Autumn in Meryton, with the colors and the crisp air, was always Mr. Phillips favorite time of year. This year was different, however. Better. He found his step was a bit more energetic than usual as made his way to meet Elizabeth for their walk.
For too long he had been complacent with the way his life was settled. These new adventures with his niece had reinvigorated him. He wanted to engage more - with his wife, with his family, with the neighborhood. And, he thought, he quite enjoyed the plotting and planning he and Elizabeth had engaged in thus far. Springtime may be the season for growth and renewal, but Mr. Phillips was experiencing his own re-awakening in November.
A voice broke his reverie. Mr. Darcy was striding toward him from the direction of Netherfield. "Good morning, Mr. Phillips. I was hoping to encounter you this morning."
"Good morning to you, Mr. Darcy. It is very good to see you. Lizzy and I are eager to share with you the results of a scheme we enacted." Mr. Phillips tone was particularly lively. He knew Mr. Darcy would enjoy the story.
"I am intrigued. And I have the documents we discussed. Shall we review them now or would you prefer I visit your office?"
"I believe Lizzy will wish to see them as well. I expect her momentarily."
With a small smile, Mr. Darcy agreed. "Yes, I believe you are correct. Would you and Miss Elizabeth care to join me for breakfast? Bingley and his sisters have gone to town. Bingley had some business he needed to attend to in town and he wished to complete it before finalizing the date for the ball. Hurst is still in residence, but I imagine he will remain in his chambers for some time. We shall have the privacy we require."
"I do not wish to speak for Lizzy. Let us wait and we may pose the question to her."
"Again, I believe you are correct. I do not want to cause any further offense toward Miss Elizabeth. I already have much for which I must apologize."
Mr. Phillips looked at him sympathetically. "Wise man. An apology would not go amiss. That is if you know what you are apologizing for and if your apology would be sincere. Otherwise, it may do more harm than good."
"Duly chastised, sir." A look of melancholy crossed Mr. Darcy's face.
What is it, boy?" Mr. Phillips asked, kindly.
"I was just struck by your words, actually, your tone. It was very reminiscent of my father. He would use it when he was disappointed in me. He called me 'boy' too."
"I am sorry. I hope I did not overstep. My intent was not to admonish or insult you."
"No. You did not." Darcy paused. "If I may be honest, it was comforting in a way. I lost my own good father five years ago. I miss his guidance and his company." Mr. Phillips noticed the pensive look on the younger man's face. He would not rush the boy and let him come to terms with whatever he needed to say and if, indeed, he wanted to say it.
"Mr. Phillips, when Bingley returns, we thought to have a bit of sport. Would you care to join us? Bingley plans to host a larger hunt for the men of the neighborhood later in the month. But this next time, it will just be those of us at Netherfield." This is not what Mr. Phillips had anticipated but he was aware of the very great compliment Mr. Darcy paid him.
"Mr. Darcy, I thank you for the honor but I cannot." Mr. Phillips saw the flash of disappointment cross Mr. Darcy's face. "Perhaps I should qualify that. I have no objection to a day of sport. I would be quite pleased with the company. However, I would wish that same company would survive my company. For you see, I am quite hopeless when it comes to firearms."
"Ah, well, if you reconsider, we would be glad to have you with us. What you think you of fishing?"
"Now, that is my brother Gardiner's hobby. I always favored fencing. However, age and lack of partner has kept me from it for years. I console myself with archery when I find myself in want a such leisure pursuits."
Should I be worried? You seem to have a liking for sharp implements."
"You should see my needlework," smirked the older gentleman.
"Ha! Shall we have a match soon, then? It's been a few months and I would welcome the exercise."
"Again, I am honored by the invitation. I am sure I would enjoy that, but you need not feel you must make up to the uncle in order to placate the niece. Nor would I wish to presume on our connection." Mr. Phillips said lightly, more lightly than he felt.
"Not at all. The invitation is offered because I value your assistance with Wickham, regardless of what has occurred with Miss Elizabeth." Mr. Darcy's response was quick with no trace of indignation. Mr. Phillips was pleased he did not offend this stern young man. There was a vulnerability to Mr. Darcy that stirred his nascent paternalistic sensibility. He did not wish to reject Mr. Darcy's offer, but he also did not want him to feel obligated to continue their acquaintance once the Wickham situation was resolved. Mr. Phillips imagined there were a great many people who only looked to Mr. Darcy for the advantage he could provide them.
"If that is the case, then, I shall be delighted. Name the date, Mr. Darcy, and all that is left is for you to anticipate your crushing defeat."
Mr. Darcy laughed at this provocation. The rejoinder Mr. Phillips expected never came. Turning to look, he glimpsed Elizabeth emerge from around a bend, coming toward them on the path. His companion was still beside him, looking at his niece with unconcealed appreciation which he quickly hid on her approach.
