He laughed, and said, "It is just that it would give me great pleasure if when you address me, you would call me William, and if you would allow me to be similarly informal when I speak to you."
"Very well then—William," she said a little shyly. "But you must be patient with me if I slip up from time to time."
"Of course I will—Elizabeth," he answered. She stared up at him. It only occurred to her later how strange it should be that the full form of her name on his lips should sound so much more intimate than the informal, family version would have.
"No one calls me that," she said. She was not angry, only a little puzzled.
"I've noticed," he said dryly. "You have a beautiful name, which nobody uses. Do you dislike it so very much?"
“I don't dislike it at all," she confessed. "It is just that everyone shortens it to Lizzy. My grandmother always called me by my full name and I liked it, but after she died, no one did.”
"May I do so?" he asked her gently.
"Yes . . . yes, you may," she said quietly, feeling absurdly shy.
When they had rejoined the other members of their party, Lydia begged leave to present her friend Mary King, who was visiting Ramsgate with her aunt. Mary was much the same height as Lydia, but with a more angular figure, ginger hair, and rather prominent teeth. Her aunt professed herself delighted to meet Mary's friends.
"For you must know, Miss Bennet, that she has talked so much about her friend Lydia and her charming family!" Elizabeth murmured gratification at this intelligence, although she could not recall that Mary's affection for Lydia had resulted in a single letter. She also found it interesting that Mrs. Montgomery seemed to be even more delighted to meet Darcy. "How agreeable it will be to have a gentleman with whom we are acquainted in Ramsgate, will it not, Mary?" Mary unblushingly agreed.
"Sadly, matters of business will take me away," said Darcy courteously. "But I look forward to hearing how you are enjoying your visit."
Mrs. Montgomery smiled, but less expansively than before.
After they had left the assembly hall, Mrs. Younge said to Lydia, "How agreeable for you to have found an old friend in Ramsgate, my dear."
Lydia smiled and murmured something in agreement, but later, when she and Elizabeth were alone, she admitted, "I didn't really like her. We met quite frequently, but we didn't have that much in common."
The following day, Darcy returned home and they did not see him for nearly a week. During his absence, they visited the assembly hall nearly every day, and attended worship in the Abbey, as well. They often saw Mary King and her aunt, but they did not become close.
It soon dawned upon Elizabeth that Darcy was widely regarded as an eligible and personable gentleman. He was more than a proud gentleman with a large fortune. His stature and confident demeanor, combined with his elegant dress, and faultless manners, proved him to be an agreeable companion and desirable escort. After he had returned from London, more than one lady managed to inquire about him in a roundabout way.
Six days after Darcy's departure, Elizabeth and Lydia were returning to Lilley Place after a morning walk. The breeze was fresh, and had whipped color into their cheeks. They were about to mount the steps when a voice attracted their attention and, turning, they saw Darcy getting down off his horse.
"Well met, ladies!" he declared, in high good humor as he handed the reins over to his groom. "You are both looking remarkably well." His remarks were addressed to both of them, but it was on Elizabeth's face that his admiring gaze rested for the longest.
“Will you not come in, Mr. Darcy?"
He accepted her invitation, but, as he stood back for them, he murmured under his breath,
"Call me William,” unaccountably causing Elizabeth's heart to miss a beat. The butler conducted him to the drawing-room and brought him some wine whilst they were putting off their bonnets. When Elizabeth got downstairs, she found Darcy alone, sipping the wine that had been brought for him.
"Our sisters have not yet come down, and I am told that Mrs. Younge is visiting a friend," he said. "May I pour for you?"
Elizabeth assented, and took the glass from him with a word of thanks.
"Have you seen anything of my family?" she asked him.
"I have," he replied. "I rode over on my return from London, knowing that you would be glad of any news. Miss Catherine is ruling the household with great dash and enthusiasm. Jane has dined at Netherfield Park three times. Mary has been adding up huge columns of figures, but has discovered that she is not as good at it as you are. She is frequently finding pennies going astray."
