“That is ambiguous indeed,” Elizabeth said, one brow raised.
“Indeed. The living at Kympton, the one my father had hoped George would take on, was not available, but we suspected it would fall open in a few years. Whether from a desire not to wait or for some other reason, George declared he did not wish to be a clergyman, and that he would much rather study the law. I was relieved, I admit. He requested money in lieu of the living, and I gave him three-thousand pounds in exchange for him relinquishing all claim to it in the future.”
“Three thousand pounds!”
“Yes, and he was given another thousand as a legacy from my father.”
“Four thousand pounds!” she squeaked.
“Yes. Quite a sum. A prudent man could have lived several years on such an income. But prudence and George Wickham have never been much acquainted,” Darcy said acerbically. “For years I did not see him nor hear of him. I hoped rather than believed he was doing something useful with himself and the money I’d given him. Alas, when the living at Kympton fell open, he heard of it and sent a letter requesting the position. He claimed my father’s final wishes and played on our childhood friendship. I refused, of course.”
“Naturally!” Elizabeth cried.
Darcy nodded and continued. “He sent me a letter filled with vitriol that does not bear repeating, but I am sure his anger at me was in direct proportion to his distressed circumstances.”
“How did he spend so much so quickly? No family, no home to maintain?” she wondered aloud.
“Wickham has never had trouble spending money. It’s keeping it that eludes him.”
“Was that day in Meryton the first time you saw him since all this happened?”
“No, I’m afraid it wasn’t. Last summer, he attempted an elopement with a member of a family well known to me. The girl was but fifteen and persuaded to think herself in love with Wickham, and he with her. His goal, of course, was her dowry of thirty-thousand pounds.”
Elizabeth gasped. Fifteen! “How was the plan foiled? Did her family discover it?”
“They did,” he said quietly, his arm on the mantle and his back to Elizabeth. “It was discovered just in time. The young lady’s spirits have yet to recover. Her confidence has taken a blow. She trusts no one and is terrified of making a mistake.”
“So young!” Elizabeth shook her head. “I can’t believe it! How can he be so very bad?”
“If you doubt the veracity of my statements, I can send for the paperwork on the will and the living. My cousin is a colonel in the army and was an executor to my father’s will and connected to the family of the young girl. He knows all and is an unimpeachable source.” He spoke to the floor, his voice low, his body unnervingly still.
“Forgive me, Mr. Darcy. I did not mean to imply that I distrust you. I believe you—utterly and completely. You need not send for anything,” she replied, leaning forward. “I was simply expressing my astonishment.”
He relaxed slightly and nodded. “Wickham is blessed with happy manners that ensure he makes friends wherever he goes.”
“If only he were as good at keeping them,” said Elizabeth with heat. “Mr. Darcy, as you began speaking, I pondered on the difference of you telling me your history and Mr. Wickham’s recitation. I see now that yours is utterly lacking in manipulation. Wickham watches his target carefully to see what he should say next, where he should press an advantage. He is not informing the listener, but himself. He is gauging their interest and loyalties. It is in every way abhorrent.”
“Brava, Miss Bennet,” said Mr. Darcy with a look of pride. “I believe you are the first lady of my acquaintance to understand that about Wickham. And so soon after being introduced—you should be impressed.”
“I would be more impressed if I had not been taken in in the first place, but I thank you for the compliment, Mr. Darcy.”
He nodded again, a small smile gracing his handsome features.
“Now, let us get back to the dance before we are missed,” she said, rising from the sofa. “Will you follow in a few minutes?”
“Yes, I shall be directly behind you,” he said.
She nodded and turned to walk out of the room, giving him a reassuring smile just before she slipped through the door. He looked back at her with a look in his eyes she could not place. After many hours of tossing in bed, she would decide it was wistful.
