Mr. Darcy's Promise (6 page)

*****

“A Mr. Wickham and Mr. Denny,” said Mrs. Hill, the housekeeper. Elizabeth’s heart started to race. She looked to Jane whose expression had already flashed surprise in Elizabeth’s direction. Last night Jane had finally got Elizabeth to talk about Mr. Wickham’s obvious regard for her.

Remembering the conversation was troubling. Jane had been
so sweet as she said she saw nothing but “charm and good taste” in Wickham. “He is most handsome!” Jane had said.

“Yes, I did not know someone could have such blue eyes! When he looked at me it was like he could see right through me!” Elizabeth had colored slightly just remembering the piercing gaze when he
bowed over her hand. “But he is so bold! One wonders if he is truly charming or if he has learned the art of flattery and does not mean all he says!”

“Lizzy, I saw nothing odd about someone who speaks his mind in such a charming manner. If it was not true that would be one thing, but we all know you are handsome.”

Elizabeth loved her sister Jane more than anyone in her family, but she was always so positive and trusting that it sometimes became a fault rather than a virtue. That was one of the reasons she followed Jane to Netherfield in the first place. Of course, Jane was ill and needed help, but there was an element of concern since it looked like her favorite sister was in serious danger of losing her heart. Jane had only good things to say about Mr. Bingley, and although Elizabeth could tell he was very lively and amiable, she wanted to see for herself how he interacted in his home. How did he treat his sisters without the formality of a social setting? How did he treat the servants? And more importantly how did he act when Mr. Darcy wasn’t around? Elizabeth feared that Mr. Darcy had a great deal of influence on Bingley in all matters of importance, large and small. Most of these fears had been put to rest at Netherfield while Jane was sick. Bingley was truly a good man who cared for Jane. His attention to both their needs had been extensive and greatly appreciated.

Elizabeth sighed, “Oh Jane, do you ever question the motives of someone without assuming the motives are all good? I admit I am flattered by his obvious regard, but we hardly know each other and yet he continues in that way!” She then told Jane about meeting him while reading her book and how he had asked about Mr. Darcy. “I could not help wondering why he was so curious. If he was a close family friend like he claims to be, why does he not ask Mr. Darcy himself?”

Jane looked thoughtful, “Maybe Mr. Wickham and Darcy have not been close lately. People grow apart all the time, Lizzy. Or maybe distance has been the problem; Pemberley is a long way away.”

“I got the impression that he was looking for more than to be reacquainted with him. It was like he was hiding some secret from me! I would love to see how they react when face to face with each
other. That will tell me a lot about them both. Imagine, boring Mr. Darcy and charming Mr. Wickham in the same room!”

“Oh Lizzy, if you accuse me of seeing the good in others, I must accuse you of seeing the drama and faults of others! You judge so quickly. And I must say you are positively decided on your opinion of Mr. Darcy. It makes me wonder if you truly feel such distaste for him as you say you do. After all, he has been most polite and accommodating to you. For example, when Miss Bingley talked about all those things that make a lady accomplished . . . Mr. Darcy spoke up and said a lady needed to be well-read as well. Lizzy, he knows you are an avid reader and you were reading a book at that very time!”

“Jane, this is the longest speech you have made in a year!” Elizabeth teased, trying to direct the conversation away from Mr. Darcy. After meeting him on the road to Meryton, Elizabeth had felt terrible that she had been so rude to Mr. Darcy. He really had been different since Georgiana came and seeing that side of him was somewhat confusing. Not only because she was trying to understand him, as well as her possible misjudgment of him, but also because she seemed to be emotionally invested to a certain extent. She was embarrassed that both her father and Jane had made suggestions that Elizabeth had feelings for the man.

“Nevertheless, Mr. Wickham’s attentions must be difficult for you. It is the first person to show
you preference since Mr. Goulding’s nephew.”

Elizabeth flashed Jane a teasing smile. “At least with him I knew I was simply a piece of meat for sale!” The two of them laughed for quite a while.

“Well, I for one, am very much looking forward to the Netherfield Ball and getting to dance with Mr. Bingley again,” Jane said wistfully.

