Page 82 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

“To be honest, I am shocked that Darcy allowed you to come from London at all. I did not mean to say that Mr Bennet’s state was not a serious one, but I know Darcy did not hurry to see his own father when he fell ill, so you must understand my puzzlement.

But it is also true that, at that time, he was…

younger and otherwise engaged . My godfather was very upset back then by his son’s absence. ”

A smile twisted his lips. Elizabeth paled, attempting to control her anger. He noticed her emotions.

“Mrs Darcy, it was not my intention to upset you, I assure you. We have always been good friends, and there was a time when we shared the same opinions.”

“True, but that changed as I had the opportunity to gather more information about the subjects of those ‘shared’ opinions. Pray tell me: I understood Mr Darcy was very fond of his parents and very diligent in attending his duties. Should I now understand the opposite? Am I to believe that Mr Darcy did not take care of his father?”

“I did not say that. I only mentioned that, when my godfather fell ill, Darcy returned to Pemberley after more than a fortnight. I can easily see that Darcy succeeded in improving your opinion of him. That is hardly surprising. I imagine any woman would improve her opinion of a man—no matter his manners or character—who turned her into the mistress of such an impressive fortune. Darcy can be quite pleasant when he desires. Several ladies, including Lady Stafford, might testify to that.”

“Mr Wickham! I am not surprised to see how often and easily you cross the borders of propriety, and it is entirely my fault as I was not careful in choosing my friends two months ago. Since you mentioned your godfather, I wonder what he would say about the way you treated both his children and especially about your intention to elope with his fifteen-year-old daughter. Compared with that, your failure to properly use the inheritance he left you and your attempt to malign his son’s name seem of little importance. ”

Wickham turned livid and seemed unable to stand. His effort to regain his composure was obvious, and he said in the gentlest of accents:

“Mrs Darcy—it pains me that I upset you. It was certainly not my intention.”

Elizabeth stepped closer to make sure nobody heard their conversation. She felt the anger stiffening her shoulders while her eyes held Wickham’s hesitant glance and she spoke in a low, sharp voice.

“And what precisely was your intention, sir? What did you hope to gain by telling me the untrue story of your past business with Mr Darcy and to speak so unfavourably about Georgiana? What was your purpose in sharing the story with all of Meryton once Mr Darcy left the neighbourhood? What do you intend in keeping a secret correspondence with a sweet, gentle girl whom you already tried to deceive and compromise, although her brother warned you to stay away?”

“And what did you hope to obtain by spreading false and malicious gossip about Elizabeth’s accident?” Darcy coldly inquired from behind Elizabeth.

She startled at her husband’s voice. She tried to turn and see whether he was upset to find her speaking alone with Wickham, but his hands rested on her shoulders tenderly.

“Elizabeth, would you please allow me a little privacy with Wickham? We will have a drink at the inn as we have some unfinished business to settle. I will return shortly.”

“Of course.” She smiled nervously, witnessing Wickham’s panicked expression.

“We may as well speak here. I must return to the regiment. I am already late.”

“As you wish, though I would think you would not want the people of Meryton to hear what I have to tell you,” Darcy replied coldly, his expression dark and severe.

“I…Well… Perhaps I could spare a half an hour, after all. Denn y will wait for me.”

“One of your rare excellent choices,” Darcy concluded, departing towards the Inn with his childhood companion.

Elizabeth entered the shop, wondering how it happened that her husband was in Meryton. He looked calm although he made it clear that he heard her conversation with Wickham.

As upset as her husband might be and as harsh a conversation as he had planned, Wickham deserved it all.

What nerve, what shameless manners the man has!

He showed a complete lack of remorse in his impudent attempts to slander Darcy’s name when he knew himself to be at fault.

Elizabeth’s anger turned into alarm, imagining the life Georgiana would have had if the elopement had taken place.

Then the alarm grew back into anger with herself when she admitted that, not long before, she had considered Wickham an excellent man who could make an excellent husband. Foolish girl she was!

“Lizzy, are you unwell?” Was that Mr Darcy?” Jane inquired worriedly.

“Everything is fine, Jane. Well, not really, but nothing of concern. We must talk about a very important subject as soon as we return home.”

