Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary

by Regina Jeffers

  Elizabeth’s lips twisted up in amusement.

  “Although Mrs. Bennet will find it vexing to have Lydia so far removed, please convey my appreciation to the colonel for his sensibility.”

  “I assume you relayed our conversations with the wayward couple to your uncle.”

  Elizabeth smiled mockingly.

  “Uncle will still possess a galley load of questions when you meet this morning. Mr. Gardiner is a stickler for details. I imagine you hold other characteristics in common.”

  “And you remain satisfied with my role in this matter?” He would like to explore her comments on his personality, but time was short, and Darcy meant to make the best of these stolen moments.

  “You were our salvation,” Elizabeth admitted.

  Darcy caught Elizabeth’s fingertips. If Gwenie did not stand behind him, he would bring Elizabeth’s ungloved knuckles to his lips. Instead, he lowered his voice to speak to her only. Hazel eyes carefully studied his.

  “Then you will explain to your father how your sentiments have undergone a change since we first met?”

  “I shall praise your benevolence to Mr. Bennet,” Elizabeth dryly observed. “Is there another reason for my words of praise?”

  “Impudent baggage,” Darcy growled. “You know very well you blacked my name to your dearest family.” Her eyes leaped with startled amazement. “And so when I call upon your father, I would prefer Mr. Bennet not be predisposed to deny my plight.”

  “Mr. Darcy! You cannot!” Elizabeth protested.

  Darcy’s eyebrows snapped together in a scowl.

  “And why not? Would you refuse me a third time?”

  Elizabeth’s chin notched higher in non-cooperation.

  “Any woman would call herself blessed to claim your regard. You, Sir, are a man of honor and compassion, but I cannot permit you to bring Mr. Wickham into your family. It would be unconscionable of me to place my desire before your good name. Please do not sacrifice your principles for me.”

  He heard the approach of heavy footfalls. Darcy wished to argue with her, but he knew the time short.

  “You have several weeks to change your mind. Just know, when this madness is finished, I plan to call upon Mr. Bennet at Longbourn. For a man known for his intelligence, I can be quite bacon brained when he comes to you.”

  * * *

  Kissing her gloved hand in parting, with regret, Darcy placed Elizabeth in her father’s coach. When Mr. Gardiner interrupted their conversation, Darcy joined her uncle in the breakfast room while Elizabeth oversaw her packing, and so they had no time for another private exchange before she bid her relations farewell.

  “Until we meet again, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said as he bowed over her hand.

  “Adieu, Mr. Darcy. May God bless you.” Then Elizabeth departed; even so, Darcy felt the satisfaction of having Elizabeth turn to look back at him before the carriage veered off toward the roads leading from London.

  “Three weeks,” Darcy told his foolish heart. “It will take a minimum of three weeks from the time I secure Mr. Wickham’s agreement until I can call upon the lady again.” The realization provided Darcy impetus to be done with the negotiations.

  And so he settled into the task.

  “I am not certain it is best for you to view the conditions in which your niece dwells,” Darcy said in caution as he and Mr. Gardiner entered the tavern.

  Elizabeth’s uncle appeared taken aback.

  “Do you think me incapable of controlling my temper, Sir?”

  Darcy’s appreciation for the man grew each day of their acquaintance.

  “In truth, I would not mind your taking a whip to Mr. Wickham, but I was thinking of an observation from Miss Elizabeth. Your niece thought to force Miss Lydia to leave with us, but chose otherwise because of the likelihood of Mr. Wickham’s welcoming his release from responsibility.”

  Gardiner nodded his understanding.

  “Our Lizzy is most perceptive.”

  The man would find no argument from Darcy.

  “Perhaps Mr. Wickham would speak more candidly if we ask him to join us in the common room.”

  Gardiner glanced about the room.

  “Not much ambiance, but I will secure a private table while you promote Mr. Wickham’s participation in this business.”

  Within minutes, Darcy returned with Wickham. Part of Darcy wished he had not included Gardiner in the conference for he feared Wickham would demand more than the Bennets could afford, and Darcy already decided he would pay Wickham to marry Miss Lydia.

  “I believe you previously were given the acquaintance of Mrs. Bennet’s brother, Mr. Gardiner,” Darcy said by way of introduction.

