Chapter Twenty #2
At that William and his uncle departed, leaving Wickham to croak out obscenities as they did so.
His rantings did not cease until moments later when they were interrupted with uncontrollable coughing, followed by a choking sound.
Wickham screamed out in pain and suddenly all went silent.
William and his uncle stopped where they stood, looking at one another, speechless.
Just then, the jailor exited the room and hurried towards them, calling out, “Your Lordship, Mr. Darcy, George Wickham is dead. May God have mercy on his soul.”
Sighing, William opened his purse and removed a few coins. Placing them in the jailor’s hand, he said, “Here is something for all of your trouble. Be sure that Mr. Wickham is placed in a proper coffin. I will make arrangements to have his body removed later this afternoon.”
“Thank ye, sir,” the jailor greedily said, looking from side to side before accepting the coin and hurrying back to the cell.
“Nephew, I cannot believe you gave that man good coin after all Wickham has done.”
“I did it for his father’s sake. Gerard Wickham was a good man who served my family well over the years. I shall make arrangements to have him buried in a common grave, nothing more. He does not deserve better.”
“I agree.” William’s uncle paused for a moment before continuing.
“Darcy, forgive me for being indelicate, but may I assume everything Wickham said with regard to Mrs. Darcy and Georgiana was a complete falsehood? I would hate for you to have to deal with the French Disease on top of everything else.”
Attempting to control his ire, William said, “Uncle, there is no truth whatsoever to Wickham’s assertions.
Georgiana was drugged from the time she was taken from Ramsgate, and her maid swore to me that Wickham never touched her in that way.
As for my wife, she was a maiden when we were finally able to consummate our marriage two days ago.
Wickham’s torments were unfounded, and had he not been on his deathbed, he would have suffered much by my hand for saying so. ”
“I see. I appreciate your candour. Would you care to stop by Matlock House for a brandy before going home?”
“No, I thank you, Uncle. The sooner I make provisions for Wickham’s body, the better. Georgiana and Richard will be back later this afternoon, and I need to put this distasteful business behind me as soon as I am able.”
“Of course.”
Darcy House
The Study
Having completed the arrangements for Wickham’s body, William was mentally exhausted.
The emotional drama, combined with what the man’s death signified, had affected him greatly.
Wickham could have been so much more, but he chose a path of dissipation and destruction.
He had been such a lively lad, and one who had brought William great pleasure as they grew up side by side during their boyhood.
Despite all of the hurt, in retrospect it saddened William to see what Wickham had become.
Sitting behind his desk with his head leaning against the back of the chair and his eyes closed, he sighed heavily before drifting off into a light sleep.
Not twenty minutes later, Elizabeth quietly knocked on the study door.
Hearing no answer, she slowly opened it and peeked inside.
Seeing her husband thus moved her with compassion.
William had endured much by Wickham’s hand, and she was sure his time spent at the gaol was equally as difficult.
Elizabeth had been informed of William’s return, but at the time she was with Anna, lulling her to sleep in the rocking chair with a story and a song.
With so much activity, the little girl had tired easily, and Elizabeth wanted her to be well-rested by the time Georgiana and the colonel arrived.
Moving to the edge of his desk, Elizabeth reached out and gently touched William’s furrowed brow.
It could not be a restful sleep with so much visible strain on his face, and she knew instinctively that he needed her.
When she leaned forward to place a kiss on his lips, it was enough to wake him.
All at once he pulled her onto his lap and into his embrace.
“Oh, my love,” he moaned into her hair. “You are the best tonic any man could have. How did I ever live without you?”
“You are my life, William, and I am yours.” Again they kissed.
“Elizabeth,” William hesitated, “Wickham is dead. He is finished and will never hurt my loved ones again.”
Tenderly trailing her fingers along his cheek, she said, “I see. ‘Tis a pity, is it not?”
“Yes, it is. Despite all he did to harm our family, at one time he was my good friend. Truly, we were like brothers, yet no matter what I did to help him, he persisted in wasting his life, and for that I am sorry.”
“‘Tis a sadness to be sure, but the man made choices, and in the end, he was his own worst enemy.”
William sighed heavily and, looking to Elizabeth’s comforting expression, said, “I thank God that chapter is now closed. And although not forgotten, we can finally move forward with our lives.”
