Darcy and Elizabeth What If? Collection 1 (18 page)

Elizabeth chose a simple sprigged muslin gown for dinner at Netherfield Park. She could not compete with Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst in terms of dress, for they were both very fine ladies and wore silk and satin even in the daytime. Such rich fabrics were quite beyond Elizabeth’s means, for although her family’s income was adequate, it did not stretch to such luxuries. There were five Miss Bennets to clothe, and so they had to be content with sarsenet and muslin. But Elizabeth did not mind. The sprigged muslin suited her, and its simplicity suited her open temperament.

Jane chose a white sarsenet gown, which made her look like a beautiful Grecian statue, for she was tall and elegant, and Kitty chose a spotted muslin.

‘Why wasn’t I invited?’ demanded Lydia. ‘I am sure I am more interesting than Kitty. Miss Bingley should have invited me.’

‘When you have learned to behave like a young lady, perhaps you will be invited to sensible gatherings,’ said Mary. ‘Join me in a reading of Fordyce’s sermons, Lydia. They will teach you how to go on.’

Lydia rolled her eyes then gave a heavy sigh and threw herself onto the sofa.

When the three young ladies were ready, Jane asked if they could have the carriage to take them to Netherfield.

‘I suppose you must,’ said Mrs Bennet, in an aggrieved tone of voice. ‘If you had been invited on your own, Jane, I would have sent you on horseback, so that if it started to rain Miss Bingley would have invited you to stay the night. But as there are three of you, you will have to take the carriage.’

The carriage was duly organised and the three young ladies set out.

Their mother’s hopes for rain were realised, but inside the carriage they remained dry.

‘What a good thing we had the carriage,’ said Kitty. ‘Our hair and clothes would have been ruined otherwise.’

They soon arrived at Netherfield Park, where they were made welcome in accordance with the characters of the different ladies. Miss Bingley gave Elizabeth and Kitty a supercilious nod, but was a little more friendly to Jane. Mrs Hurst declared it was prodigiously good of them to call, and confessed she would have been bored to death without them. Georgiana was warm and friendly, greeting them all with genuine affection.

Elizabeth was pleased to see how well Georgiana and Kitty got on. They were soon examining a book of fashion plates and exclaiming over the latest styles of gowns and bonnets.

Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst made very little effort to entertain their guests. Instead, they expected their guests to entertain them. Jane and Elizabeth introduced a number of different topics of conversation, but Miss Bingley had a cutting remark to make about every one of them, while Mrs Hurst spent most of the time yawning behind her hand.

Georgiana and Kitty finished looking at their fashion plates and Georgiana went over to the pianoforte. Kitty did not play, and so Georgiana invited Elizabeth to play a duet with her. Elizabeth agreed readily.

Georgiana was a much better player than Elizabeth. She had had the best masters and she had been made to practise, watched over by various governesses and companions. Elizabeth, on the other hand, had not had any good instruction and she had been left to practise if she wished, but she had never been made to do it. Both young ladies enjoyed it nonetheless. They had a natural affinity, which served them well and enabled them to keep their playing together remarkably well.

Miss Bingley walked over to the pianoforte to listen. Elizabeth was not a proficient, and she did not like the way Miss Bingley smiled every time she played a wrong note, but she knew that Miss Bingley wanted to intimidate her and she refused to be cowed. So she kept on playing, bringing true musicality to the piece, despite some wrong notes.

When Elizabeth looked up at the end of the piece, she caught sight of the mirror on the far wall and saw that the gentlemen had returned from their dinner engagement. Mr Darcy was watching her with a heart-wrenching expression on his face. It was wistful and full of longing, and it set her heart beating more quickly in her chest.

She blushed and turned away from the mirror. She did not turn round until she had gathered her thoughts and her emotions. A few weeks ago, she would have said that Mr Darcy was the most proud and disagreeable man in the world, but now she found him growing on her every day. He had overcome the bad first impression he had made on her and he had replaced it with feelings of admiration, respect, friendship and trust. But it was more than this, much more. She was falling in love with him.

But it would not do to show it. He liked her, she knew. He admired and respected her. But what further feelings did he have for her and how deep did his feelings run?

‘How was your evening?’ said Miss Bingley, going over to Mr Darcy. ‘I hope you had a pleasant time with the officers.’