  Gardiner gestured them to seats.

  “I find the need for these negotiations beyond the pale,” Elizabeth’s uncle announced in what Darcy assumed was the man’s “business” voice. He noticed Wickham flinched from the hardness in Gardiner’s tone, and Darcy smiled inwardly. Gardiner would prove a worthy opponent for Mr. Wickham.

  Darcy’s former friend removed a soiled handkerchief to wipe his brow.

  “I am sorry things have come to this,” Wickham said in his most amicable voice. Although Wickham attempted to disguise his wariness behind a cough; again, Wickham grimaced. “I suppose we should be about it. Mr. Darcy, what do you have in mind?”

  Darcy swallowed his mirth: Mr. Gardiner provided Wickham with no opportunity to voice his demands.

  “In addition to Miss Lydia’s portion, I assume you will require assistanceagain to clear your debts. If not, the authorities would continue to seek retribution. Do you possess an accounting of who holds your vows?”

  Wickham shot a tentative glance to the scowling Gardiner.

  “I could construct a list.”

  Another cough had Darcy questioning, “Are you unwell?”

  “No. It is just London’s foul air,” Wickham assured.

  “Then perhaps we should see you away from Town,” Darcy responded in skepticism. “We will require the list of those in Meryton and in Brighton to whom you owe money.” Wickham nodded his agreement in reply. Darcy continued, “I also explored an opportunity in your behalf. There is a position in the Regulars available. You could resign your position with the militia and receive a comparable post in King George’s service. The post would remove you from censure in the South, as well as to provide you with a steady source of income and appropriate living quarters.”

  He watched as Wickham weighed the information carefully.

  “Who will purchase the commission?”

  Darcy sent a knowingly glance to Mr. Gardiner, one asking for the man’s cooperation. They would dicker over the expenses later.

  “The commission will be part of Miss Lydia’s settlement.”

  “What if I choose a different course?” Wickham ventured.

  Stone faced, Gardiner warned in harsh tones, “I will pay someone to stick your spoon in the nearest wall, then send Lydia to Scotland until we know whether she is with child, and eventually purchase her a gentleman farmer as a husband. All of which would cost the Bennets far less than what Mr. Darcy just encouraged you to accept.”

  Wickham swallowed hard.

  “Lydia has expensive tastes. We will require something to sustain us once my proposed service ends. I have no skills to earn my living.” He glanced to Darcy. “Perhaps the living at Kympton?”

  “A living is a pledge for life,’ Darcy reminded his former chum. “When you refused my father’s gift to his godson, I presented the living to another. While you are in service to the King, you must cultivate other opportunities. You will be in contact with many minor sons. If you perform honorably in your role, others will recognize your worth, and rewards will follow.”

  Gardiner brought the first of the negotiations to an end.

  “There is little else we can accomplish today. Mr. Darcy and I will call again tomorrow. Please finalize a list of your creditors before then. I would prefer to see the marriage settlements d
rawn up as quickly as possible.” Gardiner stood to indicate their exit.

  Darcy followed the man to his feet. He knew Wickham well enough to know the son of Pemberley’s steward would press for a larger settlement, but Gardiner showed Wickham he would not act the fool. Claiming a large dowry for marrying Lydia Bennet was not in Mr. Wickham’s future.

  * * *

  It took two more meetings with Wickham before they reached an accord. As expected, Wickham made his demands to which Mr. Gardiner scoffed. Mediator was a robe Darcy rarely wore, but he relished the role. Mr. Gardiner proved why Elizabeth’s uncle held the reputation of an astute businessman. Even Darcy came under Gardiner’s glare when Darcy insisted upon purchasing the commission and presenting Wickham with an additional fifteen hundred pounds. Mr. Gardiner declared he would consider the outlay a loan, but Darcy meant to claim the Gardiners as family. If his actions brought Elizabeth closer to accepting his proposal, then Darcy would count the expense more than worthwhile.

