Darcy's Passions (28 page)

“I would prefer a woman with a larger purse, if you do not mind.”

“It is not as if an heiress is likely to find you in this
fine
establishment; now is it, Mr.Wickham? At my count, you lost the last two with whom you tried to make an alliance. A man should seriously consider his options.”

“If Lydia Bennet is my only option, then I am in more trouble than I first imagined.”

Darcy stood; he had all of George Wickham he could take for one day.“I will give you some time to think on it; I will call on you again tomorrow.”

“I may no longer be here,”Wickham looked agitated.

“I would not try to leave if I were you,” Darcy said calmly. “I found you easily; the law would not be so kind as to buy you a bottle of brandy. I understand debtors' prison is worse than this if one can imagine such a place.” Thus said, he took leave of the tavern, but before he left the area, Darcy paid a street urchin to keep his eye on Wickham. He told the boy he would pay him each day to keep tabs on Wickham's comings and goings. He was to send word to Darcy if Wickham tried to leave for good.

 

Sitting in his study at Kensington Place, Darcy planned how far he would go to secure Lydia Bennet's marriage to George Wickham. He would have to bribe the man—that was evident. Wickham, he knew, would ask for more than he could get. Darcy determined a reasonable figure, one he would expend on two worthless individuals such as George Wickham and Lydia Bennet. The thoughts were repugnant, and only images of Elizabeth on the grounds of Pemberley sustained him through these musings.

Wickham seated himself at the same table upon Darcy's arrival. A fresh bottle of brandy sat on the table, along with two glasses. Darcy removed his gloves and started to sit down. “I hope you do not mind, Darcy,” Wickham smiled, “but I told the proprietor you would pay for the brandy when you arrived.” Darcy tossed a coin on the table, and the tavern owner hurried over to claim it.

“I have pressing business today, Mr. Wickham. I do not have time to play games. Have you thought more about marrying Miss Lydia?”

Wickham launched into the negotiations, “How much do you believe Mr. Bennet will bestow on Lydia?”

“I cannot say for sure. I have not discussed this with him directly. I would be willing to contact him on your behalf if you so desire.” Darcy hoped Wickham would not call him on this; he did not want Mr. Bennet, whom, in reality, he barely knew knowing how he went beyond good society in this matter. For if Mr. Bennet knew, Elizabeth would also know the extent of his involvement. “You will need,” he continued,“a fresh start. I would, personally, be willing for old times' sake, as part of my dear father's memory, to pay your debts in Meryton and Brighton. Mrs. Bennet's brothers offered to cover me on any such expense, if necessary. As a lawyer in Meryton, one of Mrs. Bennet's brothers has been approached by several residents with complaints of your
shortcomings
.”

Wickham pondered,“All my debts would be cleared?”

“Of course, I am assuming you have a full accounting to whom you owe funds,” Darcy offered.“Do you have any idea of the extent of your debt?”

“I would be able to determine that information for you, I believe,”Wickham stumbled on.

“Then we are agreed,” Darcy started.

“Wait . . . I may need a way to support my new wife. I can no longer return to the militia.”

“I have considered that. What say you to a commission in the regulars? Miss Lydia has a preference for men in uniforms. It would be best if we find you a regiment in another part of the country
where your reputation is not known; that would aid your fresh start. Colonel Fitzwilliam could help us.”

“It seems you planned my life for me, Darcy,” Wickham faltered. “It is so out of character for you to be taking all this on. What is the true nature of your concern?”

“I told you of my connections to Hertfordshire previously, but I also admit some shame in how our relationship deteriorated.Your father served my father most faithfully. Although I still find what you did to Georgiana and now to Miss Lydia to be abhorrent, I do understand your desperation. For my father's sake, I wish you another chance to be successful.”

“That is generous of you,”Wickham stammered.“Let me think on it; you may buy me another bottle of brandy tomorrow.” He slugged down the alcohol in his glass, took the bottle with him, and climbed the stairs to his let rooms. Darcy left the tavern, stopping to pay his “spy” along the way. He knew by tomorrow Wickham would be his.

