Page 23 of Missing

George Wickham was enraged; fortune had not favoured him.

The journey from London to Hertfordshire had been most disagreeable, for his godfather lent him only one of his smallest carriages.

He detested depending on the charity of others and not occupying the place in society he believed to be his right.

He deserved far more, and he hoped Mr. Darcy would soon understand that if he did not give him what was rightfully his , he would be forced to compel him.

To increase his irritation, Caroline had assigned him a room so small it seemed almost fit for a servant.

Yet what vexed him most was learning that Charles had dismissed Mr. Holt without consulting him.

Wickham had intended to request a loan from the steward, for he was utterly penniless.

He had already begged funds from Mr. Darcy a few weeks prior and could not approach him again without explanation.

His godfather must never learn of his fondness for gaming tables and disreputable women.

William, meanwhile, had not slept well. The night before, he had been plagued by a succession of dreams that left him ill at ease.

Since childhood, he had endured recurring visions of an elegantly dressed, pale lady with a gentle voice who would read to him and kiss his cheek.

Never had he seen her face, but on this occasion, he dreamt it was Miss Darcy.

The absurdity of the dream made him tense.

Yet he was a practical man, unwilling to cloud his present happiness with such fancies.

He had never confided those dreams to anyone, not even his parents, for he would not trouble them with idle anxieties.

Still, deep within, William feared that if he pursued their meaning, he might uncover a truth best left unknown.

After breakfast, William and Mr. Bingley retired to the study.

William needed to explain all he had discovered in examining the maps and contracts.

But Mr. Bingley, fatigued from a late night, could scarcely concentrate, so William committed his conclusions to paper.

Bingley promised to study them later, though for the present, he must attend Jane in her final preparations.

William, having done all he could, resolved to answer his correspondence and review some reports neglected for several days.

In gratitude for his assistance, Mr. Bingley ordered a special luncheon in William's honour and invited Violet and Elizabeth, hoping his guest might enjoy the comfort of family.

At that same hour, Mr. Bingley wrote to his aunt Henrietta with details of the wedding.

She excused her absence, pleading ill health and the length of the journey, though the true reason was her unwillingness to see Caroline.

Their last meeting had ended in a quarrel.

Still, she spared her nephew the truth, unwilling to cast a shadow over his joy.

William was finishing his letters and perusing the newspaper when Wickham entered the study, flushed with anger. He did not at first perceive William, seated quietly in the corner.

"Bingley, what has become of Holt? I cannot believe you dismissed him without telling me.

Do you know how long it took me to persuade him to accept this position?

He had many better offers. The least you can do is compensate him.

I intend to visit him shortly and, if you wish, I shall convey the money. "

"I am sorry for Mr. Holt," Bingley answered uneasily, "but he was not performing his duties."

From his corner, William listened with astonishment. So that was the man who had harassed Elizabeth in London. His first impression of Wickham had been distrust, but hearing him demand explanations with such insolence convinced him he was nothing but a scoundrel.

"Bingley, at least tell me who advised you to dismiss Holt. I cannot believe you made that decision on your own."

"Well, no… my friend Dalton recommended—"

"Who?"

William rose. "I was the one who recommended Mr. Bingley to dismiss Mr. Holt."

Mr. Wickham turned and recognised him: Elizabeth Bennet's friend, now glaring at him with defiance. "I did not know you were acquainted with Bingley, Dalton."

"William Dalton is Miss Elizabeth Bennet's betrothed. We shall soon be brothers. Surely you remember my future sister-in-law," Bingley explained.

"How could I forget? A lady like Miss Elizabeth is not easily erased from memory. During my time here, she and I were very close," Wickham said with a smirk. His words struck as he intended, for he saw jealousy flicker in Dalton's eyes.

"Bingley, I shall take some air before my mother and Elizabeth arrive," William said, unwilling to remain in such company.

"Before you go, Dalton—what right had you to meddle in Bingley's affairs? What can a tradesman know of managing an estate?" Wickham demanded.

"I meddled in nothing. Bingley sought my advice, and I gave it. I need to offer no explanation to you," William replied coldly.

"Then you admit you had no reason to demand Holt's dismissal!" Wickham pressed furiously, bitter at losing his chance to profit from the steward.

