Wickham seated himself at the same table upon Darcy’s arrival. A fresh bottle of brandy sat on the table, along with two glasses. Darcy removed his gloves and started to sit down. “I hope you do not mind, Darcy,” Wickham smiled, “but I told the proprietor you would pay for the brandy when you arrived.” Darcy tossed a coin on the table, and the tavern owner hurried over to claim it.
“I have pressing business today, Mr. Wickham. I do not have time to play games. Have you thought more about marrying Miss Lydia?”
Wickham launched into the negotiations, “How much do you believe Mr. Bennet will bestow on Lydia?”
“I cannot say for sure. I have not discussed this with him directly. I would be willing to contact him on your behalf if you so desire.” Darcy hoped Wickham would not call him on this; he did not want Mr. Bennet, whom, in reality, he barely knew knowing how he went beyond good society in this matter. For if Mr. Bennet knew, Elizabeth would also know the extent of his involvement. “You will need,” he continued,“a fresh start. I would, personally, be willing for old times’ sake, as part of my dear father’s memory, to pay your debts in Meryton and Brighton. Mrs. Bennet’s brothers offered to cover me on any such expense, if necessary. As a lawyer in Meryton, one of Mrs. Bennet’s brothers has been approached by several residents with complaints of your shortcomings.”
Wickham pondered,“All my debts would be cleared?”
“Of course, I am assuming you have a full accounting to whom you owe funds,” Darcy offered.“Do you have any idea of the extent of your debt?”
“I would be able to determine that information for you, I believe,”Wickham stumbled on.
“Then we are agreed,” Darcy started.
“Wait . . . I may need a way to support my new wife. I can no longer return to the militia.”
“I have considered that. What say you to a commission in the regulars? Miss Lydia has a preference for men in uniforms. It would be best if we find you a regiment in another part of the country where your reputation is not known; that would aid your fresh start. Colonel Fitzwilliam could help us.”
“It seems you planned my life for me, Darcy,” Wickham faltered. “It is so out of character for you to be taking all this on. What is the true nature of your concern?”
“I told you of my connections to Hertfordshire previously, but I also admit some shame in how our relationship deteriorated.Your father served my father most faithfully. Although I still find what you did to Georgiana and now to Miss Lydia to be abhorrent, I do understand your desperation. For my father’s sake, I wish you another chance to be successful.”
“That is generous of you,”Wickham stammered.“Let me think on it; you may buy me another bottle of brandy tomorrow.” He slugged down the alcohol in his glass, took the bottle with him, and climbed the stairs to his let rooms. Darcy left the tavern, stopping to pay his “spy” along the way. He knew by tomorrow Wickham would be his.
On the third day of their meetings, Darcy found Wickham made a more presentable appearance; he abandoned his previous unkempt look, and he spent time with his ablutions. The tavern keeper brought over the brandy without being asked, and Darcy dutifully paid him. So far, Wickham was too easily persuaded, and Darcy knew him well enough to know when he took an accounting of his debts,Wickham would not sell out so quickly; therefore, when Wickham began a renegotiation of the previous terms, this did not surprise Darcy.
“I have been thinking, Darcy, about what you said yesterday about your father and mine. They were good friends, were they not?” He reached for the brandy again. It seemed to give him something to do with his hands for Darcy noted although Wickham’s voice and countenance portrayed him to be calm, the trembling of his hands betrayed his lie. Darcy simply shot Wickham a complementary look of calm.“We were great friends, too, Darcy, in our youth.”
“What is your point, Mr. Wickham?” Darcy asked, knowing where the conversation led.
“I was thinking about the living your father’s promise intended on my having,” Wickham began. “Do you think it might ever be available to me?”
“I can never say never,” Darcy began, hoping to keep Wickham’s plans alive without promising him anything definite,“but I cannot see that as a possibility in the near future. It would be several years off at best. Your immediate future would be best spent as we discussed yesterday. The colonel helped me locate an available commission in the North if you are willing to accept it. It appears to be a perfect match for your temperament; you need only to resign your current position as an officer in the——shire. The paperwork for such a transfer can be complete in less than a week according to the colonel.”
