by AmyJ
promptly responded to by Georgiana's maid, Ruth. "Mr. Darcy," she said as she bobbed a curtsey. "Miss Darcy will be down for breakfast in just a moment."
"I will wait in her sitting room if she has no objections."
The maid nodded, curtseyed and left.
About fifteen minutes later, Georgiana emerged, dressed and coiffed.
"Is there something the matter, Brother?" Georgiana asked tentatively.
"No, nothing is the matter, Pea Head, but if you will spare me a moment, I have something I need to tell you. Come. Have a seat."
Georgiana took the indicated seat and waited, her stomach knotting in
anticipation.
Darcy inhaled deeply, suddenly and inexplicably nervous. "As I am sure you have heard from various members of our family, it is time for me to marry." He watched as Georgiana's face remained placid, but for the smallest wrinkle in her brow that betrayed her concern. He could not help but smile; she was
looking more like their mother every day. "The reason I had to go to town was to see my solicitor about the marriage contract and place the announcement in the paper."
In a small voice, Georgiana asked, "You are engaged?"
"I am."
With a tight smile, Georgiana said, "Congratulations, Brother. I wish you and Anne joy."
Darcy's eyes widened, and he suddenly realized he had not told her who his
betrothed was. "I am not engaged to Cousin Anne," he said quickly.
"You are not? Oh! The trip to Kent..."
He chuckled, understanding from where her confusion was borne. "Uncle
Marcus and I went to Kent to inform Aunt Catherine of my engagement
to Elizabeth Bennet."
Georgiana's eyes widened and her face verily beamed. "You are to marry Elizabeth?" At Darcy's nod she launched out of her seat and threw her arms around Darcy's neck. "I knew it! I knew you were in love with her! This is so wonderful! She will make you such a wonderful wife! I will have a sister!" She paused just long enough to take a breath. "When may we go see her? I would like to offer her my congratulations."
"Perhaps tomorrow. Richard and I have business to attend to today," Darcy said a little unsteadily. He was still stuck on Georgiana's belief he was in love with Elizabeth. "Now, let us go break our fast before Richard leaves us with only scraps."
As they made their way to the breakfast room, a plethora of questions came
spilling out of Georgiana's mouth. "When will you be married? Will Elizabeth be coming to Pemberley for Christmas? Or perhaps we should remain in
Hertfordshire for Christmas? I know you would not wish to be away from her
for very long. Have you told Mrs. Reynolds? She will be very surprised. I just know the staff will adore her though."
"One question at a time, Pea Head!" He could not help laughing at her excitement. "We are going to marry in the spring. Elizabeth will not spend Christmas with us. And I intend to inform Mrs. Reynolds when we return to
Pemberley."
They entered the breakfast room, finding Colonel Fitzwilliam with a half eaten plate of food in front of him.
"Richard, have you heard the news? Fitzwilliam is engaged to Elizabeth! Is that not wonderful?"
"If you say so, Pea Head. But I, for the life of me, can not figure out what Miss Elizabeth sees in your brother." He shot Darcy a teasing glance.
Georgiana scowled at her cousin. "If you can not behave like a gentleman, then you can just return to London, alone."
Darcy stifled a snigger at the colonel's surprised response. Georgiana had never scolded him.
"Forgive me. I was only teasing. Indeed, I am very happy for your brother."
Appeased, Georgiana filled her plate and tucked into her breakfast. Her brother did the same, quite pleased at his sister's reaction to the engagement. He took it as evidence he was doing the right thing.
Three miles away at Longbourn, similar news was being imparted within the Bennet family. Most of them had not even settled in to break their fast when Mrs. Bennet announced Elizabeth's good fortune. Mary, Kitty, and Lydia
accepted the news with some surprise, but the overall temperament was
indifference.
Mary smiled politely. "Congratulations, Lizzy. Might I recommend a few passages on the duties of a wife? Fordyce has..."
"Oh, hush Mary," Lydia interrupted. "No one wants to listen to boring sermons.
