Chapter 13
With the ball ending late and the servants moving around until dawn, some of the Netherfield residents kept to their rooms until late in the morning. Two of them had had no sleep, though, and they were talking in Darcy’s room, drinking at an hour inappropriate for brandy.
“There is not much we can do with the other two idiots,” Darcy said. “As much as I share your anger, we cannot just kill them for spreading malicious reports.”
“I know. If we could, there would be more people dead than alive,” the admiral agreed. “But they must pay, and Mr Bennet must receive satisfaction. And Miss Elizabeth, of course.”
“We must be careful not to cause more harm, instead of satisfaction. I wished to rip Wickham apart, but I still wonder how I controlled myself not to beat him. But the scandal would have only aggravated the rumours and spread them further.”
“This is the worst part. Even if we kill Wickham and the other miscreants, it will not stop the gossip nor repair the damage.”
“I have the biggest share of the blame, Admiral. It was my responsibility, and I failed in it.”
“What blame? What responsibility, Darcy?”
“Of keeping Wickham from hurting more innocent people. And of considering my actions more carefully. Of anticipating such consequences and preventing them.”
“That is ridiculous. You have done nothing wrong. Or have you?” the admiral enquired.
Darcy averted his eyes before he met the scrutinising gaze again.
“Wickham…this past summer he attempted to elope with Georgiana.”
“What?”
“Please keep calm, Admiral. Except for Richard, nobody else knows, and I trust you to keep the secret.”
“Certainly! But…what happened? When? Where?”
“In Ramsgate. Fortunately, Georgiana told me, and I intervened in time. No real damage was done, except for the grief inflicted on my sister. That is why I hesitated to confront Wickham in public — I think him capable of attacking Georgiana too if he feels trapped and in danger.”
“I see… Then you should have killed him. Or thrown him in prison or sent him to the colonies!”
“I should have. I was thinking of my father and what he would want. You must know he was very fond of the scoundrel, despite my attempts to reveal his true character. My memories kept me from taking more severe measures…exposing him when I first saw he had befriended the Bennet family. I should have expected him to say and do anything to harm my reputation.”
Darcy felt anger overwhelming him again, as well as remorse and guilt. He felt the admiral’s stare on him and poured himself another drink. He was tired, his mind perturbed, and the brandy made him dizzy.
“Darcy, I have something to ask you, but you may choose not to answer me. Is there any truth to these rumours? Even a little bit?”
“Dear Lord, of course not!” he replied with indignation.
“Wait, wait! I did not mean you would ever ask Miss Elizabeth to be your mistress as that scoundrel suggested. Nor that you would be engaged in any improper conduct with her in the woods. But still, I have noticed…”
“Noticed what, Admiral?”
“I do not want to upset you, but I have observed you showing more attention to Miss Elizabeth than to any other woman. I mean small gestures, glances, conversation…that sort of thing.”
The admiral paused, but Darcy remained silent, gulping more brandy.
“I might be wrong, Darcy, yet… Escorting Miss Elizabeth home when you found her in distress is something any honourable man would do. But taking so much care of the puppies? By yourself? And the little things you say about her…and singling her out by dancing only with her? The way you two spoke during that set drew my attention too, although it was perfectly proper. Something in your countenance was different, though.”
Another pause followed, and Darcy still could not form a reply.
“Am I wrong, Darcy?”
“You are not wrong, sir,” he finally admitted. “I have admired Miss Elizabeth almost from the beginning of our acquaintance. Her spirit, her wit, her open manners and confidence, her kind and affectionate heart — I have never found all these traits together in any woman.”
“Well, now we are in agreement. And I have to say, I am not surprised by your admiration — I agree with everything you said. I am just stunned that you moved from refusing to dance with her and offending her to admiring her in such a short time.”
“I hoped I had already cleared up that misunderstanding at the assembly with you, Mr Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth herself. She was kind enough to forgive me.”
“So, what did you intend to do? Before this scandal occurred?”
“Do, sir? In regard to what?”
“To Miss Elizabeth, of course.”
The admiral’s stare grew more intense, and Darcy became uncomfortable.
“Nothing, of course. Miss Elizabeth is an exceptional, honourable young lady, the daughter of a gentleman. She has my admiration and consideration. I have never bothered her with an improper word or gesture.”
“I do not doubt that. That was not my meaning. You are eight-and-twenty and reluctant to marry Anne or any other woman, to my knowledge. You are acquainted with the most eligible young ladies in town, but none have held your particular interest. Am I wrong so far?”
“You are not wrong, sir, and I believe I can guess the direction of your reasoning but—”
“Let me finish. You met a young woman who impressed you with rare traits and admirable accomplishments. As you said, she is the honourable daughter of a gentleman. Unlike many others, including myself many years ago, you have the liberty of making decisions for your present and your future as you wish.”
“I shall not deny any of it, nor my struggle for some time now. While I do have the liberty, I also have the responsibility of making decisions not only according to my wishes but also for the benefit of my sister and my name. I cannot neglect the expectations that I have to fulfil, especially in choosing the future Mrs Darcy. Would you not agree?”
“I would and I do. Utterly and completely. So, you do not deny you have considered Miss Elizabeth as the future Mrs Darcy?”
“How could I deny the truth? But there are many other obstacles that might become stronger than my desire.”
“I see no obstacle, except her lack of dowry and poor connections and some need for improvement in her mother and younger sisters’ manners. I remember you expressed these objections when we first spoke of the Bennets. Back then they were meant to temper Bingley’s admiration for the eldest sister.”
“Yes, I remember too.”
“Darcy, I shall insist no further. I also remember declaring I would not force anyone I know to marry against their wishes, and I shall certainly not break that principle with you. Besides, you are known for always fulfilling your responsibilities perfectly, so you must know best.”
