Page 10 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

Wickham

Thursday morning found Darcy in his study, seriously considering if it were possible to climb the walls. Though invited to join his friend, he had not travelled to Gracechurch Street as his cousin had suggested Darcy should remain at home. He now regretted the decision.

Bingley had visited Wednesday afternoon to invite Darcy and announce his intentions to propose to Miss Bennet.

“Had I remained in Hertfordshire, we might be wed by now. I see no reason to delay any longer. I know I have often spoken of ladies being angels in the past, but they all revealed their true natures eventually. Jane is truly an angel. I have never met another being who is able to see the good in people as she does. Even after all Caroline did to separate us, Jane hopes they can be friends again.”

Darcy was uncertain if that made Jane Bennet an angel or exceedingly na?ve. He was anxious to discuss it with Elizabeth. He was anxious to discuss anything with Elizabeth. With a moan, he pushed out of his chair and marched to the door, startled to find his butler on the other side.

The man appeared ill at ease and unable to find his words.

“What is it, Smithers?”

“Mr. Wickham wishes a moment of your time, sir.”

Darcy glanced towards the front hall, but the butler shook his head.

“I requested he wait outside until I confirmed you were at home.”

“Where is Miss Darcy?”

“She and Mrs. Annesley are in her sitting room, sir. I believe they are working on clothing for the poor until her music master arrives in half an hour.”

Darcy straightened and tugged his waistcoat into place. “Very well. Ask Jasper to take up position outside the door and then show Mr. Wickham into my study. Once this is done, send for Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

The old retainer nodded and departed to carry out his orders while Darcy took his seat behind the desk. When Smithers returned with Wickham in tow, Darcy remained in his chair.

“Thank you, Smithers. Is Jasper outside should I require his assistance?”

“As you asked, sir.” The man bowed and left, closing the door behind him.

“No greeting, Darcy?”

“What do you want, Wickham?”

“Very well, to business.” Wickham approached and took an unoffered seat opposite Darcy. “You have ruined me in Hertfordshire. The shopkeepers will not accept my coin, my fiancée has been spirited away, and the landowners will not allow me access to their homes.”

“Do you not mean the shopkeepers will not advance you further credit, Miss King’s uncle rescued his niece, and the landowners have learnt you should not be allowed near their daughters?”

“You know bloody well what I mean. How am I to survive? Why do you feel it necessary to ruin me?”

“I said nothing to any of the shopkeepers, George, and Mr. King had already decided to remove Miss King from the area before I ever met him.”

“A likely story! Even that juicy little Bennet has given me the cut direct.”

“Watch how you speak of the Bennets,” Darcy growled.

An amused grin spread across Wickham’s features, begging to be slapped away. “I knew you were soft on her . You know Miss Elizabeth dislikes you; her feelings were firm before I ever spoke to her.”

Darcy forced himself to relax and shrugged. “I repeat, what do you want, Wickham?”

“I want what I am due. You owe me, Darcy.” He sneered. “You wouldn’t want me to tell anyone about what happened last summer.”

“Be careful what you ask for, George. You say you want what you are due?” Darcy arched a brow and smiled before opening a drawer and withdrawing a sheet of paper. He placed it on the desk in front of Wickham.

“What is that?”

“A list of your debts which I have purchased over the years in Lambton, Cambridge, London, and now Meryton. It is quite a sum.”

Wickham lost some of his bluster. “What are you saying, Darcy?”

“I am saying that what you are due is a stay in debtor’s prison, George. I owe you nothing. You on the other hand . . .” He gestured towards the paper.

“Your father––”

“Would be disappointed in what you have become. He gave you every opportunity, George, and you have squandered them all.” Darcy sat back in his seat. “Now, what is it you want me to do?”

“You would truly send me to prison?”

“I tire of this game, George. I wish to live my life without the possibility of you reappearing to turn everyone’s lives upside down.” He leant forwards and met Wickham’s gaze directly with a cold glare. “I want you to go away. Permanently.”

Wickham’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I have no means–”

“I am long beyond caring.”

The door to the study swung open and Philip entered the room. “Wickham!” he cried. “What a . . .” he winked at Darcy, “surprise.”

Wickham jumped from his seat, causing the chair to teeter before settling back into place. “What are you doing here?”

“I am visiting my cousins,” Philip laughed. “I shall not ask why you are here as I am certain I already know. Trying to extort more money from Darcy?”

