Page 38 of Elizabeth’s Choice

The siblings laughed together and Darcy journeyed to Netherfield, his heart lighter to know that Elizabeth was well and that she was his destiny.

~*~

The day before the Netherfield Ball, Darcy visited Meryton to be seen in the village, as well as to purchase a gift for Elizabeth, even though the weather was still poor. He could see that the merchants had been pleasant and whatever news that Mr. Bennet and Sir William had shared seemed to be working, as everyone greeted him pleasantly.

The owner of the jewellery shoppe asked, “What can I show you, Mr. Darcy? I don’t have as much as you are probably used to in town but I’d be happy to show you anything we have.”

Darcy commented, “You have a number of excellent items in your shoppe and I am looking for something that my lady friend would like.” He faced the man and continued, “I have given her hairpins and a brooch and pearl necklaces. What else do you think she will like?”

The owner’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, “Your lady friend must be special, sir. She must be a very good friend.”

“She is,” Darcy smiled, “I would give her the world if she only asked for it.”

The man nodded his understanding, “I didn’t believe a word of what was being said about you, Mr. Darcy. What do you think about a bracelet? I also have some jewellery boxes to place all the pieces she has already.”

Darcy inspected several items and declared, “I will take these two bracelets and that jewellery box. Thank you.”

The owner happily wrapped up the items and Darcy paid the man. As he walked outside, he saw Mr. Bennet exiting his carriage.

“What are you doing here, Darcy?” The older gentleman smiled. “Have you not spent enough of your money in Meryton already?”

Darcy laughed, “I have more to spend and am always looking for something to please my special lady. Have you heard from her, sir? My sister received a letter yesterday.”

He nodded his head and spoke in a quieter voice, “Yes, I received one yesterday and did send her a reply as well. You must know that I am a lackadaisical writer but I thought it important that she knows what is happening here. I hope she returns soon.”

“Me, too, sir. But no matter what happens, I am only glad that she is safe. I feared for the worst,” Darcy stated.

“My Lizzie is witty and charming but was worried that Her Majesty might not care for her uniqueness, but her letter indicated that the Queen is pleased with her so it will all be well,” he answered. “I do have one piece of news for you. I am coming back from speaking with Colonel Forster and it seems Wickham told a few of his associates that you and young Frank Goodwin from Ashworth are intimately involved. The original slander definitely seems to be from Wickham and now, he is accusing you of indecency here in Hertfordshire. And of course, when I asked to speak with Wickham directly, he was nowhere to be found and Colonel Forster thinks he might have deserted the militia after spreading his lies.”

“But Frank is only fourteen!” Darcy growled but took a deep breath, “Wickham must have seen me speak with Frank when I was visiting my sister. He is evil and I will hire Bow Street runners to track him. Frank is a good lad and I know something about him that his mother revealed to me but I will speak to Mrs. Goodwin about what Wickham said. I will clear up that rumour as soon as I can.”

“I do not envy what secrets you are privy to and how your reputation is being harmed due to your silence, Darcy, but those who know you and respect you do not believe a word of it so do not fret,” Mr. Bennet comforted the younger gentleman. “All will turn out well and I have great hope of calling you ‘son’ in the future.”

Darcy thanked Elizabeth’s father and boarded his carriage, grateful for the residents here who stood by him but furious at Wickham for continuing to lie and attempting to damage the Darcy name. As soon as he arrived at Netherfield, he wrote to his solicitor to make arrangements for the Bow Street Runners to search for Wickham as well as to hire the best barrister in London to file a suit against George Wickham for slander.

~*~

Darcy stood alone next to a column in Netherfield’s ballroom and acknowledged several acquaintances as they passed him, some smiling at him, while others were intent on avoiding meeting his eyes. There were numerous guests who turned up for the party in all of their best finery, but it was obvious that the biggest gossip that this hamlet had ever had was about himself and Darcy knew he had to be strong but still felt mortified that everyone was closely examining him.

Most people were kind and spoke to him cordially but there were several who kept their distance with a sneer on their faces, and Darcy could see them whispering with others, questioning his respectability and if the rumours were true or not. He had left Georgiana at Ashworth to protect her from curious eyes and felt utterly alone, but Mr. Bennet approached him and stood next to him to offer his support and Darcy took a small sip from his punch cup to fortify himself for the night.

“It seems some of my neighbours do not know what to think of you, Darcy,” the older gentleman began with a sigh, “and I am sorry that they would rather believe the words of a villain than the truth in front of them. Mrs. Bennet and her sister have been promoting you but the latest is that you have been visiting Ashworth daily to see Frank and why your sister had been installed there instead of at Netherfield. I do not understand how little their minds are. Hertfordshire is truly the backwaters and I am ashamed of them on your behalf.”

Darcy shook his head, “It is no different here than anywhere else and I suppose it is easier to entertain false gossips than consider facts and truths.”

“I will stand with you and you need not suffer this alone,” Mr. Bennet declared. “Mrs. Bennet will do the same and you still have many friends here.”

“Thank you, sir. I can manage and please do not feel it necessary to stay with me all night. I will not be dancing but will be sure to do my best to be amicable,” Darcy replied with a small smile.

For the next hour, he and Mr. Bennet spoke about several topics, but Elizabeth’s father was called away when Lady Lucas reported to him that Sir William had a question about Mr. Collins. Darcy stood alone again, wondering how early he could retire, when Miss Bingley approached him.

“I do not understand why my brother insists on allowing you to remain at Netherfield, Mr. Darcy,” she glared at him with obvious hostility, “I am made to endure your presence and to present myself as if I tolerate your transgressions, and although Charles will censure me, I will make my sentiments known to you that I think you are despicable and that you should depart tomorrow as was your original plan. Why must you make us suffer this? Why do you not impose yourself at Ashworth instead and stay there, since everyone knows you would rather be there instead?”

Darcy clenched his fists but took a deep breath as he calmly answered, “It is true that I would rather be at Ashworth but I will accept Bingley’s hospitality for a little while longer. Do not worry, Miss Bingley. I will likely be returning to town with my sister on Saturday and you need not suffer my presence much longer.”

“Oh, thank heavens,” she replied. “I plan on convincing my brother to cut all association with you and we have no need to acknowledge you in public, then. It makes so much more sense why your father wanted you to marry me now. He knew, did he not? I suspected you had some secret but this is beyond the pale and you should have proposed to me last summer but now have lost your chance forever.”

“Thank heavens,” he sharply reported. “It would have been the biggest mistake of my life and I will have you know that my father did not want me to marry you. It was someone else all along and I am rather relieved to never speak to you again. Please leave my side now, Miss Bingley. I have no wish to be seen with you ever again.”