Chapter Fourteen #3
“Mr. Bennet, as you well know, cannot afford such a demand, and although I am one of his friends, I cannot assume his debts. Between Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet’s brothers, reasonable demands will be met, but ten thousand pounds is not a reasonable idea.
They would be more willing to turn you over to the constable and use their money to hush up the issues of Miss Lydia’s spoiled reputation.
They could easily purchase her an appropriate match for a lot less.
I would not press for so much if I were you.
The Bennet offer is the best one at this time.
If you and Miss Lydia economize her spending, the two of you may live quite well on your commission and her inheritance.
I will, however, pledge an additional two thousand pounds, but that is my last offer.
If you do not accept the Bennets’ agreement, I will inform Miss Lydia’s father to seek other recourse.
I will not return after today.” Wickham shifted uncomfortably in his chair as he weighed the situation.
After several minutes of fretful silence, he agreed with Darcy’s demands.
An end was near, but Darcy refused to permit his guard to slip too quickly.
“You agree, Mr. Wickham, to the following: a resignation of your current position, an acceptance of a commission in the regulars, a payment of all your current debts in Meryton and Brighton, and a settlement of three thousand pounds total on Miss Lydia.”
“I agree, Darcy.” He extended his hand. However, Darcy made no move to accept it.
“If you do not mind, I would prefer my man of business to draw up the agreement and obtain your signature rather than accepting your handshake.”
Wickham conjectured, “Do you not trust me?”
“It is not in my nature, Mr. Wickham, to accept a handshake where such sums are concerned. It is business. Where others might accept your word, I am confident the Bennet family would prefer something more binding.”
Wickham’s laugh held elements of sorrowfulness, but he had made his decision and with a resiliency Darcy had once envied, his former friend stood to take his leave.
“Before we proceed, Mr. Wickham, you must approach the local clergyman and make arrangements for the wedding. For the service, Miss Lydia cannot return to Meryton after having been with you for so long. She must be married in London. I will contact her aunt and uncle. She should stay with them until the marriage vows take place. St. Clements Church is the nearest parish. Please see the clergyman there about the reading of the banns. You are looking at a fortnight, at least, before the vows. I am leaving you ten shillings to pay the minister and additional funds to maintain your room. Do not spend it unwisely.”
“As usual, Darcy, you have thought of everything,” Wickham’s smile suggested the sarcasm his tone did not betray.
“It has been my lot in life.” Darcy also stood.
“My man of business will call on you tomorrow for your signature. I will see Miss Lydia’s uncle within the next day, and he will make arrangements for her removal to his residence.
He will allow you, I imagine, appropriate time with her as you wait for the nuptials. ”
“Then there is nothing remaining to do. I will tell Lydia she is soon to become Mrs. Wickham.” He took the brandy once again and poured himself a quick drink before he headed for the stairs.
Friday brought Darcy a short letter from Georgiana. She and the Bingleys had traveled to Nottingham, and she told Darcy of a few items she purchased from the local merchants. The most important part of the letter was the last paragraph.
Now that Miss Bingley no longer examines this letter to comment on how much my handwriting resembles my brother’s, I can say what I wanted to tell you.
Your sister, my darling William, praises your efforts to save Miss Elizabeth, especially considering the mortifications you must be suffering at Mr. Wickham’s hands.
You see, I have no doubt you have found him, and a resolution is at hand.
I await your return and news of your success.
With love, Georgiana
Reading the letter a second time, Darcy realized the blessing of having Georgiana as his sister rather than the impetuous Lydia Bennet.
He held no doubt Georgiana would gladly have suffered the public humiliation of rumors of her brief encounter with Mr. Wickham in order to save Elizabeth, whereas Lydia Bennet cared not for anyone but herself.
The girl had refused his every attempt to save her reputation and that of her sisters.
Miss Lydia and George Wickham deserved each other.
Wickham would marry an embodiment of Mrs. Bennet.
In that manner, perhaps, Darcy would have the final revenge.
In late afternoon, Darcy called in at Cheapside to speak to Mr. Gardiner. “I am sorry, sir, but the master is within, but he meets with his brother Mr. Bennet. Mr. Gardiner left specific orders he not be disturbed,” the Gardiners’ maid explained.
Darcy had no desire to encounter Mr. Bennet.
