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As another hired hack took the colonel, Darcy, Elizabeth, and Mr. Gardiner to the address that Mrs. Younge had provided, they reviewed the plan once more.
“You know, Darcy, should Miss Lydia not wish to marry Wickham, we have within our power two options for ending his reign of mischief.”
“To what are you referring, Richard?”
“You hold all of Wickham’s many debts, do you not?”
A grin appeared on Darcy’s face. “I do, indeed. What is the other option you feel we have?”
“Wickham is away from his post without permission during war time. The army will transfer him to the front, or they could decide to hang him.”
The others in the carriage were unsettled at hearing the colonel reiterate that death could be a possibility for Wickham. Though a part of Elizabeth thought Wickham deserving of an incredibly harsh punishment, she could not imagine being the cause of someone’s death, even someone as contemptible as Wickham.
“William,” Elizabeth began, “I do not think I could resign myself to . . . ”
“I understand, Elizabeth. I could not do such a thing to someone I once called a friend.”
“I will make a recommendation for transportation or debtor’s prison, then,” said Richard matter-of-factly. “However, the final decision will be up to the court martial panel.
Elizabeth turned to gaze out the window. Darcy, who sat across from her, could see her eyes widen as they took in the worsening conditions while the carriage approached the neighborhood where Lydia and Wickham were staying.
“Elizabeth, I must ask that you stay close to my side from the moment we step out of the carriage. When you are not beside me, you must stay close to your uncle or Richard.”
“Certainly, William. I wonder how Lydia is handling her surroundings,” she mused.
The carriage stopped before the address Mrs. Younge had provided. The rundown building seemed to lean upon its neighbor, as though it were too tired to stand up straight any longer.
“I will go in and arrange for the private parlor,” said Mr. Gardiner. “I will check to see if Wickham is in the taproom. If I do not see him, I will ask for the room number.”
The others remained seated in the carriage until Mr. Gardiner reappeared in the doorway. Darcy opened the carriage and stepped down, handing Elizabeth down next. The colonel stepped down behind her. Flanking Elizabeth, the trio moved into the tavern. Mr. Gardiner pointed out the private room for their use, and the colonel disappeared inside and closed the door. Darcy walked up the stairs, followed by Elizabeth on Mr. Gardiner’s arm.
Darcy knocked on the door of the room that Wickham and Lydia occupied. They heard some scuffling within the room; then a disheveled Wickham opened the door.
“Darcy, old friend! What are you doing here? I see you brought company, the lovely Miss Elizabeth, and do I know you, sir?” It was obvious that Wickham was somewhat intoxicated, though it was only the middle of the afternoon.
Darcy moved to block Wickham’s view of Elizabeth. “I am sure you know why I am here. As a friend of the Bennet family and with my knowledge of your rather questionable habits, they asked for my assistance.” Darcy’s unreadable mask was firmly in place, his look and voice both dispassionate. “I have reserved a private room downstairs so that we might talk privately. While we are talking, Miss Elizabeth would like to speak with her sister.”
“I do not think I wish to speak to you, Darcy. I should prefer to stay with Lydia.”
Lydia's voice came from a corner of the room, not visible from the door. “It is all right, George. I am happy to speak to my sister. Oh, Lizzy, did you come for my wedding?”
Wickham cast Lydia an aggrieved look.
“Make yourself presentable, Wickham. We shall leave the ladies to this room for their talk.”
Wickham turned away angrily, grabbed the coat that rested over the back of a chair, shrugged it over his shoulders, and followed Darcy from the room. Elizabeth could hear Wickham stomping down the stairs like a petulant child. Mr. Gardiner gave Elizabeth an encouraging smile as he closed the door, remaining outside while the two sisters spoke.
Elizabeth looked around the room in disgust. Empty liquor bottles, mugs, and glasses littered the table. Clothes lay about the room. The windows were grimy, allowing little sunlight to penetrate the shadows. The linens were threadbare and dingy, and the room smelled stale. Wrinkling her nose, Elizabeth looked for the least offensive place to sit. She decided to take a seat at one of the straight-back chairs next to the small table in the room. “How do you like your accommodations, Lydia?”
“They are not very pleasant” Lydia replied, “but Wickham said it should not be long before we can move to better accommodations.”
“How long have you been here?”
“We left Brighton early Sunday morning. It has been very dull stuck in this room all day every day. What day is it now?”
