Chapter Fifteen – Confrontations
Darcy forced himself to remain in control of himself as he held the sword to Wickham's throat; it was the first time in his life he'd ever considered killing a man.
"Mr. Darcy, wake up please!" Darcy was startled awake by the sound of Lydia Bennet, of all people, at his door. He practically threw himself from his bed and ran to the door, wearing just a nightshirt and brown trousers. He opened the door and saw the younger Miss Bennet in tears. "Please sir, forgive me," she said tearfully, "but Wickham has betrayed me. You must come."
"What has happened, Miss Bennet?" he asked urgently as he closed his door.
"We were to run away together, but Lizzy caught us. Wickham took her into the housekeeper's room and has said the most awful things; I don't know what he will do. He is not the man I loved; it was all a lie. What shall I do?" she ranted through her tears but Darcy had started running to the stairs when as she spoke, when he reached the parlour he heard Wickham on the other side of the door.
"Would you be so selfish as to allow your sister to be lead to such ruin? If you take her place, I will show you such pleasure you did not know was possible."
Darcy was filled with more rage than he'd ever had before at Wickham's vile words. He silently went over to the coat stand beside the door, finding spare officer's swords hanging from it and picked one up, moving from the door down the hall as he unsheathed it. An additional door was situated at the other end of the room and Darcy quickly but silently opened it, wanting to surprise Wickham. He managed to creep into the dark room without him noticing, faintly making out their figures against the wall between the door and window. He got close as he heard Wickham speak again.
"It's your choice, Elizabeth," Wickham said and Darcy watched with hatred as she struggled to push him away as he forced himself against her. "Will you sacrifice your reputation for your sisters? Will you let me take you?"
Darcy kept his cover in the dark as he moved behind Wickham, seeing Elizabeth's face for the first time. Her expression was a mixture of fear and anger, one arm pushing against Wickham's chest and the other being held against the wall. He went to speak but saw Elizabeth bare shoulder and upper arm, the sleeve in tatters. This pushed Darcy over the edge and he moved into the light while simultaneously pushing the blade up against Wickham's throat.
"Step away from her Wickham, now." Darcy said in a low, threatening voice.
Wickham looked murderous as he let go of Elizabeth and took a step back. Darcy kept his gaze firmly on Wickham but felt Elizabeth step behind him, and place her trembling hand on his left arm.
"My patience has reached its end, Wickham," he said angrily and Wickham stepped back again so his throat was no longer in jeopardy.
"Now Darcy, would you strike an unarmed man?" sneered Wickham. "With a lady present?"
"I'm not going to attack you, Wickham," Darcy answered. "I have a sense of decorum and decency." He lowered his sword to his side, his body still alert and ready to defend Elizabeth is necessary, who he could feel standing very close to him.
"Pray tell," Wickham began in a condescending manner, his eyes observing Miss Bennet with satisfaction for a moment then looking back at him. "What are your intentions?"
"Simply to have you removed from this regiment and from any respectable society," Darcy snapped angrily. "Colonel Forster will not allow such behaviour to continue with any officer under his command."
"Well, perhaps we should retire and this can wait until the morning," Wickham suggested calmly.
"I think not," Darcy replied. "I will not be satisfied until Colonel Forster has been informed of your actions and dealt with you accordingly."
Wickham's resolved crumbled and his voice filled with anger and resentment as he nearly spat at Darcy. "I think very carefully, Darcy, before you take the lead in this matter. You are risking the reputation of two young women not to mention your own family's good name by being involved in such scandal." He sneered at his enemy. "There is no way of knowing for certain that your word will be taken against mine." Wickham turned to Elizabeth. "I am the man who searches for revenge, Elizabeth. But do you truly believe that he would risk his own reputation just for you? Do you believe he would lower himself to your station?"
"That's enough," Darcy raised his voice and took a step forwards Wickham, visibly intimating the man. "You will not speak to her thus, Wickham. You will treat Miss Bennet with the respect she deserves and do her the honour of never addressing her again."
Darcy had not taken his eyes from Wickham to fathom Elizabeth's response to his actions, but at present Darcy felt he had no other choice.
"Then I better collect my effects from the carriage," Wickham replied, once again cool in his response and calmly turned his back to Darcy to open the door and exit the room.
Darcy followed him down the hall and outside, turning when he heard Elizabeth's footsteps behind him. He turned to her, seeing her still in a state of shock and anger as she stood behind him, holding her shoulders back and head high as she watched Wickham at the carriage. Despite the state of her attire, she still held herself with confidence and elegance.
Lizzy watched Mr. Darcy take in her appearance in a gentlemanly manner, his face etched with concern, not desire. Yet she could not help but feel exposed under his gaze, and so kept her eyes firmly on Wickham as he untied the straps holding his belongings to the roof of the carriage. Lizzy had never felt a desire for anyone to suffer before, but what Wickham had nearly put her family through had made her angry; she'd been glad of the chance to tell him what she thought of him.
