Wickham saw her as his gaze swept the crowds, and his face lit up at the sight of her. He crossed the room swiftly towards her and bowed.
“Miss Bennet. I am so glad to see you here.”
“Mr Wickham.” Elizabeth curtseyed. “How wonderful. I have missed you at other gatherings.”
Wickham offered her his arm, and they crossed to some seats.
“Forgive me. I had some business to attend with my regiment. I have only recently joined, you see. I did not know where you were staying, or I would have sent a note. I came here tonight hoping to see you.”
Elizabeth smiled. He was not nearly as handsome as Mr Darcy, but he was fun to speak with, and would make the evening far more entertaining.
“I hope all your dances are not taken up?” he asked. “I would be honoured if I could have the next two.”
As Elizabeth stood up with him, she glanced across at her aunt. Lady Lacey had decided not to dance that evening and she sat with a small group of friends. She raised an eyebrow at Wickham. Lady Lacey had been quite excited at how much time Elizabeth spent with the Darcys, and Elizabeth knew she was not so secretly hoping for a match and to see her settled at Pemberley. Elizabeth would be sorry to disappoint her, but she had no hope for such a thing herself. And such being the case, she was relieved to have Wickham’s company. It would remind her that there were many other pleasant men in the world, and might serve to lessen Darcy’s hold on her.
“I hope you are prepared for coming to Meryton?” Elizabeth asked. “And that you will be as fond of dancing there as you are here. My sisters are very excited that the regiment is so settle there for the winter and they will pester our neighbours to give as many balls as possible so they may dance with all the officers.”
Wickham threw his head back and laughed. “Your sisters sound like delightful ladies,” he said. “And I should be honoured to dance with them. But only if I am promised many dances with my favourite Bennet sister.”
“You cannot possibly know if I am your favourite Bennet sister, sir, as you have not met any of the others to compare.”
The movement of the dance brought them close together. They circled around one another and Wickham’s eyes were locked on hers. It was so intense that Elizabeth was obliged to break it to calm her own feelings.
“Oh, I know,” said Wickham in an intimate whisper that startled her. “I may not have your sisters to compare you to, but I have met many other ladies, and I prefer you to any other I have ever known.”
“Mr Wickham.” Elizabeth was shocked. It was a highly improper thing to say, and he should know it.
Wickham immediately looked stricken. “Forgive me, Miss Bennet. I would not trouble you for all the world.” He moved closer, his voice dropping once again. “But I must speak as I feel. I cannot hide my heart. I know I have not known you long, but Miss Bennet, surely you have heard of love at first sight?” He looked at her so beseechingly Elizabeth did not know what to think. Seeing her confusion, Wickham quickly moved to cover it. “I do not expect to hear the same from you,” he said humbly. “Of course I dream of it, but I understand if you do not yet feel as I do. Please do not feel obligated in any way.”
It had not occurred to Elizabeth that she should feel obligated, but it seemed safer to say nothing, so she simply nodded. She did not like the turn the evening had taken. She was relieved when their two dances finished and she was free to be claimed by another young man. Wickham made it clear he intended to stay by her side for the night, and put off any other man who tried to approach her, until Elizabeth felt like he was marking his territory just like Jessie did on their walks. As soon as Lord John returned her after their dance, Wickham was immediately at her side once again, offering her a chair, a lemonade, anything at all she might need for her comfort.
“No, please do not trouble yourself, Mr Wickham,” she said firmly. “If you will excuse me, I must speak to my aunt about something.” She dropped a brief curtsey and crossed the room, quickly disappearing into the crowds to discourage him from following her. As she went, she felt a warm, strong hand grasp her own, and she whirled in alarm, astonished that Wickham could be so bold. She felt weak with relief when she saw Mr Darcy instead, his expression mingled between concern and amusement.
“Are you quite alright, Miss Bennet? I called your name several times but you seemed so determined on your destination that you did not hear me.”
