Page 10 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

“There is not much to say, Uncle. I will relate the incident so you realise that James’s report is devoid of substance.

During our stay in Hertfordshire, we became acquainted with a family who owns an estate three miles from Bingley.

Bingley and his sisters visited the family several times and invited the eldest Miss Bennet to Netherfield on several occasions.

The day we left, I took a ride while Bingley prepared himself to leave.

Unexpectedly, I met Miss Elizabeth Bennet—the second daughter of the family—walking through the woods after falling into a pond—a minor but potentially dangerous accident.

You can imagine: the freezing water, the wind, the cold…

She was unwell and could not return home alone, so I offered my help and brought her to her house safely. That was all.”

The earl watched him in shock. “Then why did James suggest…? And how did he know…? Forgive me for insisting, but you must see my puzzlement.”

“Yes, James, do explain it to our uncle. How did you gain your intelligence, and why do you suggest that something improper occurred?”

The younger man laughed nervously and attempted a joke as he tried to produce a reasonable explanation, but Darcy interrupted him coldly.

“During our stay in Hertfordshire, I was unpleasantly surprised to find Wickham in the neighbourhood. He had joined the militia quartered in Meryton. Strange, is it not? And I believe he was also on friendly terms with the Bennet family, so naturally, he heard the news and lost no time in spreading his malicious opinion until it reached our idiot cousin.”

“Darcy, I did not—”

“Silence, James,” shouted the earl. “That explains everything—that miserable, ungrateful scoundrel. Nothing good ever came from him. And you, James, never cease to amaze me. Despite countless mistakes and failings in your past, you have learnt nothing. This will bring you to ruin, mark my words, boy.”

“Precisely,” Darcy intervened. “Now, James, speaking of your friend Wickham, here is what I would like to know. Since he pretends to be a friend of the Bennet family, I wonder what Mr Bennet will say when I inform him of the tale Wickham is spreading. I wonder how Wickham will be received by honourable Hertfordshire families in the future.”

“Darcy, surely you cannot do such a thing. You would not… We were only joking.”

“I can and I will. I have long ceased to show any favour or understanding of Wickham’s vile behaviour.

I will not hesitate to expose him completely to everyone I know should he dare bother me again.

And this applies to you, too, James. I warn you here in the presence of our uncle and cousins.

This conversation is over. Now forgive me. It is time for me to leave.”

He left the library, followed by the earl, while the colonel and James remained behind .

“I cannot believe your path keeps crossing Wickham’s—what a misfortune! I am truly sorry that James ruined this evening for you, Darcy.”

“Please do not feel uneasy, Uncle. It is I who should apologise for reacting so violently. But I would not wish for Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s good name and reputation to be jeopardised because of Wickham’s desire to attack me—or James’s reckless behaviour.

She is truly a remarkable young lady, and she became very ill after this incident.

Dr. Taylor said that her life was in danger and she bore the illness with great courage and strength. ”

“Dr. Taylor? Does he know Miss Bennet and her family?”

“No, he… I was afraid that Miss Elizabeth’s state might take a turn for the worse without proper care, and the apothecary did not seem trustworthy. So I asked Dr. Taylor to visit her and offer his help if needed, and it was. He spent almost a week helping her recover.”

The earl was astonished. “I see… It was indeed fortunate that Dr. Taylor was there to take care of the young lady.

Well, Nephew, thank you for joining us at dinner.

It has been quite an evening. I wish you and Georgiana a good night, and please be kind enough to save me a few hours tomorrow.

I will call on you after breakfast. I believe we have matters to discuss.

“Very well, Uncle—I shall wait for you.”

***

London, 14 December

The morning after the dinner with the Matlocks found Darcy distressed and tired.

His anger against his younger cousin had not abated after he left.

He refused breakfast and retired to his library, sitting at his desk stacked with papers.

He knew very well that he would not touch them that day either.

He could hardly remember a time in the past five years when he had been less diligent about business .

So it was that his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam found him an hour later when he entered without knocking—as usual. “Good morning, Darcy.”

“Good morning, Robert, nice to see you. I was expecting Uncle to call.”