“I too would love to dance at the ball with Mr. Dar . . . I mean Mr. Wickham!” Elizabeth could not believe she almost said Mr. Darcy! Oh, how embarrassing! Nothing could be further from the truth!
Right?She did not mean to say she wanted to dance with Mr. Darcy, did she? All this talk of the gentleman left her quite decided on the matte
r.
I want to dance wit
h
Mr. Wickham
!

Jane gave her a small knowing smile and patted her hand. “I know you do. And I am sure you will get your chance. Mr. Bingley said the officers were invited.”

Her mother’s shrill voice returned Elizabeth’s thoughts to the present as now the two officers were standing in front of them, waiting to be seated.

Mrs. Bennet could be heard calling up the stairs to Lydia and Kitty, “Hurry, hurry! They are here!” She could hear Lydia’s voice grumble something about company. “It is the officers!”

Rustlings of skirts and some other commotion could be heard as Kitty and Lydia hit walls, most likely from pushing and pulling each other while they ran down the stairs, each obviously trying to reach the sitting room before the other. Lydia reached the bottom of the stairs first and smoothed her skirts before lifting her head up to the two gentlemen who had watched the whole commotion with delight. “Mr. Wickham, Mr. Denny, it is a pleasure to see you again!” Lydia said as she gave her best smile.

Wickham spoke up first and formally addressed the whole room, his eyes resting briefly on Elizabeth, “We had such an enjoyable time a few days ago; surely you do not think we could stay away from such beautiful ladies!”

Mrs. Bennet ushered them in and then saw Mr. Bennet in the door of his study quietly observing the chaos.

Mr. Bennet had heard Mr. Wickham being announced and thought he had better make his presence known and finally
meet the gentleman. The two officers had not yet noticed his presence so he cleared his throat and they turned around. “And who might these men be? It seems my book is less diverting than it was a moment ago.” He raised the book in his hands which still had a finger in it holding his place.

“Oh Mr. Bennet, you try my nerves! This is Mr. Wickham and Mr. Denny, they are the
officers
!” Mrs. Bennet said.

The way she said “officers” was meant to imply something important but Mr. Bennet didn’t seem to understand. All he knew
was that this was the so-called mercenary man spoken of in the anonymous letter.

“I can see that from the uniform,” Mr. Bennet said dryly, then turned to the officers, “It appears you know my daughters. Perhaps you would like some tea? I am feeling a little parched
myself.” Mr. Bennet then walked into the sitting room and found his favorite chair which offered great light from the window for reading. It also offered the best spot to observe the visitors who had now found their own chairs. He noticed that Denny sat nearest to Kitty, across from Elizabeth, who was on the chaise next to Mr. Bennet’s chair. Then Lydia led Wickham to the chaise opposite of Elizabeth, and sat much too closely to Mr. Wickham for Mr. Bennet’s taste.

Lydia started engaging Mr. Wickham in conversation; some silly remarks about a bonnet she just purchased. “Would you like to see the bonnet?” Lydia asked jumping up and nearly skipping to the front entrance. 

Elizabeth was looking at Lydia with a frown on her fac
e.
I am sure Mr. Wickham does not want to see your new bonnet, Lydia!
Elizabeth saw Lydia look out the front window.

“La! It is Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy! Oh, and we were sure to have a fun afternoon!” Lydia marched back to the sitting room and hastily plopped herself back down by Wickham.

Jane looked to Elizabeth with both concern and amusement showing in her eyes.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham in the same room? This will be interesting!
Elizabeth glanced at Wickham and saw him straighten his posture a little. He shifted his feet slightly and looked at Elizabeth and smiled. It was the subtlest change, but she still noticed it and wondered to its import.