Wickham mulled over Darcy’s words; Darcy saw glimpses of the desperation Wickham experienced displayed in his manner. “Mr. Bennet,”Wickham still pressed for more,“will give Lydia her share of her mother’s inheritance, but that may not be enough for us. I am afraid my intended has expensive tastes; I do not think I can afford her.”
“Of what are you thinking?” Darcy asked although he knew what to expect.
“If I chose to leave Lydia and found someone else, I could probably use my charms to find a more lucrative match. I was thinking an extra ten thousand pounds might make me more amiable to the Bennet offer.”
“Mr. Bennet, as you well know, cannot afford such a demand, and although I am one of his friends, I cannot assume so many of his debts. Between Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet’s brothers, reasonable demands will be met, but ten thousand pounds is not a reasonable idea. They would be more willing to turn you over to the constable and use their money to hush up the issues of Miss Lydia’s spoiled reputation. They could easily purchase her an appropriate match for a lot less. I would not press for so much if I were you; the
Bennet offer is the best one on the table for you at this time. If you and Miss Lydia economize her spending and your gambling, the two of you may live quite well on your commission and her inheritance. I will, however, pledge an additional two thousand pounds, but that is my last offer. I will not return here after today if you do not accept the Bennets’ agreement.” Wickham shifted uncomfortably in his chair as he weighed the situation. After several minutes of fretful silence, he agreed with Darcy’s demands.An end was near, but Darcy did not let down his guard too soon. “You agree, Mr. Wickham, to the following: a resignation of your current position, an acceptance of a commission in the regulars, a payment of all your current debts in Meryton and Brighton, and a settlement of three thousand pounds total on Miss Lydia.”
“I agree, Darcy.” He extended his hand; Darcy did not move, however.
“If you do not mind, I would prefer my attorney draw up the agreements and obtain your signature rather than accepting your handshake.”
Wickham conjectured,“Do you not trust me?”
“It is not personal, Mr.Wickham; it is business.Where I might accept your word, I am sure the Bennet family would prefer something more binding.”
Wickham’s laugh held elements of sorrowfulness, but he made his decision and with a resiliency Darcy once envied, he stood to take his leave. “Before you go, Mr. Wickham, I need for you to approach the local clergyman and make arrangements for the wedding. Miss Lydia cannot return to Meryton for the service after having been here with you for so long. She must be married here in London. I will contact her aunt and uncle; she should stay with them until the marriage vows take place. St. Clements Church is the closest parish; please see the clergyman there about the reading of the banns; you are looking at a fortnight, at least, before the vows. I am leaving you ten shillings to pay the minister and additional funds to maintain your room here. Do not spend it unwisely.”
“As usual, Darcy, you have thought of everything,” Wickham’s smile suggested the sarcasm his tone did not betray.
“It has been my lot in life,” Darcy also stood.“My attorney will call on you tomorrow for your signature. I will see Miss Lydia’s uncle as soon as possible, and he will make arrangements for her removal to his resid
ence. He will allow you, I am sure, appropriate time with her as you wait for the nuptials.”
“Then there is nothing left to do; I will tell Lydia she is soon to be Mrs. Wickham.” He took the brandy once again and poured himself a quick drink before he headed for the stairs that led to the room where Lydia Bennet awaited his return.
Friday brought Darcy a short letter from Georgiana. They traveled to Nottingham, and she told him of a few items she purchased from the local merchants. The most important part of the letter was the last paragraph.
Now that Miss Bingley walked away from examining how much my handwriting resembles my brother’s, I can say what I wanted to tell you.Your sister, my darling Fitzwilliam, is proud of your efforts to save Miss Elizabeth, especially considering the mortifications you must be suffering at Mr.Wickham’s hands.You see, I have no doubt you have found him, and a resolution is at hand. I await your return and news of your success.
