Colonel Fitzwilliam’s responding smile was a thin, shriveled sort of thing. “Oh, I know plenty about you, Wickham. I know you are a wastrel and a philanderer, that you only leave a place when you have gotten as much from it as you can. I suspect that if I were to approach the merchants in town, I would discover that you already have more debt than you can pay.”
If Elizabeth had not been looking for it, she might have missed Mr. Wickham’s slight grimace and the way he looked about uneasily. On instinct, Elizabeth found Jane’s hand, and she clutched it, drawing support from her dearest sister. Jane, she suspected, already knew something of this, for she was acting in a fashion most unlike her usual angelic self, her cool, almost severe expression fixed on Mr. Wickham.
“Now,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, his tone firm and final, “here is how it will be, Wickham. Though I know your need to defame Darcy is ingrained, you will say nothing of him. You will stay away from the ladies, and you will not accumulate any debt in the town. If you cannot abide by these strictures, it will go ill with you.”
Elizabeth saw Mr. Wickham’s wince when Colonel Fitzwilliamspoke of the merchants, and she knew at once that every charge, every accusation was the truth. Somehow, Mr. Wickham had duped Elizabeth, had fed her pretty stories designed to mislead, and she had believed them like a credulous little girl.
Colonel Forster approached as the confrontation continued, his expression showing that he was not amused. Elizabeth had always thought the colonel was a good man, though he was no disciplinarian. What he would do when confronted by a man accused . . . of what Elizabeth could not say, but she did not think he would ignore it.
“Colonel,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, standing up straight. “I am Anthony Fitzwilliam, second son of the Earl of Matlock and a colonel of the dragoons. Mr. Darcy, who recently stayed in this neighborhood, is my cousin.”
Though Colonel Forster eyed him for a moment, he bowed a moment later. Elizabeth understood the reason for the colonel to drop his name and connections—certain names carried weight in their society, meaning Colonel Forster would understand that Colonel Fitzwilliam was not just spreading tales.
“Unlike Wickham here,” Colonel Fitzwilliam gestured at Mr. Wickham, who was staring in uncomprehending silence, “I will not spread stories where anyone can overhear. If you are amenable, I shall visit you tomorrow and lay the matter before you.”
For several long moments, Colonel Forster considered this, then he nodded. “Very well, I will expect you.”
“Colonel,” said Mr. Wickham, desperation coloring his features, “I would advise you not to listen to this man. Darcy has long wished to destroy me—his cousin is no less than his confederate.”
“That is enough, Lieutenant,” replied Colonel Forster. “You may defend yourself when the time comes. For now, I think it is best that you avoid him and keep to yourself.”
Mr. Wickham stared at his commanding officer, then he turned and strode from the room. Colonel Fitzwilliam, seeing this, went to his counterpart, and though she could not hear what he said, the effects were obvious at once.
“Carter,” barked the colonel after conferring for a few moments. “Return to camp and see that Wickham is confined. There is some danger he may decamp.”
The captain saluted and beckoned to a pair of lieutenants, who departed. A murmur of conversation rose around them again, though Colonel Fitzwilliam and Colonel Forster appeared not to notice it. The conference Colonel Fitzwilliam had proposed for the morrowhappened in a corner of the room in hushed voices, Colonel Forster’s mien growing more forbidding by the moment. When they finished speaking, Colonel Forster nodded once and departed, which did not escape the notice of those in the room. While this was all taking place, Elizabeth stood with Jane, wondering what had just happened. Colonel Fitzwilliam joined them a moment later.
“Miss Elizabeth,” said he, sitting near, “I apologize for that scene, but it was necessary. There was need for haste—Wickham is not the sort of man one treats lightly.”
“He told me that Mr. Darcy had offended him,” blurted Elizabeth, aware that her usual composure had deserted her. “Mr. Darcy refused to give him a living and blasted his prospects.”
The colonel’s returning smile was not accusatory, though Elizabeth would have understood it, given her comments about his cousin’s character.
“Wickham’s greatest strength is his ability to induce others to believe him. Believe me, Miss Elizabeth—you are not the first, and I doubt you will be the last.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam paused, then added: “If we move quickly, perhaps we can ensure he does no more damage.”
By this time, the Bennet family had gathered around them, Mr. Bennet appearing grave, Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, and Lydia shocked, while Mary wore her usual judgmental air like a cloak.
“The man is a libertine?” asked Mr. Bennet.
“Among other things,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. “He gambles, he defrauds, and his behavior toward ladies is reprehensible.”
“Is he truly so bad as this?” demanded Lydia, an incredulous note in her voice.
“As bad and worse,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“But he is so handsome!” wailed Kitty. “How can such a man be so depraved?”
“There is nothing more dangerous than a man without scruples coupled with pleasing manners and a handsome mien,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, not unkindly. “You should take this as a lesson; you cannot judge any man by the face he presents to the world. Until he proves himself worthy, you should never trust any man unknown to you.”
“Is there danger to my girls?” asked Mrs. Bennet.
The colonel turned to regard her. “I think we have defanged the snake, Mrs. Bennet. Should he flee before Colonel Forster can prevent him, the army does not take kindly to deserters. At some time oranother, Wickham will suffer the consequences of his actions.”
Mr. Bennet sighed. “Then there is nothing more to be done tonight. With any luck, the colonel will prevent his escape—even if he does manage it, he will be in no position to do any further damage in the neighborhood.”
“I agree.”
