Chapter 4
The next morning, after Jane and Elizabeth had been returned to Longbourn, Darcy asked to speak to Bingley in his study.
"Yes, Darcy, what is it? Does the estate need my attention?" asked the young man.
"Bingley," said Darcy, "I asked you here to speak about your sister. Her behaviour last night toward your guest was abominable. You must do something to rein her in. I was embarrassed to have to sit and witness her rudeness to Miss Elizabeth."
"She was rude to Miss Elizabeth?" asked Bingley in surprise. "I suppose I did not notice. I was having a lovely evening speaking with Miss Bennet."
"I noticed," said Darcy darkly. "But this is not the first time she has been rude. Frankly, Bingley, her behaviour is not that of a lady. You either need to exert your authority over her, or send her somewhere where she will not be inflicted on civilized society."
Bingley winced. "I have noticed that her behaviour is not all that it should be. But what can I do, Darcy? Caroline is my sister. You know she never listens to me."
"What I know is that if she continues in this vein, I will not admit her to my homes, nor recognize her in public. I do not care whether she is your sister or not, Charles. I will not have my name associated with someone who behaves as she does."
Charles' shoulders slumped. "I understand, Darcy, and I do not blame you. I will speak to Caroline."
Darcy laid his hand reassuringly on his friend's shoulder. "Good. Thank you, Bingley. I think you will find your life improves too if you continue on this course."
Elizabeth was eager to tell Jane about Mr. Darcy's near statement of admiration, but all their time was taken up by their visitor, their cousin Mr. Collins. He certainly was an oddity, as Elizabeth discovered. She and her father spent all of dinner hiding their amusement as Mr. Collins went on about the art of compliments and all but admitted that he planned them out beforehand. Elizabeth was further amused when he exalted the name of his benefactress, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Elizabeth thought she sounded like a veritable dragon.
She was not as amused, however, when she realized the form that Mr. Collins's "olive branch" was to take. He leered at Jane throughout dinner, until Elizabeth could tell that her sweet sister was quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, Mrs. Bennet seemed to realize it too, for Elizabeth heard them having a private conversation later, when Mr. Collins expressed his intentions towards Jane as the future mistress of Hunsford Parsonage.
To Elizabeth's relief, Mrs. Bennet replied that her two oldest daughters were very likely soon to be engaged, but that her daughter Mary was not spoken for. "I think Mary will suit you, sir. She is always reading sermons and the Bible. She is very devout and will be perfect for a respectable parson such as yourself."
Mr. Collins looked thoughtful at hearing this, then nodded his head. "Indeed, it would be wise to acquire such a wife," he said. "Do you believe Miss Mary would accept my attentions?"
"I will speak to her, Mr. Collins, but I am sure she would," replied Mrs. Bennet.
Elizabeth was a bit embarrassed that Mrs. Bennet had spoken of her as if she were already engaged to Mr. Darcy; but after all, had he not all but declared his admiration? Even if Mrs. Bennet did not know it. She was relieved to be spared Mr. Collins's attentions in any case.
She felt a bit sorry for Mary, to have Mr. Collins forced upon her; but as far as she knew, Mary might welcome such attention. She would have to have a private conversation with her middle sister to be sure she was not being coerced in some way into a marriage with Mr. Collins.
All five sisters and Mr. Collins were about to walk into Meryton when Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Miss Darcy were announced. Elizabeth blushed when she saw the tall and handsome Mr. Darcy look around the room until he spotted her, and gave her a smile. Georgiana came right to her side, and Elizabeth greeted her amiably.
Mrs. Bennet drew Darcy's attention to Elizabeth, asking if she did not look well.
"She does indeed," he replied. "But I was hoping to have a quick word with Mr. Bennet."
Mrs. Bennet looked excited at this. "Oh, yes, of course, sir. Let me show you to his study. I am sure he will be very happy to speak to you about anything you wish."
Elizabeth was curious as to why Mr. Darcy wanted to speak to her father. He had not asked for a courtship, so it could not be that. Did he have something else on his mind?
Darcy entered Mr. Bennet's library with purpose. He had a warning to give to the older man, and hoped that Mr. Bennet would take him seriously.
"Hello, Mr. Darcy. How may I help you?" asked Mr. Bennet, setting down his book and rising to shake Darcy's hand.
"I come on a matter of some urgency," Darcy said. "There is a man who has just arrived in Meryton. His name is George Wickham. I saw him in the high street as we rode to Longbourn. He is a very dangerous man, sir. I want to protect the Bennet ladies as well as the inhabitants of Hertfordshire."
Mr. Bennet turned pale and sat down. "Dangerous? To my girls? How so, sir?"
"He is a cad and a seducer, sir. I know of four of his natural children, whom I am supporting. He leaves debt and ruin wherever he goes."
"Good heavens!" cried Mr. Bennet in dismay. Darcy was glad to see that Bennet was taking him seriously. "How do you know this man?"
