The first fine day in two weeks saw Elizabeth accompanying Lydia and Kitty into town. She could not blame them for their excitement, little as she liked its object. Her younger sisterswouldchase after officers, however, and refusing to accompany them would not have prevented them from going. In any case, Elizabeth felt badly in need of a walk.
They reached Meryton without incident. While Elizabeth bought some sheets of paper requested by Mr Bennet, Lydia and Kitty waited outside, giggling and looking for an opportunity to meet the soldiers as they passed. Elizabeth did not think that the men were falling for their designs in dropping their handkerchiefs so that the officers might retrieve them, but there was no talking her sisters out of it. Lydia had well and nearly stuffed her reticule full of handkerchiefs for the endeavour.
She shook her head and rolled her eyes as she watched the girls waving at the officers as they passed by. With a sigh, she entered the lending library to trade in her books and see if anything new was available. When she stood beside the window, the light streaming through the glass panes could aid her in reading the first few pages. She put it in her basket and looked up just in time to see a familiar face passing by. Mr Wickham did not notice her, but turned to his companion and brushed a kiss upon her cheek.
Elizabeth gasped in shock. Such license on the public street would have been shocking even in a betrothed couple, but Mr Wickham’s companion was Miss Darcy! Upon receiving the kiss, she had flushed and looked shocked, but she had not protested or pulled away. Nor was Mrs Younge anywhere to be seen. What on earth was going on?
Something was wrong. That Mr Wickham might fall in love with Miss Darcy would be surprising, but that he would act with such license, and when she was away from the protection of her guardian, was utterly unacceptable. Without even waiting to exchange her books or speak to the shop’s proprietor, Elizabeth left the building. She followed the pair at a discrete distance and saw them halt at an apple seller. Mr Wickham picked five of the choicest fruits and placed them in a basket slung over his arm. He leaned close to whisper in Miss Darcy’s ear, heightening Elizabeth’s sense of foreboding. He was acting too familiarly — much too familiarly, to such a shy, innocent young girl.
Elizabeth had watched them dance two sets together at the assembly. That suggested that Mr Wickham was quite interested in Miss Darcy, but there was nothing of real concern in it. His behaviour now was quite different. Elizabeth could not imagine any explanation for it that would do credit to his honourand his heart. And where was Mrs Younge? It was strange indeed that she was allowing her young charge to be so alone and unprotected.
Just then, Miss Darcy glanced towards her, looking a little startled when their eyes met. Elizabeth smiled and made a formal bow.
Elizabeth had not expected a smile in return, only the nod of acknowledgement that was the least return Miss Darcy could make to her bow in all politeness. She soon found she was mistaken — matters were far worse even than she had guessed. Miss Darcy only frowned, raised her chin, and looked away.
Miss Darcy has cut me!Elizabeth’s heart sank. That the friendship was sundered did not admit of a doubt, but she had not imagined that Miss Darcy would go so far as to give her a formal gesture of contempt, refusing even to acknowledge the acquaintance. Elizabeth had hoped leaving her be for a while would make the supposed betrayal fade, would give Georgiana time to remember all the conversations and shared laughter that could not have been faked. Evidently, she had been too optimistic. Likely, Mrs Younge had continued to poison Miss Darcy’s mind against her.
“Come, Mr Wickham. Let us return home, where the streets are not so crowded,” Miss Darcy said.
“I would much rather have you to myself anyway, my dear Miss Darcy.” Mr Wickham said. He did not even look up to see Elizabeth standing a few paces off. “I am growing jealous at all the attention your frock is attracting from the other men, not that I blame them.”
Elizabeth’s brows rose in surprise. His words had a tone she did not care for at all. There was an insinuating sound tothem, hinting at things he should not have dared to mention before Miss Darcy. As the two walked off, Mrs Younge joined them after only a few paces. She must know, then, how familiarly Mr Wickham was speaking to her charge, must even be facilitating their time together, for it certainly was not a surprise that the two had been walking alone. The woman was not doing her duty as a chaperone, that much was clear. What on earth did Mrs Younge mean by it?
Worry for Miss Darcy continued to assault her as she went in search of Lydia and Kitty. Elizabeth no longer wished to be in town. Her heart was crying at Miss Darcy’s refusal to even acknowledge her. She knew she could tell no one, especially not Lydia and Kitty. They would wag their tongues and before she knew it, all of Meryton would turn on Miss Darcy once again. That was the last thing she wanted.
Something told Elizabeth that Miss Darcy was in trouble enough already.
∞∞∞
Darcy breathed deeply of the fresh scent of autumn, a mixture of fallen leaves, damp earth, and the promise of rain. He pulled his horse to a halt, waiting for his cousin to catch up with him. Colonel Fitzwilliam was Georgiana’s other guardian and a good friend to them both. Darcy did not know how he could have managed if the full responsibility for his sister lay on his shoulders alone.
Hyde Park was so beautiful this time of year. With the trees changing into their regalia of burnt orange and goldenamber, he could have sat and watched the wind ripple through their branches for hours. The sun was shining through the clouds at regular intervals, chasing away the chill with its warmth.
He did not really mind the cold. The brisk air helped clear his mind of all the worries and trials he had had to deal with. Napoleon’s advance was not making things easy for anyone’s business interests in England. He could only hope the scoundrel would be brought to heel soon.
“You look like you are surveying a kingdom,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said as he rode up beside him. He pulled the reins hard, making his stallion rear ever so slightly. He was a spirited animal and a good match for his cousin’s daring nature.
“Do I?” Darcy asked. “I did not mean to be.”
“You would make an excellent king,” Colonel Fitzwilliam smirked. “You have the seriousness for it.”
“Cease your jesting.” Darcy waved him off. They continued on with their ride, walking at a leisurely pace around the pond. The birds were not in the vicinity anymore, having flown south for the cold months. Indeed, there was hardly a soul in the park that day, thanks to the threatening rain.
“I have had a letter from our aunt this morning. She has invited me to her townhouse for supper in a week, and informs me you have had an invitation as well.” Colonel Fitzwilliam raised his brows. “Or will you still be in London then?”
“I expect so, yes,” Darcy replied. It would not do for him to refuse the invitation, which was more like a summons, in reality. People did not often cross Lady Catherine De Bourgh. They would then have to brave her wrath for ignoring her orders, and then all of England would hear of it. His aunt was not one tobe trifled with. Darcy was still tempted to refuse the invitation. His aunt had voiced her opinions on how Georgiana ought to be raised, not to mention how Darcy himself ought to marry, much too decidedly of late. But still…
“I do not suppose I can deny her,” Darcy said at last. “Better to go, and pay off my familial duty now, rather than leave it for another time. She is our aunt, after all.”
“Good, then I shall accept as well.” He smiled his usual jovial smile. “I half-expected you to rush off to Pemberley at any moment.”
“Hmm, yes,” Darcy replied distractedly. He was surprised at himself. The last few weeks since his arrival in London did not have him longing for Derbyshire, but Hertfordshire. And it was not the countryside that drew his thoughts, but the memory of a pair of dark eyes.
I must forget her. I will forget her. Darcy, you fool, it was never real.
“I am sure our aunt will do her best to coax you into making your bid for Lady Anne’s hand while we are there. Are you ready to take on the last adventure set aside for you? That of matrimonial bliss?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam had always been one to indulge his sense of humour. Normally, Darcy enjoyed his cousin’s wit, even when it came at his own expense. But at that moment, he wished his cousin would be more serious.
