“Thank you for coming, Darcy.”
“Not at all. From your letter, I must assume that Wickham has been engaged in his usual tricks?”
“That is no assumption, Darcy. It is a certainty, a pattern you have seen so many times you can predict it in advance.”
“I have,” agreed Darcy.
Fitzwilliam eyed him, appearing displeased. “The danger is removed for the moment, for Colonel Forster, Wickham’s commanding officer, has Wickham locked up, removing all possibility of flight.”
“What happened?”
Fitzwilliam snorted. “Two days before Christmas, I attended a party at Lucas Lodge. Imagine my shock when Wickham walked into the room and began plying Miss Elizabeth Bennet with his brand of pretty manners.”
Darcy’s jaw tightened before he could remind himself to remain unmoved. “I have no concern for Miss Elizabeth. While I suspected she had listened to his tales, I did not think he could hide from her for long—she is discerning enough to detect his falsehoods far sooner than he might wish.”
“Trust me, Darcy—I have everyin Miss Elizabeth’s judgment. But that is a risk, given how practiced Wickham is.”
Fitzwilliam shrugged, though the gesture was anything but uncaring. “When the colonel heard my testimony against Wickham, he visited the shops, discovering that Wickham already had debt markers. This was after Wickham had tried to flee. As yet, it appears that Wickham had no opportunity to seduce any young ladies, and I suppose we must be grateful for that.
“More to the point, what I would like to know is why you did not denounce him, though you knew he was in town.”
Darcy had known from Fitzwilliam’s tone that an accusation was only a matter of time. From his earliest memories, Fitzwilliam had been his closest companion, far closer than even George Wickham when they had been friendly as children. Wickham was the cause of their lone disagreement—Fitzwilliam had always urged Darcy to use the leverage he possessed to ensure Wickham paid for his deeds, but Darcy had always contented himself with washing his hands of the man, telling himself that his father’s esteem for Wickham stayed his hand.
Not for the first time, Darcy wondered if it had been a mistake to ignore Wickham’s existence. It had not only led to Wickham doing what he pleased, no doubt defrauding his fellow man and ruining young ladies to a far greater extent than even Darcy knew, but his inaction had led directly to Wickham’s attempt with Georgiana. Darcy had nothing other than a suspicion, but he thought Fitzwilliam had tracked Wickham down after Ramsgate, not long before he departed for the peninsula. That Wickham had emerged from the meeting in possession of his health was a wonder, for Fitzwilliam had looked for a reason to deal with Wickham for several years now.
“I shall not speak of my father’s esteem for Wickham,” said Darcy, knowing that it would not please his cousin and may lead to their first fight since they were boys. “At this late date, I do not suppose itmatters. If I were to offer a reason, I must say that I did not wish to provoke him to say anything about Ramsgate.”
Fitzwilliam snorted with disdain. “Then you judged incorrectly, for Wickham has made no secret of his intention to ruin Georgiana if I do not allow him to depart.”
The icy hand of rage swept through Darcy as he stared back at his cousin. Fitzwilliam chuckled and replied before he could say anything.
“You need not concern yourself, Darcy. Wickham has had a great many things to say from the confines of his cell, but no one has bothered to listen to him. Given his tales about you and the revelation about his activities in Meryton, no one is interested in listening to his nonsense.”
Darcy exhaled slowly, tension easing from his chest. “I warned Wickham when he departed Ramsgate that he would hold his tongue or suffer the consequences.”
“That did not hold when the consequences came calling anyway,” replied Fitzwilliam. “Now that he feels he has no reason to remain silent, he appears determined to do as much damage to you as he can.”
It was not, Darcy supposed, unexpected. Besides all thewonderfulcharacter traits Wickham had always possessed was a malicious determination to avenge himself on those who crossed him. Had Wickham not known Darcy could use the debt receipts against him at any moment he chose, he suspected Wickham would have done much more than whisper his denunciations where Darcy could not overhear.
“Then there is no more reason to refrain from acting against him,” said Darcy.
“If you will pardon my saying it,” retorted Fitzwilliam, “there never was any reason. Even after you discovered him in Ramsgate, you could have incarcerated him. The only one who might have said otherwise was Mrs. Younge, and she could have been bribed or threatened to keep silent. Or my father might have had her transported.”
Annoyed, Darcy passed a weary hand over his eyes, knowing that Fitzwilliam spoke the truth. He could have brought Wickham to heel years before, but he had always thought it was not worth the bother. Distance had been enough, but that had only emboldened him.
“Then I will not hesitate this time,” said Darcy. “What do the militia mean to do about him?”
“The militia is only involved now as Wickham’s conduct while wearing the uniform has been objectionable.” Fitzwilliam’s voice was tight. “I have pledged for Wickham’s debts myself. They are notruinous, but enough that I can exert control over him. Tomorrow, Forster will release him to the custody of the regular army and a colonel who is known to me and has my trust. With my father’s assistance, I have arranged for Wickham to be transported to the penal colony in Botany Bay. Let Wickham rot there.
“To own the truth,” said Fitzwilliam, “I had considered arranging for him to be transferred to a regiment on the peninsula, but I reconsidered. Wickham is a coward, and though such men usually die in battle, sometimes they take others with them. Given my recent narrow escape, I have no wish to infect a company of innocent men with Wickham, who cares for nothing but his own hide.”
From Fitzwilliam’s look, Darcy was certain he wondered if Darcy would make an issue of his plans. “Then why did you call me to Hertfordshire?” said Darcy, asking after the true source of his annoyance.
“Because, Darcy, I thought you should have some part in Wickham’s fate.”
Fitzwilliam did not add that Darcy should be involved because he created the mess, but he understood the implication regardless. Not knowing whether he should respond, Darcy considered it for several moments. Then Fitzwilliam spoke again, turning Darcy’s attention away from the subject.
“Besides,” said he, his manner turning flippant, “it will give you a chance to rehabilitate your reputation in Meryton.”
