Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s Secret

Introduction The marriage to Mr. George Wickham was a mistake from the start. Elizabeth had married him with encouragement from her parents, but without any significant thought regarding what her future would be with him. She had the false impression that the union with her new and handsome spouse would be wonderful and carefree, but regrettably, she was wrong. Mr. Wickham had married her under with the misconception that she had a sizable dowry and would upon her father's death, inherit a large and wealthy estate. They were both wrong. When they first met, she found him handsome and charming, but unfortunately she had listened to his empty promises and lies; then married him under his false pretenses of love and security. He saw her as an easy way to obtain money and assets for his numerous gambling debts. They had met at the annual Meryton ball, at the home of Lady Lucas, a prominent local socialite, just six weeks before their marriage. The ladies attending the ball were very beautiful and the gowns they wore were of silk, with yards of skirt, full and all quite colorfully decorated. There were dozens of military officers in attendance, but none more handsome than Lt. George Wickham. He was tall, quite well-favored in appearance with his red military coat and properly cut trousers. He wore many metals on his jacket, one assuming he had earned them honestly for bravery and service to country. His blond hair was cut long and pulled tight to his neck. His eyes were a dark blue. His nose was long and sharp and his face was deeply colored from many hours out of doors. His appearance was almost feminine but had a definite male physique. His shoulders were broad, with a narrow waist. His leg muscles were strong and obviously evident in his tightly fitted uniform. Elizabeth, in contrast, was fairly attractive and slim, but not considered beautiful by either her family or by the local townspeople. She wore a borrowed green-colored silk dress, high waisted and cut low at the neck, showing just enough bust to make men look twice. Pearls worn at the neck accented the white lace worn about the sleeves and bodice of her dress. The ensemble perfectly matched her dark hazel eyes, with an upswept and styled red hair, that was decorated with the same white pearls. The two noticed each other from across the large ball room and their eyes immediately connected. Lt. Wickham crossed the room slowly while staring at the attractive Miss Elizabeth Bennett. He had had his recent acquaintance and host, also her uncle Mr. Gardnier, introduce them. She was immediately infatuated with the handsome Lt. Wickham, hardly believing her luck, that he would be attracted to her. Lt. Wickham was the first man who had ever showed her any interest and she was overcome by his attention to her. After their introduction, he offered to get her a glass of punch, which she readily accepted. By evenings end, they had talked for hours on the veranda of the Lady Lucas’ large home and in between dances, when she fell instantly under the spell of his smooth, deep voice and stories of victory in combat. He had showed no interest in the other ladies at the ball and she succumbed to his lone admiration for her. After their initial contact, he wasted no time and inquired as to who she was. When he heard falsely that she was the wealthy daughter of a large land owner; who would inherit the estate upon her elderly father’s passing, his interest in her grew.