Chapter 23
Bingley only greeted the colonel and then left the library with Mr Gardiner.
“I did not expect this meeting to occur here and in your presence, Mr Darcy.”
“I imagined as much, Colonel. But I own to the privilege of having Mr Bennet’s confidence and, I dare hope, yours too. Being part of Wickham’s story from the beginning, I assure you I am as anxious as you are to settle the matter in a reasonable manner.”
“Very well. I admit that this situation has developed in ways that have suddenly disrupted our lives and distressed us further,” the colonel admitted.
“So it seems,” Mr Bennet agreed. “And let us discuss it openly. What do you wish to gain from this meeting, Colonel?”
“The peace and tranquillity of my family, Mr Bennet. Which is now threatened by a misunderstanding that I insist must be clarified without delay. I hope Miss Lydia will know to act accordingly. My wife has always treated her with friendship and affection, like a sister. She even intended to invite her to join us in Brighton, where the regiment will be camped for the summer,” the colonel said with obvious agitation.
“We were pleased and grateful for Mrs Forster’s friendship towards Lydia. While I am aware of my daughter’s youth and wanting behaviour, this time I cannot see what her fault is. You must know that she has much affection for Mrs Forster too.”
“Even if it was without malicious intent, during her stay in our home Miss Lydia lurked and eavesdropped, witnessing a private conversation between my wife and her brother. Even worse, she misinterpreted what she heard and launched harmful and distasteful accusations against my wife and my brother. If spread, such rumours will damage my reputation and my name and cause irredeemable harm to my family—”
“Colonel Forster,” Darcy interrupted, “let me be blunt. Miss Lydia heard your wife accusing her brother of Wickham’s death, while he attacked her for her close friendship with the man.
Miss Lydia cannot be blamed for overreacting.
Most people would have done the same at such a revelation. Am I wrong?”
“You are not wrong,” the colonel conceded hesitantly and with apparent difficulty. “I have spoken at length to both my wife and my brother, demanding the complete truth. I am aware of how things appear, but my wife has assured me there was only friendship between her and Wickham. I trust her.”
“Any honourable gentleman must place his confidence in his wife,” Mr Bennet said.
“Wickham’s open manners always helped him make friends easily,” Darcy added.
“My own father granted him his affection and friendship, although knowing him longer, I can safely say Wickham was unworthy of both. He disappointed and hurt many people, all for personal gain. Wherever he went, he left debts in his wake. I can easily conceive that he was probably in debt to many people — both financially and morally.”
“Mr Darcy, forgive me, I do not wish to avoid responsibility, but if you knew all this, why did you not inform us sooner? Why did you not warn the good people around here? You would have likely prevented everyone from much anguish,” the colonel said.
“It was a mistaken judgment, Colonel,” Darcy answered.
“I assumed Wickham’s actions would speak for themselves eventually and believed people should take the trouble to know his true character through their own experience.
I was wrong, and I have been deeply regretful ever since.
Had I exposed him immediately, he might have been discharged from the regiment, and maybe he would still be alive. ”
“Come now, Mr Darcy. You cannot take this blame upon yourself,” Mr Bennet interjected.
“And Colonel, let us face it, a month ago, everybody in Meryton and around adored Wickham — men and women — whilst mistrusting Mr Darcy. While at that time I was not personally acquainted with either of them and had no interest in being so, I know from my wife and daughters that the general opinion claimed Mr Darcy to be arrogant and disdainful while Wickham was the image of perfection. Had Mr Darcy warned you about Wickham’s depraved nature a month ago, would you have believed him? ”
“I do not know…I feel like a fool…I never expected myself to be such a poor judge of character,” the colonel mumbled.
“I have always treated my officers with respect and have requested the same. In so many years with the militia, I have never felt so betrayed. I am sorry that I am crying my disappointment to you, who are almost strangers to me. I have never felt so weak before.”
“I believe a drink is in order,” Darcy suggested, filling three glasses, while the colonel paced the library with apparently less self-control.
“Colonel, what do you expect me — or my daughter Lydia — to do now?” Mr Bennet asked directly after Darcy had handed them the glasses. The question brought back the colonel’s perturbation, and he kept pacing around until he finally resumed his seat, prepared to talk.