‘Yes, thank you, very pleasant.’

Elizabeth caught sight of Mr Darcy’s expression as he said it, and she knew instantly that something was wrong. He looked worried, and there was a crease between his brows. But Mr Darcy, seeing her concern, gave a slight shake of his head. She understood him instantly. He had something to tell her, but he could not speak of it at the moment, most probably because he did not wish Miss Bingley to hear.

The ladies and gentlemen exchanged news of their evenings. Miss Bingley monopolised Mr Darcy until Georgiana invited her to play a duet. The two ladies went over to the pianoforte and began to play.

Mr Bingley fell into conversation with Jane, and Mrs Hurst advised Kitty on a new way to wear her hair, saying condescendingly, ‘It would make you look quite pretty.’

Mr Hurst flopped into a chair and fell asleep.

Elizabeth went over to one of the bookshelves at the far end of the room and selected a book. It was well away from the pianoforte, and before long, Mr Darcy followed her.

Elizabeth said, in a low voice. ‘Something is wrong. I can tell by your manner. What is it?’

‘I have had a shock,’ he said. ‘We cannot talk of it now, but I would very much appreciate a chance to talk to you about it in the morning.’

‘Very well,’ she said. ‘What is it?’

Mr Darcy said, ‘Wickham is here.’

Elizabeth’s eyes flew wide in astonishment.

‘How do you know?’ she asked. ‘And what do you mean by here?’

‘I mean here in Meryton. We were dining with the officers, as you know, and one of them mentioned that a friend of Denny’s, a Mr George Wickham, had just arrived. He is thinking of joining the militia.’

The militia were stationed in Meryton, and their red coats sent Lydia into a frenzy.

But if Mr Wickham were to join them it would be serious, for it would mean he was intending to stay in the neighbourhood.

Mr Darcy glanced at his sister and his face was full of brotherly concern.

‘I must take her back to Pemberley tomorrow, before she has time to hear about it; or, even worse, to meet him. That would be disastrous.’

‘I am not so sure,’ said Elizabeth thoughtfully.

‘What do you mean?’ he asked. Then, lowering his voice, he said, ‘Wickham has made her terribly unhappy. She has only just started to get over the shock of it all. If she sees him again, it will reopen old wounds and make her miserable all over again.’

‘You cannot protect her from meeting him for ever. She is bound to run into him sooner or later, and if she runs into him when she is alone she will be very unhappy and frightened. But if the meeting takes place here, where she is surrounded by family and friends, then she will have the courage to face it. I think it might actually help her to lay her demons to rest.’

Mr Darcy was thoughtful.

‘Fears must be faced if they are to be overcome,’ said Elizabeth.

‘That is true,’ he said. ‘Even so, I do not wish to distress her. It is difficult to know what to do for the best.’

‘Then why not let Georgiana decide?’

He looked over to his sister again. She was looking much brighter and happier than she had done a few short weeks ago. Elizabeth and Kitty’s friendship had banished the shadows that had clouded her life since the incident in Ramsgate.

‘She is too young to decide,’ said Mr Darcy.

‘She is not so very young,’ said Elizabeth.

‘And even telling her will be enough to upset her.’

‘To begin with, yes, but once her initial shock is overcome then she will be able to draw strength from her friends and decide whether she feels strong enough to face him. If not, you can take her back to Pemberley.’

‘Will you talk to her about it also? She looks to you in a way she cannot look to me. She sees me as an older brother, almost a father, and she does not always find it easy to tell me what she is thinking and feeling. But she sees you as a friend and I know she will confide in you.’

‘Yes, I will be happy to help,’ said Elizabeth.

She looked over towards Georgiana and thought how difficult it would be for that sweet young lady to meet George Wickham again. But it was better to face the problem than run from it, and once the meeting was over, Georgiana would take strength from the fact that she had done it.

‘Then we will call on you tomorrow,’ said Mr Darcy, ‘for it will be impossible to have a private conversation here.’

There was time for no more. The music, which had been so helpful in disguising their conversation, was drawing to a close.

Mr Darcy walked over to the pianoforte, and when the duet was over, he, Miss Bingley and Georgiana joined the others on the sofas.

A light supper was served, after which it was time for the Miss Bennets to depart.

Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley saw them to the carriage, and Elizabeth felt a warmth spreading through her as Mr Darcy handed her in. Her eyes went instinctively to his and he smiled in a way that set her heart racing. There was something in his glance which told Elizabeth, more eloquently than words, what he felt for her, and that feeling went straight to her heart.

Jane, too, was glowing, as Mr Bingley handed her in beside Elizabeth. Then he kindly handed Kitty in as well.

Elizabeth and Jane were quiet on the way back home, as they both had much to think about, but Kitty was lively, and her chatter made up for their silence.

When they returned to Longbourn, Mrs Bennet wanted to know exactly what they had done all evening, and she would not be content until they had recounted every detail. She wanted to know exactly what Mr Bingley had said to Jane, and exactly what Jane had said in return. She wanted to know if Mr Darcy had paid Elizabeth any attention, and she wanted to make sure that Kitty was getting on well with Georgiana.

‘What a useful friend to have!’ she said to Kitty. ‘When Miss Darcy comes out, she might invite you to some of her balls and you will have a chance to meet a handsome young man with four or five thousand a year!’

Lydia and Mary, fortunately, had gone to bed, so the older girls did not have to put up with Mary’s morose comments and Lydia’s sighs and complaints.

When Elizabeth and Jane finally retired to their room, they spoke of the evening in quite a different way. They did not have to remember every detail, as they had for their eager mama. They could instead talk about the things that mattered.

Jane confessed that she liked Mr Bingley more and more each time she saw him, and that she was falling in love with him.

Elizabeth confessed that she was falling in love with Mr Darcy, too.

‘Oh, Lizzy, I never knew I could be so happy!’ said Jane, her eyes shining.

‘Nor did I,’ said Elizabeth.

‘I wonder when we will see them again?’ mused Jane, unpinning her hair and letting it cascade down her back, for she had told the maid that she and Elizabeth could manage on their own.

‘Tomorrow,’ said Elizabeth.

Then she told Jane all about Mr Wickham, and Jane was happy to offer her assistance in making Georgiana feel comfortable.

‘I wonder if Mr Bingley will come with the Darcys when they call tomorrow?’ asked Jane dreamily, as she sat down at her dressing table and brushed her long golden hair.

‘I am sure he will,’ said Elizabeth, climbing into bed. ‘How could he resist another chance to see you?’

‘Oh! Fie! Lizzy,’ said Jane blushing. But she was smiling.

Elizabeth thought it would not be long before Mr Bingley made her sister the happiest of women.

As for Mr Darcy . . .

She felt a sudden touch of fear. She knew he liked her. She knew he felt much more than liking for her. His glance had showed her that he was falling in love with her. But would he ever propose? He was a proud man from a great family. Would he be prepared to overthrow the habits of a lifetime and marry someone who was not from his own level in life? She climbed into bed and wished her sister a good night, but she lay awake as Jane blew out the candle. And when she finally fell asleep, Mr Darcy haunted her dreams.

Mr Darcy woke early the following morning. He dressed quickly and went out for a ride before eating a hearty breakfast of steak and eggs. He would need all his energy if he was to help his sister.

But it was not his sister he was thinking of, as he finished his breakfast. It was Elizabeth. He had watched her go the previous evening with real regret. He had come to like her, admire her and respect her. But more than that, he knew himself to be in love with her.

He recalled some of Caroline Bingley’s earlier teasings. When he had happened to mention Elizabeth’s fine eyes, his remarks had fuelled Caroline’s jealousy.

“When am I to wish you happy?” she had asked, and he had shaken his head at the ridiculous notion.

But now he did not find it ridiculous. His months in Meryton had shown him that Elizabeth had all the qualities he wanted in a wife, even though he had not known what he wanted before he met her. She had honesty and integrity and compassion. She had loyalty and discretion. She had the kind of beauty that was not immediately apparent, but which became more apparent with every passing day, and she had the loveliest eyes he had ever seen. And, over all these qualities, she had a lively mind and a light-hearted nature which complemented his own serious nature and made her a pleasure to be with. But there was more to it than that. Much more. His feelings for her did not just touch his mind, they touched his soul. They went deeper than anything he had ever known before and he knew they could be only one thing. Love. Her position was not as high as his own, but there were other things in life, more important things, than social standing, and it had taken Elizabeth to show him that.

