Jane spoke softly. “Perhaps Mr. Wickham was merely offended, Mama.”
Darcy’s expression remained calm, though there was a gravity in it now that had not been there before. “Mr. Wickham is a man whose character has, on occasion, given rise to… very serious concerns.”
Mrs. Bennet stared at him. “Difficulty! Well, that sounds very alarming indeed.”
Elizabeth watched him closely. “You think we should be cautious.”
“I think,” Darcy replied carefully, “that it would be prudent not to encourage his attentions.”
Jane nodded at once. “That seems very sensible.”
Mrs. Bennet, however, looked increasingly agitated. “Well! I shall certainly speak to Mr. Bennet about it the moment he returns. I declare I shall not have strange men threatening my daughters in the street.”
Darcy rose slowly from his chair. “If you permit me, madam,” he said, “I would be glad to speak with Mr. Bennet myself.”
Elizabeth looked up quickly.
Darcy met her gaze with quiet seriousness. “There are some matters which it may be better that he hears directly.”
Mrs. Bennet blinked at him. “Oh! Mr. Darcy…”
For a moment, she appeared quite at a loss.
“Well! I am sure that would be… very proper indeed.” She pressed her hands together nervously. “I declare I never imagined such a thing when Mr. Wickham first came to Meryton. A most agreeable gentleman, and so attentive! One never knows whom to trust nowadays.”
Jane said gently, “Mama, Mr. Darcy did not say we had reason to fear anything immediately.”
“No, no, of course not,” Mrs. Bennet said quickly, though she looked anything but reassured. “Still, it is vastly fortunate that you are here to advise us, Mr. Darcy. I shall certainly tell Mr. Bennet that you wish to speak with him.”
Elizabeth had said nothing, but her eyes had remained fixed on Mr. Darcy. There was something in his manner now – a firmness, almost a protectiveness – which she had not observed before.
Darcy, meanwhile, had resumed his composure, though his thoughts were far from calm.
George Wickham’s presence in Meryton could no longer be treated as a mere inconvenience. What Miss Elizabeth had described confirmed his worst suspicions. Wickham had already begun to test his influence – and with Elizabeth herself.
That could not be permitted to continue. He would speak with Mr. Bennet before the day was over.
But as this resolution formed in his mind, another thought – considerably more welcome – presented itself.
Elizabeth Bennet was not engaged.
And, as her own words had made very clear, she valued something more than convenience in marriage. Darcy allowed himself the smallest inward smile.
There were matters which demanded his immediate attention –
and another, far more agreeable, which he did not intend to neglect.”
Elizabeth Bennet.
Darcy rose, intending to take his leave.
“If you will excuse me, Mrs. Bennet, I should not wish to intrude longer upon your morning. I shall return tomorrow to speak with Mr. Bennet.”
Mrs. Bennet started. “Return tomorrow! Good Heavens, Mr. Darcy, you cannot mean to leave already.”
Darcy paused. “I would not wish to inconvenience you.”
“Inconvenience us?” she repeated. “My dear sir, it would be vastly inconvenient if you did leave so soon. Mr. Bennet will be home directly. I cannot imagine why you should not wait.”