“My wife’s brother said he argued with Wickham that day…
for different reasons. He said there were some cards debts involved too.
Apparently, both of them had significant debts.
They were quite similar in their tendency to waste their money and their lives…
I suppose that is why they became close friends.
I knew that about my brother-in-law, but I married a year ago and my wife asked me to give him a chance, hoping he would make a living eventually. ”
“Yes, I am no stranger to such hopes,” Darcy said. “I gave Wickham several chances over the years. Sadly, all failed. Perhaps your brother-in-law will be more diligent in building an honourable future instead of running after easy wins.”
“I doubt it. He and Wickham were planning some affair with goods from India. Spices, I believe. Wickham, after making himself appear the victim of some unscrupulousness on your part and blaming you for his reduced circumstances, apparently asked my wife for a loan of money Archibald did not approve of. I knew nothing about it, and he feared that I might repudiate all of them if I discovered the scheme. He could not afford to lose the comfort provided by his association with me.”
“So, he murdered Wickham?” Mr Bennet asked, stunned and appalled.
“No, no! He claims they fought and Wickham fell and rolled down the ravine. He must have hit several trees on his way down that caused his wounds. Archibald said he went down immediately to check on him, but he was no longer breathing, and he feared confessing the truth so he ran. I do not know whether I should believe him, but he is simply too idiotic, too weak, too lazy to murder someone by design.”
“His flaws seem to be his best defence,” Mr Bennet said.
“Yes, but if Miss Lydia shares what she heard, a new inquest will start against my brother-in-law. And my wife will certainly be drawn into it too. My career will be affected — after all these years…”
“But are you able to pretend that nothing happened?” Darcy enquired.
“No, of course not. Archibald will start a new assignment in India. A change of scenery and company will surely benefit him. I have already sent the request using what connections I have, and he will leave as soon as I have the confirmation. My wife will spend the next few months with my mother and aunt in Surrey. We have a small, peaceful property where one may rest and reflect in peace.”
“I see you have given this a lot of thought and have things under control,” Mr Bennet observed.
“A couple of years under India’s hot sun will hopefully give your brother the necessary impulse and determination to find the right path in life.
As I am certain Mrs Forster will find tranquillity away from this agitation. ”
“As I said, I wish nothing but peace and tranquillity for my family, sir. I do not pretend either of them to be forgiven, but how could I not at least try to protect them? Does this make me dishonourable? A fool? A weak man, blinded by love? Very likely—”
“Colonel, the situation as I see it seems very blurred,” Mr Bennet concluded.
“There is no evidence, there are no witnesses to what occurred. Your wife tried to provide undeserved help to an unworthy man. Your brother-in-law associated himself with someone who only increased his own flaws. An accident happened that ended with Wickham’s death.
Could your brother-in-law be condemned for it? ”
Mr Bennet looked at Darcy who shrugged his shoulders.
“I agree with you, Mr Bennet — the situation is very blurred. I doubt any judge would sentence the brother of a colonel without clear evidence or witnesses to accuse him. As little as I have seen of him, I share the colonel’s opinion.
He does not seem the type to purposely and violently harm anybody. ”
“Then what should I do? What can I do?” Colonel Forster enquired, tired and dejected.
He, a powerful and respected man, in charge of a regiment, responsible for men, officers, and soldiers, with a decade of experience in the army, looked defeated and was applying for support and understanding from two strangers.
“I believe you should prepare your wife and brother for their respective journeys, Colonel,” Mr Bennet replied. “I shall speak to Lydia and my other daughters, as well as to my wife, to explain the situation. I wish to be done with it once and for all.”
“Thank you, Mr Bennet. There is nothing else I can say to express my gratitude. I imagine Miss Lydia has already spoken to other people and rumours already exist. They will only grow in the future. But I shall have to bear it and live with it.”
“Rumours and gossip will come and go, Colonel, as you may remember happened to my own daughter Elizabeth not so long ago. But one should not make life decisions solely due to fear of a ruined reputation. Mr Darcy understands this better than anyone.”