“It is Thursday. You have been here for a week and a half. Does it not bother you that you have lived in this hovel with a man to whom you are not married?”
“As we will be married soon, it does not matter that we are already living together,” replied Lydia airily.
“What would happen to you if something were to happen to Mr. Wickham?”
“How would something happen to Wickham?”
“Does he stay here in the room with you all the time?”
“Well, no, he goes out each evening.”
“Then what would happen if he were set upon by footpads and wounded or killed?”
Lydia’s eyes widened.
“What would happen if he abandoned you? Do you have the funds to get back to Brighton or Longbourn?”
Lydia’s eyes grew wider as she stared slack-jawed at her sister.
“You probably would not be able to come back to Longbourn because you ran away with a man and are not yet married. Papa would have to disown you to protect the rest of his daughters. Otherwise, we would all share your shame. Did you think about that when you ran away with Mr. Wickham?”
Though the words her sister spoke bothered Lydia, she was too immature to accept any responsibility for her actions. “Oh, la, Lizzy. Nothing has happened to Wickham, and soon we will be wed. I, the youngest, shall be the first of my sisters to marry.”
“And just what will you live on when you are married?”
“On Wickham’s pay, of course.”
“Where will you live? Shall you share his room in the officers’ barracks? Do you know how to cook your meals, or wash your clothes, or mend his uniform? You will not have any servants on the pay of a militia lieutenant.”
Again, Lydia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I am sure Papa will assist us,” she said imperiously.
“You know very well that Papa needs all his funds to care for our family without adding another mouth to feed. He may be willing to continue your allowance, but even with that and Wickham’s pay, you would not be able to afford anything better than your current accommodations. You grew up the daughter of a gentleman. Is this how you see yourself living for the remainder of your days? On such a small salary, there would be no extra money for ribbons, new bonnets, or new gowns.”
“I am sure my dear Wickham will receive frequent promotions, and with each one, he will earn more.”
“Actually, Lydia, he deserted his position with the militia in a time of war. They can send him to France, or they could hang him,” was Elizabeth’s sharp response.
“No!” she cried. “Lizzy, you must not let them hurt my Wickham.”
“Lydia, he is a grown man who signed commitment papers with the militia. He knew the risks of running away. And while you have been here in this room day and night, he has been out drinking, gambling, and likely worse.”
“He says he is gambling only to increase our funds.”
“Believe that if you wish, but you know what I say is true. Lydia, you now must face up to the consequences of your actions.”
“I do not know what you mean,” she said dismissively.
“I mean you must make a difficult decision. You must decide whether you wish to marry Wickham or return home.” As Lydia opened her mouth to speak, Elizabeth held up her hand to stop her. “You will be able to again live at Longbourn only if you are still innocent.”
Lydia’s face blushed bright red.
“If you are no longer pure, you will have to be married off to someone whom Papa can pay to take you.”
Here Lydia’s face turned pale.
“Have you and Wickham anticipated your vows?”
Lydia shook her head sheepishly. “Wickham wanted to, but I said not until we were married.”
Inwardly, Elizabeth sighed with relief, but she continued relentlessly. “If you choose to marry your Wickham, you will have to live on far less than Papa’s annual income. You will not have servants, nor will you have pretty dresses for going out. Are you prepared to cook and clean? When you have your first child, you will have even less on which to live. You will also have to follow him from post to post with nowhere to call home. Also, Lydia, I am engaged to Mr. Darcy. You would never receive an invitation to Pemberley or Darcy House. Wickham has behaved in an infamous manner to Mr. Darcy.”
“No, it is all Mr. Darcy’s fault! He should not have denied Wickham the living his father left him. That is why he is poor now,” Lydia shouted angrily.
“No, Lydia, that is another of Wickham’s lies. He told Darcy he did not want to be a clergyman and asked for money instead.”
Lydia shook her head in denial.
“He has the agreement Wickham signed renouncing his claim to the living and receiving four thousand pounds in exchange.”
Lydia’s eyes widened. “That is a fortune!”
“It was,” Elizabeth agreed, “but he has wasted it all.” Elizabeth stared at Lydia, giving her time to comprehend all the things she told her. After several minutes, Elizabeth said, “What is your decision, Lydia? Do you wish to marry Wickham or to return home?”
Elizabeth knew the moment her sister made her decision, and she shook her head in disappointment even before she heard her answer.
