Chapter 44 The Long Road Back to Yesterday #2
“Then we shall leave you, gentlemen, alone before dinner.” She reached for Georgiana’s hand again. “And you, my dear, may stay with me whenever Fitzwilliam has business that takes him from home.”
“Thank you, Aunt Helen.”
Fitzwilliam looked at the clock upon the mantel. “We should return home if we are to dress and be back by seven.”
Lady Helen rose with them. “Do not be late. Your uncle is dining at his club, so I shall expect the three of you to entertain me.”
Fitzwilliam kissed her cheek. “We shall do our best.”
He and Georgiana took their leave.
Once they were in the carriage, Georgiana sat quietly for several minutes before looking at him.
“Fitzwilliam, is there anything else about George Wickham that I ought to know?”
“There is much I wish I had told you years ago. What would you like to know?”
She considered before answering. “When did he become bad?”
“I cannot tell you when his character first began to change, but I can tell you when Father finally understood what he had become. Wickham and I had completed our second year at Cambridge and returned to Pemberley for the summer. He seduced one of the young women employed in the house, and she became with child.”
“What happened to her?”
“Father learned of it before Wickham could persuade her to conceal the matter. A young man on the estate, whom she had known for years, wished to marry her. He loved her and was willing to take responsibility for the child.”
“And Papa helped them?”
“He settled five hundred pounds upon her as a marriage portion and granted the young man a good tenancy. Edward and Sarah Barlow married soon afterward.”
Georgiana stared at him.
“Mr. Barlow from Hill Farm?”
“Yes.”
“I am glad Papa did what he could for her. She is such a nice, friendly woman and she always brings preserves for us at Christmas.”
“Yes. She and Barlow appear to be very happy.”
Georgiana looked through the carriage window for a time. “Does Mr. Barlow know the eldest daughter is not his?”
“He has always known.”
“And he married her anyway.”
“He loved her, and she loved him. They would have married eventually, but Wickham’s treatment of her forced the matter. That is when our father sent Wickham away, which made matters easier for the Barlows.”
“Did Papa love Mr. Wickham?”
“He did, and that was part of the difficulty. But Father finally understood that Wickham could not be trusted. He would not allow him to remain at Pemberley and risk his bringing harm to another of the female servants.”
Georgiana lowered her eyes to her hands. “And you knew all of this. Why did you never tell me?”
Fitzwilliam was silent for a moment. “You were a child. You had never met Wickham, and after he was sent away, I believed there was no reason to burden you with what I knew of him.”
After a moment, Georgiana moved from the opposite seat and settled beside him. Fitzwilliam put his arm around her, and she rested her head against his shoulder.
“I wish I had known.”
“So do I, Sweetling. Had I guessed he would someday return and deceive you, I would have told you everything.”
They continued toward Darcy House in silence.
* * *
They returned to Lady Helen’s shortly before seven and found her waiting in the drawing room.
Richard arrived a few minutes later. He came directly to Fitzwilliam and pulled him into a fierce embrace before doing the same to Georgiana.
Fitzwilliam met his cousin’s eyes, but before either could speak, Richard reached into his coat and drew out a folded white handkerchief.
E.D.
Georgiana caught her breath, and Fitzwilliam gripped Richard’s shoulder.
Lady Helen stared at the handkerchief. “Richard, never tell me you have set your heart upon a woman. I hope she is well dowered. You must remember that you have very little money and ought to marry a woman who has plenty of it.”
“No, Mother. A woman gave me her handkerchief, but I have no thought of marrying her.”
Lady Helen sniffed. “Well, I never! Young women have become remarkably forward.” She looked at Georgiana. “You, Niece, will not go about giving gentlemen your handkerchiefs.”
“No, Aunt.”
“Good.”
Richard tucked the handkerchief back into his coat. “Now that my character has been thoroughly examined, shall we sit down? Darcy, I have a fine cognac that rivals the one you purchased during our grand tour in France.”
They had time for one drink before dinner was announced.
After dinner, when Lady Helen and Georgiana withdrew to the drawing room, Fitzwilliam and Richard remained at the table with their cognac.
“You remember everything,” Fitzwilliam said.
“Every damned moment.”
Fitzwilliam sat back in his chair. “Tell me what happened after we were gone.”
“You were there, and then you were not. All three of you vanished from the stone. Dr. Wynn and I both saw it happen.” Richard took a drink before continuing.
“I picked up Elizabeth’s handkerchief and remember looking at those initials, wondering whether I would still have it in the morning.
