Chapter Nine – Ill-Chosen Words
Early Summer, 1803
"Blast!" Will slammed his hand down on the desk next to his account book, wishing it was George Wickham's face he was pounding. Of course, that would invoke retaliation from Will's father as George was just as quick to carry tales now as he had been when they were boys.
Looking again at the results of his calculations, Will wondered if keeping peace with his father really was worth the price. If he had not paid this latest round of debts George had managed to accrue in Will's name his father would have been furious and might have been tempted to disown him. At the least, Darcy would cut off Will's allowance as he had threatened the evening before over another matter.
When making the decision to pay them Will had considered carefully. Despite some earlier drains on his savings from the same source, Will thought the account might have been sufficient for the interest to keep him housed and fed if he placed it in the four percents. With his education he could take employment as a tutor and build the account over time. All chance of investing with Richard at some point would be gone, but it appeared to be gone now anyway.
While he tried not to care about his father's opinion, Will had not wanted to leave Cambridge with any more of a cloud hanging over his reputation than George had already created for him. That consideration had tipped the scales in favor of making the payments. At the time he had not realized the full magnitude of the amount he would have to pay. He had already gone too far to change his course before the true cost became clear.
What truly fueled his rage was George's continued success in creating the debts and other obligations despite all the steps Will had taken to protect himself. No matter what he tried, George was always one step ahead. His latest accomplishment, if you could call it that, was the ability to forge not just Will's signature, but his usual handwriting and writing style. Will suspected George had "borrowed" the collection of Will's letters to his father to use as his models, resulting in the letter Will had learned about the previous evening. His father had confronted him about a request to make payments directly to several merchants Will had never heard of. When he denied responsibility for the debts or the request his father showed him the letter. The forgery was so well done Will knew he would have believed it to be his own writing as well. It was little wonder his father, who already held a poor opinion of his legitimate son, accepted it as his without question.
There had followed the usual lecture about taking responsibility for one's actions and the reprehensibility of hiding behind lies with an addition exhortation about financial responsibility. Will had only just managed to hold his tongue and keep his impassive expression until he was released with the admonition to do better or have his allowance cut off.
A knock at the sitting room door startled Will from his unpleasant musings. With a brief prayer it was neither his father nor a summons from him, he answered the door.
"Bingley! I am glad to see you," he said, with the relief clear in his voice. He motioned Charles inside.
"My father had several errands to run before our meeting later. He dropped me off here in hopes I could travel with you, your father and uncle. He expects to be at the Gardiner home before us. Who did you fear was at the door? I thought your shadow was back at Pemberley." Charles took the seat his friend indicated.
"I was concerned it might be my father come to give me another lecture," Will said, dropping into his favorite chair and running his hands through his hair. Charles looked at him with the question clear in his expression.
"It seems George has a new talent – forgery. Not just my signature, mind. He learned to forge that several years ago. No, he has learned to copy both my handwriting and wording so well even I would not know it from my own, at least for letters to my father."
"Oh, no," said Charles with a grimace. "How much money did he request?"
"A great deal, although he did not ask for it to be given directly to him. The letter requested funds be sent by post to certain merchants in Cambridge, merchants with whose names I am unfamiliar. Of course, I have become acquainted with practically every respectable merchant in the town over the last few years, so I suspect the addresses are for confederates of his who will pass on the funds in return for a payment of some kind."
"Is there no way to stop him?" Charles asked with disgust.
Will huffed in frustration, "None that I have been able to find. My father believes him implicitly and trusts nothing I say in regards to George. He never attempts to verify the facts. I truly wish I had not decided to pay off that last set of debts. I had just finished balancing the account book when you arrived. He has almost drained my savings, and with this new skill of his a complete break with my father is inevitable."
"You still think you could make your way as a tutor?"
"I cannot think what else I might be suited for with no capital to start on. I am a gentleman and that is all I have been raised to be. If my father cuts me off then using my education to my advantage will be the only honorable course available to me."
"You know you may count on me for assistance at any time," Charles assured him. "My father is aware of many of the problems with Wickham including what I knew of this last round of debts you had to pay. He would have no objection to any help I might give you."
"You cannot know how thankful I am for your friendship, Bingley. Although I have not spoken with my uncle directly, I know Richard has passed on information about some of the challenges I have faced with George. Alex has done so as well. My uncle will also help me if I require it, although it would cause some strain with my father."
"Do you truly believe your father would disown you in favor of Wickham?"
"I am not certain. I do know that has been George's goal for years. He has even boasted about his progress to his friends. Joe Clavens overheard him one night at the Eagle shortly before the end of our last term and told me about the conversation. I had suspected it before, but to hear he publicly declared his intent was yet another figurative slap in the face from him."
"Clavens is a good chap, if a little too fond of the drink. It was good of him to warn you. I know he is still grateful for that time a few years ago when you drove off those foot pads trying to rob him."
"Probably. I was glad of the warning even if I have no idea what to do about it." Will shook his head to clear it a bit. "Enough about George. What do you say to a game of billiards? We have a while to wait before my uncle arrives."
"Excellent idea," Charles said with a smile. He stood and waited while Will went to his desk and put away his account book, locking the drawer in which it was kept before pocketing the key.
"Shall we?" he asked, gesturing for Charles to precede him through the door. Together they headed off to the game room.
0o0
The carriage containing the four men rattled along the city streets. The city was familiar to all of them, so they focused on one another as they chatted during the ride.
