by Suzan Lauder
***
Darcy moved closer to Bennet and said in a low voice, “Should I have one of my men summon the authorities, or can I buy him a one-way ticket to America? It would save some trouble and make certain he does not charm his way out of gaol. I would really like to be rid of him sooner than later.”
“Two vicious attacks, Darcy. Two. On my daughter. I cannot abide impunity for this man. He deserves the worst, but I know what it feels like to fear a hanging. I only need to be assured he will not harm my family anymore.”
While Jenkins assisted Roberts in roughly hauling Wickham to his feet, Wickham wrenched around to look up at Darcy and Bennet as they shared their whispered conversation. There was something about the two of them together that was settled deep in his recollection, but he could not put his finger on it. His mind told him that he had some past knowledge of the two men, that he had been acquainted with both, but he did not recall why they looked so familiar standing side-by-side. He looked at one, then the other, then repeated the action. Suddenly, the revelation came to him.
“Lord Shelton.”
Chapter 25:
Our heroes catch a cad and finally bring him to justice.
29 April 1812
London
“Lord Shelton,” Wickham repeated more stridently as he was being dragged to his feet by Roberts and Jenkins, the two burly footmen Darcy had assigned to watch over Elizabeth. All eyes were widened at the accusation. “I never would have expected to see you masquerading as a mere country squire. This is an interesting turn of events.”
Darcy and Bennet were shocked into silence as they tried to make sense of how to respond to the fact that Wickham had recognised Bennet as Lord Shelton. They were unsure how confident he was of the connection, and they wondered how he obtained the knowledge since Maria Lucas mentioned nothing of it when Bennet interviewed her not two days before.
“You are out of your mind, Wickham,” Darcy growled.
Wickham cast his gaze over both men, observing their reactions. Through many years of tormenting Darcy, he was familiar with that man’s body language under similar circumstances, and he clearly observed that Darcy was fuming with anger in the aftermath of the spoiled kidnap attempt. Since Darcy had control over the footmen who held him back, Wickham knew his physical safety was in danger if he continued to throw barbs in Darcy’s direction.
On the other hand, Bennet was more inscrutable; Wickham did not know him well enough to gauge his reaction. However, Bennet had paled and no longer made eye contact with him. That revealed there was some foundation for the accusation. Wickham was encouraged to continue speaking directly to Bennet as he seemed to be the most vulnerable to verbal attack.
“I had only ever seen you from a distance, so I didn’t recognise you until I saw you here with Darcy,” he said with a smirk. “It brought to mind seeing Lord Shelton together with old Mr. Darcy at Pemberley. You are so very unfortunate that Darcy looks just like his father; else I may not have made the connection. Tell me, what does the real Thomas Bennet look like? Did you kill him like you did Lord Malcolm?”
Darcy saw his friend’s distress and quickly came to his defence.
“Bennet’s physical similarity to Lord Shelton is uncanny, is it not Wickham? There are those who have noted the similarity, but with Lord Shelton being from Derbyshire, and Bennet from Gloucestershire, it is ridiculous to assume they are the self-same man,” Darcy said, prevaricating carefully to protect Bennet. Wickham, however, was not put off by Darcy’s defence.
“There would be a lot of people interested in your perfidy. You are impersonating another man and have no right to do so. Imagine what the authorities would do if they found out.”
“You have no basis for this assertion,” Darcy replied. “Anyone who knows Bennet will rush to his aid if you try to make public this erroneous assumption. Unlike you, he has an untarnished reputation, and he is not without friends to protect his good name.”
Stepping incautiously into dangerous waters, Wickham turned his scorn towards his childhood friend. “Lord Shelton was such a sheep to your father, Darcy, and no friend of mine. There was one occasion when I played roughly with you at the river and Lord Shelton told your father, but Mr. Darcy took my side. He loved me more than you.”
The situation Wickham described was as fresh in Darcy’s mind as if it had been yesterday; Darcy had nearly been drowned by Wickham, and Lord Shelton came to his aid in the nick of time. Darcy had often been bullied by Wickham and was incensed that he was using their history to his advantage. Once again, Darcy fought to rein in his anger, and the tension caused his jaw to clench. Wickham saw his agitation and used it as an opportunity to further goad Darcy while also instilling more doubt towards Bennet.
