Chapter 20 ~ Surprising News
5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. (James 5:5-9, ESV)
The banns for Mr. Charles Bingley and Miss Jane Bennet were met with stunned silence as the gossips choked on their tongues. When they were followed by the banns for Mr. George Wickham and Miss Elizabeth Bennet received an audible gasp from those same God-fearing ladies. Smiles were donned along with their pelisses, and whispers were passed as bonnet touched bonnet. The different characters of these marriages – two sisters, the one of unquestionable virtue would be justly elevated in status and the other, would be justly impoverished – were decided by their neighbours with all the confidence born of ignorance. As they began to walk out the ladies all celebrated Jane for making such a fine match. Elizabeth was offered polite but very doubtful good wishes – as they imagined her to be clinging to respectability after her recent disgrace – and she accepted them with as many blushing smiles as her sister. This was unsettling, the girl behaved as if it were a love match and their ever serious curate was smiling and nodding as if he were proud to take a fallen woman for his bride.
Elizabeth was very soon invited to join her betrothed for a meal with Mr. and Mrs. Brown. She watched her hostess with wonder that she could accomplish so much in so little time. The food was plated and their simple table was laid with remarkable efficiency. Elizabeth confessed her ignorance and Mrs. Brown was pleased to invite her to spend time at the parsonage to learn the tasks she had never before thought it necessary to attempt. This was only the beginning of her education in the ordinary tasks common to most wives and before a week had passed it became known, to Mrs. Bennet's horror, that Eliza was often found with Maria Lucas in the kitchen at Lucas Lodge. Mrs. Phillips though not a terribly reliable tutor undertook her neice's instruction on managing household accounts. Fortunately her student was clever enough to write to her other aunt for better information. Her mother instructed Jane in ordering a menu and selecting a staff. These were less useful for Elizabeth but she joined them to appease her mother and to be near Jane.
When it came to be known, as it very soon did, that Jane and Bingley's marriage would be first the neighbours were again surprised. Shaking their heads they wondered at first that Miss Elizabeth's marriage would be so long delayed until at length a suspicion of a doubt that their early suppositions were entirely correct. This consideration once allowed to establish itself as a possibility soon transformed the general discourse; not of course by any admission of having spread untruths, but by pretending instead that they had never thought such a thing.
"I never believed it of her, I am sure you recall how I said from the first that it was all a bunch of nonsense."
"Oh yes! And I think it was all down to jealousy, you know how it is with some people they must make mountains out of every mole's hill."
On the Monday following the second reading of the banns, Mr. Wickham decided to travel to an aunt in Kent. Taking a walk in the gardens with Elizabeth he explained his purpose.
"I told you before that I was sent from home when I was a boy. I lived then with my grandfather on an estate not unlike Longbourn. I lived at Motesbridge from the age of six. It is a well kept old place but none of my ancestors ever thought to modernise so it is quite a cold imposing old keep. My grandfather was very kind but it was my spinster aunt who cheered the gloomy place with her smiles. She stood in a mother's place to me."
"Did she? I confess that when you speak of your mother I ache for you. Perhaps she feared you would grow jealous of the Darcy's, perhaps she knew that this aunt would be gentle. It may have been motherlove afterall that sent you–"
The heavy sigh that followed her words prevented further speech, his brows furrowed, a muscle near his ear twitched, and after a silent moment he said,
"One day, my love, I will tell you all about it but just now let us say no more of my mother. I wanted you to know about my gentle Aunt Susan. She resides in a cottage on the estate since my cousin inherited the property. I look forward to the day I can take my bride to meet her but because that will not be for some time I wish only to tell her of our news. With my grandfather's and then my father's death she is the only creature left who really cares for me."
She wished to playfully demand he acknowledge there was yet another person who loved him but read in his face that it was not necessary. The small part of him pointing to his mother and proclaiming 'women are heartless' was challenged by thoughts of his aunt but was utterly defeated when he looked at his betrothed.
"I wish to tell her about you in person and not in a letter. Bingley is convinced that Darcy will not come at all since he has delayed so long and having business of his own he offered me a place in his chaise to London. I will spend a day there to make one more investment that may provide enough for a more prosperous living, one that will afford us three or four servants."
"I am enjoying my lessons, I will be happy in any situation as long as you are with me."
The furrow between his brows did not smooth away as she hoped, but his eyes lit with pride, and he smiled a very small reluctant smile – one that was fearful of exposing too much of a very guarded heart. Elizabeth understood it. She encouraged its bravery with a very chaste little kiss at the corner of his mouth and it spread a little wider. Wary of attempting more with a long betrothal still stretching before them he lifted their joined hands to his mouth and kissed her fingers.
