Chapter 10 #4
“Perhaps. In any case, knowing what I do of Darcy’s character, and recalling our conversations about him in Hertfordshire, I felt compelled to ensure you had not found yourself in an uncomfortable situation.”
The audacity of this statement, with its implication that she might welcome his concern, nearly caused Elizabeth to laugh. Instead, she regarded him steadily, allowing the silence to stretch uncomfortably before responding.
“Your concern is misplaced, Mr. Wickham. My marriage to Mr. Darcy has proven most satisfactory in all respects. Whatever impressions I might once have formed based on limited acquaintance have been thoroughly revised through greater intimacy.”
The deliberate emphasis on “intimacy” was not lost on Wickham, whose face flickered briefly into something less pleasant before he recovered. “I am delighted to hear it. Though I confess to some surprise. Darcy’s nature has never inclined toward warmth or generosity, in my experience.”
“Experience can vary greatly depending on one’s own conduct. I have found Mr. Darcy to be both warm and generous where deserved.”
From his position by the window, Colonel Fitzwilliam made a small sound that might have been suppressed appreciation. Wickham glanced at him momentarily before returning his attention to Elizabeth.
“Indeed? How fortunate for you.” His manner shifted, becoming more direct. “Though I wonder if his generosity extends to financial matters? Darcy has always been notably tight-fisted regarding money, especially where previous obligations are concerned.”
“If you refer to the living you relinquished in exchange for three thousand pounds, I believe that transaction was completed to both parties’ satisfaction some years ago.”
Genuine shock registered on Wickham’s face at this evidence that she knew details he had clearly not expected her to possess. “I see Darcy has been quite thorough in presenting his version of events. Though perhaps not quite complete in all respects.”
“Oh? What details do you believe he might have omitted?”
Wickham hesitated, clearly reassessing his approach. “It is not my place to disrupt marital harmony with ancient history. I merely wished to ensure your comfort in what must have been a challenging transition.”
“Most thoughtful. Though I confess I find it difficult to reconcile such concern with your behavior toward Mr. Darcy’s sister last summer.”
The direct reference to Ramsgate visibly startled Wickham. His composure slipped entirely for a moment, revealing a flash of genuine alarm before he mastered himself. “I’m not sure what you might have heard about that unfortunate misunderstanding—”
“I heard it was rather more than a misunderstanding. Attempting to elope with a fifteen-year-old girl for her thirty thousand pounds is generally considered something more serious.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam moved slightly from his position by the window, his posture suggesting readiness to intervene if necessary. Wickham glanced at him nervously before returning his attention to Elizabeth.
“Georgiana and I shared a genuine attachment. Her brother has always sought to control her life according to his own preferences rather than her happiness.”
“A curious interpretation. One that I, as a daily witness to Mr. Darcy’s care for his sister, find entirely at odds with reality. But perhaps more to the point, Mr. Wickham: why are you really here? What did you hope to accomplish by this visit?”
The directness of the question unbalanced him. He shifted in his seat, his habitual charm faltering under her steady gaze. “As I said, I merely wished to ensure your welfare—”
“A purpose you have now fulfilled. And found me quite content in my marriage. Was there something else?”
A calculation passed behind Wickham’s eyes, as though he were rapidly revising whatever strategy he had originally intended.
“Actually, I find myself temporarily inconvenienced in financial matters. Given the long association between our families, I had thought perhaps Mr. Darcy might be persuaded to offer some assistance, for old times’ sake. ”
So there it was—the true purpose behind his approach. Not concern for her welfare, but an attempt to use her as a channel to Darcy’s purse.
“I see. And you thought I might advocate for such assistance, based on the stories you told me in Hertfordshire?”
“Your influence as Darcy’s wife must be considerable. A small loan to help me establish myself in a new venture would hardly be noticed in Pemberley’s accounts.”
“Yet would represent a significant betrayal of my husband’s trust. A poor bargain, Mr. Wickham, even if I were inclined to consider it—which I am not.”
