Chapter 32
Bingley was a man with a mission and he was bent on succeeding; for Jane’s worried face had pierced his heart.
Lydia Bennet would behave even if he had to become her shadow guarding her himself during the remainder of her stay in Brighton.
Jane had suffered enough by his sister’s deception and the confusion with Darcy’s relatives, but he was determined that he would at least ease this burden for her.
He had arrived at Brighton late the previous day and was on his way to Colonel Forster’s house as soon as it was polite to call.
Mrs. Bennet was in the sitting room lamenting the whole Brighton trip when a servant announced Mr. Bingley.
“Mr. Bingley! Whatever are you doing in Brighton?” she exclaimed.
“I was in town and was calling on Miss Bennet when your letter arrived.”
“Oh! But there was no need for you to depart town on account of my letter. My brother Gardiner could have come to help me.”
“Mr. Gardiner had many responsibilities in town, while I was available to travel immediately. I entreat you, madam, not to worry on my account. Miss Lydia is like a sister to me and I could not stay idle when she may be in any danger.”
“Oh! Of course, sir. You are very kind. Lydia has been beyond my control, and Mrs. Forster just encourages her.”
Mrs. Bennet had been hesitant in discussing Lydia’s improper behaviour with Bingley thinking that it may drive him away from Jane.
But Mr. Bingley was the kind of man who was easily able to draw confidence.
On the gentleman’s insistence, she finally confessed everything that had occurred, “I had thought that after catching her sneaking out of the circulating library, she would learn her lesson and behave with decorum, but to no avail. Only yesterday, I discovered a note in her room from Mr. Wickham. She had not left the house at all, so I am sure Mrs. Forster helped her.”
“Mrs. Bennet, I promise to keep an eye on Miss Lydia. I will call on Colonel Forster today and speak to him. I will also make inquiries in the Militia encampments to see if I might gain any knowledge about Mr. Wickham’s motives; but I implore you not to say anything to Miss Lydia.”
Bingley left Colonel Forster’s house, and directly went to the Militia encampments, where he sought out the Colonel and a few other officers that he had been acquainted with in Meryton.
His plan was to get invited to any parties that the Militia officers were attending to avoid any scandalous action on the part of the youngest Miss Bennet.
After a couple of conversations, he easily arranged an evening at the tavern sharing ale with the officers.
His readiness to pay for everyone had already made him popular and his companions eager to talk.
Soon he was able to understand that Wickham had lost the trust of most of his friends in the militia, for he owed money to almost everyone.
It was apparent to Bingley that while most of the officers enjoyed Miss Lydia’s company, she had been exclusively flirting with Wickham.
“I think it is Mrs. Forster; she had a preference for Wickham and since she is married she has encouraged Miss Lydia to be with him,” Mr. Pratt commented.
“She is the colonel’s wife and so we all behave ourselves but she has never thought twice before flirting with whomever she likes,” Denny added.
By the time Bingley left the tavern, he already had an idea forming in his mind.
Mrs. Forster by all accounts enjoyed the officers’ attention and would probably encourage Wickham if he flirted with her.
Bingley doubted that she would turn Wickham’s attention towards her friend if it was directed towards her.
This could be the way to get rid of the duplicitous Wickham, divert him towards Mrs. Forster, and then alert the Colonel.
He would never countenance such behaviour towards his wife and Wickham would probably be disciplined and would lose access to the Colonel’s household.
Bingley decided that he needed to speak to Wickham and understand what the man was planning, if anything.
It could be that Wickham was just enjoying the attention of the bold Miss Lydia, and did not have any villainous motives but Bingley was determined not to leave anything to chance.
He knew from Darcy that Wickham was not trustworthy or honourable in the least.
The next evening Bingley made his way to the market town to ‘accidentally’ meet Wickham; he was known to be around the area every afternoon. It was not long before Bingley spotted him and then casually walked by him, accidentally brushing his shoulder.
“Mr. Wickham! I do apologise for my clumsiness,” Bingley cheerfully greeted the officer.