I shall tell you all what it takes to please a man." She hid a snicker behind her hand as Elizabeth glared at her admonishingly. Being young and self-centred, and realizing no one but Kitty shared in her humour, she pouted. "I wanted to be the first to be married." Looking slyly over at Kitty, she said, "Perhaps I shall just have to convince Mr. Wickham to marry me before next spring." The two sisters giggled to themselves.
Mrs. Bennet squealed with delight. "Oh, would that not be wonderful! To have two daughters married. Mr. Wickham is very charming." She looked over at Elizabeth. "You know he too was acquainted with the Darcy family. Perhaps we should invite him to dinner as well."
Finally, Mr. Bennet interrupted. "Neither Mr. Wickham, nor any other man of Colonel Forster's regiment, save the colonel, shall step foot into this house so long as I am alive."
"Oh, Mr. Bennet," the matron waved off, "you do delight in vexing me. Of course we must invite Mr. Wickham." She tittered on with her youngest
daughter. "He is so very handsome in his red coat."
Mr. Bennet set down his newspaper. "No, Mrs. Bennet, I will not be moved on this. There shall be no red coats at Longbourn, save Colonel Forster and
Colonel Fitzwilliam."
Lydia immediately began to wail at the unfairness of her father's decree, and Mrs. Bennet was occupied calming her youngest, effectively ending the
discussion of gentleman callers, dinners, and engagements.
Mr. Bennet said in a low tone, "Well, Lizzy, that went better than I expected, did it not?"
Elizabeth suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and only returned an amused
smile.
It turned out, the only way to placate Lydia's most recent temper tantrum was to send her to Meryton to purchase some new ribbon and baubles. Dinner too, had to be retrieved from the market, and since Darcy was busy on some
business with her father, Elizabeth escorted her youngest two sisters into town.
Upon their arrival at the shops, Elizabeth became separated from her sisters.
When the necessary items were retrieved, she looked about the streets for her sisters. She rolled her eyes when she spotted them flirting openly with two officers of the militia. As she neared, she was even more dismayed to find they were with none other than Wickham and Denny. With a determined stride, she
met her two siblings.
She had hoped to affect a quick escape, but it was not to be. Elizabeth's
approach was noticed. George Wickham smiled broadly. "Miss Elizabeth," he said as he bowed. "I wish to offer you congratulations on your engagement."
Elizabeth was taken aback, much to the amusement of her sisters and their
companions. She quickly recovered, and forced a smile. "Thank you, Mr.
Wickham. Though, it is hardly public knowledge yet." She sent a scathing look to her two sisters.
"Have no fear, Miss Elizabeth. I shall not tell another living soul."
Elizabeth ignored him. "Kitty, Lydia, we must return home before the meat spoils."
Unfortunately, Wickham and Denny decided to walk alongside them. Even
more alarming, Wickham seemed determined to speak with Elizabeth. He even
quickened his gait to keep pace with her. "I must say I was surprised when Miss Lydia told me of your engagement. I did not think Darcy would
condescend to such a marriage. I know you were friends, but then so were we."
He let out forlorn sigh. "I am happy for you though." He was about to continue when a booming voice stopped him.
"Wickham!"
Everyone turned to identify the caller.
"You will stay away from my fiancée and her family," Darcy bit out as he neared the group.
"Darcy, old friend!" Wickham stepped away from the group to meet Darcy alone. When they were within easy speaking distance of each other, he said
with a smirk, "And what will you do if I do not? You would never bloody your hands; and from what I understand, your only saving grace is your attachment to Miss Elizabeth."
"That can easily be remedied since I assume you are up to your usual tricks."
Wickham was about to open his mouth when another figure approached the
group on horseback. Upon seeing the rider, he paled. Hurriedly he said, "If I could just give my leave of the Miss Bennets..."
Darcy glanced at the approaching rider he knew to be Colonel Fitzwilliam. "By all means; it would give Richard a chance to have a word or two with you."
