Fault or Virtue: An Imaginative Retelling of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' (15 page)

There was no doubt that the length of their stay exceeded everyone’s
expectations, but that the visit was still shorter than any of the party would have wished.
Just as they were saying their goodbyes, Darcy felt desperate to see more of Elizabeth.

“Miss Elizabeth has told me of your plans to see the lakes tomorrow, but if you
are not otherwise engaged for supper this evening, Georgiana and I would like to extend
an invitation to join us.” He looked embarrassed but hopeful.

“Please do,” chimed in Georgiana, “we could even arrange to have it a bit early
just to ensure that you are not put out for an early morning’s departure.”
“Well then, how could we refuse?” said Mr. Gardiner, smiling widely.

The subject of that evening was only broached once during the carriage ride back
to Lambton, and Elizabeth had a curious feeling her aunt and uncle were purposefully
treading lightly on the subject so as to judge for themselves what to make of their niece
and Mr. Darcy.

When they, for the second time that day, pulled up to the great house, Mr. and
Miss Darcy were waiting outside to greet them with warm and eager smiles.
“We have another joining us for supper,” Darcy began, but was interrupted by
that very person to which he was referring.
“Miss Elizabeth!” Colonel Fitzwilliam shouted as he bounded down the front
steps to greet her. He kissed her hand delicately, aware that Darcy was watching his
every movement. Once the introductions were made, the Colonel escorted Elizabeth
inside, patting her arm to emphasize something he was saying and to further infuriate his
cousin.
Supper was more pleasant than Elizabeth had anticipated as the presence of the
Colonel made everyone at ease and filled any gaps in conversation.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “I understand that congratulations
must be extended to you and your family upon your sister’s betrothal to my cousin’s
friend, Mr. Bingley.”
She smiled and thanked him, wondering if he had learned that it had been her
family that Darcy had been so desperate to separate Bingley from, but his next reply
made it plain that he indeed was aware.
“If I had known the particulars, the congratulations would have been extended
earlier. I knew Bingley was to be married, I just wasn’t aware that I had an acquaintance
within the lady’s family.”
“That is kind of you, sir. We are all very delighted at the prospect of Mr. Bingley
joining our family, I have never seen my sister so happy. Will you be attending the
wedding, by any chance?”
She saw the Colonel exchange glances with Darcy.
“Nothing would make me happier, and I am sure I would be granted leave for
such an event.”
“I think,” Mr. Darcy said, “that it would be the first leave in your military history
which was not spent trespassing upon my generosity.” He shot the Colonel a playful look.

“Brother!” Georgiana exclaimed, shooting worried glances at their guests, lest
they not understand the joke, “that is not the case.”
“I agree with Georgiana, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth threw a little smile at Georgiana
before fixing him with an intimidating expression and raising an eyebrow, “I myself have
witnessed the Colonel taking his leave at Rosings.”
“I should know better than to begin an argument whilst in your company, Miss
Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy fixed her with a smug expression, and she could swear she saw a
hint of a smile playing across his lips.
Is he flirting with me? No. Not after all that had
occurred.
She could not guess his motive for his kindness. She drained most of her wine
in one nervous gulp.
“You’d think you had the advantage here, Darcy,” mocked the Colonel as he
motioned around the room, reminding him that they were in his home.
Elizabeth cut in, “I am not so formidable. I have been known to be very mistaken
in the past.” She hoped Darcy would catch her meaning, and wondered if it would make
any difference if he did. Not wanting to dwell on it any longer she asked, “Miss Darcy,
will you be attending the wedding?”
Elizabeth was almost sorry she had asked, it caused the girl so much trouble to
answer. She, at first, looked to her brother, who did not indicate an answer, and so settled
for voicing her opinion instead of giving a definite reply.
“I would very much like to go, Miss Elizabeth.” Pleased with her answer, she
nodded her head then stopped, and looked to her brother again, “very much,” she added,
“in fact, I’m sure I will go.” She smiled pleasantly and continued eating as Darcy stared
on at her in astonishment. Elizabeth, seeing this change in her, was altogether pleased she
had asked after all.