Wickham had heard from a few of his colleagues that Mr. Bingley was in Brighton and was worried that it may be Darcy’s doing. He decided to greet the gentleman in his usual charming manner and see if he could garner any information.
“Mr. Bingley, it is a pleasure meeting you again. I had heard of your arrival in Brighton.”
“Yes, well I had some business here but I find myself completely at leisure this afternoon. If you are not otherwise occupied, may we go to the inn and get something to eat?” Bingley jovially asked.
Wickham was quick to accede, for he had been short of funds for some time now and was forced to eat every meal in the militia canteen which was abysmal at the best of times.
He knew that his time with the militia was now numbered, for many of the officers had caught on his penchant for running up debts.
He had been charming Lydia Bennet and the foolish Mrs. Forster in the hopes of gaining some funds to ease his travel but till now had no luck.
Bingley was a man of means and, if not for his friendship with Darcy, Wickham would have tried to fleece him much before now; but there was no Darcy around in Brighton and Wickham was becoming desperate.
The two men made their way to the local inn where Bingley was quick to order sufficient food and ale.
“Mr. Wickham, I am happy to run into you, you have been a dear friend to the Bennets whom I hold in high esteem. It is a shame that we did not speak much while in Hertfordshire.”
“Mr. Bingley, I will admit that I maintained my distance due to your guest, Mr. Darcy. You are no doubt aware that he does not approve of me,” Wickham responded with a charming smile.
“Darcy has hardly behaved as a friend towards me. I had admired Miss Bennet from the time we first danced but Darcy convinced me of the lady’s indifference and then hid her presence in London from me.
It was quite by chance that I met her but now she refuses to be in my company.
I am here in hopes that Mrs. Bennet may prove useful in my desire to pursue her eldest daughter,” Bingley complained, trying his best to display a strong resentment towards his friend.
He was hoping that by slandering Darcy he may gain Wickham’s trust and some insight into his motives in pursuing Miss Lydia.
Wickham did not disappoint for he could never let go of any opportunity to complain about Darcy.
“You see I have been most ill used; while the old Mr. Darcy brought me up as a second son; now I am forced to work at the most menial position while always being short of funds. It is most inconvenient as the habits of a gentleman are ingrained in me, but with no fortune to maintain them,” Wickham finished his tale of misfortune.
“Yes, you are a gentleman through and through, sir, even so far as to stay away from Netherfield to avoid any unpleasantness. I visited the ladies at Colonel Forster’s home and both Miss Lydia and Mrs. Forster were full of praise for you.”
“Yes, well, Miss Lydia is a lively girl and I try to accompany her whenever I see her in town, for she is too young to be by herself and Mrs. Forster is not much older.”
“Mrs. Forster is a mystery to me, sir, for accepting the Colonel as a husband,” Bingley said absently.
“Whatever do you mean?” Wickham was quick to question as Bingley had hoped.
“Oh! Nothing, I should not have said that. The Colonel is an honourable, upright man. It is just,” Bingley made a show of looking around then dropped his voice a bit and said, “The good Colonel must be in his fifth decade, and not a wealthy man at that, Mrs. Forster is a young and lively woman and had a decent dowry. I am surprised at the match, that is all.”
“I was not aware that Mrs. Forster had a large dowry,” Wickham said with a frown.
“Yes, well the information must have been kept discreet by the Colonel; it was quite by chance that I stumbled upon it while talking to the ladies yesterday. Mrs. Forster has a good pin money from what I understand,” Bingley continued in the same hushed tone.
Wickham was more than distracted by this information.
He had been courting silly Lydia Bennet in the hopes of charming her for some funds while he had a much easier option available.
Mrs. Forster was married so she would herself be discreet in her meetings with Wickham and would likely allow more liberties.
Once he was able to charm some money from her, he could easily disappear without anyone the wiser, the lady would hardly speak fearing the wrath of her husband.
Bingley was satisfied as he could see the wheels churning in Wickham’s mind.
The first part of his plan was now in action.
Mrs. Forster may encourage Wickham in his flirtation but would surely not tolerate any improper behaviour.
Bingley was sure that Wickham would expose himself in his desperation and would thus be removed from Miss Lydia’s vicinity.