The Problem with Wickham

Your wish is my command. Here is the missing scene that should have been posted in January. I apologize for the confusion.

For those of you just joining or wanting to reread the prior posts, here are the links:

What if?, What if? Part II, The Letter, Elizabeth’s Perspective, A Walk at Rosings, A Walk at Rosings Part II, What to Do About Wickham, Return to London, Meet the Gardiners, Meet the Gardiners Part II, Meet the Gardiners Part III, Return to Hertfordshire, The Problem with Wickham, Elizabeth Arrives in London Part I, Elizabeth Arrives in London Part II, A Walk in the Park, and After the Park.

So, as a refresher since it has been so long, this scene goes after What to Do About Wickham. Darcy and Philip have returned from Hertfordshire and Elizabeth hasn’t returned from Kent yet. Since you had to wait so long, this is going to be a long post so I can give you the whole scene. Enjoy!

Thursday morning found Darcy in his study, seriously considering if it were possible to climb the walls. Though invited to join his friend, he had not travelled to Gracechurch Street as he needed to be at home. He now regretted the decision.

Bingley had visited Wednesday morning to invite Darcy and announce his intentions to propose to Miss Bennet. “Had I remained in Hertfordshire, we might be wed by now. I see no reason to delay any longer. I know I have often spoken of ladies being angels in the past, but they all revealed their true natures eventually. Jane is truly an angel. I have never met another being who is able to see the good in people as she does. Even after all Caroline did to separate us, Jane hopes they can be friends again.”

Darcy was uncertain if that made Jane Bennet an angel or exceedingly naïve. He was anxious to discuss it with Elizabeth. He was anxious to discuss anything with Elizabeth. With a moan, he pushed out of his chair and marched to the door, startled to find his butler on the other side.

The man appeared ill at ease and unable to find his words.

“What is it, Smithers?”

“Mr. Wickham wishes a moment of your time, sir.”

Darcy glanced towards the front hall, but the butler shook his head.

“I requested he wait outside until I confirmed you were available.”

“Where is Miss Darcy?”

“She and Mrs. Annesley are in her sitting room, sir. I believe they are working on clothing for the poor until her music master arrives in half an hour.”

Darcy straightened and tugged his waistcoat into place. “Very well. Show him to my study.”

The old retainer nodded and departed to carry out his orders while Darcy took his chair behind the desk. When Smithers returned with Wickham in tow, Darcy remained seated.

“Thank you, Smithers. Have Jasper stand outside in case I have need of him.”

The man bowed and left, closing the door behind him.

“Do you not mean the shopkeepers will not advance you further credit, Miss King’s uncle rescued his niece, and the landowners have learned you should not be allowed near their daughters?”

“You know damn well what I mean. How am I to survive? Why do you feel it necessary to ruin me?”

“I said nothing to any of the shopkeepers, George, and Mr. King had already decided to remove Miss King from the area before I ever met him.”

“A likely story! Even that juicy little Bennet has given me the cut direct.”

“Watch how you speak of the Bennets,” Darcy growled.

An amused grin spread across Wickham’s features, begging to be slapped away. “I knew you were soft on her. You know Miss Elizabeth dislikes you; her feelings were firm before I ever arrived on the scene.”

Darcy forced himself to relax and shrugged. “I repeat, what do you want, Wickham?”

“I want what I am due. You owe me, Darcy.” He sneered. “You wouldn’t want me to tell anyone about what happened last summer.”

“Be careful what you ask for, George. You say you want what you are due?” Darcy arched a brow and smiled before opening a drawer and withdrawing a sheet of paper. He placed it on the desk in front of Wickham.

“What is that?”

“A list of your debts which I have purchased over the years in Lambton, Cambridge, London, and now Meryton. It is quite a sum.”

Wickham lost some of his bluster. “What are you saying, Darcy?”

“I am saying that what you are due is a stay in debtor’s prison, George. I owe you nothing. You on the other hand . . .” He gestured towards the paper.

