There might be a way to profit from it, but he was not certain how at this moment. He would need to keep his eyes open and seize any opening that came about. And if the opportunity never came? Well, then, a little revenge would need to suffice.Wickham thought he could lay the groundwork for that, then disappear as he so often did. He would not see it, but he could well imagine moving on to the next place with a smile at the thought of the havoc he left behind.
INCLINED TO DISMISSit though he was, Darcy could not help but consider what his sister had said earlier that day. That a tender heart such as Georgiana’s was disposed to approve of the Bennets and believe Miss Bennet welcomed Bingley’s interest was evidence of her goodness. It would be best for Georgiana to gain a little discernment, which would serve her well in society, but it was not displeasing.
What concerned Darcy was not her opinion, but the notion that Miss Elizabeth thought he disapproved of her.
It was curious, he supposed, that he should concern himself so much for the notion. On a certain level, Darcydiddisapprove, though that was his reaction to her family’s overt efforts to secure his friend. Of the woman herself, Darcy did not disapprove, nor did he think anyone with an ounce of understanding could disapprove of her, and if they did, it was likely motivated by dislike or jealousy. Miss Bingley came to mind.
There was much to like about Miss Elizabeth Bennet—Darcy had already enumerated her qualities so many times that he could recite them by heart. If she had even a limited fortune or connections that would not make one blush, she would be the perfect wife to any man of society—the perfect wife to Darcy himself.
The attraction he felt had not disappeared. If anything, the past week in her company had increased his admiration. It had grown to the extent of crowding out other thoughts—when faced with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, other subjects grew uninteresting.If only she were suitable! Then he could make her an offer in spite of her improper family, remove her to the north, where she could meet her full potential.
Yet, it was said that if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Darcy’s wishes in this matter were immaterial—the situation was what it was, and nothing he could do would alter it. The best outcome for all concerned was for Darcy to persuade Bingley against his mad design of pursuing Miss Bennet, then for them all to leave this place behind forever. Then he could place himself beyond her influence, put himself beyond the force of her allure.
“Miss Darcy is correct, you know—about Miss Bennet.”
Darcy eyed his friend, wondering where Bingley’s comment had come from. Georgiana had returned to her room a short time earlier to rest before dinner, leaving the two friends in companionable silence. Then again, Darcy did not even know if it was pleasant, for his thoughts had prevented him from attending his friend.
“Her thoughts about Miss Bennet,” clarified Bingley before Darcy could ask. “I asked her about Miss Bennet, and she told me that she thinks Miss Bennet is lovely and more particularly suited to me.”
Had Darcy not worked to bolster his sister’s confidence, he might have espoused the wish that Georgiana had kept her thoughts to herself. “I have never said that Miss Bennet was not suited to you, Bingley. The only thing I question is whether her affection for you is sincere or the product of her mother’s interest in capturing you for her family’s benefit.”
“Then you confess that wearewell matched,” pressed Bingley.
Darcy sighed, not wanting to have this conversation. “Bingley, in the end, the only measure of compatibility is your own. The only aim I have in mind is your happiness—I do notseek to thwart your designs. Should you choose in Miss Bennet’s favor, I may have misgivings, but I have no means of preventing you, even if I wished to do so.”
“You will support me if that is what I choose?”
“Of course, I will,” replied Darcy, opting against telling Bingley how disappointed he would be. “As I have said repeatedly, you are your own man and may do as you like.”
“Thank you for that, Darcy. I understand that you do not approve, but I appreciate your forbearance, nonetheless.”
“Do not call it forbearance, my friend. Call it a sincere interest in your welfare.”
“It is appreciated,” said Bingley. His jaw tightened. “It is more than I have received from Caroline.”
Darcy shook his head. “I hope you do not consider me capable of the same deception.”
“No, I do not consider it.”
With that, Bingley fell silent, leaving Darcy to his thoughts again. Though Darcy was still determined to prevent his friend from making a mistake, his thoughts and the subsequent conversation had led him to several conclusions. Perhaps there was more at work—at least from Miss Elizabeth—than he had thought, though he could not say what it was. And Darcy knew that should Bingley decide in Miss Bennet’s favor, he would have no choice but to step back and allow Bingley to make his mistake, if it proved to be a mistake. To do otherwise might cause the end of their friendship.
Chapter VII
Wickham was nothing if not a resourceful man. He had to be. Men like Fitzwilliam Darcy could depend on all the advantages life afforded, but Wickham had always known he would only obtain what he seized for himself.
Being resourceful was all well and good, but in the current situation, Wickham was not certain how he could make something of Georgiana’s presence in Meryton. The uncomfortable thought that Darcy would just call in his Lambton and Cambridge debts should he say anything about Ramsgate would not leave him. Thus, anything he attempted, he must undertake with the utmost subtlety.
What Wickham thought hecoulddo with impunity was to further diminish Darcy’s standing in the eyes of the neighborhood—a side benefit of that would be to bring a young woman who intrigued him under his influence. The question was how to go about doing it.
Not having known that Darcy would quit the neighborhood after the ball, Wickham had made no plans other than the vague notion that he could spread his tale of woe at Darcy’s hands through whispers and innuendo. When Darcy departed, Wickham thought he could do so at his leisure. Now that the man was back, those plans would need to be abandoned for the moment. But there was one to whom he had related the affair, and the more he considered it, Miss Elizabeth Bennet would be the perfect vessel for his vengeance on Darcy.
That she had said nothing even to her sisters was unfortunate. Yet Wickham thought he could rile her up sufficiently to share what she knew with the neighborhood. If that did not work, a careless comment to Mrs. Bennet or Miss Lydia would yield the fruit he wished. Darcy would not care,Wickham believed—the man was dismissive of anyone beneath him and would view the tittering townsfolk with contempt—but it would satisfy Wickham to know that his reputation was ruined in another town. He would then take his time deciding if he could benefit from the situation.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” said Wickham warmly, flashing her that smile he knew pleased the ladies. “How wonderful it is to be in your company again.”
The other officers—Denny and Sanderson—were greeting the youngest Bennets and enduring the mother’s officious attentions, but for the moment, Wickham had no interest at all in them. Miss Elizabeth was the key. She had accepted Wickham’s tale of his dealings with Darcy and was a much more interesting conquest than heedless Lydia.
“Mr. Wickham,” said she, apparently pleased to see him. “Welcome to Longbourn.”
