Page 46 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
When everyone had gathered in the parlor for some cards and gossip, Wickham sought out her company to extend his congratulations. Not for the first time that night, she wished Fitzwilliam was also in attendance, but he was enjoying his last evening as single young man with Papa, Bingley and Richard.
“I am given to understand, Miss Elizabeth, that you have become a newly engaged woman. May I ask who the lucky gentleman is?”
“You may, as he is quite well known to you.”
She saw no reason to hide Fitzwilliam’s identity as almost all of the other guests, by now, knew who her betrothed was.
“He is?” Wickham exclaimed. “Is it perhaps one of the sons of Sir William?”
“No, indeed. It is none other than Mr. Darcy.”
All color drained from Wickham’s face, soon to be replaced by a deep flush of red. That he was very angry and trying to contain his emotions was plain to see, but she gave him credit for not laying out a string of curses upon her head. Finally, it seemed he gained control of his temper and once again displayed his habitual frivolous gallantry.
“Pardon my reaction, Miss Elizabeth, but I thought Mr. Darcy was engaged to his cousin, Miss Anne de Bourgh.”
“There has never been an agreement between Mr. Darcy and his cousin.”
Wickham shifted his balance and his fists opened and closed, the only physical sign that he was still under duress.
“I am surprised at Darcy offering for you.” At her small gasp he hastened to add, “It’s just that Mr. Darcy is expected to marry a... certain type of female and as far as I can tell, you do not have some of his... requirements.”
At once she knew Wickham was obliquely referring to the fact Darcy men only married magical women. She had no qualms of giving him misinformation. The fewer people who knew of her dual heritage, the easier her life would be.
“Alas, he had no choice.” She leaned closer, as though departing a great secret. “Mr. Darcy and I found ourselves in a... compromising situation and being the gentleman he is, he offered to save my reputation with marriage. He has been most generous. It was not his fault but mine that we were found alone in a room. I’d taken a careless turn.”
She hoped by wording the incident in such a manner, Wickham would assume they’d been compromised at the Netherfield Ball and were discovered by family. What she didn’t expect was a loud guffaw of laughter from the man.
“Darcy’s mother and father must be rolling over in their graves. Imagine, caught by a nobody in the wilds of Hertfordshire.”
“Mr. Wickham! I am outraged with your attitude and words. He is a gentleman and I am a gentleman’s daughter. In that we are equals and are making the best of a trying situation.”
“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth.” The look he gave indicated he did not mean his words in the slightest. “I wish you nothing but joy.”
The rest of the evening passed with the appearance, on his side, of his usual cheerfulness, but he made no further attempts to monopolize her time, instead turning his focus to her youngest sibling.
“Lizzy, I see that Mr. Wickham attempted to monopolize your time again.” Mama said quietly as they watched him leave with his fellow officers.
“He wished me joy on my upcoming marriage after claiming I was a nobody from the wilds of Hertfordshire who caught the great Mr. Darcy.”
“Ha! Little does he know. One does not have to have magic to know the man lies better than an expensive rug.”
“Mama! You are delightful.” Lizzy laughed at her mother’s analogy. How sad that it took a small crisis to bring out the woman she truly was. At least they had many more years to come to know her better and more intimately than before.
“What did Wickham want with you, Lizzy. Surely you’re still not setting your cap at him after you snagged rich Mr. Darcy.” Lydia raked angry eyes over her elder sister.
“I’ve never had an interest in Mr. Wickham and I’ll be glad when the _____shire Militia leave for Brighton and you are removed from his influence.”
“You’re no better than Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickham told me how he cheated him out of his rightful inheritance and forced him to become a soldier in order to put food in his mouth.”
“Lydia! Do you hear yourself? Have you ever questioned one word that man has whispered in your ear?”
“You’re just sour because Wicky is more handsome and more fun than dull Mr. Darcy.”
“No, I’m not. Mr. Wickham himself told us he had one of the best education money could buy, and what has he done with it? He’s almost thirty years old with no job and no viable prospects. If anyone is to blame for his way of life, it is himself. Not Mr. Darcy.”
“Of course, you’d take his side. No one understands Wickham. No wonder he hates you all. And I do too!”
With that, Lydia spun on her heel and stomped down the stairs to the carriage that awaited them. Lizzy went to follow but Mama stayed her movement by placing a hand on her forearm.
