Page 135 of Obligation and Redemption

Early the following morning, Fitzwilliam’s emissary returned from Meryton to report that Wickham was no longer in residence and that he had withdrawn from the militia about a fortnight ago, so he could be anywhere.

Wickham had met with Georgiana just days ago, so he might still be in London.

Of course, there was the possibility that he was, even now, headed towards Pemberley, if his goal in visiting Georgiana had been to lure Darcy away from Elizabeth.

But Langston knew Wickham and could keep an eye out for him.

Elizabeth needed protection from Wickham’s deception whether she knew it or not.

Darcy sent an express to Elizabeth giving her advanced notice of Langston’s arrival and encouraging her to follow Langston’s lead as her protector.

MONDAY EVENING, AS DARCY AWAITED WORD FROM either the colonel and his men or from Wickham, whichever might come first, he decided to attend Whites for dinner to distract himself from the grave musings that plagued him when alone.

His sister’s continued attacks on his wife were unwelcome and encouraged his absence rather than her goal of providing clarity.

As soon as he walked into his club, he was accosted by his merry friend. “Darcy, I had no notion of seeing you here. I thought you were still at Pemberley.”

“Bingley, you are a welcome sight. I assumed you would be spending all of your free time in Cheapside with the lovely Miss Bennet.”

“I was, up until today, but she and her relations were invited to a dinner party at the residence of one of Mr. Gardiner’s work associates. I could not bear to be at home alone with Caroline, so here I am.”

“How does your sister fare? Was she much disturbed by your good news?”

“Caroline responded as expected; however, at my insistence, she will be hosting a dinner party on Saturday for Jane and the Gardiners. Will you be in town? You would be welcome to join us. In fact, I would appreciate it if you did.”

“No, I will be at Rosings.”

“Say, Darcy, is Elizabeth with you this time? I have not seen her at the Gardiner’s home, and I know Jane would have said something if she had visited.”

“No, she is not. Business came up that precluded her joining me – that and the fact that I will be going to Rosings. My aunt still has not accepted my marriage, and I refuse to subject my wife to her vitriol.”

“Could you not have left Elizabeth in town to visit her own relations?”

“Not this time.”

“Is everything well, Darcy? When last I saw you, I believe you were anxious to get back home, but here you are without your wife yet again.”

“Yes, now Bingley, please no more questions. I would rather you tell me about your own marriage plans.”

Hitting on the right distraction, Bingley spent no little time in sharing details of the proposal and subsequent acceptance.

The wedding was to be in June, at Longbourn.

Jane would finish settling on her trousseau over the next month, then travel home to complete the preparations.

Bingley would follow her to Hertfordshire, opening up Netherfield for the first time since Darcy’s own wedding.

“You and Elizabeth will be welcome to stay with me at Netherfield. I know that you would not wish to be at Longbourn over an extended time.”

“Thank you, my friend; you know me well.”

“You will stand up with me, will you not?” Bingley said happily as he contemplated his wedding day.

Darcy smiled at his friend’s untainted enthusiasm. “I would be honoured to. ”

“Do you suppose Elizabeth will agree to stand up with Jane? I know she is married now, but I cannot imagine another in that role.”

“Elizabeth loves her sister; I know that well.”

“I daresay she does. You know that she has been putting up a portion of her pin money each month in order to secure my Jane’s future.

Naturally, I told Jane that I would have none of that, for we have no need.

Better to save for Catherine or Lydia, but her kindness in caring for Jane could not be more genuine. ”

“Bingley, I am at a loss. Of what are you speaking?”

“Your wife. Since January, she has been contributing fifty pounds a month to Jane’s dowry with a promise of fifty pounds per month indefinitely to help support Jane and her future husband.

Apparently, Elizabeth was so concerned about my Jane’s future that she set up an account for her.

