Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
At dinner that evening, Darcy could not help recalling his earlier conversation with Richard. The knowledge that Wickham rode freely through Meryton had sat like a stone in his mind all day.
He knew that Georgiana must be warned of Wickham’s presence in the village.
So far, there had been no occasion for the ladies to go into Meryton, but he could not imagine that they would never wish to, nor could he persuade himself that they were entirely safe while walking the grounds of the cottage or Netherfield.
Before Richard’s arrival, Lord Granfield and Darcy had chosen to forgo the separation of the sexes, but this evening, the earl decided that he would take a few minutes to speak to the two men without the ladies present.
Whatever his purpose had been, Darcy decided to circumvent it, and speak of his concern about Wickham being nearby instead.
“Lord Granfield, Richard mentioned something earlier that I believe we need to make you aware of before we speak to Georgiana and Miss Bennet about the subject,” he said before the earl could introduce whatever topic he had planned.
With a frown, Lord Granfield turned towards Richard, silently demanding that he speak.
“When I was riding through Meryton on my way here,” Richard said, “I saw George Wickham dressed in the garb of a lieutenant in the militia.” He turned towards his cousin.
“I did not think to ask you, Darcy, but do you know who is in charge of the regiment here? Before I become too comfortable here, I ought to pay him a visit so I can take steps to see him properly dealt with.”
Before Darcy could answer, the earl broke out sharply.
“That miscreant is in this neighbourhood? In the militia?” He stared at Richard in undisguised disbelief.
“How the devil did he obtain a commission? The man has no land, no consequence—and from what you have told me,” he added, casting Richard a severe look, “he made no distinction at Cambridge and did not even complete his course.”
His lip curled. “He is a scoundrel of the worst sort and ought to be stripped of his commission at once. That such a man should wear His Majesty’s uniform—militia or no—is an affront.”
“While I do not disagree, my lord,” Richard said in a placating tone, “merely stripping him of his commission is not the outcome I had in mind. I would much prefer to see him removed from England altogether.”
He continued evenly, “As an officer of the militia, Wickham remains subject to the orders of his superiors. Although you do not hold a commission yourself, your influence at the War Office is considerable. A posting with the Regulars to the Continent—or to Portugal, for instance—could be arranged without undue difficulty. Even the Navy might find a use for him, should it be thought expedient.”
Richard’s expression tightened almost imperceptibly.
“If, by some unlikely chance, he proves capable of discharging the duties of his present rank, he may yet learn a measure of discipline. If not, the service has a way of revealing such deficiencies rather swiftly. As much as I would like for him to serve as cannon fodder, I feel it is only fair that we allow him a chance to turn out better.”
“Very well,” the earl agreed. “I will write a letter to General ___ as soon as I have spoken to Elizabeth. I will forbid her from leaving the house until that man has departed the area. Doubtlessly, the two of you will wish to do the same for Miss Darcy.”
Without waiting for further comment, Darcy set aside the glass he had been holding and rose from his chair.
The legs scraped softly against the floor as he stepped away from the table, one hand resting briefly against its polished edge before he faced the earl.
A faint tension settled into his shoulders; his voice, when he spoke, remained composed.
“I do not believe that is wise, Lord Granfield.”
He moved a few paces towards the hearth, then turned back, clasping his hands behind him as though steadying his thoughts before continuing.
“At last, I have learnt that protecting others without explanation seldom produces the intended result. I believe that both Miss Bennet and Georgiana would be better served if we tell them that Wickham has been spotted in the area and encourage them to exercise caution. Both are rational creatures. Were it only Georgiana, I might forbid her from leaving; but Miss Bennet will not accept a command without explanation. She may consent if she believes she protects my sister, yet she will not submit blindly—and I suspect she would still insist upon tending to the tenants, with no more precaution than the addition of a groom or two.”
Darcy was not surprised by the earl’s frown at these words; he had grown accustomed to that expression whenever he spoke with him on matters of consequence.
“She is my granddaughter and will do as I command,” the earl barked.
