A little while later, Mr Darcy indicated to the children they should return home as the sky had become clouded. He watched them leave and stood there until he saw them enter the house; only then did he turn to Elizabeth.
“Miss Bennet, we should walk back to the Parsonage. It looks like it might rain soon. But please do not hesitate to ask me any questions you want.”
“I…yesterday, there was another question I would have liked to ask. Now, I confess I am quite touched seeing you with the children. May I ask why?”
“It is a delicate story and…” He paused for a moment, then looked ahead as he spoke.
“I cannot provide you with all the details as it is a private matter which involves someone else. I can only say I have been well acquainted with the children’s father, Horace Gilroy, since I was a child and I visited Rosings with my parents. He was almost ten years my senior.”
“Oh…so you were friends?”
“Not exactly…Gilroy was Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s tenant — a hardworking and loyal man. Sir Lewis gave him the best piece of land, which he made very productive. They had a good house and a comfortable life. When Sir Lewis passed away seven years ago, he even left him the sum of five hundred pounds in his will.”
“How generous and kind of Sir Lewis.”
“Indeed. Unfortunately, Lady Catherine had quite a different opinion of Gilroy, and she was always displeased with him and his work.”
He paused, so Elizabeth said, “Which I assume displeased Lady Catherine exceedingly.”
“Indeed.”
Elizabeth breathed deeply and said, “It is quite unfortunate when someone’s dying wishes upset those that remain. I hope Lady Catherine granted Mr Gilroy the due amount after all.”
“She did.”
“Then it is a better situation than others — those where the sums owed were not given as requested.”
At that, he paused, looking at her, and she did the same. She could feel his repressed anger but still held his gaze boldly. Somebody had to confront him, after all. His good actions were no compensation for his dishonourable ones.”
“You are referring to Wickham, I assume,” he said directly.
“I am. I am well aware that I have no right to question your actions, Mr Darcy, but please remember that you offered to answer. You may choose to disregard the matter if you prefer.”
“I would prefer to disregard everything related to Wickham, but sadly, it seems fate keeps placing him in my path. I am sure he complained about the living that should have been his and my refusal to grant it.”
“He did, as well as the one thousand pounds that was also left to him. I know he was your father’s godson and that Mr Darcy had a great affection for him to the end.”
“Sadly, that part is true, and I am grateful that my father did not live to see his betrayal.”
The statement was powerful, and Elizabeth gulped the sudden lump in her throat. Surely Mr Darcy was only bringing false accusations to excuse his own faults.
“May I ask the nature of your interest in Wickham? I am well aware I have no right to question your relationship, but if I do, it is solely for your benefit.”
“There is no need to worry about my benefit, Mr Darcy. Mr Wickham is a dear friend of mine and of my family, and he granted me his trust in confessing such a delicate subject. Whoever knows his misfortunes would feel sorry for him. Whatcould he have done to draw your resentment so much that you condemn him to poverty?”
Mr Darcy let out a bark of laughter that that gave her thrills and made her uncomfortable. His anger was apparent, and she was alone with him at quite a distance from any house.
“His misfortunes were great indeed, pour soul. As for the reasons which caused my resentment, I could never relate them to an honourable young lady.”
She looked at him with a frown.
“Miss Bennet, I do not wish to pain or offend you, but Wickham related his pathetic story to you not because he trusted you but because it is what he tells everyone when we are both in the same place. Everyone who does not know him, of course. Usually, people come to learn his true nature rather quickly and in ways that cause them pain and loss.”
His words affected Elizabeth more deeply than she expected; no, not so much his words as his voice and the dark expression on his face.
“I told you once before that he makes friends easily but cannot keep them long. I assume you did not believe me and still do not. When you next meet him, ask him about his claim that he had no interest in the church and wished to study the law. Ask him about the three thousand pounds that he received to support his studies, in addition to the one thousand pounds that was bequeathed and given to him. Ask him how many times I have paid his gambling debts and other creditors — all in the name of my father’s love for him, which he so horribly abused.”
Elizabeth stopped breathing. She stared at Mr Darcy, and every word cut her like a knife.