"That may be Papa's writing," remarked Elizabeth. "It is not always very clear."
"I will remember to tell her next time I go. Your father seems to be in fine health." He paused for a moment. I did not see your mother, but I believe that she is not well at present."
"Oh dear," murmured Elizabeth a little anxiously. I wonder whether I should—"
"Certainly not," said Darcy in an authoritative tone. "She is well cared for and your presence would neither relieve her nor make her worse."
"But you must allow me to have a little family feeling,” she said gently.
"Your life has been ruled by little else,” he replied, his tone rather irritable. “I suppose I should not be surprised that it is coming to the surface yet again."
"Of course you should not be surprised,” she retorted indignantly. Am I not entitled to be concerned for my mother?"
"Yes, you are entitled to be concerned. But recall, if you please, that it was your mother's wish that you should come to Ramsgate. All I am saying is that you need to have a sense of proportion."
"A sense of proportion!" she declared exasperatedly. "Since when has it been possible to contain one's emotions in that kind of way?"
He looked at her steadily for a long moment, then said, "You are right of course; it is not possible."
She went on as if he had said nothing, "Just because you have the means to employ servants and lady companions to look after those you love—"
"That is untrue and a little unfair," he said mildly. Suddenly realizing how she had been speaking to him without restraint, she colored deeply.
“I beg your pardon," she said in mortified tones. “I do not understand why I am quarreling with you in this way."
"What is a disagreement between friends?" he said and smiled. Suddenly, Elizabeth remembered her mother saying that he was a fine man. Before she could pursue these thoughts any further, the door opened and Lydia came in.
"By the way,” he went on, Valerie Clarke asks me to tell you that you are under strict instructions to enjoy yourselves prodigiously whilst you are here."
"How kind of her," said Lydia. "But you may tell her when next you see her, Mr. Darcy, that we are enjoying ourselves already. Are we not, Lizzy?"
Elizabeth agreed, but she could not help wondering whether he had met Mrs. Clarke by chance or had sought her out.
CHAPTER SIX
Elizabeth had been a little concerned that she would have to find an excuse for getting away from Lydia and Mrs. Younge that afternoon, but this proved unnecessary. Mrs. Younge decided to go upstairs for a nap, and Lydia had received an invitation from Mary King to go shopping.
“I thought you didn't like her," commented Elizabeth.
"No, I don't really," replied Lydia frankly. "But the family are very accustomed to society. To have their acquaintance may be helpful."
"Yes, but don't punish yourself too much," said Elizabeth.
“I won't," promised Lydia, laughing.
Once Elizabeth had put on her bonnet, she went downstairs, carefully avoiding Sims, and letting herself quietly out of the house.
Elizabeth had never seen the local gardens by night, when, on occasions, they were enhanced by fireworks, cascades and colored lanterns, but they were pretty enough during the day, with their shady trees, pleasant walkways and refreshing water features.
She was perfectly happy to walk about for so
me time, simply enjoying the fresh air and the happy situation of the gardens. When half an hour had passed, however, she began to realize the equivocal nature of her situation.
A rather disreputable-looking gentleman was eyeing her with interest, and she was just thinking that she would have to return to Lilley Place alone, when Georgiana herself hurried over, accompanied by a maid.
“Pray forgive me! I am so late!" she exclaimed. "Mrs. Younge would not leave me alone! She can be so annoying at times. Shall we walk?" They began to walk along together, the maid falling discreetly behind. “I am so glad to be able to speak openly," went on Georgiana. "I want to ask for your help."
Elizabeth looked at her and smiled.
"What is it?" asked Georgiana.
"Miss Darcy, forgive me for saying so, but I really must tell you that the contrast between your manner when I first met you and your manner today is most marked."
Georgiana smiled ruefully. "My companion can be very forceful at times, and I discovered a long time ago that the easiest thing is to let her have her head. But we must get down to business, for I cannot be absent for too long. Tell me, Miss Bennet, do you know George Wickham? Your sister said you met him where you live in Hertfordshire."
