Chapter 17

Longbourn

November 18th 1811

Darcy stood outside of Longbourn dumbfounded. How could she not trust him? He was William Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. He was a gentleman through and through. How dare she question his honor, he had warned her, if she chose not to listen to him that was her fault, he would not try to change her mind. He walked into Longbourn to do his duty, as a guest of Bingley's. Everyone had already shuffled into the drawing room, and taken their seats.

Lizzy sat in the surprisingly empty seat next to Jane. Bingley was sitting next to Lydia. Kitty and Mary were sitting together along with Mr. Collins. When Darcy entered the room he went to stand by the window.

They sat in an awkward silence until Bingley broke the silence.

"In eight days time, we will be hosting a ball at Netherfield, you all are invited, including Mr. Collins."

Lydia giggled and said " La! I knew you would listen to me, I cannot wait to dance all night!" while flirtatiously batting her eyelashes at Bingley. Bingley smiled.

Jane glared at her cousin, but it went unnoticed.

"Oh will the milita be there!?" Lydia exclaimed excited to dance with her new friends.

"Yes, Colonel Forrester received an invitation for the officers." Mr. Bingley replied

Mrs. Bennett replied "We graciously accept, your generous invitation, I am sure nothing will rival this ball for years to come!"

"Indeed." Mr. Collins added

"Mr. Collins is it appropriate for you to attend, as a man of the cloth?" Mary asked

"My dear cousin Mary, I may attend balls thrown by a respectable member of the landed gentry. Where is you family estate, Mr. Bingley? I am sure my patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh has heard of your family and will approve of my attendance." Mr. Collins said.

Mr. Darcy stiffened at the mention of his aunt, but said nothing.

"Well, I have no family estate, but I am currently letting Netherfield, with the hopes of finally buying an estate." Bingley replied

"A tradesman?" asked Mr. Collins in disbelief and continued "Even if you are the son of a tradesman, with proper guidance even YOU be able to host a proper ball, I shall write to Lady Catherine immediately to see her great counsel on the matter and relay to you the necessary knowledge on proper decorum for a ball."

Darcy turned around at the mention of his Aunt's name again and glared at Mr.Collins. Lizzy watched his response with great interest.

"Mr. Collins, I wonder how Lady Catherine would feel about how someone who is not a relation of hers, freely speaking about her." Darcy said breaking his silence

"And who may you be sir, to think that you may dictate, How I refer to my patroness."

"Forgive me Mr. Collins, I forgot that you did not get introduced on our walk." Mary said waiting for Darcy to approve the introduction.

Mr. Collins paled, but still seemed obtuse to the significance of gentleman, he was talking to. Darcy shook his head at Mary to let her know, she was not needed to perform the introduction.

"I am her nephew William Darcy." Darcy said with a forceful tone, glaring at the gentleman.

"Mr. Darcy, It is a pleasure sir, I had no idea, that Mr. Bingley was being guided by you, or I would have never made the suggestion. If I may relay to you, your Aunt and betrothed are in the best of health-" Collins replied

Darcy raised his hand and the gentleman stopped talking "Mr. Collins, maybe you should try listening before you speak. And I will say this once, my cousin Anne and I are NOT and NEVER will be engaged, If i hear any rumor of this I will hold you personally responsible." Darcy said in an irritated tone.

Elizabeth looked at the pair with great interest, after the gentleman's marital state was revealed. Everyone was quiet after Mr. Darcy's outburst and for once Mrs. Bennett was speechless.

The conversation left Elizabeth in wonder where did the rumor come from? Mr. Collins was obtuse and would never create a rumor about someone wholly unconnected to him, so someone else was the creator, before she could ask about it, Bingley stood and then spoke "We still have to visit the Lucases and Longs, so we must be off."

Darcy bowed and walked towards the door, not saying a word.

"We look forward to seeing you at the ball." Bingley bowed and followed his friend out.

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November 19th 1811

The next morning Darcy set out to see Colonel Forster about his childhood playmates vices. Darcy rode into the outskirts of Meryton where the militia were stationed. He rode up to an officer and asked for the colonel's direction. He was sent to the largest tent in the middle of their station. As he was dismounting his horse, he saw a flash of red coat run by him. He was announced as he walked into the Forster's tent, The Colonel was sitting down at his desk reading letters and looked up in surprise.

"Mr. Darcy, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?"