At the thought of going home in disgrace, Lydia’s stubbornness returned in full force. “I will not be separated from my dear Wickham.”
“Very well, let us go down and tell the gentlemen of your decision.” Elizabeth moved to the door of the room and opened it to find Mr. Gardiner patiently waiting and watching over them. She saw the expectant look in his eyes and gave her head an imperceptible shake. Mr. Gardiner’s eyes narrowed in anger and his shoulders drooped a little.
When the trio arrived outside the private room where the gentlemen waited, Mr. Gardiner looked at the girls. “Please remain here while I check to see if you may enter at this time,” he said.
Elizabeth and a mutinous Lydia nodded.
Mr. Gardiner rapped on the door once and entered, leaving the door open several inches behind him. “Well, gentlemen, how go the negotiations?” asked Mr. Gardiner tersely.
“So far, Wickham has only made ridiculous demands,” said Darcy, irritation evident in his voice.
“I believe, Darcy, you should let me handle the situation,” came the colonel’s voice, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“So, Wickham, you have yet to tell me why you chose to bring Miss Lydia along when you left Brighton.”
“I needed to get away from several pressing debts. Lydia had the spending money from her father. Bringing her gave me the traveling funds I needed. The girl is desperate for attention, so it was easy enough to convince her. I thought with the promise of marriage I would get to enjoy her charms as well, but she became priggish and said not until we were married,” was Wickham’s irritated reply.
“What is your fascination with such young women, Wickham?” came Richard’s sarcastic voice. “Do your paltry charms not work on more mature women?”
At the slur, Wickham snarled, but with a glance at Darcy he managed to rein in his anger. “My charms are sufficient to any challenge. It must rankle Darcy to know that Miss Elizabeth cared for me first, and it was so easy to manipulate her dislike of you. It was apparent from our first meeting in Meryton that you were attracted to her. It would have been a total triumph if I could have seduced her. Though, I must admit, she was far more captivating than any other woman I have ever met.”
“Miss Elizabeth has nothing to do with why we are here, Wickham. You will cease to mention her name.” Darcy’s terse words were no deterrent, but when he saw the look in Darcy’s eyes, Wickham restrained himself from speaking about her further. “Though no woman deserves to be so ill-used, why did you feel it necessary to choose a gentleman’s daughter for your little adventure?”
“She may be a gentleman’s daughter, but she is no lady. Lydia is a little tease. She flirts with every man in sight and is not above sharing her kisses with many of them. Being denied her charms was no great hardship, as there is always someone I can charm into my bed. However, she had better change her ways or she will find herself with someone less considerate than I am.”
“How dare you, sir!”
Elizabeth worried at the anger she heard in her uncle’s voice.
Darcy gave the man a stern look and spoke quickly. “Did you have any intention of marrying her?” he asked in a disinterested tone.
“Of course not! She is an annoying creature with no fortune, though I might consider it if you plan to make it worth my while, Darcy.”
“I think we should find out if Miss Lydia wishes such a worthless cad for a husband. Just to be clear, are you saying you will not marry her without being paid to do so, in spite of the promises you made her?”
“I will not be tied to the likes of Lydia Bennet without significant compensation. I would not take less than fifteen thousand pounds. That is a bargain, Darcy. It is only half of what I would have received if I had succeeded in my attempted elopement with Geor—”
“You will not speak her name,” growled Colonel Fitzwilliam as he sprang from his chair to tower over Wickham, his hand again resting on the hilt of his sword.
Darcy fought hard to not react to Wickham’ reference to his sister. When he felt in control of himself, he said, “If her family is forced to pay for someone to wed her, I am sure they could find someone much better suited than you, and for far less.”
“No one in their right mind would marry the little flirt. Lydia cannot stop talking about the most inane nonsense. I can barely stand to be in the room with her for more than five minutes. Why do you think I am intoxicated in the middle of the day?”
At that, the door to the room flew wide open, crashing against the wall. The men all turned to stare.
Elizabeth and Lydia waited in the hallway just outside the private room. With the door left slightly ajar, they could hear the conversation among the gentlemen. Elizabeth put a finger to her lips, indicating they should listen quietly. She kept her eyes on Lydia’s face as they heard Mr. Gardiner ask, “Well, gentlemen, how go the negotiations?”
Lydia started at the word. What are they negotiating? she wondered. Lydia missed the next few comments as she wondered about the negotiations. Then she heard Mr. Darcy ask why Wickham had chosen her. Her face went white at Wickham’s reply.
