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Taking Bingley aside, Darcy asked him to send for someone to draw up several copies of Wickham’s deeds, as confessed by him and collaborated by Elizabeth and the Clays. While he was doing that, Georgiana gave Emily into the care of the nursemaid. With both of those things accomplished, they retired to the library.
They entered the small book-lined room and moved to a seating area around a low table. Georgiana and Wickham sat on the sofa, with him holding her hand. It annoyed Darcy, but he tried to ignore it. He cleared his throat.
“Wickham will settle the remains of your dowry on you,” he said. “That will give you an income independent of him or me.”
“I will not,” Wickham said, clearly startled.
“Hush, George,” Georgiana said, not looking at him. “He will settle a quarter of the original amount on me.”
Darcy blinked, taken aback by his sister’s forwardness. He was accustomed to telling her what should be done and having her do it. He wondered if this was Elizabeth’s influence. “Three quarters,” he countered.
“We can all see where this is headed,” Wickham said. “Not that I’ll agree.”
Darcy turned to look at him, no longer bothering to conceal his anger, as he’d tried to do when in company. “You will agree, George. I don’t care if we played together as boys. I don’t care if you’re married to my sister. You could be the patron saint of kittens for all it matters. If it were up to me, I would see you hang tomorrow and go out afterward to celebrate. Before you leave here today, you’re going to sign several confessions of your deeds, and all of the people who were present to hear your story or witness to it will sign as well, confirming it. I shall keep one, Bingley shall keep one, and anyone else I feel like giving one to will have one. Because I love my sister, I’m letting her negotiate on your behalf, but you will agree to whatever terms she and I come to. If you don’t, or if you violate them, I’ll tell Bingley I’ve changed my mind about him bringing charges against you.” He glared at Wickham until the other man dropped his eyes, fear flashing across his features. “Now, I suggest you stay quiet and let your wife do the best for you that she can.”
“Ten thousand pounds,” Georgiana said, as if Darcy and her husband hadn’t spoken.
“Agreed,” Darcy said. He scrutinized Wickham, gaging his reaction. While he wore a pouting expression, he didn’t seem alarmed. Darcy was relieved, construing that to mean that Wickham hadn’t spent all of Georgiana’s dowry yet. Of course, even Wickham would be hard pressed to squander twenty thousand pounds in the short time they’d been wed. Darcy turned back to his sister. “Pemberley doesn’t have a dower house—”
“Nor am I a dowager,” she cut in, sounding a bit offended.
“But I was thinking the Wood House might suit you?” he continued, ignoring the interruption. He hoped she would agree. The Wood House was on the edge of his estate, only a mile or so from his home, so Georgiana would never need to fear going without.
“I’ve always been fond of that house,” she said, smiling.
“You have?” Darcy asked, surprised. How could he not know that? Was Elizabeth right? Did he not truly attend to Georgiana as a person, only a responsibility, albeit a dear one?
“Yes, I have. It’s darling. Who’s living in it now, though? I shouldn’t want to turn anyone out on my account.”
“Several retired servants,” Darcy said.
“The ever magnanimous Mr. Darcy,” Wickham muttered.
“Well, I can’t ask them to leave,” Georgiana said.
“I’ll allow you to make inquiries, so you don’t have to worry people are only trying to please me, but I’ve been under the impression they would rather live in Lambton, as it would give them easier access to shops and neighbors. They reside there as a favor to me, to keep the house from being vacant.”
“The Wood House is the one with the old orchard behind it?” Wickham asked.
“It is,” Georgian said, glancing at him.
“There are neighbors, I recall, not half a mile away,” Wickham said. “They will be able to check in on you, if I ever do need to be away, which I won’t. Still, it will be a comfort to know they’re there.”
Darcy eyed him. Wickham sounded sincere. He held Georgiana’s hand in both of his, almost clinging to it. Darcy suppressed a sigh, some of his anger leaving him. He knew Wickham cared for Georgiana. He was just so unreliable that his care hardly seemed to matter.
“I would like a carriage,” Georgiana said.
“Absolutely not,” Darcy said. Wickham would only abuse it, he was sure.
“I must be able to visit friends, Fitzwilliam.”
“You may use one of my carriages whenever you like,” he said. He cast a glance at Wickham. “Only you, however, or both of you together. My coachman will have strict instructions never to take Wickham anywhere without you.”
“I agree to that,” Georgiana said.
Wickham scowled. “Will you pay our servants as well, so you can order them about too?”
“Yes,” Darcy said. “I will pay your servants, and your governess, when the time comes.”
“But I am allowed to hire and fire them,” Georgiana said.
