by Wendi Sotis
“Thank you, dear Lizzy. I know you will do your best.” Jane displayed a satisfied smile and turned to look out the window.
If Mr. Bingley’s sisters can persuade him to look upon Jane in the way they desire, he does not deserve her, no matter what the gypsies’ drawing foretold.
~%~
October 11, 1811
In order to welcome the Netherfield party to the neighbourhood properly, the mayor, Sir William Lucas sent a card to each landholder in the area surrounding Meryton, inviting them to a gathering at Lucas Lodge. After seeing the ladies of the Bingley family and noting their elegant attire at the assembly and various morning calls, the ladies of Meryton were responsible for an increased flurry of female activity at the haberdasher’s shop in the village during the few days leading up to the event—all in an attempt to makeover party gowns to fit the current London style of dress.
On the morning of the dinner, Elizabeth received a summons to see both her parents.
First answering the call to her mother’s private sitting room, Elizabeth was surprised to find that Mr. Darcy was the subject of discussion.
“Lizzy, you will hold your tongue this evening,” Mrs. Bennet said. “I have seen that Mr. Darcy appreciates your company, as many intelligent men do, but you must know nothing can come of it. It is only because you think like a man and are willing to discuss subjects gentlemen enjoy talking over between themselves that you garner such attention. But when it comes to selecting a wife, they will always choose a lady—like Jane. You will stay near Jane all evening so that when Mr. Darcy seeks you out for conversation, you will take advantage of the opportunity by inviting Jane to join in, as well. When in your company, your sister always seems twice the lady in contrast.” Mrs. Bennet smiled to herself. “If you follow my plan, I predict Mr. Darcy will offer for Jane’s hand before many weeks have passed!”
Her mother’s speech left Elizabeth utterly dumbfounded. After regaining her senses enough to realize that she had been excused, Elizabeth closed her mouth, curtseyed, and then went to see her father.
“Come!” Mr. Bennet called out in answer to Elizabeth’s knock on the door to his study. He gestured to the chair she usually sat upon when she came to see him. Once she was seated, he asked, “Elizabeth, you do not look well. Is something wrong?”
She tilted her head and furrowed her brow before answering, “I had the strangest conversation with Mama just now...”
“Ah! Your mother has approached you with her scheme about Mr. Darcy and Jane, after all, has she? I should have realized she would not listen to me.” Mr. Bennet shook his head. “I know it is not in your nature to go against your mother’s wishes, no matter how ridiculous those instructions may be, but you will not follow her orders this time, Lizzy. Mr. Darcy has no interest in Jane at all except as his sister’s friend. Mr. Bingley is the man for Jane, and he needs no encouragement in that quarter. We will not put Mr. Darcy and Jane—or Mr. Bingley, for that matter—in an uncomfortable position because of your mother’s greed.” He looked away from Elizabeth and out the window. “Ten thousand a year instead of five, indeed! What difference does it make if they are not suited?’ No, I will not allow my daughters to make that mistake.”
Relieved, Elizabeth took a deep breath and nodded. “Is that what you wished to speak to me about, Papa?”
Mr. Bennet’s attention refocused, and he lifted a few pages of paper off his desk. “No, it is a letter from your Uncle Gardiner. I hear you and Jane were exposed to a depraved soul whilst at Ramsgate—a Mr. Wickham—and that you have heard he will soon be coming to Meryton.” He put on his reading glasses and scanned the page. “Your uncle has now educated me about the man’s past, so worry not, dear Lizzy. If he comes, I will speak to your mother and sisters. Mr. Wickham will pose no danger to our family.”
She wondered if Mr. Gardiner had told her father about Georgiana’s history with Mr. Wickham, but she could think of no way to ask without giving the secret away. “What about the shopkeepers and other families, sir?”
He nodded. “Yes, I will speak to my neighbours as well, but there is no sense in frightening the neighbourhood before the man has actually entered the area. Tell me, why do you believe he is coming?”
