Elizabeth moved effortlessly as Mr. Darcy’s partner at the ball at Matlock House. There had been many introductions made and not a few of the young ladies of her age were unskilled in the art of concealing their emotions.
Jealousy was evident in two particular young ladies. One was the second daughter of an earl from the north near Derbyshire and the other was the niece of one of Lady Matlock’s dearest friends.
That Richard had been sought by her contemporaries was not a surprise, but their constant whispers and covered giggles perturbed Elizabeth until she wished she might leave the warmth of the ballroom.
It would not do as the guest of honor to seek the balcony and so she retreated to the table bearing refreshments after assuring Mr. Darcy she was only in need of some punch.
Georgiana found her in the shadow of one of the columns near the table. “Elizabeth, it is not so bad as all that surely?”
Surprised by Miss Darcy’s knowledge of her discomfort, Elizabeth immediately began to smile. She must remember to school her expressions when at such events with the Matlock family.
“Tis not so terrible, really. Just that one would think with all the eligible young men in the room, they might forget me and move on to more exciting conjecture.”
Georgiana gave a sardonic smile. “My dear, there is not a soul present this night more exciting than you. Your marriage to Richard is shrouded in mystery and viewed as daringly romantic. To leave family and all its wealth for love is, after all, the ultimate fantasy few will ever be brave enough to realize. Yet you and Richard accomplished such a feat and his untimely death has left you as a legend of sorts, I fear.”
Elizabeth had not considered such a thing, but hearing it spoken aloud lent the ring of truth. There had been no other choice for the Matlocks but to receive her as a long lost, and welcome, member of their family with both sons gone and the gossip mill of London working happily along on the arrival of Mrs. Richard Fitzwilliam.
She could use such serendipity to her advantage, especially where young Richard was concerned. When his existence became known, Lady Matlock would be torn between great happiness at having a piece of Richard returned and great anger with Elizabeth for concealing the truth from the beginning.
Pushing away such thoughts, Elizabeth pretended she had been listening closely as Miss Darcy whispered valuable information about each of the two ladies who had seemed most upset by her presence.
“Prudence is spoiled terribly and has turned down two suitors since her season. Her aunt is most desperate to see her matched and had counted upon Richard to propose. He never so much as acknowledged Prudence was alive, come to think of it. Alexandra made a fine match just last year. Heaven knows why she would care you had married Richard after achieving such a catch as Lord Millington.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I suspect it is more to do with the romantic fantasy they have constructed about Richard and myself. The truth is our courtship was the same as any other. We became great friends before Richard asked my father if he might have my hand in marriage. I shall always think of him as my greatest friend.”
Miss Darcy gave a soft smile at this recollection. “Richard was the easiest man to be around. You could speak candidly and he would as well. I never thought of him as I do William, though both were my guardians. He made me feel as though I was his equal though I certainly was not.”
Elizabeth wondered at the somber note that affected Miss Darcy’s speech when she spoke of not being equal to Richard.
She moved closer and tucked her arm into the crook of Miss Darcy’s elbow. “You were his equal, in his mind and heart. Richard spoke of you often, though he never said your name. There was much affection in those tales and I envied the times you shared. Now I hate how he had to hide who you were from me.”
Georgiana led Elizabeth back to the refreshments. “After hearing of your meeting with Aunt Margaret, I understand why he kept that to himself. He likely did not wish to reveal too much before he was sent off to war. I must tell you that he did write to me of his love for you. I swore to him I would never tell a soul and begged him to bring you to Pemberley. He loved it there and would come whenever he could between his assignments.”
“I would have loved that! I am so happy he was at least able to share his news with you. I do hope to see Pemberley one day. Mr. Bingley has often said there is no home in all the country as fine. He would always apologize for the library at Netherfield Park and say it could never compare with the one at Pemberley. I am a great lover of books and I do hope he was honest in his praise.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Miss Darcy’s countenance grew quite serious as she vouched for Mr. Bingley’s word. “He is quite right, Elizabeth! You could spend a fortnight exploring our library and come away regretful that you had not been able to see everything. So you must come to visit as often as you wish.”
A young gentleman Elizabeth had met at Darcy House a few nights before the ball came to ask Miss Darcy for the next set. She understood that Mr. Darcy hoped the young man might seek Miss Darcy’s hand when her season came in the spring. His father held a title in Scotland and resided in a castle near Darcy lands there.
The young man was tall, attentive to a fault, and ruggedly handsome. His dark features highlighted the fair beauty of Georgiana Darcy to perfection. The young couple left her and Elizabeth glanced about the room.
Mr. Darcy was in conversation with several older gentlemen, Richard’s father amongst them. She turned thinking she might have just a moment to step onto the balcony and gather her courage for the remainder of the ball when a familiar face appeared before her.