Once he had resolved the problem of George Wickham, he meant to propose to her. He did not take her acceptance for granted, as once he would have done, before she had taught him that she was not impressed by his wealth and his estate. But, if he was lucky, then she would say yes.

He heard Georgiana’s light tread on the stair and so he prepared himself to tell her about George Wickham’s arrival in the neighbourhood. And he prepared himself to ask her if she would face him, or if she wanted to return to Pemberley.

Elizabeth looked out of the window as she heard the wheels of a carriage crunching on the gravel below. Sure enough, the Darcy carriage was rolling to a halt in front of the house. Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley and Miss Darcy climbed out.

Elizabeth went downstairs, smoothing the skirt of her spotted muslin gown as she did so. She patted her hair in place, and glanced in one of the mirrors in the hall to make sure she was tidy before she went into the drawing-room to greet her guests.

‘Mr Bingley! Mr Darcy! Miss Darcy!’ said Mrs Bennet, throwing her arms wide to welcome them. ‘How good it is to see you again!’

Mrs Bennet continued to embarrass everyone with her effusions until at last, mercifully, she rang for refreshments and the act of drinking tea prohibited any further loud displays of delight.

Elizabeth wondered how she was going to find some time alone with Georgiana, who looked pale, but luckily the problem was solved for her. Mrs Bennet, with a wink at Mary and a surreptitious kick to Lydia’s foot, succeeded in drawing her two youngest daughters out of the room. Kitty, fortunately, was late rising, as she was tired from the night before, so that only Mr Bingley and Jane, Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy and Elizabeth remained.

Elizabeth glanced at Mr Bingley and looked enquiringly at Mr Darcy, but a swift shake of Mr Darcy’s head showed her that Mr Bingley did not know everything. So she refrained from speaking until Jane had taken Mr Bingley over to the other end of the room in order to show him some of her watercolours.

‘My brother has told me everything,’ said Georgiana to Elizabeth. ‘I am so pleased he has given me a choice of whether to go or whether to stay.’

‘And which do you choose?’ asked Elizabeth.

‘I choose to stay,’ said Georgiana, with a lift of her chin.

‘Bravo!’ said Elizabeth. ‘When next you meet Mr Wickham, it will be with friends and family around you. In fact, I suggest we go now. Mama was talking about Mr Wickham this morning over breakfast and saying that he likes to walk up and down the high street in the mornings – there is not much news in a small town and so everything our new arrival does is talked about,’ Elizabeth explained. ‘We will all go, all five of us. Do not worry, Georgiana. You will not be the one feeling uncomfortable. It will be Mr Wickham who is feeling uncomfortable and unhappy by the end of the morning.’

‘I believe it will,’ said Georgiana, sounding more cheerful.

‘There is no time like the present,’ said Elizabeth, rising.

She suggested the idea of a walk to Jane, who agreed at once, and Mr Bingley said the idea was charming.

Mrs Bennet entered the room at that moment, and who could tell if it was a lucky chance or if that indefatigable woman had been listening at the keyhole? But she could not have heard any of the confidences, as they had been spoken in a low voice, and could only have heard of the plan to walk into Meryton.

‘The very thing!’ she said.

She gave Elizabeth some commissions and before very long the party set out.

Elizabeth walked on one side of Georgiana, and Mr Darcy walked on the other side.

Jane and Mr Bingley walked behind her, and all of them gave her strength and courage by their presence.

The day was fine, although there was an autumnal nip in the air, and so they walked briskly. The trees that lined the country lane waved bare branches in the wind, and the fallen leaves swished beneath the party’s feet.

Soon they approached the town. The fields gave way to cobbled streets, and shops began to appear on either side of them. There was noise and bustle as people went about their daily tasks, and the scene was a lively one.

They made their way to the circulating library, and they had almost reached it when, round the corner, came Mr Wickham with one of the officers, Mr Denny.

‘Courage!’ said Elizabeth softly to Georgiana.

Georgiana reached for Elizabeth’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

Elizabeth squeezed it back, giving her strength, and she felt Georgiana stand tall beside her.

Mr Wickham, on the other hand, seemed to shrink. His charming smirk, which had covered his face as they met, grew more hesitant. And it was small wonder. The cool disdain coming from Elizabeth’s party was enough to make any man lose his confidence.