"I need to speak to you about one of your officer's," he paused before revealing the name "George Wickham." Darcy said stiffly

"What about him? He hasn't been in my command for even a day yet, Surely he cannot have done anything." Colonel Forster said in disbelief

"No, this issue is of a personal matter." Darcy responded

"I do not deal with personal matters between gentlemen, that is something you will have to sort out yourselves." Colonel Forster replied dismissively looking back down at his letters

"Even if it puts your good standing with the community in jeopardy?" Darcy asked

Colonel Forster looked back up curiously. "What is the issue?"

"George Wickham, was the son of my father's steward, we grew up together,-"

"I am aware of your history with the gentleman, and so is half the town, so spare me the details."

Darcy glared at Colonel Forster and continued "He was promised a living by my father, but told me he had no interest in taking orders and wanted to pursue a different career. He was gifted £1000 and given another £3000 in place of the living, afterwards he skipped out on debts that he owed the people of Lambton totaling about £2000. I paid all of his outstanding debts, when he skipped town, so the merchants would not suffer, but I am afraid he will do the same in Meryton and I am not willing to clean up his mess this time."

"I will make sure he has no credit extended to him. Is that satisfactory?" Colonel Forster asked

"No, he also, is a rake and the women of Meryton need to be warn-"

Colonel Forster cut off Mr. Darcy and said "I am an officer of the militia, not everyone here is a gentleman there are some men more rough than others, I cannot force Mr. Wickham to stay away from women, nor will I warn them away, they all know how delicate their reputation is."

"If you will not protect them, then I will be forced to call in the debt that Wickham owes to me and have him thrown in a debtor prison." Darcy responded in anger

Colonel Forster glared at Darcy and called in an officer to his tent "Please go fetch Lieutenant Wickham."

Within Seconds Wickham walked into the tent.

"Darcy I cannot pretend to be surprised to find you here, especially since Denny warned me of your approach, let me guess I'm here about the debt I left in Lambton?"

"Yes, you will be thrown in a debtor's prison." Darcy said smugly

Wickham laughed "Darcy you do know I am in the militia, I am not going to prison."

Darcy turned to Colonel Forster in confusion. And the colonel replied "Lieutenant Wickham, being in the Militia is now under the authority of the Militia, and therefore any punishments are given by his superiors. Since I am the highest ranking officer around, I am his superior. He will be docked to half pay until he pays you back the money he owes, unless he can afford to pay you now."

"I do not have the funds to pay him now." Wickham responded

"The lieutenantwill be docked to half pay until he pays you back. You both are dismissed. " Colonel Forster said waving both men out.

Once outside the Colonel's tent Wickham, turned to Darcy "Darcy, Darcy, Darcy, I take it your plan did not go as you thought it would." Wickham said laughing

Darcy kept walking ignoring Wickham, trying to think of a plan to rid Himself from Wickham once and for all.

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That evening the Bennett/Bennet ladies found, themselves along with Mr. Collins, invited to dine with the Phillipses and the militia, while Mrs. Bennett was at home with a headache and Mr. Bennet was in no mood for company.

After dinner Lizzy was attempting to rid herself of Mr. Collins, because he had been following Lizzy around all day and it was driving her mad. If she heard about Lady Catherine's fireplace again, she was sure she would end up in Bedlam. She saw Mrs. Phillips, who loved talking about nothing and knew this was her shot to rid herself of Mr. Collins. "Mrs. Phillips, I do thank you for your invitation to dine with you tonight, Have you met our cousin Mr. Collins?"

Mr. Collins bowed ridiculously to his hostess and began complimenting her home and how it was almost a grand as the breakfast parlor at Rosings. Which offended his hostess until she realized that his patroness was the daughter of an earl, who owned many fine things.

Mr. Collins noticed her interest and began, describing to her all the grandeur of Lady Catherine and her mansion, with occasional digressions in praise of his own humble abode, and the improvements it was receiving, he was happily employed until the gentlemen joined them.

Elizabeth saw Mr. Wickham enter the room and begin to walk over to her, and she immediately thought of Darcy's warning, but she waved it off in the interest of having a new character to sketch.

Mr. Wickham she observed as he walked across the room had almost every female eye turned on him, and Elizabeth was glared at by the onlookers when, she was whom he finally seated himself next to. Lydia quickly sat in the seat next to him, ending any of the other onlookers chances at gaining his attention.

