Page 84 of Bitterness of Spirit

“You do not look tired at all, Miss Elizabeth. In fact, you both look beautiful and so lively. You seem to be so…happy all the time.”

I believe the secret of joy and liveliness is to surround yourself with people who know how to laugh and jest and enjoy each day just because they can,” Colonel Fitzwilliam explained.

Darcy said nothing but watched them intently, as did Lady Catherine from the neighbouring table. While the Matlocks seemed perfectly comfortable with their companions, Lady Catherine’s face expressed only severity and disdain.

The food was praised and savoured through easy conversation. The restraint of most of the guests slowly fell away, encouraged by the exquisite selection of wines. Discussion flowed throughout the tables, and by dessert time, there were few people not fully enjoying themselves. Lady Catherine was among them, in contrast to her daughter’s high spirits.

Towards morning, when the guests’ tastes were satisfied, groups were formed again. Some preferred billiards, some cards, while others simply preferred conversation.

As the music was about to start, Colonel Fitzwilliam walked into the room with his eldest brother and Anne, along with Jane and Bingley. The rest of the Fitzwilliams remained near the Duke of York, together with many others, including the Countess of Jersey and the Countess of Sefton. Mr. Wilson, his sister, and Elizabeth joined the group. The countesses and Lady Matlock stood close to the Duke while the gentlemen—including Lord Matlock and Lady Catherine—remained behind.

“The dinner was exquisite, Mr. Wilson. You deserve praise for the entire ball. I had doubts about the success of this evening, but you proved me wrong,” Lady Jersey said.

He bowed deeply. “Your ladyship is too generous. Your presence surely added to the success.”

“And the selection of drinks—perfect, Wilson,” the Duke declared. “I remember your sending me some special wines from India once. I miss that; if you happen to find some more, I would appreciate it.”

Wilson bowed. “It would be my pleasure to find a way to comply with your highness’s request.”

“I am sure you will find a way, Wilson. You always do.” The duke raised his glass to him.

“I must say, it is the first time I have attended a ball hosted by someone outside our circle of acquaintances, but I have no reason to repine so far,” Lady Sefton added. “You are a mystery, Mr. Wilson. You must tell us more about yourself since we have speculated all night but reached no conclusion.”

His highness shrugged. “What is there to know except that he is a brave and courageous soldier? At times, too much so. A man should also be prudent and careful with his life, but Wilson is often oblivious to his own safety.”

“Your highness’s praise is too generous. I did no more than my duty.”

“Yes, yes, but these army tales do not satisfy a lady’s curiosity. We wish to discover more,” the countess continued. “Nobody knows much about you except that…well, I hope you will not feel offended when I say we are aware of your…modest origins.”

Wilson smiled bitterly and glanced around. All were curious: Darcy and Elizabeth, the colonel, Lady Catherine and Anne, the Matlocks, Mrs. Gardiner, and the countesses.

“Not offended at all. I have made no secret that my family, although supporting and caring, was of little consequence. My father was a tenant who then purchased a shop to support his family. He was a hardworking, respected man, and he struggled to ensure his family a decent life. I left twenty-five years ago because I was given no choice to stay.”

He paused, and his audience looked at him, waiting.

“And?” the countess demanded.

“I spent my life abroad, and some might consider it successful. I do not know whether that is true. I am proud that I had the chance to serve my country under the command of one of the most illustrious men of our time,” he said, bowing to his highness.

“You are a brave and determined man, Wilson—one of the best to serve under my command. I have known you for over ten years now, but I realise how little I know about you. Where are you from? And why have I never asked you this before?”

“Surely, your highness has more important things to do than ask about my roots and hometown. I was born and raised in one of the most beautiful places in all England. In Derbyshire. More precisely, in Lambton, a small town five miles from Pemberley, the Darcy estate.”

Elizabeth watched the others’ reactions carefully. Most of them were curious and attentive to his explanations.

“I know Pemberley for sure. And the Darcys,” the duke claimed.

“My son mentioned something about your living in Derbyshire,” Lady Matlock said brightly.

“So Matlock, Lady Catherine, and Darcy were acquainted with you before? They were very sly to pretend ignorance,” the Duke said in mocking reproach, glancing at those named. Both siblings appeared puzzled and somewhat distressed.

“Mr. Darcy was only a toddler when I left; he could not possibly remember me. Our acquaintance is very recent. As for Lord Matlock and Lady Catherine, even if they happened to know me, I was surely too insignificant for them to notice my existence.”

Frowning, Lady Catherine and Lord Matlock turned pale at his last words while they glared at each other. Elizabeth briefly caught their eyes, and they turned their backs to her but did not depart.

“Do you still have relatives in Lambton, Mr. Wilson? Will they remember you after all this time?” the countess inquired.

“I have my sister—Mrs. Gardiner—but my family left Derbyshire twenty years ago. Still, I trust there are people who will remember me as Gilbert Wilson. Some of them will hopefully be glad to see me while others will loathe discovering I am still alive. Nevertheless, I still have some unfinished business, and it is time for me to conclude it accordingly. It was one of the main purposes of my return.”