As Mr Wickham’s confidence shrank, so Georgiana’s confidence grew.

‘Mr Wickham,’ said Georgiana. ‘What a surprise. I did not expect to see you here.’

‘Nor I,’ said Mr Darcy, in his most arrogant voice. ‘Are you staying in the neighbourhood?’

‘I am sure Mr Wickham is just passing through. There is very little for a man of his type here,’ said Elizabeth, with steel beneath her polite veneer. ‘I have lived in Meryton all my life and I doubt if he will find it to his tastes. I am sure he will be happier elsewhere.’

Mr Denny sensed something of the hostility in the air and said doubtfully, ‘Oh, I don’t know, it’s not a bad place. Wickham is thinking of joining the militia, which will keep him here.’

‘Indeed?’ said Elizabeth, raising her eyebrows and looking at Mr Wickham pointedly.

Mr Wickham squirmed, but he kept the smile on his face.

‘I have not decided yet,’ he said. ‘I was considering joining the militia, it is true, but I am not sure the air here agrees with me.’

‘I think it an excellent idea. You should join the army,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘In fact, I would be willing to purchase you a commission. I know of one that has fallen vacant in the Indies.’

‘The Indies?’ asked Wickham, shocked, for the Indies were practically on the other side of the world.

‘The Indies,’ said Mr Darcy firmly.

‘Indeed, I am sure the air there would suit you very well,’ said Elizabeth.

Mr Wickham glanced at Jane, who remarked, ‘Oh, yes, the Indies. What an excellent idea.’

‘I will send my man of business to you,’ said Mr Darcy. ‘You can be out of the country by the end of the week.’

‘I really don’t know —’ began Mr Wickham.

‘I do,’ said Mr Darcy.

‘And I,’ said Elizabeth.

‘And I,’ said Georgiana.

‘The sooner the better,’ said Elizabeth. ‘You look rather pale to me, Mr Wickham, you need some sunshine. I am sure you will be very unhappy if you stay here.’

Mr Denny, who had not been able to follow the conversation, seized on the only part of the conversation he had understood.

‘A commission, Wickham! What a generous offer. This is the chance of a lifetime! You are fortunate indeed.’

‘Damn you, Darcy!’ broke out Mr Wickham.

Mr Denny looked at him in astonishment, but Mr Darcy was unperturbed.

Mr Wickham turned on his heel and walked off.

‘What was all that about?’ asked Mr Denny in surprise.

‘I believe Mr Wickham must have been hoping for a commission elsewhere,’ said Mr Darcy smoothly.

‘Ungrateful wretch. But he’ll soon see sense. He has pockets to let and cannot afford to turn this chance down. It’s decent of you, Darcy. Jolly decent,’ said Mr Denny.

Mr Darcy bowed, there were a few more polite comments, and then Mr Denny went on his way.

Elizabeth laughed, and Georgiana joined in with her laughter.

Mr Bingley looked baffled.

‘A private joke,’ Mr Darcy explained.

‘Ah!’

Mr Bingley did not understand, but he was not of an enquiring disposition and so he was satisfied.

They purchased the items Mrs Bennet had asked for and then returned to Longbourn.

Mrs Bennet was eager to hear all the news, and Mr Bingley delighted her beyond her wildest dreams by saying that he had been thinking of holding a ball at Netherfield Park.

Lydia jumped up from the sofa in great excitement, and even Mary was heard to say that she might be persuaded to take a rest from her studies and join the party.

Elizabeth parted from Georgiana with real affection, and was very pleased to see that Georgiana’s eyes were bright.

Mr Darcy’s happiness was also easy to see.

‘That was an inspired offer,’ said Elizabeth to him merrily as they parted.

‘I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner,’ he returned. ‘It came to me as we stood there talking. It will not only spare Georgiana the possibility of bumping into Mr Wickham, it will spare me that possibility, too. And it has shown that George and I have parted as friends – or, at least, that is the way it will appear to the outside world - so that if ever he decides to try and spread any rumours of a rift between us, no one will believe him.’

Elizabeth smiled.

His own expression warmed.

‘Thank you for everything you have done for Georgiana – and for me. I wonder, would you do me the honour of accepting my hand for the first dance at the Netherfield Ball?’

Elizabeth blushed.

‘I would be delighted,’ she said.