“Darcy, you must realize that you can no longer take Lady Elizabeth to bride. Bennet, or should I say, Lord Shelton, will lose all his friends, and his daughters will be ruined once the news of this travesty is spread about town. If Lady Elizabeth has lied about her father’s identity, that reputation would be inextricably attached to her, and if you marry her, to your family. You would need more than Georgiana’s £30,000 to get anyone to take your sister off your hands. Perhaps I am not such a bad bridegroom after all.”
Darcy was furious with Wickham’s reference to Georgiana. It was all he could do to resist wringing the blackguard’s neck.
“And I have witnesses. As soon as these two flunkeys return to the servants’ quarters, the gossip will start, and no one can protect you. Your charade is over.”
Darcy grimaced. “You know all my servants are above gossip, and Jenkins and Roberts are two of my most trusted staff. Not only will they not relate this conversation to anyone, they will vehemently defend Mr. Bennet’s reputation and relish taking you to Bow Street for your many crimes. I think if I suggested it to them, they might even spread the word about how many innocent maidens you have trifled with, am I correct, fellows?”
Already fuming from the personal insult of Wickham’s assault on Elizabeth, the footmen now became livid. They shared a look, and then Jenkins jerked Wickham’s arms behind his back while Roberts drove his fist into Wickham’s stomach. It was uncanny how they each seemed to sense what the other was thinking.
As Wickham slumped from the blow, Roberts said, “Beggin’ your pardon, Mr. Darcy, but I canna sit by when this ’ere criminal tries to dishonour me master and me master’s household, and to hurt milady’s reputation. A man who attacks defenceless young ladies is the worst kind o’ devil.”
“Thank you, Roberts,” said Darcy. “You and Jenkins will be amply rewarded for your service here today.”
“You would not have such influence if you were not so rich,” Wickham groaned to Darcy. Jenkins continued holding him in a painful position while Roberts threw another blow, this time to his jaw.
“Not necessary to reward me ’n Roberts, sir,” Jenkins said. “We be gettin’ our due just by knockin’ this one about. We ’ave all the comfort we need in seein’ ’im taken to the gallows.”
“You will be escorted by these two gentlemen to Bow Street,” stated Darcy, “and you will not hurl any more false accusations at Mr. Bennet. I am certain I can arrange to see you held for every one of your offences, enough to make Roberts and Jenkins happy to see you hanged. There is no way to escape. Your destiny is fixed.”
“I will take £30,000 for my silence.”
“Do not allow him to dictate terms, Darcy,” Bennet said in a low voice.
“Surely you don’t think that you can extort more money with this unfounded accusation,” Darcy said to Wickham, “You have relied too long on my benevolence to relieve the wretched state of your own finances.”
“Come, Darcy, we must find a way to settle this economically. Twenty thousand pounds and a passage to America, and I won’t reveal Lord Shelton’s secret. I give you my word,” Wickham countered in a wheedling voice.
“Your word is worthless,” Darcy said angrily. “You have offended society in so many ways
that you should be praying for your soul rather than thinking up ludicrous schemes to harass respectable men. You have many sins to answer for and no friends to help you.”
“I have more friends than you do, Darcy, and they will use their influence to extricate me and to turn society against you,” Wickham replied with feigned confidence.
“I do not see how you can have belief in such an illusion,” Darcy asserted. “You are a liar, a thief, and a cheat. You have left unpaid debts to hard-working merchants, and your atrocious reliance on illicit gaming to fund your spendthrift way of life has made you ridiculous. You have insulted all of us, and now you will be left to see the results of your avarice. Face it man: Mrs. Younge was your last friend, and she has turned against you by assisting us in capturing you and freeing Lady Elizabeth from your botched kidnapping attempt.”
“Only because you paid her off.”
