Chapter 14
The rest of the day passed very pleasantly for all, and especially for one particular ensign in the Derbyshire Militia as he sat and dreamed about the ways he would soon spend his fortune.
He was planning the ways he would either have the Bennet chits falling for his charms, or if that failed, he would do as he had done in the past and force himself on them.
In a way it excited him more when he forced them to give into the inevitable, it was more thrilling for him, a sweeter victory, in fact.
The rush he felt when he exercised his power over his unwilling victims was one of the most powerful aphrodisiacs to the wastrel.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The next morning, a large Bennet coach arrived in Meryton at about the same time as the previous day, and the three Bennet daughters alighted. As expected, two footmen were on the rear platform, just as had been the case when Wickham first saw them the day before.
Wickham, already anticipating the pleasure he would have, watched as the three entered the millinery shop accompanied by a large footman, while the other man, equally as large, stayed with the conveyance.
After a while, they exited with the footman carrying packages. They then went to the haberdashery, and after a period that seemed longer than what they had taken at the millinery’s they exited with more packages loaded onto the thick arms of the footman.
Wickham was starting to despair that with the two ape-sized footmen close by that he would never be able to approach his intended victims when he heard one of the sisters tell the enormous footman he should take the carriage and the packages home as they had decided a walk was in order.
While Wickham could not believe his luck, he also could not help but think that they were perfectly rich, but stupid girls. Wickham salivated because this was his favourite combination. ‘They are going to make it almost too easy for me,’ he smirked.
This was what he was waiting for, exactly what he hoped for; and the stupid chits were going to fall into his plans like kittens desperate for a ball of string. Not only were they headed away from the watchful citizens of Meryton, but they were walking toward the woods with no protection.
It was one of the best things about small towns, people were always less on their guard and did not believe danger was around any corner unlike those in London who knew it could be waiting around every one of them.
Wickham followed the girls at a discreet distance, or what he considered discreet anyway. The three Bennet ladies headed out of town in the direction that he now knew Longbourn lay, and he heard one say that they should pick some wildflowers to take home with them.
Hearing this suggestion, Wickham almost exclaimed his added approval, watching the three girls leave the road and head to a stand of trees.
Wickham could not believe they were going to put themselves in a position to be completely out of sight and in his power, and now very soon he would have his chance.
He increased his pace and followed the sisters into the tree line.
He saw that the three were seemingly oblivious to all else as they were bent or crouched picking the wildflowers that grew between the grass growing around the strand of trees. Feeling very confident, he acted as if it was a moment of happenstance and stopped before them.
“Well, hello and good day to you. I have inquired into the stunning examples of beauty that graced the streets of Meryton yesterday and know you are three of the Misses Bennet. I have waited a long time to meet lovely ladies such as yourself, such beauty, and such magnificent fortunes.” He bowed with a flourish.
The three giggled but still had stayed turned away from him so he started to walk toward them, expecting they were desiring him to be closer.
“I am going to take so much pleasure taking all three of you here this afternoon. It was very silly of you to send your footmen away. Now, tell me, are you all still maidens, or would one of you prefer to be first? Who shall I choose? Eni-mini-miney-moe...” There was no need to bother with false charm, he could take what he wanted, and no one would hear them even were they to scream.
It was to his great shock that when he asked who wanted to be his first pleasure the girls took off into the trees. He started to run toward the point where he had seen them disappear, but instead was soon in a clearing with no Bennet girl in sight.
Wickham frowned and scratched his head, wondering where they had disappeared to, and sure he would make his irritation known to them when he claimed his prizes. As he was looking around for his prey, he heard a voice that sent a chill down his spine and made his knees go weak.
“Hello, George, I have been waiting to have some time with you,” Richard Fitzwilliam spoke quietly but clearly, and Wickham felt the tip of a sword prick the back of his neck.
“Richard, not so fast. You cannot have all the fun!” Fitzwilliam Darcy said as he approached from the front and he raised a sword, the tip of which was pressed against Wickham’s throat, and while he knew it was sinful, the look of terror pleased him more than a little as he knew his sister would have been terrified, and in his power, had Wickham had his way.
Wickham soiled his pants for the second time that week and heard laughter now from all sides.
As he surveyed the scene around him, as much as he could with the swords held by the cousins, he saw Colonel Forster, Lieutenant Denny, and Captains Carter and Saunderson, an older man flanked by two young lads who were already the man’s height or taller, and a number of very large footmen on all sides so even of his legs were able to work, he had nowhere to run to.
All Wickham could say was, “How?”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
That morning, three daughters of tenants who were similar in height and colouring to the three Bennet girls were dressed in clothing belonging to each of the respective daughter that she was to imitate.
Given Wickham would never be allowed to get close enough to have contact with the girls, the three Bennet daughters had been willing to lead him into the trap themselves, but everyone from their mother and father on down, and most especially their three gentlemen, resolutely refused to allow the Bennet daughters to be the ones to lead Wickham into the well-planned ambush.
The three girls who would imitate the Bennet’s—Selina Blackmore, Karen Black, and Alice Bromley—were daughters of tenants that had been at Longbourn for generations.
The tenants leasing farms from the Bennets were extremely loyal and protective of the family as all tenants were treated with the utmost respect by the Bennet family with more than fair rent, as well as timely upkeep and repairs.
If there was ever genuine need, Mr. Bennet did whatever was required to help his tenants. He had, in fact, often kept so close in contact that genuine need was never reached, small needs were met quickly so none worried in ways most tenants had to suffer.
The Bennets had established and paid all of the costs for them to attend a school so all tenant children would learn to read, write, and do sums, enabling them to get better jobs than they otherwise would have received, and therefore higher pay so their lives continued to improve depending on their own efforts.
They had also created a fund, that was very well endowed, for any children of tenants that wanted additional education beyond the basics.
While the plan was being put into place, Bennet had told the Blackmores, Blacks, and Bromleys that he would richly compensate them for what their daughters were doing for his.
All three had flatly refused, only too happy to help and Bennet thanked them for their loyalty, but let them know each girl would receive five pounds from him personally not only for their time, but for helping them rid their society of a person who never should be encountered or allowed to roam freely among decent people.
The three substitute Bennet daughters were each provided a little money to purchase a new bonnet as a thank you by each real Bennet daughter.
When they started to refuse, it was Jane who intervened. “You are our long-time tenants and friends we have played with for many years. You are protecting us without expectation of reward, purely from the goodness of your hearts.
“With your assistance this day, you are protecting my family, my sisters, and my soon-to-be family from a vile tormenter. You will allow us to thank you for that from us to you. Goodness is allowed to be rewarded.” Jane warned no refusal was to be accepted.
“And besides, we said we were making purchases, it would be awkward if none were made,” she reminded all three.
“Yes, Miss Bennet,” was chorused.
While the carriage was departing Longbourn, the Wickham welcoming party mounted their horses to meet the members of the militia at the designated spot.
The fact that Wickham had always overestimated his abilities, made certain he would believe the ladies were playing right into his hands rather than he being led into a trap.
Little did he know that he had shadows, four of the officers that were part of the group of seven tasked to watch him were out of uniform and following him far more expertly than he followed his prey.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As Fitzwilliam and Darcy gleefully told him how he had been duped, Wickham was furious, but knew there was naught he could do about it.
He felt someone relieve him of his sword and the pistol he had shoved into his belt to use as encouragement if one of his intended prey tried to run or resist him.
The length of rope he had slung over his shoulder with the intent to secure the girls he was not enjoying was removed as well.