Page 34 of Elizabeth’s Choice

Wickham snapped around to see Darcy on his horse with another gentleman next to him and Elizabeth could see his face immediately pale.

Darcy saw the fiend conversing with Elizabeth and knew that she was protecting his beloved sister. He clenched his jaw but descended from his stallion and coolly stated, “Wickham. You and I will have a word. Privately.”

“Darcy,” Wickham responded nervously, “it can wait a while, can it not? I am just meeting these lovely ladies and have some questions for them…”

But before Darcy could retort, Mr. Collins coughed several times and Darcy turned around to see who was interrupting him.

“Mr. Darcy, I was just introduced to your lovely sister Miss Darcy and must inform you that I have the great privilege of being Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s parson. I last saw her ladyship three days ago and she and your betrothed were in perfect health.”

Darcy glowered as he declared, “I have no betrothed. Is she still speaking that nonsense? I will be certain to write to her about it.”

Wickham, using the interruption to his advantage, quickly tipped his hat, “Denny and I must be off since I am to join the militia and must meet Colonel Forster. Good day, everyone. It was truly a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Elizabeth,” he gave her a nod with a dashing smile and scurried off.

Jane asked her youngest sister, “Where were you headed, Lydia?”

Lydia watched Denny and Mr. Wickham depart and disappointingly replied, “We were calling on Aunt Phillips. It is too bad the gentlemen left so quickly. I would have liked to have them stay longer. Officers are so handsome…”

Elizabeth took a deep breath before speaking, “Well, hurry along then, Lydia. Aunt Phillips loves company and will be very pleased to meet Mr. Collins.”

Lydia nodded her head and giggled with Kitty, gossiping with each other about Denny and the newcomer, while Mary and Mr. Collins followed behind.

Mr. Bingley, who had been watching the interaction with Darcy and Wickham, asked, “Wickham? Was that not the name of your father’s steward?”

“Yes, it was. George Wickham is the wayward son who has left massive debts and injured several young women for many years and is likely here for nefarious reasons. I will tell you more about him later. But for now, would you like to tell Miss Bennet your news?”

Mr. Bingley grinned merrily, “Oh, yes! I am so glad to see you looking so well, Miss Bennet. Mrs. Nicholls has been making white soup so I am sending around my card for the Netherfield Ball in six days, on the twenty-sixth of November. You are most cordially invited, and if you would be so kind, may I have the supper set?”

Jane blushed as she nodded, “Yes, of course. Thank you, Mr. Bingley.”

Bingley proffered his arm to Jane and the couple walked together to converse further, leaving Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana near the carriage.

Darcy quietly asked his sister, “Wickham did not hurt you, did he? I had no idea he would show his face here. I hold his debts and will be certain to collect.”

Georgiana merrily replied, “He did not! You should have heard Lizzie protect me. She was so witty and I could tell that he was trying to measure her fortune after she told him about her estate and he did not know what to do! And Mr. Collins, too! His eyes kept darting between Jane and Lizzie, as if one of them would choose him as their husband! What a laugh!”

Darcy chuckled, “I can only dream that Miss Elizabeth would choose a husband in the future. Bingley is smitten with Miss Bennet and has insisted on a ball. I was originally planning on staying at Netherfield until the twenty-seventh of November so he chose the evening prior, but I will be extending my stay in Hertfordshire, especially with Wickham loose in this county. Georgie, you may attend but will only dance with me. Miss Elizabeth, may I have the supper set?”

Elizabeth smiled, “You may. Will you come to Ashworth later so we can deliberate about Mr. Wickham? I do not believe I met him before but he seemed to recognise me and I wonder if our paths somehow crossed in Ramsgate. I did not like the way he looked at Georgie and do not want him anywhere near her. I did not have a good feeling about that man.”

With Darcy’s agreement, Elizabeth called her sister and after Jane curtsied to Mr. Bingley, the ladies resumed their errands while the two gentlemen took the long route back to Netherfield, making a stop at the militia encampment to have a discussion with Colonel Forster about a particular new recruit.

~*~

Darcy sat in Ashworth’s parlour and spoke to the housekeeper who had just brought in the tea service. “How long have you been at Ashworth, Mrs. Goodwin? How do you like Miss Elizabeth?”

She replied with a smile, "I have been here for the past fifteen years but became the housekeeper only three years ago and must admit that I enjoy having Miss Elizabeth as mistress the best. The Robinson are good people but Miss Elizabeth has a joy for life that is so rarely seen and she will be most welcome as the owner come March.”

“She is a favourite wherever she goes,” he retorted. “My staff loves her and she was exemplary at Pemberley this past summer.”

“Pemberley is the most beautiful estate in all of England and Miss Elizabeth spoke of how much she loved being there. You do not remember me, do you?” she asked with another grin.

Darcy answered in surprise, “I do not! I am so sorry that I do not remember. How are we acquainted? Please, have a seat.” He examined the woman closer, who appeared to be about thirty years old.

She explained pleasantly after sitting down, “I started working at Pemberley when I was twelve years old. I was at Pemberley for four years and learning to become the upper housemaid under Mrs. Reynolds for a year before I needed to leave. You were away at school most of the time and I left Derbyshire when I was sixteen. Your father was the kindest gentleman and helped me find work after I found myself with child. He wrote to Mr. Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth’s father actually promoted me to the Robinsons and I have been here ever since.”

Darcy’s eyes broadened as he asked, “Is the stableboy, Frank, your son, then? Where is his father?” He was burning with curiosity if someone from Pemberley might have impregnated this woman.

“I know not where he is. I made a mistake in my youth but was able to do well for myself and Frank with your father’s and Mr. Bennet’s help,” she answered.