 

On the third day of their meetings, Darcy found Wickham made a more presentable appearance; he abandoned his previous unkempt look, and he spent time with his ablutions. The tavern keeper brought over the brandy without being asked, and Darcy dutifully paid him. So far, Wickham was too easily persuaded, and Darcy knew him well enough to know when he took an accounting of his debts,Wickham would not sell out so quickly; therefore, when Wickham began a renegotiation of the previous terms, this did not surprise Darcy.

“I have been thinking, Darcy, about what you said yesterday about your father and mine. They were good friends, were they not?” He reached for the brandy again. It seemed to give him something to do with his hands for Darcy noted although Wickham's voice and countenance portrayed him to be calm, the trembling of his hands betrayed his lie. Darcy simply shot Wickham a complementary look of calm.“We were great friends, too, Darcy, in our youth.”

“What is your point, Mr. Wickham?” Darcy asked, knowing where the conversation led.

“I was thinking about the living your father's promise intended on my having,” Wickham began. “Do you think it might ever be available to me?”

“I can never say
never
,” Darcy began, hoping to keep Wickham's plans alive without promising him anything definite,“but I cannot see that as a possibility in the near future. It would be several years off at best. Your immediate future would be best spent as we discussed yesterday. The colonel helped me locate an available commission in the North if you are willing to accept it. It appears to be a perfect match for your temperament; you need only to resign your current position as an officer in the——shire. The paperwork for such a transfer can be complete in less than a week according to the colonel.”

Wickham mulled over Darcy's words; Darcy saw glimpses of the desperation Wickham experienced displayed in his manner. “Mr. Bennet,”Wickham still pressed for more,“will give Lydia her share of her mother's inheritance, but that may not be enough for us. I am afraid my intended has expensive tastes; I do not think I can afford her.”

“Of what are you thinking?” Darcy asked although he knew what to expect.

“If I chose to leave Lydia and found someone else, I could probably use my
charms
to find a more lucrative match. I was thinking an extra ten thousand pounds might make me more amiable to the Bennet offer.”

“Mr. Bennet, as you well know, cannot afford such a demand, and although I am one of his friends, I cannot assume so many of his debts. Between Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet's brothers, reasonable demands will be met, but ten thousand pounds is not a
reasonable
idea. They would be more willing to turn you over to the constable and use their money to hush up the issues of Miss Lydia's spoiled reputation. They could easily purchase her an appropriate match for a lot less. I would not press for so much if I were you; the

Bennet offer is the best one on the table for you at this time. If you and Miss Lydia economize her spending and your gambling, the two of you may live quite well on your commission and her inheritance. I will, however, pledge an additional two thousand pounds, but that is my last offer. I will not return here after today if you do not accept the Bennets' agreement.” Wickham shifted uncomfortably in his chair as he weighed the situation. After several minutes of fretful silence, he agreed with Darcy's demands.An end was near, but Darcy did not let down his guard too soon. “You agree, Mr. Wickham, to the following: a resignation of your current position, an acceptance of a commission in the regulars, a payment of all your current debts in Meryton and Brighton, and a settlement of three thousand pounds total on Miss Lydia.”

“I agree, Darcy.” He extended his hand; Darcy did not move, however.

“If you do not mind, I would prefer my attorney draw up the agreements and obtain your signature rather than accepting your handshake.”

Wickham conjectured,“Do you not trust me?”

“It is not personal, Mr.Wickham; it is business.Where I might accept your word, I am sure the Bennet family would prefer something more binding.”

Wickham's laugh held elements of sorrowfulness, but he made his decision and with a resiliency Darcy once envied, he stood to take his leave. “Before you go, Mr. Wickham, I need for you to approach the local clergyman and make arrangements for the wedding. Miss Lydia cannot return to Meryton for the service after having been here with you for so long. She must be married here in London. I will contact her aunt and uncle; she should stay with them until the marriage vows take place. St. Clements Church is the closest parish; please see the clergyman there about the reading of the banns; you are looking at a fortnight, at least, before the vows. I am leaving you ten shillings to pay the minister and additional funds to maintain your room here. Do not spend it unwisely.”

