Chapter VII #3
“Do you know the regiment is to depart soon?” asked he in a more conversational tone before Elizabeth could react to his threat.
“Mrs. Forster is a favorite of our dear Lydia. She has raised the possibility of Lydia traveling to Brighton with her for the summer. What mischief do you suppose Lydia could find there?”
Now furious, Elizabeth did the only thing available to a young gentlewoman in the face of such effrontery—she raised her hand and struck him sharply across the face.
The slap echoed throughout the room, halting conversations and drawing whatever attention was not already on their conversation.
As those in the room gasped and stared, Mr. Wickham, whose head had snapped to the side by the force of her blow, turned back, the malign light of fury now unhidden.
Elizabeth was not about to allow him to speak again.
Instead, she moved past him toward the center of the room where others would hear her, turned, and fixed Mr. Wickham with a glower that should have melted him where he stood.
Mr. Wickham followed her movement, his dark scowl now visible to the room, though he appeared to have no notion of what she meant to do.
“You, Mr. Wickham, are a bounder and a libertine, a poor excuse for a man unfit to wear that uniform that rests on your shoulders. How dare you threaten my family? How dare you threaten my sister with ruination? You may be assured that Colonel Forster will hear of this—given what I know of him, I doubt he will be amused.”
“Be silent, virago!” demanded Mr. Wickham.
“I shall not!”
Elizabeth glared at him, then turned to the rest of the room.
“This foul degenerate has threatened my youngest sister with ruination, and me with consequences for crossing him. Mr. Wickham fancies himself a Lothario, though I daresay the comparison flatters him, for he has not half the charm he believes. He is a debtor, a seducer of women, a gamester—a man who cares nothing for others so long as he slakes his unholy lusts.”
“Here, what do you mean?” demanded Mr. Denny, pushing his way through the crowd of onlookers. “Why do you speak this way to my friend? I have known him for years and have never seen such tendencies.”
“Do you know him well, Denny?” asked Mr. Chamberlayne, stepping forward to support Elizabeth, to the surprise of many. “By your own account, your acquaintance with Wickham was slight. Do you truly know him so well as you claim?”
Mr. Denny colored a little, but before he could speak, Jane spoke to support Elizabeth. “Whether Mr. Wickham is all these things, I have no direct knowledge, but I heard him threaten Lydia and my family. By that alone, I suspect he is not a moral man.”
Voices rose around them, officers arguing with each other, townsfolk speaking in support or condemnation. The tumult settled a moment later when Uncle Philips stepped into the breach.
“Elizabeth, is this true?”
“Mr. Wickham’s threats were unambiguous, Uncle,” said Elizabeth, never removing her harsh stare from the fuming Mr. Wickham. “As for the rest, perhaps we should investigate.”
Elizabeth’s glare turned mocking. “Well, Mr. Wickham? I am certain you want to clear your name. Shall we ask the merchants about the state of your accounts? If we investigate and there is nothing, you will prove Mr. Darcy a liar, and me a simpleton trying to gain a wealthy gentleman’s attention by believing his implausible tales. Do you wish to test the theory?”
The way the officer’s eyes darted about, he was now realizing she had put him into an untenable situation. If he agreed to approach the shopkeepers, he would be revealed, but remaining quiet or protesting would make him appear guilty.
“As I thought,” said Elizabeth, not allowing him to speak again.
Then she turned to the rest of the officers. “I would watch Mr. Wickham if I were you, for he will have no compunction at all about stealing away like a thief in the night if you do not. Then, of course, you will be left with his debts and whatever debts of honor he has accumulated.”
The words appeared inspired, for several officers turned their attention to Mr. Wickham, their eyes widening in recognition.
Mr. Wickham saw none of this, for his gaze was fixed on Elizabeth, his mouth slightly open, baring his teeth.
For a moment, she thought he might do something reprehensible right there.
Then, he turned on his heel and marched from the room, his fists clenched by his sides.
Glances passed between several officers, and they hurried out, no doubt to prevent Elizabeth’s prediction from coming true. Silence fell in the wake of their departure. Then Mr. Denny, who appeared determined to support his friend, spoke into the silence.
“If my friend is not welcome here, then I shall depart as well.”
“It would be best if you did,” said Uncle Philips. “You heard my nieces speak of Mr. Wickham’s threats. Anyone who supports him is not welcome here.”
“Mr. Denny,” said Elizabeth with compassion, “I know you worry that Mr. Wickham’s behavior reflects poorly on you, but I urge you to learn the facts before you pledge unconditional support.
If my intelligence is incorrect, an investigation will prove it.
But I am confident in what I know, and his threats were beyond doubt.
Do not allow loyalty to affect your standing in the regiment. ”
Though Elizabeth wondered if he would speak again, Mr. Denny offered nothing but a curt nod and stalked from the room. The few remaining officers turned as a group and departed, leaving only Mr. Chamberlayne, who turned to Elizabeth.
“Thank you for the timely warning, Miss Elizabeth,” said he with a nod. “I have no doubt you will be proven correct in every particular.”
“Please watch Mr. Wickham, Lieutenant,” said Elizabeth, nodding her thanks. “He will flee if he has the opportunity.”
“I shall speak to the colonel at once.”
Then Mr. Chamberlayne too departed from the room.
It was not the way Elizabeth had meant to reveal the truth about Mr. Wickham, but perhaps it was for the best. Whatever else happened, Elizabeth doubted anyone in Meryton would ever credit Mr. Wickham’s pronouncements or his pretty manners again.
Elizabeth had done what she set out to do—and done it well. For that she was grateful.