“Oh yes, Father said he would come around noon. He has something to attend to first,” the Colonel said and paced the room several times before he sat.

“I hope you are not still upset about James. We were sorry that we invited him the same evening as you and Georgiana. We thought he would enjoy a nice family dinner, but—”

“I am sure he enjoyed dinner, maybe too much. I am not upset that you invited him. There are other things that bother me, I shall not deny it, but it is not your fault.”

“I imagine there are. Let me know if I may help in any way.”

Darcy glanced at the colonel. “You look like someone who could use some help, Robert.”

“No, not really… It is just that… Darcy, I know you might get angry with me, but I cannot help asking you. The lady in Hertfordshire James talked about—this Miss Elizabeth Bennet—is she the young lady of whom Bingley spoke so warmly? The one you said was not a proper match for him because of her family situation. Her name was Bennet, right?”

“It was her surname; you are correct. But the lady Bingley spoke of is Miss Jane Bennet—Miss Elizabeth’s eldest sister. Why do you ask?”

“Nothing, really. I just thought that Bingley has not looked like himself lately. I know you congratulate yourself on saving him from a delicate situation, but he seems quite unhappy.”

“Bingley is easily charmed and easily unhappy when it comes to a lady’s beauty. I have seen him in similar states of mind and heart more times than I can remember.”

“I hope your estimation is correct. I would not dare interfere in such delicate matters.”

Darcy laughed. “Then how is it you interfere in my delicate affairs all the time?”

“That is different. I never imply that I know what is best for you, Darcy.”

“Of course you do—all the time.” Darcy laughed again.

“I see you are decided to mock me. Be it as you wish. I am certain that you had the best intentions in mind, but as I said, I hope you are not wrong about Miss Jane Bennet and Bingley, and I hope Miss Elizabeth Bennet will not be exposed to any nasty rumours that might affect her reputation and her life. I imagine it must be hard for you to bear that the Bennets’ fate has been affected in such a tragic way because of you. ”

“What on earth do you mean? I have no doubt that I have been correct in my estimation of Miss Bennet’s feelings for Bingley.

He will thank me for that one day. As for Miss Elizabeth—I have done nothing more than was necessary to protect her life.

How can I be blamed for that or for any nasty rumours that might arise?

Should I have left her alone in the woods, risking her life—just to protect her from harmful gossip? ”

“I know you are angry with me now, but if you think on the entire situation in a reasonable way, you will see that I am right. The eldest Bennet sister has lost a most advantageous marriage because of your intervention, and you cannot be certain that Bingley ever finds a better wife. And now Wickham and James are spreading malicious rumours involving Miss Elizabeth, and for that she might never receive an advantageous marriage offer—only because of you, because Wickham wished to harm your reputation.”

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet seemed quite charmed by Wickham, so she should well bear the outcome of any gossip spread by her favourite.”

“That sounds bitter and sharp and quite inelegant, Darcy. Very unlike you—”

“Robert, it was delightful talking to you, but I have matters to finish before my uncle arrives. May I help you further? If not, you must excuse me now.”

“I will leave; do not worry. I am just sorry to find that Miss Elizabeth had a preference for Wickham. From your previous description, she seemed a worthy young lady. Could she be such a poor judge of character? And if so, should you not have warned her about the man?”

“Robert, you have crossed many lines today. You should leave now, and for the future, I recommend that you find better subjects of conversation than those involving ladies.”

“I shall go to see Georgiana. Good bye and I wish you a better day than it has been so far. And don’t be upset. You know I have the best of intentions for you, as you do for Bingley.”

***

Though Darcy waited for his uncle’s call, noon came and went, and Lord Matlock made no appearance.

Since he had little interest in his papers, he decided to spend a few minutes listening to Georgiana, who was practicing at the pianoforte.

His presence in the music room was received with great delight by Miss Darcy and her companion, who discreetly retired, allowing the siblings to talk in privacy.

“Do you have a preference for what should I play, Brother?”

“No, dearest—anything would be a delight.”

Georgiana started to play then turned to her brother. “I had a lovely time at dinner yesterday.”

“I am glad. I see you are amiable with your new cousin Maryanne. I believe Thomas has made a good choice of a wife.”