“Your father––“

“Would be disappointed in what you have become. He gave you every opportunity, George, and you have squandered them all.” Darcy sat back in his seat. “Now, what is it you want me to do?”

“You would truly send me to prison?”

“I tire of this game, George. I wish to live my life without the possibility of you reappearing at any moment to turn everyone’s lives upside down.” He leant forwards and met Wickham’s gaze directly with a cold glare. “I want you to go away. Permanently.”

Wickham’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I have no means . . .”

“I am long beyond caring.”

The door to the study swung open and Philip entered the room. “Wickham!” he cried. “What a . . .” he winked at Darcy, “surprise.”

Wickham jumped from his seat, causing the chair to teeter before settling back into place. “What are you doing here?”

“I am visiting my cousins,” Philip laughed. “I shall not ask why you are here as I am certain I already know. Trying to extort more money from Darcy?”

Wickham returned his attention to Darcy, but one eye remained on Philip. “How shall I live? Darcy, I would be forced to––“

“Work for a living?” Darcy sat back in his seat once more. “In truth, I care not how or if you live, Wickham, as long as I never see you again.”

“What if I leave England?”

The cousins exchanged glances. “That would be acceptable. Where would you go? And how, as you have no money.”

“I am wondering how you are here in London. Does Colonel Forster know you have left Meryton?” Philip took a menacing step towards Wickham. “You realize desertion during wartime is a hanging offense.”

Wickham’s Adam’s apple bobbed again. “He sent me to London with dispatches. I am being dismissed from the militia.”

The cousins exchanged another glance as Philip asked, “Caught you in his wife’s bed?”

Wickham’s countenance paled. “No. With the tales being told by the merchants in Meryton, Colonel Forster thought it best that I remove myself from the area.”

“That would not explain a dismissal.” Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “What have you done, Wickham?”

“The blacksmith’s daughter is saying I took her virtue, but I swear I never touched the girl. She is a hulking thing, more manly than any dandy here in town. I couldn’t have,” he grimaced.

“The blacksmith?” Darcy shook his head. “Not a man I would want to cross.” He looked at Philip. “Did you meet him while we were in Meryton? You and I could stand behind him and no one would know we were there.”

“I did. Saw his daughter, as well. She was exceedingly upset as she had learnt her dear friend, the innkeeper’s daughter, was with child and the soldier was denying it was his.”

“Two merchants’ daughters losing their virtue?” Darcy arched his brow as he returned his gaze to Wickham. “The militia is gaining an unwanted reputation.”

Philip chuckled. “I would say they are ridding themselves of an unwanted reputation.”

“Colonel Forster has withheld my wages, Darcy,” Wickham whined. “I will go wherever you wish, but you must help me.”

“I don’t see why Darcy must help you. Indeed, I would think he would be the last man who would want to help you.”

Wickham stepped forwards, clearly desperate now. “It isn’t just Georgiana’s reputation. I have some intimate knowledge of one of the Bennet sisters as well.”

Darcy growled, “My sister is Miss Darcy to you, and I warned you to guard your tongue in regards to the Bennets.”

“Which?” Philip asked, ignoring Darcy’s glare which shifted to him.

Wickham turned a confused look upon him. “Which?”

“Yes, which of the Bennet sisters. There are five, if I am not mistaken. Which?” Philip sat down in the chair between Wickham and the door, removed his knife and began cleaning his nails with the tip. “We all know the eldest Bennet sisters would never toss aside propriety in such a manner, so it must have been one of the younger two. Was it Miss Katherine or Miss Lydia?”

With another swallow, Wickham muttered, “Miss Lydia.”

“Did you take her virtue?” Darcy asked in a low, deadly voice.

“No,” Wickham said as he shook his head and held out a hand. “Just a bit of kissing and touching in the woods between Meryton and Longbourn.”

Silence reigned in the room while the cousins conducted a silent conversation with their eyes. Finally, Darcy nodded.

