Page 36 of Elizabeth’s Choice

He was also apprehensive about the way that the villagers seemed to be looking at him and whispering about behind his back earlier that day whilst he had visited the bookstore to purchase a few new volumes for Elizabeth. He was accustomed to people talking about him and was always fodder for gossip in town, but there was an air of curiosity that was different than usual and he could not place a finger on what might be happening. He requested his valet to keep his ears open for gossip so that he might find out if Elizabeth or Georgiana might be affected, since he knew Wickham was not above spreading false rumours to wound the Darcy Family.

As he stood by the window pondering, Bingley abruptly entered the library but stepped back out nervously and then returned, wringing his hands.

“What has happened, Bingley?” Darcy asked with one brow raised to see his friend of many years acting peculiarly.

Bingley approached him and spoke but avoided meeting his eyes, “You know I have the highest respect for you, Darcy, and will be your friend no matter what, do you not? I will stand by you, even if all your other friends should abandon you. You are like a brother to me and I only ask that you tell me the truth. You have told me that you wanted to stay in Hertfordshire for an indeterminate time instead of returning to Pemberley for Christmas, but is it because you are hiding yourself as well as Miss Darcy here because of a secret that you do not want exposed in your home county or in town?”

Darcy asked in surprise, “What secret? Of what are you speaking? I do not understand.”

Bingley closed the door and sat down in front of him, “There are rumours about you that recently surfaced and I do not believe a word of it, but Louisa and Caroline are insistent that I immediately evict you from Netherfield and to end all association with you. They think having you stay here will harm our reputation but I told them I would speak to you first.” He rubbed his face with his hands and continued, “I know not how to say it gently so I will blurt it out. It is being said that you are a Sodomite and that you have a particular friend in Derbyshire. You were witnessed fornicating with a young man out of doors at Pemberley.”

Darcy could feel his face burn in anger and snarled, “Let me take a wild guess; Wickham is the witness of this… event? Who else could it be?”

Bingley shrugged his shoulders, “I know not, but word spread quickly and my sisters said they heard from their maids who heard from other maids. Is it true? Are you a Sodomite?”

Darcy shook his head, “I am not, Bingley, and if you think I would swear such a thing on my father’s grave, you do not know me and I will end our friendship. I am in…” he paused, not knowing how much he could share about his relationship with Elizabeth at this time, “I cannot say more, but I only hope you will believe me.”

Bingley smiled broadly in relief, “Of course, I believe you! It sounds more like a far-fetched lie, likely begun by George Wickham after all the merchants closed his credit and demanded immediate payment. Everyone knows that he is a gambler and a wastrel and he must be slandering your good name out of bitterness. There is no truth whatsoever to what he said, right?”

Darcy sat in front of his friend and took a calming breath, since he felt murderous but did not know what to do. “Bingley, there is a… situation that I am unable to share at this time and I do have a secret but it is not mine to tell. I give you my word that it has nothing to do about me with another man, but I simply cannot say more about it. Do you trust me?”

“Of course, I do!” Bingley easily agreed. “I trust you and if you say you are not, then you are not! I only wanted you to trust me and I will always be your friend. I will tell off my sisters and they can go to York if they refuse to remain under the same roof. I prefer your company over theirs in any case but my only concern is what Mr. Bennet might say about this whole affair. I am seriously interested in Miss Bennet and would like to request courtship, but if he believes I am harbouring a deviant, I fear he will refuse me.”

Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose and replied, “I will call on him later today and tell him about the rumour and that it is utterly false. I will avoid being in the public eye until I am able to defend myself but will speak with Mr. Bennet. I must first tell my sister what is being said about me and she will be distressed on my behalf.”

“I think you should hold your head up high and be seen everywhere! Do not hide away so that people will think you are guilty of something, but rather make them wonder how you can be everywhere without a care unless you were completely innocent,” Bingley grinned. “That is what you told me when rumours began that I was capricious for chasing too many ladies, do you not recall?”

