Chapter 13 #2
The Bennet girls had hoped he would see them, in fact, knew their brief exposure to the dissolute scoundrel was needed as bait on the hook in order to spring the trap.
They knew they would never be in such close proximity to the profligate again and even if he did manage to get close to one of them, they were never without more than adequate protection.
“I am so happy Sir William and Lady Lucas have ordered Maria to stay home unless they accompany her or at least go out with two of her older siblings at all times.” Mary exhaled in relief as her older sisters nodded in agreement.
What was left unsaid was the sisters all knew how easily Maria’s head could be turned by a man in scarlet regimentals.
She had come very close to eloping with an officer two years previously when she was only fifteen, and only Charlotte finding out about the plan and reporting it to her parents had saved Maria and the honour of the Lucas family.
As the sisters exited the carriage, they alighted to three very relieved young men who had been anxiously waiting for their return from the baiting mission.
Even though the men knew their ladies were well protected, if not overprotected at all times, they were still deeply relieved to see their ladies arrive safely back at Longbourn with smiles on their faces and no hint of worry or concern.
All three men burned with anger, and Mary’s Colonel had to be physically restrained from calling for a horse to go run the wastrel through when they were told about the way Wickham had in turn gawked, leered, and drooled at their ladies.
This could not be over soon enough for their liking.
Wickham had bedevilled the Darcy and Fitzwilliam families for the last time; he just did not know it yet.
They were about to enter the house when a courier pulled his horse to a stop in a cloud of dust. The man on the horse asked whether one of the gentlemen was Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. Once Darcy identified himself, the courier handed the identified gent a package of papers.
Darcy smiled when he realised he now held the solution to the Wickham problem in his hands. The package contained proof of the nearly four thousand pounds of debts Darcy had bought up in the various places Wickham had slithered into then slunk away from while leaving his debts behind.
Lizzy had a groom lead the courier to the stables so his horse could rest, and be watered and fed. She also asked a groom to show the man to the kitchen so the courier could get food and drink in order to revive himself before his return trip to town.
When the six acknowledged lovers entered the yellow drawing room, Darcy, after making sure Lizzy was comfortably seated, excused himself to look for Bennet. He was informed by the butler that his master was reading in the library.
Darcy entered, and after apologising for disturbing Bennet’s reverie as he sat reading flanked by his sons, Darcy told Bennet that the awaited for proof of Wickham’s debts had arrived.
The two men excused themselves and walked to the study.
Once inside they reviewed the vowels. As Darcy had estimated, the amount was far closer to four than three thousand pounds, which would definitely consign Wickham to Marshalsea for the rest of his miserable life, the waste of which Darcy now firmly knew was Wickham’s choice alone.
The proof was locked in the very strong safe hidden behind a portrait of the Bennets from some two years ago when Sir Thomas Lawrence had been commissioned to paint the family as a whole, as well as one of each individual.
The individual portraits all hung in the gallery on the second floor, along with portraits of Bennet’s ancestors with a large and valuable collection of art.
“We will spring the trap tomorrow. There is no need to wait for Reggie and Andrew to return,” stated Bennet.
“Before they departed for Town, we discussed it and Reggie agreed if the proof arrived, we would proceed, regardless of whether or not they were present as the sooner we rid Meryton of the scourge, the better for all.” Bennet nodded at Darcy’s relief.
“And honestly, I do not think we will be able to restrain Richard again should the blackguard come near Mary.”
Bennet chuckled, appreciative of the love for his daughter, but was more interested in making sure that Richard was not tried for murder so he could, in fact, make it to the altar. He was far more scared of Mary’s wrath should he not be able to than he was of Richard’s anger.
Darcy nodded his head in full agreement. He considered he should feel bad for Wickham; after all, he was his father’s godson. But at this point, he could not, and his conscience was clear.
No matter who he blamed, Wickham, like Caroline Bingley, was the author of his story all the way to the ending. All the decisions had been his own, so it was just and correct he alone should suffer the consequences.
Darcy knew he had done everything in his power to help Wickham in the past, and rather than learn, the more he was helped the more George Wickham expected it was his due. Fitzwilliam Darcy would not repeat that mistake of enabling him again. Ever.