"George Wickham was the son of my father's steward. His father was a good man, but unfortunately George did not follow in his footsteps. He was my father's favourite, and remained so until his death. He had always been able to hide his true nature from my father. My father left Wickham a valuable living at the church at Kympton, but George asked for monetary compensation instead. After giving him £3,000, plus the £1,000 my father left him in his will, Wickham signed papers giving up all rights to the living. But he went through that money very quickly. A few years later, when the living became available, he wrote and demanded that I give it to him. I reminded him that he had given up all rights to it and he was very angry. He was in desperate straits I believe. I bought up hundreds of pounds of his debts in Lambton and other towns around the country. It is likely he will try to defraud the merchants here as well. I think it best that people be warned against him, and their daughters protected."
"If he is so dangerous, why have you not called in these debts, and have him put in debtors' prison?" Mr. Bennet demanded.
"I fear it is because I have always been sensitive to my father's liking of the man. I do not wish to go against his will, even after he is gone. And George and I were friends, a long time ago when we were children."
"Thank you for telling me, Mr. Darcy. I will speak with Sir William Lucas to make sure he is not invited to any events in town. And if I speak with Mrs. Bennet, the news will be all over the county before the day is over."
"That would be best, sir," said Darcy. "Perhaps I should also speak to the tradesmen in town."
"That is an excellent idea. Thank you for informing me of this, Mr. Darcy."
Mr. Darcy waved that away. "I feel it is my duty, sir. I would not want any of your daughters victimized by Wickham."
"Perhaps I should go speak to Sir William now, then," said Mr. Bennet, clearly eager to take action.
Elizabeth stood and Mr. Darcy followed her and Mr. Bennet out of the study. While they were in the hall, Elizabeth was able to speak. "Mr. Darcy, I am very concerned about this Mr. Wickham. Do you think he could be a danger to my sisters?"
"I think if the county is warned against him, he will not be able to do anything," he said, patting her hand where it rested on his arm. "Do not worry, Miss Elizabeth. I will not allow anything to happen to you or your sisters."
Elizabeth looked reassured by his words.
They came back to the parlour where Georgiana was sitting next to Mrs. Bennet, and Mr. Bingley was consuming all of Jane's attention. Unfortunately for Darcy, Mr. Collins was still in the parlour with everyone else, and when the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh appeared, Mr. Collins was eager to ingratiate himself. Darcy found the man sniveling and obsequious, and was glad to see Mr. Collins paying some attentions to Miss Mary, which turned his attention away from Darcy. He hoped Mr. Collins did not alert his aunt that he was paying attentions to Elizabeth. His aunt would descend in a whirlwind of fury and possibly ruin everything. He resolved to be careful about his attentions to Elizabeth in front of Mr. Collins.
He wondered if it was possible for Elizabeth to love him. He knew she considered him a friend; but it was also in his mind that maybe he was just unlovable. He had never been loved before by any woman except his mother and sister. Was it his infirmity that drove love away, or was it some other flaw in his character? Although Elizabeth had never seemed to mind his twisted leg and hand. Only women like Miss Bingley had ever tried to get his attention, and he was not interested in vicious, grasping social-climbers.
That evening, Elizabeth finally had a chance to talk with Jane.
"Mr. Darcy said he admired you?" Jane asked with wide eyes.
"Practically," Elizabeth admitted.
"What did you say?"
Elizabeth blushed. "I said that I enjoyed his company as well. He is a very agreeable man. And handsome."
"I am so happy for you, Lizzy," said Jane with a smile. "I think he is a good man."
"His is," Elizabeth agreed. "And so is Mr. Bingley."
Jane looked thoughtful. "Perhaps."
Elizabeth was surprised. Her ever-optimistic sister not seeing the best in someone? "What do you mean?"
"I am sure he is a good man. I do not mean that. I mean that he seems to be very negligent toward the handling of his sisters."
Elizabeth was shocked into silence.
"Do not tell me you missed how they were behaving toward you the last few days we were at Netherfield. I am not blind nor deaf, Lizzy. Miss Bingley in particular was horrible to you. And Mr. Bingley did nothing to stop her."
Elizabeth had to agree, and was secretly relieved that Jane had observed the same thing. She had not wanted to see her taken in by Bingley's sisters.
"Do you not admire Mr. Bingley then, Jane?"
"I did, when we first met him; but I have to admit that my admiration has waned since then. He is not what I would look for in a husband. I need a strong man who could make his own decisions and not be ordered about by his sisters."
Elizabeth sighed. "I have to agree, but I am sorry to see you disillusioned like this."
"Never mind that! You must tell me more of Mr. Darcy. Do you love him?"
"I think I might. My feelings are not so certain. You know I could be the proper wife of a respectable man."
"Do not be ridiculous, Lizzy! You know I agree with Mama that you would make a wonderful wife for any man."
Elizabeth smiled wistfully but did not respond. Instead, she confided in Jane what Darcy had told her that day about Mr. Wickham. "Papa is going to tell Mama and Sir William Lucas, so soon hopefully Mr. Wickham will not be welcome anywhere."
"Oh, Lizzy! Are you certain there has not been some mistake somewhere?"
There was her typical Jane. Elizabeth sighed. "I am certain, Jane. Mr. Darcy even has written proof."
Jane looked distressed. Elizabeth sought to take her mind off of Wickham. "Do not tell anyone what I told you about Mr. Darcy, though. We do not want Mama spreading rumours all over the neighbourhood."
"I understand, Lizzy. I will keep it quiet."