There was a brief pause. Darcy noticed with a sudden thrill that Elizabeth was blushing. “That is not necessary.” She then turned and looked at the maid behind them. “Betsy, please call for some tea, if you would.” Her face turned serious again, their private moment shattered. “Come this way, won’t you?”
Darcy nodded, following her down the hall toward the drawing room. She turned as they entered the room. “I will leavethe door open, if you do not mind. As Harrison has already informed you, my aunt and uncle are not in.”
“Yes, that is perfectly acceptable.” He placed his hat aside on a table and took a steadying breath. She sat down and then motioned for him to do the same, but what he had come to say was too serious for him to sit.
“I have come to clear the air between us, if you will.” He cleared his throat, splaying his hands in a supplicating gesture. “Your behaviour has left me in no doubt that you have heard the rumours, for your unease with me has been obvious. I only wish I could deny them, but I will not insult either of us with anything less than the truth. I was wrong, back in Meryton. The rumours you have heard about the night of the Netherfield ball are true. When I cautioned Bingley about getting too entangled with your fair sister, Miss Bennet, I admit I slighted your family. Bingley was right: it was insulting and wrong of me. It was not my intention, but I wanted to apologise for any pain I might have caused you.”
Elizabeth’s brows raised slightly, but she said nothing. He went on with his speech. “I left Netherfield after that night at Bingley’s request. Indeed, it was necessary, after so insulting him, and it gave me time to think things over. My upbringing, excellent as it was in many respects, had failed me in this one. My father was very harsh about some aspects of the gentry and social standing. I see now that all of that does not matter, and I have thus come to beg your forgiveness. I hope we might start anew.”
She was still and silent for a long while. Elizabeth looked down at her hands, and his chest swelled with hope that she was considering his request. She might yet forgive him.
When she looked back up at him, that hope died. Darcy’s breath caught in his throat. She was obviously infuriated, but why?
Elizabeth stood. “Mr Darcy, I had no idea that this incident had occurred the night of the Netherfield ball. I am shocked that you would admit to such a thing.”
Darcy was taken aback. He shook his head, trying to understand. “Is that not why you have been so cold toward me? I thought you had overheard what I said, or that Bingley had told you.”
“He told me nothing, for he is a gentleman and a better friend than you have shown yourself to be.” Elizabeth’s chest heaved with each breath. “I am cold, as you put it, because of the contemptuous treatment I have received in your presence. Indeed, I have never been in the same room with you without feeling your judgement and scorn for my upbringing and family. Though I did not have proof before this moment that you did not approve of myself or my sister’s connection with Mr Bingley, I am not surprised. You have only confirmed what your coldness and arrogance have been telling me every moment of our acquaintance.”
“I —” Darcy began, his mind scrambling as he tried to absolve himself in her eyes. His head was spinning, however, not knowing what she was referring to. “I have never judged you, Miss Bennet. Indeed, I have only the highest respect —”
“Respect?” she gave a derisive laugh. “Is this what you call respect? Sharing your contempt for me and my family? Warning Mr Bingley that Jane is not good enough for him? Or that our family is inferior in consequence?” She shook her head and turned her back on him as she paced. “That alone would morethan justify my disapprobation, but I have other reasons, you know I have.”
“What reasons?” Darcy asked. He felt all his hopes crumbling to the ground. He was very much afraid he knew what she would say. If that scoundrel had repeated his old lies once again —
“Your treatment of my family is bad enough, but it is nothing compared to what I have learned of your cruelty to Mr Wickham.”
Darcy’s anger flared, not at her, but at the man whose lies seemed endless. “Mr Wickham?” he asked, stepping closer. “And what have you heard about that gentleman?”Gentlemanwas a strong word. Wickham was a blackguard and a snake. He ought not to come within a mile of Elizabeth.
“Far more than I would have wished, sir. He told me you refused to give him the living that your father put aside for him. You cast him out and gave what was rightfully his to another. Do you really think I could have any other reaction to the man who had so dashed his hopes?” Elizabeth stopped pacing, staring at him unflinchingly. She waited, glaring at him, but she had no understanding of what was at stake.
“How did you come to know the gentleman?” Darcy asked.
“We met in Meryton, if you must know, shortly after your departure from the vicinity. His regiment is stationed there.” She raised her chin defiantly. “I have answered your question. Now answer mine.”
Darcy let out a frustrated sigh, turning away for a moment. When he glanced back at her, she was staring daggers at him.
Yet it was not his reputation that he had to worry about, but hers. If she had fallen in with Wickham, she was already half-lost. He would have to put his anger aside and think only of Elizabeth.
He turned toward her once more, pleading with her. “Miss Bennet, I do not know what sort of falsehoods Mr Wickham has told you, but —”
“Did you refuse to give him the living after your father’s passing?” she interrupted.
“Yes, I did, but —”
She laughed bitterly. Darcy winced to hear her sound so sardonic. Elizabeth’s laugh had always been free and joyful. Wickham’s selfishness was already tainting the innocence of her spirit. “Then I wonder why you continue to try to absolve yourself from guilt.” She looked away from him, refusing to even meet his gaze. He could feel his chances slipping away.
“Miss Bennet, please listen to me. I came here today to not only apologise for what I said at Netherfield, but to warn you against Mr Wickham. He is not what he seems.”
“Oh? I am sorry, Mr Darcy, but I do not believe you. You have been caught in your injustice, and now you seek only to pass along the blame.”
“That is not what I do. Mr Wickham is not safe for you. He is not an honourable man.” Darcy let out a frustrated growl.
“To be frank, Mr Darcy, I do not know why you came here today. I know you disapprove of me — you think I am not even good enough to marry Mr Collins, for goodness’ sake. Why should you care what happens to me?” Elizabeth continued to glare at him.
Darcy almost groaned. Despite her quick wit and keen intelligence, she was naïve when it came to men. If Elizabeth could have misunderstood his intentions that night so badly, of course she could not identify Wickham as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He took a step closer, then another, until they were only inches apart. Elizabeth held her ground, no doubt thinking he meant to berate her. “I do care. I have cared since we first met, Miss Bennet,” he said desperately.
“I am sorry, but once again, Mr Darcy, I do not believe you.” She backed up a few paces. “Give me one good reason I should believe the poison you have been spewing about Mr Wickham.”
