AN – Enter the first of our issues. Let us introduce you and see what you can make of it.
"I must confess myself quite overwhelmed with the charms of your daughters, Mrs. Bennet," Mr. Collins remarked without his usual overly-verbose response to any situation.
Preening, Mrs. Bennet had every intention of turning his thoughts to marriage after his comment about making any amends at dinner last night. Initially she'd wanted to refuse the odious man entry into her home. However, the name of his noble patroness, as well as Mr. Collins situation in life and valuable living changed Fanny's mind. If only she could see one of her daughters settled as the next Mistress of Longbourn, all would be well with the world.
Who to choose? Jane and Lizzy had returned from Netherfield only to learn of their cousin's imminent arrival. When Mr. Darcy accompanied her two eldest and requested a meeting with Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet quickly placed her own interpretation on the private interview. However, as yet no formal announcement was forthcoming, which vexed the woman greatly. Mr. Bennet, she knew, delighted in withholding information just to increase her suffering and unsettle her poor nerves. Lizzy proved no better, simply smiling when asked about Mr. Darcy and his business with Mr. Bennet.
"Oh, you are very kind, sir," Mrs. Bennet gushed at Mr. Collins, watching the five young women go about their business in the parlour. Scrutinising them, she settled on Mary as a suitable candidate. Lydia was far too lively for a pastor's wife and Kitty could do much better even though as plain as Mary. "They are sweet girls, though I say it myself."
"Perhaps," Mr. Collins hesitated, placing a finger to his mouth as though considering possibilities, "especially the eldest Miss Bennet?"
"Jane is admired wherever she goes," Mrs. Bennet acquiesced to his good judgement, "but I should tell you, Mr. Collins, I think it very likely she will be very soon be engaged."
"Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Collins quickly turned his attention to the second eldest Bennet daughter in both age and beauty.
"A gentleman called to see Mr. Bennet just yesterday," Mrs. Bennet leant in and whispered, as if sharing a great secret. "A man of large fortune, he has paid my Lizzy a great many compliments since he moved into the county. Of course it has not been announced yet, but I expect Mr. Bennet to make it public very soon. I do not see why we should keep such news a secret."
"Ah," the word clearly exposed Mr. Collins disappointment. Gazing around the room at the remaining daughters, none seemed worthy of his consideration.
"As for my younger daughters," Mrs. Bennet tried not to show her displeasure at the gentleman's look of distaste, "in their case I know of no prior attachment at all."
"Mama," Kitty called across the room, "Lydia wishes to walk into Meryton."
"I want to see if Denny has returned from town," Lydia added, her eyes shining and her voice excited at the prospect.
Mrs. Bennet's matchmaking mind latched onto an idea. More time spent in the company of Mary might just do the trick. "Perhaps you might like to accompany your cousins, Mr. Collins," she offered.
"I have correspondence to attend," he stated in an off-handed manner. "The life of a clergyman is filled with responsibilities, so my noble patroness, Lady Catherine, condescends to inform me."
"I shall stay," Mary commented before Mr. Collins could start on yet another of his lengthy monologues, "and practice on the pianoforte."
Mrs. Bennet smiled happily at the arrangement. Allowing Mr. Collins to retreat, she would continue to praise Mary at every opportunity. With the rest of the girls away for the afternoon, Mrs. Bennet's mind turned to forcing them into each other's company as much as possible.
As to the other Bennet sisters, they let out a sigh of relief once tolerably distant from Longbourn. Mr. Collins had grated on the nerves of everyone in the house, Mary included. Left alone, she would find a way to avoid the gentleman, much to her mother's displeasure.
"Denny," Lydia shouted as they entered the small market town. Across the street stood a handsome man in regimentals, accompanied by another officer and an unknown gentleman. She did not take any notice of Lizzy's glare or Jane's admonishment at her flirtatious behaviour. "What a fine joke," she added as the party crossed the road to join them. "We thought you were still in town," Lydia giggled at her ability to attract male attention, much to the consternation of her older sisters.
"There was nothing amusing enough to hold us there," Denny offered in a biting tone while rolling his eyes. Turning to the only man not in an officer's uniform, he introduced, "allow me to present my good friend, George Wickham."
While the man took off his hat and bowed, Lizzy had to stifle a gasp. Surely this could not be the same Wickham that Mr. Bingley mentioned at the Meryton Assembly. Handsome by anyone's standards, he appeared to be a gentleman, but not finely-enough attired to circulate in Mr. Darcy exalted circles. How then, could Mr. Wickham have caused so much angst in her betrothed, if indeed he was the same man? Unable to account for it, Elizabeth determined to find out.
"Do you stay long in Meryton, Mr. Wickham?" she enquired once the introductions were complete.
"All winter, I'm happy to say," he smiled happily. "I've taken a commission in Colonel Forster's regiment."
