Mary nodded. “That’s a logical conclusion, Lizzie. He’s come to understand that you don’t agree and that it offends you. He’s being a gentleman to you. That’s nice to know.” She looked at Mrs. Bennet and raised her eyebrows. “Isn’t that right, Mother? You would rather her be with a man who is at least making an attempt to right his bad behavior?”
“Even if it’s only on the outside.” Mrs. Bennet nodded resignedly.
“We don’t know if it’s helping him change on the inside as well, Mama,” Jane said, softly. “It seems to me he’s making this attempt because he has grown true feelings for Lizzie. That means a great deal. I’m sure it does to you.” She looked at her sister. “Isn’t that right, Lizzie?”
“I’m happy about it,” Elizabeth replied with a nod. “Very happy about it. It makes my life quite a lot calmer and easier. I was angry for a while and I don’t think that helped.”
“It made him recognize that he was going to have to change his behavior,” Kitty supplied.
Lydia shook her head. “He was a boorish man. I don’t think he would have changed if he didn’t want to. I doubt that he would have put any effort in it at all, to be frank, if it wasn’t Lizzie he was with. She has that effect on many.”
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “What effect do I have on people, may I ask?”
Lydia smiled at her. “You’re a pretty girl and you’re smart. You make people want to think positive thoughts and be happy. That’s your behavior and it… well, it fairly glows off you. It makes people want what you have.”
“Darcy has a long way to go before he can be more like Lizzie,” Kitty said.
“I agree.” Mrs. Bennet slid the needle through the fabric draped over her lap, holding it up with the other hand so that it wouldn’t stick her.
Elizabeth fell quiet, concentrating on her own embroidery, thinking about what they’d said. She was proud that her sisters saw her in such a way.
Chapter 16
“Merry Christmas!” Elizabeth opened the door to a small group of people and smiled wide at their greeting.
“Merry Christmas, please do come in!”
“I’m surprised to see you opening the door. Where is your housekeeper?” Charlotte swept through the doorway, her skirts brushing softly on the floor. She held up one hand before Elizabeth could respond. “Oh, she must have the day off to be with her family.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, of course. It’s a family holiday, after all.”
She nodded as the group of friends who had come with Charlotte moved around them and continued toward the parlor.
“Yes, it is. Are there many guests here tonight?”
“Everyone is in the parlor. Go ahead and join them. I’m expecting another guest quite soon.”
Charlotte tilted her head to the side and smiled. “Whoever could you be waiting for, my dear Lizzie? Has your husband not yet arrived?”
Elizabeth giggled. “It’s not my husband. Darcy is in the drawing room with the other men, drinking brandy and waiting to open presents.”
Both women laughed.
“I’m waiting for Mr. Wickham. It’s been some time since we have spoken and there’s much to tell him.”
“I was under the impression he didn’t get along with your husband. I’m surprised he would be coming here.”
“This isn’t Pemberley House this is Longbourn House, and my parents will invite whomever they choose.” Elizabeth smiled as she said the words, using a teasing voice. Charlotte returned the laughter.
“Would you like company? I can stay with you while you wait for him.”
“I expect him any moment. I do believe we’ll take a walk and talk for a while. There’s much to share.”
“It’s frightfully cold outside, Lizzie,” Charlotte warned. “I suggest you wrap up tight or stay inside. You don’t want your teeth chattering when you’re trying to talk, do you?”
Again, the women laughed. “No, I suppose not. Perhaps we’ll choose another room to occupy or just come into the parlor. I don’t wish to start a scandal, but I suppose if I were to go walking with Wickham, it would cause just as much of a scandal as it would if we come into the parlor where everyone else is.”
“Do you think your husband will start an argument if he sees Wickham in the house and with you?”
“I don’t believe he will. I might hear about it when we return home, and he’ll use his very firm voice,” Elizabeth said the words in a deep tone, intended to mock what Darcy would sound like. “But I’m not afraid of him. He would never hurt me. He knows that I’m not the scandalous type and that Wickham is merely my friend.”
“Do you know what the two of them have against each other? I thought they were relatives.”
“They aren’t relatives. Darcy’s father took Wickham in under his wing and helped him become a man, but they’re not blood-related.”
“Have you spoken with Lady Catherine as of late?” Charlotte asked in a cautious tone.
Elizabeth shook her head. “She’s very unhappy about the marriage. It has been months, and she’s still angry with Darcy for agreeing to marry me and then following through with it. I don’t know how long it will take for her to accept our marriage.”
“It’s doubtful she ever will. She’s one of the reasons Darcy was always so conscious of the class of others. She taught him to think in that manner, and that anyone not as elevated on the social status was beneath her and her nephew.”
“Yes, I agree.”
Charlotte looked toward the parlor doors which had opened, and her friends were going in the room. She could hear their greetings from where they stood. “I’m going to join everyone. I caution you not to go for a walk. You might catch your death of cold. It’s absolutely freezing out there.”
“All right, Charlotte. I’ll take caution and just join you in the parlor. That way we can be seen and heard, and no one will suspect we’re doing anything nefarious.”
