Page 8 of I am Jael (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

“Very well, Richard, Georgiana. I will send for the receipts of the bills, which are being kept at Pemberley. When they arrive, Wickham will meet his fate.”

/

Elizabeth settled back in the carriage seat, taking care not to move excessively.

The six Bennet women fit into the conveyance, but not with any extra room.

It was imperative that Jane, at least, maintain her glorious appearance for the ball tonight since she and Mr. Bingley showed every sign of making a match of it.

Elizabeth herself had not expended too much energy on her own appearance.

She enjoyed dancing and balls, but this one would likely prove fraught with complicated and unpleasant interactions.

Regrettably, her first two dances had been claimed by Mr. Collins, who continued to pursue her with clumsy fervor.

Elizabeth almost wished that the man would propose so that she could turn him down.

She was also nervous about meeting Mr. Wickham again.

The more she thought about Miss Darcy’s words in the bookstore in Meryton, the more she was convinced that Mr. Wickham had deceived her.

It was uncomfortable to realize that she had been blind to Wickham’s improper behavior; indeed, Elizabeth had thoroughly enjoyed lambasting Mr. Darcy with the militia man. It was reprehensible.

There were positives to this night’s ball, of course.

Jane was glowing with excitement about the upcoming revelry, and Elizabeth loved Jane more than anyone else in the world.

Jane was such a sweet, gentle character that she deserved, and needed, a kind and gentle husband.

Mr. Bingley looked to be the perfect man.

/

“Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth turned in surprise. She had been greatly relieved to observe that Mr. Wickham was not in attendance at the ball, and then had found her dear friend Charlotte Lucas near the punch table.

They had not seen one another in a week, and it was a pleasure to converse with her.

Now, to her astonishment, she found herself under the basilisk gaze of Mr. Darcy.

“Yes, Mr. Darcy?”

“Might I have the honor of the second set of dances this evening?”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened in astonishment. This from the man who had thought her not handsome enough to dance with?

She had been present when Miss Darcy had accosted Mr. Wickham. That was no doubt the reason why Mr. Darcy wished to interact with her, and she was curious to hear what he had to say.

“I would be honored, Mr. Darcy.”

“Thank you.”

“Cousin Elizabeth!” Mr. Collins cried out, bustling over to her as Darcy walked away. “It is time for our dance!”

/

Elizabeth was not quite limping when she moved to face Mr. Darcy for their dance, but was a near thing.

Mr. Collins had been an execrable partner, moving in the wrong direction and constantly apologizing, not to mention treading on her toes.

It had been a thoroughly unpleasant half hour, and now she needed to converse with the man who found her countenance so unattractive.

In fact, it was so ridiculous that it was almost farcical, and in spite of herself Elizabeth felt her spirits rising. There were times when she needed to look at the world through her father’s satirical eye and enjoy the absurdities of life, even when she was the victim.

“Miss Elizabeth.”

“Mr. Darcy.”

They began the dance and Elizabeth was pleased to observe that Mr. Darcy was an elegant and graceful dancer. Her toes would be spared.

For the first few minutes, they danced in silence. Elizabeth realized that Darcy might be quiet the entire time if she didn’t speak up as he seemed to revel in silence, so she decided she would be the one to initiate the topic he was no doubt interested in.

“I met your sister in Meryton a few days ago, Mr. Darcy,” she observed. “She is a beautiful young lady.”

“I apologize on behalf of my sister, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy replied. His face was rigid with discomfort, his tone cold. “Her conduct in discussing such personal matters in an open store was most regrettable.”

The movement of the dance separated them, allowing Elizabeth to work through her anger at this statement and her sympathy towards the young Miss Darcy.

“On the contrary,” she stated when the two were united again, “I am immeasurably grateful to your sister. Mr. Wickham is a charming man. If what your sister says is indeed true, we have a viper in our midst. I would wish to know his true character, Mr. Darcy.”

He stared at her, his dark eyes intense, and his expression abruptly relaxed, “My dear sister has already upbraided me on this matter, Miss Elizabeth. Everything Georgiana said of him is true. In fact, I have recently been made aware of even more reprehensible deeds from his time at Pemberley, when my father yet lived. I fear that I am little disposed to share private family business, but it is true ...”

Again, they separated, and Elizabeth waited with impatience for the end of his sentence.

“He is a selfish, deceptive man, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy averred when they were once again within speaking distance.

“Does he leave debts?” Elizabeth demanded.

“Everywhere he goes.”

“And he received 3000 pounds for the living?”

“And an additional 1000 pounds as part of my father’s will. All of it was gone within three years, gambled away or used for other licentious purposes.”

Elizabeth took a deep breath and sighed as she twirled away from her partner. Truly Wickham had deceived her with his soft speech and flattering words. She was ashamed of herself.

“I regret that I believed his lies about you, Mr. Darcy,” she murmured softly.

“You are not the first to be deceived,” Darcy responded, his voice low enough that Elizabeth could barely hear it beyond the chatter of the crowd. “But I hope that you will be among the last, Miss Elizabeth.”

“I hope so as well,” Elizabeth agreed, though she felt a twinge of anxiety. The truth was that Mr. Wickham had a magnetism about him that would lead many young women, at least, to trust him.

“I am proud of my sister, Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth broke free from her worried thoughts and gazed with surprise at her partner’s countenance. Gone was the cold expression, to be replaced by warmth and yes, a smile!

Mr. Darcy should smile more often.

“You should be,” Elizabeth assured him. “She is very brave.”

“I was left her guardian when my father passed five years ago, Miss Elizabeth, and thus perhaps still see her as a child rather than the young woman she has grown to be. I find that I am learning new things about Miss Darcy by the hour, it seems.”

Elizabeth gazed at the man with wonder. It had never occurred to her that Mr. Darcy bore such tremendous responsibilities, and had been forced at the tender age of twenty-three to take on not only the guardianship of a grieving girl but the enormous task of keeping the estate of Pemberley running smoothly.

Perhaps there was a good reason for the man’s stern demeanor.

“I understand, Mr. Darcy,” she replied with a smile. “My own sisters seem to change by the week!”

The dance came to an end and Mr. Darcy extended a courteous arm and walked Elizabeth off the floor. They were intercepted by a man of nearly thirty, not handsome, but with a friendly countenance.

“Cousin, would you be so kind as to introduce me to the lovely young lady?”

Darcy’s face twitched slightly but he nodded.

“Miss Elizabeth, may I introduce you to my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. Richard, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

The Colonel bowed and Elizabeth curtsied. So this was the other nephew of Lady Catherine’s!

“Miss Elizabeth, may I have this dance?”

Elizabeth nodded and took his arm, amused. Yet another Darcy relative who no doubt wished to determine her view of the confrontation between Miss Darcy and Wickham in Meryton!

A moment later, the music began and along with it, the dance.