"You appear to have difficulty hearing or understanding. I demanded nothing. I merely advised Bingley to employ a steward capable of fulfilling his duties. Any man can see that one who neglects the accounts, ignores the crops, and spends more time with brandy than with tenants is unfit."

"Dalton is right," Bingley added firmly. "Holt neglected his duties, and I had no choice. My solicitor has already interviewed new candidates, and next week a competent steward will be engaged. So please, Wickham, do not blame my future brother-in-law; the decision was mine."

Defeated, Wickham attempted bravado. "I cannot believe it. Holt has always been responsible, one of the best men I know."

"Perhaps he is not idle, but you certainly are, Wickham," Richard interjected with disdain. "You have ever lived by taking advantage of others. Dalton, do not trust him—within a month, he will approach you with some pitiful tale and a request for money."

"Fitzwilliam, it is not my fault that Mr. Darcy esteems me above you. Your envy is too plain," Wickham retorted.

"Yes, that must be it," Richard answered dryly. "I envy a man who cannot make an honest living."

"Dalton, your mother must be arriving soon," Bingley said hastily, anxious to prevent further quarrel. "Shall we wait for them outside?"

Wickham, his temper boiling, quitted the room, thwarted once again. His plans to extract money from Bingley were ruined with Dalton and Richard so near.

"I apologise, Bingley, Dalton," Richard said. "But that rogue knows how to provoke me."

"Think nothing of it," William replied. "I have seen him only twice, and I know already all you have said is true."

Together, the three men went into the garden, choosing lighter subjects of conversation as they awaited their guests.

◆◆◆

Georgiana was content to remain with Caroline and Louisa, knowing it was the best way to keep George Wickham at a distance.

Although Mr. Bingley's sisters were polite to her, she disliked their constant habit of speaking ill of others; yet even that was preferable to enduring the unwanted attentions of her father's godson.

"My dear Georgiana, you cannot imagine how delighted we are that you have come to our brother's wedding," Louisa said.

"We must also apologise for obliging you to stay under the same roof with people so…

so different from us. But you know Charles is very generous and has fallen in love with a young lady from a family far beneath our own," Caroline added, speaking of Jane with an affected caution that only emphasised her disdain.

"The important thing is that Mr. Bingley loves his future wife dearly, and I am certain she must love him in return. He is a kind and generous gentleman, and he deserves to be happy," Georgiana replied, uncomfortable and unwilling to disparage anyone, least of all people she did not know.

Not long after, Jane arrived with Elizabeth and Violet. During the drive from Longbourn, Jane had scarcely spoken a word, despite Violet and Elizabeth's attempts to draw her into conversation. She was nervous and troubled by the changes soon to come in her life.

As expected, Caroline introduced Georgiana to Jane and the other ladies in a dismissive manner that made everyone uneasy. Even Louisa felt her sister had been ruder than necessary. After the introductions, the Bingley sisters ignored Jane, Elizabeth, and Violet entirely.

To relieve the awkwardness, Elizabeth excused herself, saying she wished to walk in the garden, and invited Violet to accompany her.

Georgiana eagerly asked permission to join them, happy to escape the unpleasant scene.

Caroline was displeased that Georgiana had preferred Elizabeth's company, but she and Louisa had more pressing designs.

"Dear Jane, there are matters you ought to know as our brother's future wife," Louisa began, glancing at her sister.

"Eliza's betrothed has come to this house, issuing orders and making abrupt decisions.

You already know how good-natured Charles is, and many take advantage of him.

Mr. Dalton has been at Netherfield only two days and yet has contrived to persuade Charles to show him the ledgers and important documents.

We do not trust that man, Jane, and we need your help to protect Charles from him.

Of course, if you ask Charles, he will tell you that Dalton was helping him.

Still, you know how na?ve our brother is," Caroline continued, elaborating at length to convince Jane that it was her duty as Mrs. Bingley-to-be to guard her husband from such influence.

"I understand, and thank you for confiding in me," Jane replied with concern.

"I am certain that Mr. Dalton believes he can abuse Charles just as Eliza has always done with you, my dear Jane," Louisa added, to deepen her doubt.