by Head, Gail
His thoughts churned with every justification, every defense he could imagine, desperately looking for a way to moderate the account of his behavior toward Elizabeth Bennet, but he knew there was none. He had allowed himself to believe any means justified the end in his quest for revenge against Darcy. And now that he knew the offense was utterly baseless, it could very well cost him Catherine's affection. He would give anything to turn back time and throw Wickham's letter into the fire where it belonged. If he had only heeded his instincts that fateful day, then he would not be entangled in this nightmare.
Wickham! Grissholm's jaw tightened with an inflexible loathing for the man. Whether he miraculously managed to retain Catherine's affections or not, there would be an accounting. When he found the man, Wickham would be caught in a snare of his own making.
The arrival of a footman bearing a silver tray interrupted the viscount's troubled thoughts. Taking up an elegantly engraved calling card, Grissholm's brow rose in surprise, then furrowed suspiciously. What did he want?
With instructions to the footman and a brief apology to the ladies, he made his way to his study. Pausing for only a moment, he opened the door and entered.
“Darcy.”
Rising slowly from his chair, Darcy leaned heavily on a silver-tipped walking stick and coolly offered the briefest of bows.
“Grissholm.”
“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” asked the viscount with an equally chilly politeness.
“I imagine your pleasure is no more than mine. It is only the keenest of demands that forces me to call upon you. I must find George Wickham as soon as possible and you are the swiftest way I know of getting to him.”
Grissholm could not hide his surprise. “Wickham, you say? And what makes you think I would know where he is?”
“You are in league with him.”
“Quite the contrary. I severed my dubious connection with him weeks ago when our business was at an end.”
“Then I should like any information you have that might lead me to him.”
“My, my, you are anxious to find him. What has he done now?”
“He has run off with Lydia Bennet.”
“Ha!” barked Grissholm derisively. “What could he possibly hope to gain with that bit of baggage?”
“Her family believes them to be on their way to Gretna Green; however, they have only been traced to London and not beyond. I think we both know it is not marriage he is after; but I intend to see he does exactly that. They must marry as soon as possible.”
“What Wickham does with the girl is none of my concern.”
“Perhaps not, but it is of very great concern to the Bennet family, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet in particular. You set that dog loose on her family with your complicity, and now you shall do everything in your power to muzzle him! If you refuse, I am certain Miss Monroe would find the details of your association with Wickham fascinating.”
Grissholm weighed Darcy's words. “Very well, I shall help you, but only because I have a debt of my own to settle with him.”
“It does not matter to me what your reasons are. Finding Wickham as soon as possible is my only concern!”
“I will tell you what I know and what my own search has yielded, under one condition.”
Darcy's eyes narrowed suspiciously and he waited for Grissholm to finish.
“When we find him, he is mine.”
“No!” Darcy cried, barely keeping his temper in check. “When we find him, he will marry Lydia Bennet. And once her reputation is intact, I shall be the one to take care of him. As you have already said, it is none of your concern.”
“Wrong. I said what he does with the girl is not my concern. Wickham, however, became my concern the moment I found out he drove Catherine from London, and me. You want revenge upon Wickham for separating you from Miss Bennet for a few months? Try ten years and then tell me how you feel! When Wickham forced her to flee, he stole all our plans of a life together – the best years of our youth, our best hope for a family of our own! The harm done me and Catherine is greater than any he has done to you. You must allow me this, Darcy. It is just, and will give me the chance to redeem myself and vindicate my behavior to both ladies whose lives he has nearly destroyed.”
“I cannot!” Darcy repeated forcefully. “You have no idea the harm he has done. He may have done you a great injustice, but this present scheme is only the latest in a long line of offenses he has inflicted upon my family. For years he has haunted my steps, and when he is found, it is I who shall put an end to it once and for all!”
“And how do you think you will do that? You are in no condition to fight him!” Grissholm shot back. “There must be only one outcome. If you truly want to achieve your purpose, it must be me!”
“After what Miss Bennet has suffered, do you really think I would step aside? You of all people know how determined I am to defend her! Honor demands that Wickham must pay, and any risk to be taken, will be done by me! I am the one –” Darcy's impassioned argument came to a precipitous halt with all the suddenness of a hunter's horse that had just failed a jump. He gasped with realization, his eyes narrowing sharply as a look of surprise and chagrin spread across his face. “That little vixen!” he growled. “She knew exactly what she was doing.”
Grissholm was visibly perplexed. “What do you mean, Darcy?”
“Do not trouble yourself,” came Darcy's brusque reply. “Merely a matter I intend to discuss with Miss Bennet at the earliest possible opportunity. At any rate, it seems I must bow to your prior claim, and acknowledge that Wickham is yours – after the marriage takes place. However, I insist that you return to Miss Bennet her sister's imprudent letters.”
“I would do so gladly, except that I no longer have them. Please tell Miss Bennet that the letters have been burned. It was done the day I returned from our duel. I did not expect to see her or you again and there was no point in keeping them.”
“Especially with Miss Monroe about,” Darcy added wryly. “Miss Bennet will be relieved to know they will cause no more harm to her family.”
