“Generosity? From my godfather, perhaps. But you have always criticised me and nothing I have ever done was good enough. And you denied me the living that was rightfully mine!”
“Oh, stop this nonsense, Wickham! You have told this story so many times that you have begun to believe it yourself. You asked for three thousand pounds in compensation and you received it! What living? You never intended to be a clergyman or take any other respectable career! Nothing you did was good enough for me, because you have actually done nothing at all! Nothing that could be mentioned in a decent conversation! You have always expected others to give you something!”
“I expect nothing from you now, Darcy, except to not bother me. I have found a place and employment that suits me very well! Not to mention I am among lovely young ladies who are just waiting for me to choose one of them!”
“No employment suits you, Wickham. But I have long ceased any attempts to correct your behaviour. And I would certainly not speak with you about ladies.”
“And why not? I noticed we share the same preference for Miss Elizabeth Bennet? What a pity that she favours me as much as she detests you,” Wickham laughed. “What a pleasant change, to see your superiority laughed at in this small village.”
Darcy said nothing, so Elizabeth heard Wickham continuing.
“Are you surprised? Truly? Is your pride and arrogance so great that you cannot imagine a woman detesting you? And surely not one with no consequence, from a small village. That is certainly worth laughing at!”
“I am glad you amuse yourself. I warn you that tomorrow I will speak to Colonel Forster. I will relate to him the true history of our past dealings. I will allow him to decide if any precautions against you must be taken further, but I must know I have complied with my duty of honour.”
“Really Darcy? Duty of honour? Do you truly wish to open a debate about our past dealings? Are you certain you want me to share my side of the story involving Georgiana? Will you take such a risk, just to satisfy your vanity?”
“Wickham, do not toy with me! One single word from you about Georgiana and you will have to face my anger as never before! I can see that you feel somehow safe, surrounded by people who have been deceived by your insincere, pleasant manners. People who do not know your vicious character yet. You seem to have made many friends, but as always, you will not be capable of keeping them. But I shall not allow you to bring more harm to my family! You have been ungrateful and dishonest to my father’s memory. You have been shallow, wasteful and reckless. You are a poor excuse for a man. But ifyou dare to hurt Georgiana with even a word, you will suffer my revenge!”
“Your revenge? In what way? Will you kill me?” Wickham laughed sardonically. “I have nothing to gain from you, I know that. But I do not fear you. You are too foolishly honourable to do anything to disgrace yourself. I have no such restraint, as you well know.” Wickham’s tone was mocking, cynical and cold. Elizabeth shivered. If she had not heard the name, she would have never imagined that voice belonged to her favourite gentleman.
“I will not kill you. But I may easily purchase your debts and then throw you in prison. In fact, I shall do that just. And if you play longer with my patience, I may simply take my cousin’s advice and beat you into the ground. You surely deserve that.”
“What uncivil threats, Darcy! Could it be because you are jealous of my close friendship with Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Do not believe me oblivious to the way you look at her! I know you well enough to guess the feelings you hide behind your aloof stares. I don’t know you any less than you know me!”
“Do not toy with my temper, Wickham,” Darcy repeated in a cold, cutting voice, then his hurried steps went to the door. He pulled at the doorknob forcefully and a strange noise threw Elizabeth into despair. Her worst fears became a reality when she heard Wickham speak.
“Nicely done, Darcy! You have broken the doorknob! You and your bad temper! Congratulations! You have both of us trapped in here until God knows when!”
“Shut your mouth, Wickham! You have angered me enough and now, since we are locked in here alone, I might very well kill you, after all,” Darcy said, barely restraining his ire.
At that moment, Elizabeth realised that there was no chance for her to keep her presence unknown.
Hesitant, distressed by her new knowledge regarding the two men’s past, embarrassed to be caught in such a compromising situation, tormented and astonished by Wickham’s suggestions that Mr Darcy might be jealous because of her, Elizabeth stood up and said in a low voice,
“Good evening, gentlemen. I am afraid I find myself in a most disagreeable situation, as all three of us are trapped here.”
∞∞∞
The two men remained still, as she took another step closer. It was still dark in the library, their eyes struggling to see anything.
“I believe some light is necessary,” Darcy said coldly, as he began searching around. Shortly, several candles were burning, making it easier for each to see the others’ shame and misery.
“Miss Bennet, I must tell you that…” Wickham began.
“Mr Wickham, before making this situation even more miserable with further explanations, please keep in mind that sadly I heard your entire conversation with Mr Darcy. It was not my intention, your entrance caught me completely by surprise and I had no time to intervene. You may, of course, count on my complete discretion and I hope to forget everything by tomorrow,” Elizabeth said severely.
“Well, I… There are things that need to be explained,” Wickham continued.
“Apparently so. But for now, I would suggest finding a way to leave this room. Anything else can wait.”
Darcy was already opening the window, and Elizabeth realised he would do anything to avoid her gaze.
“I believe I may climb down from the window. The distance to the ground is not so high,” he said.
Elizabeth approached and looked outside. The distance was far from being safe, but very likely, a man like Darcy would be in no real danger. Wickham, for his part, said nothing.
“Sir, forgive me for being selfish, but, if you leave me here with Mr Wickham, that would be a compromising situation for me,” Elizabeth said.
