Chapter 18. George Wickham’s Resolution
On the second day following the funeral for Mr George Darcy, William and Georgiana said farewell to Mr Bennet and Elizabeth immediately following an early meal. Once again, Elizabeth waved good-bye from a carriage to William and Georgiana standing in front of the great house.
“Papa, they look so alone. Must we leave them?”
“Yes Lizzy, we must away,” Mr Bennet replied.
In his mind he added, ‘Just as the weight of the whole world is bearing down on the young man’s shoulders.’
Elizabeth turned around once more–William still stood at the door, and she raised her hand in farewell once again.
“I shall write to Georgiana every day that I can find news, but Papa, how shall I hear from Mr Darcy?”
“You may read any letters that I receive, and I shall write to him at least twice each week,” Mr Bennet promised his daughter. “There will be news from the neighbourhood and his estate. And if you slip a page into my hand to send to the young man, I shall not tell your Mamma.”
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Inside the house, Georgiana went with Mrs Annesley to begin her lessons. Darcy thought that the black gown on his young sister a sad sight and he allowed his grief to well up for a moment. But then he pushed the feeling down and turned toward his father’s office–now his office.
Mr Clemmons stood when William stepped into the room and bowed, “Mr Darcy.”
At that moment, ‘Master William’ vanished; thereafter Mr Darcy, Master of Netherfield stood in his place.
“Shall we begin?” Mr Darcy asked. “What letter first?”
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Late in the morning, the butler came to the door and inquired if Mr Darcy would receive George Wickham.
“I shall receive him in fifteen minutes here in the study. Do not serve tea. Have a pair of footmen escort him to this door and then again when he leaves. He is to be watched until he is off the grounds and out of the park.”
Turning to his secretary, he handed over three letters. “Send these to Mr Lynton at Netherfield. He is handling the estates in the south now.”
“Very good, sir.”
Darcy and his secretary cleared the business correspondence from his desk, closed all books and folded papers into drawers. When time for the interview came, the secretary slipped out of the room into the adjoining library as the door opened and George Wickham came into the room.
“Darcy, I came to pay my respects and tell you how sorry I am for your loss,” the man said crossing the room to bow before the master’s desk. “How is Georgiana?”
“My sister is well.”
“Your father was a most excellent man, and I always thought of him as my own father.”
“But he wasn’t your father, George; all of my father’s natural sons resemble the Darcys with black hair and dark eyes. No one would think you had any Darcy blood with your blond hair and blue eyes.”
Wickham was silent for a moment before William indicated the sideboard. “Will you take a brandy?”
“Please,” Wickham replied as William poured a thimble of his father’s best brandy.
“I did not see you at my father’s funeral.”
“My sister thought it best that I do not appear.”
Darcy nodded. “Her husband runs which business?”
“The livery near the King’s Arms,” Wickham replied. “His father started the business and Mr Anders keeps his horses for hire in good shape.”
William nodded and indicated that Wickham should sit across the desk from him as he returned to his own chair. He drew papers from his desk and said, “My father is generous with you in his will, George. He leaves you a thousand pounds on the condition that you leave Derbyshire.”
“May I?” Wickham asked as he held out his hand.
Darcy handed over the will with the comment, “Bottom of the second page.”
Wickham read aloud, “...never elevated him to the pulpit and but love him too well to leave him penniless. The bishop has defrocked him so the damage ends. I encourage him to venture into town and to make himself an establishment that suits his nature.”
William spotted the unshed tears in the man’s eyes but said nothing as Wickham returned the pages.
“A thousand pounds will establish you in a business somewhere George,” Darcy replied. “What interests you?”
“What do I know of trade? I was raised a gentleman.”
“You were given an education, and I fear you will waste it.”
Wickham frowned, “Well, what am I to do?”
Darcy’s face remained neutral as he offered a suggestion. “Remove yourself to London and find a tavern that needs a new master.”
“A thousand pounds will not secure a tavern in town!”
“Two hundred pounds will lease a decent building for a year. Another hundred will stock it–pay your suppliers on time to keep ale, gin and rum flowing and you will have customers at your door all day and night to fill your pockets with coins.”
“Buy me a commission!” Wickham exclaimed.
Darcy tilted his head to one side slightly taking the measure of the man before him as he considered the request. His reply did not please Wickham overly much. “If I were so inclined, it would be in my cousin Fitzwilliam’s regiment, and he goes to face the French again soon.”
Wickham frowned. “I shall go to town then. Perhaps I can sell the favours of ladies and run a house of ill-repute.”
Darcy’s face remained impassive. “Your sister and brother-in-law will not receive you thereafter I am afraid.”
“Darcy, could you assist me with a little more than the thousand? I have some debts to repay before I leave Derbyshire.”
“My father paid your debts as part of the settlement with the bishop.”
“So, you know all? I thought the old man would keep it secret.”
“It is hardly something that can be spoken of in good company, Wickham.” Darcy frowned but added, “George, I mean you no ill will. My father forgave you for your sins against him. I hope you can make something of yourself in the world, but it will not be in connection with me or the Darcy estates after today.”
Sighing deeply as though sad and affected by William’s words, George Wickham waited as Darcy summoned his secretary and the solicitor to bring Mr Wickham his cheque for a thousand pounds.
Once Wickham had signed the receipt as witnessed by the secretary and the solicitor, Darcy gave him a small purse of five pounds in coin.
“This will see you to London on the coach. Do not steal one of your brother-in-law’s horses; the man would sue you for the thousand pounds and win in any court.”
Wickham opened his mouth to make a remark but then thought better of it and merely nodded before standing and bowing once again.
“Thank you, Mr Darcy,” he said simply before leaving.
After the footman closed the door, William sat in his father’s chair–now his chair–and hoped it was many years yet until he saw George Wickham again.
The secretary returned to the room with a new handful of letters and the butler returned to announce that the Honourable James Cargill waited in the parlour. Would Mr Darcy have time to speak to the Member of Parliament this day?
“Inform Mr Cargill I shall be with him in ten minutes. Ask Mrs Reynolds to provide tea but no other refreshments. I shall not drink with the man today–he cannot hold his liquor. Clemmons, I believe we need him to push for the East India Company to get some assistance with...”
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