Chapter 3 #3
Bennet’s first stop was at the Derbyshire Militia’s encampment where he asked to see Colonel Forster and was subsequently shown into his office.
After pleasantries were exchanged, Bennet shared his knowledge with the Colonel.
At first Colonel Forster was sceptical, unable to believe he had been so truly hoodwinked, but Bennet made the astonishing offer of asking him to read his daughter’s missive, and the Colonel was jarred out of disbelief upon doing so.
The Colonel then could not doubt that the proof existed, or it would not have been referenced and offered with Mr Darcy knowing her uncle was in the law.
“Captain Carter!” called the Colonel. His officer entered and saluted, “go get Lieutenants Sanderson and Denny and then report to me with them forthwith.”
“Yes, sir,” Captain Carter saluted his Colonel again, frowning as he left because Mr Bennet was in the Colonel’s office and it was not likely to offer an invitation to tea.
A quarter-hour later the three officers entered the Colonel’s office, and at the Colonel’s request closed the door.
After compliance and saluting, the Colonel was able to at last come to the point.
“Does Wickham owe debts of honour?” he demanded.
There was a moment of silence as they glanced at Bennet, but the Colonel had asked a direct question and it could not be avoided.
“He owes me thirty pounds, sir,” Denny admitted quietly.
“Me he owes fifteen, sir,” Saunderson stood straighter as he admitted the concern.
“Thank you, Saunderson. What of you, Carter?” The Colonel looked the third officer in the eyes.
“Between debts of honour and what he has borrowed from me, it is almost forty pounds, sir,” Carter stated clearly, the scope of the whole astonishing.
“That is five and eighty pounds, and just between you three. Without allowing Wickham to know what you are about; I want you to make a list of every debt the man has to every member of my unit as soon as you leave this office! Do I make myself clear?” The Colonel demanded.
“Yes, sir!” the three chorused as they saluted then they were dismissed to carry out their orders.
Bennet and Colonel Forster then went to every merchant in Meryton, and while they asked about the debts that were owed, they warned each that Wickham was a danger to their daughters and asked them to pass that on to all they knew who had girls and ladies in their care from two and ten to two and thirty.
Two hours later they returned to the Colonel’s office with a list that totalled a staggering three hundred and fifty pounds.
The biggest debt was to the tavern where the wastrel ate and drank on credit.
Not long after the two men returned, there was a knock on the door and Captain Carter, after saluting his commander, handed over a list. The tally was of such an amount so that when added to his debts in town it equalled more than almost eight hundred pounds.
Bennet departed to go talk to his sister, Hattie Phillips, knowing that once he told her it would soon be everywhere.
When conveying the information about the wastrel to his sister, any last vestiges of doubt about the character of one Mr George Wickham were removed when the mountain of debts was revealed.
From the Phillipses he rode to Lucas Lodge to share the news.
While deciding how to proceed with his troublesome, dishonourable officer, Forster was handed an express by his adjutant.
London Training Grounds
6 April 1812
We have not been introduced; I am Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam of the King’s Own Dragoons. I am writing to you as I have been informed that you have one George Wickham as an officer in the Derbyshire Militia.
The man is well known to me, as are his propensities.
I am informed that you may have been warned about the man by one Mr Bennet of Longbourn.
If so, then you should already be aware of the sizable debts that the man always leaves behind when he slips out of a town.
My guess is that he is not very worried as he knows that you are to decamp for Brighton soon.
If my estimation is correct and Mr Wickham has accumulated debts to the local merchants and debts of honour, I leave you to punish the man as you see fit.
I trust that any coin that he has, plus any wages that he has due, no matter how small the amount, will be used to pay what can be to the merchants.
My recommendation is that you have investigated how many young ladies the man has ruined already as he has been there for months, according to my information.
He prefers young and impressionable girls, and has the habit of promising marriage then telling the unwitting victim that if they love him, they will agree to anticipate their vows.
I only hope that none of his victims are with child, as he has at least five natural children that we know of and has never given one a thought but for the amusement at having gotten what he wanted.
Once you have dispensed the appropriate justice, please have him escorted in irons to Southampton where he will join the infantry as a regular soldier and be on the continent forthwith. The order to transfer him is enclosed with my missive.
With honour,
The Honourable Richard Fitzwilliam, Colonel
Foster let out a whistle. He knew of Colonel Fitzwilliam as one of the heroes of the battles of Rolica and Bucaco and had been exceptional during the sieges of Badajoz.
Wickham had made some very powerful enemies.
Given what he now knew about the man, he had no doubt that his list of enemies was long while the list of friends was non-existent.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Jupiter was halted in front of Lucas Lodge, and when Bennet dismounted, the lone groom who was employed by Sir William led the magnificent stallion away.