Chapter 9
A Little Encouragement
Elizabeth had much to think on the next morning. She couldn’t believe she had been so taken in by Mr. Wickham! At least no lasting harm had been done. The more she thought on it, the more she thought it was ridiculous of her—of anyone—to have believed him on such a short acquaintance. She had known him less than a fortnight! She scolded herself roundly, then resolved to think on it no longer.
It was time to focus on the matter at hand. She still saw keeping Bingley in the neighborhood as the best way of ending this cycle, and the best way of keeping him here meant giving him something to stay for, and then something to return for. Something more official than a lady he showed attention to. Something legally binding.
She must find a way to make Bingley propose to Jane this night.
She began with her sister. She helped Jane in every way she could: with her hair, her dress, her rose water. Jane was resplendent. If she could not inspire a man to propose in such a state, no one could. Throughout the day, Elizabeth said anything she could think of to bolster Jane’s confidence.
Perhaps Charlotte was correct and Jane should show her affection more readily. Deciding it couldn’t hurt, Elizabeth encouraged her sister to be more open with Mr. Bingley, for he was a modest man, and likely to question himself. Jane should leave him in no doubt of her regard. Jane looked at her sister in some surprise, but then said she would encourage the gentleman as best she could.
Elizabeth knew that meant Jane would listen intently, and blush and look at her feet half the night. She would have to intervene on Jane’s behalf.
To that end, Elizabeth put herself in Mr. Bingley’s way to be asked for the second dance.
“Now that you have lived here some time, how do you like Hertfordshire, Mr. Bingley?” she asked.
“I like it very well! It is a delightful county.”
“I am glad to hear it. Do you think you will buy an estate in the south, or would you prefer to return to the north? I understand you are from there?”
“Yes, I am from Scarborough. I do like the north, and I enjoy being near the seaside. But the south is also very agreeable, and Hertfordshire is an easy distance to London.”
“It is that. I have only been to the seaside in Kent. Is it much different in Yorkshire?”
“Oh, yes! The sea is different at nearly every point, I believe.”
“You sound like a sailor. Have you missed your calling, do you think?” she teased.
“I might have been a sailor if I did not become so terribly ill on a ship,” he laughed. “The sea at Scarborough is a different color, and the light in the north is not the same as it is here.”
“Truly? I should like to see that.”
“Mayhap you will,” he said with a glance at Jane.
“Mr. Bingley,” she said haltingly, “forgive my impertinence, but I hope you will one day be the person to show it to me.” She glanced her sister’s direction quickly before returning her attention to her partner.
He flushed. “I hope that as well, Miss Elizabeth.” He paused. She smiled encouragingly. “Do you believe your hope to be shared?” he asked so quietly she almost couldn’t hear the words.
“It is. Quite dearly,” she answered.
He smiled joyfully and she couldn’t help but join him. “Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but I believe you will make an excellent brother.”
He flushed again and they both laughed a little nervously. When the dance ended and he bowed over her hand, she squeezed his fingers. His eyes shot to hers and she whispered, “Fortune favors the brave, Mr. Bingl
ey.” She winked and left the dance floor to join Charlotte.
“You look flustered,” said her friend. “Dare I ask what has happened?”
“Oh, Charlotte, I may have done something very foolish!” cried Elizabeth.
“What did you do?”
“I encouraged Mr. Bingley to offer for Jane.”
“That sounds eminently sensible to me. She should snap him up while she can.”
Elizabeth groaned.
“Do not feel bad for encouraging your sister’s happiness, Eliza.”
“I do not fret over that, I only wish I could have gone about it more elegantly.”
Charlotte laughed. “Dear Eliza, we cannot all be grand ladies!”
Elizabeth laughed as well and moved to the side to watch the dancing. Mr. Bingley was dancing with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst stood up with Mr. Darcy.
“He does not seem put out,” Elizabeth mused.
“He is probably relieved. It is obvious that he cares a good deal for Jane. But he may not move further without some encouragement.”
“I certainly gave him that,” murmured Elizabeth.