The next thing I knew, I was standing in my general’s office at the War Office while he handed me orders for the procurement of cavalry horses. ”
“On April twelfth?”
“Yes.”
Richard placed the handkerchief upon the table between them.
Fitzwilliam picked it up and passed his thumb over the embroidered initials. “Georgiana and I were holding the Clementi receipts when we found ourselves back in the shop. We both remember everything.”
“How is Georgie?”
“She is as she was on the day we left you to visit that quaint little music shop, but she carries the sorrow of what she lost, Richard.”
His expression softened. “I am sorry for her pain, Darcy. I doubt she will ever be entirely free of it, but I am grateful she has been given another chance.”
“Yes, I am too.”
For a time, they sat without speaking.
“I drove past the Gardiners’ house this afternoon,” Fitzwilliam said. “I nearly went to the door.”
“I am not surprised. I would have done the same.”
“They would have no idea who I was.”
Richard handed his cousin the handkerchief. “You have nineteen days at most to wait.”
“Thank you, Richard.”
Fitzwilliam took the delicate piece of muslin, folded it carefully, and slipped it into the inside pocket of his coat. “I intend to use every day to set matters right. I dismissed Mrs. Younge this afternoon, and I have sent for Kendall.”
He met his cousin’s eyes. “Never again, Richard.”
“What comes next, Darcy?”
“I shall have Kendall engage two investigators to find Wickham. I want to know where he is living, what debts he owes, where he has lived since leaving Cambridge, and whether he has left trouble behind him anywhere along the way.”
“I am certain they will discover something, Darcy. Wickham had a talent for finding trouble when he was not creating it himself.”
“Elizabeth said Wickham was attached to the Derbyshire militia when her family met him in May. I need your help with that. Do you know what obligations he assumes when he joins the regiment, or what would happen if he deserted afterward? I particularly want to know whether he would face a court-martial and what penalties could be imposed.”
“I can make discreet inquiries at the War Office tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
Richard lifted his glass. “To nineteen days.”
“Nineteen days.” Their glasses touched.
* * *
The following morning, Mr. Kendall arrived at Darcy House shortly after nine.
Fitzwilliam received him in the study.
“I require two investigators, Kendall. Men who are discreet and accustomed to making inquiries without announcing their purpose.”
The solicitor set his satchel beside his chair. “May I ask what they are to investigate, sir?”
“George Wickham.”
Kendall knew the name. He had handled the settlement by which Wickham surrendered his claim to the Kympton living in exchange for three thousand pounds.
“I want him found. I want to know where he has been living, the names of his creditors, the extent of his debts, and where he has resided since leaving Cambridge.”
Kendall regarded him with interest. “You expect them to uncover something beyond unpaid accounts.”
“I expect them to follow wherever their inquiries lead.”
“Very well, sir.”
“If his debts are legitimate and can be purchased, I want that possibility brought to me before any action is taken.”
Kendall raised his brows. “You intend to buy more of Wickham’s debts?”
“I intend to know what options are available to me.”
The solicitor took a notebook from his satchel and began to write.
“There is another matter. Wickham may soon attach himself to the Derbyshire militia. Colonel Fitzwilliam is making inquiries at the War Office concerning the military consequences should Wickham desert after joining them. I want you to determine what civil remedies might remain available to his creditors while he is serving.”
“Yes, sir.”
Fitzwilliam rose. “Begin today and notify me if you encounter any obstacle.”
Kendall closed his notebook and stood. “I shall send word as soon as there is something worth reporting.”
After the solicitor left, Fitzwilliam went upstairs and found Georgiana in her sitting room with Jenny.
Several lengths of fabric lay across the sofa, and Georgiana was examining a piece of pale muslin.
She looked up when he entered. “Is Mr. Kendall gone?”
“Yes. The investigators will begin looking for Wickham today.”
Jenny gathered the fabric. “Shall I leave you, miss?”
“Yes, Jenny. We have finished.”
The maid carried the material into the adjoining room.
Georgiana waited until the door closed. “I pray they will find him soon.”
“We know he is likely to be in Hertfordshire by May, so I am hopeful, sweetling.”
“I should like another companion.”
Fitzwilliam had not expected this. “You need not have one until you are ready.”
“I know, but I do not want Mrs. Younge to take that from me as well. I liked having someone with whom I could go shopping or visit a gallery when you were occupied.”
“Then we shall find someone.”
“This time I should like to meet her before you employ her.”
His mouth curved. “That seems a reasonable precaution.”
“And perhaps Aunt Helen might help us.”