“Exceedingly well. The quiet, the retirement of such a life, would have answered all my ideas of happiness! But it was not to be and sadly it is entirely Darcy’s fault. My godfather would surely turn in his grave.”
“It is very considerate of you to worry about the late Mr. Darcy. But I have heard, from very good authority, that the living was left to you conditionally only, and at the will of the present patron.”
Her words left Wickham staring at her, silent and pale, while she continued.
“Also, I heard there was a time when sermons were not so palatable to you as they seem to be at present. That you actually declared that the law was instead your choice of career, and you were compensated accordingly and fairly.”
Wickham gulped several times, glanced around and stared at her again.
“I wonder where you acquired such knowledge from, Miss…”
“Well, as a most extraordinary coincidence, my aunt was born and raised in Lambton. She has many friends and relatives there, some of them closely acquainted with Mrs. Reynolds and even with the Darcys.”
“I see… Well, things can be seen differently… Your knowledge is not wholly without foundation. But…”
“Mr. Wickham, we should stop this conversation now, before more damage is done. I have no intention of discussing this matter further.”
“Yes, we should…” he mumbled. “I only wished to…”
“I am lost as to what you intended by starting a conversation on such a delicate subject. I would have never mentioned it to you otherwise, as it is not my business to gossip about anyone’s private affairs.”
“True… Well… I…”
“Let us not quarrel about something that should not have even been mentioned. I must leave you now, and we must return home,” she concluded.
Then without waiting for his reply, she fetched her sisters and left, despite some loud protests.
As they walked home together, with Mr. Collins barely keeping pace with the girls, Elizabeth decided more clearly how to proceed.
Once at Longbourn, she sought out her father in the library and carefully closed the door behind her.
“Papa, you must help me with something. You must write to Mr. Darcy immediately and inform him that George Wickham has joined the Militia and is now in Meryton.”
Mr. Bennet looked at her with a frown but wrote the letter as Elizabeth requested then sent it by express, and only afterwards did he ask his favourite daughter for more details on the matter.
Bonus Story – Chapter 11
More than a week had passed since Mr. Bennet had written to Mr. Darcy. A reply had arrived, thanking him and Elizabeth for the considerate message, but it contained no other news to satisfy Elizabeth. She knew Georgiana should arrive in London soon, and she was aware she could accept the invitation and stay with Miss Darcy for as long as she wished, but Darcy returning to Hertfordshire was utterly different from her going to London to meet him.
The ball was approaching and the excitement could be felt all over Meryton, with Longbourn at the heart of it. The officers were a wonderful addition, ensuring that no young lady would be without a dance partner.
Among his fellow officers, Wickham was still a great favourite, and Kitty and Lydia eagerly awaited dancing with him. However, of all the houses in the village, Longbourn was the only one to which Wickham had not yet received an invitation. He had formed an apparent partiality for Miss Mary King, a young girl who was being raised by her uncle and aunt and had just inherited a dowry of ten thousand pounds that had brought her several suitors and much envy from her former friends.
Mr. Collins had chosen to extend his visit until after the Netherfield Ball. With the Bennets not providing him the attention he wished for, he had found a proper welcome from Sir William and Lady Lucas, the only titled people in Meryton. Furthermore, unlike the Bennet girls who treated him with little consideration, Charlotte Lucas was everything a young lady should be—modest, demure, educated and obedient—so she was the one whose hand Mr. Collins had requested for the first set at the upcoming ball.
Two days prior to the ball, Mr. Bingley was at Longbourn, discussing the white soup and other dishes for the supper with Mrs. Bennet and Jane. Elizabeth was completely oblivious to the conversation, lost in her own reflections and smiling occasionally.
They were startled when the servant entered and announced Mr. Darcy, asking for the master. So astonished was Elizabeth that she dropped her cup of tea into her lap and let out a small cry. Immediately, Darcy was beside her, kneeling and trying to wipe her gown. As she did the same, their fingers briefly touched and both mumbled an apology.
His gesture was so spontaneous and so unlike what one would expect from Mr. Darcy, that even Mr. Bingley was surprised. Coming out of his library, Mr. Bennet shook his head.
“Mr. Darcy, what a delightful surprise to see you again, sir! Welcome! Of course, one might enquire why are you kneeling beside my daughter Lizzy, but I am simply content to enjoy your presence.”
The tease-coloured Darcy’s cheeks as well as Elizabeth’s. The former immediately stood up, while the latter continued to brush her hands over her gown.
“Forgive my intrusion, I have just arrived from London and I suspected Bingley might be here,” Darcy said. “I hope I did not cause an accident, Miss Elizabeth.”
“Your suspicions were correct,” Mr. Bennet said. “We are very pleased to see you; I am sure Lizzy will recover from the accident before the ball,” he continued the teasing. “Come, let me offer you a drink, sir. You surely need it after the journey.”
