DARCY AND THE WRONG MISS BENNET by Jane Grix © 2019

CHAPTER TEN

Upon entering the drawing room at Netherfield, Elizabeth looked in vain for Mr. Wickham among the cluster of red coats there assembled. "I don't think he is here," she said quietly to Lydia. They were both wearing rose-coloured gowns with blonde lace at their décolletage. Elizabeth had considered wearing a necklace again but had not wanted to upset Lydia, so she had left it at home. She said, "I wonder if Mr. Bingley did not invite Mr. Wickham at Mr. Darcy's request."

Lydia was not concerned. "No. I know he was invited, and he promised he would be here. Perhaps he is late."

But when he did not appear for another fifteen minutes, Lydia confronted his friend Mr. Denny.

Mr. Denny said that Wickham had been obliged to Town on business that day.

Elizabeth thought it likely that his business was an excuse to avoid Mr. Darcy.

"Business?" Lydia repeated. "What kind of business?"

Mr. Denny said, "It is of a romantic nature."

Lydia said, "Whatever do you mean?"

Mr. Denny lowered his voice. "I believe Wickham is planning to buy a ring. An engagement ring."

Lydia flushed happily and glanced at Elizabeth over her shoulder as if to say, "See? I told you that Mr. Wickham was in love with me."

Mr. Denny finished, "For Miss King."

Lydia gasped, "What?" Her voice was shrill.

Mr. Denny said, "It will be common knowledge soon, but I suppose I should not have told you."

"Is Mr. Wickham engaged to Miss King?" Elizabeth asked carefully.

Mr. Denny nodded. "Yes. Wickham already spoke to her uncle. I think Miss King is waiting on the ring before she makes a formal announcement."

Lydia sputtered. "But how? Mr. Wickham doesn't even know her."

Mr. Denny said, "He has been meeting her privately."

Lydia looked as if she might burst into tears, so Elizabeth quickly wrapped her arm around her shoulders and said, "Come, Lydia. I want to show you the gardens." Together they walked across the drawing room's decorative parquet floor to large French doors that looked out onto Netherfield's gardens. They did not step outside for the weather was cool, but they could see the lawn and some lanterns.

Lydia said, "There must be some mistake. Wickham loves me. Not Miss King. How could he love her? She's a nasty freckled thing."

"Shh," Elizabeth warned. "Lower your voice, please, if you don't want to everyone to hear." They were standing apart from the other guests, but voices could carry in a ballroom.

"But he loves me," Lydia repeated.

Elizabeth said gently, "Mr. Denny may be mistaken, but I have heard that Miss King recently inherited ten thousand pounds."

Lydia said, "And you think Wickham chose her because of the money?"

Elizabeth said, "Handsome men as well as plain ones must have something to live on."

Lydia said, "How could he do this to me? I hate him." She pulled a handkerchief out of her reticule and dabbed at her eyes.

Elizabeth thought that anger might be a better response than sorrow. She said, "Please, do not let him upset you. He is not worth your tears."

"No, he is not," Lydia said bravely.

At this moment, Mr. Collins approached them. "The music is starting. May I have this first dance, Miss Elizabeth?" he asked.

"No, this is not a good time," Elizabeth said, trying to be polite, but wishing that he were somewhere else, anywhere else but by their side.

"What of you, Miss Lydia? Would you like to dance?"

Lydia glared at him and before she could answer, Elizabeth said quickly, "Why don't you ask Miss Lucas for the first dance?"

Mr. Collins said, "Is that what you wish?"

"Yes, please." She tried to wave him away.

He bobbed his head in a bow. "Then I will do as you request and dance with your friend."

After he left, Lydia said, "Don't marry him, Lizzy. He is a toad."

"Don't worry, I won't."

Lydia sniffed. "Mama wants you to."

"I know. But I must do what makes me happy, even if it makes Mama unhappy." Marriage was for life, and she would not become leg shackled to a man she could not trust or admire.

Lydia nodded, then said, "Do you think Mr. Collins would take Mary instead?"

"I don't know. Would she have him?"

"I think she likes him."

Elizabeth was surprised that Lydia had noticed Mary's preference when she had not. "I find that incomprehensible, but I suppose it is best that we don't all like the same things in a man."

