Chapter 11
In London, September brought milder weather and the return of the ton, as well the start of preparations for the Season. The streets, the shops, and even the clubs became increasingly more crowded.
The countess’s health seemed to be as good as ever, much to Darcy’s satisfaction. He completed the arrangements for their journey north and was eager finally to begin it.
But there was another reason for his eagerness, one that he hardly admitted even to himself. The journey to Pemberley meant a short stop at Netherfield —and the chance to see Elizabeth Bennet one more time.
Although he forced himself to be happy when she left, and to feel relieved to have the protection of a great distance between them, his true feelings were quite different, and he struggled with them every night and every day when he had a moment of solitude.
He hoped that the meeting, which would surely trouble his life again, would be useful and comforting for Georgiana. She was still reluctant to leave the house and to confront the busy streets and noisy parks. The only people she was interested in were her aunt and her brother.
Therefore, she often declared she would be happy to meet Miss Lizzy again but appeared reserved at the idea of being introduced to so many new people.
And Darcy saw his error once again: he had spoken so unflatteringly about the Bennet family when he first saw Georgiana with Elizabeth that it was no wonder she was reluctant to make their acquaintance.
Darcy spoke to his sister one afternoon while they were both reading in the library.
“Dearest, I have good news. The Matlocks have returned to Town, and they are very anxious to see us. Lady Matlock invited us for dinner the day after tomorrow —perfect timing before we leave for Pemberley.”
Georgiana’s interest was indicated only by a timid smile.
“I have missed uncle and aunt very much. And our cousins too. Is Richard still with his regiment?”
“I did not ask, but I will write Lady Matlock immediately.”
“Would you please ask her who will attend the dinner party?” she pleaded shyly.
“My dear, I suspect it will be a family dinner since they have just returned home. So most likely, our uncle and aunt, Henry and his wife Eleanor, and hopefully Richard and the three of us if Lady Hardwick agrees to join us.”
“Oh, I just realised that Cousin Eleanor has the same name as little Eleanor Gardiner.” Georgiana smiled.
“Indeed. If you wish, we can pay another short visit to the Gardiners too.”
“Perhaps…if we have time. We will leave for Pemberley in less than a week, you said. Now would you mind if I go to Aunt Amelia’s house? I shall take a maid with me, and I would rather sleep there overnight to keep her company.”
“As you prefer, dearest. But I will take you there; I feel more at peace that way.”
“I thank you, William, but you must not worry about me. I am perfectly well.”
He smiled and kissed her hand. She was not well, and he was worried.
Their curiosity about Richard Fitzwilliam was satisfied the same afternoon when the colonel unceremoniously barged into Darcy’s house, greeting his cousin enthusiastically.
“I just arrived home, but I could not delay coming to see you. How have you been all these months? What news do you have? And how is Georgiana?”
“We are well enough. Let me pour you a drink. Are you hungry? I have quite a lot of news to share if you ask me.”
“Really? Well, what are you waiting for? No, I am not hungry; our cook stuffed us with five incredible dishes. A glass of brandy would be perfect —or two. Share your news, and afterwards I will go to see the ladies.”
Since Colonel Fitzwilliam was Georgiana’s second guardian and Darcy’s closest lifetime friend, there were few mysteries between them.
Despite the differences in their natures, they had always trusted and supported each other.
Except for Lady Hardwick, Richard was the only one who knew all the details of his dealings with Wickham, about the scoundrel’s plans to elope with Georgiana, and about his sister’s painful accident that threatened her life.
The only secret Darcy did not —and would not —disclose to his cousin was the marriage proposal he made to Elizabeth in Kent. That was a memory to remain hidden in his heart and his mind and to torment his present and his future.
Not surprisingly, though, the moment Richard Fitzwilliam met Elizabeth, he had felt there was a strange connection between her and Darcy.
Due to Darcy’s strange manners towards the lady and her peculiar reaction to him, the colonel was confident the relationship between them was an uncommon one, but in what way he could not guess.
However, he continued to tease Darcy about it whenever he had the chance, amused to see his cousin uncomfortable about the subject.