Lizzy was determined to find out the issue between Darcy and Wickham, and since Mr. Darcy would not tell her her only option was to try to find out from Mr. Wickham. There seemed danger of Lydia's engrossing him entirely, for she was a most determined talker. Soon Lydia was distracted by the cards table and relinquished her spot to go play.

Mr. Wickham was therefore at leisure to talk to Elizabeth was trying to think of a plan to bring up, Mr. Darcy without offending Mr. Wickham. She was unexpectedly relieved, when Mr. Wickham began the subject himself.

"How far is Netherfield from Meryton?"

"It is but a mile, sir"

"How long has Darcy been in the area?"

"About a month," said Elizabeth; and then, unwilling to let the subject drop, added, "He is a man of very large property in Derbyshire, I understand."

"Yes," replied Mr. Wickham; "his estate there is a noble one. A clear ten thousand per annum. You could not have met with a person more capable of giving you certain information on that head than myself, for I have been connected with his family in a particular manner from my infancy."

Elizabeth could not but look surprised.

"You may well be surprised, Miss Bennet, at such an assertion, after seeing, as you probably might, the very cold manner of our meeting yesterday. Are you much acquainted with Mr. Darcy?"

"Not very well," cried Elizabeth very warmly. "I have spent four days in the same house with him, and I am no closer to understanding him."

Wickham took this information with great surprise, but did not let it show. "I have no right to give my opinion," said Wickham, "as to his being agreeable or otherwise. I am not qualified to form one. I have known him too long and too well to be a fair judge. It is impossible for me to be impartial.

"Upon my word, public opinion of him is neither favorable or unfavorable. He is very reserved and keeps to himself. You will not find anyone, who knows the gentleman well enough to form an opinion."

"I cannot pretend to be surprised," said Wickham, after a short interruption, "he does not interact with those he considers beneath him and will keep his distance from them. The world is blinded by his fortune and consequence, or frightened by his high and imposing manners, and sees him only as he chooses to be seen, aloof instead of proud and arrogant."

"Should take him, even on my slight acquaintance, to be an ill-tempered man?" Wickham only shook his head, yes. Elizabeth paused for consideration, even though Mr. Darcy had been unsociable he had done nothing, improper, aside from his insult and judge her family.

"I wonder," said he, at the next opportunity of speaking, "whether he is likely to be in this country much longer."

"I do not at all know; but I heard nothing of his going away when I was at Netherfield. I hope your plans will not be affected by his being in the neighbourhood." Lizzy said nonchalantly, knowing that Mr. Wickham had more to tell her.

"Oh! Well no—it is not for me to be driven away by Mr. Darcy. I just wish to respect the memory of his late father. His father, Miss Bennet, the late Mr. Darcy, was one of the best men that ever breathed, and the truest friend I ever had; and I can never be in company with this Mr. Darcy without being grieved to the soul by a thousand tender recollections. Yesterday, I was so overwhelmed at his presence that I just decided to leave rather than make a scene.His behaviour to myself has been scandalous; but I verily believe I could forgive him for anything and everything, rather than his disappointing the hopes and disgracing the memory of his father."

Elizabeth found the subject riveting, and listened with all her heart; but the delicacy of it prevented further inquiry.

Mr. Wickham began to speak on more general topics, Meryton, the neighbourhood, the society, appearing highly pleased with all that he had seen.

"It was the prospect of constant society, and good society," he added, "which was my chief inducement to enter Hertfordshire. My friend Denny tempted me further by his account of their present quarters, and the very great attentions and excellent acquaintances Meryton had procured them. Society, I own, is necessary to me. I have been a disappointed man, and my spirits will not bear solitude. I must have employment and society. A military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances have now made it eligible. The church ought to have been my profession—I was brought up for the church, and I should at this time have been in possession of a most valuable living, had it pleased the gentleman we were speaking of just now."

"Indeed!" Elizabeth said shocked. Her impression of the gentlemen did not lead her to believe him to be a clergyman.

"Yes—the late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best living in his gift. He was my godfather, and excessively attached to me. I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me amply, and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given elsewhere."

"Good heavens!" cried Elizabeth; "but how could that be? How could his will be disregarded? Why did you not seek legal redress?" Elizabeth questioned wondering how he let Mr. Darcy wrong him and why would Mr. Darcy wrong him?

