A Vision of the Path Before Him

by Elizabeth Frerichs

  “As you say. I remain, however, determined to do my best to ensure he is no longer a danger to anyone, including himself.”

  Fitzwilliam leaned back in his chair, studying Darcy. After several moments, he straightened. “You are a better man than I.” He glanced out the window, then stood. “I believe I shall call on Colonel Forster before it gets any later.”

  Chapter 20

  Following Fitzwilliam’s departure, Darcy hastened to his room for the privacy it afforded. If Georgiana’s letter contained bad news, he did not wish to be interrupted, least of all by Miss Bingley who would attempt to dredge out every last bit of the contents despite all Darcy’s efforts to impress upon her his love of privacy. He settled back into the most comfortable chair in the room, and, fingers trembling, he opened the letter.

  With a deep breath and a prayer that he had not made things worse with his new approach, he began to read.

  Dearest Brother,

  Our cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, has informed me that he shall see you soon and would be glad to bring my regular letter with him. Is everything all right? You did not inform me of a planned visit by our cousin in your last letter, and he has answered my inquiries very vaguely.

  Darcy sighed as he realised he would have to tell Georgiana of Wickham’s presence. He hoped to God that it would not hinder her recovery! She had not faced his reappearance Before.

  I am well.

  Darcy slumped in relief. If he had made things worse, Georgiana would have avoided such a statement, despite attempting to convey the substance of it. Though Fitzwilliam had said she was, in fact, well, it was good to hear it from her own lips, or rather, hand.

  Mrs. Annesley has been very satisfactory. I find her to be a kindred spirit and am delighted that you found her. She has helped me see that I was partly to blame for the events of last summer. I know that others have their own share of the blame, but I have realised that I ignored all I had learned about being a proper young lady in favour of the thrill of His attentions. I was naïve. But not, dear brother, because you failed in educating me. My governesses and companions had explained the proper behaviour of a young lady, and I should have known better.

  In a way, it has been a freeing reflection. As I am partly to blame, I was not helpless at the time, nor am I helpless now should I meet another practiced seducer. The etiquette I have learned will guide me, and my experience with Him will allow me to avoid another such situation.

  I am grateful that I may speak to you of such things, and I hope you “gain experience” so that you may further advise me in matters of the heart.

  Miss Elizabeth sounds like an interesting young woman. What is she like? Has her sister recovered? Have you been together much lately? Has Mr. Bingley begun to court Miss Bennet?

  My studies are progressing well. I continue to practise on the pianoforte, and I am painting a watercolour of Pemberley from the vantage point of your favourite bench. Our Aunt Matlock is determined that I will learn the necessary skills for being a hostess. She has found fault with many of the things Mrs. Younge taught me in that area. I am afraid it has increased her desire to find you a wife so that I will have a proper person in my life to teach me such things.

  Darcy lowered the letter, his mind’s eye immediately conjuring a scene of Elizabeth instructing Georgiana in the necessary graces. They would get along famously. Elizabeth would be the perfect person to encourage his timid sister. Even if, he swallowed hard against the grief that had risen, she refused him again, he would desire Elizabeth to be friends with Georgiana. Perhaps he ought to introduce them and allow them to develop a friendship before requesting a courtship. Then their friendship would be entirely separate from his actions . . . . Such an event would be possible only if he secured Wickham’s absence, however, so he forced the thought to the back of his mind.

  Thank you for your frankness. I am grateful that I shall always have a place with you and that your view of what sort of man I ought to marry differs from my aunts’. I know now that He was not the right sort of person and that He did not value me for myself. I felt I had met someone who understood me, but looking back, I can see that, as you suggested, His professions of shared interests were not sincere.

  I am grateful you arrived that day, Fitzwilliam. Thank you for your continuing care.

  Your loving sister,

  Georgiana

  A knock sounded at the door, and Darcy refolded the letter before bidding the person enter. Penn’s cheerful visage met him.

  “Did you require anything, sir?” he asked as he closed the door. “Perhaps your writing case?”

