Page 6 of A Tale of Two Suitors

Another night passed in equal restlessness for Elizabeth, and she only fell asleep an hour before dawn broke, waking again as the first strains of light glowed in the sky.

More than anything, she wondered at herself for caring so deeply about the whole situation surrounding Mr Darcy, a gentleman who had made such a strangely powerful impression on her, both negative and positive.

She had known him for less than a fortnight, yet she thought of him more than any other man of her acquaintance.

Mr Wickham’s accusations bothered her more than they should.

What if Mr Darcy truly had treated his father’s godson with disregard?

But their dealings were certainly not her business.

Still in a nervous state of mind, Elizabeth dressed herself and left the room.

It was too early even for Mr Ash, who glanced at her, then continued his sleep by the fire, but she needed a walk to calm herself and to gather some patience and composure before she had to face Mr Collins again.

The autumn morning was cold, damp, and foggy, the grass slippery, but Elizabeth was too anxious for caution.

She kept to the woodland behind the house, undecided whether she should go farther or just sit in her favourite wild, secluded place and enjoy the fresh air.

However, she had little choice when she noticed the shape of a man and a horse, waiting.

She startled and covered her mouth with her hand until she heard a voice calling her.

“Miss Bennet?”

“Mr Darcy? What are you doing here, sir? Has something happened?”

“No…I was just taking a ride and thought it would be too early for company…”

“Yes, I believed the same.”

“Am I bothering you?”

“No…I am just surprised. You are rather far from Netherfield,” she said, her voice unsteady.

“I am,” he replied with a smile.

“By accident? Or is it yet another coincidence?”

“Another coincidence?”

“Yes…my cousin Mr Collins arrived two days ago. He happens to be the clergyman for the parish of Hunsford, which is under your aunt’s patronage.”

“Lady Catherine de Bourgh?”

“Yes.”

“My aunt wrote to me of a new clergyman she is apparently very pleased with. That he is your cousin is indeed quite a strange coincidence.”

“You should be warned that Mr Collins has discovered your presence here and is overjoyed at the prospect of making your acquaintance. I wonder whether you will be pleased or irritated to meet him.”

“I doubt I shall experience either sentiment at a mere introduction. Why would I?”

“Mr Collins is exceedingly skilful at offering compliments and at worshipping certain people. Your aunt is the main recipient of his adoration, and you might be the second.”

“Oh…now I understand why Lady Catherine speaks so highly of him.” Mr Darcy smiled. “I assume I shall be irritated by the introduction, in that case.”

“You have not answered my question yet, sir.”

“Forgive me, what was the question?”

“Whether you are here at this early hour by accident or due to another coincidence.”

“Neither. I came with the hope of meeting you, either on your walk or perhaps later, when I intend to pay Mr Bennet a visit.”

“Oh…” She was surprised by his straight answer. “Is there anything particular that you wish to speak to me about?”

“Yes, though I am not sure I should take such liberties, considering the newness of friendship. Forgive me — will you allow me to call it that?”

“Of course…” she answered, now utterly dumbfounded. He had come to talk to her? On what possible subject? And he considered them to be friends, after they had only spoken a few times? What could he have to tell her that might be considered taking liberties?

“Mr Darcy, we hardly know each other, but I trust you will not open an improper conversation. So please speak freely since you seem agitated.”

“I am… I was told yesterday you met someone. A certain George Wickham.”

“Oh…” That, she did not expect. “Yes, we were introduced to Colonel Forster and his wife, as well as Mr Denny and Mr Wickham.”

He paced around a little, puzzling Elizabeth even more. “Sir, it is cold, and we shall freeze if we delay this conversation too long. What are your concerns regarding Mr Wickham? You should know he mentioned to me that you have been acquainted for a long time.”

“Ah…he did not lose any time in telling his stories. Usually, it takes him a few days, at least.”

“Usually?”

“Yes. He usually complains about how unfairly I treated him and how I condemned him to poverty, disregarding my father’s wishes. That is the tale he repeats at every opportunity.”

“Oh…I see…” Elizabeth whispered. “He told me something of that sort.”

“Miss Bennet, I shall try not to contradict him, because I am aware you have no reason to trust my word over his. Wickham’s attempts to disparage me have been too many to hurt me any longer.

I shall only be so bold as to warn you to be prudent in his presence.

You and your sisters. George Wickham’s charming manners help him to make friends easily, but he should not be trusted. ”

“Mr Darcy, this is quite… I understand there are some unresolved matters between you and Mr Wickham, but I do not feel it is my place to discuss them with either of you. I only hope I am wise enough to show decency and prudence when it comes to any man at the beginning of our acquaintance.”

“I am sure you are, and I trust you will seek proof before believing any accusations made by me, Wickham, or anyone else. I am more concerned about your younger sisters — or any other young woman who might be easily impressed by charming manners.”

Elizabeth stared at him, blinking a few times, then her cheeks heated. Such a conversation between them was certainly not proper.

“Forgive me if I have said more than I should.”

“I admit being surprised. But I thank you for being thoughtful enough to open this uncomfortable conversation. I hope you have sound evidence for such statements.”

“Sadly, I do. I am very closely acquainted with Wickham’s dishonourable actions.”