"Yes, you are very good and if we must do with less we shall find happiness enough but I wish to give you more and I must make the effort. I shall take care of my business quickly, I hope, and then spend two days with Aunt Susan before I return. I will not be long. I return by post from Bromley in four days at most."
"I shall fill my time with so many lessons that I will not miss you and, I make no promises mind, I may be able to provide you with a mince pie made entirely by my own hands when you return. Lady Lucas says my pastry came out quite as good as Arabella's last week. I choose not to be offended by the comparison to a child of ten for her pies are second only to Maria's. With a little more effort I may have something half as good as Charlotte's and that would be an accomplishment indeed!"
Bingley did not have his own residence in town and refused to subject his friend to his sister's cold civility so they parted in London. Bingley hoped to return to Hertfordshire the next morning and Wickham wished to settle his financial affairs quickly and continue on his way. He did not conclude his business until late afternoon and disinclined to inconvenience his aunt so late in the day knew that he must pay for an inn. Rather than pay the higher rates in town he chose to continue on to Kent. The sun had already set by the time he reached The Bell on a rented horse.
Had Darcy ever seriously applied himself to any pursuit other than pleasure he may have travelled to hertfordshire even after reading Bingley's note announcing the betrothal of the ladies he planned to ruin. His own reputation in tatters, he surely could make the effort to destroy Elizabeth's though it may compensate him in no other manner than revenge, but by then it seemed like too much trouble for a small return. After two weeks of rejection from the very people who used to court his favour, he decided to repair his reputation with a suitable marriage.
To bend his knee even for the sake of material gain was tolerable only when he knew he had the upper hand. When his bow was a condescension to those who knew he held more power it was the performance of a courtesy. Just now, however, he felt how easily his influence could slip through his fingers. Respectable families would not receive him, his club would not admit him, and he needed Anne and Lady Catherine to cover his shame. To make this decision – one he had intended on making once he had lured sufficient gently bred young ladies with the promise of marriage to establish his business – coming at this time felt like an humbling.
To feel again that heady sensation of his own superiority he slipped into gaming. Having learned early in life several methods for ensuring victory he used those skills judiciously and only among the unsuspecting. In gaming dens where he liked to play these methods were too well known to be successful. Before he went to Rosings he needed a win to feel like himself. He was expected there in time for dinner but when he stopped at the inn in Bromley, he met some tradesmen with full pockets. His disarming manners soon lured them into a friendly game and he easily lightened their purses. The tradesmen chose to leave off, but Darcy feeling quite pleased with himself, decided to stay all night in hopes that he might meet with more success. Scanning the crowd for anyone who might have a little money he saw only local men, rough farmers and merchants who gathered for a drink before going home to their dinner. He was dissatisfied with his meager prospects and thought to go upstairs when Wickham arrived.
On seeing the man he most reviled enter the dining room Darcy wanted revenge. He thought of the money he had parted with to honour his father's will and greedily resented every penny. The ungrateful wretch had turned the Bennets against him and would marry a woman he wanted to seduce. He deserved to be wrung dry. Darcy wanted every penny of the inheritance his father had left to him. Pasting on his friendliest smile he approached the curate who was as yet unaware of his presence.
"Well met Wickham. If I did not know better I would suspect you of hounding my steps. It seems that everywhere I turn there you are. Yet I have the feeling that you do not much care for my company, considering that we were brought up together almost as brothers, it doesn't seem quite right. Let us make amends. I shall buy you a drink and we will play a friendly game of cards."
"Darcy, I want only to take some nourishment and retire. I wish you safe travels."
"Here am I a penitent seeking reconciliation and you, a man of the cloth, would deny me?"
"Sir, if you truly wish for a conversation I am happy to hear you. There is no need for cards."
"Ah but there is, you poisoned the mind of my beloved against me and will marry her yourself. I am within my rights to call you out. I know you are a peaceable man and out of respect for my father I propose that we settle it with a game or two of cards. Leave when you feel you have lost enough."
In his scan of the dining room Darcy had missed a small corner table now at his back where a soldier sat having an ale with a friend of his from town. On hearing the familiar names he looked at the gentlemen but was unwilling to announce his presence. He had no interest in socializing with either man, but seeing them together was curious and he found his eyes frequently drifting their way.
Wickham had learned more than the liturgy at Cambridge and he was confident that he could come away without losing very much. He could not explain the sense of peace that came over him with this challenge. There was something very like destiny in this meeting, he thought of David encountering Saul in the cave. This may be an oppourtunity to set an example of forgiveness and soften Darcy's heart. He agreed to play and was surprised to discover how easily he won. He continued to play as long as Darcy wished to lose. Keeping back only what he brought in with him he continued to bet the money he won from Darcy each time hoping his opponent could win it back and be satisfied. As this seemed less likely he played on deciding that the more he was able to collect the more he could return to the man who considered him an enemy. By the fifth game he decided the contest must end.
