Page 54 of Compromise & Consequence
A few minutes later, she moved away from the window to pull the lanyard to summon her maid, when she noticed a thin strip of light beneath the connecting door to Mr. Darcy’s bedchamber. It was disconcerting to know he was nearby. About to turn away, the sound of something being slid beneath the door caught her interest.
Moving quietly, she approached the door and stooped to pick up the letter.Elizabeth,was emblazoned across the front of the sealed missive. Even though she could not see him, she stared at the door, envisioning her husband getting ready for the day and leaving her alone in the house, as per usual. Seated by the window, she broke the seal and began reading.
Elizabeth,
Last night you asked quite succinctly why a letter would not suffice. It is too late for me to write to Mr. Bingley, so I am meeting him at my gentlemen’s club this morning and shall lay all things before him. If I lose his friendship over this, then it is my fault. I am hopeful, though, that I am not too late to regain your good opinion. To that end, I must tell you why I lose all reasonable thought when it comes to George Wickham.
Mr. Wickham is the son of a very respectable man, who had for many years the management of all the Pemberley estates. My father esteemed Mr. Wickham’s father so much, he willingly allowed his son, George, to be named his godson. My father had the highest opinion of young Mr. Wickham, hoping the church would be his profession. George Wickham and I are of the same age and I was aware of things my father remained ignorant of his entire life. While at university, George’s licentious behavior had free reign and it was there I began to distance myself from my former friend and childhood playmate.
When my excellent father died, he included in his will a recommendation that if Mr. Wickham took orders, he would make available to him a valuable family living as soon as it became vacant. There was also a legacy of one thousand pounds. Less than half a year passed before Mr. Wickham wrote he had resolved against taking orders and expected an immediate pecuniary advantage, in lieu of the preferment. He resigned all claim to the living at Kympton and accepted in return three thousand pounds. To be frank, I was relieved. I could not, in good conscience allow him to lead a pig to slaughter let alone a spiritual flock of sheep to eternal salvation.
All connection between us seemed now dissolved. For about three years I heard little of him; but on the death of the incumbent of the living, he applied again by letter for the presentation. He had the audacity to say he was now resolved on being ordained and should receive the living in question. Since he had been generously recompensed for the living, as well as his proclivity to practice sin instead of preaching against it, I refused him. How he lived the next two years, I know not, but I discovered, to my everlasting grief, he had been meticulously planning his revenge.
I must now mention a circumstance I wish to forget myself, and which no obligation less than the present should induce me to unfold to any human being. My sister, whom you said you have met, was taken from school about a year ago and an establishment was formed for her in London. Expecting to enjoy a summer respite, she went with her companion, Mrs. Younge, to Ramsgate. Unbeknownst to us, Mrs. Younge had applied for the job for no other reason than to earn Georgiana’s trust and make way the path for Mr. Wickham to plot a course to her tender heart. I later discovered Mrs. Younge and Wickham had been lovers for well over two years prior to this time.
With her help, he ‘accidentally’ came across them walking the shoreline, and Georgiana, whose affectionate heart retained a strong impression of his kindness to her as a child, was persuaded to believe herself in love and to consent to an elopement. She was then but fifteen. By the grace of God, I joined them unexpectedly a day or two before the intended elopement and thwarted his heinous plan. I have no doubt Mr. Wickham’s chief object was my sister’s fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds; but I cannot help supposing the hope of revenging himself on me was also a strong inducement. If successful, his revenge would have been complete indeed. I came to Hertfordshire to not only help Bingley learn about running an estate but to also allow Georgiana a chance to heal under the tender ministrations of my aunt, Lady Matlock.
Because of my past dealings with this foul reprobate, I was convinced he had managed to induce you to aid him in yet another elaborate plan of deceit and bribery. Mr. Wickham lays his strategies out with great care and you would not have been the first woman he has used in his nefarious plots. It was for these very reasons that my anger obscured any reasonableexplanation offered. If the wounds from Georgiana’s near escape had not been so raw, I might have behaved in a more gentlemanlike manner. I can only now offer you my humblest apologies. You could no more do what I accused than the sun to move from the west to the east. You have my respect, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, and given time, I will show you just how much I esteem and admire you.
Yours, etc.,
F. Darcy
Elizabeth lowered the letter to rest on her lap. Dastardly Mr. Wickham! Even though the colonel had told her of Wickham frittering away the large sum of money he received in lieu of the living, she never would have thought someone so pleasing in appearance could be so manipulative and evil. Unexpectedly, she heard Mary in her thoughts, reminding her that even the devil comes disguised as an angel of light, and this particular form of evil had practiced his deception on Miss Darcy. No wonder the poor girl was shy in company. She trusted no one. Elizabeth read the letter twice more, the words sinking further into her psyche.
The only fly in her ointment of acceptance was Mr. Bingley. Her temper simmered then began to cool. No one forced the amiable young man to abandon Jane. Mr. Darcy may have hinted strongly he was not going to offer marriage, but Mr. Bingley was his own man and if he could not support Jane during a crisis, then he did not love her at all. He should have stood by her side and not run away because of what thetonwould think. With the backing of the master of Netherfield Park, her family may have survived the scandal without her marriage to the taciturn man from Derbyshire. Mayhap it was a good thing Mr. Bingley had scampered off to London. Who wanted a husband who attributed his happiness to where Mr. Darcy laidhis hat at night?
At the sound of her maid entering the room, she placed her husband’s letter in the drawer. She had much to think about, and seeing as she had no tasks as Mistress of Darcy House and lived as a glorified guest, she had plenty of time for that endeavor. An hour later as she finished breakfast, Burke entered the room, a silver salver balanced on his palm
“A letter for you, Mrs. Darcy,” he said, holding out the elaborate tray. “It is from Matlock House.”
“Thank you, Burke,” she replied and picked up the letter, admiring the quality of the paper.
“The footman was told to wait for your reply.”
“I am finished eating and will respond directly. If you would be so kind as to ensure he has some refreshments while I read this and form my response.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Burke left the room with a polite half-bow.
She turned the letter over and broke the seal, a smile forming as she read the short note. As promised, she was to attend a tea at Matlock House that afternoon. Elizabeth rose from the table and proceeded to her bedchamber where she quickly penned a positive response before throwing open the armoire doors to look over her dresses.
Chapter Fourteen
“En garde!” Darcy said before lunging at his fencing partner.
“Enough!” Richard called and skillfully danced out of reach of his cousin’sepee. “We have been at this for almost two hours. I believe we have earned respite.”
“I will find another partner then.” Darcy cast his gaze about the room in pursuit of a worthy opponent, pausing when his cousin laid a large hand on his forearm.
“If you continue in this madcap behavior, you will injure yourself.” He firmed his grip when Darcy would have pulled his arm away. “That is an order.”
He looked from the hand to his cousin’s face and saw worry and anger. It was only when he nodded in agreement, that Richard loosened his grip.
“Freshen up and we will go to White’s for a talk.”
“I have already been at White’s today.”
