Chapter Four #2
Once again, Wickham had failed. With so little money at her disposal, his future wife could not even afford to give him a farthing. Oh, how he wished to be a fly on the wall when the news was broken to his nemesis. That alone would make up for the disappointment he felt whenever he thought of her.
He had been taken in by her fine eyes and pleasing figure.
With clarity of hindsight, he realized she had most likely argued with him knowing it would pique his interest. She was different from any other lady he’d ever known.
At one time, he felt he was in great danger of liking her more than he should.
It was one of the main reasons he’d pulled back from their nightly verbal skirmishes while she stayed at Netherfield Park.
Little did he realize Wickham had coached her well.
Her behavior had been calculated, knowing he would be drawn in by witty banter and heated debates, not by coy looks and agreeing with every word he uttered.
If the desperate mothers of London had known this was what it took to capture the master of Pemberley’s interest, they’d have bought out Hatchard’s and hired every tutor available to teach their daughters politics and history.
His reverie was disrupted by a kick on the boot. He raised his eyes to see Richard standing beside his chair.
“I did greet you, but you were a million miles away in thought.” His cousin sat opposite him and signaled for a brandy. “Now, what is this about you getting married? Shall I congratulate or commiserate?”
“Commiserate.”
“Why? Is she as ugly as my brother?”
“No, she is a handsome woman.” Darcy grudgingly admitted. “She has to be. Wickham does not have dalliances with hideous creatures.”
“Wickham! What has he got to do with this?”
“This whole debacle happened after we had gone out onto the terrace while at Bingley’s ball.
When Miss Elizabeth turned to speak, I saw a red-coated gentleman trying to hide behind some bushes.
She then approached and conveniently tripped.
Of course, I caught her. I could not let a lady fall to the ground, and my button became caught in the lace of her bodice.
She probably added the lace to make sure this happened. ”
“Yes, I am sure all women place lace around the edges of her gown in hopes of tripping and snagging it on a man’s buttons,” Richard scoffed, not even trying to mask his sarcasm.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“No, I am trying to see reason instead of lashing out in anger. How do you know she is involved with Wickham?”
“We argued about him while dancing.”
“You danced?”
“I tell you about Wickham and all you hear was that I danced.”
“Truly, Darcy, this fact is more earth-shattering than you being compromised. One, you chose to do, the other, you did not. Extraordinary.”
“Can we focus on the problem at hand?” He pinched the bridge of his nose to stave off a tension headache. Or, a Richard headache. Both were annoying.
“Of course.”
“The mother had to be in on it because as soon as Miss Elizabeth tripped, she was the first one out on the terrace, leading the charge. Practically all of the guests poured outside after her as witnesses.” His conscience knocked at his memory, reminding him it was the words of Caroline Bingley that had sealed his fate, not the mother – or Elizabeth.
Resolutely, he pushed those troubling thoughts aside.
“So, there is no getting out of this?”
“None whatsoever if I wished to remain an honorable gentleman.”
“All right, then. What is it you want me to do? Take your bride out into the countryside, and make sure she is never found?”
“No!” He was horrified his cousin would even suggest such a thing.
“She stays at Pemberley until I am sure she is not bearing the devil’s spawn.
As angry as I am with her, she is no more guilty than any other woman who fell for his charms. If I intend to have an heir, I will have to get over my revulsion of touching something Wickham has enjoyed. ”
“And your wife will not mind being left in Derbyshire for the rest of her adult life?”
“She is a country squire’s daughter and does not know any other way of life. She likes to walk, and there are plenty of paths on the estate. She will adjust.”
“When you wrote Mrs. Reynolds, did you ask her to carefully watch your wife for certain signs and symptoms?”
“I have not yet sent notice. Thank you for reminding me.”
“I want to know more about Wickham. Where did you say he was?” Richard took a sip of his brandy.
“He has entrenched himself in the militia in Meryton. If you thought he was potent with women as a mere pretend gentleman, you should see him all puffed up in his uniform. I am sure by now he has run up at least a couple hundred pounds in debt and has impregnated someone, maybe even my betrothed. I guess we will find out soon enough.”
He realized Richard was glowering at him.
“What?”
“Are you telling me you did not go to his superior officer and tell him about Wickham’s character? Did you at least tell the merchants not to extend him credit? Or caution the men you became acquainted with they should keep their beloved daughters far, far away from him?”
“No, I could not risk him spreading rumors about Georgiana.”
“So, it sits well with you that honest merchants lose money, and families are torn apart because their daughters are ruined by a rakehell we could have stopped.” Richard stood and towered over him.
“I want you to go to your strongbox and gather together every vowel you have on him. Now that I know where the traitor has hidden, I am going to ride to this little town, stop in and chat with his commanding officer, and with luck, have Wickham in chains awaiting transport, or at the end of a short rope.”
“When can you go?”
“I cannot go sooner than a week before Christmas. I will sacrifice one of my days off to make sure this blackguard cannot hurt anyone further.”’
“That is regrettable. I am to be married Tuesday; you could have stood up with me.”
“Sorry, old man. I cannot. Duties are duties. Is Georgiana going with—”
“No!” Darcy took a deep breath to control his anger. “I will not subject her to that family or the chance of Wickham showing his face. I will go alone.”
“Does she even know you are getting married?”
“Again, no.”
“Please tell her before you travel back to Derbyshire, or she will wonder who the strange woman sleeping next to you in the mistress of Pemberley’s bedchamber is.”
“I will tell her in my own time.”
Richard only shook his head, letting his cousin know without words that he was playing with fire.
“While in Meryton, I will question our friend Wickham about your bride. It is imperative to discover if he did conspire to set up a compromise.”
“And if he has?”
“Then, you will know for certain what type of woman you married.” Richard stood to leave. “And if he hasn’t, you will forever regret not taking the time to court your wife properly and help her maintain a modicum of dignity. You could always postpone the wedding until after my visit.”
“Tempting, but I want this charade over with. As it is, the sword of Damocles hangs over my head. I wish to have some peace in my life, and with her at Pemberley awaiting the verdict of whether she is with child or not, I can continue with some normalcy here in Town.”
His gut twisted at the thought of Elizabeth heavy with Wickham’s child. If she was his lover, could he ever take her as his true wife, or would the tender shoots of his affection be completely strangled by the weeds of hatred he held for that man?
Richard tutted and shook his head.
“You have already cast judgment before the evidence has been gathered.” He turned to leave and tossed over his shoulder, “I hope you do not regret this.”
“I already do, cousin,” Darcy muttered under his breath. “I already do.”