“I am curious, Darcy, why the sudden change of mind about taking care of Wickham? Having second thoughts?”
Darcy bridled at the inference. “It has nothing to do with second thoughts! It seems I have been tricked into giving my word on the subject. Had that not been the case, we would still be arguing the point.”
Grissholm's mouth twitched. “Miss Bennet, I am guessing. She does have a way of getting what she wants. I shudder to think how she will run your household once you are married! You may as well sign Pemberley over to her right now, and save yourself the trouble.”
“What she does or does not do is no business of yours!”
“Easy, man! I meant nothing by it,” Grissholm smirked. “In any case, bringing Wickham to account for his misdeeds is the material point here, and with your hands obviously bound by apron strings, I must be the one to get it done.”
“Shall we get back to the purpose of my visit?” Darcy replied tightly, working to keep his expression from giving Grissholm any satisfaction. “Where is George Wickham to be found?”
Grissholm's expression turned serious as he considered the limited success he had encountered in his own search for the elusive lieutenant.
“I sent him an express the day I brought Miss Monroe to Peyton House asking him to meet me on a matter of business. I had hoped to catch him off guard, and thought I had succeeded when he replied he would come to London directly; but then he disappeared. Your coming today is the first clue I have had of him.”
“Evidently your summons was enough to make him suspicious.”
“Don't be ridiculous! I only asked the man to meet with me.”
“You do not know George Wickham as I do. I have had years to acquaint myself with his maneuverings and his way of thinking. The fact that you sent an express told him something was afoot and that was all he needed.”
“If he is on the run, then why ta
ke the girl?”
“Why indeed,” Darcy muttered. “First Miss Bennet, and now her sister. It is as if he is determined to bring the family to ruin for his own amusement.”
Not his alone, Grissholm thought with sudden understanding. Lady Catherine de Bourgh's letter of recommendation for Elizabeth Bennet was no coincidence. Wickham had secured the assistance of Darcy's own relation in his scheme. How could that be? Perhaps the lady had her own reasons for disparaging the Bennet family, but he was not going to be the one to enlighten Darcy and risk her displeasure. Darcy was on his own against his formidable aunt.
“Whatever Wickham's reasons, it will not matter when I am finished with him.”
“He has to be found first,” Darcy reminded him. “I have already applied what persuasions I could to Ann Younge. If she had any information, she would have given him up for the sum I offered. Still, I am almost certain he is here in London. Have you any idea where he might be hiding?”
“I know one or two inns where he has lodged in the past. We can start there.” Grissholm quickly wrote on a sheet of paper and handed it to Darcy. “Give me half an hour to make some arrangements and I will meet you here.”
Darcy took the directions with a nod. “Half an hour and no more. I cannot afford to waste any more time.”
With Darcy's departure, Grissholm returned to the drawing room, catching his breath yet again at the sight of Catherine. She had glanced up, smiling from her place next to Rebecca when he entered, and now she moved toward him with curious concern showing plainly in her eyes.
“Something troubles you,” she murmured softly.
He smiled tightly. She knew him well. She always had, even from the very beginning of their acquaintance. “No, my dear. Just a little business I have to attend. You need not worry. However, I am afraid it does require my absence the next few days. Will you forgive me? When I am finished, you shall have my undivided attention. In the meantime, you should give last night's conversation some thought and start considering a date for the wedding.”
“This would not have anything to do with Mr. Darcy, would it?” she peered at him, catching him by surprise for he had been careful that she not see Darcy come or go.
“Why would you say that?”
“Only because I get the feeling that your business with him is not finished. You have said very little on that subject since my arrival. There is obviously much more than you have told me thus far.”
“Yes, well,” he hedged lightly, “that is something for which I would beg your indulgence.” The affectionate expectation in her eyes wrenched his heart. How could he lose her now? “Do you trust me?”
“Implicitly!” she smiled brightly. “But why are you being so mysterious?”
“Please trust me for now, and I promise that when we are married and settled, I shall tell you anything you wish to know.”
For a brief moment, he thought the wrinkle in her brow foreshadowed her refusal, and then it smoothed into an expression of absolute trust and acceptance. “Very well. I shall wait, if you wish; but be warned, when the time comes, I shall task you heavily with every last detail!”
Grissholm returned her smile as he possessively gathered her hands into his and kissed them. “By then, I think it will not matter so much and you may ask to your heart's content.”
* * * *
Darcy followed closely behind Grissholm as they made their way up the dilapidated staircase of the Three Sails Inn, being careful to avoid the rotting planks. Wickham had not been found at the inns Grissholm had indicated, but a careful canvassing of the adjacent neighborhoods had finally yielded success.
“I hope your sources are reliable. Much can change in two days,” Grissholm said quietly without turning around.
“At least mine were successful,” Darcy retorted softly before answering aloud. “It will be the third doorway on the left. If he is true to form, he will still be in. He does not go out until after eleven o'clock. My concern is for the girl. She has not been seen with him since their arrival.”
“Well, we shall soon find out.”