  Darcy shook his head in disbelief. The consummate gentleman’s gentleman, Penn always anticipated his needs—often before he himself recognised them. “Yes, please,” he said with a smile.

  Penn went to one of Darcy’s trunks and lifted the lid. “And how is Miss Georgiana?” he asked while deftly extracting Darcy’s travel writing case.

  “She appears to be well,” Darcy replied. “Our Aunt Matlock continues to instruct her in the niceties of hostess duties. According to her, Georgiana’s instruction in this area has been woefully inadequate.”

  “Perhaps Miss Elizabeth may be of assistance,” Penn said as he handed Darcy the wooden box.

  Darcy smiled at his man. “Perhaps. I do believe they would get along splendidly.”

  “Do you intend to invite Miss Georgiana here?”

  Darcy extracted a pen and began to mend it. “I cannot do so until we resolve the situation with Wickham. Colonel Fitzwilliam has gone to speak with Colonel Forster.”

  “So I have heard,” Penn replied.

  “If his errand is successful, perhaps our task will be easier than expected,” Darcy continued.

  “Perhaps. I have not yet ascertained the reason behind the officers’ changed behaviour,” Penn said, his hands clasped behind his back.

  Darcy frowned.

  “Either the gossip has not reached Netherfield Park, or there is no gossip to hear.”

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam may be able to gain some insight into that matter,” Darcy said. “If Wickham has been up to his old tricks, I only hope that Colonel Fitzwilliam’s reputation for truthfulness will sway the officers.”

  “You shall soon have word,” Penn said soothingly. “According to the maids, Colonel Fitzwilliam is expected back by dinner.” He straightened. “Do you require anything else?”

  Darcy shook his head. “No, thank you.”

  “I will leave you to your letter writing then.”

  “Thank you, Penn. Your prescience leaves me in awe as always.”

  Penn’s eyes widened before he regained control of his expression and left.

  Darcy leaned back in his chair, his eyes unfocused. In moments like these, the contrast between his prior self and the man he had become was greatest. He had been a good employer, but he had taken Penn’s exceptional abilities as no more than his due. Penn was both servant and friend, something Darcy had recognised Before but had never bothered thanking Penn for. After Elizabeth’s rebuke, he began to acknowledge and show his gratitude for those things that made Penn so valuable.

  He sighed, wishing his younger self had been different. Gratitude towards Elizabeth for showing him the error of his ways filled him again. Without her intervention, how long would he have continued in his thoughtless arrogance? And how would he have treated Georgiana? Would he ever have been able to help her without his own encounter with rough mercy?

  He returned his attention to the writing case, laid out paper and ink, and began to write.

  Dear Georgiana,

  I am glad to hear that you are doing well and that Mrs. Annesley has been satisfactory. Like you, I have found the revelation of my poor behaviour to be freeing and I am grateful to have the power to change for the better. I am also glad you see the wisdom in adhering to the good counsel given by some of your governesses and companions. Part of being an adult is to weigh counsel and to accept what is wise and to reject what is fo
olish. You are growing ever more wise yourself if you have learned this, and I am proud of you!

  Miss Elizabeth is a fascinating young woman. I have found her to be witty, intelligent, and kind to those around her.

  Darcy paused. What else should he share with Georgiana? Glancing back at her letter, the order of Georgiana’s statements struck him. He recalled telling her in his last letter that he had little experience in matters of the heart to share and had taken her wish for him to gain experience as a reply to that statement. However, taken with her questions about Elizabeth, he now suspected that his younger sister was gently suggesting he pursue Elizabeth. Thus, her request for information might have greater weight than he had initially presumed.

  She has four sisters. Her older sister, Miss Bennet, is the young woman that Mr. Bingley is enamoured with. He has not yet asked for a courtship, however, he spends as much time with her as possible. Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth appear to be very dear to each other, despite Miss Bennet’s more subdued manner. In many ways, she reminds me of you.