Elizabeth did not wish to lie to her father, but was she was also determined not to tell him about the drawings. “Everyone is speaking about the militia’s plans to winter at Meryton. During the summer, Mr. Wickham told us he would join the militia.”
“But why do you believe he is enlisted in the same regiment that will be at Meryton?”
Elizabeth shifted in her seat. “I have it on good authority that he will come, sir.”
Mr. Bennet narrowed his eyes and stared at his favourite daughter, making Elizabeth quite uncomfortable in the process. She knew he was suspicious of her evasiveness but prayed he would trust her and let it pass. After a time, the worry lines on his face smoothed, and he said, “That will be all.”
Elizabeth quickly left the room. Feeling a headache coming on, she headed directly to her bedchamber.
~%~
Lucas Lodge
Elizabeth and Jane sat with Charlotte Lucas when the rumble of many voices invaded the room, attracting the young ladies’ attention away from their conversation.
“What is it? Can you see?” Charlotte asked from beside Elizabeth on the sofa.
“I see nothing out of the ordinary,” Elizabeth answered. She looked to Jane, who was sitting in a chair across from them.
Jane’s eyes twinkled before she turned back to them. A brilliant smile spread across her lips as she rose from her chair. “It is the party from Netherfield. Lizzy, you will never guess who is with them!” Jane reached for Elizabeth’s hand to indicate she should stand, as well. Charlotte joined them.
Once Elizabeth was standing, she could see through the crowd of spectators watching the arrival of the newcomers. “Oh, how delightful! Charlotte, it is Miss Darcy! I recognize the gentleman in uniform from the drawing...” At seeing Jane’s eyes widen and quickly glance at Charlotte, Elizabeth corrected herself, “Um – a miniature Miss Darcy displayed at Ramsgate. He is Colonel Fitzwilliam, a cousin to the Darcys.”
The trio watched as Sir William introduced Miss Darcy and the colonel to those standing near them. Even from across the room, Elizabeth could see Georgiana was holding tightly onto her brother’s arm, her eyes open wide as if she were overwhelmed at meeting so many new people at once. “It looks as though Georgiana needs rescuing. I will return with her. Excuse me.”
Elizabeth could tell the moment Georgiana saw her as she crossed the room—the younger girl’s expression changed from the wide-eyed terror of a frightened deer to an open, friendly smile. Elizabeth glanced at Darcy, who was just following his sister’s gaze, meeting Elizabeth’s briefly before looking back at Georgiana. With relief, his countenance reminded Elizabeth more of his behaviour towards her at Ramsgate than at Meryton thus far.
As soon as introductions were made and greetings were exchanged, Georgiana stepped away from her brother and reached for Elizabeth’s hand. “Lizzy, it is so good to see you!”
“Jane is sitting with a good friend of ours of whom you have heard, I believe—Miss Charlotte Lucas. Would you like to meet her?”
Georgiana glanced at her brother, and after seeing his nod of approval, she agreed. “I have been looking forward to making her acquaintance.”
As they were just about to walk away, Miss Bingley joined them, taking Georgiana’s arm in a way that seemed ideal to keep her from walking away.
Georgiana startled, and her smile changed to one that was clearly forced.
Poor Georgie! Elizabeth thought.
Miss Bingley asked, “Miss Eliza, is it not delightful that Colonel Fitzwilliam would escort dear Georgiana all this way to visit with my sister and me?”
Elizabeth smiled politely and answered, “Yes, Miss Bingley, it is.” She hesitated a moment. “I was just about to introduce Miss Darcy to Miss Lucas. Will you join us?”
Distaste flitted across Miss Bingley’s features, but her expression was quickly amended. “That does seem... agreeable, but first there is something I must speak of with my sister. Excuse me.” She scurried off towards Mrs. Hurst, who stood a few paces away.
Elizabeth suppressed a chuckle. A glance at Georgiana proved she was doing the same.
As they walked away arm in arm, Georgiana whispered, “Miss Bingley’s priorities are very different from my own.”
Elizabeth bit her lip to keep from laughing outright. “I have noticed.”
