Read Online Mr. Darcy's Proposal by Susan Mason-Milks - Free Book Online
Authors: Susan Mason-Milks
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Wickham resign all future claims to the church living near Pemberley.
As he spoke, Darcy clenched and unclenched his fists. “I knew Mr. Wickham’s nature far better than my father, and I admit to being relieved he had decided against the church. I have never known anyone so ill-suited to take orders. From boyhood, Wickham was very careful around my father, but he was more open with me. He hated me because he knew I saw him for what he really was. After the arrangements were made and the money delivered to him, I believed I had fulfilled my father’s wishes and was finished with him. Unfortunately, I had not heard the last of Mr. Wickham.”
Elizabeth listened intently still uncertain what to believe. He went on to explain that Wickham did not pursue the law but had quickly squandered all the money. After making inquiries, Darcy discovered Wickham had engaged in gambling and frivolous living until he was penniless again and in debt.
“At that point, he came to me saying he had changed his mind about the church and asked to have the living at Kympton or additional money.” Darcy grimaced with the pain of recalling these events. “When I refused, he became unreasonably angry and hurled every kind of abuse at me such that I thought we might come to blows. Finally, I had to have several of my footmen escort him from my home. Then like a spoiled child who could not have his way, he vowed revenge and began to tell outrageous tales behind my back.”
Elizabeth could not contain her shock at hearing this information. As she examined both their stories in her mind, she could see that Darcy’s version matched most of what Wickham had told her. However, it was becoming clear that Wickham had conveniently chosen to ignore certain details that entirely changed the meaning of the events. Although she was reluctant to admit it, this new information also matched what Caroline Bingley had tried to tell her, and Elizabeth began to wonder if she had been too quick to believe Wickham’s accusations.
After relating this information, Darcy was silent. Elizabeth could find no words to express her astonishment. At this point, Darcy stopped and turned to face her. “Miss Elizabeth, I am reluctant to reveal my most recent dealings with that man. The circumstances are simply too shocking, but I believe you must know. The man I told about earlier, the man who nearly ruined my sister, was George Wickham.”
Elizabeth gave an audible gasp. First she felt her face drain of all color, and then she flushed with embarrassment. She closed her eyes against the rush of emotion that came with these revelations and felt herself wavering where she stood. When Darcy reached out to offer support, she pulled away, walking off a few steps where she stood with her back to him. Still unsteady on her feet, she put her hand out and leaned against a tree. Her disbelief was extreme, but she knew instantly in her heart that it all must be true.
Elizabeth felt shame and embarrassment that she could have made such a grievous error. She had always prided herself on being a good judge of character. How could she have been so wrong about Mr. Wickham? Was it because Mr. Darcy had wounded her pride with the comments she had overheard at the assembly that first evening? Darcy’s generally cold demeanor toward people must also have been a factor. Apparently, when considering Darcy and Wickham, one man had all the goodness while the other all the appearance of it.
“Miss Bennet, I am very sorry to have caused you discomfort, but I am certain you must know the truth in order to better understand Georgiana.”
When Elizabeth remained silent, he added, “If you do not believe me, then you have my permission to ask my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, to verify this story. He knows the particulars as he is joint guardian of Georgiana with me.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. When she turned to face him, she had tears in her eyes. Although he immediately
As he spoke, Darcy clenched and unclenched his fists. “I knew Mr. Wickham’s nature far better than my father, and I admit to being relieved he had decided against the church. I have never known anyone so ill-suited to take orders. From boyhood, Wickham was very careful around my father, but he was more open with me. He hated me because he knew I saw him for what he really was. After the arrangements were made and the money delivered to him, I believed I had fulfilled my father’s wishes and was finished with him. Unfortunately, I had not heard the last of Mr. Wickham.”
Elizabeth listened intently still uncertain what to believe. He went on to explain that Wickham did not pursue the law but had quickly squandered all the money. After making inquiries, Darcy discovered Wickham had engaged in gambling and frivolous living until he was penniless again and in debt.
“At that point, he came to me saying he had changed his mind about the church and asked to have the living at Kympton or additional money.” Darcy grimaced with the pain of recalling these events. “When I refused, he became unreasonably angry and hurled every kind of abuse at me such that I thought we might come to blows. Finally, I had to have several of my footmen escort him from my home. Then like a spoiled child who could not have his way, he vowed revenge and began to tell outrageous tales behind my back.”
Elizabeth could not contain her shock at hearing this information. As she examined both their stories in her mind, she could see that Darcy’s version matched most of what Wickham had told her. However, it was becoming clear that Wickham had conveniently chosen to ignore certain details that entirely changed the meaning of the events. Although she was reluctant to admit it, this new information also matched what Caroline Bingley had tried to tell her, and Elizabeth began to wonder if she had been too quick to believe Wickham’s accusations.
After relating this information, Darcy was silent. Elizabeth could find no words to express her astonishment. At this point, Darcy stopped and turned to face her. “Miss Elizabeth, I am reluctant to reveal my most recent dealings with that man. The circumstances are simply too shocking, but I believe you must know. The man I told about earlier, the man who nearly ruined my sister, was George Wickham.”
Elizabeth gave an audible gasp. First she felt her face drain of all color, and then she flushed with embarrassment. She closed her eyes against the rush of emotion that came with these revelations and felt herself wavering where she stood. When Darcy reached out to offer support, she pulled away, walking off a few steps where she stood with her back to him. Still unsteady on her feet, she put her hand out and leaned against a tree. Her disbelief was extreme, but she knew instantly in her heart that it all must be true.
Elizabeth felt shame and embarrassment that she could have made such a grievous error. She had always prided herself on being a good judge of character. How could she have been so wrong about Mr. Wickham? Was it because Mr. Darcy had wounded her pride with the comments she had overheard at the assembly that first evening? Darcy’s generally cold demeanor toward people must also have been a factor. Apparently, when considering Darcy and Wickham, one man had all the goodness while the other all the appearance of it.
“Miss Bennet, I am very sorry to have caused you discomfort, but I am certain you must know the truth in order to better understand Georgiana.”
When Elizabeth remained silent, he added, “If you do not believe me, then you have my permission to ask my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, to verify this story. He knows the particulars as he is joint guardian of Georgiana with me.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. When she turned to face him, she had tears in her eyes. Although he immediately
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