Page 7 of An Interrupted Proposal
Mr. Darcy dropped down beside her. “Not to you. Once the truth is revealed, I trust you will no longer be under his spell, but I fear Mr. Wickham may have nefarious reasons for seeking you out.”
Her heart beat a bit faster as she lowered her gaze and read on. Fear now forced her to quickly read through his apology and explanation regarding Mr. Bingley in a rush to learn thetruth regarding Mr. Wickham. All the while, Mr. Darcy sat at her side, his bouncing right leg betraying his discomfort. Finally, Elizabeth came to the passage she most needed to read.
“On the matter of Mr. Wickham, I can only refute his accusations by laying before you the whole of his connection with my family.”
The account, aside from the dissolute behaviour Mr. Darcy claimed to have witnessed in Mr. Wickham, followed what Elizabeth had already been told by the lieutenant––he was the son of the older Mr. Darcy’s steward and that gentleman’s godson, had been supported at school and Cambridge by Mr. Darcy, and had been promised a valuable family living if he took orders––until it did not.
“There was also a legacy of one thousand pounds. His own father did not long survive mine, and within half a year from these events, Mr. Wickham wrote to inform me that, having finally resolved against taking orders, he hoped I should not think it unreasonable for him to expect some more immediate pecuniary advantage, in lieu of the preferment, by which he could not be benefited. He had some intention, he added, of studying law, and I must be aware that the interest of one thousand pounds would be a very insufficient support therein. I rather wished, than believed him to be sincere; but, at any rate, was perfectly ready to accede to his proposal. I knew that Mr. Wickham ought not to be a clergyman; the business was therefore soon settled--he resigned all claim to assistance in the church, were it possible that he could ever be in a situation to receive it, and accepted in return three thousand pounds.”
“But that is four thousand pounds in total!” Her hands fell to her lap, and she stared at Mr. Darcy who nodded solemnly.
“That was four years ago. I heard little of him for about three years, but on the decease of the incumbent of the living which had been designed for him, he applied to me again by letter for the presentation.”
“And you refused him, as you should have done.”
Mr. Darcy smiled. “Yes, I did. I am glad you approve.”
“Had he spent it all? The entire four thousand pounds?”
“Yes. He assured me his circumstances were exceedingly bad. He had found the law a most unprofitable study.”
An unladylike grunt escaped Elizabeth. “Perhaps, had he actually applied himself, it would not have been so.”
“Indeed.” Mr. Darcy’s smile slipped away. “Eli–Miss Bennet, I must share a circumstance with you which I should wish to forget.”
Elizabeth laid her hand upon his arm. “You need not, sir. I see that Mr. Wickham is not to be trusted and am loath to think on how easily he manipulated me; how quick I was to think so ill of you.”
“Mr. Wickham is a practiced seducer; my own father was thoroughly fooled by him, and he is amongst the wisest men I have known.” He lowered his gaze to where her hand rested upon his arm. “I gave you no reason to think well of me. It is unsurprising he was able to use my poor behaviour to his advantage.”
Elizabeth slowly withdrew her hand and placed it back in her lap. “Why do you say he is a potential danger?”
“I fear he recognized my interest in you when we met in Meryton. What I have not yet told you is that after I denied his request for the living, he conspired with my sister’s companion to convince Georgiana she was in love with him and agree to an elopement so that he might gain control of her fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds.”
Elizabeth gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “No! Your poor sister! Pray assure me it did not occur, that she was not harmed, beyond a broken heart.”
“I arrived a day or two before the intended elopement.”
“And you could say nothing in Meryton lest Miss Darcy be exposed.”
“But I should have saidsomething. I have purchased Wickham’s debts in Derbyshire, London, and Cambridge. I should have put him in debtor’s prison years ago but could not bring myself to do so as he was a favourite of my father.”
Elizabeth huffed. “He said he could not expose you for love of your father, but he did just that the moment you left the area, andstillI thought better of him than I did of you.” Her watery eyes met his. “How much more proof do you require to see that your admiration was misplaced?” A single tear slipped down her cheek, and Mr. Darcy gently wiped it away.
“Never. You lead with your heart. I have seen how you care for those you love, how you cared for your sister at Netherfield. Georgiana has never known the love of a sister. I have often imagined you encouraging her and how she would gain confidence from your influence.” A brief smile softened his features as he lowered his hand. “I have longed for that love for myself.”
Elizabeth felt a hitch in her breathing and quickly looked away. “But you have not explained how this all places me in danger, sir.”
“You are correct.” Mr. Darcy stood and began his pacing once more.
CHAPTER THREE
A tentative Understanding
Darcy struggled as he searched for the words to reveal his concerns for Elizabeth and her family. He feared she might find his warning boastful––after all, how many gentlemen have a nemesis who seeks to destroy their happiness in any manner available? He was startled from his thoughts by her hand upon his arm. She now stood at his side; her eyes met his with a gentleness he had not seen directed towards him before. Though it held a hint of concern, there was also an emotion which caused his heart to hope for the first time since the horrendous scene at the parsonage the prior evening.
Laying his hand over her own, he met her gaze directly. “It might sound absurd, but George Wickham has made it his life’s mission to cause me pain. I have what he has always coveted: wealth and respect. If I am correct, he witnessed my interest in you during the brief encounter in Meryton and hoped to poison you against me.”
“Truly?” Elizabeth shook her head. “But you barely looked at me that day.”