If it had been allowed, Elizabeth would have thrown her arms around him, so great was her joy at seeing him. “Oh, Mr Darcy. I did not hear you. I thought you were not to come here tonight, sir?”
Darcy had not intended to come. It was part of his campaign to begin distancing himself from Miss Bennet, to protect himself from the danger of an imprudent match. But as he sat at home, listening to Georgiana play the pianoforte, his thoughts were a mile from Great Pultwney Street, with Miss Bennet in the Assembly Rooms. He could not stay away. He needed to be with her. Far from being surprised at his sudden departure, Georgiana looked pleased and Darcy suspected she knew exactly where he was going and why. Her own pale, peaky expression had perked up remarkably since Miss Bennet had come into their life and whatever had been bothering her seemed long forgotten.
“I changed my mind,” he said, looking into Elizabeth’s eyes. “I am sorry, am I keeping you from going somewhere? You were walking quite determinedly when I saw you.”
Elizabeth looked back from where Wickham had been standing. She could no longer see him. She laughed.
“I am afraid you caught me trying to leave a most determined suitor. I should be flattered to have inspired such intense devotion from someone I had only met once before, but instead, I found it rather trying.”
Darcy looked back the way she had come but he could see no-one gazing angrily at himself and Miss Bennet. He turned back to her with a frown.
“Miss Bennet, if someone is making a nuisance of themselves, I wish you would tell me, and I will do what I can to help. You should not have to tolerate someone who cannot take no for an answer.”
Elizabeth was touched, but she shook her head with a smile. “Really, there is no need,” she said. “And he seems to have disappeared. I am sure it will be fine.”
Darcy smiled and gently touched her arm. She drew in a sharp inhale, although the touch was only for a moment. She could still feel her skin burning where his hand had been.
“I have seen you navigate the woods, and I have every confidence you are more than a match for any man you meet,” he told her. Elizabeth flushed in confusion. It was exactly the sort of compliment she liked best, and meant far more to her than Wickham’s silly foolery had done. “But if you need me to help you in any way, please know that I am always at your service,” he finished gently.
“Thank you,” said Elizabeth. “It does make me feel easier to know that.”
Darcy smiled down at her. “Well, as I am not interrupting you from going somewhere on pressing business, may I have this dance?”
Elizabeth was delighted to accept.
Darcy could hardly take his eyes off her. She was clearly the most beautiful woman in the room and although her gown was not as lavish and expensive as some of the other ladies, it became her slim form admirably. Darcy had forced himself to dance with many other ladies and sit beside them at countless dinners around Bath and yet he had found none who delighted him as much as Miss Bennet. He had finally come to admit defeat. He was a lost man, and it made him happy to own it. And he no longer cared what his family, friends or society at large thought of him. Only Elizabeth mattered.
The clock was almost at midnight when he returned Elizabeth to the chairs. She had promised this dance to another young man and while she did, Darcy took the time to dance with a young miss, who was his sister’s age. The girl looked terrified to be at a ball, and Elizabeth watched him speak to her kindly and make her laugh. Her own heart rose. He was such a good man.
The room was stuffy and as Darcy had been roped in to also dance with the gir
l’s young sister, Elizabeth took the opportunity to escape before she could be asked to dance again. She left through the large windows out onto the terrace, where she could finally breath some air.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The cool night breeze tickled Elizabeth’s bare arms and she took large, relieving gulps of it. The heat of too many bodies crammed together was insufferable. She strolled down onto the lawn. The back of the house backed onto the river where some swans swam about lazily.
“Do you not go to bed?” she asked as she watched them.
“That is rather a bold question from a young lady,” said a voice behind her. Elizabeth whirled around in alarm. It was Mr Wickham.
“Mr Wickham,” she said, praying he was not about to renew his addresses. “I thought you have left, sir. I have not seen you for some hours.”