“Agreed,” Darcy said. The negotiations were going better than he’d expected. Georgiana would be pitied for her husband, who would probably leave frequently, but not censured for him. Who knew, maybe having a safe place to return to would help reform Wickham in some way. Since Darcy owned the house and its contents, Wickham’s creditors would have no right to take anything from Georgiana, no matter how in debt he got himself. She didn’t even have jewelry for him to pawn, not anymore, which reminded him; “And Wickham will purchase a new wedding ring for you.”
“Why?” Wickham asked, looking at the ring on his wife’s hand. It was the one Darcy had bought her, for the sake of appearance.
“She needs a ring to look respectable,” Darcy said. “It’s your responsibility to see she has one and it should be one her husband bought for her.”
“Of course,” Wickham said, looking and sounding contrite. “I’ll see to it immediately, with my own funds.”
“I’m glad you don’t have to borrow the money to buy me a new ring,” Georgiana said to him in a low voice.
She emphasized the word new, and Darcy saw Wickham wince. Even Wickham must think it horrible for his wife to be robbed in the street. Darcy relaxed slightly, pleased. Elizabeth’s plan seemed to be working well. After all the months he’d spent trying to figure out how to keep Georgiana safe, he was relieved to have it resolved, and in so simple a way. Granted, this wasn’t an option he would originally have considered, but it now seemed like the best one, especially in view of how much Georgiana appeared to still care for her husband. If Darcy was being honest, he had to admit that Wickham seemed to care for her as well, as much as it was possible for him to care for anyone other than himself.
“Is that everything?” Georgiana asked, breaking into Darcy’s thoughts.
“It’s everything I can think of at this time,” he said. “I’m sure we can work out other details as they arise.”
“Are we agreed, then?” Georgiana asked, looking at Wickham.
He let out a beleaguered sigh. “We are. Draw up whatever papers you like, Darcy. I’ll sign them.”
“I will,” Darcy said, “and I’ll hold you to that.”
Wickham pressed his lips into a thin line, looking annoyed, but he nodded. “Are we done here, then? I would like some time alone with my wife and daughter. It’s been some time since I’ve seen Georgiana, and this is only the first time I’ve met my daughter.”
“Of course,” Darcy said. “I have several matters to attend to, myself.”
They all stood. Georgiana pulled away from Wickham, coming over to kiss Darcy on the cheek. “Thank you,” she said, her eyes bright with emotion.
“You know I would do anything in my power to see you happy,” he said.
“I know. You’re a good brother.” She smiled at him before turning back to her husband, offering him her hand. Clasping it, avoiding Darcy’s eye, Wickham led her from the room.
Darcy gave them a moment to depart, then went to find Bingley to see how the documents were coming. He was pleased to find an attorney there, that relation of Elizabeth’s, Mr. Phillips, and reflected that it must be nice to have an attorney in the family. The man was polite and competent seeming, and had bought an assistant with him. Darcy gave them the details of his agreement with Wickham, asking several copies of that be made as well.
“Bingley,” he said, motioning his friend aside.
Bingley walked to the other end of the room with him. “Is all well?” he asked, looking anxious.
Darcy felt terrible for the worry in his friend’s voice. He’d brought this trouble into Bingley’s home. The fact that Bingley would never blame him for any of it didn’t make Darcy feel less guilt. “I was wondering if you have a few discreet men about who could keep an unobtrusive eye on George Wickham while he’s here. I want to make sure he doesn’t leave without signing everything.” He gestured to the attorneys, who were hard at work.
“I already took the liberty,” Bingley said. “Jane asked, and I agreed, that we would prefer if we could find a way for him not to stay here. We don’t want to cast out Georgiana, but I’d prefer not to put a roof over that man’s head, or have him dine at my table.”
Darcy nodded. “Of course he can’t stay here. Once he signs the papers, he can take his carriage and go where he pleases, as long as it’s away from here. The Clays have to return, and I think he should go with them. His horses should be well rested. May Georgiana stay until she and Emily are ready to go to Pemberley?”
“Certainly, all of you may continue to stay until she’s ready to travel.” Bingley said. “You know Jane is particularly attached to Georgiana.”
“Thank you,” Darcy said. He put as much feeling as he could into the words, hoping Bingley would understand how much he meant it. “Someday, I’ll find a way to repay your kindness and make up for your hardships.”
“Think nothing of it,” Bingley said. “You’re my friend, after all.”
Darcy nodded. “I have some letters to write,” he said, by way of excusing himself.