“And she will be glad for it when she is married and well settled.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes and Charlotte gave her a look. “Jane cares for Mr. Bingley, that is clear to us who know her, but does he know it? She is so modest, she must do more to help him on.”
Elizabeth wanted to argue the point, but knowing what she did about the Netherfield party’s future plans, and what she had just said to Mr. Bingley, she really had no right to say anything.
Mr. Darcy asked her to dance the fourth as was his custom, and she was so caught up in watching Mr. Bingley dance with Jane that she said nothing the first several minutes.
“Does something bother you, Miss Bennet?” asked Mr. Darcy.
“Oh, forgive my inattention. I was only distracted. Are you enjoying the evening, Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes, I am. Are you?”
Before she could answer, Sir William passed through the dance and interrupted them to say how much he enjoyed watching them dance and how well they looked. Then he mentioned seeing them dance on another occasion and alluded to the wedding of Jane and Bingley. Elizabeth happened to be looking at Mr. Darcy when Sir William mentioned Bingley’s potential wedding and she couldn’t miss the expression of shock and disapproval cross his features. He quickly schooled himself back to his usual mien, but she wondered at what he would do. Finally, Sir William left them and they continued in the dance.
“Do you approve?” she asked quietly.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Of Mr. Bingley and my sister. Do you approve?”
She could see she had shocked him with her question and she waited patiently for an answer.
“Bingley is young; I do not know that he is ready to take such a step.”
“Then he should not pay her such attentions if he only means to abandon her.” She said it before she could think it through, but she could not regret it.
Darcy was surprised and slightly disapproving. “Bingley has no ill intentions. He is friendly and agreeable, and unfortunately that may lead to false expectations.”
“There’s a word for men like that,” she said with a look.
He stared back at her and she danced around him and patiently waited as he turned about with the lady on her right.
“You think him capricious?” asked Darcy when they came back together.
“Is he not? He has shown Jane an inordinate amount of attention. He has raised her hopes and the expectations of her family and the entire neighborhood. He should not have engaged her heart if his intentions were not honorable.”
Darcy looked surprised at this and opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.
Elizabeth continued. “He may run off to London or Scarborough or elsewhere when he is through here, but this is Jane’s home county. If he abandons her, she will be humiliated and pitied by all her neighbors. Everywhere she goes they will whisper about her behind fans and fall quiet when she enters a room. I have seen it happen before. Jane’s sweet disposition will be exceedingly distressed by such a situation, and her distress will be amplified by knowing she has lost the only man she ever truly cared for.”
Darcy was staring at her silently and she realized she had said much more than she intended to say. “Forgive me, Mr. Darcy. My tongue ran away with me.”
“There is nothing to forgive, Miss Bennet. You care for your sister and wish to see her happy. That is commendable.”
She nodded and they danced in silence. “I know he could do better,” Elizabeth said as they waited at the top of the line. His brows rose to his hairline and she thought this must be her night for shocking poor Mr. Darcy. “In terms of wealth, certainly, and connections. But she is a gentleman’s daughter, and Longbourn has been the seat of the Bennets for seven generations.”
He nodded in acknowledgement of her statement and she continued in a low voice. “Jane herself is the sweetest, kindest, most amiable woman who ever lived. Any man who secured her heart and hand could never repine. I have seen her in every mood, in every climate and situation, and I have never seen another with such patience, such gentleness in the face of provocation. She will be a very good wife, I have no doubt of it, and an exemplary mother.”
Her cheeks were flushed with the defense of her sister, and he could not but look at her admiringly.
“I understand you perfectly, Miss Bennet. Bingley will hear no words of censure from me.”
She smiled brilliantly at him and he bowed slightly. The music came to a stop and he led her off the floor, but not before she saw Bingley leading Jane out onto the balcony on the other side of the room. She said a quick prayer that he would propose and joined Charlotte.
“Is it happening?” asked Charlotte, her eyes also on the balcony door Bingley had led Jane through.