With love,
Georgiana
Darcy realized the blessing of having someone such as Georgiana as a sister rather than someone like Lydia Bennet. He knew Georgiana would gladly suffer the public humiliation of her brief relationship with Mr.Wickham in order to save Elizabeth where Lydia Bennet cared not for anyone but herself. Lydia Bennet and George Wickham deserved each other;Wickham married an embodiment of Mrs. Bennet; maybe Darcy would have the final revenge after all. In late afternoon, Darcy made a trip to Cheapside to see Mr. Gardiner, but he found upon calling about business Mr. Gardiner met with his brother Mr. Bennet. Darcy did not wish to see Mr. Bennet so he made his exit, telling the servant he would call again the following day. The servant told Darcy Mr. Bennet planned to depart on Saturday, and Mr. Gardiner would be available then.
When he made his call on Mr. Gardiner the next day, he received a genuine welcome although he surprised the man. “Mr. Darcy, it is so pleasant to see you again so soon. When Emily said I had a visitor yesterday, I had no idea it was you; Mr. Bennet and I would have received you had we known.”
“It is of no consequence, Mr. Gardiner,” Darcy stated as he accepted the seat being offered.“My business is of a delicate nature, and I purposely avoided Mr. Bennet’s knowledge of it.”
Mr. Gardiner said seriously,“You have my undivided attention, Sir.”
“As you are aware, I was with your niece Elizabeth when she received the news from Miss Bennet which has distressed your family of late.”
“Elizabeth told us of the comfort your presence provided her then, but I do not understand how that affects you, Sir.”
“Mr. Wickham’s relationship with my family has been a tenuous one, but my many dealings with him gave me knowledge of his habits, which you and your brother did not have. My knowledge of George Wickham came from his father being my father’s steward. Mr. Wickham and I were at Cambridge together, and I have dealt with him in such nefarious matters as this one before. I took that knowledge, and I followed you to London. I realize I took on more than is acceptable, but I hope you will forgive my intrusion into such a private matter when I tell you I found them and spoke to them on several occasions about their folly.”
“You found them!” Mr. Gardiner’s relief showed on his face. “I would gladly forgive your intrusion for such happy news. Where are they? Are they married?”
“They are not married,” Darcy saw Gardiner’s happiness fade, “but I presented myself to both Mr.Wickham and to Miss Lydia as being your family’s agent in this matter. I concocted a lie, which I hope you will also forgive, to achieve an agreement with Mr. Wickham and your family. He applied for an ordinary license with the minister at St. Clements Church yesterday. They will be married in a little over a fortnight.”
“Mr. Darcy, my sister’s family will be ever in your debt.”
Darcy then told Mr. Gardiner of the financial arrangements he made with Mr. Wickham. Although Darcy’s news astounded him, his niece’s lack of concern for her family, however, did not surprise the man. “I fear only the two eldest Bennet sisters possess good sense, Mr. Darcy. They are our favorites, as you can imagine.” Darcy could easily imagine Elizabeth; he had done so every day since the assembly at Meryton, but he made no comment. Mr. Gardiner, he was sure, knew of his affection for Elizabeth; why else would he have gotten involved in such a situation as this one if he did not care about Elizabeth Bennet; he no longer tried to deny his feelings for her.
Mr. Gardiner agreed Lydia should be married out of his home, and he would make arrangements to bring her there the next day. Mrs. Gardiner returned to London then, and they would go together to bring Lydia to Gracechurch Street. Gardiner soon learned of Darcy’s good business sense. Getting Mr. Wickham to marry Lydia Bennet for so little was a stroke of genius. Although it would be a strain on the Bennets’ finances, Mr. Gardiner would share the expenses with his sister’s family.That is when he learned Darcy’s full plan. Darcy would assume all the expenses of the wedding, but he wanted none of the credit for doing so.
“I will hear of no compromise. It is my conviction if George Wickham’s worthlessness was better known, it would be impossible for him to persuade any young woman of character to leave with him without proper bonds. I knew of his low character, but my foolish pride would not allow me to make known the extent of his depravity. I once thought myself above his actions. However, I came to realize if I did something before, none of this would be possible. I cared only for my own private matters and did not consider the ramifications of Mr.Wickham’s evil on other people.” Darcy never spoke directly of his sister’s shame, but he gave Mr. Gardiner to know Mr. Wickham betrayed Darcy’s family. He was obstinate about his involvement and would not relent, no matter how much Mr. Gardiner tried to change his mind.
