CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
Georgiana travelled back with Colonel Fitzwilliam a week later and filled the place with the anticipation of seeing her brother. The Colonel, for his part, awaited his imminent deployment to anti-invasion fortifications on the south coast. It was very much his fervent desire to see his cousin before his departure, as his current orders would keep him occupied for six months at least. So, when Darcy arrived three days later, the place brimmed with happiness and cheer.
In private, Bingley learned that Darcy had attended the wedding of Mr. Wickham to Miss Lydia Bennet and seen them off to Longbourn where they were to stay for nearly a fortnight. With the help of Darcy’s cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, Wickham had been granted a transfer of his commission to the regiment stationed in Newcastle under the command of Colonel Whitacre. Darcy seemed very much satisfied with the conclusion of the business, even though he had outlaid nearly five thousand pounds to have it settled so. Though the sum amounted to nearly the equivalent of half his entire year’s income, he displayed no qualms about the money, but was instead, quietly content with the hope that he had prevented utter disaster for Miss Elizabeth Bennet, though he did not at that moment, mention her sister Jane.
Caroline and Louisa made very little of their brother’s strong declaration the day he returned. Instead, they spent the vast amount of their time in the presence of Georgiana and for once, not in any kind of effort to have her attached to their brother. Bingley was delighted by this reversal in their comportment and found much peace and solace in spending time outdoors, fishing and hunting in company with Mr. Hurst and Colonel Fitzwilliam. The men spent several cool evenings down by the lake, smoking cigars and drinking brandy. Mr. Hurst’s demeanour had brightened even more since his own confession the night of Bingley’s return from London, and for the first time since his marriage into the family, an authentic friendship between the two men began to emerge.
On this particular evening, however, Mr. Hurst had retired early after dinner due to fatigue and an overall feeling of lethargy. Bingley found it peculiar, being that they had spent the entire day indoors due to rain. Nevertheless, as the weather had cleared toward evening, Bingley, Darcy, and the Colonel found themselves out of doors in what was a most pleasant and balmy night. The clouds had parted, and the stars glistened overhead like crystals in a chandelier. When they had been smoking for nearly an hour, a letter arrived from Maitland which Mr. Wilshere received from an express rider. The steward immediately made his way down to the lake where he requested a private audience with his master. Bingley walked with him up toward the house and beyond earshot of the other two men. He was informed that Captain Carter and Mr. Denny would soon be dispatched for Newcastle with the sole aim of snuffing out the life of Mr. Wickham. Unfortunately, according to the letter, no progress had been made in determining the identity of Carter’s contact within the plot. Bingley asked his man to prepare for their immediate departure for town in the morning in the hopes of intercepting the assassins, and to have Maitland meet them there while Gallagher remained in Brighton to continue their inquiries.
Bingley strolled back across the lawn and plopped rather heavily back into his chair.
“Is everything all right, Bingley?” Darcy asked.
“Yes, I suppose,” replied Bingley. “It seems that business has once more requisitioned my presence.”
“ Business? ” Darcy posed with a searching glare.
“Yes, business .”
“I hope it shall not keep you long,” Colonel Fitzwilliam chimed in. “It is unhappy enough that I shall have to depart Pemberley. It would be a great displeasure for me to have the knowledge that you should not enjoy it in my absence—especially at this time of year.”
“Thank you, Colonel,” Bingley answered. “I do not know how long I should be detained, but there is even the possibility that I should have to travel further on to Brighton.”
“Brighton? What on earth would call you all the way there?”
“Again, my business ventures, it would seem, may demand my attention there.”
The Colonel laughed and swigged his drink. “And I thought it might be to pay a visit to your old friends in the regiment.”
“Pardon me?” Bingley asked nervously.
“The regiment from Meryton is stationed in Brighton now—were you not aware?”
“Oh, yes of course. I had heard they relocated there.”
Darcy looked on trying to conceal his agitation.
“What a lot that is, eh?” The Colonel scoffed under his breath. Bingley nodded politely. “Darcy, after all that trouble, do you think Wickham will finally settle down?”
“I do have confidence in him,” answered Darcy flatly.
Fitzwilliam continued: “I find it astonishing that with all that man put us through—particularly you—that you should be able to say a single kind word about him at all.”
