Chapter 27
Longbourn
December 22nd 1811
Elizabeth had finally asked for help regarding Mr. Wickham. She told her grandfather of her suspicions that Mr. Wickham would be running up debt on the merchants of Meryton. The ever cunning Mr. Dover, however, had already discouraged shops from lending Mr. Wickham too much credit. As soon as he discovered the gentleman was in town, he went to warn the shopkeepers; to his surprise Mr. Wickham had no debts.
She could expose him neither as a debtor, nor as a rake. She was, unfortunately, stuck. At least, she would not have to see him if she avoided town and parties until their departure in just over a week. They would leave town and the militia would have removed to Brighton by the time they returned; she would never see him again.
Elizabeth was not that fortunate. She had recently been told by Marie, their lady's maid, that Wickham had been spotted by her son, the stable boy, waiting near Oakham Mount during her normal walking time. Marie had implored her to walk later in the day to avoid him. Lizzy was very inconvenienced, but agreed, knowing that she should not be alone in the company of such a man.
Alex still had been joining her often on her walks, but if she went later in the day it would be much harder for him to come along. He was usually in his estate lessons with their father. She followed the instructions of her maid and had not spotted the gentleman in some time.
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Longbourn
December 25, 1811
Elizabeth was getting ready to break her fast. It felt strange staying at Longbourn for Christmas. They usually would have gone to Lyme Park, but this was their third Christmas at Longbourn and she still had not adjusted. Hertfordshire was flat, except for the one elevation of Oakham Mount, whereas Cheshire was hilly and slightly rocky. Her only reminder of her home in Cheshire was Oakham Mount. Of all the places she visited, the Peak District was her favorite. It felt like home. She longed to go there to hide away from her problems.
She pulled her locket out from her trinket box. The chain was broken, but the remainder of the locket was perfectly intact. She tucked it into her dress, wanting to keep it close to her on a day like this.
Elizabeth had still not told her sisters and cousins what had transpired between herself and Mr. Darcy, and knew they were going to directly ask her soon. She had not told Jane of Mr. Darcy's interference in Mr. Bingley removing to town. Or about any of their argument on Oakham Mount; she did not want to concern Jane, but realized that she could not hide what she knew much longer.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth's sisters and cousins had grown impatient with her behavior, so they cornered her.
As Lizzy walked about halfway down the hallway, Kitty and Julia appeared and blocked the hallway leading downstairs. Lizzy turned back to go to her room, but Mary and Lucinda were there, blocking the door to Lizzy's room. Jane opened the door to her room and ushered Lizzy inside.
"Lizzy, you have been avoiding us ever since the Netherfield party left. I urged Mary to let you be, that you would come around, but since that Lady Catherine's visit, you have been even more distant. Why?" Jane questioned Lizzy.
Elizabeth frowned.
She had not meant to be so distant. She just had a lot to ponder. "I have had a lot of thinking to do," Lizzy said to the group.
"Yes and you have had your time. Why did Lady Catherine think Mr. Darcy was engaged to you?" Mary asked eagerly.
Lizzy sighed. "Our dear cousin, had it in his mind that I was expecting an offer from Mr. Darcy and that is why I rejected his proposal."
" Are you engaged? Did you not tell because of Mr. Bingley-" Mary interjected.
"Slow down, Mary," Elizabeth said, cutting off her younger sister. "No, we are not engaged."
"Why did he ask you to Oakham Mount then?" Jane inquired.
"He warned me about Mr. Wickham," Elizabeth said skirting the truth; she did not want to go into detail about their exact exchange.
"He told you of the misunderstanding?" Jane questioned. "Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham, seem like honorable gentlemen and their disagreement about the late Mr. Darcy's will must be the cause."
"No, dear Jane, Mr. Wickham is a rake. Alex and I heard him in the woods with Mary King trying to get her to run away with him. Mary King was telling the truth about Wickham."
The room gasped in surprise.
"We must do something!" Mary cried.
"There is nothing to do. Mary King's reputation has already been damaged and she has been sent away. I found out too late to do anything," Elizabeth explained.
"But Wickham could try again!?" Julia shouted.
"With whom? No one in Meryton, outside of this room, has a dowry over £5000. They have nothing to fear," Elizabeth assured them.
"I do not see how it is fair that he gets to get away with it," Kitty griped.
"We cannot accuse him when there is no proof -- his handwriting is different than the letters Miss King had. Even though I overheard them, it is my word against his, and I only heard a small portion of their conversation, which he can deny or say I misinterpreted," Elizabeth stated, visibly frustrated. "Society dictates that our reputations need to remain untarnished, but any man can come along and sully your name in an instant. You must have care with the company you keep. "
"We can keep an eye on Mr. Wickham, and if there are any young ladies that he shows a preference for we can warn them away," Jane explained to the younger girls.
