Page 22 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
He chuckled at her accurate perception of him, at least. He wasn’t too sure about her self portrayal, that of being unwilling to speak. She’d chastised him more than once in public, even going so far as to accuse him of listening in on one of her conversations with Miss Lucas, which he had, much to his chagrin at being caught.
“How near that portrayal is to my character, I cannot say.” He could, but would not. This was much too fun. “Thatyouthink it a faithful portrait is quite obvious.”
“It’s not a complete portrait, Mr. Darcy. As I said, I always seem to walk away with a faint outline and not a true sense of who you are.”
“I’m not a complicated man, Miss Elizabeth. I have needs and desires, just like any man and want to have a happy, contented life.” They continued to twirl around coming into the last few rotations of the waltz. He dreaded bringing it up, but felt he must. “Do you and your sisters walk often to Meryton?”
“Yes. When you saw us last, we’d just made a new acquaintance.”
Although he was the one who introduced this new subject, he still couldn’t stop himself from stiffening in anger.
“Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure hismakingfriends− whether he may be equally capable ofretainingthem, is less certain.”
“He has been so unlucky as to loseyourfriendship. He wasted no time in sharing his tale of woe by your hand, and in a manner which he is likely to suffer from all his life.”
“He had my friendship until the blinders were ripped away at a very young age,” he managed to force out between gritted teeth. “He is a young man who was gifted with the chance of an excellent education at one of the top universities, provided by my father - his godfather - and he wasted it all. Mr. Wickham is not ignorant, he is lazy. He wants what everyone has but will not lift one soft finger to put in the work−”
“Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth laid a hand on his chest and he dragged in a stuttering breath. “I am quite aware he is a ne’er do well. He may think he charmed me into believing his story, but there were too many inconsistencies. I only brought up his name so I could warn you.”
Their dance concluded and they stood facing each other. He took the small hand still resting on his chest and lifted it to his lips. “I thank you for the dance Miss Elizabeth, and the warning.” He held her gaze, enjoying the light blush which graced her cheeks. “Take care around Mr. Wickham. He’s not only intelligent, he’s cunning. If he thinks you are not charmed by him, you become his enemy and heisa dangerous man, albeit a lazy one.”
He then offered her his arm and they removed to the next room to enjoy a light repast. Seated next to Bingley and Miss Bennet with Richard across from them in the company of Miss Lucas, the conversation was lively and convivial. Miss Bingley, seated at the end of the table alone with her sister and Mr. Hurst, glared at all of them. When the ball was over he’d have a quiet talk with Bingley about his sister and her latest breach of etiquette with regard to Miss Elizabeth.
And then... then he’d transport to Longbourn before the family came home and weave a protective spell around the manor, fervently wishing he had time to lay boundary wards before he decamped for London. At least Richard would be around to keep an eye on their wily foe. And his time in London didn’t have to go to waste. He’d touch base with his uncle Matlock and visit his solicitors. Now was as good a time as any to tie up Georgiana’s dowry in such a way that no man would have any hope of receiving the funds unless both he and his cousin approved of the marriage. It was yet another way to protect his baby sister from fortune hunters.
Chapter Nine
The next morning, after breaking their fast, he and Bingley made plans to leave for London immediately. Their conversation immediately following the ball had been difficult, at best. Bingley had been aghast at the vitriol his sister had spewed, in public, no less. When he found out Darcy was leaving for London, he declared he’d come along and pay a visit to his own solicitor, stating it was time he released Caroline’s funds into her own hands. She’d managed to raise the ire of her most congenial brother, and his anger was a sight to behold.
In some ways he was glad his friend was joining him as it made his leaving less conspicuous. Bingley finished his meal and excused himself to finish packing. Darcy decided to enjoy his coffee and continue reading the paper, when, inadvertently, he overheard Miss Bingley accost her brother in the small hall outside the breakfast room.
“Charles!” Darcy heard the patter of quick, determined steps on the marble floor. “I demand we leave this horrid town and remove to London at once.”
“I think not. I like it here.”
“This town is full of unwashed, ungrateful wretches who don’t deserve our consideration. They are rude and barbaric in their manners and customs.”
“That is a hefty charge to levy against a small market town who has shown us nothing but kindness and consideration.”
“If we stay here, Charles, you shall become entrapped and will never escape the horrors of Meryton.”
Darcy grinned at the increasing frustration in her voice, and almost laughed out loud at Bingley’s calm reply.
“What if I told you I would be a willing captive?”
“Argh! You will not listen to reason. You are allowing another part of your body to lead your head.”
In his mind’s eye, he could see her flailing her arms about and stomping her feet.
“Caroline! Mind your language.”
“If you won’t leave Netherfield, then I demand you ask Mr. Darcy to leave.”
“Ah... now we come to the crux of the matter. This is all about Darcy.”
“He is a boor. I don’t know how you put up with his dour attitude.”
“We have been close friends for over eight years and I see no reason to ask him to leave because you are in high dudgeon.”