He did not want Elizabeth’s father to know to what extremes he had gone to save Elizabeth and her sisters.
If he won Elizabeth’s heart, he preferred to do so without her feeling a debt in accepting his hand in marriage.
“If it is acceptable, I will return on the morrow.” Darcy said as he stepped away from the Gardiners’ door.
“The master will be home most of the day, sir. His brother returns to Hertfordshire. I heard Mr. Gardiner say Mrs. Gardiner arrives on the morrow.”
When he called on Mr. Gardiner the following day, he received a genuine welcome. “Mr. Darcy, it is an unexpected pleasure to see you so soon. When Mr. Witmore said I had a visitor yesterday, I had no idea it was you. Mr. Bennet and I would have received you had we known.”
“It is of no consequence, Gardiner,” Darcy stated as he accepted the seat Gardiner indicated. “My business is of a delicate nature, and I purposely avoided Mr. Bennet’s knowledge of it.”
Mr. Gardiner said seriously, “You have my undivided attention, sir.”
Darcy took a deep, steadying breath before he said, “As you are aware, I was with your niece when she received the news from Miss Bennet, which has distressed your family of late.”
“Elizabeth has told us of the comfort your presence provided her, but I do not understand how that affects you, sir.”
The knowledge that Elizabeth had spoken kindly of his effort to allay her fears soothed Darcy’s bruised ego.
He wondered how she would react if Elizabeth ever discovered his secrecy.
He prayed she would understand he had to protect her; the tears she shed at the Lambton inn had torn his heart to pieces.
“Mr. Wickham’s relationship with my family has been a tenuous one, but my many dealings with the man have provided me intimate knowledge of his habits, which neither you nor your brother would possess.
My knowledge of George Wickham comes from the late Mr. Wickham being my father’s steward.
Wickham and I attended Cambridge together, and I have dealt with him in such nefarious matters as this one on prior occasions.
I carried that knowledge to London. I realize I have taken on more than is appropriate, but I pray you will forgive my intrusion into such a private matter when I tell you I have discovered Mr. Wickham and Miss Lydia and have spoken to them on several occasions regarding their folly. ”
“You have found them!” Mr. Gardiner’s relief showed. “I would gladly forgive your intrusion for such happy news. Where are they? Are they married?”
“They are not married,” Darcy said with regret, and Gardiner’s happiness faded.
“But I have presented myself to both Mr. Wickham and to Miss Lydia as being your family’s agent in this matter.
I concocted a prevarication, which I hope you will also forgive, to achieve an agreement with Mr. Wickham and your family.
Yesterday, he applied for an ordinary license with the minister at St. Clements Church.
He and Miss Lydia will be married in a little over a fortnight. ”
Gardiner ran his fingers through his hair. He sighed deeply. “Mr. Darcy, my sister’s family will be forever in your debt.”
“When I spoke to Miss Lydia,” Darcy explained, “no matter what I offered as a logical reason for her leaving, the girl’s loyalty remained with Mr. Wickham.
She openly expressed her disdain for her life in Hertfordshire and her desire to know an adventure.
Miss Lydia believed in Mr. Wickham’s plans to marry her.
Despite my best arguments for her leaving, she speaks only of Mr. Wickham’s goodness. ”
Although Darcy’s news astounded the man, the lack of concern for her family expressed by Miss Lydia, however, did not surprise Gardiner.
“I fear only the two eldest Bennet sisters possess good sense, Mr. Darcy. They are our favorites, as you can well imagine.” Darcy could easily imagine Elizabeth.
He had done so every day since the assembly at Meryton, but he made no comment.
Mr. Gardiner, he was assured, recognized Darcy’s affection for Elizabeth.
Why else would Darcy become involved in this most private matter if he did not care for Elizabeth Bennet?
He no longer attempted to deny his feelings for her.
“I have suggested that Miss Lydia be married from your home. Obviously, she cannot return to Longbourn without bringing shame upon her sisters.”
“Naturally, Mr. Darcy. That is most prudent. Mrs. Gardiner is to return to Gracechurch Street a bit later today. After services tomorrow, we will make arrangements to retrieve Lydia from her reprehensible employment.” Mr. Gardiner said tentatively, “From what Lizzy and my brother Bennet have said of Mr. Wickham’s true nature, I suspect the man has demanded a hefty sum to bring about this marriage. ”