“Good day, Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy!” hailed two gentlemen from the fringes of his set as they walked by.
“Mr Temple, Mr Vaughan,” he said, slowing his horse and tipping his hat.
“’Tis true then?” Mr Temple said, staring brazenly at Darcy’s cheek. “You did get a beating at Jackson’s?”
Darcy glared balefully at the man and said not a word. He had taken countless punches at Jackson’s, none of them having the desired effect of beating off his heartache, but to mention it in the presence of his sister was unpardonable. Mr Temple paled. Mr Vaughan babbled an apology for his friend’s impertinence, and both men scurried hastily away. Darcy shook his head and nudged his horse into motion.
“One day you will meet somebody who is not intimidated by thatstare of yours,” his sister reprimanded him gently.
“Believe you me, I have met her already, and she is far more than a match for me.”
Georgiana only smiled sympathetically, and they left the park in companionable silence.
Darcy House
21stMay
To Colonel Forster,
I hope this letter finds you well. I write in regard to one of your officers, Lt. Wickham, in whose character I fear you have been most unhappily deceived.
It has recently come to my attention that he has given the people of Meryton an account of his prior acquaintance with me that bears so little resemblance to the truth as to place any who believe it in considerable danger. Allow me to give you a more truthful report. (Supporting documentation and addresses of referees are enclosed.)
Mr Wickham is the son of my late father’s steward and godson to my father. He was bequeathed an amount of money upon my father’s death, which he was granted, as well as the promise of a living, which he rejected in favour of mutually agreed remuneration. This he squandered in its entirety within months and soon returned with a request for more, which was denied. Nonetheless, I have been obliged on more than one occasion to clear considerable debts in his name.
He is also a known philanderer and has not scrupled to prey upon young ladies—particularly those in possession of any significant fortune. I would ask that you be particularly vigilant of his activities in this quarter.
In acknowledgement of the harm the delay in divulging this information may have caused, I shall settle any debts Lt. Wickham has accrued that he is unable to pay himself up to the date of receipt of this letter. Thereafter, I relinquish all responsibility for the man to you.
Yours sincerely,
Mr F. Darcy
Saturday 23 May 1812, Hertfordshire
Elizabeth struggled for composure as she walked, angrily divesting the twig in her hands of its leaves, one forceful tug at a time. The Bennets, along with many of their neighbours, had dined at Lucas Lodge the previous evening. This morning, as all five sisters strolled into Meryton, Jane had once again begun bemoaning Elizabeth’s familiarity with Mr Bingley.
“I comprehend you feel conscious in Mr Bingley’s presence,” she said to her, “but surely you would not have me slight him simply to make your diffidence less obvious.”
“Of course not, Lizzy, but itispossible to constrain yourself to mere civilities. You need not monopolise every conversation.”
“I was not aware that I had.”
“So you have said, but your manners—well there must be something in your manners, Lizzy, for you are forever the centre of the gentlemen’s attention.”
“Is that not proof you ought to make more effort to converse if that is what gentlemen admire?”
“I have no doubt, but not everybody has wit and self-assurance in infinite measure. Besides, Mr Bingley was perfectly satisfied with my manner last autumn whilst you were busy sparring with his friend. All I ask is that you be mindful not to out vie me simply because you no longer have Mr Darcy to occupy you.”
The remark took Elizabeth aback. She had thought herself terribly clever last autumn, never speaking to Mr Darcy unless it was to demonstrate how much wiser and more perceptive she was than he. Yet something in her manner had misled him into believing she liked him—loved him, even. Her twig snapped in two. She threw it aside.
Had sheflirtedwith him? Certainly not consciously, yet her sister and mother’s charges of coquetry and her aunt’s tease not to make men love her were all suggestive that her behaviour was not beyond reproof. The possibility that Mr Darcy’s attachment (and therefore, too, his disappointment and humiliation) was of herdoing wasinexpressibly painful.
She dared not voice her regrets lest it excite her sister’s misgivings, but she could, and did, promise to make herself scarce whenever Mr Bingley called so as not to obtrude upon their time together.
“Lizzy,” Lydia called from behind them, where she walked with her other sisters. “Kitty says you refused to tell Aunt Gardiner in your letter that I am to go to Brighton with the Forsters!”
“Kitty is right,” she replied.