The conversation went on around Elizabeth as she watched the man carefully. Both Lydia and Kitty seemed taken by Mr. Wickham's charm and charisma. Lizzy's ears pricked up when they inappropriately requested his company at her aunt's card party that very evening.
"I am afraid I have not been invited by Mr. and Mrs. Philips," Mr. Wickham stated with an apologetic note in his tone. "If Mrs. Philips extended the invitation to include me, I should be delighted."
Undecided as to her course of action, Lizzy spied two gentlemen atop horses approaching from the direction of Netherfield. Cutting a magnificent figure, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy pulled the animals to a halt before the group. Mr. Bingley quickly dismounted to greet the party. Mr. Darcy, his eyes trained on Elizabeth, wondered what had his betrothed so agitated.
"How very fortunate!" Mr. Bingley's displayed his high spirits with a pleased demeanour and a slightly-louder than appropriate voice. "Do you know we were just on our way to Longbourn to ask after your health?"
Finally feeling Mr. Darcy's gaze upon her, Lizzy turned her face to study the man. As he was about to dismount, Mr. Wickham directed his attention toward Mr. Darcy, and both men startled. Further intrigued by the coolness of the greeting between the men, Elizabeth took note of their expressions. While one gentleman blanched, the other became enraged.
"Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy immediately clambered off his horse and rushed to Elizabeth. Coming to stand beside his friend, he asked after Jane's health. In doing so, Darcy cut Wickham out of the greeting.
"You are very kind sir" Jane offered with a becoming blush. "I am quite recovered, as you see, Mr. Darcy."
"I am very glad to know it," Bingley managed to get in before Darcy could steal his thunder once again.
"I hope you are still willing to come and have tea with us," Jane offered.
"Nothing would give Bingley or myself greater pleasure, Miss Bennet, than to accompany you back to Longbourn. If you will excuse us," Mr. Darcy added as an afterthought, or at least it appeared that way, "Miss Lydia, Miss Catherine please allow me."
Before either of her younger sisters could protest he took their arms, and Lizzy attached herself to Mr. Bingley. Giving Mr. Darcy a slight nod, he took her meaning and promptly led off. With Lydia on one arm and Catherine on the other, the well-trained mounts followed their riders with the barest of direction. Not until they were away from the small market town did Mr. Darcy finally release Lydia and Kitty to their own devices. The younger girls rapidly outpaced their sisters and the horrid, disagreeable Mr. Darcy. Several comments could be heard disapproving of his high handedness as they stomped away.
"I must apologise for my younger sisters," Lizzy offered, somewhat discomfited by their behaviour. She'd left Jane and Mr. Bingley to their own devices several steps behind. Not completely altruistic in her intention, Elizabeth wanted to know of the situation between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham.
"Your younger sisters," Mr. Darcy glanced down, expressions of disapproval and discontent warring with each other, "are like many others of their age and easily deceived by Mr. Wickham. While that gentleman has the happy manners to attract acquaintances, he has not the ability to sustain them."
"How long have you been acquainted with Mr. Wickham," Lizzy asked, her brow furrowed in dismay.
"All my life," Darcy answered. With a sigh, he added. "Old Mr. Wickham was my father's steward, and such was my father's regard for his steward that he became a godfather to the young Wickham. Being boys of a similar age, Wickham and I played together. My father supported his godson at school and later Cambridge, seeking to fit him to a career in the church. His devotion to Wickham was so steady to the end, I had not the heart to uncover the truth of his dissolute character. Even so, I honoured my father's will, granting Wickham the sum of one thousand pounds bequeathed him. To this I added a further three thousand in lieu of the living at Kympton, when Mr. Wickham resolved not to take orders. I could not be happier, for he has not the character beholden to a clergyman. I had hoped all association between us was at an end."
"But it was not," queried Lizzy, shocked at the length of Mr. Darcy's speech, and the emotion seeping into his words.
"No," Darcy stated, his confession at an end.
"I am soon to be your wife, Mr. Darcy," Lizzy reminded. "Should I not know the extent of this man's wickedness?"
"In time, Elizabeth, we will find time to walk," Darcy promised, "alone, so I may tell you the rest."
Nodding her consent, Elizabeth's active mind had to be satisfied. For the rest of the afternoon, Mrs. Bennet simpered and crowed in equal measure at Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. Nothing would induce the later to confirm an engagement with Miss Elizabeth. Even Elizabeth had to wonder why.
"I have taken you advice, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy stated as he donned his gloves and hat in the hallway, "and viewed the prospect from Oakham Mount. I find it delightful at sunrise."
Heart beating rapidly, with a knowing look into Mr. Darcy's eyes, Elizabeth agreed to the clandestine meeting. "I am glad to have been of service, Sir, as it is a view I frequently enjoy" she curtseyed before he took her hand and lightly kissed Lizzy knuckles.