Chapter 14

Upon arriving at the card party the following afternoon, Mr. Collins declared he might have supposed himself in the small summer breakfast parlour at Rosings. Such a comparison was not well received, until further explanation into Mr. Collins praise of the great estate lead many to believe that it was quite a compliment. In fact, upon discovery that the chimney piece in the room cost eight hundred pounds, Mrs. Philllips felt the full force of the compliment.

Upon Mr. Wickham's arrival, Elizabeth realized she had not thought of him since meeting him the other day. An unusual occurrence, as Elizabeth often mulled over a new acquaintance. But Mr. Wickham had left no impression or character strong enough for her to reconsider. So at odds with the notion, Elizabeth set out to get to know the gentleman better for surely she mistook his character. With so many new people, she must have mistakenly dismissed his person. The officers of the area were in general a very creditable, gentlemanlike set, but Mr. Wikham was far beyond them all in countenance, air, and walk. Elizabeth was sure she would find an amiable man like Mr. Bingley, though perhaps a little less enthused with everything around him. When he finally came to sit next to her, the pair immediately fell into conversation.

Mr. Collins, in the presence of Mr. Wickham and the officers, soon sunk into insignificance. The young ladies barely noticed him, though he still found an ear with Mrs. Phillips. When the card tables were brought out, he sat down to play across from her. He admitted he knew little of the game, but was quite happy to learn.

Mr. Wickham did not play whist, and positioned himself at the table between Elizabeth and Lydia. At first Lydia engrossed him entirely, for she was a determined talker and flirt; but soon became much too interested in the game. The Bennet sisters were known to enjoy card games, chess, and anything that facilitated such interactions. However, they took no joy in the gambling that often took place. Neighbors quickly learned that if more than a few half-pennies were on the table, not a single sister would sit.

Allowing for the common demands of the game, Wickham was free to talk at leisure with Elizabeth, and she was interested in hearing his story with Mr. Darcy. She dared not mention the gentleman, not wanting to seem too curious. Her curiosity was soon relieved as Mr. Wickham began to weave his story. He began by enquiring how long Mr. Darcy had been staying there.

"About a month" Answered Elizabeth. "I understand the gentleman hails from Derbyshire."

"Yes," replied Mr. Wickham, "his estate there is a noble one. Though, I understand it not to be his only one. It produces a clear ten thousand per annum. You will not find a person who can give you more certain information than I, for I have been connected with the family in a particular manner since infancy. You may well be surprised, Miss Bennet, at such an assertion given our cold greeting yesterday. Are you acquainted with Mr. Darcy."

At this Elizabeth laughed, "As much as I ever wish to be."

"I have no right to give my opinion as to his being agreeable or otherwise. I have known him too long to be a fair judge. But I believe your opinion would astonish others."

"Perhaps. But here is shall not shock many."

"The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence."

"As it is by many."

Elizabeth found her interest increase. Mr. Wickham was clearly probing, but would find not ground with her. Worst case, Lydia would get an answer when he became her next target. But Elizabeth would not be disappointed. After several moments of silence, Mr. Wickham started his tale, as if he wanted the table to think he hesitated to tell it. But Elizabeth caught him watching the faces of those at the table and the glazed over look in his eyes. Sharing a look with Lydia, they knew this tale would paint Mr. Wickham in the best possible light. Lydia would definitely enjoy taking him down a peg or two.

"We are not related and gentlemen do not take interest in the lot of those unconnected to them. But Mr. Darcy's father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that ever breathed. I shall never be in the company of the current Mr. Darcy without being grieved by the memory of his father. The current Mr. Darcy, however, his behavior to myself has been scandalous." And with that, Mr. Wickham spun his tale of betrayal, being forced out of the church, and robbed of his rightful inheritance.

"Good heavens!" cried Elizabeth "but how could that be? How could his will be disregarded?

Mr. Wickham prevaricated and spun some excuse of wills being informal and agreements by word of mouth. Upon being asked why Mr. Darcy would disregard the desires of a beloved father, Mr. Wickham provided what may have been his most telling statement, "A thorough, determined dislike of me—a dislike which I cannot but attribute in some measure to jealousy. Had the late Mr. Darcy liked me less, his son might have borne with me better; but his father's uncommon attachment to me irritated him, I believe, very early in life. He had not a temper to bear the sort of competition in which we stood—the sort of preference which was often given me."

Elizabeth could barely refrain herself from laughing and she could see that Lydia was having the same struggle. The late Mr. Darcy had been foolish. Allowing the son of a servant to be so singled out as to suppose himself equal to the master of the house. Had several servants' children been provided an education with Mr. Wickham, he would not suppose himself to be the more loved boy. Mr. Darcy clearly placed no expectation on Mr. Wickham for he realized the boy was never to achieve much. Really, it was cruel in hindsight. Elizabeth said little the rest of the night for fear of making jest of Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth knew not what to think of his accusation of the living, but she suspected that no such provision was made for him and he had simply decided that a potential clergyman probably played better to local sympathies.

Elizabeth related to Jane the next day what Mr. Wickham had related. Jane was of the same opinion, though she thought it was cruel for the elder Mr. Darcy to allow him to put on such airs above his station. She saw it all as a cruel game. Lydia barreled into them as they wandered down the lane, asking if Jane had been informed of the conversation. A quick turn, let the two eldest great all their younger sisters. Lydia then related she had notified Mary and Kitty to the story of Mr. Wickahm.

"Lord Lizzy, how shall we play him."

"Lydia, you cannot continue to make sport of the visiting men in the village." Jane always felt bad when Lydia decided to make fools of visitors.

"I never make sport of someone who doesn't deserve it."

Jane could not argue with that assertion. The last had be Mr. Walston, a man who found Kitty's paintings quaint and offered a carte blanche, thinking she was an "artistic, forward thinking lady open to new experiences". Of course, Lydia was included in the carte blanche. Lydia had taken an immediate disliking to the man, even before the absurd offer. Lydia's favorite pastime was flirting with men, she never went any farther than flirting in a ballroom or at a soiree. Much of Meryton had gotten quite used to her flirtatious ways, and visitors occasionally made lewd offers in crowded ballrooms. Overheard, locals would keep daughters away and Lydia would suddenly turn cold. Mr. Walston was no different. But he had taken it a step farther than anyone foresaw. A proposition to Lydia and Kitty simultaneously horrified everyone and the gentleman quickly found shopkeepers unwilling to serve him. His morals were immediately found to be lacking. Invitations dried up and his card immediately turned away. There also may have been a few frogs placed in his bed and cruelly cold baths.

It appeared the next target was one Mr. Wickham.