Wickham shook his head, unsure how all this fit together. He was quite confident, however, that there was some scheme he could come up with using this little piece of paper and this most enlightening morsel of news to his best advantage; something that would pad his pockets at least for a while.
He put the certificate down and began to take off the dark clothing that he had worn to sneak into Netherfield. As he pulled off his shirt, a novel idea came to him.
“Ahhh, yes,” he whispered softly. “I do believe there is someone who would be most interested in what ol’ Darce has been doing these past few months. She ought to pay very handsomely to keep me quiet while she pursues her options to take care of this… problem.”
He ran his fingers over the paper and smiled. When he planned to sneak into Darcy’s room, he had been confident he would be able to garner a few items of value, perhaps shake him up a bit. But he had no idea he would find something like this. And to think I was also able to witness their clandestine meeting!
As he thought about this piece of information that no one else seemed to be aware of, a new idea came to him. A sinister grin spread across his face as he dwelt more on this very promising thought. This could prove to be even more lucrative than I first imagined! This can set me up for life!
He balled his fist and tapped at his chin several times as he considered this. But first, I must get Darcy out of the way for a few days. I cannot let him find out I am here until my plan is complete.
He pondered the best way to ensure that Darcy would immediately leave. What would make Darcy return to Pemberley? Another smile, even more sinister than the first, touched his lips. Of course! I shall use myself!
Picking up a pen and a piece of stationery, Wickham began writing.
Darcy – I think it would be wise for you to return to Pemberley at once. Wickham has been seen for several days now around Lambton and even once on Pemberley’s property. Am concerned for Georgiana, as you might imagine.
He wondered how to sign it and finally decided to simply scrawl an illegible signature.
“There! That should get Darcy hightailing it to Pemberley!”
He folded up the deceptive missive and made plans to have it delivered to Netherfield first thing in the morning.
***
The next morning, the topic of conversation around the Netherfield breakfast table dwelt mainly on the theft. There was much conjecture from the men about who would have done such a thing and some disparaging remarks from the sisters about the type of people that must live in this neighbourhood. But in all her remarks, for some reason, Caroline seemed unusually subdued.
When they were almost finished eating, a note that had just been delivered was brought in for Darcy. He looked at the writing and, not recognizing it, curiously ripped it open. As he read it, his jaw tightened and he slammed his fist down. “Heaven forbid!”
“What is it, Darcy?”
Darcy looked at his friend, in whom he had never confided about his sister and his childhood friend, George Wickham. “Some problems at Pemberley. Unfortunately I must return at once!”
Darcy stood up and summoned Durnham. He sent him up to pack a small bag and a change of clothes and then asked to meet with Bingley alone.
When the two men walked in his study, Bingley closed the door and turned to Darcy. “What is it, Darcy?”
“Bingley, I must ask you to relay a message for me. I can trust only you to do it and I would ask that you do not say anything to anyone, particularly your sister. Do you understand?”
“Yes, friend. Anything. What is it?”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet must be told that I had to return to Pemberley because of an emergency that has arisen, and I most likely will not return for at least four days. Because of that, I will not be able to pay her a visit as I had hoped. I will put it all in a note. Will you be so kind and see that she discreetly receives it?”
“Of course.” Bingley looked at him oddly. “Darcy, may I ask a question?”
“Certainly.”
“Did something happen here at Netherfield between you and Miss Elizabeth that I was not aware of? Have you taken a liking to her?”
Darcy looked up into Bingley’s jovial face. “I have taken more than a liking to her, Bingley, but it did not happen at Netherfield.” Turning his head and looking out the window, he said, “It happened two years ago.”
***
Mr. Bingley came by Longbourn in the late morning. He brought along with him the note from Darcy, and was able to give it to Elizabeth undetected.
She stole away to the privacy of her room to read his words to her.
My dearest Elizabeth,
I hope this finds you well. Unfortunately, this morning I received some news that has disturbed me greatly. I find it necessary to leave immediately for Pemberley for the sake of my sister and my own peace of mind.
Please accept my regret at having to leave again. Trust that my thoughts will dwell on you for the duration of my journey. Once I have secured the safety of Georgiana, I shall return to Netherfield with her and hope that we can begin on that course that we determined. I look forward, as well, to you renewing your acquaintance with my beloved sister.
I leave the greater piece of my heart with you here as I depart for Pemberley.
Until my return, FD
Elizabeth was disappointed, but her heart was touched by his words and she treasured them deep within her.
She returned downstairs and was able to visit with Jane and Bingley for a short time before they left to spend the day at Netherfield with his sisters.
Her distress increased, however, when Mr. Collins decided this would be the day he would make his declaration in form. On finding Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth, and one of the younger girls together, he solicited for the honour of a private audience with her.
With a wave of mortification passing over Elizabeth and forceful insistence from her mother, Elizabeth found herself alone with Mr. Collins.
The few minutes she hoped it would take to politely refuse his proposal became increasingly long as he would not believe that her “no” truly meant no.
Collins continued to prattle on and Elizabeth came to dread that the only response that might satisfy him was if she declared she was already married. Knowing not what else to do, she insisted she could not and would not marry him one last time, and turned to depart the room.
As Elizabeth quickly left, eager to seek the solitude of her own chambers, she encountered her mother, who possessed a rather congratulatory look about her. She joined Mr. Collins, offering up warm congratulations on the happy prospect of their nearer connection. Mr. Collins, however, related to her what happened, still believing Elizabeth’s refusal to be part of her bashful modesty and the genuine delicacy of her character.
Mrs. Bennet saw it otherwise, and soon Mr. Collins realized that he had, indeed, been refused. He then changed his opinion of this daughter and began speaking as though he would not reconsider her.
Mrs. Bennet knew she must appeal to her husband and quickly left Collins before he was able to say another word. Fortunately for Elizabeth, her father would have nothing to do with his wife’s insistence that Elizabeth marry Mr. Collins.
Elizabeth smiled with relief at the conclusion of such a beginning, but Mrs. Bennet was excessively disappointed. When she left the room enumerating the agonies she suffered, Elizabeth gave her father a hug.
“Now, now, Lizzy, enough of that. You should know me well enough by now to know that I am not inclined to give my consent to just any man who is silly enough to imagine he has regard for you and thinks he can simply ask for your hand. Presently I do not feel as though any man is worthy of you, let alone Collins. So, my dear, even if you had said yes to the man, I would have absolutely refused it!”