You do not know of this? I was certain you would; that is a lot of money to come from her pin funds. ”

That is the account? Thank God. “Bingley, thank you for telling me. So she has been giving the money to Miss Bennet ?” Bingley smiled. “That explains the money but not why she was being so secretive. Do you know why she might have kept this hidden from me? It makes no sense.”

Bingley shrugged. “Perhaps she did not know if you would let her continue giving. Or maybe she thought it would prove to you your assumption that she tricked you into marrying her for your money. Would her putting that much money in an account for Jane not somehow prove to you her avaricious designs? At least to your sceptical mind?” At Darcy’s look of confusion, he continued, “Come Darcy, don’t look at me like that.

You know that you were determined to think the worse of her motivations for marrying you.

I would think that she would have eventually told you anyway, for how could she explain so much money going into an unknown account? ”

Finally a bright light! Elizabeth has not been giving funds to Wickham, at least not this way.

She still does not wear her necklace or engagement ring, so I know not what might have happened to them, but in this I know for certain: Elizabeth does not have a current financial arrangement with Wickham .

TUESDAY, WHILE STILL IN LONDON, Darcy finally received a note from Wickham brought to Darcy House by a young street urchin.

The boy was instructed to give it to the master of the house, and no one else, but before Darcy could contain him, the boy had made his escape.

Angry that he had let the messenger flee, Darcy departed for his study, closing the door behind him for privacy.

Tuesday, April 9, 1811

FD,

By now, I am all but certain that your dear, lovely sister, Georgiana, has told you of the relationship that has existed between Elizabeth and myself for these many months.

Your wife has many admirable qualities, Darcy, but as usual you did not think her good enough for you, making her intense affection for me grow all the more.

You must realise that Elizabeth has always despised you and still does.

I thought you might want to know that the baby she carries is very likely my own.

How does that make you feel? Your heir may be the actual child of your best friend from your youth, the one you discarded because I was your father’s favourite.

You were always jealous, and now you can truly have something to be jealous over.

I have your wife’s devotion, and you will always wonder if your son or daughter is truly your own.

You may inquire why I would tell you about your wife’s attachment to me.

As much as I care for her, I would hate for word of our relationship to become common knowledge, for that would ruin the Darcy name and forever bring into question the validity of your heir.

Also, any daughter born would be spurned by the society you value so highly.

However, I am willing, for the right price, to give up any claims on Elizabeth or our child.

Five thousand pounds should do nicely to keep me quiet.

Assuredly, you may also decide to divorce your wife. You have just cause, and I would not blame you. I would be happy to comfort her should you choose such a course. Either way, I will get what I want.

If you choose to pay the five thousand, I will want it delivered to The Red Dragon on Westover Street by Monday week between eight and ten in the evening.

Hand over the concealed funds to same lad who just now brought you this missive.

If I receive the money, I will forget your wife and my knowledge of the questionable legitimacy of your child.

If you do not give me the funds, I will be forced to regrettably report the whole unfortunate tale to the papers.

One more thing I wanted to tell you, Darcy. Your wife’s passionate nature could not easily be contained. Elizabeth was begging me to make her mine. She has loved me since before you married her and took her away. I know I do not have to convince you of the truth of this.

GW

Darcy cursed when he read the letter. He knew Wickham would want money, always predictable in his selfish machinations.

He consistently looked for ways to take from Darcy, and now he planned to use Darcy’s wife to achieve his desired goal.

However, as much as Darcy disliked giving in to Wickham, the question that most plagued his heart regarded the validity of Wickham’s claims concerning Elizabeth.

At one time, Darcy was certain that Elizabeth had indeed despised him, but that had all changed, had it not?

If she were with child when could that have occurred?

Darcy and Elizabeth had only been together intimately those two times since her last courses, which was the same week Elizabeth had been at Longbourn.

There would be no way to tell who the father was if she had given herself to the man.

But surely not! Elizabeth would not willingly give herself to Wickham, or any man.

The very thought frightens her; I’ve seen the look in her eyes.