“I hope so,” replied Elizabeth.
They watched the door nervously, Elizabeth grasping her friend’s hand and feeling Charlotte’s reassuring squeeze in return.
Finally, ten long minutes later, Jane stepped into the ballroom, flushed and smiling, an equally bright Bingley trailing behind her. Elizabeth caught her sister’s eye and Jane made her way to them.
Jane grasped Elizabeth’s hands tightly and cried, “Oh, Lizzy, I am the happiest creature in the world!”
“Did Mr. Bingley propose?” asked Charlotte.
“He did!” answered Jane. She took Charlotte’s hand in hers and pulled her friend and sister closer. “Oh, if everyone could be so happy!”
“I am happy to see you happy, dearest. Has Mr. Bingley gone to Papa?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes! He said he couldn’t wait another moment. Oh, how shall I bear such joy? If only there was such a man for you, Lizzy, I wouldn’t wish for anything else.”
“Do not worry for me, Jane. I am content to wait for my own Mr. Bingley.”
Soon enough, Mrs. Bennet had heard the news and let out a great shriek that rose above the sounds of the musicians. The entire ballroom was aware of the engagement within minutes, and Mr. Bennet made a formal announcement at the supper that evening.
Elizabeth went to bed peaceful and happy, believing she had finally accomplished what she set out to do.
She awoke the next morning to the shrill sound of her mother screeching, and waited patiently for her door to fly open and her mother to barge in.
“Wake up, Miss Lizzy! It will take Sarah ages to arrange all that hair.” Mrs. Bennet bustled out as quickly as she had come in.
Elizabeth groaned and pulled the blankets over her head.
Chapter 10
If You Can’t Beat Them, Laugh at Them
If Mr. Bingley proposing to Jane was not the key to this riddle, what was? Elizabeth pondered that question the whole of the day following Bingley’s proposal. She had come to no grand conclusions by that evening’s ball, and she allowed events to proceed as they usually did with no interference f
rom her. Jane blushed, Mrs. Bennet crowed, Lydia ran wild, and Mr. Bennet ignored them all. Elizabeth watched her family humiliate themselves with a jaundiced eye. She went about her dance with Mr. Collins mechanically, then accepted Captain Carter’s request for the second set.
Kitty was dancing further up the line with Mr. Denny. Odd, but for the first time, Elizabeth noticed that her younger sister was not giggling wildly or behaving like a bird someone had inadvertently let inside, flying around madly and running into windows. Kitty blushed and smiled and looked down a great deal, only to peek back up at Mr. Denny, who seemed to be smiling rather broadly at her. Interesting. Elizabeth filed this information away for further examination and returned her attention to her partner.
She was speaking to Charlotte for what felt like the hundredth time when Mr. Darcy requested the fourth set. She smiled kindly, accepted, and pointedly ignored Charlotte’s barely-veiled comments on Mr. Darcy’s attraction to her. He may like her, but attraction was another thing altogether.
Elizabeth’s mind was so distracted that she barely spoke to her partner. They were more than halfway through the dance when Elizabeth looked up and noticed Mr. Darcy watching her with a frown.
“Are you well, Mr. Darcy?”
“I was going to ask the same of you, Miss Elizabeth.”
She looked surprised, then sighed and allowed her shoulders to drop for a moment. “I am tired, that is all. I find myself lacking the patience such an occasion requires.”
His mouth lifted slightly on one side. “I often find myself in the same position.”
She couldn’t help but smile at his confession. He smiled briefly in return and they danced in silence.
When the dance ended, he bowed and said, “I hope my company wasn’t too taxing on your forbearance, Miss Elizabeth.”
“The company was excellent, I thank you, sir,” she said with a curtsey.
He nodded in acknowledgement of the compliment, though she fancied he looked slightly surprised.
The 26th of November, a Pride and Prejudice Comedy of Farcical Proportions Page 7