At the mention of Elizabeth’s name, Lydia saw her sister’s face flush at his words. Lydia could not help but wonder if Wickham had cared more for Elizabeth than for her.
On the heel of these disturbing thoughts, Lydia heard what Wickham truly thought of her. Her face again went white at the disparaging things he said about her. Her embarrassment quickly turned to anger. Before Elizabeth could stop her, Lydia’s arm shot out and pushed the door farther open.
Wickham’s eyes widened in surprise and dismay. If Lydia had heard his words, his chance of gaining funds from Darcy to marry her would no longer exist. Recovering quickly, Wickham stood, saying, “Lydia, my dear, I believe we shall be able to marry soon, as Darcy has decided to provide what he has so long denied me.” He gave her his usual charming smile as he advanced to greet her.
Wickham reached for her hand, but she jerked it back, raising it instead. She swung it with all her might, smacking Wickham across his cheek. He staggered back with the force of the impact.
“I hate you!” she cried as she advanced on him with her fists raised. The young girl beat upon his chest and attempted to scratch his face with her nails.
Mr. Gardiner and Richard pulled the girl away and Wickham collapsed in a chair. He lifted his hand to his cheek, where blood appeared. Lydia’s uncle enfolded the girl in his arms as her tears fell.
“Well, Wickham,” said Darcy with evident amusement, “it would appear your charms have failed you in this instance.” Darcy turned to the girl. “Miss Lydia,” he asked in a soft voice, “do you still wish to marry Mr. Wickham?”
“No! I hate him and never want to see him again!” The words came out a bit muffled, as she had pressed her face into her uncle’s chest as she cried.
Darcy turned to Wickham. "It would seem you now find yourself in an awkward situation. I hold all your debts; if I were to call them in, could you pay them?”
“You know I could not,” came Wickham’s disgruntled reply.
“Then I could have you thrown in debtor’s prison.”
Wickham’s face paled at the words.
“However, the military’s claim on you may supersede my wishes.”
“What are you talking about, Darcy?”
It was Colonel Fitzwilliam who answered. “You are away from your post without permission during a time of war, Wickham.”
Wickham looked at the colonel without understanding.
“The army can flog you for this, or send you to the front to face the French. Though, coward that you are, you would probably desert again. However, it is more likely that they will hang you when they consider the way you have mistreated a gentleman’s daughter.”
Wickham’s face drained of all color. Falling to his knees, he began begging and stammering. “D-D-Darcy, you must protect me. We were childhood friends—almost brothers. Your father loved me; he would not wish harm to come to me.”
Darcy looked down at the man kneeling before him. “You will not play on my sensibilities by speaking of my father. You know very well if he had seen the real you, he would have washed his hands of you long ago, and you would have received nothing in his will. Father gave you an education that you did not value. I gave you a small fortune that you squandered on drink, cards, and women. You have wasted every advantage given you. I will not waste any more time or money on you.” Darcy turned his back on the man. Elizabeth moved to his side and slipped her arm through his, giving it a comforting and supportive squeeze.
Wickham looked around. Mr. Gardiner still held Lydia as she sobbed. Elizabeth spoke softly to Darcy, who seemed to have forgotten his presence. Wickham knew he would receive no sympathy from anyone in the room. He looked towards the door and wondered if he could make it to the busy streets, where he could disappear. The thought had no sooner crossed his mind than the Colonel moved in front of the room’s only exit.
“Do not even attempt it,” came the deep, menacing voice of the colonel. “Mr. Gardiner, would you step into the taproom and summon the soldiers.”
“Soldiers, no—no soldiers,” Wickham cried. “I would rather go to debtor’s prison.”
“You signed commitment papers with the militia, Wickham. Essentially, you belong to them until your time of service is up.”
“But they will hang me!” he cried, terror evident on his face.
“Perhaps you should have thought of that before you ran away from your post,” said the colonel in a voice full of contempt.
Mr. Gardiner settled Lydia in a chair in the corner before exiting the room. Elizabeth knew she should comfort her sister, but she was still too angry with her to do so. Instead, she remained with her betrothed, speaking quietly, though Darcy shifted the two of them to conceal Lydia from view.
Within minutes, the door opened again, and Colonel Forster and several of the largest soldiers from his unit entered the room. Seeing Wickham cowering on the floor, the soldiers looked at him with disgust.
