Consequences (40 page)

Only when he was satisfied the documents would survive any environment less rigorous than a swim in the Thames did he finally pass the pouch over to Bingley.

“Here you are, sir. I would suggest you present the license to the parson when you return to Hertfordshire. If he has any questions, there will be ample time to explain matters before your wedding date.”

Darcy hid another smile, for Smith-Jones’s statement assumed any problems would be due to a lack of understanding on the part of Reverend Palmer and ignored the possibility of any mistake on
his
part. Not that Darcy believed there would be mistakes, for he had extensive experience with the legal capabilities of Frederick M. Smith-Jones since his father’s death.

“Excellent work, Maxwell. I did not anticipate you would have everything complete before tomorrow.” Darcy had no idea why the old gentleman preferred his middle name to his given one, but such had been the case ever since his father first brought him to this office.

“I was quite fortunate in being able to obtain the Archbishop’s signature this morning, sir. His secretary told me his master was unavailable until next week, but I believe the young man was hinting toward an additional . . . incentive . . . but I have known the Archbishop for years.” Smith-Jones’s dismissive sniff clearly indicated what he thought of minor functionaries trying to supplement their salaries.

Darcy thanked his solicitor again while Bingley put his special license into an inside coat pocket, then both of them left the dimly lit office and emerged into the bright spring sunshine. Darcy’s own documents were delivered to Hertfordshire the previous week, but Bingley needed to obtain a special license to meet the accelerated schedule so both weddings could be performed on the same day.

After entering his carriage, Darcy consulted his watch before turning to his friend.

“Here, Charles! Did you know it is only two o’clock? If we desire, we could return to Netherfield this afternoon instead of waiting until tomorrow. What do you say?”

Bingley was quick to agree, and the two friends were able to return to Darcy’s house, have their horses prepared, and be on their way within the hour.

“I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your help, Darcy,” said Bingley sincerely as they left the outskirts of London.

“It was my pleasure, Charles. It is little enough to balance the debt I owe you.”

“Nonsense,” snorted Bingley. “Remember, I was the one who allowed myself to be convinced. If it had not been for you, I do not know if I ever would have been able to correct my mistake. So I desire to hear no more about your supposed harm to me. And I can assure you Jane feels the same. We are both too happy to have room for any other emotions.”

Darcy said nothing, but his heart swelled at the thought that both he and Charles would be brothers in little more than a week.

“In any case, the ladies will be surprised at our return,” commented Bingley. “I wonder if we could make a visit to Longbourn after we return.”

“You forget Mrs. Bennet is having a dinner for the officers of the regiment before they leave in the morning,” Darcy said. His comment was made in a calm tone, but Bingley could see the disapproval in his stiff manner, though he was unsure what it meant.

“Is that a serious impediment? I thought you were on friendly terms with many of the officers.”

“Friendly enough, I suppose. But Elizabeth mentioned to me that her mother included Wickham in the invitation.”

“I suppose she could hardly omit him.”

“Probably so, but I certainly cannot bring Georgiana to Longbourn if he is present.”

Bingley knew there was bad blood between Darcy and Wickham, owing to certain undefined transgressions on Wickham’s part, but this was the first intimation that the differences included Darcy’s sister. He considered asking further, but Darcy had the single-minded look he sometimes wore when the welfare of his sister was on his mind.

“Perhaps we could stop at Longbourn before returning to Netherfield, Darce. Could you endure Wickham’s presence long enough for that?”

“It is not a question of enduring Wickham’s presence on my part, Charles,” Darcy said quietly, “since there is nothing he could do to injure me. But he will die before I allow him to harm Georgiana again.”

A shiver went down Bingley’s spine at the emotionless menace in Darcy’s voice. Whatever Wickham had done, it was obvious that no amount of time could lessen the animosity between the two. But there was one part of what Darcy said that was not entirely correct, and he might not even be aware of it . . .

“Darcy,” he said slowly, “it is possible your dismissal of the harm Wickham could do you is not entirely accurate. Are you aware of what Wickham has been saying about you since we left Hertfordshire? Has Elizabeth spoken of it?”

Darcy turned to look at his friend. “No, Charles, I have heard nothing from any source.”

“Jane informed me of the details a week or so back, but I thought little of it, for I knew the negligible value you place on the man. After we left Hertfordshire last November, it appears Wickham began to tell tales of mistreatment at your hands following the death of your father. He said your father recommended him for the church and promised him a position as a clergyman in Derbyshire.”

“Wickham? The church?” Darcy snorted. “Yes, my father did hope for such, but he was not aware of Wickham’s vices as I was. I cannot think of a person less suited to be a clergyman. Even my aunt’s parson, Mr. Collins, is better matched to that vocation than George Wickham.”

“Be that as it may, Wickham spread the story that you wilfully denied him his due and thwarted the wishes of your dying father, who intended he be given a valuable church living.”

“That is patently ridiculous, Charles! My father’s will recommended that I assist Wickham in his chosen profession, whatever that might be. Only if Wickham took orders did he mention the family living. In any case, I dealt with that situation some time later when Wickham declared he was firmly decided against the church and desired instead to study law. Knowing how ill suited he was to be a clergyman, I struck a bargain with the scoundrel. In return for his renunciation of any claim on the church living, I gave him a . . . considerable sum of money, supposedly, as he told me, to further his studies. And, when the living later became vacant, I was able to bestow it on a much more deserving man than George Wickham.”

“Hmmm. It seems Wickham may have omitted that point, Darce,” Bingley smiled.

“I daresay,” said Darcy derisively. Then, a more disturbing thought occurred to him.

“Bingley, do you mean to say these lies were believed?”