Stopping in front of the low-hung door, Grissholm rapped loudly, the sound of the heavy walking stick reverberating down the deserted hallway. A muffled scuffling sounded from inside, and then there was quiet. Another rap was met with more silence.
“Wickham!” Grissholm called out loudly. “I know you are in there. Open up or answer to the landlord when I break down the door.”
There was a high-pitched squeak and then a rapid shuffle of footsteps toward the door. “All right! All right! No need for violence.”
The door swung open and Grissholm and Darcy entered the room.
Darcy sniffed distastefully at the small, cramped quarters that smelled of old food and dirty linens. Lydia Bennet pulled at her rumpled gown and lifted her chin defiantly as she moved next to Wickham who was nervously eyeing the blocked path to the open doorway.
“Lord Grissholm – and Darcy!” Wickham began with a forced joviality. “What a pleasant surprise! It has taken a little longer to settle my affairs than I had anticipated, and I was about to call at Peyton House this very afternoon; but now, I see you have saved me the trip.”
“Yes, how fortunate for you,” Grissholm murmured dangerously. “You will come with us.”
“There is a matter of business to address that would be better discussed in private,” Darcy added, throwing a meaningful glance in Lydia's direction.
“You cannot intimidate George, Mr. Darcy,” declared Lydia.
“Lydia,” Wickham warned quietly.
“Well, he cannot. You are far too brave.”
“Enough, Lydia! I will take care of this matter in my own way.”
“Yes, you will,” Grissholm agreed, “but it would be better without the girl present.”
“Oh, no! I want to hear as well.”
“Later!” Wickham snapped. “Stay here until I return.”
“But George, I do not want to stay here alone,” she whimpered softly and Darcy suddenly felt sorry for the foolish girl.
“Shall I take you to my carriage?” he offered. “Harrison can sit with you while we talk with Wickham.”
“No! I am not going anywhere unless George goes with me.”
Wickham smiled reassuringly to her as he guided her to the only chair in the room. “Just sit here until I get back. It will not be long – right, gentlemen?”
“That depends upon you,” Grissholm observed darkly as the three men left the room.
Solemnly descending the stairway, they made their way to a small table that had been set for them in the corner of the tavern, and Wickham was ushered to the corner chair where Grissholm and Darcy flanked him on either side.
Darcy did not waste any time.
“We are here to see that you fulfill your promises to Miss Lydia.”
“Promises? What are you talking about?”
“To marry her.”
Wickham scoffed. “I made no such promise. She came with me on a lark and stays with me of her own free will. You saw that yourself.”
“I saw a young girl who thinks herself in love and is fully expecting marriage.”
“Not with me! I have no intention of making her an offer. If she thinks otherwise, that is unfortunate for her. I have other plans for my future.”
“They have just changed. You will marry Lydia Bennet!” Darcy breathed menacingly.
“Impossible! She is penniless! I am one step ahead of my creditors now. What do you think we would live on?”
Darcy looked to Grissholm who only grunted softly before giving a cursory nod.
“Your debts will be paid, and the wedding costs as well. Send a list of your creditors to Peyton House.”
Wickham peered at the two men, a gleam of anticipation lighting his eyes. “Even so, I would not have the means to keep a wife. As you might have guessed, my commission in the militia has been forfeited.”
“I will bear the cost for a new commission, but it shall be of
my own choosing,” Darcy answered in a manner that asserted there would be no compromise.
“It is all very tempting, Darcy; but I am afraid I shall have to decline your offer.”
Darcy would have liked to get his hands on Wickham, but the dull pain in his side reminded him that he would have to wait a little longer to satisfy that particular desire. He settled back into his chair with perfect comprehension. “Very well, what else?”
“As I see it, you are desperate to have me marry the girl and save the family's reputation. By doing so, I would forfeit any hope of making an advantageous marriage.”
“As if you would,” Grissholm sneered. “You had better take what has been offered and be grateful.”
“Nevertheless,” replied Wickham casually, “I cannot possibly take a wife without a settlement.”
“How much?” Darcy asked, not taking his eyes from Wickham.
“Ten thousand.”
“One thousand.”
“Eight.”
“Two.”
“Six.”
“Two,” Darcy repeated firmly.
“Do you honestly expect us to live on two thousand pounds?”
“Economize. People do it all the time.”
“Make it four and you have my word.”
“It is two thousand or nothing, and I would not trust your word for anything.”
Darcy watched as Wickham considered the offer and knew he would accept. Wickham had to accept or risk being found by any number of disgruntled creditors and others who would be far less agreeable than he and Grissholm.
“Very well, two thousand. I suppose all in all, I could have done a lot worse. When will I get it?”
“After the marriage contract has been signed. Until then, the girl must go to her uncle's house.”
“That may prove to be a little difficult. You saw how devoted she is to me.”
“Say what you must, but get her readied and down to the carriage in quarter of an hour.” Darcy raised his cane menacingly as Wickham rose to leave. “Do not think to outfox us, Wickham, for you will be watched night and day. This wedding is one appointment you shall not miss.”