Frustration flickered across his features. “Perhaps you might reconsider, Mrs. Darcy. I possess information about your hasty marriage that society might find interesting. Information that could potentially cause significant embarrassment to the Darcy name.”
The implication, though veiled, was unmistakable. “Are you threatening me, Mr. Wickham?”
“Merely stating facts. Information can be valuable or harmful, depending on how it is managed. I would prefer it be valuable—to both of us.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped forward then, his military bearing suddenly prominent. “I believe this conversation has reached its natural conclusion. Mrs. Darcy has been most patient in receiving you, Mr. Wickham, but I’m sure she has other duties requiring her attention.”
Wickham glanced between them, clearly recognizing that his gambit had failed.
With a final attempt at dignity, he rose from his seat.
“Of course. I would not wish to impose further on Mrs. Darcy’s time.
Perhaps when Mr. Darcy returns, you might mention my financial difficulties to him?
For the sake of our shared childhood memories, if nothing else. ”
“I will certainly inform my husband of the content of our conversation. Though I would not advise you to expect financial assistance as a result.”
Wickham’s smile hardened. “As you wish. Though I would urge you to reconsider. Once certain information circulates in society, it can be difficult to contain. A small investment in discretion often proves worthwhile in the long term.”
With that final, unmistakable threat, he bowed and departed, escorted by Colonel Fitzwilliam who appeared determined to ensure he actually left the premises.
Elizabeth remained seated, processing the encounter with a mixture of anger and concern, until the hidden door to the study opened to admit Darcy.
He crossed to where she sat. “You handled that admirably. Though I confess it required considerable restraint not to intervene when he resorted to blackmail.”
“I thought it better to let him reveal his true purpose. Though I did not anticipate such a direct threat.”
“Wickham becomes less subtle when desperate. And he grew increasingly desperate as the conversation progressed. You surprised him considerably with your knowledge of our history.”
Elizabeth drew comfort from the warmth of his grasp as he took her hands. “Knowledge is protection. I am grateful you trusted me with the truth before this encounter.”
“I find I trust you with more than I have trusted anyone in a very long time.”
Before Elizabeth could respond, Colonel Fitzwilliam returned, his face serious.
“He’s gone. Though I doubt we’ve seen the last of him. Wickham rarely abandons a potential source of funds so easily, particularly when desperate.”
“You believe he is genuinely in financial difficulty, then?”
“Almost certainly. His reference to establishing himself in a ‘new venture’ suggests his militia commission has ended, likely not on favorable terms. Without regular income or wealthy protectors, Wickham inevitably turns to less reputable sources of funds.”
“Such as blackmail,” Darcy concluded grimly. “His threat regarding information about our marriage was explicit.”
“What could he possibly know that would justify such confidence? The basic facts of our hasty wedding following the storm are already known. What more could he add that would cause such damage?”
“It matters less what he knows than what he could imply.” Colonel Fitzwilliam’s tone was shrewd.
“Society delights in scandal, and a marriage as advantageous as yours, contracted with such haste, naturally invites speculation. Wickham need only suggest impropriety with sufficient conviction to cause tongues to wag.”
Elizabeth exchanged a glance with Darcy, seeing her own concern reflected. “Then we must determine how to neutralize this threat. Paying him is clearly not an option.”
“Never,” Darcy agreed emphatically. “Such an action would only encourage further demands while tacitly acknowledging the validity of his claims.”
“I could speak with him,” the Colonel offered. “My military position allows certain directness that civilian conversation does not. A clear explanation of the consequences should he pursue this course might prove persuasive.”
“Perhaps. Though Wickham has always been skilled at evading direct confrontation. And a threat from family might simply convince him of the value of his information.”
They continued discussing potential approaches, weighing options against Wickham’s known character and habits, until Elizabeth suddenly rose. “Georgiana. Does she know Wickham visited Pemberley today?”
“No. She is with her music master in the furthest wing. She knows of his presence in the area but not his appearance here specifically.”