Bennet was shown into Sir William’s study.
On the way to Lucas Lodge, Bennet had decided, as Sir William was one of his oldest friends, he would inform him about the true state of the Bennets’ wealth.
The reason for sharing Wickham’s dissolution with his friend was twofold: Sir William was the local magistrate, and both he and Lady Lucas loved to gossip.
Bennet requested that Sir William invite his wife and oldest son Franklin to join them.
Once mother and son had seated themselves on a settee in the study, Bennet shared all information he had learned about Lieutenant Wickham.
They were outraged that such a wolf in sheep’s clothing was loose in their neighbourhood.
Bennet assured Sir William that whatever the militia unit could not cover would be paid by the Bennets.
His friend was not only the former mayor of Meryton, but was himself a former merchant who was understandably concerned for the welfare of the local shop owners.
Bennet stressed that this relief was only to be applied to debts to merchants and loans but not debts of honour.
When Sir William asked how Bennet could cover such a sum, Bennet disclosed to the three Lucases the true wealth of the family.
He told them that his wife and two youngest daughters had been ignorant of the facts until that very morning.
‘I am sure that no one would have believed Fanny if I had not told them myself.’ The Lucases sat in a state of absolute silent shock and he patiently waited until after a number of minutes, Sir William recovered.
“You own Netherfield Park and Bennington Fields, as well as all of the extra land? You own most of the shire! How did you keep it quiet all of these years?” Sir William started to smile in happiness for his friend.
“My brother Frank Phillips was my agent; the deeds were sealed so no one knew the name of the new owner, and there was a stipulation of secrecy in the purchase agreement. The penalty for breaching the secrecy clause would be the same amount that the seller received for his land, so no one ever was inclined to mention a thing about me being the purchaser.”
“Y-y-y-your girls have how much for their dowries! Did you say two hundred and fifty thousand pounds each?!!” Lady Lucas looked as if she was close to an apoplectic state, quite unable to catch her breath as yet.
“That is correct, Lady Lucas. And each owns a five percent stake in Gardiner and Associates, which is worth a lot more than their dowries.” That was the news that caused Lady Lucas to faint requiring Franklin to sprint out of the study to go find some salts.
“You said my son Collins will only inherit the original Longbourn and has no share in anything else?” Sir William asked hesitantly.
“Yes, Sir William, that is correct. Collins has the documents pertaining to the entail and there is a clause, which states that no income derived prior to my death is subject to the entail and that if the beneficiary challenges this clause, the entail is broken and then is disposed of according to my will. I will know when I hear from Lizzy, but I had authorised her to offer your son a sum of money to break the entail now and sign it over to me if she thought that Collins was open to such an offer,” Bennet smiled at the surprise and relief on Sir William’s face.
It was very difficult to want one’s son-in-law to inherit for the benefit of one’s daughter when it meant that his best friend was required to die.
“I pray that he was sensible enough to accept the offer. At least they would have some funds now as, God willing, you will live for many years to come, Bennet,” Sir William sighed in deep relief and hope.
By now Franklin had returned, and with the aid of the housekeeper and the salts, his mother was revived.
She left the study mumbling about Fanny Bennet never allowing her to live this down.
Bennet suspected that based on Fanny’s reaction to the news, her days of boasting were likely past. After accepting a small glass of port from his friend, Bennet returned home.
To his relief there was another express from Lizzy waiting on his desk for him.
Portman Square
6 April 1812
Dear Papa,
As you can see, I returned early from Hunsford, and now that there is no need to hide our position anymore, Jane and the Gardiners are back at Portman Square, and I with them. We are all well.
After I told Cousin Collins about our true wealth, I offered him twenty thousand pounds to join you and break the entail.
I know it is a lot less than that of the fifty thousand that you authorised, but I think it is fair and was accepted without argument after he read clauses 11.
a of the entailment document. Charlotte helped him see that it was better to get something now rather than wait for many years, or even to get nothing if he were to predecease you.
Given his eating habits and lack of exercise, I believe that scenario to be a true possibility.
My suggestion is that you contact Sir Randolph at your earliest convenience so he can invite our cousin to London to sign the documents before the dispenser of useless advice, Lady Catherine, tries to interfere. I suggest further that we offer to pay for his travel and accommodation.
Unless there is a reason not to, Jane and I will be home on the 14th day of April, as planned.
Please send my love to Mama and my sisters, and I hope by now that Mr Wickham has been dealt with.
All of my love and respect,
Your Daughter,
Lizzy
Mr Bennet immediately sat, wrote, then sent the express to his barrister in London via one of his personal couriers.