Chapter 23
Arrival at Netherfield
As they departed for Darcy House, Fitzwilliam sent a message to Richard at his barracks requesting his assistance.
Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth were just able to acquaint George with their news when Richard arrived.
After exchanging greetings, Fitzwilliam repeated what had been said about Wickham’s visit to Meryton.
“What the devil?” Richard exclaimed immediately upon hearing this news.
“Richard,” Darcy reprimanded, while Elizabeth merely giggled at the outraged look on her husband’s face.
Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes at his wife as he pulled her to his side.
“Richard, can you join us at Netherfield for Livesay’s wedding?
We will be there less than a sennight, and I would feel better knowing Elizabeth was well-protected.
I hope you can suggest some former soldiers I could hire to act as a guard for a few days.
George, is that miniature of Wickham still somewhere in Father’s old room? ”
“We must ask Mother since she still resides in her old chambers. As far as I know, nothing has been touched in that room,” George replied. “Father’s things were moved from the study into his chambers after he passed, as I did need to use that room.”
“A miniature of the blackguard would make it easier for the guards to be on the lookout for him,” Richard replied.
“There are a few men, formerly under my command, who would appreciate the chance to work for you, even for as short as you propose. I will contact them tonight and bring them to you in the morning. When are you to depart?”
“We were scheduled to leave the day after tomorrow,” Elizabeth answered. “Meryton is only about a four-hour carriage ride, and we intended to leave mid-morning. Is that enough time to make the necessary arrangements?”
Richard looked at her and nodded. “I believe so. How many men do you need, Fitz?”
“At least two, although four would be better. We need to speak to Mr. Livesay about this and see what can be done once we arrive to protect Elizabeth’s younger sisters,” Fitzwilliam answered.
“That is unless we can manage to rid Meryton of Wickham,” Richard retorted. “Do we have anything to use against the scoundrel?”
“I do hold some of his debts, but it is insufficient to land him in debtor’s prison for long,” George responded. “I settled many of his debts in Lambton after realising he had exploited our friendship. I am certain Father cleared many, though he did not retain the receipts as far as I have found.”
“Perhaps I could arrange to have him pressed into service with the Navy. I have a Captain who owes me a favour, and I could see what could be arranged with him,” Richard suggested.
“It would mean my remaining in London another day or two after you depart. However, I might be able to discover what our old friend has been up to, that is, if he is in London.”
Elizabeth listened to the gentleman’s plans, and while she occasionally asked a question, she had little to add to the general discussion.
However, the questions she asked were good and caused the men to consider some ideas that had not occurred to them.
It was nearly dinner time when their conference ended, and Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam made to depart.
“Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam,” Lady Anne called out when they stepped into the hallway outside the master’s study. “I was only just informed that you have been in the house most of the afternoon. Is aught amiss?”
“Mother,” Fitzwilliam greeted his mother with a kiss on the cheek. “We needed to speak to George about a letter we received today.”
George stepped into the hallway behind them. “Mother, I need to ask you about something that belonged to Father. Would you care to step into my study for a moment?”
Elizabeth stood on her tiptoes to whisper into her husband’s ear. “Your mother needs to know about Mr. Wickham and his threats. She and Georgiana could also be at risk if he merely intends to strike at the Darcy family in some way.”
Fitzwilliam started at her words. “You are right, my dear,” he whispered back. Louder, he spoke for all to hear. “George, I believe you should discuss with Mother what we were just speaking of, and Richard, we may need twice as many men as I suggested earlier.”
“Whatever are you speaking of, Fitzwilliam?” Lady Anne asked.
“Why?” George inquired.
Elizabeth spoke. “We should all return to the study. There is more to consider here. But Lady Anne needs to know what we know.”
Everyone returned to the study, and Fitzwilliam shut the door behind him. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam sat beside each other and silently held hands while George grudgingly explained Wickham’s threat and subsequent actions.
Lady Anne was surprised at the actions of her husband’s godson.
She had never cared for the boy and knew Fitzwilliam had refused to room with him at university after that first year, but not the reasons.
To discover that George Wickham was a profligate and a scoundrel came as little surprise, but knowing her son had followed his example for a time came as a shock.
“George!” she reprimanded her son. “You knew better than to behave in that manner.”
“I was never as bad as Wickham and am now attempting to improve. I was never as bad as some of my companions—other first sons—and Father’s passing meant I could not participate as often as I would have liked.
It forced me to behave more responsibly than I might have without the weight of Pemberley on me.
I have wished for Fitz’s luck in being a second son many times,” George replied.
“Still, I know your father and I taught you to be a better man than this, although, perhaps not, since Wickham also ended up as he did. Fitzwilliam always knew he would have to make his own way. While he inherited an estate upon marriage, he spent several years learning a career. Instead of wasting the funds he inherited from his father, he invested them.” She turned to smile at her son and daughter-in-law.
“His investments have turned out very well for him since they also helped him to obtain a wife,” she teased.
Elizabeth blushed. “I am very thankful that my uncle was able to introduce me to Fitzwilliam,” she replied. “His investments with my uncle worked out well for all of us, I think.” She laid her head on his shoulder, and he smiled down fondly at her.
George and Richard groaned. “Enough, you two,” Richard complained. “You are miserably happy, we know, and you make us all miserable when you put those besotted looks on your faces.”
Fitzwilliam laughed. “Miserably happy?” he questioned.
“I am not certain I have ever heard those two words used in such close proximity. I am happy, yes, and will even admit to being besotted. But miserable—not at all.” He smiled affectionately at his wife again, evoking yet another groan from the gentlemen.
“Enough,” George said again. “Mother, Richard will help us hire a few men to accompany us to Hertfordshire. Elizabeth has agreed”—he looked to his brother to confirm this—“to curtail her tendency to walk alone, and I ask that if you and Georgiana leave the house for any reason, you take at least two of these men with you. Richard will hire at least six, although eight or even ten would be preferable. That would allow for two protectors for each lady, and their presence should be enough to deter Wickham from attempting anything. Do you know where the miniature of Wickham is? At one point, it was in Father’s study along with his miniatures of me and Fitzwilliam.
I do not believe he ever had one of Georgiana, at least not here in London. ”
“It may be in his former chambers,” Lady Anne replied. “I begin to believe it is time I clean out your father’s chambers—he has been gone for more than two years, and it is time you took your rightful place both here and at Pemberley.”
“That is unnecessary, Mother,” George protested.
“Perhaps when I decided to marry, but even then, I am not certain I would want to force you to give up the rooms you shared with Father. While it may be good for you to go through Father’s things, do not do so because you believe I need the master suite. ”
Lady Anne merely nodded, determined to continue this conversation later, perhaps after they returned to Pemberley.
She had been clinging to her husband’s memory, but it was time for her to move forward.
However, right now, they had more important things to concern them as they travelled to Netherfield and then on to Pemberley.
“If things are not settled with Wickham when we depart from Hertfordshire, do you intend to retain these men to protect us?” she asked.
The men all looked at each other. “Yes,” Fitzwilliam answered.
“At least, I will. I know, Elizabeth, that you would not like to have your movement restricted, but I do hope you know that protecting you is the most important thing to me. If, for some reason, we do not resolve the situation with Wickham before we leave for Oakridge, we will need to continue to employ two or three of these men to continue to protect you.” Elizabeth nodded her agreement.
George also nodded. “I will do the same. We are all travelling together to Oakridge, as neither Mother nor I have seen your estate yet, but when we return to Pemberley, I will want several men to accompany us. Wickham is familiar with our estate, and I want to ensure Mother and Georgiana are safe from whatever Wickham might attempt.”