Elizabeth hesitated, knowing Wickham to be a close acquaintance of the Darcy family.
“I can tell that you are not sure whether you can trust me," said Georgiana. "Well, I know that I can trust you for my brother has told me so. Mr. Wickham and I met after some sort of naval display here in Ramsgate. Mrs. Younge invited him to join us for dinner. Miss Bennet, have you ever met someone and known straight away that they would be special to you?"
"No, never," admitted Elizabeth. "Was that how it was with you and Mr. Wickham?"
Georgiana nodded.
"We met a few more times and those meetings only confirmed our attraction to one another. Then Wickham had to leave with the militia. I'm not sure what I thought would happen then. I think that we both wanted to see whether what we had felt was a lasting attachment.
We only need to see one another again, Miss Bennet, for us both to know that we must be together, but we have a problem."
"Money?" ventured Elizabeth.
"Exactly so," agreed Georgiana. "Is it not absurd, Miss Bennet, that one is not supposed to speak about money for fear of being thought vulgar; yet one must think about it, save it, and even marry it wherever possible!"
Elizabeth laughed. "I have never thought of it in that way, Miss Darcy."
“Mr. Wickham is not a wealthy man. He was my father's godson. He wasted away all the money he had, and although he puts on airs, he is always scrimping and saving. My brother has always intended me to marry someone with ample means, and until I was reunited with Wickham, I thought that I would be able to be obedient to his wishes. No, I do not see how I can. I must marry for love. Oh, Miss Bennet, what am I to do?”
"Is there no one in your family, or close to you, who would take your part?" Elizabeth asked her.
"I did wonder about my cousin, Anne de Bourgh,” replied Georgiana. “But she is sickly and everyone is anxious that she won't survive long enough to marry, albeit marry well. When we were in Hunsford, William started to talk about our cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, who seemed as if he might be interested in me. My brother urged me to encourage him all I could, because it would be preserving the family's good name!” She paused for a moment, then laid her hand on Elizabeth's arm. “Can you not send for Mr. Wickham?” she asked. “I think he is still in Hertfordshire.”
"You must remember that I have been away from home for some days," replied Elizabeth. "He might be there but I would not know it."
"Please!" cried Georgiana beseechingly. "Can you not try? Mrs. Younge has heard that Colonel Fitzwilliam is to come to Ramsgate—indeed, that is why we have come here—and if he does so and declares himself, I don't know what I shall do!"
Elizabeth thought for a moment. "I shall write to Jane and ask if he is still in the village," she promised at last, "but I do not have any knowledge of his movements." In a more cheerful tone, she went on, "Try not to be too despondent. All manner of things might happen to change this situation."
The two ladies walked back to Lilley Place together, by mutual consent talking now of indifferent topics until they parted for their rooms.
Elizabeth wished that she could have shared this problem with someone else, but without Georgiana's permission, she did not feel justified in doing so. She supposed that in all honesty she ought to send a letter to Longbourn as she had agreed.
****
She was still wondering what to do next day as the three of them were preparing to go to the assembly hall. They were on the point of leaving, when there was a knock at the door, and Sims opened it to reveal Darcy standing on the threshold.
“Let me hazarded a guess that you might be leaving for the assembly hall at about now. Am I right?"
"Exactly right!" exclaimed Mrs. Younge. What a fortunate circumstance! You may escort us, Mr. Darcy."
“I should be delighted," he replied, then acknowledged the other two ladies. "Elizabeth, Miss Lydia."
Lydia looked a little surprised, for Elizabeth had not told her about Darcy's request that they call one another by their Christian names, but Elizabeth did not notice her expression, for Darcy was smiling at her and she found herself smiling back.
As the two sisters walked along behind Darcy and Mrs. Younge—to whom he had offered his arm— Elizabeth remembered the problem of Georgiana and Wickham. She had still not sent a message home about the officer, and she wondered what she ought to do. As she looked at Darcy's well-built figure, she knew a longing to confide in him, but she was aware that she could not do this without the permission of those most closely concerned.
