The Gypsy Blessing (27 page)

~%~

On the way home to Longbourn, Elizabeth purposely slowed her steps. Darcy dropped back to walk with her, a few steps behind the others, his horse trailing after them.

“What has happened?” Elizabeth asked.

Darcy looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”

“You are more disconcerted than you were after seeing Wickham. I would think something more occurred while we were inside, visiting with my aunt.”

Hesitating to answer, he looked deeply into Elizabeth’s eyes and warmth filled his soul. Yes, he would trust her. “Mr. Graham, the blacksmith, and Mr. King overheard Bingley and me discussing Wickham.”

Elizabeth raised both eyebrows and breathed out, “Oh.” She looked away, scanning the field they were passing.

“Your reaction does not make me feel any better, Miss Elizabeth.”

She looked at the ground at her feet and pressed her lips together, then took a deep breath. “Mr. Graham and Mr. King’s wife are not the most discreet people in the neighbourhood.” She looked up at Darcy. “Are you going to speak to my father?”

“That is my intention. It is one of the reasons we waited to walk with you and your sisters to Longbourn.”

“Then I suggest you tell my father that, after seeing Wickham in the village, I spoke to you about my uncle’s assertions, and you are there to
confirm
what Mr. Gardiner said. Do not give him any new information. That way, when he speaks to our neighbours and the shopkeepers, my father can honestly say it was
Mr. Gardiner
who warned him about Wickham, not you—or me for that matter. After Wickham’s threat today...”

“Wickham will do what he wishes, whether or not we are involved in cautioning others. Although he says he will do one thing, he will do another if he thinks that will lead to a better reward.”

“Perhaps it is best to take Georgiana away from here?”

Darcy shook his head. “I will not run from him. I would never give him the satisfaction of having such authority over us or allow him the power to dictate where we can go or whom we shall see. Georgiana will be safe—he would not dare approach Netherfield.”

“It is good that you did not bring her with you today. From what he said to me, it did not seem that he knows she is here.”

“Mrs. Younge promised she would not leave her side while I am away from the house.”

Elizabeth was thoughtful for a moment, and then nodded, as if to approve of the situation. Since Mrs. Younge had been betrayed by Wickham, she would most likely be extremely protective over her charge once she was aware of his presence in the area. There was no way the companion would forgive the man after he had proposed marriage to her young charge while courting her at the same time!

Darcy spoke again. “Besides, if we left Hertfordshire, we could not defend ourselves from his slanderous lies.”

Elizabeth smiled. “If he does begin to spread stories, rest assured Jane and I will bear witness and defend Georgiana’s honour, whether or not you remain at Netherfield. No matter what horrendous tales Wickham might invent,
she
did nothing worse than contemplate a young man’s offer of marriage.”

“It might not be a good idea to do so, Miss Elizabeth—he might start spinning yarns about you, as well.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “I dare him to do so! Our neighbours know our characters, Mr. Darcy. Wickham’s credibility would be in question the moment he mentioned our names.”

Darcy looked away, hoping that before he did, she did not see the doubt in his eyes.
People love a good story, and Wickham is among the best in fabricating just what they wish to hear.

~%~

~Netherfield

Mrs. Younge sat with Georgiana in the music room. As she feigned listening to the young lady practice, her mind wandered to Meryton, one mile away.

Deep in her bones, she felt that Wickham had arrived. Restlessness built up inside her, but today she would not leave Miss Darcy’s side until her brother had returned from the village. No, she would not risk her position at such a critical time because, once she revealed her plan to Wickham, he would come back to her!

The door opened, and Darcy came into the room with an almost frantic look in his eyes, which softened upon seeing his sister. She had been correct. He would not be in such a state unless he had information that Wickham was near.

Georgiana stopped playing and greeted her brother.

He kissed her forehead and then nodded at Mrs. Younge. “May I speak to you briefly, Mrs. Younge?”

Mrs. Younge followed him from the room and into the library.

Darcy paced for a minute before speaking. “Wickham is in Meryton.” He stopped to look at her. “I would ask you to go into the village at least once a day for as long as we remain at Netherfield. Listen for any gossip amongst the common folks, for if he were to invent any stories about us, it would most likely first be passed off to them. Anything concerning the Darcy name, or the Bennets or Bingleys, for that matter, report it to me at once!”

Mrs. Younge answered, “Yes, sir. Shall I go now?”

“In about an hour. I have some business to attend to, and then I will come sit with my sister.”

Mrs. Younge curtsied and somehow managed to wait until the door closed behind her before she allowed herself a small smile.

I could not have asked for anything more perfect!

~%~

~Longbourn

“Must I forbid the girls contact with
all
men of the militia and keep them at home to ensure my orders are followed, or will you put an end to this argument and obey my restriction?” Mr. Bennet glared at his wife, who sat across from his desk in his study. “I am certain that after hearing about Mr. Wickham directly from Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, that Jane and Lizzy will keep far away from the man. Mary has no interest in red coats, but it is Lydia and Kitty about whom I worry. Your own brother has warned me about the man—in language too harsh for me to suggest you read it yourself.”

She looked as if he was beginning to win her support, but only just. What could he do to convince her? A thought occurred to him, and he voiced it immediately, “You are always so concerned about your daughters marrying well, and yet you would insist our daughters be allowed to visit with a rake that might be the ruin of one of them, ensuring that
none
of them would ever be able to marry?”

Mrs. Bennet’s eyes rounded with interest. “Is he really
that
bad?”

Mr. Bennet held out Mr. Gardiner’s letter in her direction. “If you will not be convinced by my word alone, I
will
have you read it, even should your delicate sensibilities be offended.”

