Page 38 of Such Persuasions as These (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

D arcy had been so engrossed in listening to Elizabeth courageously defend him, he almost forgot that in his pocket was proof of his innocence regarding George Wickham.

As soon as she and Miss Lucas had moved on, still speaking about him, no doubt, Darcy made his way out of his clandestine corner and over to his host.

“Sir William, may I say again how honoured I am to have been invited into your home this evening?” he began.

Sir William hesitated, doubtless having heard the rumours pulsating through the room. Ever the genial host, he replied, “Mr Darcy, it is I who am honoured that you have graced us with your presence.”

“Over the last several minutes, I have been made aware of some rather nasty gossip, which paints me in quite the negative light,” Darcy volunteered.

“I confess, I have heard some rather, ahem, preposterous accusations,” Sir William affirmed uncomfortably.

“I am glad you see the ridiculousness of these claims. However, I wish to assure you, as a fellow magistrate, that every word George Wickham has directed against me is false, and I happen to have documented proof. If you would join me in conference with Colonel Forster, I believe I might satisfy you on that point.” The gentleman nodded dumbly and followed him to the table where Wentworth was already in congress with the colonel and a couple of young officers.

Wentworth clapped the younger men on the shoulder and bid them go find some female company, thus making room for the two newcomers.

He raised an eyebrow at Sir William’s joining them, to which Darcy gave him a look that bespoke its necessity.

Darcy withdrew a packet from his jacket’s inner pocket and laid the contents out before them.

Thus, the four men were engrossed for the better part of an hour.

“You have been such a kind friend to my brother and myself, Miss Bennet. Indeed, I do not know how we shall live without your society,” Caroline purred as her brother departed to find them some refreshments.

“Are you leaving, Miss Bingley? Mr Bingley has said nothing about this,” Miss Bennet said with concern.

“Oh, of course. After the ball, we shall hie off to London. I believe we have all had our fill of country manners…and country maidens. Poor Darcy—and Charles—beset by grasping beauties, all coy smiles and batting eyelashes. I assure you, though they might appear to enjoy such attentions, when they are behind closed doors, they profess their absolute loathing of it.”

Her campaign to sow seeds of doubt in Miss Bennet’s mind and heart was apparently having its desired effect, for the lovely creature was unable to respond.

Caroline continued, “Naturally, Mr Darcy is eager to see his sister, who has been in London all this autumn. I do not believe Georgiana Darcy has her equal for beauty, elegance, and accomplishments; and the affection she inspires in myself is heightened from the hope I dare to entertain of her being hereafter my sister . Indeed, Charles admires her greatly already; it will only take some few evenings together to cement the match.”

“Oh,” was all Miss Bennet could say, which Caroline answered with a satisfied smirk.

When Bingley reappeared with drinks, Miss Bennet did not seem as eager to be in his company. Within a few short minutes, the lady claimed a headache and excused herself to find her sister.

“What is wrong with Miss Bennet? Did you say something to her?” Bingley asked, attempting to stare her down.

“I could not say,” Caroline answered him innocently. “She said something about giving the wrong idea, and then you returned, and I could not ask her what she meant. She seemed quite distressed.”

Bingley glared down at her, as if attempting to discern the truthfulness of her claim. Then, without a word, he went after the chit, leaving Caroline holding all three drinks.

Elizabeth could not have been happier to leave the party.

First, she had had to hear from one person after another the unjust indictments against Mr Darcy.

This put her in such a conflicting position—should she speak up for him?

How could she, without breaking his confidence?

Did she even wish to defend his character after he had treated her with such disdain?

Finally, she chose to tell a select few all that her conscience allowed. Among these were her discreet friend Charlotte, as well as her not-so-discreet Aunt Philips, who would, Elizabeth knew, make short work of acquainting the whole room with her assurances.

It was insupportable that the target of the rumours was not there to defend himself, thus she had felt obligated to interject.

However, after her interview with Charlotte, she looked up to see Mr Darcy walking across the parlour to speak to Sir William.

He had arrived before she, it seemed, and had not even deigned to acknowledge her presence.

After this, he had immediately entered into conference with Sir William and the colonel without so much as a glance her way. It was as if she did not even exist.

So it was that when Jane approached her, feeling faint and wishing to return home, she readily acceded. What Jane related to her of her conversation with Miss Bingley puzzled Elizabeth.

The whole party will leave Netherfield directly after the ball? Mr Bingley has been pretending to enjoy Jane’s attentions, whilst actually hoping to wed Miss Darcy? It is all too fantastical!

Elizabeth knew it to be a calculated falsehood, designed to discourage Jane from attaching herself to Mr Bingley, and she said as much. Jane would have none of it. The sweet lady would not believe that her friend could invent such a hurtful story.

Elizabeth had no such compunction.