"Miss Bennet," Darcy began with a gentle voice. "I suggest you find her sister and return to the sanctuary of your bedrooms."
But Lydia appeared in the doorway, her face flushed red. "I have fetched Colonel Forster and my Uncle," she exclaimed breathlessly before pushing past her sister to advance on Mr. Wickham. "They will find out what a fiend you are, Wickham, and you will be punished, you will be made to regret this."
Mr. Wickham glanced at Lydia carelessly. "If you wish for someone to blame for these unhappy circumstances, I suggest you turn to your sister."
Lizzy opened her mouth to defend herself but was shocked by her sister coming to her aid. "I will not allow you to speak of my sister so," she cried out in her rage. "You will not turn me from her again. You are a very demon from hell sent to ruin our family."
Lizzy grabbed her sister and calmly pulled her a step away from Wickham. "Lydia, hush," she scolded as gently as she could. "There are no words that can erase your pain and there are none to describe to do justice to this man. You will upset yourself by attempting it."
"You are so keen to besmirch my character, Miss Bennet," Wickham said loudly and with contempt. "Yet my flaws appear to be the only you see. Pray what happened to turn you into such a weak minded person? I would dearly love to know what happened to the strong willed, confidence and passionate woman I met."
"Mr. Wickham, you know nothing of my character," Lizzy said coldly. "You are not a person who could neglect his own interests long enough to learn anything of anyone else." She kept her arm around her sister's waist.
"I suggest you do not speak further," Mr. Darcy said as he stepped in front of Wickham. Mr. Darcy turned to face Lizzy, his handsome features angry and troubled. "I suggest you take your sister inside," he said softly. "I will ensure Colonel Forster takes care of this matter to my satisfaction."
Lizzy saw that over Mr. Darcy's shoulder Mr. Wickham's expression became livid. His expression alone terrified her but before she could speak Mr. Wickham unsheathed a sword standing next to the carriage and swung it fiercely at Mr. Darcy.
Lizzy screamed in shock and Mr. Darcy round in time to see Wickham's sword and darted to the side, the sword gazing his left arm cutting into his flesh. Before Mr. Darcy could react Wickham was advancing to strike him again.
"No!" Lizzy cried out and leapt towards them.
"Lizzy, no!" Lydia yelled and grabbed her sister, pulling her back out of danger.
Mr. Darcy swung his own sword around to block Wickham's attack and the two began fighting, Wickham angry and aggressive while Mr. Darcy appeared to fight off his attacks without difficulty, despite the trail of blood Lizzy could see running down his left arm. Lizzy struggled against her sister's grasp whenever Wickham swung at Mr. Darcy, but Lydia kept her away with surprising strength.
Wickham swung his sword faster and faster at Mr. Darcy, becoming more and more desperate, and Mr. Darcy began to fight back aggressively. He blocked Wickham's strike, then advanced on him, making Wickham leap to the side to avoid the attack. Mr. Darcy's very near miss made Wickham angry as he lunched himself at Mr. Darcy, his sword aiming for Mr. Darcy's chest as he let out a yell. Mr. Darcy's sword caught Wickham's at such an angle that it twisted Wickham's arm and sent the sword flying from his grasp across the floor. Wickham still flew at Mr. Darcy in a rage and Mr. Darcy struck Wickham hard in the face with his fist, not his sword. The sound of bones breaking made that both ladies gasp as Wickham collapsed on the floor, conscious but in too much pain to recover himself.
Mr. Darcy hovered over Wickham, breathing very heavily, with sweat rolling down his face and dampening his shirt. Lizzy watched him in shock and relief as both she and Lydia recovered their own breaths. "Colonel Forster," Lydia muttered under her breath as she let go of Lizzy and ran into the house.
Mr. Wickham groaned on the floor and Lizzy looked down at him. He was clutching his face, as blood poured steadily from his nose but that appeared to be his only injury.
"You're hurt," she said to Mr. Darcy as she took a step towards him.
Mr. Darcy quickly moved away from Wickham to prevent her moving any closer to him. "It is only a superficial injury," he answered, glancing at it.
Lizzy couldn't help but disagree, looking at the blood on his shirt. "We need to get you a doctor," she insisted and put her hand on his sword arm.
But she moved away as soon as footsteps approached and turned to see Colonel Forster, two officers and her Uncle all dressed in their night attire with coats doing little to disguise it. "Lizzy," Mr. Gardiner called out in horror at the sight of her and pulled her away from the gentlemen.
"I'm well, Uncle," she answered, feeling incredibly self-conscious about her attire.
"Get upstairs with Lydia," he replied with a comforting smile. "The fewer who see you in this condition, the happier I will be."