“As usual, Darcy, you have thought of everything,” Wickham's smile suggested the sarcasm his tone did not betray.

“It has been my lot in life,” Darcy also stood.“My attorney will call on you tomorrow for your signature. I will see Miss Lydia's uncle as soon as possible, and he will make arrangements for her removal to his residence. He will allow you, I am sure, appropriate time with her as you wait for the nuptials.”

“Then there is nothing left to do; I will tell Lydia she is soon to be Mrs. Wickham.” He took the brandy once again and poured himself a quick drink before he headed for the stairs that led to the room where Lydia Bennet awaited his return.

 

Friday brought Darcy a short letter from Georgiana. They traveled to Nottingham, and she told him of a few items she purchased from the local merchants. The most important part of the letter was the last paragraph.

Darcy realized the blessing of having someone such as Georgiana as a sister rather than someone like Lydia Bennet. He knew Georgiana would gladly suffer the public humiliation of her brief relationship with Mr.Wickham in order to save Elizabeth where Lydia Bennet cared not for anyone but herself. Lydia Bennet and George Wickham deserved each other;Wickham married an embodiment of Mrs. Bennet; maybe Darcy would have the final revenge after all.
In late afternoon, Darcy made a trip to Cheapside to see Mr. Gardiner, but he found upon calling about business Mr. Gardiner met with his brother Mr. Bennet. Darcy did not wish to see Mr. Bennet so he made his exit, telling the servant he would call again the following day. The servant told Darcy Mr. Bennet planned to depart on Saturday, and Mr. Gardiner would be available then.

 

When he made his call on Mr. Gardiner the next day, he received a genuine welcome although he surprised the man. “Mr. Darcy, it is so pleasant to see you again so soon. When Emily said I had a visitor yesterday, I had no idea it was you; Mr. Bennet and I would have received you had we known.”

“It is of no consequence, Mr. Gardiner,” Darcy stated as he accepted the seat being offered.“My business is of a
delicate
nature, and I purposely avoided Mr. Bennet's knowledge of it.”

Mr. Gardiner said seriously,“You have my undivided attention, Sir.”

“As you are aware, I was with your niece Elizabeth when she received the news from Miss Bennet which has distressed your family of late.”

“Elizabeth told us of the comfort your presence provided her then, but I do not understand how that affects you, Sir.”

“Mr. Wickham's relationship with my family has been a tenuous one, but my many dealings with him gave me knowledge of his habits, which you and your brother did not have. My knowledge of George Wickham came from his father being my father's steward. Mr. Wickham and I were at Cambridge together, and I have dealt with him in such nefarious matters as this one before. I took that knowledge, and I followed you to London. I realize I took on more than is acceptable, but I hope you will forgive my intrusion into such a private matter when I tell you I found them and spoke to them on several occasions about their folly.”

“You found them!” Mr. Gardiner's relief showed on his face. “I would gladly forgive your intrusion for such happy news. Where are they? Are they married?”

“They are not married,” Darcy saw Gardiner's happiness fade, “but I presented myself to both Mr.Wickham and to Miss Lydia as being your family's agent in this matter. I concocted a lie, which I hope you will also forgive, to achieve an agreement with Mr. Wickham and your family. He applied for an ordinary license with the minister at St. Clements Church yesterday. They will be married in a little over a fortnight.”

“Mr. Darcy, my sister's family will be ever in your debt.”

Darcy then told Mr. Gardiner of the financial arrangements he made with Mr. Wickham. Although Darcy's news astounded him, his niece's lack of concern for her family, however, did not surprise the man. “I fear only the two eldest Bennet sisters possess good sense, Mr. Darcy. They are our favorites, as you can imagine.” Darcy could easily imagine Elizabeth; he had done so every day since the assembly at Meryton, but he made no comment. Mr. Gardiner, he was sure, knew of his affection for Elizabeth; why else would he have gotten involved in such a situation as this one if he did not care about Elizabeth Bennet; he no longer tried to deny his feelings for her.