Wickham attempted to smooth his features and regain his devil-may-care air. “We are all old friends here––”

“No,” Philip said in a dangerously low voice. “It has been many years since we have been friends.”

Wickham returned his attention to Darcy, but one eye remained on Philip. “How shall I live? Darcy, I would be forced to––”

“Work for a living?” Darcy sat back in his seat once more. “In truth, I care not how or if you live, Wickham, as long as I never see you again.”

“What if I leave England?”

The cousins exchanged glances. “That would be acceptable. Where would you go? And how, as you have no money.”

“ I am wondering how you are here in London. Does Colonel Forster know you have left Meryton?” Philip took a menacing step towards Wickham. “You realize desertion during wartime is a hanging offense.”

Wickham’s Adam’s apple bobbed once more. “He sent me to London with dispatches. I am being dismissed from the militia.”

The cousins exchanged another glance as Philip asked, “Caught you in his wife’s bed, did he?”

Wickham’s countenance paled. “No. With the tales being told by the merchants in Meryton, Colonel Forster thought it best that I remove myself from the area.”

“That would not explain a dismissal.” Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “What have you done, Wickham?”

“The blacksmith’s daughter is saying I took her virtue, but I swear I never touched the girl. She is a hulking thing, more manly than any dandy here in town. I couldn’t have.” He grimaced.

“The blacksmith?” Darcy shook his head. “Not a man I would want to cross.” He looked at Philip. “Did you meet him while we were in Meryton? You and I could stand behind him and no one would know we were there.”

“I did. Saw his daughter, as well. She was exceedingly upset as she had learnt her dear friend, the innkeeper’s daughter, was with child and the soldier was denying it was his.”

“Two merchants’ daughters losing their virtue?” Darcy arched his brow as he returned his gaze to Wickham. “The militia is gaining an unwanted reputation.”

Philip chuckled. “I would say they are ridding themselves of an unwanted reputation.”

“Colonel Forster has withheld my wages, Darcy,” Wickham whined. “I will go wherever you wish, but you must help me.”

“I don’t see why Darcy must help you. Indeed, I would think he would be the last man who would want to help you.”

Wickham stepped forwards, clearly desperate now. “It isn’t just Georgiana’s reputation. I have some intimate knowledge of one of the Bennet sisters as well.”

Darcy growled, “My sister is Miss Darcy to you, and I warned you to guard your tongue in regards to the Bennets.”

“Which?” Philip asked, ignoring Darcy’s glare that was now focused on him.

Wickham turned a confused look towards him. “Which?”

“Yes, which of the Bennet sisters. There are five, if I am not mistaken. Which?” Philip sat down in the chair between Wickham and the door, removed his knife and began cleaning his nails with the tip.

“We all know the eldest Bennet sisters would never toss aside propriety in such a manner, so it must have been one of the younger two. Was it Miss Catherine or Miss Lydia?”

With another swallow, Wickham muttered, “Miss Lydia.”

“Did you take her virtue?” Darcy asked in a low, deadly voice.

“No,” Wickham said as he shook his head and held out a hand. “Just a bit of kissing and touching in the woods between Meryton and Longbourn.”

Silence reigned in the room while the cousins conducted a silent conversation with their eyes. Finally, Darcy nodded.

“Where are you staying? I will have my man explore a few options and you will choose which suits you best.” Darcy held up his hand before Wickham could respond.

“There will be no negotiations. You will choose the package as it is presented and sign a statement that you will never contact me or anyone connected to me and never return to England, or you may find your own way in the world. But know this, George. My door is now, and forever after this day, closed to you. If you so much as breathe my name, I will see you in debtor’s prison for the remainder of your sorry life. ”

Wickham nodded and gave the direction where he could be found. Philip opened the door and requested Jasper, Darcy’s largest footman, to escort Wickham to the door and see that he left the premises directly. When he closed the door behind the departing reprobate, he grinned. “That was fun.”

Darcy shook his head. “I have never understood your sense of humour.”

Chuckling gleefully, Philip poured two glasses of whisky and returned to the desk. After handing one to Darcy, he took his seat. “Has Jackson provided the list we requested?”

“He has.” Darcy reached into the same drawer and removed another sheet of paper from his man of business and passed it to his cousin. “May I say again that your knowledge of Wickham’s actions astounds and frightens me. I suspected he would approach me for funds, but not in person.”

Philip shrugged. “A desperate man will do things he otherwise would not dare.”

“He has been desperate before.” Darcy lifted the glass and took a sip.