With their glasses filled, the two cousins began to talk. Since they had last met at the beginning of the summer, there were many stories to unfold.
An hour later, the colonel filled his glass for the third time.
“So that miscreant is now married to the youngest Bennet sister?”
“Sadly, yes.”
“And how did you discover this event?” the colonel inquired.
“Clayton informed me first. But the details were related to me —you will not believe it —by Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She happened to be in Town, and they were desperate to discover the fugitives, so she came to my door, pleading for me to help her father and uncle.”
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet…what a lovely young lady. I remember her saying more than once that the two of you were not friends, so I imagine it was difficult for her to apply to your generosity.”
“More than you think. I was very surprised; I did not expect to see her,” Darcy admitted. “But since I had Clayton watching Wickham, there was no difficulty on my part to discover him.”
“But your involvement was much more than that. I am surprised Miss Bennet’s father and uncle accepted your participation.”
“They did not. We argued and fought to exhaustion —more than I could bear and more than Wickham deserved —but I left them no choice. I did everything that was my duty to resolve the situation to my own satisfaction.”
“How did you manage to purchase the new commission for him after
he evaded the militia?”
“Through General ——.”
“Ah yes, I should have realised. Yet another honourable living provided for Wickham that he will waste.”
“Most likely; I am sorry I have no reason to contradict you,” Darcy replied.
The colonel turned angrier. “That idiot has tormented you and Georgiana too much in the last years. He broke your peace and put that sweet girl in danger more than once. Why on earth was I always away and never able to deal with him personally? I would surely have been more convincing than you.”
“Perhaps. You are not a colonel for nothing,” Darcy tried to mock him, but his cousin remained severe.
“And may I ask what the total sum was to ensure this wedding?”
Darcy cast a glance at his cousin and refilled his glass.
“Around ten thousand pounds.”
The colonel did not even blink. “I suspected as much.”
“But you must swear your secrecy, Cousin. Except for Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner, nobody knows the extent of my involvement, and it is my wish that it remain so. It is likely that Miss Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner suspect I made the purchase of the new commission possible since neither of the gentlemen had the connections for such an arrangement. But the financial details are private.”
“As you wish,” Colonel Fitzwilliam agreed. “But it would have cost you twenty times less to get rid of Wickham forever.”
Darcy let out a bitter laugh. “Considering how much I have already wasted on the scoundrel, even having him murdered is not sufficient.”
“I have to say I am puzzled: Why did you take such a burden upon yourself? The Bennets are not family —not even friends from what you told me. Why would you spend a fortune to save their reputation?”
Darcy knew his countenance had changed. He had addressed that question to himself many times, and he was not confident he had given himself an honest answer. But he repeated it to his cousin nevertheless.
“It was my fault and, therefore, my duty to remedy the situation. Starting with my beloved father, we all hold our share of blame in Wickham’s misdeeds.
We either excused or attempted to hide his behaviour and character.
And I am more at fault than anyone. The moment I saw him in Meryton, I should have spoken with Colonel Forster and given him information about Wickham’s true inclinations.
That at least would have warned him and induced him to supervise the rascal more closely. ”
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s eyebrow rose in challenge.
“That is nonsense. You have done more than anyone else has and, certainly, more than he deserved. You cannot live your life following Wickham and warning everyone about his character nor continue to pay his debts.”
“I shall do that no longer. General —— knows Wickham’s past, and he will be cautious with him. Besides, I own all his debts. I can throw him into debtors’ prison whenever I please for my own amusement.”
The colonel grinned.
“Well, I would surely do that and then laugh at him, but you will not.”
“Do not be so certain; I lack amusements lately,” Darcy replied.
“Well, you have not been very amusing in the last months, I grant you that. I am content to see your mood slightly improved since I last saw you. I know too well that this time has been difficult for you, and I regret not being able to help you more.”
“You helped me enough in that I know I can count on your support and advice. I have missed our conversations,” Darcy declared.
“I imagine you found few gentlemen to spend time with in London during the summer. Conversely, I was only among gentlemen in my regiment. Neither of the options is ideal, I assure you. I need to see more lovely faces.”
Darcy laughed.