“Undoubtedly, I would not have heaped much praise upon him six months ago, but of late I have found an improvement in his character that I believe may lead him into a life of decency and modesty, if not peace and happiness.”
“I do confess, I am glad to hear it,” the Colonel stated. “If only for the sake of knowing how attached you were as children. Now if only something could be done for that scurrilous Colonel Forster.”
“ Colonel Forster ?” Bingley piped in. “I found him to be a most respectable man.”
“Aye, he would most convincingly give that impression, would he not?”
“Whatever do you mean, Fitzwilliam?” Darcy petitioned.
“He presents a quite believable facade of decency and civility, but oh, he’s always been too ripe and ready by half, if you pardon the expression.”
Bingley and Darcy looked at each other quizzically. “I confess I have no idea what the expression even means,” snickered Bingley.
Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled and had a quick chortle. “I have known of the man for quite some time, and I would not disparage his character, even in private, without some measure of conviction.”
“As regards?”
“Did you know he served for nearly twenty years in the regulars?” Fitzwilliam asked. Bingley shook his head. “Yes, and all the way up to the rank of Brigadier, until of course, he was forced into retirement by a few scandals that only powerful allies were able to conceal.”
“What kind of scandal?” Bingley asked, leaning forward in his chair.
“I could not say with an absolute claim to veracity, but I have been made to understand that he faced allegations of… tampering with some maidens who were hardly of age to even be presented at court.”
“What… what is your meaning?” Bingley muttered.
“Only that Colonel Forster has a penchant for young girls, which is the very reason he was dismissed from the Army.”
Bingley felt a pressure in his temples and a lump in his throat.
Darcy stared at him in astonishment. “Was he then not arrested?”
Fitzwilliam shook his head and pursed his lips. “As I mentioned, he escaped any form of punishment, though I suspect because the girls’ families were compensated, might I say, for their silence.”
“And he was then appointed a colonel in the militia?” Bingley asked.
“Yes, and then only at the behest of his commanding officer, who vouched for his character.”
“Who was his commanding officer?”
“The late Sir Andrew Fraser,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied bluntly. Darcy and Bingley exchanged another awestruck glance before Darcy looked out over the water and Bingley looked to his shoes. The three sat in silence for another moment before the Colonel felt the need to apologize. “I believe I have said too much. I would not wish to have you feel troubled by such revelations about a man you might have considered a friend.”
“No need to apologize, Fitzwilliam,” responded Darcy. “I am sure I can speak for both Charles and myself in stating that our acquaintance with Colonel Forster was superficial at best.”
“Ah, I see,” answered Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Well, I am glad to hear that I have not offended you.”
“Of course not,” Darcy replied.
“Do you know anything about a man named Carter who serves under him?” Bingley asked suddenly.
“Carter, Carter,” the Colonel mused. “If I am not mistaken, and you must again pardon me if I venture into scandalous pastures as regards men you know—”
“Of course,” Bingley reassured.
“If my recollection serves me, I believe Carter—who is by now a Captain, I believe—is the illegitimate son of Eoin Walters of Northumberland.”
“Eoin Walters… of Northumberland ?” staggered Bingley over his words.
“Yes, I am nearly certain of it,” Fitzwilliam confirmed. “It is my understanding that he owes much of his advancement to his own late father’s friendship with Fraser, who was able to see him join the militia under Colonel Forster. Obviously, Carter’s father wished him to have some form of a career to provide his own means, being that the estate was inherited by his half-brother John.”
“I see,” Bingley said, finding his breathing pattern heavy and difficult to control. “Most helpful information you have bestowed this evening, Colonel.”
“My pleasure, I suppose,” Fitzwilliam answered in his usual good-natured tone. “I am only sorry that it may serve to dissuade you from continued friendship with such unsavoury characters. Then again, I amuse myself at the idea of men like yourselves being much acquainted with men of such ill-breeding.”
“I suddenly feel quite tired,” declared Bingley. “I thank you again, Colonel, for such lively and informative conversation, and Darcy once more for such splendid hospitality. Good night.”
With that Bingley nearly raced off toward the house.
“Is he quite alright?” Colonel Fitzwilliam questioned his cousin. “I have not upset him, I hope.”
“No, not at all,” replied Darcy. “I am certain he will be much more agreeable once he is on the road in the morning on the way to having his business affairs put in order.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam puffed his cigar and answered, “I see.”