“Do you play duets, Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked excitedly as they retired
after supper to the drawing room.
“Not if my playing will be so decidedly bad in comparison with my partner, Miss
Darcy. I am afraid you are far more accomplished than I.”
“But my brother says you play very well!” she said, looking to her brother in
confusion.
“I believe I said
quite
well, Georgiana,” Darcy teased.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at him, “
Quite well
is not exactly
very
well, I’m
satisfied enough to play. As long as everyone has had a fair warning.” Elizabeth was
pleased with the mood of the evening and chanced another a look at Darcy. He had fixed
her with such a meaningful expression, however, that her hands shook before the neared
the piano.
As they made their way to the pianoforte, the Colonel made himself comfortable
on a sofa nearby the Gardiners.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he called, “I’m afraid I will not be able to assist you as I did at
Rosings with turning the pages. My cousin, however, is very proficient in the act so you
will not be disappointed.”
Darcy threw his cousin a warning look before resuming his post and Elizabeth
became even more nervous.

Halfway through the song, they were interrupted by a servant claiming an urgent
post for a Miss Bennet. Elizabeth was too astonished to mount any real worry as she
excused herself to the hallway to read. It was from her sister, she was sure that the
address had been written in Jane’s hand, but the writing was done in a most peculiar
manner, as if she had written it under great stress. Elizabeth began to panic, and ripped
open the seal. In seconds, she, knowing the contents of the letter, began to wonder at her
sister being able to write at all. She backed against a wall in an effort to remain upright,
but her legs shook so terribly and her head was so light so feared she would faint at any
moment. Her sister, Lydia, had run away with an officer. Mr. Wickham!

Just as she began to lose consciousness and began sliding down the wall towards
the ground, Darcy appeared and took her in his arms. He led her down the hall a few
doors and gently propped her up in a large armchair of a quaint sitting room next to a
crackling fire.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he stated clearly, taking her hand in his and rubbing it softly.
She stirred, but only enough to gather where she had been moved, she could make no
answer but to open her eyes.

“May I read the letter? It is of no business to me, but I should like to understand
what has been the cause of your distress so that I can be of some assistance to you. I am
afraid it is become a matter of health, and I would never forgive myself if I did not take
the chance to help you, especially when it is under my own roof.”

She nodded her head once and he gently removed the letter from her weak grasp.
It did not take long before his flushed white and then immediately red. He grabbed her
hand tightly.

“This is grave indeed, Elizabeth.” He fixed her with an expression of pain and
determination, and if she were not feeling so weak, she was sure that this look would
have made her cry. She felt as though it was the last look she would ever see from him.
She was sure he could never bring himself to align his family name with hers. It was all
over between them, and she couldn’t even form the words to say goodbye.

He placed both of her hands in his and kissed the top of each before placing a
gentle kiss on her forehead and whispering, “but all will be well.”
She hardly saw him go, hardly noticed the entrance of her aunt and uncle. In a
shocked stupor, she was led out of the house, to the inn, and immediately boarded a
carriage for Longbourn to see what could be done for her fallen sister.

Sleep offered no comfort, as dreams brought visions of Darcy. Remaining awake,
however, meant being subjected to her mother’s ramblings, the frenzy over the morning
post, and the ever-increasing realization of their situation. Their only solace was that Mr.
Bingley kept the engagement, and so Jane would be exempt from much of the ridicule,
though the wedding date itself was forgotten.

Caroline had left Netherfield immediately when the news became public and
when she could not convince her brother to sever ties to the Bennet family. Whoever
acknowledged them now was a true friend, though they had very few.

!
'(!
“My youngest! Married!” Mrs. Bennet’s elation could be heard throughout the
neighborhood. “And my eldest two! Two weddings, two daughters! How will I bear the
loss of them? What is a mother to do?”

Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief, though her heart still ached with pain and
torment. They were saved, but not enough for her sake. All her time spent alone, while
her sister kept company with Mr. Bingley, had caused her few happy moments. In truth,
she did not fully understand what had transpired between herself and Mr. Darcy, so she
was not entirely sure that Lydia’s situation had torn them apart. In her darkest hour, she
began to realize that he had never intended to align himself with her after his disastrous
proposal at Rosings, and that he was never hers to lose in the first place. So she did not
know which part of the saying, “tis' far better to have loved and lost, than never to have
loved at all” applied to her, all she knew was the pain.

Lydia’s homecoming on the arm of Wickham was an uncomfortable affair for
nearly everyone in the Bennet household. On the last evening of their visit, it occurred to
Lydia that she and Wickham would miss Jane’s wedding.