“Lieutenant Wickham!” she exclaimed as the young soldier she had met in Meryton years ago took both her hands.
“Miss Elizabeth, I could not believe my eyes from across the room! I had to come and see for myself if it was the beautiful young lady I recall from my days in Hertfordshire. And it is Major Wickham now, the war has seen me climb the ranks.”
Elizabeth felt a lump rise in her throat. The talk of Richard earlier and knowing that Mr. Wickham had gone to war left her with feelings of regret and sadness for all those lost in service to king and country. “It is as seeing a ghost, Major Wickham,” she said, swallowing the lump in her throat and willing her voice not to break.
He moved closer to her. “I imagine it is. So many men did not return.”
“My own husband amongst them,” she said and bit the inside of her cheek. The evening had become much too serious for the swirling dancers and happy music.
“I am sad to hear such a fate befell the man but I did not know you had married. Who was he?”
“Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. He came to Meryton shortly before you were assigned to another regiment. Do you remember him?”
A shadow passed over his countenance and Elizabeth mistook it for distress. “I am not so fragile now as I was the day the news was delivered.”
“I am deeply sorry, Miss Elizabeth, or should I say, Mrs. Fitzwilliam. I did know him briefly in Meryton. Would you care to dance so that we might leave the war here on this spot and enjoy ourselves for a time?”
Elizabeth nodded, a genuine smile spreading across her face. “You always were one for merriment, Major Wickham. I would love to dance with an old friend.”
It was then Mr. Darcy saw the pair as they joined the line for the next set and clenched his jaw. The nerve of Wickham to show his face at Matlock House! He was both bold and foolhardy. The combination worried Darcy and he held his temper in check until the set ended.
Searching the throng of dancers heading for the refreshments, Mr. Darcy was relieved to see his sister in the company of their Aunt Margaret. He did not wish for her to see Wickham.
Watching as Elizabeth and the scoundrel made their way to the balcony, he hurried across the ballroom floor. Her laughter as Wickham talked with her angered Darcy and his heart gave a twinge of jealousy.
It was fully dark as he slipped through the balcony doors. Several couples were gathered in pairs away from the eyes of any chaperones. Elizabeth and Wickham appeared to be approaching the stairs that led to the small garden behind Matlock House.
The sight of the man who had nearly ruined his sister laughing with Elizabeth fed the fury growing in his chest.
In three long strides he caught up the couple and took the major by the arm. "You have no decency showing your face here, Wickham. Leave now or I will throw you out myself."
Elizabeth placed a hand on Mr. Darcy's arm. "William, you know this man?"
Wickham spoke up. "Indeed he does, Mrs. Fitzwilliam. We grew up together at Pemberley."
Mr. Darcy avoided Elizabeth's searching gaze. There was little time left to remove the man before his sister might discover his presence.
“This is a ball for Elizabeth to welcome her to our family, of which you are no part. Will you go or must I remove you?" Mr. Darcy proceeded down the stairs to the garden towing Major Wickham along behind him.
"I will see you again, my friend," he said to Elizabeth as he pulled his arm from Darcy's grasp.
Elizabeth did not wish for him to go, but it was plain to her there was trouble between the two men. “My sisters and I are at Fitzwilliam House, Major Wickham. You are welcome to visit."
Mr. Darcy gave her a look Elizabeth could only describe as wounded.
Wickham glanced at Mr. Darcy and brushed off the sleeve the man had clutched only moments ago. "I had every right to attend this event, Darcy. Your aunt and uncle issued invitations to the officers of my regiment. I only came when I heard the guest of honor was my old friend. I have not caused any trouble and I expect none from you."
Mr. Darcy returned to the top of the stairs to stand with Elizabeth. “Leave my family alone, Wickham, and you will have no trouble from me."
Elizabeth sensed his warning included herself. He could not dictate who her friends happened to be. When Wickham had left through the back gate of the garden, she turned to Mr. Darcy. “He is known to me only as a friend, William. A familiar face from home. I will not turn him away from Fitzwilliam House. What has he done to anger you so?“
Mr. Darcy did not like to argue with Elizabeth, not when they had so recently been reacquainted. "He is not an honorable man and I will not have him threaten my family again. There is much you do not know about him but trust me, you will come to regret your acquaintance with such a scoundrel.”
Elizabeth could not believe the censure Mr. Darcy so easily gave her. He had been kind, delightful company ever since her arrival in London."I understand you may know him better than I do, but I will not abandon his friendship because of your prejudice."
Mr. Darcy offered his arm but Elizabeth only glanced at it before turning and leaving him.
Sighing into the night air, Mr. Darcy followed behind wondering how he might persuade Wickham to leave Elizabeth Fitzwilliam and her sisters alone. He knew it certainly would involve a large sum of money.