A full hour passed before the younger Bennet sisters were content and noisily left the shop. On the street, Mr Darcy was waiting for them. Elizabeth met her husband’s look and breathed in relief as soon as he smiled to comfort her. Everything seemed fine.

“I feared you would be upset when you saw me talking to Wickham, but I simply could not restrain myself when I saw his impertinent manners. I am glad you did not mind.”

“My dear, I once made a foolish mistake, which you generously forgave. If I were to repeat it a second time, it would not be a mistake but a choice. I pride myself in not persisting in obtuseness.”

She smiled, her cheeks coloured by the freezing wind. “ That is true. We should go home now. It is very cold.”

“I shall see you there.” He kissed her hand, and she returned to her sisters.

***

The ride back to Longbourn was very short with a four-horse carriage. Mrs Bennet greeted them with eagerness and inquired not so much about the gowns her daughters described in detail but about the reaction of the villagers at seeing the Darcy carriage.

Fortunately, the master of the named object soon retired to the library, together with Mr Gardiner and Dr. Taylor, and refreshments were sent to match their drinks. Elizabeth hastened to visit her father and found him enjoying a cup of tea.

“Lizzy, your husband told your uncle and me a rather astonishing story about the family’s favourite, Mr Wickham. I say, we should all be ashamed by how easily that man fooled us.”

“It was entirely my fault. I never doubted his words. I am truly ashamed of myself.”

“And you have reason to be. Fortunately, your husband seems to blame himself and not you. I told Darcy he should speak to Colonel Forster to watch the fellow carefully.”

“You must take care too, Papa. Mr Wickham should not be allowed around Lydia and Kitty.”

“Oh, do not worry—they are both too poor to tempt such a man. And too foolish—I doubt he is stupid enough to tie himself to any of them.”

“But they are now Mr Darcy’s sisters-in-law, and they might be a temptation for anyone.”

“Upon my word, if any of your sisters decide to foolishly elope with anyone, I shall not allow them to receive any other compensation besides their rightful dowry. I will never allow Darcy to be involved in such schemes.”

“Papa, William offered me a very generous settlement with a large amount of pin money. I shall save everything in case some from the family might need anything. All will be well.”

“Your sisters have been very fortunate in your marriage. I only hope you did not make too big a sacrifice. Darcy’s behaviour towards me was praiseworthy, and I have come to respect and admire him quite a lot.

I am still not certain that you are suited for each other as your dispositions seemed to be so different.

I cannot rest from the concern that I might have pushed you to unhappiness. ”

“I am not at all unhappy—quite the opposite. I entered this marriage with my eyes open, and I accepted it willingly. But my heart slowly opened to my husband too. He is a very good man, Papa. If you only knew…Please believe that Mr Darcy has proved his generosity and his kindness to me in ways I dare not tell you.” She blushed.

“Oh…” Mr Bennet was puzzled and distressed by a confession he did not know how to handle. “Well then… If you are at peace with your life, I have nothing more to add.”

The conversation lasted for a little while, and then Mr Bennet returned to rest, accusing Dr. Taylor’s teas of forcing him to sleep all the time.

Elizabeth entered the drawing room and saw the entire family gathered again in a lively yet tiresome noise.

She glanced at her husband, who was looking around somewhat uneasily.

She then turned to Jane and whispered that there was something she wished to speak of privately.

The matter of Wickham had to be concluded that very day and be put away for good.

The elder sisters held hands as they went to Jane’s room.

“What happened, Lizzy? You seem quite serious. I hope Papa is well.”

“Yes, do not worry. It does not have to do with Papa but with Mr Wickham. It is just another occasion to admit how utterly wrong I was in my judgment and how wise and fair you were. But Jane, you must keep this in complete secrecy! William already told it to Papa, and I will tell Aunt Gardiner, but not a word to any other living soul!”

Elizabeth needed less than half an hour to share with her sister the most important parts of the story involving Mr Wickham and the Darcy family.

“I do not know when I have been more shocked,” said Jane.

“Wickham so very bad! It is almost past belief. And poor Mr Darcy—what he must have suffered! Losing his parents at such a young age, then having to bear such betrayal from his friend and cousin, and the pain of his sister! It is really too distressing. I am sure you must feel it so.”