“Did you know that Mr Collins cannot ride?” said Bingley.
“I did not, though I suppose I had not considered it.”
“Would you mind bringing the animal back with us? I have offered to teach Mr Collins to ride. He is not a small man, and so he will need a large horse, but I fear starting on a stallion or a mount with too much spirit might be too much for him. Your Bartholomew has such an easy temper.”
“I do not mind at all,” Darcy replied easily. “Do you think it is wise, and does the man have the composure for it?”
“Well heisa man, and I suppose he could acquire a little trap if it does not suit him, but if he is to be the master of an estate, he ought to learn, do you not agree?” said Bingley. “I must admit that I find it charming that the Miss Bennets have committed themselves to helping him learn, and Jane says that Mr Bennet does occasionally lend his time as well to the endeavour, but there is only so much one can learn about being a gentleman from women, do you not think? It is good of Mr Bennet to help him when he feels like it, but I think the man would be better advised by the example of gentlemen nearer his own age. I confess that I feel obligated on more than one count to assist him.”
“It is a worthy endeavour, but why do you feel obligated?” Darcy inquired curiously.
“You have been more than generous with your friendship, Darcy, and where would I be if you had never decided to extend it?” asked Bingley.
“You would be precisely where you are now, presumably, but with rather fewer connections in town, I suppose,” answered his friend. “You had perfect manners and were already profoundly likeable when we met. Perhaps I have exposed you to the ton, but the rest of your success in society is on your own merits.”
“But what sort of gentleman would I be if I observed another man struggling, and did not help him when I could have?” said Bingley. “Especially after the generous example you have set forme, and the efforts that Jane and her sisters are expending? Surely, you must wish to be of every assistance to the ladies.”
“I shall not attempt to deter you, and indeed, I shall help wherever I am able, though I believe you credit me with more goodness than I deserve,” Darcy replied. “Of course you may use the horse for as long as it suits you.”
When they arrived at Darcy house, the men separated, Bingley to go and wash, and Darcy to send a note to his cousin, then do the same. By the time he descended the stairs after bathing, then taking a tray in his sitting room, Bingley had left to attend to his business, and Darcy’s cousin, the Honourable Colonel Richard Augustus Fitzwilliam, was waiting for him in his study.
“Darcy!”Richard boomed, standing as he entered the room. “I thought you were settled in the country for some weeks! Did the beauties of Hertfordshire disappoint?”
“Quite the reverse, cousin, but more about that later,” Darcy began.
“Oh ho! With a remark like that, you believe you can just change the subject?Is therea particular beauty in Hertfordshire?”
“There is, but first, a more important subject.”
“What could be more important than the fall of the great Fitz to a country beauty?”
“Wickham.” No other word was necessary to silence Richard’s teasing.
“When you promised me that you would inform me when you located him again, I half expected you to conveniently forget,” Richard grumbled.
“And so I might have done, but he is slandering me again, and not even to any purpose. He is not even attempting to improve his lot, just chasing skirts. Poor ones, who have nothing to offer him but their own ruin. I cannot countenance allowing it to continue,” explained Darcy. The two men discussed Wickham’s appearance in the village, his falsehoods to the locals, and his pursuit of Lydia Bennet, and two others like her, Darcy had learnt before he left Meryton. This included the youngest daughter of Sir William Lucas, and the daughter of the haberdasher. None of the accounts suggested that he had ruined the girls entirely, but it was obvious that he was spinning his web, and would have them all where he wanted them quite soon.
“And what about this beauty you spoke of?” Richard inquired. “You may as well just tell me, I’ll have it out of you or Bingley soon enough.”
Darcy told Richard everything, even an account of his insult to Elizabeth. He was in the habit of unburdening himself completely to his cousin, whom he regarded as closer than any brother. “It is my wish to bring Georgiana to Meryton, though perhaps I should return for her after Wickham has been dealt with.”
“It is long past time you began treating that girl like the woman she is growing to be, Darcy. Much of her experience was a result of your belief that she was too delicate to know of Wickham’s crimes. Not that I had considered telling her about it either, but I do hope we have both learned our lesson. Georgie is still reserved in most company, but she has learned a great deal from her recent months spent with my mother and Priscilla. It would do the girl good to see the dragon bearded in his den, and done with. Bring her with you from the off, I say.”
“Elizabeth would give her all of the feminine support she might need. Not that your mother and Priscilla are in any waylacking, but Elizabeth has a streak of fire in her. Her courage rises with every attempt to intimidate her,” mused Darcy.
“She sounds like the perfect example for Georgie,” replied Richard agreeably. “And she will need that spit and fire against Lady Catherine and the harpies of the ton. What else do you like about her?”
“She is somewhat like Bingley in temperament, but rather more sensible. Not that Bingley isinsensible, but he sees the best in others, until it blinds him to their faults. Miss Elizabeth is easy in society, but her gregariousness is tempered with her sharp wit. She is well read, and clever. I think I should never bore of her company and conversation. She will be a jewel among the ton, I am certain of it. Most importantly, she is entirely artless and authentic. There is a sincerity in her that I admire, for I have never seen its equal in any woman in society. Where another woman would ignore my faults, Elizabeth holds me to a higher standard. I already trust her implicitly, and she makes me wish to be a better man,” Darcy confided.
“I simply cannot wait to meet this paragon,” Richard said excitedly. “Darcy is finally to be leg shackled. If you do it before your thirtieth birthday, I shall make a fortune at the club. My bet has been down in the books for three years against at least twenty gentlemen who believe you will not marry until you are at least forty.”
Darcy wrote a note to his solicitor, informing him that he would collect Wickham’s notes later that day, and set out for his Aunt Matlock’s house with his cousin.
“Brother!”cried Georgiana as she leapt from the pianoforte as he entered the room with Richard. “Why did you not tell us you were coming?”
“I have a surprise for you, Georgie. I have met the woman I hope to marry,” Darcy told his sister, after greeting his Aunt Eleanor, and Cousin Priscilla. He took a seat near her, and continued. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire is the exceedingly kind and beautiful second daughter of a country gentleman, and she has agreed to enter a courtship with me.”
His aunt and cousin each burst into happy and excited exclamations, giving him their heartfelt congratulations and well wishes. Georgiana blushed and said, “Will she like me, William?”
