Chapter 12 #2
Despite all the trouble Wickham had caused him, a part of Darcy still held affection for his childhood playmate and his father's favourite godson.
He clung to the hope that one day Wickham would recognize his errors and transform into a better man.
Darcy never wished for Wickham's demise.
If Richard were to intervene, Wickham's fate might be sealed.
"Yes, provided Colonel Forster approves of it," Darcy replied after a considerable pause.
"You needn't fret about that. I can make myself indispensable in his eyes," Richard smirked.
Darcy harboured no doubts about that. Richard possessed the ability to get along with anyone.
"I have a condition," Darcy stated. "You must not take any action without informing me first. I demand that promise from you."
"I promise you that. But it's time for you to reassess your expectations of Wickham, Darcy. He may not be capable of meeting them," Richard looked directly into his cousin’s eyes.
"Perhaps you are right," Darcy sighed. Wickham had shown no inclination to mature thus far. Maybe he was destined to fall in this life.
Colonel Forster
Colonel Forster did not want an audience when speaking with Mr. Darcy.
He wished to keep everything confidential.
That was why he had not even informed Mr. Gardiner that he sought Mr. Darcy's assistance regarding Wickham.
His displeasure was likely evident on his countenance as he took his seat after Mr. Darcy made the introduction.
However, all his grievances were soon forgotten as Colonel Fitzwilliam began to speak.
"Colonel Forster, if the important matter you wish to discuss with Darcy is in any way related to Wickham, it would be in your best interest to have me participate in the discussion.
There is no other person in this country who can assist you with matters concerning Wickham, including my cousin here.
However, if the matter does not concern Wickham, you may state it now, and I shall withdraw from here to afford you the privacy you evidently seek," Colonel Fitzwilliam was forthright.
There was no way Colonel Forster would reject such a proposition. If Colonel Fitzwilliam could help him discover Wickham and Miss Lydia one day earlier, he would be absolutely delighted.
"I accept your offer. The matter does indeed pertain to Officer Wickham," Colonel Forster replied.
"Officer Wickham! I never expected to hear someone refer to him as such," Colonel Fitzwilliam scoffed.
"Well, he shall no longer be an officer once I lay my hands on him. In fact, he shall be nothing," Colonel Forster clenched his fist.
"Tell me, Colonel, what has 'Officer' Wickham done this time? I presume he has absconded, leaving debts and a trail of brokenhearted young women in his wake. Anything else?" Colonel Fitzwilliam inquired.
"That, and he eloped with a gentleman's daughter who was under my protection," Colonel Forster had not initially planned to disclose the latter part. However, something told him that there was no point in keeping these two gentlemen in the dark about it.
"Did he flee from Hertfordshire, or did you relocate to Brighton as planned?" Mr. Darcy, who was silent up until now, suddenly asked. Colonel Forster completely missed the worried tone in Mr. Darcy’s voice.
"Yes, we had moved to Brighton, and Wickham absconded from there with my wife's companion," Colonel Forster sighed, realising he had again revealed more than intended.
Richard
Richard knew that Darcy was attempting to ensure that the “gentleman's daughter” was not connected to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Richard's concern lay more with the fact that Wickham had eloped with a gentleman's daughter in the first place, who happened to be a companion rather than an heiress.
Despite Wickham's involvement with various women, he always made sure to avoid situations where he might be compelled to marry a lady who couldn't offer him any material advantages.
"Pray, inform me of all the information you have gathered thus far," Richard inquired.
"He absconded in a carriage, a carriage procured from outside Brighton. They haven’t journeyed to Hertfordshire.
I am still awaiting reports from my men who ventured to Gretna Green.
I surmised that the most likely location for a scoundrel like Wickham would be London, so a substantial team is conducting a search here.
We commenced our search from the southern part of the city, near the Thames River.
Yesterday, we covered Westminster Abbey and the adjacent localities.
Thus far, we have no leads," Colonel Forster responded.
They had begun their search in the wrong part of the city. They should have started from the north.
"Colonel, I shall assist you in locating Wickham.
I also refrain from advising you on what course of action to take once we apprehend him.