Mr. Darcy bowed as Elizabeth stopped before them. "Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. You look very well this morning." Elizabeth responded a polite curtesy to Mr. Darcy. Her uncle received a kiss to the cheek.
"Good morning, Mr. Darcy, uncle. Have you been waiting long?" Mr. Phillips thought she appeared a bit peeved. He suspected he knew the cause of her displeasure.
"We met up a bit earlier on the path and have been walking to meet you. It has been but a few minutes. You need not worry that we shared our accounts of the past few days before your arrival."
Elizabeth's blush told him that his conjecture was correct. "I did not know we would have the pleasure of Mr. Darcy's company this morning. I thank you for waiting." Mr. Phillips there was no sarcasm in his niece's words. That is progress.
"Lizzy, Mr. Darcy has invited us to Netherfield Park for breakfast. He assures me most of the party is in London so we may speak freely and at length. Does that meet with your approval?
Elizabeth looked between her uncle and Mr. Darcy. Both men appeared to find the proposal agreeable. "That will do nicely, I am sure. Shall we?" They all turned back toward Netherfield. Walking in between the gentlemen, Elizabeth took her uncle's arm.
They made their way to the large house. Mr. Darcy has anticipated bringing Mr. Phillips and Elizabeth back for breakfast, so all was prepared for them. Over the table in the breakfast room, the tale was told of how Mr. Wickham lost the favor of Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Phillips, and how all the matrons of Meryton now knew of it.
"It has been two days and I fear Mr. Wickham is quite at a loss." Elizabeth laughed delightedly.
"I can quite imagine that. Does he know who he has to thank for the gossip and his sudden failure to please all and sundry? Mr. Wickham can be vindictive when challenged." Mr. Darcy's brow furrowed with worry.
Elizabeth looked proudly at her uncle. She had enjoyed their success, Mr. Phillips thought. "Mr. Darcy that is the best part of it. There is no gossip. Not really. It seems Mr. Wickham is not worthy of avid gossip. His situation is simply what it is. He is treated with everything that is polite and civil. It is just that his flirtations are no longer encouraged. He is granted no more preference than any of the other soldiers."
Picking up the account, Mr. Phillips continued. "I doubt Mr. Wickham feels singled out. Many of the concerns regarding Mr. Wickham apply to the rest of the militia as well, excepting Colonel Forster. And he is already attached. Thus, the enjoyment of the militia quartering in Meryton has been tempered when one considers they are less than promising marriage prospects. Only the most single-minded will be not be persuaded."
"Will that be enough to protect the other young ladies in the neighborhood?" Mr. Darcy was still had reservations about the effectiveness of this strategy.
"My mother is most determined for my sisters and I to marry well. Any single man who enters the neighborhood is perceived as a potential husband for one of us. For her to discount a gentleman draws the attention of all the other mothers. The matchmaking has always been competitive amongst them all. It is understood and almost friendly. However, if my mother, known for her relentless efforts to marry off her daughters, decides a man is undeserving and rejects him from consideration, others respect she has valid reasons. They will not accept what Fanny Bennet has spurned." Elizabeth frowned, as if remembering she was talking to Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Phillips did not notice as he was watching Mr. Darcy. The young man's amusement at the initial telling had quickly turned to concern, now his expression was one of mortification. Mr. Phillips realized Mr. Darcy was one of the men of whom Elizabeth speaking and the young man knew it. Since that first evening at the assembly, Mr. Darcy had been free from pursuit. Neither his conversation nor, indeed, his presence was sought. He had only heard Mr. Darcy spoken of in the most disagreeable terms. For a man as proud as Mr. Darcy, for a man infatuated with one of Mrs. Bennet's daughters, it must be quite a blow to realize he was beneath Mrs. Bennet's notice. Yet, if nothing else, it proves his sister is not mercenary.
"I see." Mr. Darcy said rather shakily. "I yield to your superior knowledge of the neighborhood."
Misunderstanding his reaction, Elizabeth's anger was apparent. "Mr. Darcy, I did not expect an effusive display of gratitude but perhaps you could be less disagreeable. I know you find my mother a woman of mean understanding but she has been instrumental in protecting the families of Meryton from Mr. Wickham. Seeing this has all this has been done on your say so, perhaps, we can know see the evidence you claim to have of his many crimes against you."
"Of course, will you join me in the library, please." The words were quite polite, but Mr. Darcy's tone was coldly proper. Mr. Phillips felt something change in Mr. Darcy at that moment.
Once settled in the library, Mr. Darcy presented his documentation against Mr. Wickham and reviewed it with his guests, grimly and in great detail. Mr. Phillips felt the absolute necessity of making known Mr. Wickham's behavior. Thus, it was decided that the two gentlemen would be making calls on the local merchants as well as Colonel Forster that afternoon.