Darcy laughed, “What sound advice! I was wise for saying it, was I not?” He eyed his friend gratefully, “Thank you, Charles. You are like a brother to me also and I will do everything in my power to help you win Miss Bennet if you decide on her. She is a good match for you and is fortunate to win you. I promise you that everything will be cleared up as soon as possible.”

“I look forward to shocking everyone at the ball in two days, when you are haughty and offensive to everyone as your wont. I am going to tell my sisters that you are certainly staying. They will be miserable and I might finally be able to convince them to leave!” He laughed loudly as he arose and left the room to find Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingey.

Darcy stood up and gripped his fists tightly, wishing he could choke the life out of Wickham’s body but was indebted to Bingley for his friendship. He prayed Elizabeth would return soon so that he could discuss the situation with her and figure out a solution without damaging either of their reputations.

~*~

After visiting Georgiana and explaining what rumours were circulating, Darcy trotted on his horse to Longbourn to call on Mr. Bennet, pondering if the older gentleman had heard what was being circulated already and if he would allow entrance into his home. Mrs. Bennet was a notorious gossip and it would not be surprising if he should be shunned.

Georgiana had cried and her concerns were only for him, but he told her that it was his fault for kissing Elizabeth in the woods while she was wearing her suit and that he must guard her secret until she returned from town. They both had not received any word from her nor their relatives and became concerned if serious harm might have befallen Elizabeth.

It was decided that they would both journey to London the day after the ball if she did not write by then, and Darcy made his sister promise to stay within Ashworth for now, just in case Wickham was looking to harm her.

Darcy knocked on Longbourn’s door and was greeted by Mrs. Hill, “Welcome, Mr. Darcy! Mr. Bennet was wondering when you would stop by and has been expecting you.”

He was surprised by the warm tone and took off his hat and gloves after entering when he saw Mrs. Bennet hurriedly approach him.

“Oh, Mr. Darcy! Have you heard about what is being said about you? Mr. Bennet told us to not listen to a word about the slander and that you are an upstanding gentleman, and of course I know you are! Hurry, hurry! He has been expecting you for several hours now!” She guided him to the study, “Do not worry about a thing. I will talk to my sister and we will get this all sorted out. The Darcy Family name will be protected and all will be well.” She knocked on the door and opened it for him with a smile before retreating.

Mr. Bennet stood to welcome him in and asked, “How are you, son? You are not too worried about what is being said, are you? I know it must be George Wickham in a desperate attempt to throw suspicion on your character, since you exposed his villainy to everyone here. I will have a talk with Sir William and Colonel Forster, as well as my brother Phillips to see how we can bring up charges of slander against Lieutenant Wickham.”

“Thank you, sir. It has been heavy on my mind but I am relieved to have your support to clear my name.” Darcy contemplated how much he could tell Mr. Bennet, who had no idea about his relationship with Elizabeth, but he wanted to be as honest as he could, “I… I must tell you that there are some… some partial truths to what is being said about me, though. If Wickham did indeed witness… but nothing as serious as what he is saying, I could fathom why someone could… think… they saw me in a vulnerable position… but it is not my secret to share…” he could not compose his words clearly without revealing what exactly happened.

Mr. Bennet sat quietly for several moments while staring at Darcy and then finally spoke, “Tell me as much as you are able to share about this secret, Darcy. Were you doing something immoral in the woods with someone?”

“No, sir! It was just a kiss. There was nothing immoral about it!” He exclaimed in his defence.

Mr. Bennet then asked, “Was it with, perhaps, not a young man but someone dressed like a young man? Do you love her?”

Darcy nodded his head as he wiped his face with his hands and then looked directly at Mr. Bennet, “More than my own life, sir. I fell in love with her nearly at first sight and although we argued so many times, I cannot imagine life without her, and she loves me in return but has not been able to decide to marry me yet.”