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“That may be possible, but then where will the pianoforte be placed?” Mr. Gardiner inquired.

“Would it be necessary to have a separate music room?” Darcy asked.

“I am afraid that it would be best if Mary was able to practice on the pianoforte far from where my mother will be spending her days,” Elizabeth said. “But, I do not see why we could not move the pianoforte to the west drawing room.”

The party walked back to the west drawing room to further investigate its suitability as a music room.

“Do you not feel it is too small to use as a music room if your mother were ever to entertain?” asked Darcy.

“What if we were to combine this room with the current dining room and move the dining room to the north drawing room?” Mr. Gardiner asked.

“I wouldn’t recommend moving the dining room so far,” Darcy interjected. “Where it is, there is already an established route to the kitchen.”

“Could we combine the north drawing room with the library in order to create the new music room?” Mr. Gardiner asked. “We would have the added benefit of placing the music room on the opposite side of the house from the small parlor.”

“But then, where would the library go?” Darcy asked.

“I’m afraid that my mother does not overly concern herself with books,” Elizabeth answered. “If we were to combine the north drawing room with the library, we could leave the shelves. The pianoforte and seating will take up most of the room, but there will be plenty of space for the few books that my mother will want. We could then combine the current dining room with the west drawing room, creating a dining room large enough to meet any future needs.”

It did not take them long to investigate the rest of the house. The bedchambers were sufficient. The attics were large and well ventilated. The kitchen and servants’ quarters were adequate. All that remained was finalizing the purchase offer on the house so that they could begin the renovations.

As they exited the house, Elizabeth slowed her steps to allow for some distance to develop between them and the other two gentlemen.

“Thank you for inviting me today,” she softly told Darcy.

“I should have included you from the beginning,” he responded.

“You have been very kind and compassionate; I cannot fault the care you have shown me.”

“But you were right; I should have asked your opinion. I have been my own master for so long, that I have grown accustomed to making decisions on my own. You are now the most important part of my life. If I am going to make decisions that will please you, I will need to ask for your opinion.”

They had reached the carriage, so the only reply he received was a slight blush, and a tightening of her grasp on his arm before letting go to be handed into the carriage.

Chapter 15

Lydia Bennet loved to gossip. She had been subdued in the days following her father’s funeral, letting only the occasional comment escape. As time passed, she again found her voice.

She first leaked a few tidbits about Mr. Wickham’s history with Mr. Darcy to her mother, Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet then shared the gossip with those ladies that came to call, namely Mrs. Phillips and Lady Lucas. Next, Lydia let a few more facts slip to Maria Lucas, who shared them with her mother. Lady Lucas then shared them with Sir William, who thought it might be best to warn the shopkeepers.

All in all, as the people in their corner of Hertfordshire came to like Mr. Darcy, they also came to dislike Mr. Wickham. No longer was Mr. Darcy a proud, disagreeable man. Instead, he was sad, quiet, and misunderstood.

No longer was Mr. Wickham a cheerful, agreeable fellow. Instead, he was grasping and wasteful. It became well known that he had gone through four thousand pounds in less than five years.

Mr. Wickham’s reception among the local populace had cooled considerably following the funeral for Mr. Bennet. For the first couple of weeks, he was hopeful that this attitude shift would not transfer to the regiment. He was destined to be disappointed.

He blamed the innkeeper.

One evening, as was customary, Wickham joined his fellow officers for a pint at the local inn. When he placed his order, the innkeeper requested that he first produce the coin to cover his debt. Wearing his most flattering smile, he admitted to not having the funds with him, but promised to bring them by the next day. When the innkeeper continued to refuse to serve him, his fellow officers questioned why. The innkeeper explained that Wickham had amassed a larger debt than any two other officers combined. The other officers were shocked.

That is when the talk began among the officers.

The talk that somehow made its way back to Colonel Forster.

The talk that caused Colonel Forster to inquire with other local merchants as to the amount of Mr. Wickham’s debts.

When Colonel Forster realized that Mr. Wickham would not be able to pay his debts in Hertfordshire from his pay as an officer, he questioned the lieutenant about other sources of income. He had none. He was told it would be some time before he received his pay directly, as it would be used to settle his debts.

Then there was more talk.