Page 44 of Out of His Wits (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
“Your cousin has shared certain past incidents involving Mr. Wickham. His habits of conduct suggest he will not remain to face consequences if he suspects he is exposed. What is more, the regiment will be removing to Brighton in some weeks.”
“Pray, what have you learned about Wickham’s involvement?”
Elizabeth turned to the Colonel. “The kitchen maid, Bet’s, story provides the foundation, but we have built considerably upon it.
The liberty-cap mushrooms she described were indeed found in the grove she mentioned—a location she would only have foraged in if someone had shown it to her.
It is some distance from the pastureland where the usual mushrooms are gathered.
There would be no reason for her to go in that direction when the near pastures are the most reliable source for the species she was sent to gather. ”
“The timing?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, his attention now fully engaged.
“Lieutenant Wilkins arrived in Meryton weeks before the poisoning. Bet confirmed that he sought her out immediately, claiming to have noticed her beauty from afar.” Elizabeth’s tone and raised brow conveyed her opinion of such convenient romance.
“The seduction was swift and purposeful. He spoke to Bet of Mr. Darcy in most disagreeable terms.”
“Were there witnesses to their association?”
“The Butler noted that Bet was seen walking in town with a militia man. Two other servants observed them together on separate occasions. Most tellingly, the stable boy saw Wilkins lingering in the verge by the grove on the morning of the poisoning—a location no officer should have reason to visit.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked from Darcy to Elizabeth. “I believe this evidence would satisfy most magistrates, yet you seem troubled.”
“Magistrate Harding has shown himself remarkably resistant to facts that contradict his initial judgement,” Darcy interjected. “He would see the scullery, Tibby Morrison, transported regardless of evidence to the contrary.”
“He has indeed shown little inclination to reconsider his judgement,” Elizabeth said with diplomacy. “But our greater concern is that knowledge of Bet’s confession spreads daily. If Wickham’s name becomes tied to her, he will be tied to the poisoning, and when he is—”
“He will disappear,” Colonel Fitzwilliam concluded grimly. “Just as he did after Ramsgate.”
The three fell into a silence, Darcy pacing and the colonel staring unseeing into the fire. Elizabeth, conscious of her sister waiting in the dubious company of Miss Bingley, rose.
“I will leave you gentlemen to determine next steps. I ought to return to my sister. We have come to deliver gooseberry tarts and early plums from the Longbourn stores. Mrs. Hurst hopes they will be beneficial for Mr. Hurst’s recovery.” Miss Elizabeth said.
The gentlemen rose as Elizabeth left the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam’s re-evaluation of his initial assumptions was written on his face.
“Well, Darcy,” he said when they were alone, “I begin to comprehend your regard for Miss Elizabeth’s abilities. Forgive me if I presume, but I cannot help wondering.”
“Wondering what?” Darcy’s tone had grown guarded.
“Whether your interest in Miss Elizabeth extends beyond the matter at hand.”
“The matter is not straightforward. I have encountered some decidedly peculiar circumstances.” But Darcy’s averted gaze suggested more.
Colonel Fitzwilliam leant back in his chair. “Peculiar? You seem noticeably invested in her opinions.”
A long moment passed before Darcy finally spoke. “Richard, I must speak plainly and rely upon your utter discretion. There has been a further complication beyond Wickham’s villainy.”
“Of what nature?”
“Of a personal nature.” Darcy’s voice dropped.
“The poison had effects beyond just Hurst’s collapse.
Everyone who partook of the ragout was affected.
Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth do not care for rich dishes and did not partake of the mushrooms; thus, they alone remained entirely well.
I had a small serving, and I was certainly not entirely myself.
I must own myself mystified as to the particulars of what transpired.
I understand that Miss Elizabeth found me in the music room, utterly indisposed.
She has been remarkably reticent about the matter; however, I have reason to believe I imposed upon Miss Elizabeth. ”
The colonel’s expression grew grave. “Imposed upon her how?”
“I spoke to her without reserve—of my regard, my attachment to her. She has since acknowledged, with no little embarrassment, that I embraced her. I cannot be certain how far my conduct strayed beyond the bounds of propriety. She was unwilling to elaborate. I was not in possession of my senses. In my delirium I remembered little with clarity—only fragments. What I do know has come chiefly from Miss Elizabeth herself, and she was quite reluctant to speak of it.”