“I do not deserve to be mocked, Admiral. I have already confessed my struggle and admitted my failure in making a decision. I thought of little else last night. I know the best solution to remedy my wrong and to protect Miss Elizabeth and her family would be to marry her, despite the other scandal that would arise amongst my family and friends. I am sure you realise that.”
“Of course I realise it, Darcy. The scandal you will have to face if you marry Miss Elizabeth might be even greater than if you do not marry her.”
“Regardless, I am seriously considering discussing the matter with Mr Bennet and then Miss Elizabeth.”
“Darcy, I hope you do not intend to marry the lady because of gossip. That is insufficient reason for a permanent commitment, and the obstacles would remain. Even worse, they might grow and make you both miserable.”
“Admiral, I am completely dumbfounded. Only moments ago, you insisted on me marrying Miss Elizabeth. Did I misunderstand you?”
“Not at all.”
“And now, when I am tempted to do so, you suggest the opposite. May I have your honest opinion? Do I have your approval?”
“Do you need my approval, Darcy?”
“No, but I would like to have it, nevertheless. I value your opinion more than anyone else’s.”
“Then I shall express it clearly. I recognised Miss Elizabeth’s admirable qualities from the day I met her.
I had no doubt that any man would be fortunate to have her as his wife, but I never imagined that man might be you.
After this conversation, there is no question in my mind that your marriage to Miss Elizabeth would be to the advantage of both! If…”
“If?”
“If you marry her because your heart desires it and your mind is willing, not because of the fear of ruined reputations caused by stupid rumours.”
“Yet, the consequences of the scandal cannot be neglected.”
“True. But even Mr Bennet dismissed the rumours. He was hurt and aggrieved on behalf of his daughter, but he did not hold you responsible in any way.”
“Yes, he told me as much. Thank you for this honest conversation, Admiral. I value it more than you might know.”
“I want to see you happy, Darcy. And Miss Elizabeth.”
“So do I, Admiral.”
“However,” Darcy continued, “to be happy — or at least at peace — Wickham must be removed from the neighbourhood. The sooner the better. The longer he stays here — even under the colonel’s supervision — the greater the chance he may hurt either the Bennet family or Georgiana.
I know I am being selfish, and I am hardly acting in a gentlemanlike manner, but I want him gone, no matter what. ”
The admiral arched his eyebrow, and Darcy gave a nervous laugh.
“Please do not tell me again to kill him, Admiral. You sound very much like Richard when I told him about the elopement.”
“What can I say, Darcy? Richard is my nephew and an army man too. We have similar ways of thinking and acting.”
Darcy smiled bitterly. “I must consider everything carefully. In the event of a trial, even if Wickham ends up in prison, our name would be mentioned, considering he was my father’s godson.
Wickham can say things that would hurt Georgiana too, as well as Miss Elizabeth.
Have I already said that? I am so tired that I can hardly think. ”
“I cannot dismiss your concerns, Darcy. We agree that he must be sent away immediately. What do you propose?”
“I am not certain. Perhaps an active regiment? Would that be possible?”
The admiral frowned. “It is possible, Darcy, if you pay for the commission. But I do not agree with putting the burden of his cowardice and lack of honour on someone else, especially if his comrades must rely on him. Why must other officers suffer because we want to rid ourselves of the scoundrel?”
“You are right, of course, Admiral. Forgive me. I was being selfish and thoughtless. I must give it further consideration.”
“If you will allow me a suggestion, I believe transportation would be the best choice for Wickham.”
“Transportation?”
“Yes. You may send him to one of the prisons abroad and be done with him. Or, put him on a ship, give him some money, and pray he has learnt his lesson and will start anew — which I very much doubt.”
Darcy needed only a moment of reflection until the burden felt like it had been lifted from his chest.
“That is the perfect solution, indeed. I shall provide him with the means for a new beginning — I am sure my father would not want to see him die in prison. After that, I shall consider myself discharged of any responsibility and hopefully not see him again.”
“If you ask me, you have long fulfilled any responsibilities, Darcy, but do as your conscience requires.”
“Admiral, you knew my father longer than I did. You know what an extraordinary man he was. How honest and generous, dedicated to his family and to his responsibilities. A man who despised deception and disguise.”
“I did know him very well. We grew up together. He was my best friend, and nobody could take his place in my heart after he died. He was a remarkable man and a great friend.”
“Then how was it possible that such a man remained ignorant of Wickham’s character?
Or perhaps not ignorant, but he chose to dismiss the evidence and still hold the scoundrel in affection.
Wickham was always lazy with his studies, disregarded his father’s demands, and wasted his money and his time in deception.
He even left a maid at Pemberley with child while my father was still alive. ”
“I cannot explain it either. But Darcy, we men are far from perfect. Even the best of us. We have weaknesses that we hide, we have buried secrets, we do things we are ashamed of. Among so many praiseworthy accomplishments, your father had some failures too. Like any other man.”
“I find it hard to believe. I cannot remember anything to condemn in regard to my father. Not even the smallest thing.”
“Just because you do not remember, Darcy, does not mean those failures did not exist, just as it does not mean they diminish your father’s generally excellent character.
As for Wickham, I cannot be certain why George favoured him against the evidence.
However, I am sure he would have requested harsh punishment if he had known what the scoundrel attempted with Georgiana!
Have no regrets about following through with our plan! ”
“You must not worry about that. I shall speak to the colonel and Wickham immediately.”
“Would you like me to join you?”
“If you wish. I would appreciate your support. Afterwards, we should call on Mr Bennet. I hope he is feeling better. He looked truly ill last night. I feared heart failure.”
“Let us hope that is not the case. I have grown truly fond of that country gentleman.”
“So have I,” Darcy admitted.