“Yes, we can.” She smiled lovingly, lightly kissing him and pulling him close. “William, as you know, I have much planned for the rest of today, but while Anna is napping, if you would join me for a time in our chambers, I shall do my best to help you put aside those gloomy thoughts.”
Softly chuckling into her hair, he murmured, “How could I resist such an invitation, my love? Let us go now.”
The Front Parlour
Late Afternoon
“Mama, Papa, I see another carriage in the street. Do you think it is Aunt Georgie?”
“Sweetheart,” said Elizabeth, walking to where her daughter stood and giving her a hug, “there are many carriages in the street, but she will be here soon, and I know she will be eager to see you, too.
“William, I do hope the trip has not been too demanding, considering her injury. If her headaches persist, the ride in the carriage may have made her quite ill.”
“That, too, is one of my concerns,” he said, joining them at the window. “Nevertheless, Richard will have kept her well entertained and if needs be allowed for frequent stops.”
“Look, Papa! A carriage is stopping in front of the house!” Anna excitedly exclaimed.
“Ah, it is the Matlock crest,” he confirmed. Lifting Anna into his arms, William continued, “Let us all go out to greet your Aunt Georgie and Cousin Richard.”
As soon as the steps were let down, Richard stepped out and waved to the Darcys, who were coming through the front door.
Turning to Georgiana, he offered her assistance as William, Elizabeth and Anna crowded around the weary travellers.
Georgiana looked very pale following the long trip, and it was obvious to William that his sister was not feeling well.
Once she saw her family, the poor girl could not contain her tears.
Elizabeth immediately took Anna from William, allowing him to more easily embrace his sister. “Dearest, you are home now, and all will be well,” he said assuredly.
“Forgive me, William,” she whispered, dabbing her moist cheeks with the handkerchief he had handed her.
“There is nothing to forgive, sweet one. Here, let me introduce you to your new sister.” Georgiana did her best to compose herself. “Elizabeth, I am pleased to present my sister, Georgiana. Georgiana, this is my wife, Elizabeth,” he proudly stated.
Still holding Anna, Elizabeth reached for Georgiana’s hand, saying, “I am so very pleased to meet you at last, Miss Darcy. William has spoken so fondly of you.” She smiled broadly, sensing the girl’s uneasiness. “We need not stand on formalities, and I hope you will call me Elizabeth.”
“I would like that. Elizabeth, I am pleased to welcome you to our family, and please call me Georgiana.”
“Aunt Georgie,” Anna freely interjected, “Mama Elizabeth is my new Mama. We have the same name and I love her,” she happily said, looking to Elizabeth then back at Georgiana. “We have been waiting for you all day and we put the most beautiful flowers in your room.”
“Thank you, Anna,” she said, leaning over and kissing her niece on the cheek. “I look forward to seeing them.”
“Mama let me help her choose the flowers because she said I would know which ones were your favourites.”
Graciously smiling, she replied, “You and Mama Elizabeth have made me very happy and I am glad to be home.”
“Come; let us all go into the house.” William gestured saying, “The two of you must be tired after the long ride.”
“Tired, yes,” Richard chuckled. “But if truth be told, I cannot wait for dinner and hope your cook has prepared a fare fit for an army. How about you, poppet?” he asked, taking Anna from Elizabeth’s arms. “Are you hungry, too?”
“Yes, Mama and I talked about the menu and we are going to have apple tarts.”
“Apple tarts!” He chuckled. “Why, they are one of my favourites!”
While Richard chatted merrily with Anna, William and Elizabeth each took one of Georgiana’s arms and assisted the exhausted girl into the house.
“Dearest Georgiana,” remarked Elizabeth, “we are so happy to have you home with us.” Smiling, she continued, “You have no idea how pleased I am to be a part of your family, and I sincerely hope the two of us shall become the very best of friends.”
“Thank you. That, too, is my hope.”
The Billiard Room
While Georgiana rested and Elizabeth oversaw the final preparations for the evening meal, William and Richard decided to take on a few rounds of billiards. When Richard asked about Wickham, William told him what had happened earlier that day at the gaol.
“So you mean to tell me that degenerate had the gall to try and torment you to the very last?”
“He did.”
“Then I say good riddance and may his soul rot in hell, for all I care. If you ask me, a common grave is far too good. I tell you, Cousin, you are a better man than I. I would have left his sorry carcass in the alley for the rats to devour.”