“Well, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner offered,“it seems you have Mr. Wickham’s life planned.”
Darcy laughed conspiratorially.“He said something similar.”
“Will you join me for dinner, Sir?”
“I cannot, Mr. Gardiner, I have other obligations this evening.”
“My wife returns tomorrow. I wish to discuss your proposal with her.Will you join us tomorrow evening as our guest?”
“It would be a pleasure to spend time with you and Mrs. Gardiner again.”
The men parted, each with a degree of satisfaction. Mr. Gardiner would see an end to the troubles Lydia brought on the family; Darcy would preserve Elizabeth’s respectability and maintain his slim hopes she would one day change her mind and marry him.
“I will not change my mind, Mr. Gardiner.” Darcy renewed his contention to be the sole benefactor in the Wickham matter again on Sunday for Mr. Gardiner had second thoughts about taking credit for Darcy’s triumph; but Darcy’s obstinacy won out.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner finally agreed to his demands, but they did so with an ulterior motive, realizing Darcy’s preference for their niece, a preference Darcy hoped to one day make public. “I must tell you, Mr. Darcy, we will be forever in your debt,” Mrs. Gardiner began. “We accept your offer reluctantly in hopes by doing so we maintain the respectability of Lydia’s more deserving sisters. They should have fulfilling lives despite their youngest sister’s folly.”
The Gardiners had the pleasure of his company that evening for dinner, and Darcy had the pleasure of listening to them tell stories of Jane and Elizabeth as children and as young ladies growing up in the Bennet household. Those tales of Elizabeth’s precociousness most interested him, but he also took delight in learning more about Jane Bennet. He misjudged her nature, and he knew making amends to Bingley must come soon. “Those two girls,” Mrs. Gardiner was laughing so hard at the story she told that tears came to her eyes, “would look at you and maintain their innocence, which was usually true for Jane, but not so much for Lizzy. Even when you were mad at what they did, you could not be mad at either of them. Their goodness made you love them even when your favorite vase lay in a hundred pieces on the kitchen floor.”
The Gardiners’ own children showed interest in Mr. Darcy because h
e was a “favorite,” according to their parents of both “Cousin Jane” and “Cousin Elizabeth.” Having children in the house made Darcy fancy Elizabeth even more than usual. It was a perfect way to end a most pleasurable evening.
On Monday, Darcy finalized the plans for the church, the transfer of funds to Lydia Bennet, and the purchasing of the commission. Calling on the Gardiners one last time, he found they sent a dispatch to Longbourn with news of the impending marriage. Finally, he thought, Elizabeth will be free of all these provocations: she will be able to laugh again; he dearly missed that laugh. Lydia was coming to Gracechurch Street that day, and he would return to Pemberley on Wednesday. He would come again to London for the actual wedding; Mr. Wickham had no one else to stand up with him; plus, Darcy’s need for meticulous planning required he be there to assure nothing went awry before the nuptials.
All were happy to see his return to Pemberley, with his sister most anxious to seek his company privately; but that would wait; today Darcy served as the “good” host. “Mr. Darcy, you were grievously missed on our trip to Nottingham,” Caroline called to him.
He answered her politely, “I am sorry to cause you grief, Miss Bingley.”
“Has your urgent estate problems been resolved?” Bingley implored.
“Generally so,” Darcy lied,“but I will need to return to London for a day or two at the end of the month.Then everything will be finalized.” He emphasized the last words to give Georgiana some peace while she waited to learn the whole story.
“I would have wished to be of service to you, Darcy,” Bingley offered.“You do so much for my family.”
“Your caring for Georgiana was of service to me, Bingley. I could not leave her in your care if I did not value your friendship. She means more to me than does Pemberley.” Georgiana blushed with his words, and her eyes misted with emotions. He was the finest man she knew; finding a mate who could live up to her brother’s image could be difficult in her estimation. “In fact,” he continued, “I hoped to keep you at Pemberley when your sisters depart for Scarborough. Besides wishing you to care for Georgiana in my absence again, I would wish to spend some time with you as gentlemen.”
Darcy's Passions Page 21