“Oh, Jane!”
Mrs. Bennet cried, “It is
Mr. Bingley
!” She then turned towards her eldest daughter and motioned for her to sit up straighter, and then Mrs. Bennet gave Jane a knowing grin. The rest of the conversation was halted knowing that more visitors would be formally announced any moment. Elizabeth was so curious she couldn’t find anything to say. Mrs. Bennet was scheming on how to replace Jane where Elizabeth was in order to encourage Mr. Bingley to sit with Jane. Lydia was rolling her eyes, thinking how her visit was ruined by the boring Mr. Darcy. Mr. Wickham was smiling at Elizabeth. Kitty was too embarrassed to speak because Denny was looking right at her. Jane was smoothing her skirt and crossing her ankles. Mr. Bennet had opened his book but was closely observing all of the above with not just a little bit of interest, especially the attentions Wickham was showing to Elizabeth.

Hill announced the arrival of the second set of gentlemen in the space of five minutes with slight frustration.
“Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.”

The gentlemen entered with pleasant smiles on their faces and bowed to the Bennets, who had all stood to greet their visitors. Looks were exchanged all over the room. Elizabeth’s gaze traveled from Mr. Wickham to Mr. Darcy. Mr. Bingley was searching for Jane, and beamed when he saw her. Wickham was amused as he looked at Mr. Darcy who had obviously not noticed him in the room yet, for Mr. Darcy’s eyes were on Elizabeth and Elizabeth alone. Mr. Bennet watched Elizabeth wring her hands in her nervous way and he assumed it was only because Mr. Darcy was so keenly looking upon her.

Mr. Darcy could not believe how beautiful Elizabeth was with the afternoon sun behind her almost making her glow. Her cheeks had a gentle rose color to them that matched the pale pink gown she wore. The gown had two pleats in the center of the bodice that accentuated her slim but feminine figure. He could not believe that he had ever said she was “not handsome enough to tempt me.” Her eyes were so bright and mischievous today. He assumed she looked away from him because of his intense evaluation of her presence. He looked away and reminded himself that if he was going to win Elizabeth’s admiration and change her view of him he would have to be charming. He could do that. He could be charming.
What should I say?
He then turned to Mrs. Bennet who spoke in hushed tones and motioned with her hands for Elizabeth to go tell Hill that they would need tea for their visitors.

Darcy watched Elizabeth look confusedly at the servant’s call bell. She opened her mouth to say something . .
.
Yes, what impertinent remark will we have come out from your delicious lips? Something like, “why can we not just ring for tea?
”
Then Elizabeth closed her mouth and obediently headed for the kitchen through the dining room. Darcy’s eyes followed her until she nearly collided with the servant bringing the tea out of the kitchen. It seemed the servants must have anticipated the group’s need for the tea. He flinched as Mrs. Bennet’s shrill voice demanded that Jane go sit by her father on the chaise.

“He may need something, my dear
.
”

Ahh
, the matchmaking skills of Mrs. Bennet are clearly at work.
Darcy also reminded himself that if he was going to make up for the accusation that he had made about Elizabeth’s sisters causing Georgiana’s distress, he would have to handle Mrs. Bennet better than the past. His love and admiration of Elizabeth meant accepting her family, no matter how uncouth they were. Mrs. Bennet offered the two gentleman seats with purposeful motions for Bingley to sit next to Jane who had done as her mother had told her. Elizabeth returned quickly, followed by the servant with the tea.

I hope I did not miss Mr. Darcy recognizing Mr. Wickham
,
Elizabeth thought as she entered the room again
.
No, it does not appear so since Mr. Darcy is still looking at me. Whatever could he mean with that smile?

Darcy then bowed to her deeply and spoke, “Miss Elizabeth, you look well this afternoon.”
Was that charming enough? Should I say something else?
He had been the first to speak since Mrs. Bennet had offered them a seat and he felt uncomfortable. He watched as Elizabeth nodded her thanks and took the chair closest to the chaise which left him the only empty chair between Mrs. Bennet and Elizabeth.
Perfect. I am close enough to engage her in conversation and show her a little more of who I am.

Elizabeth studied Mr. Darcy’s countenance closely. It seemed she was about to witness a very interesting exchange. She looked quickly to Mr.
Wickham who was sitting slightly taller than he normally did, but otherwise seemed to have a pleasant demeanor and did not appear all that nervous.