Once the introduction to Charlotte was accomplished, Georgiana settled on the sofa next to Elizabeth. When the conversation made its way around to Georgiana’s passion for drawing, Elizabeth started. I was so happy to see Georgiana, I forgot about the drawing of Wickham in Meryton! This will not do!
Although Jane was not much of an artist, and, therefore, was not participating in the conversation more than as an observer, Jane called attention to herself when she gasped.
“Jane!” Charlotte exclaimed. “Are you well? You have become so pale.”
Elizabeth’s gaze locked with Jane’s. Yes, Jane has just remembered the gypsy’s picture, as well.
It took Jane a moment to recover. “I am well... only a little tired.”
“Perhaps some wine would help, Jane?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in anticipation.
“Yes, Lizzy, that would be beneficial.”
Charlotte looked about to catch the attention of a servant, but Elizabeth interceded. “I will get it, Charlotte. Would anyone else like some wine?”
Elizabeth barely waited for Georgiana and Charlotte to answer before excusing herself. Crossing the room, Elizabeth caught Darcy’s eye and motioned towards the refreshment table.
Darcy’s concern for his sister was displayed in his eyes and furrowed brow when he approached. “Miss Elizabeth, is Georgiana all right?”
“Yes, but...” she lowered her voice. “Mr. Darcy, I am sorry to be the bearer of unpleasant news, but I have it on excellent authority that Mr. Wickham will soon be in the area.”
His eyes widened. “Here?”
“Yes.” As she lifted a glass from the table to give herself something to keep busy, Elizabeth thought back to the drawings she had received. In the first, Wickham wore a blue coat, but the second must have been of a different day, as he wore regimentals. “I understand he will be joining the regiment that has come to Meryton.” She nodded towards Colonel Forster, who was being introduced into company for the first time that evening and was currently speaking with Colonel Fitzwilliam. “As you may have heard, they will be staying here all winter.”
Darcy closed his eyes momentarily and then said softly, “Georgiana...”
Elizabeth nodded and took a sip from the glass of wine she held.
He huffed. “I have promised to stay on here for another few weeks to help Bingley settle into his role as master of the estate, and my cousin is heading directly to his regiment—I cannot escort her back to Matlock without a reason I can state in public... or even in private at Netherfield.” He shook his head.
“Those were my thoughts exactly,” she said and then glanced at his sister, now sitting next to Jane. Jane was looking at them with a worried expression. Returning her gaze to Darcy, Elizabeth realized why. Gone was Darcy’s usual stoic expression. In its place was one of horror. “Mr. Darcy, please pardon my saying so, but unless you would like all those assembled to begin to wonder what we are speaking of, you had best school your features.”
He straightened his form. A blink of the eye later, his mien had returned to one more usual for him in company. “I will simply keep her away from the village. He would not dare approach Netherfield.”
“I would think not,” she confirmed.
“Longbourn?”
“My father has been informed of what my uncle knew of his reputation in Lambton.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Mr. Gardiner did mention that we met him at Ramsgate, but I do not believe he spoke of the particulars of what happened there.”
Darcy nodded once. She could tell he was relieved.
“Who else knows of his coming?”
“Abroad, I do not know, but here, only my father and Jane.”
Darcy looked at her in a peculiar manner and seemed about to ask another question. Unwilling to leave herself open to further inquiry about how she came to know this information, Elizabeth quickly said, “Excuse me, sir, but I must return with my sister’s wine.”
“May I?” he asked, gesturing to the wine glasses on the table.
She smiled. “Thank you.”
Elizabeth led the way across the room while Darcy carried three glasses of wine for the ladies of Elizabeth’s party. She had a feeling he would not be straying far from his sister’s side whilst she stayed on in Hertfordshire.
~%~
Once they were in the safety of Elizabeth’s room, Jane voiced Elizabeth’s thoughts, “I wonder why you did not receive a drawing warning of Georgiana’s coming?”
“I know not.” Elizabeth shook her head. “Perhaps it was unavoidable?”
“So, you think that Wickham’s coming is avoidable?”