“Beggin’ your pardon, sir, but can I have a go at ’im?” Jenkins asked, and with a nod from Darcy, Roberts took Wickham roughly in hand while Jenkins gave him another blow to the stomach.
Wickham folded over in pain, but Roberts did not loosen his hold.
Darcy quietly asked his friend, “Are you all right, Bennet?”
“I feel better with your kind protection of my family, but I am wary of the man.”
Wickham, in spite of his injury, foolishly decided to keep going. “Darcy, if you take me to Bow Street, I can cause enough doubt as to Lord Shelton’s identity for him to become a pariah. I would be amenable to a donation in order to keep my silence. Make me an offer.”
“I shall do no such thing,” Darcy said with disgust. “Jenkins, Roberts, please escort Mr. Wickham to the Gardiners’ home and ask Mr. Gardiner to arrange for him to be taken to the authorities.”
The two footmen attempted to haul Wickham none-too-kindly to where his destiny would be settled, but Wickham continued to struggle. When Jenkins readied to take another blow, Wickham momentarily quit his protestations, but his pride made him unwise. He was still determined to blackmail Darcy and Bennet about Lord Shelton’s identity and said so. Jenkins settled the matter with a blow to Wickham’s ribs before he and Roberts dragged him away.
Darcy and Bennet had moved aside and were quietly deliberating what to do with Wickham.
“Although we may have respectability on our side, speaking into the right ears at Bow Street or even to his comrades in gaol could ruin my family. Then what am I to do?” Bennet said in a low voice.
“Let us go to Darcy House and discuss our reaction to this situation,” Darcy said, trying to placate his agitated friend. “Perhaps we can devise a plan to coerce him into reducing his demands.”
Bennet expressed his misgivings. “You cannot allow him to force your hand. You know that any payment in response to his bribery would give it legitimacy, and he would only come back for more. I don’t want him to have any opportunity to gain from my tenuous situation.”
“We can more easily obtain his silence by getting him on the next ship to the Americas, but I am convinced we may still have to negotiate a pecuniary settlement with him.”
“Without doubt, with his surfeit of crimes, he is a candidate for hanging, but I cannot countenance such a severe punishment. It would be a hollow victory. But I do not see how else to get myself out of this coil.”
“Let me see what I can do to ease your mind,” Darcy said, gesturing for Bennet to go along with him to his carriage.
“I don’t like this, Darcy. He holds all the cards and has considerable resentment towards both of us. He may speak just to spite us, no matter what we do.”
***
Thomas Bennet was once again pacing a study that was not his own while he waited for Darcy to complete his task. The expectation of not being recognized had caused him to jeopardize potential exposure while assisting in emancipating Elizabeth from Wickham. However, Wickham proved to be the sly fox and relished the opportunity to not only get away with his crimes but also walk away with a pretty sum of money. If Wickham made his accusations public, the risk was all Bennet’s.
At the park, Darcy had taken Bennet’s side and evaded any specifics that would constitute outright lying. He was grateful for Darcy’s vehement defence of his character and indebted to him for using his contacts to make quick work of Wickham’s sentence.
“I am sending two notes,” Darcy said when he finished writing. “The first is to Richard Ford of the Bow Street Runners. I advised him that Wickham is continuing his efforts to tarnish my reputation. Wickham is known by Bow Street for his past string of crimes, and he tried unsuccessfully to inveigle Mr. Ford to side against me on the subject of the living at Kympton. Mr. Ford will likely be delighted to have him in custody. I included in the note that I have purchased Wickham’s debts from tradesmen in several towns and can have him sent to debtor’s prison at any time.
“I asked him to pay no attention to Wickham’s slander regarding Lord Shelton—that it is a trick he is using to distract from his crimes—and to instruct his associates to use discretion in their dealings to ensure that Mr. Bennet’s reputation is not sullied by Wickham’s claims. Mr. Ford will put Wickham into an area where he will not able to spread word about your situation. I hope my words have the intended effect; I have taken care in my expression of the circumstances to avoid any blatant deceit.