The soldier observed their progress. His friend soon took an interest and they had nursed their tankards, careful not to overimbibe so they could witness the end of the strange contest.
Darcy was confident he had lulled his opponent into believing he could not lose and he knew that even if by some miracle Wickham did win Darcy had no intention of honouring this final wager. There was no one of consequence present to hold him accountable, but when he won, as he had every reason to expect that he would, Darcy would absolutely demand that Wickham pay every farthing.
"Well it looks like I'm out of the ready, but I can't let it end here. Call me a fool but I must have one last try." He took off the Darcy signet ring and laid it on the table. "All I have, Pemberley and all that goes with it against everything you have."
"No, Darcy, that isn't necessary. I will take only what I brought in with me. We will call it even, shall we? I wish you well, happy and blessed."
"Liar! You would take my pride with a move like that. No! You must give me a chance to win it back. Everything I have for everything you have."
"The stakes are not at all equivalent. I have very little."
"You have three thousand pounds. That will do. Three thousand pounds and everything already on the table."
Troubled by Darcy's insistence he shook his head to try and make sense of this man, he deliberated, then with no intention of taking Pemberley from him, he nodded.
Resuming his seat he asked, "You would stake Pemberley against three thousand pounds?"
"I would."
Wickham wrote a vowel for three thousand pounds relieved that he had escaped committing himself to betting everything. His wedding may need to be delayed another year. Something was not right here; the ecstatic gleam in Darcy's eye and the crooked quirk of his lips – only an imitation of a smile – unsettled him. This game would be a challenge. He was a fool to play at all but something was whispering to him that all would come out right – devil or angel he could not know, but considering the activity an angel seemed unlikely. He would win and leave the table with what he brought with him he would not destroy his enemy but only prove that he could have done it – like David slicing a corner from the king's cloak.
This converastion drew the notice of the soldier and his companion who whispered together for a few moments before they moved from a distant table to the one directly behind Darcy. The game was played in earnest and the soldier watched intently. The other gentleman appeared to have lost all interest, for he pulled out a quill and set about writing a letter. Wanting Wickham to feel he might win the play was honest until the last round. The difference in their total points was negligible and it was Darcy's deal; he shuffled the cards and began to deal them when a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Cousin!! Thought you would be at Rosings this evening and I came here thinking our aunt would be so pleased with your visit that I would not be missed. And is that Wickam? My how you've grown you were only a mite of a boy when I saw you last. Playing cards are you? I don't think you quite shuffled this deck though." Turning it over he revealed all four aces at the bottom. "Funny how a thing like that can happen isn't it? Let me show you how it's done and without looking at the cards he slipped the aces into the deck and shuffled it again. With such stakes as these, betting all your possessions you cannot be too careful. You would not wish to give the impression that you were attempting to rob a poor curate of all his worldly goods." Colonel Fitzwilliam's voice drew attention to the game and there was now a crowd surrounding the table. Sir Frederick the local magistrate stepped forward from the crowd around the table eyeing Mr. Darcy disapprovingly.
He could not back down now and face humiliation in front of these rough men, Sir Fredrick would be another difficulty. Darcy must rely on his skill alone, he raised his chin and affected the confidence he no longer felt. The deck was returned to him and unable to do otherwise, he dealt an honest hand and lost.
Wickham stood to make his noble gesture but the Colonel shook his head and whispered, "Let him feel his defeat." In a louder voice he said, "Darcy I suggest you return to London with me tonight, you have business to see to."
He introduced his companion, a small gentleman with a commanding voice who said, "I stand witness to this wager and I have written a brief account that I will send to my grandfather the Duke of – by special messenger this evening. Will anyone else step forward to sign the document? Sir Frederick added his name and those villagers who could add a proper signature also stepped forward. Several others added their own marks.
Darcy pulled his cousin aside and whispered, "Richard you must put a stop to this. It was all in jest, you cannot hold me to such an absurd wager."
"A gentleman does not back out of a bet. Now Wickham is a reasonable man, and my friend Douglass there, is going to offer to be his lawyer in this business. I think they will work out a compromise. Perhaps they will offer you a position as steward."
"I go to Rosings tomorrow I can take no immediate action."
"I have just left Lady Catherine. You should return to London; I'm afraid you have landed in her black books."
"I think she will forgive me, she is terribly fond of me."
"Oh she certainly was Darcy. Come to London. With that letter and all those signatures they will hand over everything if you don't attempt to negotiate a different arrangement."
Heartened, Darcy remembered that as an example of Christian forgiveness Wickham was ready to return it all to him – sentimental sod. He need only hang his head and make overtures of friendship talk about legacy and family honour. This was not over; he had not lost everything.
"Oh by the way cousin, You should congratulate me for I am to marry Anne next month."