Charlotte gave her a hug and turned to move to the parlor doors. She watched her friend for a moment and then turned back to the front door. She had expected it to be Wickham when the bells rang that someone had arrived. She should have known Charlotte would be at the door when she opened it. Charlotte was the only one who was left to be expected besides Wickham. And Wickham was often not on time.
He was the last one left to arrive.
Elizabeth moved to the window and looked out, her eyes running over the snow-covered hills and the gently falling snow as it drifted to the ground. She could see a covered carriage in the distance. It was approaching Longbourn quickly. When it was close enough, she could see its sole occupant was Mr. Wickham. She smiled, anxious to have a conversation with him and find out what he had been doing to occupy his time.
When Wickham stepped down from the carriage he hurried up the steps, holding an umbrella over his head despite the fact that he was wearing a hat. He was dressed in dashing modern fashion, and Elizabeth was taken with his striking appearance. She pulled in a deep breath, reminding herself that she was a married woman. She would never give Darcy a reason to doubt her loyalty or faithfulness, no matter how good-looking Wickham might be.
“He doesn’t have to be so charming, though, now does he?” she mumbled to herself before throwing the door wide open and greeting Wickham warmly. “Hello! It’s good to see you, my friend!”
“Elizabeth. How wonderful to see you, my dear. I trust you’ve been well since your marriage to my old friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy?”
They hugged and Wickham gave her a kiss on the top of her hand. “I’ve been adjusting to my new life, Wickham. It hasn’t been easy but it’s getting better. I thought that we might take a walk but Charlotte says it’s too cold out for that.”
Wickham nodded in agreement. “It is too cold for a walk, my dear. I suggest we stay inside. Where’s your husband?”
“He’s in the drawing room with some of the other men. Everyone else is in the parlor. Would you like to join them?”
“Yes,
that would be welcoming. I do hope your family isn’t upset with my presence.”
Elizabeth laughed, taking his arm and turning toward the parlor. “No, they wouldn’t be upset, Wickham. Why, they never would have invited you if they didn’t think it appropriate. They knew I was anxious to see you again.”
“It has been some months, hasn’t it?”
“Oh yes, it definitely has!”
“I do hope they haven’t invited me in order to irritate your husband.” Wickham kept his voice low, giving her a sly look. She giggled.
“You tease. They don’t think that way.”
“They’ve invited me as a favor to you, then.”
Elizabeth pushed open the parlor door and smiled at him. “Yes, of course. Let’s sit over there and talk. The room is large and we won’t be bothered much.”
She led him to the other side of the room that was less occupied, and those who were there were speaking in low tones, sipping tea and crunching cookies.
Elizabeth took a seat and he sat next to her, facing her.
“Tell me, dear, how is dear old Darcy treating you? Well, I do hope.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, he is. He’s been… his behavior isn’t as boorish as it used to be, I’m glad to say. I have my doubts as to his true feelings for me, but mine for him have changed significantly in the last few months.”
“I do hope you’re able to work through this and resolve any issues that might come between you. I want the best for you. You do know that, don’t you?”
Elizabeth nodded, resting one hand on his. “I do know that, Wickham. And he’s been making me happy… nearly all the time.”
“Not all the time?”
Elizabeth tilted her head. “It’s Fitzwilliam Darcy we’re talking about, Wickham. I know you have a significant past with him and you both know each other well. But I wasn’t happy about marrying him and I’m often at a loss as to understand why he wanted to marry me. He gained nothing.”
“He gained a beautiful, intelligent woman for a wife, with more class than any of those with more money in their accounts,” Wickham said, firmly. “You must never forget that.”
“Thank you, my dear. Those are kind words.”
“True words,” Wickham insisted. “And you must promise me that you won’t forget them.”
“I won’t forget, Wickham. I promise I won’t forget.”
“You’re worthy of so much, my dear, and I’m glad Darcy is able to provide so well for you. You’ve only gotten what you deserve in that respect. Now, we must hope that your presence will create a new man in him.”
Elizabeth smiled at him.
Chapter 17
The snow melted and the sun came out in full force, drying the countryside of Hertfordshire and bringing out the beautiful colors and smells of spring.
Elizabeth jostled to the side as the carriage went down the gravely road. Darcy held out a hand toward her. He was too far away to touch her, but she noticed the gesture and smiled at him. He was gradually showing signs that he cared for her in a similar fashion. Since Christmas Elizabeth’s feelings for him had deepened, but she was still uncertain of how he felt for her, whether his love for her ran as deeply as hers did for him.
She did a remarkable job hiding her true feelings for him, remaining a bit stand-offish when she felt it was necessary to hide how she was feeling. Their marriage, to him, was one of convenience. But when she told herself that, she wondered what it was that he gained besides a beautiful, intelligent wife, as Wickham insisted at Christmas. Surely that couldn’t have been the only reason. He wasn’t in love with her. She had been able to tell that from the very beginning.
But surely, now, after nearly a year, he felt at least some love for her in his heart. At times he was warm, funny, teasing, and happy. But typically, he wasn’t smiling and gave off a cold impression. At times it would make her uncomfortable. It was her nature to be open and happy. She loved to laugh and smile. He was nearly always the opposite, giving off a negative vibe that was in competition with her positive one. She delighted when he opened up to her and would joke with her.
