his revenge would have been complete indeed.

  Elizabeth shook her head, stopping completely in her walk. “I must thank you for telling me, Mr Darcy,” she said, softly. “I see now that my believe in Mr Wickham’s words, as well as my attack on you as regards your behavior towards him were quite wrong.” She lifted her eyes to his, guilt filling her face. “I must ask your forgiveness.”

  “I am not telling you this in order to seek your forgiveness, Miss Bennet,” Darcy replied, fervently. “Rather to to beg of you to be on your guard where the Duke is concerned. I do not believe he is as he seems, given how close he is with Mr Wickham.””

/>   Elizabeth nodded, resuming her walk. “I thank you for your concern, Mr Darcy. In truth, what you have told me of him makes me ask some questions of the situation that occurred where I first met the man.”

  “I hope I have not confused you,” he said, quietly.

  She shook her head. “Not in the least, Mr Darcy. I have much to think about. Thank you. I should return to my aunt and uncle now. I look forward to our dinner tomorrow.”

  “Good day, Miss Bennet,” he replied at once, giving her a short bow. “And thank you.”

  #

  Darcy flung his riding crop and top hat at the entry table before an astonished footman could take them. Jaw clenched, he strode heavily through the passageways to the dining room.

  Bingley sprang from his chair.

  “Good God, man! What has happened?”

  Darcy didn’t answer.

  He stood at the sideboard for several moments before he lifted the coffee pot and poured the steaming liquid into a delicate china cup. He returned the pot and clenched his hand into a fist to stop its trembling.

  “Darcy?”

  He turned and looked at Bingley. “Windfell,” he muttered, through gritted teeth.

  “Windfell?”

  Darcy took his place at the table and tasted his coffee, then nodded at Bingley.

  “Sit down, Charles and I will explain all

  Bingley sat and resumed eating, watching his friend closely.

  Several minutes passed in which the only sound to be heard was the ticking of a rather large clock at the far end of the room. Having calmed himself enough to speak, Darcy finally began to explain.

  “I have just come from Lambton.”

  “Ah, yes. You were to call on Miss Bennet and the Gardiners, since they could no longer come for dinner this evening.” He frowned slightly. “Did you find out the reason why?”

  Darcy nodded, remembering the sorrowful expression on Elizabeth’s face. “Yes, I did. Miss Bennet received an urgent missive detailing some terrible news about her sister, Miss Lydia Bennet.” His face grew dark. “She has eloped with Wickham.”