“The second note is to my uncle the judge. I have no doubts about using this connection because of the number of charges to be laid upon Wickham. My uncle trusts me enough to use his influence to ensure that Wickham is taken care of with great expediency before he says anything to hurt your family.”
“There is no certainty,” said Bennet.
“I am afraid not. However, I have great confidence that the repugnance of these two men for Wickham will seal his fate. In addition, the wretched fool knows we could press for the worst punishment.”
“But it is possible that I must be prepared for the worst case.” Bennet sighed. “It is well that Mrs. Bennet and I have already discussed this. At least we know what to expect should everything become known.”
“Before that happens, do I have your permission to buy Wickham’s silence?”
“As much as my pride protests, I would not deny it.”
***
Thankful that the family was keeping city hours and none of the others had yet risen for the day, Bennet stormed into the house, wild to see his wife. He barely slowed in midstride to divest his outer garments before ascending the stairs, two at a time. When he found her in their chamber, she was sound asleep with a tear-stained face. He sat gently upon the bed so as not to alarm her.
“Fanny my darling,” he whispered, gently shaking her awake. “I am home. Are you well?”
“Oh, Thomas!” she cried as she threw her arms around him, her tears starting anew. “Please, please, do not do that again! I was so worried for you and Lizzy!”
“Shhh, Fan, I am well, can you not see?” he said into her hair as she sobbed. He held her for some time until she pulled away abruptly, wiped the tears from her face, and released all the tension she had amassed that morning by pummelling her fists on his chest. Her hair, already mussed from her pillow, escaped its pins, accentuating her distress. He could only imagine the turmoil she was feeling.
“How dare you, Thomas! How dare you leave me alone, wondering whether you were dead!”
“I had to do it, my love. I had to see that Elizabeth was unharmed.” Bennet gently steadied her hands.
“But she was not unharmed! She was cut, and I have never seen her so upset!”
“I am so sorry it happened. It was Wickham. He tried to abduct her, but we outwitted him. He is off to gaol now.” He used his most soothing tone, but his wife would not be comforted by his words. She pushed him away.
“How could you go to a man who has sworn to hurt you? You should have left Darcy to handle it, or asked my brother Gardiner!” Fanny retorted. Having overcome her fear and upset, she was no longer crying. The state of her mood was
unmistakable as she crossed her arms and glared at him. He tried to appease her.
“There was no threat to me. Darcy and his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam were there, as well as Jenkins and Roberts.”
“You exposed yourself to a chance of being recognised!” she said reproachfully.
“To my advantage, the park was empty due to the early hour. Except for Wickham, all the others who attended the capture are dedicated to Darcy and may be counted on to maintain my secrecy.” He hoped she would leave it at that. He was not successful.
“What about Wickham?”
“I cannot lie to you, my love, he recognised me from his youth in Derbyshire.”
“Thomas, this is everything I warned you about when you came to Town,” she retorted indignantly. “You assured me you would take no chances, and yet now, your worst enemy knows our secret. You have given him new fodder for revenge. Without a doubt, it will be broadcast, and by the morrow, our worst fears will be realized. What can we do now?”
“Neither Darcy nor I gave him any credit for his accusations.” He touched her shoulder, but she shrugged him off. She would not be mollified.
“But others will. The connection to Jane and Lizzy’s recent fame makes it unambiguous to anyone who knew you before. There are implications should Wickham be believed. I do not have to remind you of them.”
“Darcy feels this situation is reparable, and he is using his resources and connections to ensure that Wickham is dealt with quickly. He feels confident that any claims Wickham makes will fall on deaf ears.” Bennet spoke with as much equanimity as he could muster. It was false confidence, but he did not want her to share in his misgivings. He looked at his hands sitting uselessly in his lap, desperately wanting to touch her but afraid of being shunned once again.
“I thought I had lost you,” she scolded. “I thought I had lost you and Lizzy.”
“I am sorry, Fanny,” he said softly. “I thought I had lost her too. I felt powerless when I saw the fear in her eyes. As much as I censure myself over allowing Wickham to recognize me, and as vigilant as I wanted to be in protecting our secret, I cannot regret being there to save her.”