Page 21 of Leave Her Wild
“And you girls were the brightest stars heaven had ever known.”
They all three sat while Mary played the tune again, eyes closed and smiles wider than ever. When Mary was finished and they each had his or her dream pay a visit, though this time, in truth, Elizabeth’s ‘dream’ had been one of dancing with Mr. Darcy and his close study of her person, her father said, “I am grieved, Mary, that I have not been more supportive of your love of music. I have treated you unfairly, which makes me a miserable father. I ask for your forgiveness.”
Tears appeared in Mary’s eyes as she rose to embrace their father. Elizabeth looked on in contentment as Mr. Bennet’s arms came about his middle daughter. “I love you, Papa,” Mary hiccuped through her tears.
“And I love you, my girl,” he said solemnly.
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Meanwhile at Lucas Lodge, introductions had been made, and Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were being highly courted by the Lucases. Lady Lucas was saying for the third time, “Our Charlotte will be quite beside herself with joy to learn we have dined with two of Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s nephews. I am confident Mr. Collins will carry word of your presence in Hertfordshire to the great house.”
Neither Darcy nor Fitzwilliam liked the idea of their aunt knowing their business. “If you would, ma’am,” Darcy began, “I would appreciate it if you would temper Mr. Collins’s eagerness to inform her ladyship of my betrothal to Miss Bennet. Lady Catherine would be quite out of sorts if she thought her cleric knew of my happy tidings before she did. As I customarily call upon her at specific times of the year to know with confidence all her books are in order for tax purposes, I had planned to call in at Rosings Park once I settled everything with Mr. Williamson tomorrow.”
“Oh, yes,” Sir William declared. “We would not wish to have Mr. Collins reprimanded for superseding the announcement of a marriage by her ladyship’s nephew. It would be best to wait to inform Charlotte of our good fortune of taking Mr. Darcy’s and the colonel’s acquaintances until her ladyship mentions the connection herself, Lady Lucas.”
“Of course, I would not wish Charlotte or Mr. Collins to displease Lady Catherine,” Lady Lucas said obediently, but Darcy knew the woman felt great disappointment.
Fitzwilliam claimed the opportunity to ask of the local militia. “When Darcy and I walked into the village several days prior, I noticed a militia going through its drills. Where are the lads from?”
Sir William frowned. “If I understand what Mrs. Bennet told my lady wife, most are from your home shire of Derbyshire.There are also some from Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and quite a few of late from Herts.”
“And their colonel?” Fitzwilliam asked.
“Colonel Forster,” Sir William supplied. “Do you know him?”
“A younger son of Lord Greaves,” Fitzwilliam remarked. “I thought perhaps they might have a commander who had seen action in the war. The men I observed were executing more, shall we say, ‘sophisticated’ drills.”
“I believe that is at Captain Baggett’s hands,” Sir William provided. “The captain was injured in Spain, I believe it was.”
“We should see if we know any serving here,” Darcy suggested. “We could carry letters home to their families.”
“You knew at least one of the former officers,” Miss Maria Lucas said, demanding her share of the conversation. She had been flirting with Fitzwilliam all evening, though Darcy’s cousin had characteristically ignored the girl.
“I fear I do not understand,” Darcy admitted.
In a provincial manner, the girl appeared pleased to share her tale. “Did not Miss Bennet tell you of her youngest sister’s marriage to a man who claimed to be your father’s godson?”
Darcy’s stomach plummeted at the idea of Mr. George Wickham being involved. “I see.” He placed his serviette on the table and stood abruptly.
Darcy was followed closely by his cousin, who said, “We were correct, Darcy.” Fitzwilliam addressed Sir William, “Obviously, sir, there was a purposeful intimidation and humiliation to be delivered as a plate of crow upon my cousin’s betrothed and her family. We thought a hand of communion had been extended, but Mr. Bennet and his middle daughters have judged this evening correctly. In my opinion, the King made a mistake in presenting you with a knighthood, for ‘knights’ should act with honor.”
Darcy bowed and reached a hand to Miss Bennet who appeared embarrassed by his actions, rather than those of her neighbors. “It is late, my dear. We should speak our farewells.”
Jane Bennet looked to her mother to lodge an objection, and, for a moment. Darcy thought his betrothed and Mrs. Bennet would each perform accordingly. At length, though, Miss Bennet wisely rose and accepted his hand. Miss Kitty followed her sister’s lead, but Mrs. Bennet obviously thought to speak to the Lucases’ innocence, that is, until Miss Bennet said, “Mr. Darcy is correct, ma’am. We should return to Longbourn.”
Lady Lucas and her daughter appeared stunned, but neither offered an apology or even a word of protest. As the colonel walked away with Mrs. Bennet on his arm and trailed by Miss Kitty, Darcy’s cousin said, “I am confident Aunt Catherine will be most ‘displeased’ that her nephews were purposely placed in an uncomfortable situation, meant as to be staged for the purposes of mockery.”
All remained unspoken until they were in Darcy’s carriage again, and Mr. Farrin had set a course for Longbourn. Only then did he look to his betrothed to demand, “Might I be made aware of Mr. Wickham’s influence on your family?” he growled. Darcy was angry enough to strike someone. As he looked on, both Mrs. Bennet and Jane dropped their heads in submission. As he seethed and studied the pair, a horror he had attempted to ignore arrived: Someday, Miss Bennet was likely to be as silly as was her mother. Then what would they share? Nothing but contempt. Eventually, Jane Bennet’s beauty, too, would fade. She would have nothing to offer him, and he would have nothing to offer her.They would be strangers, not lovers or even companions.
Finally, Miss Kitty cleared her throat. “Maria Lucas wished to remind us that our sister Lydia had run off with Mr. Wickham. Such is the reason our family is shunned.” Thegirl lifted her chin in defiance, which reminded Darcy of Miss Elizabeth, for she would surely dare him to know contempt of her family.
“Another sister?” he demanded.
“My youngest,” Mrs. Bennet admitted softly.
“And she was ruined by Mr. Wickham?” he pressed, but did not give any a chance to respond. “Naturally, Mr. Wickham chose the youngest. Young ladies often possess silly thoughts of love and devotion.” Such had been his sister Georgiana’s thoughts. “How old?" he hissed.
“Fifteen at the time,” Miss Bennet said softly, her eyes still downcast. “Sixteen now.”