“Should we tell her? I dislike adding to her distress, but if she were to learn of it from servants’ gossip...”
“You’re right. She should hear it from us directly, though we might spare her the specific details of his threats.”
“I’ll speak with her. Woman to woman. Sometimes such conversations are easier without a brother’s protective presence, however well-intentioned.”
Darcy hesitated before nodding reluctantly. “Perhaps you’re right. Though I would have you know, before you speak with her, that I am grateful for your loyalty today. Wickham can be exceptionally persuasive, as you know from your experience in Hertfordshire.”
“His persuasiveness relies on ignorance of his true character. Once that veil is lifted, his charm becomes transparent—and rather repulsive.”
This assessment drew a relieved smile from Darcy and an appreciative nod from the Colonel.
As Elizabeth departed to find Georgiana, she reflected on how her opinion had reversed regarding both men.
Where once she had found Wickham charming and Darcy disagreeable, now she saw the substance beneath each man’s manner—and found her husband’s integrity infinitely preferable to Wickham’s facile charm.
She found Georgiana in the music room, her lesson just concluded. The younger girl looked up with a smile that faltered as she noted Elizabeth’s serious face.
“What’s wrong? Has something happened?”
“Nothing to cause immediate alarm. But I thought you should know that Mr. Wickham called at Pemberley today. He asked to speak with me specifically.”
Georgiana paled, her fingers tightening on the sheet music she held. “He came here? To our home?”
“Yes, though he was received in the blue parlor only, and departed quite promptly when his purpose became clear.”
“What did he want?”
“Money, ultimately. Though he approached it circuitously, first pretending concern for my welfare in marriage to your brother, then suggesting he possessed information about our hasty wedding that society might find interesting.”
Understanding dawned. “He tried to blackmail you. Using the circumstances of your marriage as leverage.”
“Precisely. Though his attempt was rather transparent once I made it clear I knew about Ramsgate and his true history with your family.”
Georgiana flinched at the direct reference to her own painful experience, but her face remained composed. “Did he mention me specifically?”
“Only to claim there had been a ‘genuine attachment’ between you. A claim I dismissed as thoroughly as it deserved.”
“There was never any genuine attachment on his side. Only calculation and greed. I see that clearly now, though it took me some time to accept it.”
Elizabeth found this maturity, delivered without self-pity, moving. “You were very young. And deliberately deceived by someone skilled in manipulation. The blame lies entirely with him, not with you.”
“I know that now. Fitzwilliam has told me so repeatedly. But knowing and feeling are not always aligned.”
“No. They are not. Though time often brings them closer together.”
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, Georgiana absently arranging her sheet music while Elizabeth gave her space to process this new development. Finally, the younger girl looked up with unexpected determination.
“What will you and my brother do about Mr. Wickham’s threats? I cannot bear to think of either of you suffering further because of my foolishness last summer.”
“Your brother’s reputation means far too much to him to consider paying for silence.
And Wickham’s threats concern my reputation as much as Darcy’s, which I assure you I am quite capable of defending.
We will find a solution that neither rewards Wickham’s behavior nor allows him to spread malicious gossip unchallenged. ”
Georgiana’s shoulders relaxed visibly. “I believe you will. And I want you to know that if there is anything I can do to help—anything at all—I wish to be included. I am tired of being protected from difficulties I helped create.”
Elizabeth studied the young woman before her, noting the quiet determination beneath her still-hesitant manner. In that moment, the family resemblance between brother and sister was pronounced: the same stubborn courage, the same deep sense of responsibility, though expressed in different ways.
“I will ensure your brother understands your wishes. Though I hope you understand his protective instincts come from love.”
“I do understand. Just as I understand your speaking to me directly about this matter comes from respect. It means a great deal, Elizabeth. More than I can properly express.”
She left Georgiana to her music and rejoined Darcy and his cousin. Elizabeth hoped they would find a solution to quell the gossip. Mr. Wickham’s motives might be transparent, but his words cast long shadows.