Wickham sent a pitiful look towards Lydia, but then left at a brisk pace without a word. A bewildered Captain Denny followed suit.
Lydia called after the retreating soldiers. Before she could give chase though, Colonel Fitzwilliam stopped her. "Ah, Miss Lydia," he said gallantly. He offered Lydia his arm and led her and Kitty towards Longbourn. "I see you and your sisters have been shopping. Have you been successful in your
endeavour?"
Under the attention of such a man as the colonel, Lydia quickly forgot the other two. "I have purchased new lace for my gown."
Darcy greeted Elizabeth with a kiss on the hand, and then tucked it into the crook of his arm. "I trust he has not imposed himself upon you too
grievously?"
"No, though the other day he did tell me a rather fanciful story about the living at Kympton." She said this with a teasing sparkle in her eye, conveying she knew the truth of things. "And about your father's plan for me to marry him."
Darcy pursed his lips tightly, and his eyes blazed with fury.
"Fitzwilliam, please. I know the truth of his nature."
"His very presence disturbs me. I do not know what he is planning next. Now that we are engaged, he may..." He exhaled forcibly. He did not want to frighten her.
"I will be watchful."
The two walked in silence for a while trailing the other trio.
"It is not true," Darcy said, abruptly. "My father never mentioned an alliance between you and Wickham." When Elizabeth patted his arm, he relaxed further.
"Your father assured me he would not allow the man near Longbourn."
Elizabeth smiled wanly. "While my father will not admit him at Longbourn, he has done nothing to prevent my sisters from meeting him in town."
Darcy nodded, and the grim expression returned. "All the better then, that he will be leaving soon." At Elizabeth's surprised look, he said, "Colonel Fitzwilliam is in the process of arranging for Wickham to take a post on a
merchant ship. It has suitable incentives, so it will not take much
encouragement for Wickham to accept the offer." At Elizabeth's questioning look, he said, "An acquaintance of Colonel Fitzwilliam owns a ship that it is scheduled to depart England's shores soon. It spends most of its time at sea, sailing between the West Indies, Australia, the Americas, and England. For a small contribution for his troubles, the captain has agreed to give Wickham a post on the ship. He will receive a base salary and a share in the profits."
"You would do that for Wickham?" Elizabeth asked somewhat incredulous.
"That is very gracious of you."
Darcy shook his head. "Not at all. This particular merchant ship tends to carry less savoury merchandise that more reputable shipping companies will not. It is well known that the crew often takes their wages in the form of merchandise.
As a result, it is frequently in need of deck hands." With a sly look he said, "If Wickham refrains from indulging himself, a share of the profits will allow him to live as a gentleman in a short time."
"But that is not Wickham's nature." Elizabeth finished for him.
The two walked in silence for quite a while, and Darcy could tell Elizabeth was not quite comfortable with the idea.
After several minutes, Darcy said, "What troubles you?"
"You must think me terribly inconsistent. While I enjoy teasing others for their follies, I can not reconcile myself to exploiting them when it could lead to the person's destruction."
Darcy patted the hand that had a firm hold of his arm. "That is because you are too kind-hearted."
At this, Elizabeth chuckled. "You make me sound like Jane, when I most certainly am not."
Darcy chuckled as well. The next moment though, his seriousness returned.
"Elizabeth, you must know, if there was another way to keep him from ruining other merchants and daughters, I would employ it. He is too old to join the royal navy, and I would not risk my or my cousin's reputation by
recommending him to a reputable enterprise. On this ship, he will be at sea most of the time, far from anyone but his own shipmates."
"I suppose you are correct. It will, after all, be his choice."
Her tone was resigned, and Darcy knew she was not completely satisfied.
"Please think on it. If the time comes for his departure, and you are still unsettled, I will find another way to rid us of him."
Elizabeth smiled shyly and looked away. She was not certain why the thought of him so highly regarding her opinion affected her in this manner, but she felt an unfamiliar quiver in her stomach. "I will do as you as say, because I trust you have not taken the issue lightly and have explored other options."