Lydia dabbed at her eyes again as if remembering Wickham, but then she straightened her shoulders. "I refuse to cry," she declared. "And I will dance every dance. I won't let anyone know that I have a broken heart."

"Good for you," Elizabeth said. "I'm proud of you."

Lydia smiled and squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Lizzy.

X x x

Darcy watched Bingley dance with Miss Bennet and looked around the ballroom until he saw Elizabeth standing by the French doors. Her sister Lydia was dancing with an officer, so she was standing alone.

He was somewhat surprised that another gentleman had not already snatched her up. Darcy walked towards her, rehearsing what he wished to say.

There was something about Elizabeth that often left him tongue tied like a callow youth.

"Hello, Miss Bennet," he said with a bow. "May I have the honour of the next dance?"

For a moment she looked as if she would refuse to dance with him, as she had refused once before when they were at Lucas Lodge, but then she said, "Yes, thank you."

As they took their places for the dance, they stood for some time without speaking a word. She commented on the musicians and he agreed that they were good.

Then she smiled and said, "It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I talked about the musicians, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room or the number of couples."

Darcy smiled. She had a delightful sense of humour. She was clever without being sharp. He said, "I am happy to say whatever you wish."

She said. "Very well. That reply will do for the present. We can be silent now."

"Do you talk by rule then while you are dancing?"

"Sometimes. One must speak a little or else it may look odd."

"You do not strike me as the kind of person who cares overmuch what other people think."

She looked surprised by that. "Of course I care somewhat. I would not like to be the subject of gossip or censure."

"I meant only that you appear to have an independent mind."

She nodded. "Then I will take that as a compliment."

Darcy thought he had never enjoyed a dance as much as he was enjoying this one. They made their turns together with her hands in his, and then they went down the dance past the other couples to the ends of the two lines. Now they would again watch the other couples take their turns.

He asked her if she and her sisters often walked to Meryton.

"We do," she said. "It provides entertainment as well as exercise."

He said, "When I met you the other day, I noticed that you were forming a new acquaintance."

Her chin lifted. "We were."

He said, "Please forgive my presumption, but I must warn you about Mr. Wickham. He is well-mannered, but he is not to be trusted."

"In what way?"

In every way, Darcy thought, but he knew that the dance floor was not the proper place or time to outline all of Wickham's sins. He said carefully, "He is ruthless and has been known to take advantage of young women." He looked at Elizabeth directly, hoping that she would believe him.

She said only, "He has said uncomplimentary things about you as well."

Given their history, it was to be expected. Darcy said, "I am not surprised. He and I were once friends, but we are not friends now."

She said, "Without all the facts, it is difficult to know whom to believe."

"You are correct, and that is wise, but I only warn you to be on your guard."

For a next few minutes, they were silent, and he could tell that she considering his words. She said finally, "I doubt we will see much of him, for he is rumoured to be engaged to Miss King."

"I presume Miss King is an heiress?"

"Ten thousand pounds."

Wickham must be desperate if he was willing to consider such a sum. Darcy said, "Thank you for telling me. Perhaps I should warn Miss King as well."

"You would do that?"

He said honestly, "I would not wish Wickham upon anyone. He will make a poor husband."

"Surely that is for Miss King to decide."

"With more facts, yes."

Elizabeth looked troubled but she did not comment further, and then they were interrupted by Sir William Lucas who appeared close by, attempting to pass through the set. Sir William was a large, jovial man who spoke twice as much as anyone wished to hear. When he recognized the two of them, he bowed formally. He said, "Mr. Darcy. I have been most highly gratified this evening. Such superior dancing. It is evident that you belong to the first circles and your fair partner does not disgrace you."

Darcy nodded, wishing that the man would move along quickly, but that was an unrealistic hope. Sir William continued, rattling on. "I hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable event shall take place –" At this he glanced over at Bingley and Jane Bennet who were sitting together. "Eh, Miss Elizabeth?"

She had the grace to look embarrassed and said, "I don't know what you mean, sir."

Sir William winked and smiled. "I know. I know. We shall wait until the banns are read. But then what congratulations will flow in!"

Darcy was astonished. Was everyone in Meryton expecting Bingley to marry Miss Bennet? Sir William certainly spoke as if it was a foregone conclusion. Darcy knew that he must warn Bingley as soon as the dance ended.