Elizabeth sat at her dressing table and began to remove her hairpins as she deliberated Jane’s question. “There must be some sort of rule that goes along with these sketches, but if there is, I have not yet discovered it. While many of the drawings depict happenings that we have been able to circumvent, others do not.”
Jane moved to brush out Elizabeth’s waist-long hair.
“Do you remember the gown that was originally in the picture showing us at Ramsgate? I did not tell you because I did not wish to frighten you, but I purposely left it home.”
Jane stopped brushing her sister’s hair, and watched Elizabeth in the mirror. “But, Jane... when we arrived at Ramsgate, I looked at the drawing again. It had changed to a gown that I had brought along.”
Covering her mouth with her hand, Jane gasped.
Elizabeth turned to face Jane. Taking her sister’s hand in hers, she gave it a squeeze. Elizabeth reached into a drawer, removed the stack of drawings, and found the one in question. “Do you see?”
Staring wide-eyed, Jane asked, “But how, Lizzy?”
“I know not.” Elizabeth turned back to the mirror to cover the shiver she could not seem to stifle every time she thought of it. Jane continued brushing her hair.
After a few minutes had passed in silence, Elizabeth shook her head again. “I do not see how we could possibly prevent Wickham from coming, do you?”
Jane answered, “No, I do not.”
“But if it is at all possible, I am sure Mr. Darcy will do so.”
Chapter 15
October 11, 1811 ~ Netherfield Park
Soon after their party returned home from Lucas Lodge, Darcy bid his sister good night and retired to his own rooms. Weary from pondering this evening’s revelation, he lowered himself into an overstuffed chair near the fire and, in hopes of diverting his thoughts, settled in with a good book. However, no matter how he tried to push it aside, one particular question repeatedly tortured him. He looked up from his book and stared at the fire.
How did Elizabeth know Wickham would be coming to Meryton? She was particularly unwilling to share her source.
As if in answer to his question, a scene from his recent visit to Longbourn replayed in his mind.
When Elizabeth received that letter by messenger, she looked at the direction and quickly pocketed the missive. Her expression was one of mortification and alarm, and she was out of humour for the remainder of the visit.
Even as a youngster, he had been trained by his parents to be suspicious of others’ motives. Before this evening, the same niggling recollection had often come to mind unbidden, and he had always found a way to dismiss her behaviour. But after what Elizabeth had disclosed tonight, he could no longer avoid judging her reaction to the letter.
I thought she was em
barrassed that her servant did not know better than to deliver it to her while in company... but perhaps it was much more.
I was the only person near enough to have a good look at it, had I had the inclination, so she must have been hiding it from me. Why? Did she fear that, had I seen it, I would have recognized the handwriting?
Anger welled up within his breast, and he realized that facing his suspicion was now inevitable.
The letter must have been from Wickham! I do not wish to believe it, but I can think of no other way she could be so certain of his anticipated arrival at Meryton.
He snapped closed his book. Placing it on the table next to him, Darcy rose and began to pace the room. Bile rose to his throat, and he stopped in his tracks.
Could Elizabeth be foolish enough to have fallen for Wickham? Had she used the stories she had heard from her aunt and uncle, condemning Wickham’s character, only to influence Georgiana without truly believing them herself?
Darcy reached out a hand to the mantelpiece to steady himself.
Wickham has fooled many a person, including my own parents and sister! Can I blame Elizabeth for being taken in, as well?
“Unfortunately, logic does not dictate the yearnings of the heart.” Darcy repeated aloud the words Elizabeth had voiced at Ramsgate—the same words that had echoed through his thoughts many times since he had first heard them. Up until this moment, he had associated those words only with Georgiana’s infatuation with Wickham, and, ironically, to his own attraction to Elizabeth.
Perhaps she is not blinded to Wickham’s faults after all, yet cannot stop herself from caring for him. Was this what she truly meant when she uttered those words?
Closing his eyes, Darcy leaned his forehead on the mantelpiece. That Elizabeth would prefer Wickham to himself filled him with jealousy and resentment.