Chapter Forty-Eight
Matlock House
Colonel Fitzwilliam dragged himself into his parents’ house and then upstairs to his room. His batman helped him to wash and dress, and the Colonel finally made his way downstairs, the very picture of misery.
The Countess exclaimed, “Heavens, Richard! You look as if you lost your best friend!”
The Colonel groaned.
“Ah. You have given up the search?”
The Colonel banged his fist on the arm of his chair. “Not a word, not a peep, not the merest hint of the man, after all these weeks! How is it possible? No, do not tell me again that London is a big city. I know that, of course.”
“Then I know not what to say to you, son. You will have to let this go, or you will drive yourself into a state from which you will not easily recover.”
“I am already in that state,” the Colonel grumbled. “The idea of Wickham walking free and easy, after what he has done to Georgiana, is completely intolerable! I can scarce close my eyes without picturing him walking jauntily into a pub somewhere and flirting with the barmaid!”
The Countess shook her head. “There is nothing to be done, Richard. You must accept it and move on with your life. Have you considered resigning your commission? Your Aunt Esther has made you independent, I am happy to say.”
“I have considered it, yes; but it is too big a decision to make when I am in such a – what did you call it? A state. Yes, I am in a state.” The Colonel stared moodily into the fire.
***
The next morning, the Colonel was still morose and silent at the breakfast table. His mother looked at him with concern.
“Are you still in a state, Richard?’
She was answered by a rather impolite grunt.
“There is a message for you from Darcy; perhaps that will cheer you up.”
“Not likely,” the Colonel grumbled, but he took the message from his mother’s hand and ripped it open.
Richard,
Wickham is here; he is in the militia. Do not delay, for once he knows I am in the vicinity, he will bolt.
Darcy
The Colonel jumped to his feet; dropped the letter in his mother’s lap by way of explanation. Ignoring her exclamation, he ran upstairs to change into his rough clothing. He was out the door and on his horse in ten minutes.