“You are very kind to worry about my sister at this time, Miss Bennet. Her health has been challenging lately but now she is improving. As I said, yesterday I found out about this matter through some letters sent by my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
“Oh dear,” Elizabeth whispered.
“I admit that at first I assumed it was some foolish misunderstanding. I was talking to my uncle, Lord Matlock, and my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and they believed the same.”
“Dear Lord, did your relatives find out too?” Elizabeth asked tearfully.
“Yes. But please do not trouble yourself, Miss Bennet. None of them gave credit to these lies. I explained all the details regarding our acquaintance and they agreed with me.”
“Agreed on what, Mr Darcy?” Mr Bennet asked.
Darcy breathed deeply. “Mr Bennet, Miss Bennet, I have come to the conclusion that this scheme, obviously meant to hurt Miss Bennet, was revenge inflicted by George Wickham.”
Elizabeth stared at him in disbelief.
Mr Bennet frowned and arched his eyebrow. “Are you certain, Mr Darcy?”
“Quite, sir. Wickham has done this to me and others in the past.”
“But what could be his motives, and why expose himself as well?”
“Precisely to avoid suspicion. Miss Bennet, when I threatened him—in the library—to speak to Colonel Forster about his true character, he was not too worried. He already knew that the general opinion about me in Meryton was quite low, while he was everyone’s favourite. Again, I have seen this happen in the past until people came to know him. However, when he realised you had found out the truth and held him responsible for his deception, he foresaw the danger of losing his privileges. Nobody would have doubted your word unless your reputation was ruined and people ceased trusting you. So he invented the story that turned you into an abandoned woman who sought revenge against him. He must have first shared the story with his colonel. When I spoke to the man, he seemed to take my warning in jest and almost dismissed me.”
“Yes, everything sounds very logical. Ridiculous, but logical. In only a few days, the man has ruined the reputation of a young girl who has done him no harm,” Mr Bennet concluded bitterly.
“Yes…I am deeply sorry. He has done it in the past and I should have guessed his intention. I should have warned you...”
Mr Bennet interrupted him. “Nonsense. There was nothing you could have done, except confront him, as he deserved. He is the lowest sort of human.”
Elizabeth was overwhelmed by shame, disappointment and guilt. “What should we do?” she murmured, looking at Darcy hopefully. “This must end now.”
“It is my duty to deal with Wickham, and I will do it without delay,” Darcy declared, then he cleared his throat and said reluctantly but solemnly, “Miss Bennet, Mr Bennet, I am aware this is a most awkward circumstance, but I want to assure you that I am ready to do my duty. I am ready to make an offer of marriage to Miss Bennet immediately and I would be honoured if she agrees…”
“No, no, no…please do not speak further,” Elizabeth interrupted him and Darcy paled with embarrassment. Even Mr Bennet was undecided if he should smile or pity the poor man.
“Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth continued, “I thank you for your willingness to repair the situation, but this is certainly not the way. First, because we barely know each other and marriage between us—as two strangers—could be a disaster. Second, because this would give Wickham the satisfaction of reaching his goal by forcing us against our will. And third, even if the other circumstances were favourable to such an outcome, a marriage in haste, at this moment, would only prove that the rumours were true.”
Darcy bowed to her. “I completely agree, Miss Bennet. I shall not deny that almost from the beginning of our acquaintance I have admired your character, your brightness, your loyalty to your family—so an alliance between us would not be a disaster for me.”
At this honest confession, she blushed from surprise and uneasiness. Mr Bennet smiled, and Darcy continued.
“I admit I never considered a further connection between us until yesterday and indeed it could be considered a confirmation of the ridiculous accusation. Please be assured that my proposal remains at your disposal, while I will settle this situation in another manner.”
“Thank you, sir,” Elizabeth whispered, forcing a grateful, “And how do you wish to proceed?”
“Well, my cousin, the colonel, suggested I should kill Wickham or at least beat him. But I fear this approach would only confirm the gossip, too.”
His statement again took Elizabeth by surprise until she noticed the dimples of a smile in his cheeks and realised his attempt at a joke. Her cheeks coloured again.
“Well, the suggestion is not entirely worthless,” Mr Bennet responded. “But you must wait until tomorrow. I have heard that tonight, the whole of Meryton, including the officers, are gathered at the Lucases’ party. My daughters are miserable for not being invited, but I have not been so content and relieved in a long while.”
“A party? How appropriate indeed,” Darcy said, with a sudden change of tone. “Miss Bennet, Mr Bennet, is there anything more that you wish to discuss tonight?”
“No, not really,” Mr Bennet said. “Will you remain in Hertfordshire long, sir?”
“As long as is necessary, Mr Bennet.”
They returned together to the drawing-room, meeting several curious glances.
