Page 17

Jane frowned, hearing the upset in Caroline’s voice.

“Such a shame that being here keeps you from engaging in the activities you like. If you are looking for activities to take up here in the country, we would be more than happy to help you find something you fancy. You are more than welcome to come to join us when we practice archery, and I am certain that the tenant families could use some caring oversight.” Jane’s joy was never complete without the people around her being content.

Their sadness was a burden she could not shake.

Maybe she could help the newcomer to the community find her footing.

Country living differed from town living and big adjustments took time to become accustomed to.

Everyone heard Caroline’s huff of disgust. “It is so quaint that you would invite a cultured lady such as myself to your paltry activities. It is certainly not something I will be attempting. Genteel ladies do not lower themselves by mixing with other classes.” These pathetic girls may wish to spend their time with dirty people, but she did not! Really, how dare they ask her?

It always astounded Darcy at how condescending Miss Bingley could be.

“I am sorry to contradict my host’s sister, but that statement is false.

I have it from a very credible source that great estates offer succor to those that live on the estate they own.

” He looked down at her from where he stood by the door.

How did she come up with what she spoke about?

Caroline swallowed the comment she wished to make.

“I think providing aid when needed is entirely justified. I only question how one would dispense it. Would you like tea, gentlemen?” She changed the subject before she would have to backtrack any further.

Belatedly, she realized Darcy had gone to sit near Miss Elizabeth. That simply would not do.

To this event came Mrs. Hurst, looking wan. When she sat down, Mrs. Bennet moved to sit near her and Bingley went to sit next to Jane. As Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Hurst began whispering, the rest of the gathering settled into their own conversations.

“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, do you think you would mind helping my younger sister when she visits soon? I think she would enjoy the activities you mentioned as I came in. She is very shy and has no genuine friends to help encourage her.” Darcy loved how close and sincere all the Bennet ladies were.

He thought Georgiana would do well to be exposed to that kind of relationship.

Caroline Bingley had just taken a sip of tea when she heard Darcy’s comment.

She had been trying to be that insipid girl’s friend for years.

Such was her outrage that she inhaled her tea and started sputtering.

Bingley jumped up and hit her on the back to stop her choking, concerned about the color her face was turning.

By the time Caroline was breathing normally, her hair was in disarray, and she had spilled tea on her lap and down the front of her dress. Beyond that, she was livid.

Louisa knew how awful Caroline was about to get and realized she had to get her out of that room. “Oh, Caroline. Let me help you upstairs so that we can take care of all this. Please excuse us.” Mrs. Hurst gave a quick curtsy before propelling her sister up and out of the room.

Bingley decided they would be best far away from his soon-to-be-screaming sister. “Would you ladies like to go for a stroll in the garden?” he suggested.

Jane readily took the arm that he offered. “It is a lovely day out and that sounds splendid.” Across the room, Darcy offered his arm to Elizabeth, which she took.

Jane glanced back at her mother sitting on the chair by herself. Jane did not want to leave her mother by herself. “Mama, do come with us. The weather is beautiful.”

“I think I will join you all. If I remember correctly, there is a bench I could sit on and enjoy the autumn air.” Mrs. Bennet did not want to intrude on anything, but felt she should be a chaperone for both couples.

Elizabeth had intended to suggest a walk, but things worked out without her interference.

“I am glad we got the chance to speak, Mr. Darcy. It was my primary goal in coming here today.” Looking around, she took in the peaceful park.

Even without flowers, it was tranquil. A gravel pathway ran in curving loops around fountains and statuary.

“It was quite convenient that circumstances arranged themselves thus.” Darcy found he enjoyed walking with her in the sunshine. They had so many days of rain this time of year, it was nice to be at peace in the sun.

Elizabeth hesitated momentarily before bringing up the interaction she needed to talk to him about.

She did not want to disrupt the pleasant walk, but felt she must warn him.