"There was just such an informality in the terms of the bequest as to give me no hope from law. A man of honour could not have doubted the intention, but Mr. Darcy chose to doubt it—or to treat it as a merely conditional recommendation.The living became vacant two years ago, exactly as I was of an age to hold it, and that it was given to another man; and no less certain is it, that I cannot accuse myself of having really done anything to deserve to lose it. He left me with no prospects and debts of honour that I am working on paying back now. I have a warm, unguarded temper, and I may have spoken my opinion of him, and to him, too freely. I can recall nothing worse. But the fact is, that we are very different sort of men, and that he hates me."

"This is quite shocking! Will you disgrace him?" Elizabeth asked feeling confused at why Mr. Darcy would hate Mr. Wickham, but detecting malice in the tone of the gentleman she was speaking with.

"Some time or other he will be—but it shall not be by me. Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him."

Elizabeth was glad that Wickham honoured him for such feelings, hoping that there was a misunderstanding between the gentlemen.

"But what," said she, after a pause, "can have been his motive? What can have induced him to behave so cruelly?"

"A dislike of me caused by his 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."

"I had not thought Mr. Darcy so bad as this. I had not thought so very ill of him. I had supposed him to be a very reserved person, but did not suspect him of descending to such malicious revenge, such injustice, such inhumanity as this." Elizabeth said in surprise at the gentlemen's behavior.

Elizabeth began searching her mind to see if there was any indication of his temperament in their conversations. After a few minutes' reflection, however, she continued, "I do remember his boasting one day, at Netherfield, of the implacability of his resentments, of his having an unforgiving temper. His disposition must be dreadful." Elizabeth said clearly recalling his words "My good opinion once lost, is lost forever."

"I will not trust myself on the subject," replied Wickham; "I can hardly be just to him."

Elizabeth was again deep in thought wondering, what Mr. Wickham did to lose his standing with the gentlemen. Mr. Darcy after all did not seem like the type to want to be the center of attention, whereas Mr. Wickham thrived in it. After a time exclaimed, "To treat in such a manner the godson, the friend, the favourite of his father!" She could have added, "A young man, too, like you, whose very countenance may vouch for your being amiable and who had probably been his companion from childhood, connected together, as I think you said, in the closest manner!"

"We were born in the same parish, within the same park; the greatest part of our youth was passed together; inmates of the same house, sharing the same amusements, objects of the same parental care. His family was very dear to me, his sister included, even though she is several years my junior." Mr. Wickham said smiling

"What sort of girl is Miss Darcy?"

He shook his head. "I wish I could call her amiable. It gives me pain to speak ill of a Darcy. But she is too much like her brother—very, very proud. As a child, she was affectionate and pleasing, and extremely fond of me; and I have devoted hours and hours to her amusement. But she is nothing to me now. She is a handsome girl, about fifteen or sixteen, and, I understand, highly accomplished. Since her father's death, her home has been London, where a lady lives with her, and superintends her education."

After many pauses and many trials of other subjects, Elizabeth could not help reverting to talk of Mr. Darcy. "I am astonished at his intimacy with Mr. Bingley! How can Mr. Bingley, who seems good humour itself, and is, I really believe, truly amiable, be in friendship with such a man? How can they suit each other? Do you know Mr. Bingley?"

"Not at all." Mr. Wickham said earnestly

"He is a sweet-tempered, amiable, charming man. He cannot know what Mr. Darcy is." Elizabeth concluded

"Probably not; but Mr. Darcy can please where he chooses. He does not want abilities. He can be a conversible companion if he thinks it worth his while. Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous. His pride never deserts him; but with the rich he is liberal-minded, just, sincere, rational, honourable, and perhaps agreeable—allowing something for fortune and figure." Mr. Wickham replied believing he had her trusting his story.

The whist party soon afterwards breaking up, the players gathered round the other table and Mr. Collins took his station between his cousin Elizabeth and Mrs. Phillips. The usual inquiries as to his success were made by the latter. It had not been very great; he had lost every point; but when Mrs. Phillips began to express her concern thereupon, he assured her with much earnest gravity that it was not of the least importance, that he considered the money as a mere trifle, and begged that she would not make herself uneasy.

"I know very well, madam," said he, "that when persons sit down to a card-table, they must take their chances of these things, and happily I am not in such circumstances as to make five shillings any object. There are undoubtedly many who could not say the same, but thanks to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I am removed far beyond the necessity of regarding little matters."

