Page 44 of Penned By Mr Darcy
Elizabeth felt her blood chill.Derbyshire?Could it be possible? The very name Darcy had once spoken with such vehemence - the man he seemed to hate above all others - stood now smiling before her?
No wonder Mr Darcy had fled.
“Derbyshire?” Lydia mused. “Isn’t that where that dreadful Mr Darcy is from, Lizzy?”
“Darcy?” Wickham said, brows raised. “Fitzwilliam Darcy?”
“I’ve no idea what his first name is,” Lydia laughed. “He seems the sort to have been born a ‘Mr’ - doesn’t he, Lizzy? He arrived at Netherfield last month, and he is very dull indeed.”
“You know Mr Darcy?” Elizabeth asked.
She watched him carefully, noting each movement about the man’s face. He did not seem alarmed by her question, and certainly seemed to show no fear at hearing that the man was here. Would a man not have some trepidation at being in such proximity to one who had pinned him against a wall in fury?
“Know him? We were like brothers once. Grew up side by side at Pemberley. We even attended Cambridge together.”
“You are not friends still?”
“We are no longer acquainted, regrettably.”
“I’m not surprised,” Lydia chimed in. “He’s insufferably dull. So serious and stiff. You’re not missing anything, I promise.”
“Hush, Lydia,” Elizabeth snapped, her voice low. “Mr Darcy is a good man.”
She glanced around - Bingley was watching her curiously from beside Jane.
Wickham’s smile faltered just slightly.
“You seem quite close. If I may say so, Miss Elizabeth, caution is often the better part of wisdom.”
“Thank you for the advice. Now if you’ll excuse me - I feel rather faint. Lydia, come with me.”
“What? Lizzy, I…”
“Lydia,” Elizabeth hissed. “Now.”
“Goodbye, Mr Wickham!” Lydia called cheerily as Lizzy looped her arm through hers, almost dragging her away. “We’ll see you at the Netherfield Ball!”
“Save me a dance,” he said, smiling after them.
They offered only the briefest curtsies, tangled arm in arm, as they turned away.
“You will see him at the ball?” Elizabeth asked sharply. “What do you mean?”
“Of course! Mr Bingley said he’ll invite the whole regiment. He told us while you were talking to Mr Darcy. Honestly, Lizzy, why did you defend him? He insulted you!”
“He is…reserved.”
“He practically called you ugly. That’s the worst thing a man can say to a woman! Mr Wickham wouldneverspeak of a woman in such a way. He told me I was pretty.”
Elizabeth stopped short.
“When? How much time have you spent with him?”
“Oh, just a little. He walked Kitty and me home the other day - when you were still abed. Well, he and Mr Denny together, but I much prefer Wickham and made sure that I walked alongside him.”
“And Mama?”
“At home, of course.”