She looked as if she would take Mr. Gardiner’s letter from him, but then she shook her head instead.

Mr. Bennet laid the letter on his desk. Pushing his spectacles up his nose and into place, he looked upon the missive. “Wickham also owed half the shopkeepers in the village of Lambton. To this day, he has never offered to pay his debts.”

“Oh, it is such a shame, too! Lydia says he is such a fine-looking young man.”

“Who is
not
to be trusted near any
ladies
.” Mr. Bennet touched the back of his fingers to the letter. “Especially not
my
daughters!”

“Yes, yes, I must agree, dear. If he really is that wicked, I would not want him near our daughters.” Her eyes strayed to her brother’s letter once more, and she shuddered. “I will speak to the girls, Mr. Bennet.”

~%~

October 28, 1811

“Come!” Mr. Bennet called out.

Elizabeth peeked her head around the door, and he waved her in. “Come in, Lizzy; come in. Have a seat.” Mr. Bennet took off his spectacles and sat back in his chair, examining his favourite daughter’s pale expression. “Has your mother been forcing lace and ribbons upon you again, in preparation for the ball?”

“Papa, I think Mama and Mr. Collins have certain...
expectations
of me.” As Elizabeth smoothed her skirts with her hand, she could feel the slight bulge of the letter she had received today, folded into her pocket.

“Expectations?”

“Yes... I will come directly to the point. Mama has been giving me hints that Mr. Collins might soon propose marriage.” In her mind’s eye, she could see the drawing of the clergyman on one knee before her. A shiver passed down her spine.

The light in Mr. Bennet’s eye took on a teasing quality. “And you would not welcome Mr. Collins’s proposal, Lizzy?”

“Papa,” Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I am quite serious.”

“I can see that you
are
, my dear.”

“Please, sir, I know that Mama would wish me to accept, but I could never do so without losing all hope of a life of dignity.” She pleaded with her eyes. “After all, respectability, morals, and principles are the only things a lady can truly call her own. I could never be content with Mr. Collins. Certainly, I am the last woman on earth who could ever please him. I do not believe I am suited to be a clergyman’s wife.”

“Or the wife of such a fool as is your cousin!” Mr. Bennet added. “Fear not, my dear, I will speak to your mother. I will pay close attention to Mr. Collins this evening. If I detect any preference for you, I will speak to him, as well.”

“Thank you, Papa!” Elizabeth walked around to his side of the desk and kissed his forehead. “I knew I could count on you.”

Mr. Bennet blinked a few times in quick succession. “Off with you, now. I have business to attend to.”

As he watched Elizabeth walk from the room, Mr. Bennet thought,
I believe you
will
receive an offer of marriage soon, my Lizzy, but one that will be more to your liking.

~%~

November 13, 1811

“It has been a while since the gypsies have sent a letter, has it not, Lizzy?”

Elizabeth pinned the last of Jane’s locks of hair into place. Jane looked at herself in the mirror, turning her head to and fro, and smiled her appreciation at her sister.

“More than a fortnight,” Elizabeth answered.
Two blessed weeks—and with
not a word about Wickham during that time, either.

“You do not seem very upset that it has been so long.”

“Jane, how could I not be relieved? The last several pictures were of events I found highly disturbing. All has been quiet for fifteen days now.” Elizabeth stepped back. Her cream-coloured gown swished as she twirled around. “How do I look?”

“You look fine indeed, as you well know,” Jane answered. “Mr. Darcy will not be able to keep his eyes off you.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I only hope not to embarrass my family, Jane. The gypsies are wrong about his interest in me. He seems to be avoiding me lately.”

Jane was about to say something but stopped when their mother’s voice sounded out in the hall. “Girls, girls! You must hurry. We must not be late to the Kings’ party!”

~%~

November 16, 1811

When Elizabeth came down the stairs dressed for her walk, Mrs. Hill was approaching.

“A letter for you, miss.”

Elizabeth barely prevented herself from groaning as she took the missive. She tucked it into her pocket before tying her bonnet in place. When she was far enough from the house, she opened it.

The picture was similar to one she had already received, with one important difference. Where
she
had been in the former drawing, now in her place was Charlotte Lucas.

“Mr. Collins and Charlotte engaged?” she asked aloud.

Before he had left Longbourn last week, he threatened to return for the Bingley’s ball—if he could gain the permission of his patroness, of course. Previously, Elizabeth had felt safe that he would not return, but apparently, Lady Catherine would allow it.

Elizabeth shuffled the pages so she could look at the second drawing. Charlotte was in a place Elizabeth had never seen before. In her soul, Elizabeth felt that Charlotte would be quite content in the role of parson’s wife. She tilted her head. No. Charlotte was more than simply at ease; her friend would be delighted with her new life!

Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. “If Charlotte can be happy as the wife of such a man, then so be it!”

She walked on, looking forward to showing
this
one to Jane when she returned from her ramble.

I had best keep my opinions of Mr. Collins to myself from now on.

~%~

November 26, 1811 ~ Longbourn

Knowing she would be busy preparing for the ball at Netherfield later in the day, Elizabeth took an early morning walk. Upon her return to the house, she spied a thick envelope on the table of the entry hall. She sighed as she untied her bonnet and watched a maid rush from the kitchen into the dining room. The family must be at breakfast. She would join them after hanging up her pelisse and bonnet in her room.

Before anyone else joined her in the entry hall, she pocketed the letter and headed to her bedchamber. As she made to close her door, she heard Jane call her name and turned to speak to her.