“I spent some time with Jane when I visited Longbourn a few days ago.”
Darcy looked at her. “Oh?” was all he said.
“Yes.” Elizabeth didn’t wait for him to show interest in what she was saying. “She’s still suffering from Bingley’s rejection.”
Darcy shook his head. “It’s been quite a long time, Lizzie. She should be well over that by now.”
“Her love for him was quite deep.”
“Regardless, she must accept that he’s not coming back to her. It wasn’t right from the beginning. If she doesn’t see that, she’s more foolish than I thought.”
Elizabeth felt her temper rising. She struggled to contain it, feeling her face becoming hot. “My sister is not foolish!” she exclaimed.
“She is if she still hasn’t let this foolish romance remain in the past, instead of letting it affect her still, all these months later.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “She truly loved him. She thought they were going to have a future together. It must have been a severe blow and she’s a sensitive girl.”
Darcy shook his head back at her. “You say sensitive. I say foolish. It’s the same thing.”
“It is not the same thing. You imply that she’s not smart when you say foolish. She’s an intelligent woman.”
“I said nothing about her intelligence. There’s a difference between matters of the mind and matters of the heart. She struggles with knowing the difference between what’s right and good for her and what her heart wants.”
“Why do you say that Bingley wasn’t right and good for her?” Elizabeth recalled her conversation with Jane, when she was told that Darcy had a hand in the dissolution of the relationship between her sister and Mr. Bingley.
“I’ve told you from the beginning, my dear,” Darcy shook his head slowly. “I haven’t changed my opinion on the matter. They were not to be and that ‘s final. Nothing has changed and nothing will change. My heart goes out to Jane, Elizabeth, believe me. But it could be seen from the very beginning if you had just listened to me. Have you nothing else to speak of?”
Elizabeth tried not to be annoyed by his abrupt manner. It was typical for him, but it still annoyed her. She wanted to be married to a man who would smile and laugh with her. Not a man who was constantly sour and bitter for no apparent reason.
Still, his kind words about Jane and the tone he took made her heart beat a little faster, as she hoped that his feelings for her were growing. It was difficult to tell. His behavior toward her changed frequently, and she could never tell what he was going to say next. She almost immediately regretted the topic of discussion she chose next.
“I’ve been corresponding with Mr. Wickham over the last week or so. And with Mrs. Gardiner. She’s informed me that when Mr. Wickham went home last Christmas, he met a woman at a ball and they’ve been spending a good deal of time together.”
Darcy didn’t attempt to keep the contempt from his face. “Oh?” he said again.
Elizabeth refrained from sighing. Once the topic was brought up, she understood her mistake. But it was the first thing that had popped into her mind. He had no interest in what she had to say. She knew that he was often irritated by Mr. Wickham, and there was little she could do about it. But she considered him to be her friend.
“You know so little about him,” Darcy said, surprising her. “I’m quite stunned that a woman with your intelligence would bother with the likes of him.”
“He’s charming and intelligent, and we have many of the same likes and dislikes. We get along well when we correspond and when we have the opportunity to see each other. You needn’t worry about more. We’re only friends.”
Darcy snorted, making Elizabeth drop her eyes. “I don’t suspect you, Elizabeth. You aren’t the kind of woman to be deceitful.”
“I’m glad you realize that, Darcy.” Elizabeth looked up at him agai
n.
“He’s not a loyal man. He has a past that you know nothing about.”
“Why do I need to know about his past? There’s nothing that can be done about it now.”
“While that’s true, the effects of his past behavior through the years are long-reaching. He won’t tell you the truth of the matter, but I will.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Unless it’s something I need to know, I don’t want to know about it. I’ve heard that he is keeping company with a Miss King and that he’s seemingly very happy.”
“I don’t care to know what he’s doing. His business is no longer mine to care about.”
“He’s my friend. I do care what happens to him.”
“And it can remain that way without my knowledge or input.” Darcy leaned forward, clasping his hands together and looking into Elizabeth’s eyes. She hadn’t seen him react that way before and it gave her a bit of a fright. She subconsciously pressed herself back against the carriage seat, as if to draw away from him, but since she was already seated she didn’t go anywhere.
“I don’t care for George Wickham, Elizabeth. He’s known for following the trail of money. Where there is some to be found, that’s where he will be. He will pursue any woman to get to that destination. You have no money but mine. I do hope you won’t borrow from my accounts to satisfy any need he may have. If you care about his feelings more than you care about mine, you will need to inform me of this matter. If you don’t care more for him than me, do me the courtesy of keeping your friendship discreet and private. I expect not to hear of any financial transactions between the two of you. I don’t want to hear anything from my friends about how my wife is behaving in an unbecoming way. It’s not only your reputation in society that you must be concerned about. It’s mine as well. It’s your family at Longbourn. There’s little that you can do to change the reputation Mr. Wickham has created for himself. But you will not tarnish my standing in society because of a supposed relationship with him. Do you understand?”
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