  Miss Elizabeth’s three younger sisters are

  Darcy’s pen remained poised over the ink bottle as he considered adjectives that could describe the three youngest Bennets. He knew little of the middle sister, save that she was mousy and eager to display her limited talents on the pianoforte. However, Georgiana would be interested in her simply by reason of the girl’s music. The two youngest girls seemed similar enough that he could scarcely tell them apart, the youngest only distinguishing herself by her boisterousness. Historically, Georgiana had avoided those with such character traits, despite the good that might come from companions who drew her out of herself. Had not Bingley been of great service to Darcy because he was more comfortable in crowds? The second youngest girl reminded him of Mrs. Hurst, always following in Miss Bingley’s footsteps, laughing a beat after her sister, matching her behaviour to her sister’s.

  very different from the two eldest, he finished. Her middle sister shares your interest in music, though she does not share your skill, nor Miss Elizabeth’s depth of feeling in her playing. Her youngest sister is close to your age, however, she is already “out”—perhaps due to the more relaxed environment of the country.

  The Bennets are active in local society, and I have continued to meet Miss Elizabeth at various events. In addition, Bingley has insisted on visiting them as often as possible.

  I am glad that you now have a better perspective on Wickham; he has long been skilled in charming those around him. In fact, Colonel Fitzwilliam’s visit to Hertfordshire is regarding Wickham. I wish I could be there to tell you this in person, sweetling: Wickham has joined the local militia here. Please do not be alarmed, however, as I am determined to protect both you and the people of Hertfordshire from his schemes. I do not know what can be done about him, but I will no longer sit back and watch the destruction he wreaks nor will I continue to rectify his mistakes.

  Fitzwilliam arrived safely (as you can guess from this reply to your missive), and I am hopeful that his military influence may assist us with coming to a solution.

  Are you continuing to enjoy your time with our aunt and uncle? I do not think your lessons have increased Aunt Matlock’s desire for me to find a wife: it is her tradition to steer me towards whichever young ladies have caught her fancy at the time. Do not fret that you have exacerbated it. I am certain she shall be no more or less determined than in the past.

  I intend to return to London in time to spend Christmas with you.

  Your loving brother,

  Fitzwilliam

  As Darcy finished the letter, he stared at it pensively. Ought he to suggest spending Christmas at Netherfield Park should they complete their business with Wickham? Georgiana had mentioned several times in the past year her desire for a female friend closer to her own age, and Mrs. Annesley, a woman in her middle-years, would likely mother Georgiana (something he felt she needed more than ever) as opposed to acting as a confidant. Elizabeth and Miss Bennet, however, would perfectly fulfil her requirements if the three of them so chose.

  He pushed the thought away once more. He could do nothing until Wickham was neutralised.

  ◆◆◆

  “Damned if you weren’t right!” Fitzwilliam snarled as he paced like a hungry tiger denied his prey. “That snake in the grass has indeed gone before us.”

  Though he had returned before dinner, Darcy had not had time to quiz Fitzwilliam on how the meeting with Colonel Forster went. Only now, after everyone but he and Bingley had retired were the three of them able to talk freely. They were once more in the study, Fitzwilliam’s agitation getting the better of him.

  Darcy sank into a chair. “What has been said?”

  Fitzwilliam’s hands clenched into fists. “The little weasel convinced Colonel Forster, and, I would assume, several of the other officers, that you followed him to Meryton because you have a vendetta against him.”

  “A vendetta?”

  “Yes.” A bitter smile twisted his lips. “Because your father preferred him to you.”

  Darcy winced. Wickham had ever woven elements of truth into his tales. Though his father had not said he preferred Wickham, he appeared to do so, and that was enough for Wickham to proclaim far and wide that he was the favourite.

  Fitzwilliam shook his head. “It did not matter what I said. Even when I pointed out that you arrived before Wickham, Forster was unwilling to listen. Wickham convinced them that you knew of his intention to join the militia and schemed to ruin his prospects. Forster wouldn’t even look at the papers.” He snorted. “The man actually lectured me on the importance of not allowing personal feelings to interfere with my command.”

