Free Darcy and Elizabeth What If? Collection 3 by Jennifer Lang

seems well suited to the church now, and although three thousand pounds is a great deal of money, it will not last him a lifetime, whereas the living would provide for him for ever.’
    ‘I am afraid there is worse. I am not at liberty to divulge any names, but perhaps I can say this without causing injury to any innocent parties: Mr Wickham attempted to elope with a young woman, against the wishes of her family.’
    ‘Elope!’
    Elizabeth sounded shocked, and Mr Darcy was sure it was not only because the affair itself was shocking. He knew that Mr Wickham had been paying court to Elizabeth and she would not like to think that Wickham could switch his affections so easily.
    ‘Still, if there was love in the case,’ she said.
    He could tell it had cost her an effort to say it. For any young woman to realise the young man who had been paying court to her had, at some previous date, been ready to elope with another woman, was not easy. But Elizabeth had risen above petty jealousy and he admired her for it. She was proving herself more and more lovable in his eyes.
    ‘I am afraid there was no love,’ he said. ‘The young woman was an heiress.’
    ‘A gentleman might fall in love with an heiress, as well as a poor woman, I suppose,’ she said, attempting humour.
    Again he admired her for it. Although her own feelings must be wounded, she was not breaking down, she was behaving with great dignity.
    ‘He might. But I do not think that any gentleman would elope with a fifteen year old girl.’
    ‘Fifteen!’ exclaimed Elizabeth. ‘Oh, but this cannot be true.’
    ‘I have upset you, and I am sorry for it, but it is true nonetheless. My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, will confirm it.’ He said, more gently, ‘I have many faults, Miss Bennet, but I am not, I think, an unjust man. I hope Mr Wickham will make a success of the military life but I am afraid my help must be at an end.’
    ‘You have given me much to think about, Mr Darcy,’ she said, as they found themselves close to the path which led to the parsonage. ‘I believe I must leave you here. I do not like to leave Mrs Collins alone too long.’
    ‘Would you like me to escort you back to the parsonage?’ he asked.
    ‘No. I would rather go alone. But thank you.’
    ‘For disturbing your peace of mind?’ he asked, and his voice showed his sorrow at having done so.
    ‘For having been honest with me,’ she said.
    She gave him a brief smile which was worth all the humiliations he had endured and then she walked away from him, back towards the parsonage.
    He watched her go, with the forsythia still in her arms, and he did not stop watching her until she entered the parsonage. Then he turned and walked back to Rosings.
    I hope I have done the right thing , he thought under his breath.
    Only time will tell.

Chapter Seven
     
    Elizabeth had much to ponder as she went back into the parsonage.
    How I wish Jane were here , she thought, as she removed her outdoor clothes and then arranged the forsythia in a vase. I need someone to talk to.
    She was reluctant to tell Charlotte, for she knew that Charlotte would think she was wrong to have refused Mr Darcy. And so she kept her thoughts to herself.
    She went into the sitting-room. Charlotte was sitting over by the window, making the most of the natural light as she sewed a button onto one of Mr Collins’s shirts. It was a quiet, domestic scene. Charlotte was looking contented and, in a new green muslin gown, she was looking almost pretty.
    We are all different , thought Elizabeth. Charlotte accepted Mr Collins and I was horrified, but it was the right decision for Charlotte. I have never known her so contented. She has her home and her poultry, she has the parishioners to help and Lady Catherine to mollify. She has a life that agrees with her.
    She thought of her sister, and smiled to think how delighted Jane would be when Mr Bingley returned to Netherfield, for Jane, too, knew what would make her happy.
    And Mr Wickham?