The girls grumbled their agreement. Jane dismissed her younger cousins and sister from the room, keeping Elizabeth around.
"Now, what happened with Mr. Darcy on Oakham Mount? I know there is more to the story -- he was obviously smitten with you; why did he think you were trying to help Mr. Wickham?" Jane commented.
Lizzy sighed and began. "I do not know how you saw it, dear Jane, but apparently he did have some regard for me, until he found this in his chambers," Elizabeth stated, pulling out her locket.
"When did you-" Jane started.
"I did not. Mr. Darcy found it before our rendezvous, the morning after the ball. Apparently there was a woman in his room after the ball -- the same room he found me outside of a few weeks prior -- and then he found my locket. He accused me, of course, I was missing during most of the ball" Elizabeth dolefully admitted. "My defense of Mr. Wickham was just more justification for him to be set in his belief, that I was a trollop."
Jane hugged Lizzy. "He is a fool," Jane stated in a way that could only be described as the sweetest insult anyone could ever receive. "It is better that you know all of this now, rather than fall in love with the man."
Lizzy blushed. Was she really in danger of losing herself to Mr. Darcy? In the beginning, yes, possibly; he was a handsome man and after their apologies, she quite liked him. Then there was his high-handedness, his aloofness, his harsh judgment, and his interference with Jane and Mr. Bingley that had her questioning his character. No, she was surely not in danger.
"There was a initial attraction, but his character was made known to me before I could consider myself in love." Elizabeth broke out of Jane's embrace to come face-to-face. "Promise me that you will only marry for love. No matter what anyone says or what his title is or how much our family wants the match."
"Only if you promise me the same," Jane said, smiling at her sister.
"Deal," Lizzy replied. She froze, contemplating telling her sister about Mr. Darcy's interference in separating her from Mr. Bingley. What good would it do now? She would reunite with him in town during the season. Surely if her grandparents ran in the same circles as Mr. Darcy, we would be in the company of Mr. Bingley, whether he liked it or not. And after he knew, their connections Mr. Darcy would not be able to separate them again.
The two sisters then went downstairs to enjoy their Christmas festivities with their family.
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Oakham Mount
December 28th, 1811
Wickham had been hard at work developing a plan to seduce Elizabeth Bennet ever since he discovered that her grandfather was Oliver Dover, a rich tradesman turned landowner, who lost his only child in childbirth. He tried to talk to the people in Meryton to get an idea of what their dowry was like, but everyone gave him the same lie: it was £1,000. Not even close, not with a rich grandfather. So Wickham had to resort to snooping. His contact in London reported, Mr. Dover had given his daughter a property as a part of her dowry, along with a large sum. So Mr. Bennet held that property, and it would go to one of his daughters. Jane was the eldest, but he had it on good authority that Elizabeth handled the estate when he was away. One of Longbourn's maids, Sarah, had taken a liking to Wickham and confirmed Elizabeth mainly ran the estate while Mr. Bennet was away. He believed it was very likely that Elizabeth held the property in her dowry. It's a pity that Lydia wasn't Mr. Bennet's daughter. She would be far easier to seduce. Nevertheless, Elizabeth had a spirit about her that would ensure that he would never be bored married to her.
He had his work cut out for him; he had to stay out of eyes of the Dovers, because Darcy definitely had confided in them about his proclivities. Mr. Dover inquired about his debts, but thanks to Darcy's meddling, he did not have any. If they knew he was trying to court their granddaughter, they would keep her away. So catching Elizabeth, alone during one of her walks, was his best option. He had tried to arrange a meeting by chance with her several days in a row now, by waiting for her near her walking path. To his dismay, she never showed.
When he heard the news that the Bennet girls were leaving town, he knew he had to make his move quickly. He needed to establish a connection to Elizabeth before she left town. He had already secured an invitation to a few engagements where he could run into her, thanks to a friend in town. His source inside the Bennet house told him she had began to take her walks in the late afternoon instead of the early morning. He adjusted his time today based on that information and, lo and behold, she was walking over towards her usual path. Wickham had hidden behind a tree to scout out her approach. She would not be able to see him beforehand. To his annoyance, she was not alone. She was with a boy who could be no more than thirteen, who was wearing a stable boy outfit. She usually walked unescorted. How peculiar. No matter, he would still prevail.
Wickham stepped out on the path, just in time for her to come face-to-face with him. "Miss Bennet, how fortuitous meeting you here."