“Last night, I attended a card party with my mother and sisters that was thrown by Aunt Phillips in Meryton. She invited the officers from the militia and one specific officer quite unsettled Mary and me.”

Darcy found it a struggle not to glare at Miss Elizabeth when she spoke of someone causing issues.

The idea of anyone bothering her or her sister was upsetting; the thought that it might be Wickham was almost infuriating.

“That would not have been someone who goes by the name of George Wickham, would it?” Had the snake already raised his smarmy head?

When she noted a dark expression on Mr. Darcy’s face, she hoped he was not upset with her.

She was trying to read him better and felt that she knew him enough to assume that he would not be upset with her, but maybe the situation.

“Yes, a Lieutenant Wickham. So you know him? He was rather forward… I suppose that might be the way to say it.”

“I hope he did nothing unpleasant, Miss Elizabeth.” The gravel crunched under Darcy’s boots, his agitation a counterpoint to the sound. He was even more determined to put an end to the reprobate’s misdeeds.

Realizing that Mr. Darcy was, in fact, upset with Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth seemed to relax.

“Mary and I were both perfectly fine, in full view of everyone. He was desperate for us to inquire about the mistreatment he had endured. I think he was quite upset over our lack of capitulation.” A giggle escaped her despite the serious topic.

The lieutenant had been attempting to be smooth and persuasive, but he had fallen completely short of the mark.

It surprised Darcy to note her giggle. Watching her carefully, he tried to understand how she had not fallen for Wickham’s lies and came away laughing at the interaction. “Then he wanted to tell you how I refused him a living. He has swayed many people to his side with that story.”

She kicked a pebble with her half boots and watched it bounce down the path.

“Do not fear that either Mary or I were one of those people. There were so many obvious holes in his tale. If ordained, he could get another rectory or even work as a curate; either would earn more money than a lieutenant in the militia.” Elizabeth huffed at Wickham’s presumption that they would not be logical enough to think things through.

“Why is it that no one else questions that? He refused to become ordained, which I was fine with because I could never in good conscience put forward such a disreputable rector. He received three thousand pounds plus his inheritance of one thousand in compensation for giving up the living. It was only a few years later that he came back, having lost it all in a debauched lifestyle, requesting that I turn over the living. I have the paperwork where he signed away his rights to it for the money and could turn him away.” Darcy ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

It hadn’t kept Wickham out of his life for long.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened in shock. It amazed her to know Mr. Wickham’s character.

With that much money, she could overhaul the tenant farms with updated practices and equipment, plus have enough put aside for a rainy day or year even.

“I suspected his character when I caught him leering at Kitty and Lydia in Meryton, but to have lost four thousand pounds in a few years is remarkable.”

“I hope his actions did not affect your sisters too negatively. He is not one to be trusted in the company of women or girls.” Thinking of how many of Wickham’s inclination leaned toward young girls not even out made his stomach roll.

“I think they came through the experience fairly well. Jane, Mary, and I had been only around the bend, so we were not far away.”

A wave of relief washed over Darcy, and he let out a long breath. He decided in an instant to recount Wickham’s entire story to her, down to the last detail. “He is a man not to be trusted. Recently, he seduced my sister’s companion and tried to get my sister to elope with him for her dowry.”

“Do tell me your sister is well,” Elizabeth spoke, urgently concerned.

“My sister knew something was wrong and got a letter to me asking for help. I arrived in time to stop anything untoward.”

Elizabeth was reassured at least that his sister was safe. “How did he convince her companion to help him? I cannot see how there would have been any benefit for her.”

“He had lied about me to her. She was also under the impression that he was in love with her, and they needed to take advantage of my sister in order to be together.”

“I know it is no excuse but to be so deceived by the man you thought loved you is a horrible blow to any woman.”

“It was eventually discovered that she was with child. He had promised to keep her as his mistress once they had got Georgiana to the altar and taken her dowry.” He felt an intense need to make sure Elizabeth was safe and knew she was intelligent enough to guard herself and those around her, if given a warning.