“I must report to Captain Frost in less than a fortnight, dearest,” Wickham firmly
told her, as if they’d had this discussion before.
“We might as well ask Mr. Darcy. As he saw to your appointment, he could very
well change it. I think, too, he would be delighted to see us at another wedding.”
“What do you mean, Lydia?” snapped Elizabeth, having found an interest in her
sister’s ramblings after all.
“But of course I should not have said a word,” Lydia blushed and covered her
mouth playfully, “Mr. Darcy said I should say nothing of the matter.” She paused to
down the rest of her wine, “Seeing as how you already know, I don’t see why I shouldn’t
relate the particulars. Mr. Darcy was at our wedding. He stood up with Wickham. I
daresay he cast a great shadow on the affair with his frown, but he has been very
generous to us. He’s responsible for Wickham’s commission, everything, but he must
realize that the date would be too soon now that Jane’s wedding has been set. He would
not want us to miss it.”
Elizabeth could think of nothing to say.
“Dearest, we are not to be delayed. We really cannot stay or I risk losing my
commission,” Wickham quietly weighed in.
“But, I…” Lydia started, and was interrupted.
“No. And you will speak no more on the subject.” Wickham turned away
decidedly, finally having shown something of his true character. Lydia remained
momentarily disappointed, but rallied herself when she recalled the variety of shopping
there was to be had in the north.

Before Mr. and Mrs. Wickham departed the next morning, Mr. Wickham
approached Elizabeth alone in the garden.
“Is the carriage ready?” Elizabeth asked, caught off guard by his sudden presence.
She had managed to avoid him the entirety of his stay, fearing what subject might arise
between them if they were left alone. She was not ready to discuss Darcy and she was not
yet willing to put her differences with Wickham aside. In fact, she was conflicted as to
how to interact with him at all after learning of his exploits.

!
')!
“The carriage is ready, but Lydia is not.” Wickham flashed her that bright
expressive smile that Elizabeth had liked so much. “I was glad to find you so close to the
house, I know you are fond of walking and I would have been sorry to have missed you.”

“Well of course I will remain close until your departure. I must see Lydia off, for
who knows when I shall see her again.”
“I hope we shall both see you again soon. We were always good friends, you and
I. And now we are better.”
Elizabeth did not appreciate his tone. Being unaware of his motives was equally
as distressing.
“Friends, Mr. Wickham? Is truth not the essence of friendship?”
“It is, Miss Elizabeth. And the truth is, I’ve missed you.” Wickham cocked his
head to one side, appearing alarmingly attractive to anyone that didn’t know better.
“That sounds remarkably like another lie, or at least it is what I wish for it to be.
The carriage is ready, Mr. Wickham, go wait for your wife to join you in it.”
She hurried inside before anything else could be said, not wishing to know what
Wickham had intended to say. She could not bear to think of the pain that Darcy would
have suffered dealing with him again. She could never repay him, so how could she face
him knowing that she would forever be in his debt?

The rigorous wedding plans had not deterred Mr. Bingley’s visits, and so one
morning he came bearing the news of the Darcy’s imminent arrival.
“Mr. Darcy is to arrive in a few days time with his sister and cousin, both of
whom I believe you are acquainted with, Miss Bennet,” Mr. Bingley said politely to the
Bennet ladies in the first minutes of his visit.
“I am glad to hear it, it will be a pleasure to see them again,” replied Elizabeth,
surprised at Darcy’s determination. She, of course, meant that it would be a pleasure to
see Miss Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam again. Seeing Mr. Darcy could by no means be
deemed a pleasure, not for either of them.
“What of Miss Bingley?” Elizabeth asked. She was aware that Mr. Bingley and
his sister had not corresponded in weeks due to Lydia’s scandal, but she did not think
Caroline’s resolve strong enough to withstand missing the Darcys.
“Yes, she is shortening the length of her stay at the seaside and will be here in
time.”
Elizabeth smiled to herself as Jane and Bingley fell into conversation. She
wondered what Caroline would make of the Colonel if they had not met before.
Elizabeth did not have to wonder for long, for as soon as Caroline and the Darcys
arrived at Netherfield, the eldest Miss Bennets were invited to dine amongst them.