“My thanks, Mr. Darcy, for tracking down this miscreant.” Repressed anger was evident in Colonel Forster’s voice. “He shall be placed in irons and returned to Brighton. His court martial shall occur within the week.”
“Colonel Forster, did you bring the list of Wickham’s debts from Brighton?”
“I have it here, Mr. Darcy,” said the officer as he removed a sheaf of papers from his jacket.
“Thank you, sir,” said Darcy as he accepted the papers. “I will ensure these are repaid. Colonel, I do not know if there is anything you could do, but many of those present would not be comfortable causing another man’s death.”
“I will relay your comments to those at the court martial, but Wickham’s misdeeds are many, and I cannot guarantee the outcome.”
“We understand, Colonel Forster. I ask that you write to me at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley’s estate near Meryton, with the results of the trial.”
“Certainly, Mr. Darcy,” the colonel said. He then turned to Wickham. “Stand up, Wickham,” he ordered.
Wickham was slow to rise, so two of the soldiers yanked him to his feet. A third soldier grabbed Wickham’s arms, while another clapped the irons on him. With a soldier holding each arm and the other two walking ahead of and behind him, Wickham left the room.
Elizabeth did not miss the sigh of relief that escaped William. “It is over,” he murmured.
She squeezed his arm again and whispered, “Remember the past only as it gives you pleasure.”
He gazed down into her softly smiling face. “Let us forget the past for a time and look forward to our future. I love you, Elizabeth.”
“I love you too, my William. Shall we go home?”
“I am home, so long as I am with you.”
Darcy’s words touched her like a caress as he offered his arm to Elizabeth. Mr. Gardiner assisted a very subdued Lydia, and Colonel Fitzwilliam followed as they exited the inn and boarded the still-waiting hack.
The return trip to the Gardiners’ passed in silence. The carriage had barely come to a stop when Mrs. Gardiner appeared in the open front door. Mr. Gardiner stepped down and handed out Lydia, who ran up the stairs and threw herself into her aunt’s arms. Mr. Gardiner mounted the stairs and shared a look with his wife over his niece’s head.
“Come, Lydia, let us get you settled,” said Mrs. Gardiner gently as she led the girl up the stairs. By the time she returned to the sitting room, the others were all settled and a tea tray had arrived. Mrs. Gardiner sat down and poured tea for everyone as they related the events at the inn.
“She heard everything he said about her?” asked Mrs. Gardiner. “That would explain her subdued manner. Well, let us hope it will bring about a positive change in her behavior. There is one thing that surprised me though, Mr. Darcy. How did you know Colonel Forster would be there?”
“In my express to the man, I suggested he meet us in London, bringing Lydia’s belongings and some assistance,” Darcy humbly remarked. “The gentlemen all rode on horseback, with the recovering Lydia in the carriage. The colonel dropped the men at the city barracks, explaining he would escort Miss Lydia to her uncle’s.”
Elizabeth shook her head and gave a small chuckle. “You truly do think of everything, Mr. Darcy.”
“I try, Miss Elizabeth,” he replied with a grin. “We were all lucky the way things turned out. No one in Brighton is aware Miss Lydia was gone before ‘returning’ to her family with the colonel yesterday. As long as they managed to contain the information within the walls of Longbourn, no one will ever know of her indiscretion.”
“Yes, I shall be sending an express to Longbourn later today to let them know of Lydia’s recovery. I shall be sure to tell them to speak only of her having been ill and out of company for some time,” remarked Mr. Gardiner.
“That sounds perfect, sir. Please be sure to notify them that Colonel Forster has returned her to you and that I will convey the young ladies to Longbourn in a few days’ time.”
“Mr. Darcy, Colonel,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “we would be happy to have you remain to dine with us.”
“Our thanks, Mrs. Gardiner, but I know that Georgiana is waiting for word on the outcome. She has been quite concerned for Miss Lydia. Perhaps you all would join us tomorrow evening for dinner at Darcy House. Perhaps also tomorrow we can determine which day would be best to return to Longbourn. I do not wish to wait too long, as I must speak with Mr. Bennet on an important matter.” Darcy’s smile showed his dimples as he looked at his beloved Elizabeth. They made plans for the next day and the gentlemen departed.
Elizabeth sat down to write to Jane. She wanted to let her know that Lydia had been found and was now in residence at the Gardiners’ home. She also asked for further information about her father’s accident and illness.
