Page 9 of An Interrupted Proposal (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
Having not given any notice previously, Darcy now had to agree with his cousin. Though mostly confined to larger cities, he had seen children begging outside many an inn during his travels throughout England, but not in Meryton.
The cousins parted ways, and Darcy followed the road leading to Lucas Lodge. Sir William himself opened the door as Darcy approached. “Mr. Darcy! What a pleasant surprise.”
“Sir William,” Darcy said with a bow. “I was hoping to have a moment of your time.”
“Of course, of course.” After Darcy handed his horse off to a stable-boy, the gentleman led Darcy down a short hall to his study and ordered tea to be delivered at once. Upon motioning to a chair, Sir William addressed his guest. “How may I be of assistance, sir?”
“I was recently in company with Miss Elizabeth Bennet during her visit to your daughter’s home.”
A smile spread across the gentleman’s features. “Ah, Miss Eliza. Delightful lady.” He cocked his eyebrow. “As is her sister, Miss Jane Bennet. Your friend’s departure from the area last autumn was a surprise.”
Darcy fought the urge to tug at his neckcloth. “Mr. Bingley and I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Bennet in London yesterday. I believe he was to take tea with her and her aunt this afternoon.”
After a fleeting look of surprise, Sir William’s smile grew. “Capital! Capital!” He leant forwards. “Mrs. Bennet will be pleased to hear of it.”
Darcy grimaced. He had not considered the possibility of his words reaching the Bennet household. He cleared his throat. “I am certain her daughter will alert her should there be any newsworthy developments.”
“Quite right, quite right. Mustn’t raise hopes again if there is no guarantee of their fruition.” Sir William sat back in his seat and appeared about to speak when there was a knock at the door. “Enter.”
A servant followed his order and sat a tray upon the closest table, poured a cup of tea for each of them, and left.
“Miss Elizabeth and I were discussing a mutual acquaintance and I realised I may have information that would benefit the populace of Meryton.”
The gentleman eyed Darcy. Lifting his cup, he paused before taking a sip and asked, “Would this acquaintance be Lieutenant Wickham?”
Darcy nodded but did not have the opportunity to respond.
“Everyone noted the man’s interest in Miss Eliza was rapidly switched to Miss Mary King upon her receiving her inheritance. Fishy business, there.”
Darcy nodded one more time. “Have you the ear of the lady’s guardian?”
“Like that, is it?”
“I fear so. My experience with Mr. Wickham is of more than two decades, and I have frequently been called upon to settle his debts once he departed an area.”
The knight’s eyes widened. “That is information the merchants in the area would appreciate knowing. I am surprised you left without sharing this knowledge, sir.”
Darcy studied the teacup as his cheeks warmed. “It was poorly done on my side. My relationship with Mr. Wickham has been trying and I prefer to not become involved, but Miss Elizabeth hoped I could ensure her family and the neighbourhood would not suffer for his presence.”
“How may I be of assistance?” Sir William asked as he set his cup and saucer upon his desk. “May I suggest we visit Miss King’s uncle? He arrived from Liverpool a few days ago. I can provide an introduction.”
Having planned on simply passing on his information to Sir William and returning to London, Darcy was surprised the man would expect him to accompany him while he carried out the task of spreading the word regarding Mr. Wickham’s shortcomings. Seeming to sense Darcy’s wariness, his host continued.
“I am certain Mr. King will have questions I shall be unable to answer, while you are more familiar with Mr. Wickham’s history before his arrival in our small village.”
Darcy nodded. “Certainly. Do the Kings live in Meryton or on a property outside of the town? Perhaps we could speak to the merchants as well.” He took a sip of tea.
“I should tell you; my cousin is currently visiting Colonel Forster. It seems the militia is to spend the summer at Brighton and, as a member of the regulars, Colonel Fitzwilliam wished to suggest that Colonel Forster ensure his troops leave the area without debts to the local merchants. It would reflect poorly on His Majesty’s army. ”
“Quite right, quite right. Shall we?”
Darcy nodded and set his cup and saucer aside.
“I would call for my carriage, but it is a beautiful day and a short walk. It will enable us to speak to my neighbours as well.”
Darcy agreed and answered the knights questions regarding Mr. Wickham as they made their way towards town, providing an abridged history of his childhood friend’s proclivities as well as how the Darcy family had supported the man.
***********
As Darcy and Sir William approached a curve in the road, the sound of giggling, followed by an unintelligible reprimand, reached their ears.
“Ah, Miss Mary Bennet is chaperoning her younger sisters. Quite convenient, is it not?” Sir William said with a grin.
Once they were beyond the trees at the bend, they found the girls, and Sir William greeted them and offered to escort them to their destination.
“How fortunate we are to encounter you ladies,” the knight cried. “Mr. Darcy and I are on our way to Meryton to ensure that members of the militia do not leave our community the poorer than what they found it.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Miss Lydia asked, casting a suspicious gaze in Darcy’s direction.
Taking on a fatherly air, Sir William shook his head.
“Those we meet are not always what they seem. We fear that there are some among the officers who may have extended themselves beyond their means. If they are unable to pay their debts, it could be detrimental to our shopkeepers.” His eyes widened as he met the youngest Bennet’s suspicious look.
“If they have not been paid their debts, the shopkeepers may not be able to carry the newest styles and ribbons for the rest of us.”
Miss Catherine gasped. “That is terrible! They must pay what they owe before they leave.”