Lifting a brow, Darcy asked evenly. “Will she?” He paused for a moment, meeting the earl’s gaze without hesitation.
“From what I have observed, she is not a young lady who readily submits to blunt instruction. She will chafe if told what she must do without allowance for her own judgment, or without even the courtesy of an explanation. If the object is her compliance, I believe you will earn her willingness more readily by being honest with her.”
Despite the frown that seemed to only grow larger the longer Darcy spoke, the earl did appear to be at least considering Darcy’s words. Finally, he nodded.
“Very well,” he said. “We will tell them what we know—and insist they take precautions. Elizabeth may still believe she can move about the estate as she ordinarily does, but there are a few in the neighbourhood who remember that Netherfield is Elizabeth’s, even if they do not speak of it readily to strangers.
If that man has any idea that Elizabeth is an heiress, then he will doubtless attempt to target her.
It may take a se’nnight, or even longer, to arrange his removal. ”
“Richard, the man in charge of the militia is a Colonel Forster,” Darcy said, replying to his cousin’s earlier question.
“He seems like a good enough man, but I did not speak to him for very long. I cannot say much about the militia officers; I dined with them once, but we spoke more to the men of the neighbourhood. Will you go tomorrow to speak to him?”
Seeing Richard nod in response, Darcy continued.
“I believe it would be good if I were to speak to Sir William Lucas,” he said.
“Miss Bennet knows the residents of this village well and may have a better suggestion, but if I am not mistaken he is the magistrate. He can warn the shopkeepers to be careful how much credit they give to all the officers, not just Wickham. I believe, Lord Granfield, that he would be more inclined to do so were you to accompany me. He is the sort of man to be awed by a title.”
“But he does not know that I have a title, Darcy, or have you forgotten?” the earl said, fixing him with a sharp look.
“Fitzwilliam, I am known in this area simply as Mr Grant, and while they know that I do work for the Crown, they do not know exactly what my role is. Be sure to refer to me only by that name, and not my title, even with Colonel Forster.”
“Of course, Mr Grant,” Richard replied.
The men quickly finished their drinks and stood as one to join the ladies. Darcy followed behind slowly, already considering how best to speak without alarming Elizabeth—and how to guard her without losing her trust.
They found Georgiana and Elizabeth in the music room, seated together at the pianoforte. Georgiana played with her usual quiet assurance, her hands steady upon the keys, her confidence deepened by their time at Millwood while Elizabeth sang softly.
Nearby, Mrs Annesley sat with her sewing. She began to rise when the gentlemen entered, but at a discreet signal from one of them, resumed her seat.
All three men paused just inside the doorway. The music continued uninterrupted, and Darcy was conscious of the stillness that settled over them as they listened. His sister looked entirely at ease—more than that, she looked content—and the sight brought him a quiet, steady satisfaction.
Elizabeth sang with an ease that seemed to belong naturally to her, her voice blending effortlessly with Georgiana’s playing.
Darcy’s attention returned to her more than once, drawn by the harmony between them and by the unstudied confidence with which she performed.
The ease that existed between the two young ladies did not go unnoticed, nor could he keep from wishing it could happen at Pemberley in the future.
For a brief moment, Darcy found his breath uneven, a subtle tightening in his chest that surprised him.
His fingers curled lightly against the edge of the doorframe, the pressure enough to steady him before he was fully aware of the motion.
He adjusted his stance and drew a measured breath, restoring the composure he knew the moment required.
If either his cousin or the earl noticed the change, they gave no sign of it.
One of the men must have moved or done something, for a moment later Elizabeth’s eyes lit on his and remained there. She finished the song, seeming to sing to him, and Darcy ached at the tenderness of it.
The moment was broken when the earl clapped his large hand upon Darcy’s shoulder.
“Very well done, Elizabeth,” he said loudly, leading the others further into the room. He escorted his granddaughter to a settee, and encouraged Fitzwilliam to take the seat next to her. Elizabeth’s face flushed angrily, but she did not protest, at least not out loud.