"Mr. Wickham, indeed, this is not my normal time for a walk."
"Oh well, then I must escort you," Wickham said, turning on his charming countenance.
"I already have an escort," Elizabeth replied, looking over at the stable boy. "but thank you."
Wickham looked at the stable boy a bit more closely. The youth was making eye contact with him and even scowling. Wickham was irritated; the boy was beneath him, and his expression should reflect that. Once he and Elizabeth were married, they would hire new servants who were properly trained.
"Nonsense, you can never have too many escorts," Wickham replied.
Elizabeth reluctantly agreed. Wickham took her arm and began walking ahead of the stable boy.
"Miss Bennet, you look beautiful today."
She smiled at him and replied, "Thank you, sir."
They walked in silence as they approached the top of the mountain. Wickham took her hands and began talking.
"I have a confession," Wickham said, staring into Elizabeth's eyes for full effect.
"Yes? "Elizabeth responded, looking into his eyes.
"I have been trying to meet you out here for a walk for days now. I wanted to spend more time in your company. I cannot stop thinking of you and your wit, charm and grace. I find myself very much smitten with you." Wickham looked to the ground and then back into her eyes. "I know I am nothing but a poor foot soldier and I have nothing to offer you financially, but I could offer you a lifetime of happiness, if you let me," Wickham said with his signature charming smile.
Elizabeth yanked her hands from him and replied, "Sir, I thank you, but I cannot, there is another." She ran away down the path they had just walked.
Rejected! He had never been rejected in his life! How dare she. Another? Who could it be he had not seen her with anyone since… Darcy? She had fallen for Darcy! The man took everything from him! ...But not this. Of that he was certain. They would never be together. Even if Elizabeth wasn't with him. He would not let Darcy have something else he did not deserve.
Wickham watched, enraged, as Elizabeth walked away with the stable boy in tow, before he set off to camp. There was a very important letter he had to write.
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Elizabeth had been surprised that her brother was able to join her on her afternoon stroll. Her father had decided that Alex spent too much of his break working and gave him his last week off, granted that he did not get into trouble and acted like a gentleman of his station.
Being a mischievous twelve-year-old boy and an adventurous twenty-year-old gentlewoman, they found themselves in much more troublesome situations than most. Lizzy had dared Alex to climb an apple tree to fetch an apple for his sister. Alex, being the obliging gentleman, climbed the tree and picked the perfect apple. During his descent, however, a branch broke and Alex fell about six feet to the ground, dropping the apple. Alex was all right, but his pants were muddied and had a tear them. He could not return to the house in this condition; if his father saw him, he would not be let out of the house until it was time for he and Adam to go back to school.
Elizabeth thought quickly. There were some extra clothes in the stables near them. She walked to them and grabbed a stable boy outfit. While she was there, she gave directions to the stable boy to grab Marie and send her to the apple trees. She returned to Alex and made him change into the stable boy outfit.
Marie arrived at the tree a short time after. She saw the ripped, stained pants and knew exactly why she had been summoned, instead of the valet.The valet would have notified their father right away, if they had gone to him for help.
"Marie, thank you for coming. Alex fell and tore his pants. Father cannot know about this," Elizabeth started.
"Yes, I shall have the pants clean and mended by the time you return in, say, two hours," Marie said confidently.
Elizabeth and Alex both hugged the older ladies' maid.
"Now off with the both of you! And try not to get in anymore trouble!" Marie shouted as the kids ran away.
The two were laughing, walking merrily towards Oakham Mount, when they heard the sound of someone walking onto the path ahead.
To Elizabeth's surprise, Wickham stepped out on the path and said, "Miss Bennet, how fortuitous meeting you here."
"Mr. Wickham, indeed, this is not my normal time for a walk," Elizabeth grumbled. She glared at Alex to keep him from saying anything. She did not want Wickham connected to her brother. Wickham would likely ignore Alex since he was dressed as a stable boy.
"Oh well, then I must escort you," Wickham said, trying, and failing, to charm her.
"I already have an escort," Elizabeth insisted, looking over at Alex. "but thank you."
Wickham looked at Alex, who was scowling; Elizabeth could sense the irritation of Wickham. You could tell a lot about a man from the way he treated servants. While Wickham was observing Alex, she made a face at Alex to get him to stop scowling. Alex's face softened and Elizabeth sighed. She did not need Alex drawing attention to himself.
"Nonsense, you can never have too many escorts," Wickham replied.
Elizabeth reluctantly agreed. Wickham took her arm and began walking ahead of Alex.
Elizabeth waved off Alex from following too closely. She knew Wickham wanted her alone. And he would not stop until he said whatever he had to say. So it was best to have him think they were alone so he could speak his peace and she could be done.