Mr. Wickham's attention was caught; and after observing Mr. Collins for a few moments, he asked Elizabeth in a low voice whether her relation was very intimately acquainted with the family of de Bourgh.

"Lady Catherine de Bourgh," she replied, "has very lately given him a living. I hardly know how Mr. Collins was first introduced to her notice, but he certainly has not known her long."

"Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne Darcy were sisters; consequently that she is aunt to the present Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth knew this already, but let Mr. Wickham continue.

"Her daughter, Miss de Bourgh, will have a very large fortune, and she and Mr. Darcy will unite the two estates, via their marriage."

This information made Elizabeth frown, as she thought about yesterday's declaration from Mr. Darcy to her cousin. How had Mr. Wickham known about the "engagement"? He said he and Mr. Darcy grew apart before they aged into adulthood . Then, Mr. Darcy's warning returned to her mind.

"Mr. Collins, speaks highly both of Lady Catherine and her daughter; but from some particulars that he has related of her ladyship, I suspect his gratitude misleads him, and that in spite of her being his patroness, she is an arrogant, conceited woman." Elizabeth replied

"I believe her to be both in a great degree," replied Wickham; "I have not seen her for many years, but I very well remember that I never liked her, and that her manners were dictatorial and insolent. She has the reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever; but I rather believe she derives part of her abilities from her rank and fortune, part from her authoritative manner, and the rest from the pride for her nephew, who chooses that everyone connected with him should have an understanding of the first class."

Elizabeth allowed that he had given a very rational account of some topics of Mr. Darcy, but felt there was something missing.

"With all of your issues with Mr. Darcy, will you be attending the Netherfield ball?" Elizabeth questioned. Maybe having both men in the same room will, help her solve this conundrum.

"I shall, as I said earlier, it is not for me to driven away " Wickham replied.

They continued talking together, with mutual satisfaction, after Wickham asked Lizzy for a dance at the upcoming, ball. It took until the be rang for supper put an end to cards, and gave the rest of the ladies their share of Mr. Wickham's attentions. There could be no conversation in the noise of Mrs. Phillips's supper party, but his manners recommended him to everybody.

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That night Jane, Lizzy, Mary and Kitty gathered in Jane's room and all sat on her bed, waiting for the latest gossip.

Mary started by asking Lizzy about Darcy and Wickham. "Did you solve the mystery of what happened between the two gentlemen Lizzy?"

"No, now I'm even more confused. Mr. Darcy told me yesterday,not to trust Mr. Wickham, without any explanation except his word, and today Mr. Wickham told me Mr. Darcy had withheld his inheritance, a living at his estate, from him because of jealously."

"Why would Mr. Darcy be jealous of Mr. Wickham?" Mary asked

"Mr. Wickham said that he was the late Mr. Darcy's favorite and Mr. Darcy hated him for it." Lizzy responded

"How could Mr. Bingley be friends with such a man?" Jane asked

"Dear Jane, not all people are as kind as you are and Mr. Wickham told me that Darcy can be pleasing to those he wants to please, those of his rank." Lizzy replied

"Why would Mr. Darcy befriend Mr. Bingley, even though he has money, he is very nouveau riche, not someone exactly of Mr. Darcy's station?" Kitty asked leaving Elizabeth stumped

"Why did he not just get another living? If our idiot cousin can do it, surely the charming Mr. Wickham can?" Mary asked not convinced

"I do not know," Lizzy groaned "You both have valid points, I cannot pretend to think Mr. Darcy is that horrid, He frustrating and arrogant, to be sure, but I do not see why he would behave this abominably."

"You do know the only way to find out, these questions is to ask Mr. Darcy." Mary said looking smugly at her sister

"I know, but he is not the easiest person to talk to, let alone ask him about a man who he clearly hates." Elizabeth said frustrated

After a few moments of silence Mary spoke and said "I missed this." and began snuggling up to her elder sister.

"Me too " agreed Lizzy.

"I never had this," said Kitty.

"I thought you and Lydia-"

"We did, but it was not like this usually, she would do all the talking and then go to sleep, when I tried to talk about something." Kitty responded.

"Oh Kitty that is awful" said Jane "You may come in my room whenever you like if you need to talk."

"Thank you" Kitty said as she hugged Jane. The girls stayed like that and fell into a restless sleep with different things on their mind.

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AN: Sorry about the great delay in posting. Real Life happened to me and I didn't have the time or energy to keep writing.