  Finally, ten days after their arrival in London, Darcy set a course for Pemberley. In biding farewell to the Gardiners, he made the promise to return for the wedding. Despite Mr. Wickham’s signature upon the settlement papers, Darcy still did not trust Wickham not to attempt an escape. The Gardiners brought Miss Lydia to reside with them until the marriage, while permitting Mr. Wickham to call upon his betrothed regularly. Darcy marveled at how well the Gardiners conducted themselves throughout this ordeal, and he was most grateful it was not necessary for him to contend with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth’s mother would advocate for Mr. Wickham to be presented a larger share, and Mr. Bennet would agree simply to reclaim his quiet study and his books.

  “You are home at last,” Georgiana called as she rushed down the stairs to greet him.

  Darcy breathed easier. The first part of his plan knew success. Now, it was just a matter of time until he could call upon Elizabeth at Longbourn. He brushed a kiss across Georgiana’s cheek.

  “I must return to London at month’s end, but I will explain all later. For the moment, I would welcome my bed. I slept little on this journey.”

  Georgiana wrapped her arm through his.

  “Then most assuredly you should claim your chambers for you never complain.” She walked with Darcy up the stairs to the family quarters. “We shall speak over supper. I am most anxious to know of your success.”

  Several hours later, Darcy entered the dining room to discover his sister waiting for him.

  “Where is Mrs. Annesley? Pray say the lady is not ill.”

  Georgiana motioned the footman to serve the soup.

  “Nothing of the kind. The lady’s nephew welcomed a new son and tomorrow is the child’s baptism. I permitted Mrs. Annesley to join her family for several days. You do recall that Vicar Annesley resides but thirty miles north?”

  “Yes,” Darcy said distractedly. “Now that you mention it, I do recall the lady prosing upon the young cleric’s merits.” He made himself smile at Georgiana. In truth, if he did not promise his sister that they would speak of his journey, Darcy would take a tray in his room and stay in bed. He doubted he slept more than four hours on any of the nights he was away from Pemberley. His initial turmoil over Elizabeth’s insinuation of having known Mr. Wickham wreaked havoc with his composure, which was followed by the glory of a renewal of his hopes. “It was kind of you to consider Mrs. Annesley’s happiness.”

  Georgiana blushed, and Darcy thought Georgiana and Elizabeth would make a delightful pair with their heads together in complementary mischief. It was a shame all Darcy’s thoughts always came back to Elizabeth Bennet.

  “My actions were nothing more than simple Christian goodwill.” Georgiana sipped her soup course. “Now, tell me of your days in London.”

  Following a sigh of resignation, Darcy motioned Murray and Lawson from the room.

  “First, I believe you should learn what occurred between Mr. Bingley and me.” He presented Georgiana a succinct account of his and Miss Bingley’s actions to separate Bingley from Jane Bennet.

  His sister appeared shocked, but Georgiana did not condemn him.

  “Surely there was some circumstance, which spurred you to interfere with Mr. Bingley’s life.”

  “I told myself I meant to protect Bingley, but in hindsight, I realize I meant to protect my tattered emotions.”

  Georgiana’s features crunched up in confusion.

  “I do not understand.”

  Darcy chuckled with irony.

  “Neither did I for a long time. You will be surprised to learn I was as smitten as Bingley by a Bennet daughter.” Darcy paused, but Georgiana looked upon him in complete disbelief. “Not Miss Bennet,” he added, and his sister’s features relaxed. “Miss Elizabeth. Yet, I termed the lady’s connections far below what to expect as the next Mistress of Pemberley.”

  “But Lady Anne greatly outranked our father’s status. True, papa was a wealthy gentleman, but as the daughter of an earl, our mother could claim a titled gentleman. Is not Miss Elizabeth a gentleman’s daughter?”

  “She is,” Darcy admitted. “But at the time of our initial acquaintance I was too top-lofty to overlook Mrs. Bennet’s connections to trade.”

  Georgiana clucked her tongue in disapproval; the gesture was one he heard their mother practice more often than the late Lady Anne would have ever claimed. Odd that his sister mimicked a woman she never knew.

  “Yet you pronounce Mr. Bingley as a close acquaintance.”