"Miss Bennet, you look beautiful today," Wickham said, full of faux charm. How had she never noticed the insincerity in his voice?
She grimaced at him and replied, "Thank you, sir."
They walked in silence as they approached the top of the mountain. She was waiting for him to make his move. Finally, Wickham took her hands and began talking.
"I have a confession," Wickham said, staring into Elizabeth's eyes for full effect.
"Yes?" Elizabeth responded, looking into his eyes, with fake sincerity.
"I have been trying to meet you out here for a walk for days now. I wanted to spend more time in your company. I cannot stop thinking of you and your wit, charm and grace. I find myself very much smitten with you." Wickham looked to the ground and then back into her eyes. "I know I am nothing but a poor foot soldier and I have nothing to offer you financially, but I could offer you a lifetime of happiness, if you let me," Wickham said with his signature charming smile.
Elizabeth was shocked and stood there frozen. She quickly regained her senses and yanked her hands from him and replied, "Sir, I thank you, but I cannot, there is another." She ran away down the path and grabbed Alex along the way. Why did she say that there was another? She could have just said no! Nevermind now, the damage was done and at least she could be rid of Wickham for good with that revelation. Why had he even approached her? She was "poor" and could do nothing for him. Maybe he wanted to use her to get to Mr. Darcy? He had paid particular attention to her before their last conversation, but why would Mr. Wickham wait so long to act? Mr. Darcy was not even in the county!
She walked back to Longbourn in record time with Alex trailing behind. They walked back in through the front doors and straight into their father. He looked at his children incredulously.
"I warned you to stay out of trouble and behave like a gentleman of your station," Mr. Bennett said to Alex, who was still in the stable boy outfit.
"It is my fault, father. Alex fell out of a tree trying to get an apple for me," Elizabeth said.
"I hoped you would settle down once you had more responsibility, but I can see I was wrong." Mr. Bennett commented. "I am, however, in a forgiving mood today. Now go change and wash up for dinner." Mr. Bennet walked out the door, leaving his shocked children staying in the foyer dumbfounded.
"Well, it seems we have good fortune today," Alex said, walking towards his room.
"Yes, it seems as if something else has father's notice for now," Elizabeth replied following her brother upstairs. Elizabeth went into Jane's room to divulge the earlier events to her sister. Alex quickly changed for dinner.
At dinner, Elizabeth kept a suspicious eye on her father. He was going to do something, though what she was not sure. She had noticed that Mrs. Govern kept looking at Mr. Bennet throughout dinner. Jane and Julia were talking with Mrs. Dover about drawings. Mr. Dover had Alex and Adam engaged about taking them out for a hunt next year. Kitty, Mary and Lucinda were speaking in French. Kitty had been having trouble with sentence structure in her lessons and started speaking it more frequently to get a better grasp of the language. Fanny and Lydia were being outlandish as usual. Lydia had decided that Denny did not suit her anymore, and that she would be giving other officers opportunity for her attention. Mr. Bennet slammed his fist into the table at this conversation. Everyone froze.
"Lydia and Fanny, you will both be going under the strict tutelage of Mrs. Govern for the foreseeable future; she will report to me your progress. There will be no argument about this," Mr. Bennet said cutting off Lydia's attempt to protest. "You two are going to learn manners and how to behave like ladies of your station. Failure to comply will have you thrown out of my house." Mr. Bennet threatened this even though he could not throw them out of the house according to his father's wishes, but they did not know that.
Fanny thought to protest, but decided against it. She needed to stay here - they had nowhere else to go - but if she got one of the girls married, well, she could get out of her brother's house and live the way she wanted.
"We will follow your directions without protest, brother," Fanny said.
Once her brother was satisfied with her response he began explaining his expectations to the table, most of the conversation was directed towards Mrs. Govern.
Lydia stomped the ground and opened her mouth to protest, since her mother would not, but Fanny kicked her shin under the table.
"Ow!" Lydia cried, clutching her leg.
The entire table looked at them.
"Lyddie, did you hurt yourself?. Maybe you should go lie down. I will check on you shortly," Mrs. Bennett said.
The table resumed their conversations.
Lydia whined. "I don't want--"
"Lydia," Fanny interrupted and spoke in a low voice, "Listen to your mother and rest for now. I will see that you are comfortable as soon as possible."
Whether or not Lydia understood the significance of her words, Fanny did not know. Nevertheless, the girl excused herself and limped to her room, grumbling. She looked over at her brother, who was still eating and engrossed in a conversation with Mrs. Govern and seemed ignorant of her hidden meaning and sighed in relief.