I do, however, have one condition. Once you have dealt with him, I desire the opportunity to engage in a private conversation with him.
Will you agree to this?" Richard greatly desired a face-to-face confrontation with Wickham after the harm he had inflicted upon Georgiana.
"I am in no position to reject any of your conditions. However, I implore you to promise that if Wickham mentions the lady's name, it shall not be divulged. I wish to preserve her reputation to the utmost," replied Colonel Forster.
"You have my word on that," Richard readily agreed.
"What is your plan? How are you planning to search for Wickham?” Colonel Forster inquired.
"Join me here at ten o'clock in the morning, two days hence. We shall discuss it then. I must pursue someone who might be of assistance, and I require a day to do so," Richard was already formulating his plans.
Colonel Forster agreed to return at the mentioned time and took his leave. As soon as he departed, Richard turned to Darcy and asked for Mrs. Younge's address.
Friday, April 24, 1812
Hog Lane, near St Giles
Wickham
Wickham slowly retraced his steps to the room he had been staying in for the past twelve or so days.
He had lived in constant fear for the first week, always anxious about running into Colonel Forster while walking the streets.
However, now that nearly fifteen days had passed since his escape from Brighton, he believed himself to be beyond Colonel Forster's reach.
The note he had received from Sophia, Mrs. Younge, also assured him that no one had come looking for him.
I am surely safe now. There is no way Colonel Forster will squander resources and time on continuing to search for me. He has his lovely wife to occupy him.
Having had another fortunate day at the card table, Wickham also had the opportunity to spend quality time with the barmaid at the Black Goblet, the tavern that he frequented.
She was a comely wench and she had been eluding him for the past week.
Ever since he had deposited that Bennet girl, he had been enjoying himself immensely.
He felt like a king, basking in his good fortune.
However, as the saying goes, even kings cannot reign forever.
Everyone has their share of bad days. Just as he approached the door to his rented room, he was suddenly startled by a tap on his shoulder.
Before he could react, someone forcefully covered his head with a black hood.
In the commotion, his gun was swiftly pilfered from his person by another set of hands.
A third person partially lifted the hood from his face and placed something in front of his nose, something that felt awful.
Wickham witnessed his very existence fading in front of him.
Saturday, April 25, 1812
Gardiner House, Cheapside, London
Colonel Forster
"So you're telling me that they attacked her first and then sold her to a brothel?"
Colonel Forster could only nod, for what else was there to say? He himself found it hard to believe when Wickham divulged all these.
"That wretched man! Where is she now? What can we do to retrieve her?" Mr. Gardiner asked.
"Wickham says he brought Miss Lydia to 'The Velvet Sin,' one of the most disreputable establishments in the St Giles area, and walked away with his payment," Colonel Forster disclosed.
Mr. Gardiner jumped from his seat and began pacing.
"Mr. Gardiner, I feel ashamed to utter these words. However, I have no notion of how to proceed from this point onward. That is why I have come to you. I implore you to cease pacing and join me here. We must have a frank and difficult conversation," Colonel Forster implored.
Mr. Gardiner stared at him before complying and taking a seat.
"Mr. Gardiner, even when I assumed command of this undertaking, I was apprehensive of the possibility that Miss Lydia’s reputation, her virtue, may be irreparably damaged.
Now that we know she is residing in a brothel, one of the most disreputable in London for several days, it is not difficult to imagine what may have befallen her," Colonel Forster paused to gauge the man's reaction.
Seeing the resigned look on Mr. Gardiner's face, he continued.
"Now, I wish to ascertain our course of action.
I have already dispatched a discreet agent to ensure that Miss Lydia is still in that establishment.
But to go further, I must understand the family's wishes.
Do you desire to rescue your niece, who may already be ruined, or worse, could be with child? " Colonel Forster inquired.
He observed various emotions flitting across the countenance of the man opposite him.
This was a delicate situation. Even if they managed to reclaim Miss Lydia, and with any luck, she had not conceived a child, there were still dangers.
Miss Lydia was not one to keep her thoughts to herself.
If any part of her London escapade were to become public knowledge, it would spell disaster for the Bennet family's reputation.