Wickham strolled down to stand beside her. Elizabeth turned back to the swans. She began to feel unaccountably chilly, but did her best to hide it to prevent Wickham making any chivalrous efforts to warm her.
“I did leave, for a time,” he said. “I saw someone I did not wish to encounter. I am sure you remember the man I told you of, the one who cheated me from my living?”
Elizabeth looked at him in surprise. “Of course, I had not forgotten,” she said. “He is here? Have you spoken with him?”
Wickham shook his head. He offered her his arm and they began to stroll across the lawn. Elizabeth glanced back at the bright lights of the house. Darcy would finish his dance soon. Would he come searching for her?
“I did not speak with him,” said Wickham. “I saw him come into the ballroom, and I left because I feared scenes might arise that would be unpleasant to more than just myself.”
“Very wise,” Elizabeth murmured.
“I am glad you think so,” said Wickham. “Because I began to feel myself a coward. Why should I leave when I had done nothing wrong? He is the one who should feel the weight of his misdeeds, and if anyone should do the avoiding, it should be him. So, I returned.”
“So I see,” said Elizabeth. “And is he still here?”
Wickham stopped walking and gave her a searching look. “Oh, yes, he is still here,” he said. The look he gave her was so filled with meaning that Elizabeth was confused as to what he was trying to communicate to her.
“And I hope no unfortunate scenes arose?” she enquired.
“Thankfully, no. But I do not believe he has noticed me yet. I have been here and observing him for quite some time now. He has always been a favourite with the ladies, although he lacks the skill in conversing with them. But there was one lady I noticed he has spent much time with, and it has pained and shocked me to see it. Can you guess who I mean, Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth stared at him and swallowed. Her throat felt tight. “You mean Mr Darcy?” she said. “He is the man who deprived you of your living.”
Wickham nodded. To Elizabeth’s shock, his eyes filled with tears. She had never seen a man cry before. Even her father had not cried before the family when his own mother died, although Elizabeth suspected he had shed many tears in private. She had no idea what to do. She placed a comforting hand on his arm.
Wickham could barely look at her. His gaze fixed on the river as he sniffed.
“Forgive me, Miss Bennet. You must think me unmanly. But I cannot describe the pain I felt. It is not your fault, of course. I lay nothing at your door. But I had heard you had been spending much time with a family, and now I come to understand it is them.”
“Yes, I have been spending time with them,” Elizabeth replied. “And I am shocked by what you say. They have been all goodness and generosity to me. Is it possible you have been mistaken in his conduct?”
Wickham gave a bitter laugh. “Oh, Miss Bennet,” he said, shaking his head. “They have surely taken you in. No, I am not mistaken. How could I be? What other explanation could there be for their conduct? Mr and Miss Darcy are experts in appearing charming wherever they go. People see them as liberal and kind. It is only when one lives with someone that one sees their true face.”
Elizabeth was troubled and did not know what to think. Could Mr Darcy really have been so cruel, so unfeeling to a man he had grown up with? It was too shocking. She remembered her aunt’s words about not letting herself be deceived by a man’s pleasant appearance. It seemed she had done exactly that.
“I am deeply sorry,” she said. “I did not even begin to suspect.”
“Is he a great favourite of yours?” Wickham asked. “I saw you two dancing together. Were you expecting him to arrive tonight?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “He had told me he would not attend,” she said. “I was most surprised when I saw him.”
Wickham nodded. “I wonder if word reached him that I was in town?” he mused. “It would be like him to turn up where he thought I might be.”
Elizabeth was at a loss for what to say. More than anything, she wished she were alone in her bed chamber where she could think about all she had heard.
“Mr Wickham, I do not like to leave you when you are so distressed,” she said. “But I have been gone for some time now, and my aunt will be looking for me. I must go to her before she grows concerned.”
Wickham drew in deep shaky breath and nodded. His eyes still glistened with tears. He took a step towards Elizabeth and she froze in alarm as he bent his head towards her. At the last moment, he stopped and took her hand instead. He pressed a kiss to her palm and closed her fingers over it.
