Page 47 of Missing
"Charles, I told you it has been a considerable time since I wrote to my mother. You live with your family, so you cannot understand how important it is for me to remain in close contact with mine."
"Yes, I understand. Forgive me for interrupting. How much time will you need? Perhaps we might wait until you are finished."
"Will you be betting money?"
"Yes—well, you know Caroline and Hurst will not play unless there is money at stake."
"Last week you won, and they did not pay you."
"For that reason, if I lose today, I shall not be obliged to pay, and we shall be even."
Jane perceived that her husband wished to avoid contention, and she herself had no desire to witness again how everyone interfered in their lives. "I think you should go and play cards with your family. I shall be long in writing, and afterwards I wish to sleep."
"I understand. When the game is concluded, I shall come to bed, of course, if you do not mind."
"You never trouble me," Jane replied, and she returned to her letter.
"I shall be with you in a few hours, my dear angel," Mr. Bingley said, kissing her cheek.
Before leaving, he looked once more at his wife and felt an impulse to ask her if she was truly well.
He grew more uneasy each day, sensing that Jane harboured some resentment which he could not name.
Yet he persuaded himself that perhaps she was unwell with her monthly indisposition, and he chose instead to leave her to rest, hoping all would be better in a few days.
◆◆◆
"Uncle, I need to talk to you; I hope you can grant me a few minutes of your time," Richard said as he entered the study.
"Fitzwilliam, dear nephew, I am always happy to see you. Besides, I must tell you of my trip to Kent—your aunt is even more insufferable than I remembered!" George Darcy replied with a smile.
"I am sorry, uncle, but I need to speak to you about a particular matter, and I beg you to listen."
"Of course. Sit down and tell me how I may help you," said Mr. Darcy, now a little concerned.
"I am here to talk about George Wickham, and if you cannot finally understand and see the truth, I promise I shall take Georgiana from this house," Richard declared firmly.
Mr. Darcy nodded with resignation, showing at least a willingness to hear him. Richard, encouraged, took out the letter Mrs. Annesley had sent late the previous week and handed it to his uncle.
"Please, uncle, read this letter."
Mr. Darcy put on his glasses and began to read.
His attention was immediately caught by the first paragraph, where Mrs. Annesley explained that she wrote to Richard because she feared Mr. Darcy would not credit her words.
With horror, he read the following passage, in which she described the conversation she overheard between Wickham and Caroline.
Finally, in the closing lines, Mrs. Annesley explained that she had taken Georgiana to the Daltons', where she would be both safe and comfortable.
Mr. Darcy set the letter upon the desk, rose, and poured himself a glass of water. He needed a moment to absorb what he had just read.
"Uncle, for many years now, my father, Roger, I, and countless other gentlemen have told you what kind of scoundrel Wickham is, and you have refused to see it.
I understand you feel indebted to his mother, but please open your eyes.
That man has injured many, secure in the knowledge that you would always shield him.
And now, despite that protection, he wishes to harm your daughter.
Even if it is painful to hear, he means to marry Georgiana only to steal her fortune and make himself master of Pemberley. "
"Enough, Richard! I always believed the boy might change, that he only needed time to repent of his folly. But you are correct, nephew; he has abused my trust, and I dread to think how much harm he has already done in secret. This ends now and here!"
Richard was struck silent, astonished to see his uncle at last so affected and resolute. He had expected a long argument. "Then you must see how unjust you were to Mrs. Annesley. She has defended Georgiana from the moment that fool began to trouble her with his attentions."
"I am not so fool as to miss it," Mr. Darcy admitted. "I made a grievous mistake, and as the honorable man I strive to be, I shall apologize to her as soon as I may."
Seeing his uncle so remorseful, Richard offered, "If you wish, uncle, I can deal with Wickham."
"I thank you, dear nephew, but this is my responsibility. Yet before I confront him, I must ask my daughter's pardon."
"Yes, uncle, you must. Georgiana has been most distressed by all that has passed." Richard remained a while longer, explaining Wickham's past conduct, before taking his leave.
Mr. Darcy then went to his daughter's room, and his heart ached when he found her lying upon her bed, weeping inconsolably. He sat beside her and gently stroked her hair.
"My dear, I hope you can forgive me for being so blind and for not protecting you as I ought," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Georgiana clung to him and said earnestly, "Father, I know you always believed Wickham meant well, but I never understood why you ignored what I and others told you."
"Because his mother died trying to rescue your brother from the river, and I believed that tragedy had marked his character. I thought that, with care and protection, he might yet be reformed. But I can no longer deceive myself. Beyond the pity I feel for him, I shall not allow him to hurt you."
"I am so relieved to know that I shall never again be forced to see that man in this house or at Pemberley," Georgiana said with visible relief. "But I also beg you to reinstate Mrs. Annesley. She is at Mrs. Dalton's house."
"I shall, my child," Mr. Darcy promised, embracing her.
The following day, Mr. Darcy called upon the Bingleys, and Caroline confirmed the contents of Mrs. Annesley's letter. She swore she had intended to tell him everything, and she further revealed Wickham's enormous debts to her brother and his constant disrespect to her and Louisa.
The more Mr. Darcy listened, the deeper grew his disappointment and his anger with himself. Wickham had abused his trust and used his protection to behave like a rogue to others. When Mr. Darcy left the Bingleys' house, he was distressed but resolute to end the matter once and for all.
Richard and Georgiana fetched Mrs. Annesley from the Daltons' house. When Mr. Darcy returned, he offered her a heartfelt apology, begged her to resume her post, and thanked her for always protecting his daughter and putting Georgiana's welfare before all else.
Only one task remained: to face his godson.
He sent Wickham a note forbidding him to approach Georgiana and informing him that he was no longer welcome upon any Darcy property.
Furthermore, he required that their meeting take place only at his solicitor's office, for Wickham was never again to cross the threshold of Darcy House.
The strain of the past days had undermined Mr. Darcy's health, and the doctor now prescribed rest, forbidding him to leave the house or involve himself in distressing matters.
When Wickham received his godfather's note, he first imagined Richard had contrived it. But when he attempted to visit Darcy House and was refused entry, he realised the truth.
'I know this is your doing, Fitzwilliam,' he swore to himself.' But you shall regret it. I shall marry your silly cousin, and I shall ruin her and her entire family.'