Chapter 12 #3
"Colonel, I understand your confusion. I am aware of the perils.
However, I cannot allow my niece to rot in that wretched place.
I am determined to locate her. I possess contacts in distant locales, far from London and Hertfordshire, and I hope to find someone willing to marry her in exchange for monetary assistance.
Thus, the family's decision is as follows: we shall make every effort to retrieve her," Mr. Gardiner responded.
Colonel Forster had nothing further to add. He took his leave and walked out.
Sunday, April 26, 1812
Hog Lane, near St Giles
Richard
Richard looked down at the man sprawled on the floor beneath him. It appeared that Wickham had been thoroughly dealt with.
"How did you find this place to detain him?" he asked.
"It was where he lived. We apprehended him right at this very door.
We couldn't risk him causing a scene or, worse yet, revealing the girl's name in public.
So, we ensured he stayed silent when we apprehended him.
Our original plan was to move him to another location we had prepared.
However, upon discovering this even more secluded place, we decided it was wiser to keep him here," Colonel Forster replied.
"Did your bird talk? Did you learn anything about the girl's whereabouts?"
"Yes, but it's not very promising. I shall not divulge anything else."
Richard nodded, understanding the need for discretion.
"Very well. I hope your ward is safely rescued without suffering any lasting consequences from her association with him all this time," Richard said.
Colonel Forster simply lowered his head, and Richard understood that some things were better left unsaid.
"Please grant me some time alone with your captive. I'd like to have a private conversation with him," Richard requested.
"Of course, I'll leave you to it. I'm grateful for your help in capturing him. By the way, if you don't mind my asking, how did you manage to extract information from that woman, Mrs. Younge? If there were any expenses, I'd like to reimburse you," Colonel Forster said.
"I'm just a humble soldier, Colonel. I don't usually offer monetary compensation for gathering information.
I dispatched four of my fellow officers, each with an imposing and commanding presence, to visit her.
They informed her that Wickham had stolen vital military documents before absconding.
When they conveyed the news of Wickham's impending execution and cautioned her that anyone aiding him would suffer the same fate, she divulged everything.
I held back until this moment, only revealing my presence once she began to speak.
Loyalty to one's country can motivate even the most reluctant, wouldn't you agree? " Richard winked.
Colonel Forster smiled at Richard's dramatic flair and left, closing the door behind him.
Wickham
Wickham heard his name being called in a voice he could recognize anywhere.
Richard? What is he doing here?
He tried to open his eyes. Even his eyelashes were hurting. Every part of his body burned with pain. Blast it all.
"What has befallen you, George? Do you require assistance to rise?" Wickham could discern the satisfaction in Richard's voice. And there was nothing he could do about it. He was utterly and completely done for. He was at their mercy, and he did not anticipate them to show any.
"Have I not warned you that your past transgressions would catch up with you, George? You would have to pay for the tears of the young girls you dallied with in your life," Richard was certainly enjoying.
That brought something to mind. Ah, why did I not consider it before?
Perhaps Darcy would seek to salvage the reputation of that Bennet girl.
It is a long shot, but what if I were to offer marriage in exchange for Darcy's intervention, to save me from the clutches of these wretched soldiers?
Darcy and his wealth could work wonders, even with Colonel Forster.
Wickham knew he was in for it this time.
Desertion during wartime alone could be grounds for his execution.
And then there were the matters of debt evasion.
They might not even have to bring up the incident with Miss Lydia to spare her reputation, for they possessed enough other evidence to prosecute him.
Darcy is my sole hope. And that Bennet girl is my wildcard.
"What brings you here, Richard? Don't you have a war to fight for?" Wickham attempted to maintain an air of nonchalance.
"Can't you see that I'm already in the midst of a war?" Richard retorted.
"Oh, Richard, there's no need for us to be rivals. We'll never have a conflict," Wickham replied.
"On the contrary, if I'd been the one visiting Ramsgate last summer, a conflict would have ensued," Richard's voice turned menacing.
God, I must divert this conversation. I cannot allow it to go there.
