Page 30 of Knowing Mr. Darcy
Of course, Elizabeth was far from positive that Mr. Darcy truly had done anything untoward in regards to Mr. Wickham. She simply did not know either way. Now, she felt she’d roped herself into an alliance against Mr. Darcy simply to secure Caroline’s friendship.
But it was worth it, wasn’t it? If Caroline liked her, that was one less obstacle in the way of her and Mr. Bingley, and she must have this marriage. Now that there was no hope of Mr. Collins and Mary, it was imperative. She was the only hope that the family had.
Not that it isn’t your own fault, stubborn girl,she scolded herself.
Caroline was even still talking. “Will you speak to Charles about it?”
“About Mr. Darcy?” said Elizabeth, incredulous.
“Oh, he listens to you,” said Caroline. “He never listens to anything I say. You must get him to see what a blackguard Mr. Darcy is.”
Oh, dear. She hadn’t decided anything about Mr. Darcy yet, and now she must convince Mr. Bingley?
“You know something,” said Caroline. “In fact, I think you know why Mr. Darcy winces at the name of Mr. Wickham. I think you know everything. I think, if we are truly to be sisters, you must tell me.”
Elizabeth swallowed. She did not like Caroline Bingley. The woman had been dismissive towards her on a number of occasions, and she also didn’t really trust that she would be discreet with any information given her.
On the other hand, Mr. Wickham had given this out while sitting casually at a table in a room with others, all of whom were nearby, playing whist. It was not impossible that someone could have overheard there. Mr. Wickham was certainly not being discreet about it. Why, he might be telling anyone and everyone. And if that were the case, then Caroline would hear it from someone else, even if Elizabeth concealed it.
“The fact is, I don’t know,” said Elizabeth. “Not for certain. I have heard a rumor that Mr. Darcy denied Mr. Wickham an inheritance that he was promised. Nothing legal, mind you, just the word of Mr. Darcy’s late father.”
Caroline blinked, thinking this over. “That doesn’t seem like him,” she said, dejected. “And furthermore, why would the late Mr. Darcy be promising inheritances to the sons of stewards?”
“Apparently, he doted on him,” said Elizabeth. “Apparently, Mr. Wickham was sent to school by the late Mr. Darcy, treated nearly like a second son. And Mr. Wickham says that Mr. Darcy was jealous, and it was in this fit of anger that he sought to tear Mr. Wickham down once his father was not there to dote upon him.”
“Jealous,” whispered Caroline, shaking her head.
“I have noticed that Mr. Wickham isn’t here tonight,” said Elizabeth.
“Tell Charles this,” said Caroline. “Tell him what you’ve told me.”
Elizabeth sighed. Well, at this point, what did it matter? “All right. I shall.”
Caroline smiled widely. “Oh, Eliza. Dear, dear, Eliza, I think we are going to be the best of friends, after all.” She reached down and touched Elizabeth’s fingertips with her own, squeezing them, just the barest of touches, an intimacy that should have felt like triumph, securing Mr. Bingley’s sister, but truly only made Elizabeth feel a bit panicked.
What had she done?
BY SOME CONTRIVANCEof her mother, Elizabeth and the rest of the Longbourn party were the last to leave that night. Everyone else seemed very tired or silent, except for Mrs. Bennet and Lydia, who were still chattering madly.
Mr. Bingley stood next to her, very close, his hand dangling casually next to hers. Every now and again, his fingers would brush hers. Elizabeth had never been touched thus by a man, and she was astonished at the sensation of it.
By all rights, it should be nothing, but there was something affecting about it. Maybe it was because it was such a brief, bare touch, just his fingers skimming against hers now and again, that it seemed concentrated and intense.
She could not complain about it, she had to say. It was gratifying. It made her feel self-conscious and somehow pleased. She was blushing, she was ashamed to say, but it was late, and no one was really looking at them, which was likely why Mr. Bingley was taking these liberties. She supposed there was nothing so terribly shocking about hands touching, but it was definitely a sign of his affection for her.
Mr. Darcy was there, and she did not think to speak about Mr. Wickham when Mr. Darcy might overhear. However, Caroline kept shooting meaningful looks her way, and Elizabeth knew that Caroline wished her to speak to her brother now.
“I must go to London tomorrow,” said Mr. Bingley to her, his voice soft. “I shall hurry back as quickly as possible.”
“Oh,” she said. “I did not realize you were planning to leave.”
“Yes,” he said. “But never fear, I shall return within three days. Four at most. Mr. Darcy is coming with me, but the rest of the party will remain. Perhaps I could find two copies of a book that neither of us have read to bring back. Is there anything recently published that catches your fancy?”
“You look for something,” she said. “Mayhap something historical, since you like that.”
“But what if it’s something you don’t like?” he said.
She lifted a shoulder, smiling at him. “Well, you have done things that you didn’t like for me, haven’t you?”