Lizzy turned back to Mr. Darcy, but he was already engaging the Colonel in the facts of what had conspired. Lizzy hurried back into the house and upstairs to Lydia's bedroom. She walked in and Lydia threw her arms around her, sobbing hysterically. "Oh Lizzy, please forgive me," she begged as she cried into her sister's shoulder.
Lizzy comforted her sister, then convinced her to get some sleep. But even after Lydia was asleep, Lizzy was too startled by the evening's events to let her mind rest. She changed into a new nightgown of Lydia's, feeling the loss of the now-ruined nightgown that she had treasured for a short time.
Wickham's behaviour had been inexcusable, but Lizzy had been left with no reassurance of what this meant for herself, for Lydia, and for her family. What type of scandal had they created by avoiding another? Would Mr. Darcy's involvement be made known, and would it bring shame to his family?
Lizzy was concerned for Mr. Darcy's injury, wishing she'd reacted more quickly to prevent him getting hurt by Wickham. She might feel nothing but contempt for Wickham, but his actions showed nothing but pure hatred, for a man who he appeared only to despise because the other man had better circumstances. Perhaps Wickham was jealous of the man Mr. Darcy was, feeling he could never be that himself.
Lizzy walked around her room, allowing herself a moment to think of Mr. Darcy. She loved him so dearly, yet she could see no way of ever winning his affections again. She was intelligent enough to realise that there was the chance Mr. Darcy's actions might not be purely out of his obligation and guilt regarding Mr. Wickham. But if he still harboured any feelings about her, he would never make it known to her now.
Lizzy put on her dressing gown and quietly exited Lydia's room, with the intention of returning to her own. She paused when she heard footsteps from the stairs, knowing that Mr. Darcy was the only one of the gentlemen downstairs whose room was in the same corridor as hers. She waited, and within moments he appeared, walking with a serious expression down the hall towards his room. He faulted when he saw her, immediately correctly himself and bowing politely. Lizzy felt the strangest urge to laugh, despite all that had occurred between them he was still a gentleman. But she smiled and curtsied in return.
"I was just retiring to my room," she explained. "Is all well?" it was the simplest way she could think to ask what had happened to Wickham.
"Mr. Wickham has been disbanded from Colonel Forster's regiment and has until the morning to leave his house," Mr. Darcy answered with no hint of satisfaction.
Mr. Darcy stepped towards her and said to her in a low voice. "Please ease any concern I have and stay with her sister tonight and, if I may be so bold, please lock your door."
"You do not trust Wickham to stay away?" she asked with fear. "Do you think he'd come after Lydia?"
Mr. Darcy shook his head, but said, "I just want to keep you safe."
"Mr. Wickham is not a fool; he would not risk his own interests to come after me," she answered, trying to comfort Mr. Darcy.
"Perhaps I am too rash in my judgement," he agreed, but his troubled expression didn't fade.
"We just need to get through tonight," she added. "Then it is over."
"I fear it will never be over between Mr. Wickham and me," Mr. Darcy said almost to himself more than her, and Lizzy reached out and put her hand on his arm.
"You are beyond reproach, Mr. Darcy; your actions nothing short of admirable. Please do not give him the satisfaction of feeling remorse or guilt. He does not deserve your thoughts or attention."
His eyes looked down at her hand on his arm and she pulled it away. "Forgive me," she said in a whisper.
"No," he answered, taking hold of her hand.
Lizzy wasn't sure what he meant but he held her gaze and made her loose her thoughts. He took a step towards and said quietly, "I have done many things I regret, but how I've treated you in the past stands out above most others."
Lizzy swallowed as she felt their proximity. He'd left nearly no space between them and she wondered what he was going to do. The hand that wasn't holding hers went to her neck and cupped her face. Lizzy kept watching him as his expression became softer and he leant closer, too afraid if she moved or spoke he would stop.
Lizzy had never been kissed before but had attended enough weddings to look forward to the event. She had entertained the thought of what it would be like to kiss Mr. Darcy, but only recently. His face grew closer and instinct made her close her eyes. But instead of kissing her, he leant his forehead against hers. He was so close, could she kiss him? She opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She leaned in to him but just as their lips nearly met he pulled away from her, his thumb her cheek as he exhaled sharply.
"Forgive me, Miss Bennet," he had recovered himself and Lizzy sighed in disappointment. "I can't." She was embarrassed and disappointed and her feeling must have been evident as he looked at her. "I can't behave in such a manner; you deserve better. Wickham may act as though self control is not necessary but I can't treat you like that."
"You could never treat me so," Lizzy said to Mr. Darcy, her eyes trying to beg him to give in.
Mr. Darcy stepped away from her, his hands back at his sides as he bowed to her. "Goodnight, Miss Bennet," he said softly and turned away before she could answer. She watched him retreat to his room before she walked back to Lydia's, knowing that sleep would now be impossible.
