Page 23

“He has told people far worse about me in other places. If I were not around, he would have already done so here too.”

“But may I ask, who is he? He says he has known you since childhood.”

Mr Darcy hesitated briefly, his gaze still burning her face.

“He is the son of my late father’s steward. His father was an excellent man, who managed Pemberley for many years. My father was very pleased with his work and became the godfather of his son. George Wickham grew up at Pemberley, with me, close to our family.”

“Oh, I see… So he was telling the truth?”

“Partially. My father was fond of him and supported him at school and university. Furthermore, in his will he left him one thousand pounds and a recommendation that he be granted a living in the church as soon as one fell vacant.”

“How generous of your father,” Elizabeth said, her interest growing. Her nervousness had begun to fade away.

“Yes. Unfortunately, Wickham was not worthy of it. After my father died, he received the money but instead of the church proclaimed he wished to study the law. He asked for and was granted a further three thousand pounds in lieu of the living.”

“Really?” she asked, shocked by the detail. “Then I wonder how he could pretend you treated him cruelly.”

Mr Darcy laughed bitterly. “Because last year he came back to request the living that had become vacant. Of course, I refused him, not so much because he had changed his mind but because he had wasted all the money I had given him without making any progress in an honourable profession.”

“What insolence on his part! So he spent the money on something other than studying the law?”

“Not a single hour of study, as I learnt from reliable sources. Awarding a living gives the holder enormous responsibility for the people in that parish. I would never grant one to a dishonest, shallow, unreliable man.”

“Of course not. Your actions are perfectly understandable. But given your portrayal of his character, it is no wonder he held a grudge against you, even though the fault is entirely his.”

“If he is involved in spreading these rumours, he must believe they will hurt me, which is ridiculous. However, if he harms you in any way, that is another matter entirely.”

His expression was grave and serious, and Elizabeth’s nervousness increased for no particular reason.

“Thank you for trusting me, Mr Darcy. I know you are a private man, and it must have been difficult for you to share this story with someone you hardly know.”

“I would not have bothered you with this narration if you had not asked, Miss Bennet. Since you hardly know me, I do not expect you to trust my words, but I hope you will not trust Wickham’s either. Most people usually do when they first meet him. By the time they have realised their error, he has already taken advantage of them in some way.”

“My sisters and several other people in Meryton have already been charmed by him,” she said. “I am in no such danger, I assure you. My mind is otherwise engaged these days…”

“Wickham’s easy manners have always helped him present himself in a favourable light. There are people who make an excellent first impression and people who fail in doing so. I believe second and third impressions are more accurate,” Mr Darcy replied, puzzling Elizabeth.

Was he explaining himself to her?

“And speaking of that, Miss Bennet, I must take this opportunity to apologise for my outrageous behaviour when we first met at the Meryton assembly.”

That statement added further to Elizabeth’s amazement. She said nothing, so he added, “That evening, I was in a very poor disposition and did not even wish to attend. Bingley insisted, so I eventually accepted. Then he pushed me to dance, though I rarely do so. When he suggested I should dance with you, I would have said anything to be left alone. Of course, that is no excuse for my rudeness, and my apologies are insufficient. But please know I would not have danced with anyone.”

Elizabeth quickly regained her composure and replied with a large smile, “Apology accepted, sir. I confess I did take offence in that moment, but then Lady Cecilia mentioned she could not convince you to dance with her either. So I know you did not single me out.”

His embarrassment amused her exceedingly; then, he smiled too. Dimples appeared in his cheeks, his expression softened, and a glimpse of warmth could be detected in his eyes. Her nervousness returned, together with a strange feeling in her stomach.

“Apparently, I am rude to everyone where balls and parties are concerned,” he said. “This is a fault, indeed, which I should correct immediately. My poor disposition should not make other people feel uncomfortable too.”

“I shall not argue with that statement, Mr Darcy,” she replied lightly. “However, I am glad we had the chance to discuss and clarify this misunderstanding. Now we may put it aside and never mention it again.”

“Thank you…for your generous forgiveness and for the chance to have this conversation. It was a fortuitous encounter,” he concluded with the same little smile that twisted the corners of his lips.

“Indeed…”

“Now I must return to Netherfield. I would not want to miss your father’s visit.”

“I should return home too. I hope I am now calm enough to argue with my mother and aunt in a reasonable way,” she jested.