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“I hope there was no strong attachment on either side,” Jack said peaceably, even as Elliot responded.
“He is far from a catch, and I doubt there was any strong connection on his side!”
“You are saying that because he gave you little attention as soon as Mary King was available,” Louis said with a laugh.
“Because of her fortune,” Elliot said. “Which is not the behaviour of a gentleman.”
“Not all of us have the chance to inherit,” Louis said, giving Jack a pointed look. “Fortune chasing is a necessity. Besides, Mary King was a nasty, freckled thing. No wonder Wickham was chasing her for her fortune rather than for herself!”
“Louis!”
“Do not deny it,” he said. “The general level of attractiveness here is well below the par without the militia to add to it.” He frowned. “I wonder what it is like in Brighton…”
They finished eating, the youngest two sharing the rest of the gossip even when asked not to, as they were not always kind with their words. Elliot listened as little as he could, but there was no escaping the frequent mention of Wickham’s name, and therefore thoughts about Darcy, and every time Elliot considered the other man, he was reminded all over again of the letter tucked away in his pocket.
The lack of propriety shown by your family...
Their reception at home was most kind which made Elliot feel bad all over again for his less than generous thoughts. Mrs. Bennet rejoiced to see Jack as handsome as ever, and more than once during dinner did Mr. Bennet say voluntarily to Elliot, “I am glad you are come back, Elliot.”
Their party in the dining-room was large, for the Lucases came to hear the news, and various were the subjects that occupied them. Louis spent quite a bit of time talking about his plans for the coming fortnight with the officers, and Elliot decided to pretend not to hear them until Marc interjected.
“I fear you spend too much time with the officers,” he said. “It would do you better to spend some time with some books!”
“You’ll have me working in the fields next alongside Christian!” Louis snapped before turning to the young man in question. “Be grateful I rescued you from that, brother.”
That answered Elliot’s question on who had been keeping up with the work of the estate and he resolved to get an early start in the morning and review the efforts of the past six weeks.
“I hope you have been aiding our brothers,” he said to Louis but received no answer. Likely he had not heard, as he seldom listened to anybody for more than half a minute and never attended to Marc at all if he could help it.
In the afternoon Louis was urgent with the rest of his brothers to walk to Meryton and to see how everybody went on, but Elliot steadily opposed the scheme. It should not be said that the Bennets could not be at home half a day before they were in pursuit of the officers! There was another reason too for his opposition. Elliot dreaded seeing Mr. Wickham again and was resolved to avoid it as long as possible. He was exceedingly glad to hear they would soon be leaving for Brighton, but less so when he heard Mrs. Bennet discussing a possible trip with Mr. Bennet. He was not keen on the prospect, but his responses to her were so vague that she had clearly not given up hope of him acquiescing.
It was very late in the evening by the time Jack and Elliot found themselves back in their bedroom. Jack looked tired and that made Elliot anxious. Now that he knew that Jack really did have Bingley’s heart it simply heightened the sense of what Jack had lost. Bingley’s affection was proved to have been sincere, and his conduct cleared of all blame. How grievous then was the thought that, of a situation so desirable in every respect, so replete with advantage, so promising for happiness, Jack had been deprived, by the behaviour of his very own family! And yet, how could Elliot possibly tell him this? It would not help restore his brother to his former good spirits at all!
“Are you very well, Elliot?” Jack asked and Elliot realised that he had been stood still, eyes on Jack, but saying nothing at all.
“I am.”
“I know that I have been wrapped up in my own affairs this last year,” Jack said slowly. “But I hope that I am still sensible of my brother’s character and aware of when there is a deviation from it. Something is wrong, Elliot, and I wish that you would tell me what it is.”
How could Elliot possibly tell him?
How could he not?
In the end, Elliot decided that he would relay only part of it, and perhaps begin to lay down a foundation for the rest.
“Come sit with me, brother,” Elliot said and then carefully, slowly, he relayed what had happened between himself and Mr. Darcy, including the parts of the letter which concerned Mr. Wickham but not the parts concerning Mr. Bingley.
Jack was just as astonished as Elliot had known he would be. He listened to it all, eyes wide, rubbing at the stubble on his chin whenever Elliot got to a particularly tricky part.
“I wonder that he did not deliver his sentiments in a more…” He paused. “Perhaps a more practiced manner.”
“My impression was that he had practiced,” Elliot said.
“He must have been very disappointed by your refusal then,” Jack replied. “I dare say it was unexpected.”
“He was more angry than disappointed, I think,” Elliot said, “But then, I am sure his other feelings will soon drive away his regard for me!”
“I do not think that is true,” Jack said. “For if they were not enough to prevent the proposal, they will not be enough to cease the regard. But come, tell me, what are these other feelings?”