He left the office, returning to his room and setting out his writing materials. He appreciated Bingley’s kind words, but he would keep his word and find a way to make this whole incident up to his friend. He was used to giving favors, not receiving them, and felt oddly humble to be on this end of things. He’d thought he was only inconveniencing the Bingleys and imposing on their kind nature by going under an assumed name. He’d had no idea he was putting their son in danger.
Nor that he was putting Elizabeth in danger, for he bore the blame of that as well. When she’d entered the parlor, he’d been so relieved to see her unharmed that it had been all he could do not to rush to her side and take her into his arms right in front of everyone. Then he’d seen the red marks on her neck and the fear and humiliation in her eyes, and had been forced to change his focus to containing an overwhelming desire to beat Wickham into an unresponsive pile of broken limbs and loose teeth. His hands twitched. If it weren’t for the fact that a gentleman did not behave in such a manner, Wickham would have felt the extent of Darcy’s rage.
He knew some would reassure him that Elizabeth hadn’t had to enter the carriage and destroy her reputation and he couldn’t be held responsible for her choices. Take that away, and she’d only been frightened, making her distress all he need feel bad for. To him, there was no only about anyone laying a hand on Elizabeth Bennet. Nor had the Elizabeth he’d come to know so well over the past weeks had any choice about entering the carriage. She would never have abandoned her sister’s child, and rightfully so. Who knew what would have happened to Bingley’s son if Elizabeth hadn’t acted with so much courage?
Darcy began writing his letters, though his thoughts were still in turmoil. Recalling her pomposity, it irked him that his aunt had been somewhat correct. Not about his responsibility and right to keep Georgiana safe. He would argue those to the grave. Lady Catherine had been correct, however, in saying that no good would come of his less than honest behavior.
Yet, perhaps some good had come of it. He didn’t know if the documents Wickham would sign would stand up in a court of law, but Wickham couldn’t know either. What was more, Wickham had every incentive to keep the bargain Georgiana had struck. Not only because of the documents, but because he didn’t know Bingley well enough to realize Bingley was unfailingly forgiving. The legitimacy of the documents aside, Bingley’s word, especially with so many witnesses, would be enough to incriminate Wickham. The law did not look kindly on kidnappers or housebreakers.
Darcy forced himself to concentrate on his letters, arranging for the Wood House to be made ready for his sister. As soon as they were completed, his mind returned to Elizabeth. In truth, she was the only person permanently harmed by the episode. Though the damage to her reputation was irreparable, it fell to him to rectify it as much as he could. Darcy briefly considered trying to keep what had happened secret, but realized it was impossible. Even if Mr. Phillip, his assistant, and Bingley’s servants kept quiet, Mrs. Bennet certainly wouldn’t.
He could offer Elizabeth a dowry, one that exceeded her expectations, but that might simply attract men like Wickham, and no dowry would truly restore her place in society. He could write to his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and offer him an even more substantial sum to take Elizabeth to wife. Darcy would pay more because he knew his cousin was a good man, and he’d watched them flirt at Rosings. Elizabeth had seemed to like Colonel Fitzwilliam well enough.
He couldn’t even get his hand to reach for a clean sheet of paper. Yes, he’d watched them flirt, and it had filled him with jealousy. Especially since the one time she’d walked with him in Rosings, she’d made no attempt to attract him. She’d been somewhat silent, aside from uttering common pleasantries. Even though he’d walked with her many times since, with much more conversation, it still rankled after watching her easy rapport with his cousin. Darcy shook his head. No matter how many times he told himself that Elizabeth Bennet was beneath him, he couldn’t tolerate the thought of her married to his cousin.
He realized that the only solution was for him to wed her, in spite of her lowly status. Aside from Colonel Fitzwilliam, there was no one else he could ask to take her, nor trust to treat her well. Not with Bingley already married. It would have to be him.
The more he thought about it, the more the idea appealed to Darcy. She was clever, pretty, and resourceful. She would make a fine mistress for Pemberley. She would also be grateful to him for rescuing her, which would make their married life easier. Pleased with his plan, Darcy went to make sure Wickham was signing the required papers. After that, Darcy would send him off with the Clays.
Before Wickham left, it was agreed that he would meet Georgiana at the Wood House. She said she would write to him at the Clays’ when she arrived there, a date somewhat hard to determine, for they couldn’t return to Pemberley until Georgiana and Emily were ready to travel. There was a slight hitch in that plan when the Clays informed everyone that they wouldn’t let Wickham set foot in their house. Wickham solved that by naming an inn in a town near Pemberley. He told Darcy he would be there within a week.
Darcy felt that Georgiana would be ready to travel soon, since his sister was sad to see Wickham leave, and obviously wished to be reunited with him. Darcy wouldn’t hurry her, but he was eager for the day to come. It would be a relief to be home.
