Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World Read Online Free PDF Page B

waiting for her. Could he not
leave her alone for even a few hours?
    But
as it happened, she had merely forgotten--or perhaps wished to forget--that her
mother had invited him to dinner. So there was nothing to be done for it,
although her lively spirits rebelled at the idea of spending her entire evening
talking with him.
    Lydia
and Kitty seemed more determined than ever to embarrass Elizabeth with their
antics. After her sisters had made several comments about the officers which
left Elizabeth blushing for their sake, in desperation she asked Mr. Darcy to
take a turn about the gardens with her, aware of the irony of seeking his
company in such a way when her greatest desire was to have him far away. The
sole advantage of marriage she could see was that she would no longer have to
concern herself with how her family would humiliate her in front of Darcy.
    She
was not above using the situation to her own benefit, telling Darcy she had
promised to make a last visit to her Aunt Philips on the morrow, and she was
sure he would be welcome if he cared to accompany her.
    The
look on his face spoke volumes. "I understand the necessity for saying
farewell to your relations; however, I do not doubt I can find something to
engage my interest at Netherfield while you do so."
    Although
it was the response she had hoped for, it still irritated her enough to cause
her to react unwisely. With a sly glance, she said, "I saw several
acquaintances in town today. Miss Lucas was on her way to the library, and I
met with Mr. Wickham outside the milliner's."
    Darcy
frowned. "You should not be associating with Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth. He is
not the man he seems."
    So
Wickham had been correct in his assessment. "But we are acquaintances of
some months' standing. I can scarcely escape it now." She took a perverse
enjoyment in her assertion.
    "You
do not know the manner of man he is, and I hope you never will.
    Promise
me you will not speak to him again."
    Elizabeth
had to look away from him, or she would have said something quite intemperate.
It was of little consequence whether she promised or not; as she herself had
said, it was unlikely their paths would cross again.
    Still,
the taste was bitter in her mouth as she said, "Very well, if that is what
you wish, sir."
    The
resolution did not prove as simple to keep as she had anticipated.
    When
she arrived at her aunt's house, she discovered a small gathering in progress
for the purpose of playing cards. Her aunt was seated at a table with several
of the officers, their number including Mr. Wickham. Her pulses fl uttered a
little, wondering what he would think of her presence at such an occasion
without her intended.
    But
she had made a promise. Elizabeth resolved that the best solution was to avoid
Mr. Wickham, keeping to the side of the room away from the card players.
Despite the initial success of this strategy, she did not move quickly enough
when the game ended. Before she was aware what had transpired, she discovered
Mr. Wickham taking the seat beside her. How was she to keep her word to Darcy
now?
    He
smiled at her amiably. "Miss Elizabeth, you look quite lovely this
evening."
    Elizabeth
met his eyes with a look intended to convey her apologies.
    After
a minute of silence, Mr. Wickham said with concern, "Are you quite
well?"
    She
bit her lip, willing him to understand. Her anger at Darcy for putting her in
this position flared to life again.
    It
was unusual to catch Mr. Wickham with a frown on his face, but wore one now.
"Allow me to guess. You are forbidden to speak to me." His tone held
anger and disbelief.
    Elizabeth
looked down at her hands, folded tightly in her lap.
    "Of
course. I do not know why I am surprised. This is hardly the first time he has
taken from me something I valued on nothing more than a whim. But he cannot
forbid me to speak to you." He paused, then continued in a low tone of
restrained anger. "For your sake I will not tarry. I would not wish to
place you in jeopardy