Chapter 6

You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns, thought Darcy bitterly watching her walk away. His misfortunes indeed! If you only knew his crimes, I doubt you could think so ill of me.

Shortly thereafter he was able to recover himself enough to recognize how ridiculous he must appear, standing stone still, staring at her, clearly not engaged in any employment or exercise. He then made an about-face marching towards the house with such an obvious sense of purpose that anyone watching would have found it quite concerning.

Not feeling equal to concealing his feelings, quite sure even his color was heightened, he determined to evade his aunt. He felt sick, to hear such a man defended, while he himself were so abused. Could she not see the compliment to herself that he had paid her so much attention? Did she really think so little of him, or was she simply angry about her sister? Though only an hour ago he would have sworn no fault could be found with him, he now having heard her opinions, scarcely wished to recall his own behavior. It was abhorrent to even think upon it, what was once as source of pride was now a source of embarrassment for him. It felt disconcerting to even think upon his behavior, let alone speak of it. He therefore brushed those thoughts aside, grasping instead for some thought that would fuel his righteous indignation, sparing him, least for now, the indignity of reflecting upon his actions. In directing his attentions instead upon her errors of judgement -her defense of Wickham- he found what he needed to steady himself.

Intolerable, that a woman so capable of sense could fall for a rogue's smiles and quite a few scandalous falsehoods. To think that he had thought her clever, intelligent even, fully capable of character studies that deduced the truth. The intelligence in her eyes, the insightfulness of her words, surely, she would not allow such talents to be so wasted.

What had she said at the ball? Something of Wickham having lost his friendship in such a way that he surely would suffer a lifetime for it? She could not have meant…No, his assumption at the time must have been correct. Surely it was something to do with Wickham's inheritance, a misrepresentation of some sort. But then, she had spoken of his sister just now. Was it possible? Is that what she had meant of his pride? Could his childhood friend have told her Darcy separated them because simply because of the difference in their birth? Though that would have been reason enough, the difference in their stations. But Darcy had plenty to add to that objection, Wickham's character; the debauched way in which he lived, the ability to gamble away coin faster than it could possibly come into his possession. Surely, Miss Elizabeth would not continence him seducing a young girl not yet out. She has sisters of her own. There was no excuse for a man of that age pursuing a girl not out in society. Yet she had sisters of that age who were themselves already out. Surely, she, herself objects. He had seen her blush for it more than once. No, it was not at all likely that she knew of it. It was simply not possible, it gave Wickham no bargaining chip, surely Elizabeth had meant the inheritance. Wickham could not hope to benefit from sharing it with a country miss of no consequence in Town. He would surely make some pecuniary demand before his sister came out, he could not profit from her ruin, and he knew it, it was the threat of it alone that had the power to put coin in his purse.

Though it was beneath him, he entered Rosing through the kitchens, dashing up the servants' stairs were he mercifully encountered none but his own valet.

"Have Colonel Fitzwilliam fetched at once, we are to depart within the hour." He said, not so much as slowing to address the man directly. There was now no reason to stay. Elizabeth despised him. His aunt was in an uproar, and dangerously determined to carry her point. Only further abuse and ridicule could occur if he stayed, every moment he tarried could only result in further confrontation and humiliation. Every mile he was removed from Rosings lessened the danger he was in. He had never felt so vulnerable in all of his life, even now he was surrounded by enemies, and at present it felt as though they had the upper hand. One meant to expose him as cruel, unkind, and unfeeling – threatening his friendship, his ability to look at himself without shame, and even, perhaps, his reliance on his own good judgement. Another meant to entrap him, getting her hooks in him – and his coffers- for the rest of her life, and through her daughter no less, effectively seating her as regent in Anne's rightful seat, as she was removed to Pemberley so her mother could rule unfettered. Rosings was, he would admit, better off in his aunt's hands than in a laudanum addicts, but he would not be moved to suppling such relief at the cost of being bound to his cousin for life.

A quick succession of knocks and Richard entered, looking him over, attempting to gather insight into what had gone on. "You spoke to her then?" he asked.

"Indeed. We depart within the hour, sooner if it maybe done."

"Very well then, it seems you were unable to make things right. She would not be persuaded the engagement was a fiction then?"

"It seems she cared not, one way or another." Darcy said, wondering what he knew of the matter. He had not been that playing and his attentions to Miss Bennet, had he?

"What the deuce had her sticking her nose where it hardly belonged then?"

"It seems she is now Wickham's defender."

"How in the hell did she make his acquaintance? She could not know him very well. She fancies him then?"

Darcy reddened, whether it was anger, guilt, or shame, he could not say, but he felt the warm spread across his face like the Summer sun all the same.

"He is in the milia, stationed very near her home."

"He could not have accused you of anything he has not before. She could not be brought to reason? Surely, you told her you paid him."

"I did not. She did not elaborate on his accusations, and I did not inquire. It seems she took exception to my interference with Bingley and her sister as well."