  “And my presence?” Bingley asked. “Why would I let Netherfield and invite Darcy if Darcy is the one who desired to follow Wickham?”

  Fitzwilliam shrugged. “Such details are not relevant to a person who is in thrall to Wickham. Somehow he convinces them to brush away the inconsistencies in his story.”

  Bingley handed round drinks and then leaned back in a chair, apparently trying to puzzle out the methods Wickham used or the credulity of Meryton’s inhabitants. Fitzwilliam swallowed the contents of his glass in a single gulp, his rage unabated.

  “It would not surprise me if, according to Wickham, I convinced you to take the lease on Netherfield Park so that I could have a plausible reason for arriving in Meryton in my quest to blight his life,” Darcy remarked. “Though it remains a mystery as to why I would need such an elaborate ruse when, to those who are unaware of my history with the man, I can ruin him much more easily.”

  Fitzwilliam finally stopped his pacing and sat. He raked a hand through his hair. “Perhaps Wickham has blackmailed Colonel Forster. If not, the man is unfit for command, in my opinion.”

  “Wickham has fooled many an intelligent person. His skill at deception does not mean Colonel Forster is a fool,” Darcy offered.

  Fitzwilliam glared at him. “Yes, it does. A commander must weed out those who are disloyal to him, otherwise he will fall prey to every spy and dissenter in the ranks.”

  “Perhaps Colonel Forster has had negative experiences with those who are well-connected and have risen above their capabilities, just as you have,” Darcy suggested.

  Fitzwilliam glowered at him.

  “What do you propose we do now?” Bingley asked.

  “Without Forster’s cooperation, we cannot transfer Wickham to another unit unless the blackguard requests the transfer,” Fitzwilliam said.

  Bingley sighed. “So we’re back to seeking leverage over Wickham.” He fidgeted. “I cannot stand this waiting when I know he is a danger to the woman I adore!”

  Darcy’s jaw tensed as Bingley’s helplessness set off his own feelings of frustration. Wickham had run off with Miss Lydia sometime after Easter, and the thought of months of uncertainty as the Bennets teetered on the edge of disaster left him feeling as though a thousand ants were crawling just under his skin. Darcy stood and paced the patch o
f floor Fitzwilliam had abandoned. Although they could do nothing about Wickham now, perhaps another option would occur to Fitzwilliam or perhaps Wickham would orchestrate his own downfall sooner rather than later. In the meantime, he vowed to keep a close watch over the woman he loved and her family.

  “We will just have to watch him like a hawk,” Fitzwilliam said with a growl in his voice. “The moment Wickham steps out of line, we will be waiting.”

  Chapter 21

  Darcy glared at the rain-streaked windows for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. Even Fitzwilliam had been unable to tease him into a better humour. The sprinkling rain of the evening before had turned into a steady downpour overnight, leaving the fields dotted with puddles and the outdoors unfit for man and beast. Elizabeth would be similarly caged at Longbourn, and so he could not indulge in her presence this morning. This morning’s rain had reminded him that it had rained for several days prior to the ball Before—he only recalled this because his attempts to politely avoid Miss Bingley had been severely curtailed without the excuses of inspecting the land and exercising Apollo.

  To top off what was shaping up to be a foul morning, Miss Bingley had decided to grace them with her presence a full half hour earlier than normal. Rather than exchanging greetings with her in passing as he finished his breakfast and she began hers as was typical, Darcy was instead forced to endure her company.

  “Charles! Are you listening?” Miss Bingley inquired shrilly.

  Bingley winced. “Caroline, how can I not listen? I understand that you desire to hire extra servants for the ball from London, and, as I have already told you, I leave the ball preparations in your capable hands.”

  Miss Bingley flung out a hand towards the spattering of drops that continued to wash the windows. “If this weather does not abate in time, I shall be unable to do so! Mrs. Winters asked me this morning if I wished her to compile a list of locals to interview as the rains often last for days this time of year. As if this horrible backwater wasn’t ghastly enough.”