“Indeed they must. Mr. Darcy and I were just on our way to remind the shopkeepers and the regiment of the need to have all accounts settled in a timely manner as the militia is due in Brighton within the next month.”
Miss Lydia’s gaze met Darcy’s once more. “Perhaps if gentlemen did as they were supposed to, the officers would have the funds to meet their needs.”
“I suppose you are referring to the living my father recommended be conferred on Mr. Wickham,” Darcy said in a calm and steady voice.
“I do,” she replied as her older sister hissed at her regarding the impropriety of her comment.
“It is true, I refused to award Mr. Wickham the living when it became available.”
The girl’s look of descension was quickly wiped away as he continued.
“Since he never took orders and had refused the living, releasing all future claims to it, and received three thousand pounds recompense, I felt justified to do so when it fell open three years later and he requested it.”
“I would agree, Mr. Darcy,” Sir William said with a side look at the young lady.
“Especially since he had spent the funds, and then some, in the same number of years.” He shook his head.
“Not the right sort to lead a flock, I would say. Only imagine how he might lead others astray.” He clucked his tongue.
“Did you really pay him so much?” Miss Catherine asked. “And he spent it? All?”
“I did, and I fear he did. Wickham has never been able to manage his money as to support himself. I would pity any lady who agreed to marry him. He is too quick to indulge his every whim, be it gambling, spending, or ladies. I dislike speaking against him, but I would hate to learn he had trifled with any of the young women or left debts behind when he left the area.”
“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.”
“Psalms 37:21,” Sir William said with a nod. “Well spoken, Miss Mary.”
The young lady blushed, but her countenance brightened with obvious pleasure at being praised.
“Indeed,” Darcy said as he smiled, causing her colour to deepen.
Upon arriving at the town, the ladies disappeared into the shops and Sir William winked at Darcy.
“I am certain we will not have so many merchants to visit today as we believed,” he said with a chuckle.
In truth, by the time they had finished their discussion with Mr. King, who was already preparing to spirit his niece away to Liverpool, the word had spread throughout the town. Philip had greeted him on Main Street with a broad grin.
“Our news has preceded us,” he said as he joined them. “Every shopkeeper I have approached was already aware of our friend’s history.”
Sir William winked again at Darcy, who could not help but chuckle. “And how was your visit with the Colonel, Cousin?”
“I believe, once the merchants approach him, he will find the wisdom in the information I provided.” The false smile and tightened features told Darcy there was more Philip would share once they were alone.
His cousin’s features became more rigid after the trio encountered the Bennet sisters on their way to their aunt’s home.
Though Darcy was reluctant, Philip surprisingly agreed when Sir William accepted Mrs. Phillips’s invitation to tea.
The manner in which Sir William led the Bennet sisters to reveal the latest news in Meryton regarding a certain officer was masterful.
He was quick to insert bits of wisdom regarding officers in general, with apologies to Colonel Fitzwilliam as certainly not all soldiers were untrustworthy, but it was better to err on the side of caution.
In all, the trip to Meryton had been both enjoyable and productive.
Though Sir William invited the gentlemen to take dinner and spend the night at Lucas Lodge, they agreed there was sufficient light left in the day to return to London but thanked him profusely before mounting their horses and returning to the road.
“You were unable to find anything to appreciate here?” Philip asked as they turned their steeds towards London. “Besides your lady, that is.”
Darcy shook his head once more at his foolishness. Sir William and Mrs. Phillips were not the most sophisticated individuals he had ever encountered, but their warm welcomes and sincere concern for their fellow man put Darcy to shame.
“I was determined not to do so. It now amazes me that I was able to see Elizabeth’s worth.”
“But not to the point that you allowed her to know of it.”
“Pray, do not remind me of my foolishness.”
Philip cleared his throat. “After meeting her youngest sisters, I better understand your concerns. Though I am certain they are little different than other ladies of a similar age, it only proves they are out far too young.”
“And have not been provided with sufficient opportunities or encouragement to expand their minds or interests as their elder sisters have.”
Philip smiled. “I am certain that could be easily corrected should their older sisters marry gentlemen of means who would assist the younger sisters to see the benefits of such improvements.”
Though he attempted to glare at his cousin, Darcy’s thoughts had taken a similar path. He shook his head instead. “Tell me of your discussion with Colonel Forster. You did not appear pleased.”
The smile quickly left his cousin’s countenance.
“The man is an old fool. Have you met his wife? She is near the age of the youngest Bennet sister and of a similar disposition. Indeed, she may be Wickham’s most enthusiastic supporter.
I would not be surprised if the Colonel finds Wickham tupping her in his own bed.
” He spit in disgust. “I am certain he will not believe anything against the man possible until he does.”
“We both know what a deceiver George is. You did what you could.”
“But the man is a colonel! He should be able to see through a rakehell such as Wickham.”
Darcy shook his head. “When I met Colonel Forster, I saw a man who was tired of war and ready to lay down his defences and finish his career in relative peace. Perhaps his wife’s innocence is a balm to his soul.
And we both know how Wickham used my father’s mourning to his advantage.
I would not be surprised if he did not use the same tactics on his commanding officer. ”
They rode in silence for a time. “At least the Bennets are safe from him.”
“Yes.” Darcy sat taller in the saddle. “I should probably report our progress to Elizabeth’s uncle, but I would rather tell her myself when she arrives in London on Saturday.”
Philip chuckled. “And what will you do with yourself until then? I predict you will be climbing the walls at Darcy House by Thursday morning.”
Darcy’s smile faded as he realized Saturday was, indeed, far too many days away.