“I hope you will not find me too blunt or impolite, but I noticed your unease when Darcy’s impoliteness to you was mentioned. I just wanted to assure you that you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Darcy takes great pleasure in treating others with a lack of civility and consideration. I know that better than anyone since I have known him my entire life.”
“Really? That is quite astonishing!”
“I would prefer this not to be widely known, but I grew up at Pemberley. Mr George Darcy was my godfather, and he loved me exceedingly. I was even named after him.”
“Truly?” Elizabeth tried to temper her curiosity with little success. “You may be assured of my secrecy, Mr Wickham. In fact, perhaps it would be better if we did not discuss this subject further, as I assume you and Mr Darcy are not on friendly terms.”
“We are not. Darcy did me a great injustice and refused to give me what my godfather left me in his will. He never liked me and never showed me any friendship, probably because his father loved me so much. Darcy has a jealous and resentful nature.”
Elizabeth took a minute to understand the man’s assertions.
“So, Mr Darcy disregarded his father’s will? How is that possible? I assume inheritance is protected by laws.”
“Yes, but there was such an informality in the terms as to give me no hope from law. My godfather recommended Darcy give me the living of the parish of Kympton as soon as it fell vacant. The recommendation was clear and beyond a doubt, but Darcy chose to dismiss it and give the living to someone else.”
“That is strange, indeed… I know Mr Darcy only a little, but he seems to cherish his family. Disregarding his father’s wish is inconceivable.”
“And yet, that is Darcy — the one who always wishes to have his own way. I shall not trouble you with my problems any longer, Miss Elizabeth. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in suffering from Darcy’s rudeness.”
“The situations can hardly compare, Mr Wickham. The remark you heard — due to my sister and others’ indiscretion — was said to his friend. After all, he is entitled to like and dislikewhomever he wishes, and to refuse to dance at a ball. He later apologised, so I cannot hold a grudge for that.”
“You are more generous than I am, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I doubt it… From what you said, he did you a great injustice and sullied his father’s memory. I would hardly forgive him for something like that. You, Mr Wickham, are calmer than I would be.”
“Time has healed my wounds, Miss Elizabeth. This happened more than three years ago, so I have had time to become accustomed to his actions and my situation.”
“Wickham, what have you been talking about with Miss Eliza for so long?” Mrs Forster called to him. “Come here and hear the news. Lydia said Mr Bingley is hosting a ball, and I shall ask my husband to make him invite all the officers.”
Mr Wickham smiled, then bowed to Elizabeth and walked away, joining the other group, leaving her thoughtful and perplexed.
Mr Wickham’s story confused her even more in regard to Mr Darcy. The officer’s accusations were serious. How could a man who had shown so much grief and tenderness for his parents and his sister, and who loved animals, act so dishonourably, even cruelly?