“Where are you staying? I will have my man explore a few options and you will choose which suits you best.” Darcy held up his hand before Wickham could respond. “There will be no negotiations. You will choose the package as it is presented and sign a statement that you will never contact me or anyone connected to me and never return to England, or you may find your own way in the world. But know this, George. My door is now and forever after this day closed to you. If you so much as breathe my name, I will see you in debtor’s prison for the remainder of your sorry life.”

Wickham nodded and gave the direction where he could be found. Philip opened the door and requested Jasper, Darcy’s largest footman, to escort Wickham to the door and see that he left the premises directly. When he closed the door behind the departing reprobate, he grinned. “That was fun.”

Darcy shook his head and chuckled. “I have never understood your sense of humour.”

Chuckling gleefully, Philip poured two glasses of whisky and returned to the desk. After handing one to Darcy, he took his seat. “Has Jackson provided the list we requested?”

“He has.” Darcy reached into the same drawer and removed another sheet of paper from his man of business and passed it to his cousin. “May I say again that your knowledge of Wickham’s actions astounds and frightens me. I suspected he would approach me for funds, but not in person.”

Philip shrugged. “A desperate man will do things he otherwise would not.”

“He has been desperate before.” Darcy lifted the glass and took a sip.

“He never had a blacksmith the size of Harold Smith ready to demand he marry his unattractive daughter.”

Darcy sputtered over his drink. “You knew of the accusation?”

A wide grin covered Philip’s countenance. “Miss Smith and I devised the plan.”

“What plan? When?”

His cousin shrugged again. “Just before you and I met on Main Street. She had told me of her friend’s distress and expressed a desire to seek revenge on Wickham. I noted that Wickham has always been wise to choose victims whose families could in no way hurt him. It was her suggestion to lead her father to believe she had also been a victim. I attempted to dissuade her, but she insisted she had no expectations or desires to be wed, so her reputation was worthless to her.”

Darcy shook his head and drew another page from the drawer. “Is her friend Miss Lavinia Barnes?”

“Perhaps. She called her Vinny.”

“Miss Smith’s name is Meredith?”

Philip shrugged once more and drank his whisky.

“Jackson has also accumulated a list of ladies who have felt the effects of Wickham’s attentions. Miss Barnes and Miss Smith are included. They are to be sent to a distant relative of Miss Barnes.”

“What do you make of this list of destinations for our friend?”

Darcy studied his cousin a moment before shaking his head. The girls would be affected by their actions for the rest of their lives. Darcy would see a sum set aside for their care, but Philip showed no true concern for them. They were simply victims of war to him.

“I intend to remove Ireland from the list. It is far too close, with easy access to England.”

“I agree.” Philip took another drink before setting the paper back on Darcy’s desk. “Though I would prefer India, we both know Wickham will never choose it. I wager half a crown he decides on Jamaica.”

Darcy shook his head. “It is probably foolish to bet against you, but I will say the colonies. Wickham has never liked the heat.”

“When will you present him his options?”

Leaning back and staring up at the ceiling, Darcy considered the question. He wanted to make Wickham squirm, but he also wished to report all to Elizabeth Saturday evening when they dined in Gracechurch Street. “I believe the ships sailing to both those locations depart the beginning of next week. Jackson will visit Wickham late tomorrow afternoon and he will be instructed to make his selection immediately or lose the opportunity entirely. All shall be settled before this time next week.”

“You are a shrewd businessman, Darce. I would hate to be in Wickham’s shoes.” He emptied his glass. “But are you still insistent upon giving him five hundred pounds?”

“It is more than enough for a man determined to build a new life. For Wickham,” he shook his head, “I suspect he will lose most of it before he steps off the ship.”

“I would have had him impressed into the navy.”

Darcy smiled, “Wickham is not a sailor. The crossing alone will be miserable for him.”

“All the more reason for impressment,” Philip said with a malevolent laugh.

Did you enjoy watching Wickham squirm as much as I loved writing it? Philip did. lol