Page 38 of Obligation and Redemption

“When I entered this county and joined the militia, I of course did my part to become acquainted with the local society. When I discovered the happy coincidence of the Bennet’s connection with Darcy, I hoped that he might lay his jealousies aside, that we could renew our friendship.

That is all. I obviously misread him, I am aggrieved to say, but I can assure you that I hold no ill will against him . ”

“Do you dare to question my nephew in front of me? I see how it is. Miss Bennet obviously uses her captivation to entice men of all stations. If you truly have financial need, I believe that we can come up with an understanding that might benefit both of us.” She paused before continuing, “I have reliable information that indicates that if Miss Bennet is found to be in any type of communication with you, Mr. Darcy will break his engagement with her. I am willing to offer you a financial reward if you are able to ensure that this happens.”

This surprised Wickham, that Darcy would actually break his public engagement just for Miss Elizabeth’s connection with himself. Darcy must fear where her allegiance lies.

Not wanting to seem too keen on this proposal, Wickham replied that he would not think of doing anything that might cause a disturbance for Darcy, the son of the man whom he admired above all others.

After much negotiation, however, it was decided that Lady Catherine would pay him three thousand pounds, if he were successful in seducing Miss Elizabeth, at least to the extent of causing her to communicate with him prior to Tuesday, thereby calling off the wedding.

This was better than he could ever have hoped.

Not only would he have the joy of drawing a beautiful woman away from Darcy, he would be well compensated.

He knew Darcy would never marry Anne De Bourgh, but he would not reveal this sentiment to Lady Catherine.

If she were willing to pay him to do her bidding in such a pleasant endeavour, he saw no reason to disabuse her of the notion.

This should not be too difficult. He knew that he had already earned Elizabeth’s admiration and trust; all he had to do was get her to speak with him, as she had done several times in the recent weeks; and if things were to go farther, better yet.

Lady Catherine left Wickham to come up with a plan to entice the lovely Elizabeth. She could not have found a more willing and reliable man to do her bidding in this venture. His greatest attributes would come into play, and he could not wait to make his move.

The great lady then decided to leave her faithful rector in Hertfordshire to help the undertaking by being the one to cry foul when the occasion occurred, if Darcy were not present to witness the treachery.

She had her coachman return to Longbourn, dropping him off without exiting the carriage herself.

Her parting words to Mr. Collins were instructions for the following four days, assisting Mr. Wickham as needed, and how he was to return to Hunsford by posting coach when his task was accomplished.

THE FOLLOWING DAY brought rain which left most people indoors, the Bennets finishing wedding preparations, the Netherfield party despondently attending to preparations for the ball, and Wickham anticipating his earnings at the card tables within the lodgings of the officers.

On Sunday, the final banns were read as Darcy once again sat with his intended.

There was no sign of Wickham within the church; indeed, Wickham had not made a showing within a church in many years now and had not considered that particular location as a possible means of gaining his reward or at the very least, antagonising Darcy.

Mr. Collins, having been left behind by Lady Catherine, was staying with the Bennets and, therefore, attended the weekly worship, taking his place beside Mary but in view of Elizabeth.

He had been instructed to observe Elizabeth closely, so that he might move quickly should she have any contact with Wickham.

After church, Bingley, his family and his guest were invited to return later in the evening for dinner.

He enthusiastically accepted, not noticing the appalled looks on the faces of his sisters.

So the entire party was obligated, yet again, to an evening of insipid entertainment at Longbourn.

It was during this visit that Darcy’s concerns related to Bingley’s growing attachment to Miss Bennet were to reach new heights.

He always enjoyed Bingley’s easy manners at social gatherings, in that they helped to ease the burden of conversation; yet now, Bingley was of no use as he sequestered himself away from the group with the lovely, eldest Bennet sister.

While watching Bingley in the corner, he determined to separate the two after the wedding by keeping him in London.

Darcy could not bear to see his friend shackled as he had been.

Bingley was easily swayed by Darcy’s advice, so the task should not be too difficult.

Also, as town held much diversion, Bingley would easily forget the woman he would leave behind.

Mr. Wickham attempted a visit at Longbourn the following morning, the day of the ball.

He had gathered a small group of officers to join him, making his entrance difficult to refuse.

He suspected that he would not be welcome given Darcy’s ultimatum and the Bennets’ need, if not desire, to adhere to his demands.

Because he was on high alert, Mr. Collins had spied Wickham walking up the lane that led to the manor house of Longbourn.

Mr. Collins then made his way downstairs where he could observe Wickham’s admittance and Cousin Elizabeth’s response.

Mr. Collins had not considered where his loyalties should lie.

In his eyes, his patroness was all that was regal and commendable, while the Bennets behaved shamefully, all except his Mary, of course.

Mrs. Bennet, knowing the ramifications of Mr. Wickham’s entrance into her home, but not knowing how to intervene without causing offence, ran up to her room and demanded Elizabeth attend her.

This same daughter was mortified at her family’s response to his visit.

She could not let him know in words or looks that she lamented the turn of events, that she wished she could somehow make things right between him and Mr. Darcy, and that she had the highest regard for him as a friend, if not favourite.

Elizabeth later found solace when she learnt that her father had invited Wickham into his study, while the other officers visited with the ladies of the house.

Mr. Bennet had asked Wickham to keep away from Elizabeth and her family until the wedding was completed, and that she was essentially in the care of Mr. Darcy.

“Mr. Wickham,” said he, “you must not find fault with my Lizzy on this score. We must abide by the wishes of her fiancé in this instance. Surely, you would not want any harm to come her way as a result of your acquaintance, brief as it has been.”

“Mr. Bennet, please know that I hold your daughter in the highest esteem. If I were but able to save her from her present situation…” Looking away as if in anguish, he continued, “but I must not have wishes that will only torment me. You are right; I must not do anything that would cause the great Darcy to transpose his dislike of me upon an innocent, especially one as amiable and kind as Miss Elizabeth – whose very future depends upon his benevolence. ”

“Yes, well, I am glad we understand one another.” After a few more minutes of meaningless conversation, Mr. Bennet escorted Mr. Wickham to the front door, sending him on his way.

Elizabeth observed his departure from her window, sorry for not being able to say farewell to her friend, but cognisant that her burgeoning tender regard for him was not appropriate for a woman about to wed another man.

She determined that she would think no more of the handsome Mr. Wickham and got to the task of packing for her departure from Longbourn that would take place the following day and then preparing for the evening ball.

Wickham left frustrated, but not without hope, as he had more than one plan in place.

This time the following day, Elizabeth would be marrying Darcy unless he had a means of being alone with her, or even near enough to encourage her to speak with him.

He had known that she walked alone in the mornings across the countryside.

In fact, Wickham had gone out early this same morning to intercept her on her rambles, but after two hours in the cold morning air searching for her without success, he had found nothing but disappointment.

Wickham had been out very late the previous night meeting up with a barmaid after having gambled away some of his planned earnings, and he was not in the mood for failure.

He came to the realisation that success would not come unless he made greater effort; he must make a showing at the ball that evening.

He had hoped to avoid that venture; he hated Darcy, but had a healthy fear of him, nonetheless.

But the more he thought about the idea, the more he liked it.

At the ball, surely Darcy would not make a public display against him.

Wickham decided that if he attended the ball, he could easily attempt an assignation with Miss Elizabeth.

He would have many opportunities to catch her off her guard.

And surely Mr. Bennet would not fault him for attending a gathering with all of the fellow officers.