Jann Rowland
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Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 240
When Elizabeth Bennet meets with Mr. Wickham in Meryton, he informs her of his past dealings with Mr. Darcy. During the course of this conversation, Elizabeth realizes that Mr. Wickham is perhaps not all he seems to be and that there may be more to the man than amiable manners and a handsome countenance.
Though she decides she does not want to be involved with either of the men, she finds that it is not easy to extricate herself from the situation. One of the men turns out to be strangely compelling, and the other is intent upon inducing her to acknowledge that his version of events is correct. The further she is drawn into their intrigues, the more Elizabeth realizes that she may have misjudged the situation . . . and that her powers of observation might not be completely faultless in all cases.
This tale of love and courtship tells the story of what might have happened had Elizabeth only opened her eyes and used some of her vaunted ability to sketch characters shortly after the beginning of her acquaintance with Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy.
“Some time or other he will be—but it shall not be by me. Till I can forget his father, I can never defy or expose him.”
Elizabeth rolled the words around in her head, thinking that perhaps she had mistaken Mr. Wickham’s meaning. Had he instead been suggesting some other conviction? Or perhaps he had misspoken and inferred something wholly unintended?
No, there could be no mistake. According to Mr. Wickham, he could never expose the master of Pemberley, as he had too much respect for the man’s father. And if that was so, then why had he shared his intelligence with her, an acquaintance of only a few hours? What could he mean by it?
“Miss Bennet?”
The sound of Mr. Wickham’s voice pulled Elizabeth from her reverie, and she peered up at him, noting the half frown which had come over his face.
READ MORE“Oh, please forgive me, Mr. Wickham,” blurted Elizabeth, not knowing what to say. “I believe I allowed my mind to wander.”
She was now not as interested in continuing this conversation as she had previously been—his contradiction of his own words made her suspicious of his designs, and she wondered whether his cheerful and agreeable manners were an affectation to hide whatever he truly was from others. Though she was still confused and upset over the realization, what she wished for most was a respite in which she could examine their interactions and his words in a more thorough manner. Only then could she more fully discern for herself whether this man could be trusted.
“I had not thought I had lost the ability to hold the attention of a lady, but it appears I was mistaken.” declared Mr. Wickham, his tone light and playful.
No doubt he intended his words in jest, but Elizabeth took just enough warning in them to determine that if his confidences were false and if his manners were a mask to hide the real man, it might not be prudent to openly acknowledge her understanding of his duplicity. If he was truly attempting to deceive her, then the character defects necessary to defame another man without scruple, almost certainly hid other character defects of a potentially more serious nature. So Elizabeth, calling on her own social prowess, fell back on what she knew best—she teased him.
“Oh, I do not know that I would say that, Mr. Wickham,” said she, giving him an arch look. “I assure you that I consider you every bit the diverting conversation partner.”
Mr. Wickham laughed, his good humor apparently restored. “I am very glad to hear it, Miss Bennet. I must own that I have never before met such a charming young lady with whom I have been able to converse with so easily despite such a short acquaintance. I am very much looking forward to knowing you better.”
Had Elizabeth missed the contradiction of his own words, she might very well have also missed the salacious gleam in his eyes and the way they raked over her form. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable in his presence, Elizabeth was forced to acknowledge that his company had lost much of its allure. His flattery was as thick and sweet as honey, and his charming smile now seemed false—a mask donned to mislead others. Elizabeth still determined to think on the subject at a later date, but at that moment, she was resolved not to fall for his false flattery!
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