"I have. Richard and I had thought to put him in the regulars, but he could too easily resign and sell that post next year. And since he would most likely end up in battle somewhere, the risk to his life is even greater."
"I am certain you are doing what is best. I should thank you for looking out for my sisters, and not question your method." She smiled up at him.
"They will be my sisters soon enough."
The two walked in silence the rest of the way to Longbourn. Having declined an invitation to tea, Darcy brushed another kiss on Elizabeth's hand. "Your mother has invited us all to dinner tomorrow evening. I shall see you then, and I will bring Georgiana. She was most excited to hear of our engagement, and asked me to pass on her congratulations."
Elizabeth brightened. "I am pleased to hear that. I shall enjoy having her as a sister." After receiving congratulations from Colonel Fitzwilliam, the two gentlemen departed.
Chapter Sixteen
Darcy stood with his cousin in the shadows of the room as Colonel Forster sat at his desk, waiting for the knock on his door. When it came, Darcy and
Fitzwilliam stepped back, even further into the shadows, so as not to be seen.
As if nothing were amiss, Colonel Forster bade entry; and Wickham entered,
saluting his commanding officer smartly.
"Wickham, I have received some troubling news concerning you."
"I am sure there is an easy explanation," Wickham said easily. "I would do nothing to disgrace our unit, sir."
"I spoke to some of the merchants in Meryton, based on a concern raised by some of the residents; you have several outstanding debts, amounting to an
alarming sum."
Wickham blanched for a moment and then said smoothly, "I have a few open debts, sir, but had every intention of closing them before we depart. Might I inquire who prompted such action from you? Surely if something slanderous
was said, I have the right to defend myself."
Colonel Forster shrugged. "It was Mr. Bennet, under the advice of Mr. Darcy."
After uttering a curse, Wickham drew a deep breath. "Sir, in my defence, you should know I have an ill-history with Mr. Darcy. This would not be the first time he has tried to interfere with my affairs." At the colonel's intrigued look, Wickham told the sad tale of the living at Kympton which was denied him. He then dared to add, "I had to leave the area afterwards, to seek employment elsewhere
. While I was gone, he had some of his people make purchases in my name from the merchants of Lambton. They ran up debts totalling over three
hundred pounds. When I did return to my home town, you can imagine my
surprise when I was run out by angry merchants." He shook his head sadly,
"Mr. Darcy made sure I could never return to the only home I had ever known."
It took the strong hand of Colonel Fitzwilliam on Darcy's shoulder to keep him quiet and hidden.
Colonel Forster nodded, as if believing the story. "Wickham, I hold in my hand receipts totalling thirty pounds. It is an incredible amount considering we have been Meryton but a se'nnight. Are you telling me that it is Mr. Darcy behind these debts, and not you?"
Wickham feigned shock and then dismay. "I am sorry to speak against any man in such a manner, but I can not help but believe it to be true."
"But Mr. Darcy was not even in town when we arrived."
"I can not explain it, sir, nor have I any evidence; but I would not besmirch the good name of the regiment when our hosts have been so gracious."
The inquiry was over. Colonel Forster had the information he needed. Wanting to give Wickham one last chance, Colonel Forster said, "Are you certain, Wickham, that these are not your debts? They are a hefty sum to be sure, but arrangements can be made. I will not, however, tolerate a liar and a cheat
amongst my men."
Bold faced, Wickham said, "I can only think they are the work of Mr. Darcy. A man of his consequence is the only one I know who could forge such a scheme.
He is determined to see me ruined."
Colonel Forester's face turned hard. "And I suppose the numerous debts of honour within our regiment are the fault of Mr. Darcy as well?" He did not wait for a response. He turned towards the shadows. With a hint of sadness in his voice, he said, "He is all yours. Do with him as you wish. He is as you say, and no longer has the protection of the regiment."
Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped out of the shadows, both looking
extremely grim.
At the sight of them, Wickham blanched and instinctively looked towards the door. "There are four guards outside that door, waiting to take you into custody.