“God bless you, Miss Bennet,” he said softly. “I hope to see you again soon.”
Elizabeth stared at him, then nodded mutely. She gathered her skirts and hurried back across the lawn towards the bright lights of the house.
As she entered the ballroom, she saw Darcy coming towards her, a relieved smile on his face.
“There you are, Miss Bennet. I am sorry for abandoning you. They were most demanding.” He grinned at the two girls who stood beside one another, giggling in delight. He turned back to Elizabeth.
“Miss Bennet, are you quite well?” he asked. “You are shivering. Come over by the fire. I will get you something hot to drink.”
He made to take her arm, but she pulled away. Darcy was shocked. “Please, Miss Bennet, what has happened? Are you unwell?”
“Yes…I mean, no,” said Elizabeth. “I’m sorry, Mr Darcy, I must go.”
She started to walk away from him. Darcy looked anguished. “Elizabeth,” he said. It was the first time he had ever used her christian name. She stopped in surprise. He moved towards her. “Please, tell me what is the matter?” he asked. “I am most concerned for you. Did someone say something to upset you?” His eyes hardened and his jaw clenched. “Is it that young man who was pestering you before? Would you like me to speak with him?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “He did not pester me,” she said. “Instead, he told me some rather disturbing news.”
Darcy’s frown deepened. “What is it?” he asked, his voice gruff. “Tell me, for God’s sake. I will do whatever I can to help. Has he brought news of your family?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “It is not about me,” she said. “It is about you. I have heard something that makes me wonder who is the man I have been spending such pleasant time with for the past few days. I wonder if I know you at all.”
Darcy’s face was grim. “It is not wise to believe everything you here, Miss Bennet,” he said abruptly. “Who is the man, and what has he told you? I think I can guess who he is already. I had heard that he might be here.”
“Yes, he said you might,” said Elizabeth. “And I do not wish to be involved between the two of you. But I want you to answer this one question for me. Is it true that you did not provide him with the church living your father had planned for him?”
“There is more to it than that…” Darcy began angrily.
“So it is true. I have heard enough. Goodnight, Mr Darcy.”
Before he could attempt to stop her, Elizabeth left. She had
a quick word with her aunt and the two ladies left together in the carriage. Lady Lacey looked curiously at her niece, but Elizabeth begged her not to ask any questions. The lady obeyed her, hoping she would come to her later if there was something she wished to discuss. Elizabeth climbed the stairs and was soon in the peace and sanctuary of her own bed chamber. Far from thinking, she soon fell asleep.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
When Elizabeth awoke the next morning, she felt calmer and ashamed of her behaviour the night before. She had been so unreasonable to poor Darcy, storming out without allowing him an opportunity to explain himself. Her pride had been wounded, not her heart. She had always prided herself on being such a superior judge of character that it wounded her vanity to think she had been deceived, especially in one she had liked so much.
But then, what to think of Mr Wickham? He was so hurt, so upset. Was it possible neither man was in the wrong, and their falling out had come about as a result of a miscommunication, as had happened to countless others throughout history?
As she walked across to the window to see what kind of day it was, something nagged at her. Something she had just thought about set off a warning in her mind, but she could not think what. A miscommunication? No, that was not it. Neither man was wrong? No, that was not it either.
Falling out. That was the one. Why did that make her alert?
“What a simpleton I am,” Elizabeth cried aloud as it finally struck her. She had been so lost in her own feelings that she had not realised what would have been clear if she hadn’t allowed herself to be so impacted.
Georgiana Darcy had mentioned the unworthy young man who had pressured her to run away with him. The same young man who Elizabeth had her doubts about, and considered to be a manipulative schemer preying on a young, naive girl. The man who had had a falling out with her brother, even though they had grown up together as children. And the man who had left her so wan and pale when he disappeared for days.
In Want of a Wife: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 7