Page 36 of Such Persuasions as These (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
T he previous day’s revelations had nearly done Darcy in.
He had much to think on, and he knew he would get no peace at Netherfield.
Bingley’s high spirits would be too much for him, especially if his friend had taken Wentworth’s words to heart and decided to pursue Jane Bennet in earnest, as Darcy suspected.
Wentworth’s perspicacious gaze was more than Darcy could bear at this moment.
Miss Bingley and her sister were never what Darcy would call pleasant company, and their constant, inane chatter would certainly not permit him to assimilate all he had learnt the night before.
He certainly could not enter the library.
There were too many memories there to allow him to think rationally.
Elizabeth was there. Her empty chair taunted him, and his imagination filled it with her lovely form.
He relived every conversation, every sensation of awe and affection she had conjured in him, every moment of regret he bore over her being out of his reach.
Even Italics’s ministrations brought her back to mind .
‘Oh, to be a cat. Kisses and sweet nothings from the loveliest of creatures,’ he had said. He had meant it. He longed for Elizabeth, and seeing Italics only exacerbated his yearning.
No, he had to leave Netherfield Park. He needed some time with only his horse for company in order to work through the tumult of thoughts and emotions roiling in his heart.
Upon entering Meryton, Darcy noted several ladies and gentlemen milling about on the High Street.
A flurry of skirts disappeared into Pratt’s, the area’s principal woollen-draper and haberdashery, no doubt in search of trimmings and gloves for Bingley’s ball.
A clutch of militia officers swaggered and postured for the maidens who passed them.
A sharp giggle seized his attention and, turning towards it, he noted the youngest Bennet girl being pulled into an alleyway by a tall redcoat.
He instinctively rode towards the couple, unwilling to stand by as Elizabeth’s sister risked her reputation for all and sundry to witness.
Before he could see the face of the man, he noted another young lady standing with Miss Lydia. It was Mrs Forster.
While a married lady’s presence ought to give some semblance of propriety to Miss Lydia’s clandestine interview, this particular matron’s being there did nothing to quell Darcy’s agitation.
Indeed, the coquette was probably more likely to lead her into mischief than protect her from it.
Still, Darcy had no claim on any of the Bennet ladies, no right to act the gallant on their behalf.
Thereby, he turned his horse and began to clop away, shaking his head as he did so.
Tying his horse in front of the post office, Darcy walked in to hand over his correspondence and was back out again in a matter of a minute.
He mounted the beast, then cast another glance in the direction of the alley.
The two girls emerged together arm in arm, whispering behind their hands and giggling.
A moment later, the man with whom they had been in such close congress made his appearance.
Wickham.
What could George Wickham have to do with Lydia Bennet and Mrs Forster? Could he truly be toying with another fifteen-year-old child? It took every vestige of Darcy’s self-restraint not to climb down from his horse, pull the miscreant’s own sword from its scabbard, and run him through with it.
He scowled down at the villain, not caring what a shock it would be to the ladies pouring out from Pratt’s. Let them observe his disdain for the man.
Darcy had devised a plan to deal once and for all with George Wickham, and he would not wait another day to put it into action. He would settle it all this evening at Sir William’s card party—with Wentworth’s assistance, of course.
As it was, he could not be in the rake’s presence, not even within sight of him. In a rage of disgust, he turned his steed and headed in the opposite direction.
When Elizabeth walked out of the draper’s shop with Jane, her first feeling was gladness at the continuing presence of blue sky. As she turned her face towards the light, however, she caught the sight of a tall man on horseback across the way. It was Mr Darcy.
The sun was shining behind him, shading his face beneath his tall beaver, but she could easily discern the scowl he wore as he turned towards her.
He must have been watching her as she and Jane had exited the building, for he sat stock still upon his steed, his gaze fixed in her direction.
The anger in his countenance turned to disgust before her eyes as he pulled his reins hard to the right, riding away faster than was strictly proper.
Her heart shot into her throat, creating a painful lump she could not swallow. She had hoped their next encounter might be civil. Never had she imagined he would be unable to refrain from revealing his animosity towards her in public.
How he must detest her!
Kitty followed her and Jane into the street directly, and Lydia appeared behind them with Harriet Forster a moment later. The three girls proposed to visit Aunt Philips and half-heartedly requested Elizabeth and Jane to accompany them.
Knowing she was in no state to be in company, Elizabeth begged her sisters to excuse her; she felt the need for a longer jaunt than they had set out for.
Jane hesitated, but gave in at Elizabeth’s insistence.
The other three were happy to leave her to her ramblings; they had gowns to trim and gossip to exchange.
Upon reaching the edge of the town, Elizabeth heard hooves clopping behind her.
Her heart caught in her throat at the thought that it might be Mr Darcy, but when she turned about, she found the kind, worried eyes of Frederick.
Waves of relief washed over her, and before she knew it, she was releasing all the pent-up worry, anguish, and anger she had been suppressing the last several days.
Tears flowed freely as her dear friend listened without interruption.
“You speak as if all hope is lost,” Frederick finally said in quelling tones.
“I saw his face. He will never respect me again,” she said, resigned.
Breathing deeply, she worked to regain her composure.
“ No, Freddie, I have nothing to hope for from Mr Darcy. I shall just be relieved when his time in the neighbourhood is over. Then I shall be able to be myself again, and life will go on as it always has.”