  “I am well aware of my shortcomings,” Darcy said with good-natured self-chastisement. “Nothing I did could be called ‘reasonable.’ I permitted my pride to rule my head. I came to the conclusion I could not attach our family name to the Bennets; therefore, I practiced a ruse to keep Bingley from Miss Bennet. I did not trust myself to be often in Miss Elizabeth’s company. I told my troubled heart if I did not act with perfidy, I would lose Bingley’s most excellent friendship forever.”

  While he thought on how to explain the remainder of his tale, Darcy permitted his servants to serve the fish course. Under Mrs. Annesley’s tutorage his sister had learned to act as hostess, and so Georgiana waited until Darcy’s footmen stepped into the servants’ hall before she continued their conversation.

  “Was this desire not to encounter the lady again the source of your reluctance at assisting Miss Elizabeth when she appeared upon Pemberley’s threshold?”

  “No, dearest one.” Darcy placed his utensils upon the table and turned to his sister. It was important for Georgiana to know the whole truth. “Miss Elizabeth learned that Mr. Wickham ran off with her younger sister.” He would not disclose to his sister his misplaced accusations regarding Elizabeth’s culpability. “Miss Elizabeth wished my assistance in locating Mr. Wickham.”

  Georgiana’s bottom lip trembled, but not from fear of encountering Wickham. Darcy found her courage remarkable.

  “How terrible for Miss Elizabeth’s family.” Darcy could read his sister’s thoughts: If he did not interrupt Wickham’s plans, Lydia Bennet’s fate would be hers. “I realize you held no desire to associate with Mr. Wickham, but please say you knew success.”

  Darcy squeezed the back of her hand.

  “It was not easy, but I possessed the direction for where I sent the last of Mrs. Younge’s wages. The woman knew of Mr. Wickham and Miss Lydia’s whereabouts. I am sorry to say Wickham held no intention of marrying Miss Lydia, but Mr. Gardiner and I threatened debtors’ prison if Wickham did not act with honor toward the lady. The marriage settlements were drawn, and I will return to Town to assure that Mr. Wickham speaks his vows.”

  “I am certain Miss Elizabeth is quite relieved,” Georgiana assured.

  “Before the papers were signed, the lady returned to Longbourn to assist in the care of her family, but I assume the Gardiners kept Miss Elizabeth informed.”

  Georgiana was very quiet for several minutes before she spoke again.

  “William, I possess a question.”

  “Then ask it. I a
m at your disposal.”

  “We assumed part of Mr. Wickham’s attentions to me were because he wished revenge upon the Darcy name. If that is true, and it is also true the Bennets are not so well placed, why did Mr. Wickham choose to run off with Miss Lydia? What was his motive?”

  Darcy added quickly, “Mr. Wickham’s debts caused him to flee Brighton, where he held residence with the Meryton militia.”

  “Meryton? Is that not the name of the village close to Netherfield? Was Mr. Wickham in Meryton when you visited with Mr. Bingley?”

  “Not at the outset,” Darcy explained. “He appeared in the village a few days after Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth returned to Longbourn, once Miss Bennet recovered from her illness. I did not wish to tell you because I feared it might upset you.”

  Georgiana paused for responding.

  “I would not welcome the news, and I understand your caution.” She cleared her throat. “Did Mr. Wickham recognize your interest in Miss Elizabeth?”

  “Mr. Wickham filled Miss Elizabeth’s head with his version of what occurred since our time at Cambridge.”

  Georgiana shook off his explanation.

  “That is not what I asked. I would expect nothing less from Mr. Wickham. However, do you think it possible Mr. Wickham chose to ruin Miss Lydia because of your attentions to Miss Elizabeth? Could our father’s godson think to best you by destroying your chances with Miss Elizabeth?”

  His sister’s analysis took Darcy’s breath away.

  “I thought of many possibilities, but not that particular one. Miss Bingley took note of how I studied Miss Elizabeth, while Mr. Wickham had fellows such as Captain Denny to keep him abreast of my actions at public gatherings in the neighborhood. It would seem quite possible for Mr. Wickham to realize my interest in the lady. We spent much of our youth together. I would expect Mr. Wickham could read me as easily I read him.” Darcy paused before adding, “If such was Wickham’s purpose, he sorely erred. Miss Lydia is inferior to her elder sisters. Moreover, I plan to propose to Miss Elizabeth when this matter is finalized.”