In the event, the problem was solved in the most unexpected way. They had not been in the assembly hall for more than a few minutes when to her great surprise she saw George Wickham approaching them accompanied by Mr. Denny. She turned to her sister saying, "Good heavens! It is Mr. Wickham!"
To her amazement, Lydia had lost nearly all her color and was looking as if she might faint. The two officers hurried forward and Wickham helped her to a chair, whilst Mr. Denny looked on concernedly. Whilst all this activity was going on, Wickham found a moment to say to Elizabeth, "Miss Darcy is here, isn't she? Have you seen her, and spoken to her?"
"Yes, I have," answered Elizabeth, a little irritated by Wickham's apparent lack of manners. "But at the moment, Lydia is my first concern. Stay with her, Mr. Wickham, whilst I procure a glass of water for her." She took a few steps forward, then Denny caught up with her and said, "Allow me." Elizabeth thanked him, and was about to return to Lydia when she realized that Mr. Darcy, unaware of what had occurred, was trying to catch her eye. He was talking to another gentleman, and he appeared to be in high good humor.
Looking around, she saw that Denny, acting on her behalf, was sitting with her sister, who appeared to be a little better. Then observing her scrutiny, he grinned at her. It was a somewhat crooked, even lopsided grin, and finding herself smiling back at him, Darcy and his companion walked over.
"Elizabeth, allow me to present to you my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Richard this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who, along with her sister, has been kind enough to stay with Georgiana."
Elizabeth made her curtsy, and looked up at Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was about the same height as Darcy, and of much the same sort of build, although perhaps a little slimmer. His likeness to Darcy was remarkable, but the years that separated them had clearly not been well spent, for the colonel's hair was white at the temples, and his face was deeply riven with lines of dissipation.
"Miss Bennet, I am delighted to make your acquaintance," he said. “I am pleased to see that Miss Darcy's companion has not vet driven you mad— but beware, it may yet come!"
"Mrs. Younge has been very kind,” replied Elizabeth. “Have you been home long?”
Stealing a glance at Darcy, she noticed that
he did not appear to be in as good a humor as he had when the conversation had begun.
"No, not long at all, Miss Bennet,” answered Colonel Fitzwilliam. “When I went abroad, my family thought they had seen the last of me, only to have their hopes confounded when I returned this week. There's very little love lost between some of us."
“But you have come straight to Ramsgate, where two members of your family are staying," pointed out Elizabeth. “I protest, sir, you must have more family affection than you are admitting!"
“Ah. Yes, I suppose you are correct in your deduction, Miss Bennet. I came indeed to see my good man, Darcy.”
Darcy stationed himself in front of Elizabeth, who suddenly turned to him.
“You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy,” she said with a smile. “But my courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.”
“I've known you long enough to know you find great enjoyment in professing opinions which are not your own,” he said.
Elizabeth laughed heartily at this depiction of herself. “Mr. Darcy, it is very dangerous of you to say this. You are provoking me to answer back, and I may say something that would shock your relatives.”
“I am not afraid of you,” he said, smilingly.
“I should like to hear how he behaves among strangers,” grinned Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Richard," said Darcy warningly, "if you have a fancy to keep your skin whole, you'll stop there." His tone was light, but his expression seemed to Elizabeth to carry a hint of anxiety.
"Why, Darcy, what did you think Miss Bennet was going to say?"
"What I will say, Richard, is that you haven't changed one iota," said Darcy. The two men exchanged a long glance, and Elizabeth gained the impression that they were both recalling many memories.
Suddenly she recalled Lydia's spell of faintness, and exclaimed, "My sister! She was not feeling well. I must attend her immediately." She turned round, but Lydia and Mr. Wickham had both gone. Before she had time to become anxious, Mr. Denny came towards them.
The Ramsgate Affair Page 4