He looked affected by the meaning of his words, and Elizabeth was confused for a few moments, then immediately felt cold shivers up her spine. Could it be? Should she dare to enquire further?

“What I wished to tell you is that I am not certain of Wickham’s true intentions in joining the regiment, so I shall not warn your father or anyone else.

Not yet. I still pray that Wickham will change his habits and find an honourable way of making a living, as my father intended for him.

I hope that perhaps he has joined the militia to improve his life. But I still wished to warn you…”

“Thank you, sir.”

They were silent for a little while, as if pondering whether to continue the conversation or leave — as they should.

“Mr Darcy, since we are talking openly, there is something I have long wished to ask you. I mean, I have wished it for a few days, at least.” She smiled at him.

“Please ask.”

“I am a little bit puzzled. When we first met, regardless of your reasons, you were not impressed by me, nor by my family. I could see your reproachful glances at my mother and my younger sisters at the assembly. Then, a few days later, you called on us, spent time with my father, and you showed me attentions usually appropriate to friends. And that was before we began to speak about our love for animals.”

“I shall answer, of course, but I might upset you even more.”

“I doubt it. I prefer an honest answer to uncertainty.”

“Very well. I shall not deny that at first, I disapproved of some of your mother’s and younger sisters’ behaviour at the assembly. I fear I might resemble my aunt Lady Catherine in this.”

He paused, and Elizabeth smiled. “Hearing people around me talking about it, I became aware that my rudeness had been publicly heard, and consequently I had exposed you to a most undeserved and unfair offence. And I felt ashamed of myself. The fact I refused to dance with you was not a joke for people to amuse themselves with. So I came to apologise.”

“Oh…as simple as that?”

“Yes…but then I found Mr Bennet’s company exceedingly pleasant. And yours too. And I met Mr Ash, who provided us with a most welcoming subject of conversation. How did I come to talk to you about my private life? I still wonder, but I do not regret it.”

He sounded genuine, his expression was light, and his eyes locked with hers. She quivered and assumed it was too cold for further conversation.

“I believe I should return home,” she said.

“Of course. Bingley intends to call at Longbourn later today. I would like to accompany him.”

“I would like that too,” she said, then immediately added, “My father will be happy to see you.”

She was about to leave when she suddenly turned to him again.

“Mr Darcy, I was thinking about coincidences… Your sister lost her cat and I found mine about two years ago.”

“Really? How interesting. I hope Milo was found by someone who has loved him as much as you love Mr Ash. Did I mention that for a long time I asked about every white and grey cat I happened to see? I always asked about its age, whether it was found or not, and I always looked for the white heart in the middle of his chest and the white spot on the back of his right leg. I would have recognised him anywhere.”

Elizabeth held her breath, and her heart began to race. She stared at him, speechless, although she had so many things to say. Surely such an extraordinary coincidence was not possible; besides, how could the cat have been lost in London then appeared in Ramsgate?

“What troubled me the most was that Milo was accustomed to going out with my sister, even though he did not particularly enjoy the sand and was positively afraid of water. But he would always follow Georgiana at a certain distance, and all the neighbours knew him very well.”

“Sand? Water?” Elizabeth whispered, bewildered, barely hearing her own voice. “Where was Milo lost?”

“In Ramsgate, where my sister used to spend her summers with her companion at that time.”

Without thinking properly about what she was doing, Elizabeth grabbed both of his arms, staring intently into his face. He looked at her, confused.

“Mr Darcy…I think… As incredible as it seems, I believe I have your sister’s cat. I believe Mr Ash is Milo.”

“What? How can that be? But how? When…?”

“I need a moment to compose myself. I admit I am utterly shocked,” she said, withdrawing her hands, her voice trembling.

He gently put his arm around her in a gesture of friendly support and held her. She did not oppose it, only began to talk.

Slowly, she related to him the circumstances of saving Mr Ash. He listened while a tumult of feelings transfigured his face.

“This is extraordinary,” he finally said. “From your description, your cottage must have been on the opposite side of Ramsgate. There was no chance of us finding him.”

“We made enquiries at every house in the neighbourhood,” Elizabeth said. “We assumed someone might be looking for him and missing him, but we could not find who he belonged to. Then we had no other choice but to return to London, so I took him with me.”

“This is an extraordinary coincidence,” he repeated. “Truly amazing. My sister would call it a miracle.”

“I agree. It is beyond words.”

“But who could it be? Who could have taken Milo away from Georgiana with the intention of killing him? Georgiana was only thirteen years old. Who would hate an innocent child so much as to hurt her so horribly?”

“I thought it was horrifying even then, when I found Mr Ash. Knowing he belonged to a child is just dreadful.”

“It is…” he mumbled, as if suddenly his mind was occupied elsewhere.

“So…what should we do now?” Elizabeth asked.

“Do? I trust you will continue to take good care of Milo as you have all this time. He could not be in better hands. I shall tell Georgiana… She will be so happy and relieved to know he is safe and happy. Truly a miracle, which will hopefully help her recover…”

“Recover? Is Miss Darcy unwell?” Elizabeth enquired.

“Miss Bennet, I am very sorry that I cannot stay longer. I must leave now. There is something of great importance I must take care of. Thank you for telling me…and for saving Milo.”

With that, he mounted in haste and departed at a gallop, while Elizabeth stared after him until he disappeared from sight.