Lizzy walked quickly down the stairs to their usual breakfast room, anxious to see Mr. Darcy. He was not there when she arrived, which she thought was very peculiar due to the fact he was normally present at breakfast before she was. She didn't broach the subject with her Uncle and Aunt, not wanting to appear without propriety.
Their breakfast took an hour, during which they spoke of packing and travelling plans. Mr. Darcy did not arrive in that time and Lizzy was disappointed when she had to return to her room to finalise her packing so they could be ready for departure before ten. Her Uncle's intention was to travel until lunch then stop for a short break before continuing until they reached Longbourne, probably after nightfall.
Lizzy finished with her luggage as quickly as possible and walked to Lydia's room to check on her sister. Her sister's hysteria last night had made her oddly quiet this morning, perhaps the consequences of her actions truly sinking in. Wickham had not been seen and Lizzy had not asked after him; her Uncle had merely told her that the Colonel had agreed that the Bennet sisters' involvement in last night's scandal was not to be revealed to anyone. Information given to the general public was Wickham was disbanded for drunken, disorderly behaviour unbecoming of an officer. Anyone else's presence was not to be revealed.
Lizzy felt a sense of relief at last as she walked downstairs to find her Aunt. This business felt over with at last; Wickham was out of their lives, and forever, with any luck.
"Are you ready Aunt?" Lizzy asked cheerfully when she found her Aunt in the parlour.
"Yes, dear," Mrs. Gardiner replied, her face equally cheerful. "I will be happy to get back to the comparative sanity of London."
Lizzy laughed. "Very comparative."
"I would invite you to come stay with us and enjoy London's diversions," Mrs. Gardiner commented as she poured herself and Lizzy a cup of tea, "but I fear once we have return you to your father he will be loathed to part with you again in the near future."
Her Aunt's reminder of her family made Lizzy realise how much she had missed her home, how much she missed Jane. Heavens, what she would have to tell her when she returned. How much she must conceal from the rest.
"My love, if you would finish your cup of tea," Mr. Gardiner said cheerfully, "we might depart before lunch."
"My dear, the manner at which you fuss over the suitable packing of the carriage I thought we'd have time for several cups of tea," Mrs. Gardiner responded as she put her cup down.
Lizzy laughed at their banter, putting her own cup down and making sure her coat was buttoned. "We must be ready to depart as Mr. Darcy wishes to say goodbye before he leaves for London," Mr. Gardiner explained and turned to exit the room.
"London?" Lizzy said loudly in shock. "Mr. Darcy is going straight to London? I thought he was accompanying us then travelling with you."
"That was the plan Lizzy, but business has changed his plans," Mr. Gardiner replied and Mrs. Gardiner placed her hand on Lizzy's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, dear," she said softly when Mr. Gardiner had left.
Lizzy was overcome with emotion, but did her best not to show it as she left the room with her Aunt and was greeted by her sister in the hall. They entered out the front door and found Mr. Darcy saying his farewell to the Forsters. Lizzy followed suit with a polite goodbye to the Forsters, thanking them for their hospitality. She left Lydia to say a longer farewell to Mrs. Forster, walking over to Mr. Darcy, who was standing beside her carriage.
"I was sorry to hear you will not be joining us," she said politely, being careful to maintain a sense of propriety in public.
"I have business that can not be delayed, regrettably," he answered, his expression proud and cold.
Lizzy was surprised to see them demeanour again. "Please send my regards to Miss Georgiana when you next see her," she asked him.
"I will, thank you Miss Bennet," he answered with a bow.
The Gardiner's got into their carriage, followed by Lydia who was assisted into the carriage by Mr. Denny, who had joined the farewell party.
Lizzy curtsied to Mr. Darcy, not looking him in the eye and turned to get into the carriage. Mr. Darcy took her hand and helped her inside, reminding Lizzy of the first time he had done so at Netherfield all those months ago. She turned to look at him as she sat down, her hand still in his. He lifted her hand to his mouth and placed a chaste kiss on her hand, rubbing his thumb over her hand as he looked back up at her.
His expression was less severe but still formal as he let go of her hand and moved away from the carriage. A footman closed the door and Lizzy watched him for as long as she could as it drove away. Once he was out of sight, Lizzy leant back in her seat, ignoring her companion's conversation as she realised that she may never see him again.
A/N: Wow, that is swiftly becoming the corridor of sexual tension! I don't know what comes over me when they get alone in that corridor. And yes I wanted the kiss as much as Lizzy but Darcy just wouldn't. Even though I was writing it I was loving Darcy comparing wanting to kiss Lizzy to Wickham. But I can totally see him reacting that way! I hope you loved reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Next chapter will be up soon!