“I am sorry to say so, but it appears they were, old man. At least, Jane believes so. She said your reputation was rather bad among the local gentry, though it has recovered somewhat in recent days.”

Darcy looked at his friend. “How could they believe such nonsense?”

Bingley was acutely uncomfortable at this, but he gamely decided a measure of honesty was called for at this time. “Part of it is because he did not start telling the story openly until after we departed, though he appears to have told Miss Elizabeth earlier. And also there is the fact that the neighbourhood likely wanted to believe it, since your . . . reputation for . . . sociability . . . was not very great. Forgive me for saying it, but that is what Jane told me. And, since the subject came up between us, I thought you ought to be informed.”

Darcy was silent at this comment, though he was angered by it. He knew his reputation was not the best, but he assumed it had more to do with his lack of affability than with dishonourable actions on his part. But, given what Elizabeth said at the Netherfield ball about Wickham, he supposed he should not be surprised. And, given her comment regarding her belief that he held her in contempt, it appeared likely he gave her and others reason to believe the worst of him.

I know I was not as open and friendly as I should have been
, he thought in mortification,
but was my behaviour that dreadful? It would appear so if everyone was ready to believe what Wickham said about me.

He squirmed in the saddle as he remembered other incidents, starting the night when Charles had dragged him to the assembly at Meryton, when he most decidedly did not want to attend.

I remember how I talked to Caroline about the ‘country savages,’
he thought with an inner wince.
And then I refused to dance, even when Charles wanted me to dance with Elizabeth! How my life has changed since that night!

He was glad Bingley was not looking his way when he shuddered at the thought that his hopes for future happiness were nearly ruined—and all due to his own actions! His mind was in such turmoil that it was several minutes before he was able to resume his conversation with Bingley, who had grown rather uncomfortable, thinking the news he related angered his friend.

“I should have known better than to expect anything else from George Wickham,” Darcy said finally, “but I confess I am shocked his lies were accepted by others. I have been thinking about how it could be so, and I am not pleased with my conclusions. Tell me, Bingley, and I urge you to be honest with me; do not spare my feelings out of friendship, for I need to know the truth. Did I behave so very badly when we were in Hertfordshire, so badly as to alienate the whole countryside?”

Now it was Bingley’s turn to squirm. “Well,” he said eventually, attempting to temporize, “you have always been more comfortable in private rather than public situations, Darcy. And you appear to have been smitten with Miss Elizabeth quite early, which could explain much of what—”

“Bingley!” snapped Darcy. “The truth, man! I need the truth!”

Bingley sighed and complied. “Well, the truth, old man, is that you were rather brusque with everyone. But I still think that part of it was due to your attraction to Miss Elizabeth. I was smitten with her sister, but I always show my feelings. You, on the other hand, were smitten and had no way to show it.”

“Even so, to treat everyone with contempt to cover up the fact that I was falling in love and did not want to is not a worthy testimony to either my upbringing or my instruction!” said Darcy, as he castigated himself.

Dear Lord, how could I have been so wilfully blind!
he thought in icy self-contempt.
I had to force my best friend to tell me how I acted, but he is completely right. Now the scales have finally fallen from my eyes, I can see how I acted toward those of whom I selfishly disapproved. I knew Elizabeth was subtly suggesting improvements I should make, but I thought I was being generous in taking her suggestions to heart! Obviously, she has excellent reasons to desire I modify at least some parts of my conduct, and I must listen to her in this matter. Yet another reason to marvel that she accepted my offer of marriage!

“Darcy,” said Bingley urgently, seeing the distress that settled on Darcy’s face, “calm yourself! Remember how different it is in town than here in the country. If I had not had you to guide me through London society, I should have either appeared an utter fool or been captured by the first fortune-hunting society daughter I encountered. That is why I feel so comfortable in the country; one does not have to maintain a constant watch for those attempting to exploit or ruin you for one misstep. Just think of all those society mothers who have been driven to the heights of envy because you are not marrying their daughters!”

Darcy’s bark of laughter broke the spell of bitter introspection.

“Old friend,” he exclaimed after his mirth subsided, “you are a tonic for my nerves. Truly you are. I rejoice we shall soon be brothers as well as friends!”

Bingley smiled, but Darcy’s expression indicated his mind was not completely settled.

“What else is troubling you, Darcy,” Bingley asked gently, and Darcy looked over at him seriously.

“I have just looked at my remembrances with a different point of view, and I am not happy with myself and my actions—not at all. I can only wonder that Elizabeth did not reject me for my arrogance and incivility.”

“Ah, but she did accept you, so she must have seen enough to believe you worth the risk. And we shall be brothers, shall we not?”

Darcy looked sharply at his friend, and finally a smile began to grow on his face until he shook himself to rid his mind of the unwelcome memories. “Yes, Charles, we shall be brothers, little though I may deserve it. But yes, you are right; she did accept me, and she gives no indication of remorse at that decision. So, once again, you have proven invaluable at soothing my worried mind. Thank you, old friend.”

Bingley smiled in relief at seeing Darcy restored to his normal disposition, “Good, I am happy that I have been able to repay some of the help you have given me.”

Darcy leaned over in the saddle and clapped Bingley affectionately on the shoulder, and he was finally able to revisit the subject of Wickham without the distraction of his other thoughts.

“The problem with George Wickham,” he said, “is he is either unable or unwilling to understand that, despite being educated as a gentleman, he does not have a gentleman’s income. He needs to find some type of position to support himself, but he will not see it. I believe he actually expected my father not only to provide for his education but also to bequeath him a gentleman’s income. He was unwilling to accept what my father did offer, which was a living in the church. It would have been a modest but quite dependable income, but such was not his desire.”