Page 76 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“Yes. So, you will speak with her?”

“I will do my best. She and Caroline have not been on good terms for years, so she has not been at Hurst’s home for a while. Not since that day you…”

Darcy sighed. They sat together eating their meal and discussing nothing of importance for a while before he decided to broach the topic of Elizabeth again.

“Bingley, you should know I may become extremely unpopular, if things go my way.”

“You sound a bit addled, my friend. I know you like to be unsociable and reserved, but I thought you liked people to think well of you.”

“Maybe I am addled, but I have already started down a path that I anticipate will end in an utter severing from society—if Elizabeth will forgive me.”

“Are you saying…have you decided to pursue her after all? After all these years of denying you could even think of her? This is too rich! You must be jesting.”

“I am entirely serious. It will not be easy, as I have a feeling she despises me, but I must try.”

“I knew it! I knew you two were perfect for each other.”

“Keep your voice down, I beg you. I would like to confess my feelings to the woman before all of London hears, if you please.”

“But this is stupendous!” Bingley whispered loudly and grinned. “So, we must dismiss Wickham with all haste, so you can move in, finally apologize to her for being a giant oaf, and then convince her you are not the man she has seen around town for the past two years.”

Darcy swallowed.

“When you put it that way…do you think it a lost cause?”

“Of course not. Do I have your permission to tell Jane? She may have some ideas.”

“Not yet. First, we get rid of Wickham. Then, we see how firmly he has already wormed his way into her heart. The initial campaign for my happiness, fought over the festive season, was mostly successful, but this war may be long and painful. I do not need more witnesses. Please keep this in confidence.”

Bingley nodded.

They finished their meals, Darcy considering the work ahead of him. He had received grudging and conditional approval from his Matlock relations. He wanted to tell his sister of his love for her friend, but Richard had convinced him to wait until he was closer to his goal, to avoid upsetting her if it did not work out or he decided he could not go through with what his family expected to be undying humiliation. Adding Wickham to the obstacles before him was unfortunate, but as long as he got to Elizabeth soon, he had a chance.

“Will you wear Mr. Wickham’s comb tonight, Miss?”

“No, Dinah. It is in my reticule again. I mean to return it to him tonight. Perhaps you would like to mention that to Matthew, so he will not worry?” Elizabeth gave her maid a half smile, but Dinah’s relief was clear.

“I think you are ready for the ball, then, Miss. This new yellow gown suits you.”

“Thank you, Dinah. Please tell my aunt I will be down in a quarter of an hour.”

“Yes, Miss.”

After her maid departed, Elizabeth gazed at her reflection. Then she turned to her dressing table and lifted the miniature that sat there. She looked back and forth between the small portrait and the mirror.

“I look like you now, Mama, do you not think? I am nearly nineteen, as you were when this was painted. You looked so happy…”

She thought back over the past few days. Mr. Wickham had made a brief call Saturday morning to inform her he would have three horses at Hyde Park on Monday afternoon. It had been a dream of hers for several years to ride through the park, and she thanked him eagerly.

“His horses, though, Mama! You would not have liked to see them. All three appeared underfed. Matthew’s horse shied away from him as though afraid, but he soothed her with murmured words.”

Elizabeth shook her head. She had been surprised by the state of Mr. Wickham’s horses, and she wondered whether he was responsible for the care and breeding at his estate.

“Mr. Wickham was not patient enough with his mount, either, and he used a bit that was too tight. It was distressing to witness.”

Perhaps he knew little of horses and had others in charge of them, although he had spoken with such passion about the animals when he first mentioned them. He did talk as though he spent most of his time in London and Bath, though. Perhaps he was not comfortable in the country.

Elizabeth still had no desire to live forever in London. If she became a governess, she would seek a position at a country estate. Realizing she still considered entering service, she knew even more firmly that she had not made up her mind about Mr. Wickham. She would give him the benefit of the doubt, however.