"How is our old friend Darcy? I have a message for him. Just inform Darcy of the name 'Lydia.' He will understand. Time is of the essence," Wickham glanced furtively, gauging Richard's reaction.
"Do not play games with me, George. You know me better than that," Richard's jovial tone belied the underlying anger, but Wickham understood it well.
"I do, Richard. So, let me be forthright.
If Darcy wants to save Miss Lydia's reputation and her family's in Hertfordshire, tell him to act now.
I'm willing to marry Miss Lydia if Darcy can free me from these soldiers.
Can't you see I care about her reputation?
I won't even mention her family's name," Wickham attempted to inject a hopeful smile, uncertain of its success.
"Tell me, George, who is this girl? What have you done with her?" Richard, as always, cut to the chase.
"She's the girl I took from Brighton. She was staying at Colonel Forster's place, a friend of his wife from Hertfordshire.
I had no intention to bring her, but she was insistent.
She wanted to be the first in her family to marry, and I needed money for a carriage.
So, I took her along as an incentive for a carriage driver I knew in London. "
Wickham saw murder in Richard’s eyes. But there was nothing to do now. Miss Lydia is my only option to escape now. Richard, and thereby Darcy, need to know how thoroughly she is ruined.
For once in his life, Wickham was honest. He told Richard everything that had happened since he left Brighton.
Darcy House, London
Darcy
Darcy was about to retire to his chambers when Richard unexpectedly entered his study. With a single glance, Darcy discerned that his cousin was remarkably perturbed.
"Darcy, we must talk. It is of immense significance. Allow me to close the door," Richard said, already taking a seat but getting up to cross the room and secure the door.
Darcy immediately poured a glass of Brandy and offered it to his cousin before taking a seat.
"Do you know of a Miss Lydia from Hertfordshire?" Richard inquired.
"Yes, she's the youngest sister of Miss Elizabeth.
She's of similar age to Georgiana. Although I find her rather immature and overly outgoing for my taste," Darcy replied. He had rarely engaged in conversation with Miss Lydia, except for the occasion when he declined to dance with her at the assembly. No, I don’t want to go there.
"Hence, the very type of young lady Wickham customarily preys upon. Someone youthful, guileless, and foolish," Richard affirmed. Darcy abruptly rose from his seat. Good heavens.
"Are you insinuating that the young woman mentioned by Colonel Forster is none other than Miss Lydia?" Darcy asked in shock.
"Yes, Darcy. It appears she had formed an acquaintance with Mrs. Forster, who extended an invitation for her to join them in Brighton when they relocated. One can surmise the course of events that followed," Richard revealed.
Darcy could easily envision how Wickham would captivate someone as impressionable as Miss Lydia.
But where was her father? What kind of parent sends a sixteen-year-old girl without a suitable chaperone to a place teeming with officers? Why did he disregard my warning? Poor, poor Elizabeth. What fate awaits her now? Her reputation will be forever tarnished.
Why do I concern myself with her plight? She is nothing to me any longer. She had made that unmistakably clear.
Darcy paced restlessly within the confines of the study.
Richard
Richard was not merely agitated; he was incensed. His fury was squarely aimed at Wickham.
He had truly crossed the line this time. This had to be the utmost limit. Darcy, if you still insist on shielding him, then we need to have a serious conversation.
He could discern the thoughts racing in Darcy's mind.
He was convinced that his cousin still harboured affection for Miss Elizabeth.
There was no way Darcy would refrain from intervening to salvage her reputation.
It was inherent in his nature. Darcy could not resist extending his assistance to those he held dear.
However, Richard's current concern did not revolve around Miss Elizabeth. At present, he yearned to learn what Darcy intended to do about Wickham. He had pledged not to take any action without Darcy's consent. That sole promise restrained him from taking matters into his own hands.
Thus, Richard waited patiently as his cousin continued to pace the expanse of the room. Eventually, he noticed a change in Darcy's expression, as if a decision had been made.
Darcy
Darcy settled into his seat with a sigh.
“Richard, tell me exactly what happened with Miss Lydia? I need to know the particulars”
He saw Richard’s countenance turning serious. This is something dreadful.