“I see.” Colonel Fitzwilliam leant back, regarding his cousin with some astonishment.
“That she has not seized upon such an opportunity speaks volumes. You cannot mean to suggest she does not intend to press for an attachment?” the Colonel said, his expression shocked.
“In such a case, most ladies would already be consulting their modiste for a bridal trousseau.”
Darcy’s expression darkened. “I have given her every reason to think me proud and disagreeable. That she does not seek to profit from my folly only deepens my shame. It is not her conduct that troubles me, but my own. Honour demands I offer for her, naturally.”
“Honour.” The Colonel’s voice was evenly measured. “That is your assessment, to be sure. But I wonder—what of your heart? What claim does it make?”
Darcy did not answer at once. When he spoke, his voice was low. “It is of no consequence.”
“Is it not?” the Colonel returned. “Because it appears to me, cousin, that your sentiments for Miss Elizabeth are not so easily confined to obligation.”
“What I feel matters little if she cannot return it.” Darcy’s voice was raw. “When I attempted to speak of it, she refused me. With some vehemence, I might add. She viewed my addresses as prompted by duty, not inclination.”
“Duty, is it?” The Colonel gave a disbelieving laugh. “What a confounding business! Fitzwilliam Darcy offers marriage to a lady of no consequence, and she rejects him—because his motives are too honourable?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam leant forward. “Darcy, I have known you since childhood. I have never seen you defer to anyone’s judgement as you do to hers. I have never heard you speak of anyone with such pride and tenderness. If this is mere duty, I am a Frenchman.”
Darcy groaned. “I acknowledge the truth of it. I endeavoured, at first, to master my inclination towards her. She has nothing- neither fortune nor connexions. Nonetheless, however much it humbles me—my affections are irretrievably engaged. I made every effort to subdue them, but to no avail. My regard for her surpasses all considerations of duty or decorum.” He paused, his expression darkening.
“And yet, in her eyes, my intentions may appear the consequence of duty alone. I could not bear to see her bound to a man she cannot love —that would be a cruelty I could not endure..”
The colonel remained silent for several minutes, weighing his words with care.
“I venture to suggest, dear cousin, that you may be creating difficulties where none need exist. I am equally convinced that if your concern for her felicity truly surpasses your own desires—though those desires are perfectly apparent to any observer—you are bound in honour to grant her the courtesy of complete frankness. Allow her to determine what honour or propriety demand, rather than presuming to settle such matters in her stead. In so doing, you shall conduct yourself with perfect integrity toward both the lady and your own conscience.” The colonel’s tone remained gentle yet resolute.
“But pray consider this—the lady I have observed today bears no appearance of one who feels ensnared or aggrieved. On the contrary, she seems entirely at ease in your presence. Perhaps she requires only time to comprehend her own sentiments in the matter and perceive yours.”
Silently, Darcy looked towards the doorway where Elizabeth had departed, then turned back to his cousin with an expression of quiet determination.
“I have perhaps been guilty of presuming to act on her behalf, rather than granting her the respect of her own judgement.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam leant forward with interest. “What do you propose?”
“Now I must… I must conduct myself with proper reserve. Continue to work alongside her in this matter, naturally, but maintain an appropriate distance. Show her that I can act with justice and… and complete objectivity.. If she is to think well of me, let it be upon just grounds.”
“What if she should remain indifferent?”
Darcy met his cousin’s gaze steadily. “Then I shall accept her decision. I will not burden her with the knowledge of feelings she cannot return. She must be free to judge me purely on my merits, without any awareness that might make her feel… constrained in my company.” Darcy straightened his shoulders.
“Darcy,” the Colonel said thoughtfully, “I wonder if reserve might not prove… challenging to your cause. A lady might find it difficult to form any particular attachment to a gentleman who maintains such… such distance.”
“If she is ever to think well of me, it must be without feeling herself pressed by any knowledge of my, of my regard. I shall not impose upon her.” Darcy kept his gaze fixed in the middle distance and did not see his cousin shaking his head in dismay.