"Good God, Darcy. That was her sister? I should not have spoken." Said the Colonel.

Darcy lifted his head to rebuke his cousin. How was that even mentioned? Surely, it's not something that could be derived from natural discourse. But then, clearly Miss Bingley had revealed more than she ought in her missive. Perhaps Elizabeth had been working on his cousin, as she had worked on him, hoping to pry some detail of the abandonment for her sister's sake. Could she really still think of Bingley? Before he could speak the Colonel preempted him.

"She could not know about Georgianna, could she? By God, just the other day, when we were walking, she asked if our ward had been giving us any trouble, then laughed it off, saying something of girls her age. At the time, I thought not much of it, though it caused me to pause in alarm, until I realized she could know nothing of it."

A chill ran up Darcy's spine, it was too similar to his own experience. The color now drained from his face, in stark contrast to the brilliant red it had shown only moments ago. "She may have said something of it this morning as well. Claiming it was a wonder my sister has not run off. It was after she abused me for my high-handed inference with Bingley. I thought, at the time, it was impossible for her to have knowledge of it, but I see now, given your encounter with her, she may have been alluding to it all along. God knows with what falsehood Wickham has impressed upon her good nature."

"Good nature? Darcy, she may very well believe herself justified in exposing our ward as recompense for your dealings with her sister. And to think I confirmed it. What the hell are we to do? We cannot very well call and ask her, if it's not now known it will be if that parson hears of it."

"I cannot believe she would do my sister any harm. It is not in her nature; I would have told her of the incident myself in time."

The Colonel almost asked Darcy what in God's name for, but deduced it likely one of his motives for wishing to marry was female companionship for Georgianna- not that Darcy had openly confessed his desire to marry.

"I cannot believe it likely Wickham would be so careless with his only bargaining chip. We mustn't jump to such conclusions. His hatred of you is hardly sufficient motive for him to lose all leverage."

"I had previously drawn such a conclusion, but I know not in what manner, under what form of falsehood, he has imposed on her. Whatever story he has told her, his success is not, perhaps, to be wondered at. Ignorant as she is of every thing concerning either of us, detection could not be in her power, and suspicion certainly not in her inclination. He has deceived grown men, who have lived it the world, and can boast twice her years."

"Surely, even if Miss Bennet is aware, she could not harm such an innocent creature. Even with the inducement of avenging her sister. You said yourself there were strong objections to the lady. She may love her sister, but surely she can not be blind to her faults, or equate such blatant fortune hunting to a grown man attempting to abscond with a girl still in the school room."

"As to that, her only knowledge of Georgiana is from Miss Bingley. Indeed, it seems Miss Bingley implied her brother was taken from Miss Bennet for the purpose of a match with my sister- which I confirmed this morning. As to her sister, it seems I may have committed some error in my assessment of her character and affections."

It was now the colonel's turn to be incensed. Some discussion of a match for his ward had not yet reached his ears but was being bantered about by Miss Bingley and Miss Elizabeth. Darcy may be her brother, but such a consideration should not have happened without his consent, let alone been made a topic of discussion amongst strangers. The attachment was too far beneath her, Bingley was a gentleman like man, but he could hardly think him a suitable match. If the present problems did not require their immediate attention, the colonel would be angered enough to provoke an argument that may very well cause a rift. Such low expectations could hardly have sufficient justification.

"Good God Darcy, it would be near impossible for Miss Bennet to deduce what sort of girl she is from such ignorant discourse. Her only knowledge is from the woman who conspired with you to harm her sister. She may very well assume my ward is much like her supposed friend, Miss Bingley, and even more like her brother."

Darcy open his mouth to object to such assertions. What had he in common with Miss Bingley? but Richard continued unabashed, ignoring Darcy's wish to speak.

"It seems by your own admission you may have removed Bingley from her sister with less than the truth, what knowledge could possibly prevent her from seeing the injustice of ruining your sister with the truth. From her viewpoint, there were those who schemed to break her sister's heart with lies- and Miss Darcy may well be one of them. Tell me why you would so blindly trust her with the truth? What on earth could you be thinking? How is she to know Miss Darcy deserves such protection, with such an example before her."

Darcy, now choked on the words he had been attempting to force up. He could now scarcely remember them. Something of Elizabeth's kind and generous nature. Something of his sister's innocence, her sweet demeanor, and affectionate heart. Richard was right though, Elizabeth could not know anything of Miss Darcy, except the example he and Miss Bingley provided.

Darcy shuddered, but it was Richard who spoke.

"It seems we must call at the parsonage then to take our leave. For God sake, use you manners and allow me to speak."

Darcy nodded. Though unaccustomed to receiving orders, he could well see the sense in the plan. In addition to Richards gifted conversation, he saw he could only provoke the matter. How he wished now he had held his tongue, instead of further provoking the matter with his self righteous desire to be right.