Page 28 of Longbourn’s Son (Pride and Prejudice Variation #22)
“Why can you not?” the colonel demanded.
“She has close ties to trade, Richard. One uncle is, as you know, a solicitor in Meryton and the other is in trade in London. There must be another lady, with better connections, with similar characteristics.”
The colonel cast his eyes heavenward in exasperation before leaning forward to spear his cousin with a razor sharp gaze.
“I doubt it exceedingly. The young ladies emerging from the school rooms of the haut ton have been trained to be accomplished and to take their place in society, but it takes a very special woman to declare that she wishes to stab Wickham through the heart, which she did in our hearing. The older females who work with high society girls work hard to train that kind of passion out of their charges.”
Darcy rose to his feet and began pacing, his mind working furiously.
After a silent five minutes, during which the colonel replenished his brandy, he suddenly stopped to stare down at his cousin.
“Would it be fair to Georgiana if I married a woman with poor connections? She is such a shy girl and would benefit from a new sister with extensive knowledge of the London social scene.”
“That was not a concern for you when you were planning to marry Anne, I presume?”
Darcy flushed and admitted, “No, Anne is largely a recluse at Rosings due to her health and would be completely lost in London society; however, Anne is niece to an earl, and her connections, if not her experience, are superb. Do you truly believe that I ought to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
Richard Fitzwilliam leaned back in his chair and said, “That depends entirely on what you want in marriage, Darcy. Do you wish to marry a princess whom you hate, like our esteemed Regent? Do you wish to marry a high society woman whom you, if you are fortunate, find palatable, even if you do not love her, as my father and mother do not truly care for one another? Or do you wish for a marriage like your own parents; Lady Anne was lost too soon, but I well remember the camaraderie and love between my Aunt and Uncle Darcy. I wished for such devotion and commitment between my own parents, I assure you.”
Darcy, his brow furrowed in intense thought, occupied the next two minutes by building up the fire until the flames danced enthusiastically again.
When he stood up again, he said gravely, “Thank you, Richard, for your advice. I have much to think about, it seems. Perhaps, yes, perhaps Miss Elizabeth would be the perfect wife for me. The thought is appealing to me, but I am also certain there will be much displeasure from our older relations. I must think of the possible ramifications of such a course.”
His cousin rose to his feet and said, “Let me add one more thought for your busy brain to ponder; if you ask the lady to marry you, she may refuse you.”
Darcy jerked in astonishment. “Refuse me? You cannot be serious.”
“I am entirely serious! Really, Darcy, you are absurdly conceited at times. Yes, you are wealthy, intelligent, and well connected, but you are neither charming nor cheerful. Miss Elizabeth is the well-respected daughter of a gentleman and very popular amongst the local gentry and commoners. She is also, thanks to the early death of her mother, responsible for guiding and caring for her younger siblings, along with Miss Bennet, of course. She may well wish to stay single until her younger siblings are of age, or marry someone nearby so that she can remain in close proximity to her family. For that matter, she may have little interest in Derbyshire, which is a wilder county with a colder climate.”
“You are quite off there,” Darcy said. “She told me how much she wishes to visit the Lakes, and expressed great interest in the flora and fauna and geography of Pemberley. She is a vibrant walker, you know.”
“I do know, yes,” his cousin said. “Indeed, based on my knowledge of the lady, she might well be a perfect wife to you and a wonderful sister to Georgie. But if you do decide to pursue Miss Elizabeth, I urge you to restrain your pride at your situation in life. The lady is not a prize to be claimed but a woman to be wooed. I would also say that if you cannot set aside your concerns about her connections to trade, you ought not to court her. That would be quite unfair to her.”
“It would,” Darcy agreed slowly. “Richard, thank you. I have much to ponder. I confess your views on this matter surprise me; I am, after all, merely the nephew of an earl, whereas you are a son.”
“I am also a military colonel. I have seen highborn gentlemen turn and flee in terror during the heat of battle, and young privates forge on bravely into musket fire to aid fallen men. No, rank and connections do not necessarily show the mettle of a man, or a woman, for that matter.”
The door to the study opened, and Darcy’s valet appeared, his face solemn. “Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, the carriage has arrived.”
/
Darcy, his thoughts tumultuous after his conversation with his cousin, was taken aback at the sight of George Wickham. The man was sitting in Bingley’s carriage with his hands tied with ropes and John and Jacob, the twin Darcy footmen, guarding him. There would be no escape for Wickham.
Darcy, who had not laid eyes on his old playmate yesterday, gasped at the sight of the man’s battered face.
Wickham’s eyes were swollen half shut and the skin around his eyes and nose was heavily bruised.
His lips were puffy and when the man turned to glower at Darcy, he showed a gap in his upper teeth.
“Darcy!” Wickham hissed. “You must stop this! You cannot send me to Marshalsea! What would your father think of your cruel actions towards me, his godson?”
“He can, and will, and is,” Colonel Fitzwilliam declared, climbing into the carriage to take the remaining seat. “It matters not what my uncle Darcy would have thought; he has gone onto his reward and never knew you for the villain you are. Darcy, until we meet again.”
Darcy nodded, quite unable to speak as the door shut and the carriage pulled away.
To his surprise, tears sprang to his eyes.
He did not regret sending Wickham to prison.
The man had defamed him and attempted to steal Georgiana away to trap her in a horrible marriage.
He had stolen and tricked and cheated and defiled and assaulted both men and women.
It was, however, a tragedy. George Wickham – handsome, clever, and blessed with a generous patron in the elder Mr. Darcy – could have lived a successful, useful, happy life.
Instead, Wickham’s choices had ultimately led him to a grim end.