"I am glad you are able to join us today, Will. Gardiner has wished to meet you for some time. Now that the two of you have graduated it is time you became involved in our dealings." Ashby said with a smile at the two younger men.
"I have met Mr. Gardiner a few times," said Charles, "but have not really paid attention to the work he and my father have done together."
"It is a good time for this meeting, then," Darcy agreed. He looked at Will pointedly, "To keep Pemberley profitable we must have income from a variety of sources to sustain us. Although the estate is well-managed, we never know when we will have a bad growing season or other disaster strike. Bingley and Gardiner have done very well by us over the years."
"Indeed," Ashby confirmed. "In addition to an account with sufficient funds to cover any problems at my estate, I have been able to build a nice nest egg for Richard when he is ready to start that horse breeding operation he dreams of."
Will's joy at that good news, mixed though it was with annoyance that he would not be able to invest with his cousin himself, was dashed a moment later when his father commented, "Yes, I have created a similar fund for George to help him get the best possible start in his adult life." With a sidelong look at Will he added, "He, at least, shows gratitude for the advantages he is given."
Charles thought he heard something like a low growl come from Will. Knowing how much George had recently cost his friend, he knew Darcy's comment was like rubbing salt in the wounds. The tension in the carriage grew.
Lord Ashby also heard his nephew's reaction and sympathized. He found himself once again astounded at the oblivious cruelty of his brother-in-law. Wanting to avoid another acrimonious discussion about George, he remained silent, although he could see all pleasure in the excursion was now gone for Will.
Only Darcy appeared unaware of the reason for the abrupt end to the conversation. Fortunately, it was only a minute or two before the carriage pulled to a stop in front of the Gardiner residence. The door of the house opened as they climbed the front steps and Johnson, the footman, allowed them to enter.
"Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bingley are already in the study, sirs. Please follow me. They are expecting you."
Will looked around as he followed his father and uncle down the hall. Somehow he had expected the house to be little better than a squalid hovel, given its location in the trade district. Surprisingly, at least to him, what he could see of the home was neat, clean and elegantly furnished. Aside from size, the Gardiner residence would compare favorably with Darcy House. In his current ill-humor, he felt almost resentful at having his admittedly unreasonable prejudice proved wrong.
If he had been in a better mood, Will would have also been favorably impressed by the large and comfortable study to which the footman led them. Seeing the number of books on the shelves might have prompted him to take a few moments to browse the titles and comment on the merits of those he recognized. As it was, he did not even notice. What caught his eye instead was a woman he thought to be perhaps seventeen years of age as he could see by her style of dress she was already out in society. She stood by the window and the sunlight pouring in revealed golden highlights in the dark brown hair that was arranged in an elegant style of twists and curls.
Darcy had entered first of the group and to Will's great surprise the young woman's face lit with joy at his father's arrival. He was further surprised and a bit disgusted at the impropriety when she bowed in greeting to his father instead of offering a ladylike curtsy while saying in a melodious voice, "Mr. Darcy! I am happy to see you again!"
That she knew how to greet visitors properly became clear when she curtsied to acknowledge Ashby. Will turned quickly when a second female voice also greeted the gentlemen. He saw another young woman, about the same age as the first, standing in a corner of the room nearest the door. The golden highlights in the first woman's hair could have inspired the overall color of the smooth blonde locks which were arranged with equal elegance although without the curls.
Will suddenly realized his father, far from being insulted, had returned the first woman's greeting with equal joy and was now introducing Will to Mr. Gardiner, the only man in the room he had not yet met. After managing a civil response to the introduction Will and Charles were introduced to the women. The blonde, Miss Jane Bennet, was clearly the older of the two as she was introduced first. Although Will could have predicted Charles would find Miss Bennet the more attractive given his predilection for blondes, he was taken aback by the strength of his friend's reaction. Charles barely acknowledged the introduction to the younger sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he was staring so intently. Will saw a look of amusement pass between all the other men and thought it might be shared by Miss Elizabeth if the quirk of her eyebrow was any indication. For his own part, Will greeted both women with bare civility.
After the introduction Will expected the women to excuse themselves and leave the men to their business. Instead Miss Elizabeth entered into a lively discussion with his father and uncle while Charles joined Miss Bennet in her corner and began to chat quietly with her. By the look on his face he was well on the way to infatuation with another of his "angels" as he called them. Will stood apart from the others, feeling very uncomfortable, which only added to his poor mood.
"What is your opinion, Will?" he dimly heard his father ask.
"Of what?" he snapped.
Darcy looked taken aback by the response. "Were you not listening? Miss Lizzy suggested a major problem with the efficiency of our military and our inability to keep the ships well-staffed is the poor pay for the regular sailors in the Navy."
"Were you considering going to sea as a sailor yourself, Miss Elizabeth? I cannot think of any other reason you might discuss the topic."
"Oh, certainly not," she said, taking his words as a tease instead of censure. "And fortunately women are not yet pressed into service on our Navy's warships. The need for men to be impressed is a result of the poor pay and conditions on ship. That is also a reason why so many of those men desert given even half a chance."
"I suspect there are other reasons as well," Darcy said, glaring at Will. He had recognized the insult Lizzy glossed over, "but I will agree desertion is a problem."
"It is an issue for more reasons than just the loss of men," Lizzy continued. "The desertions and the need to press more men into service prompt our ships to stop both our merchants and those of other countries in order to seek the deserters. Often they take men wrongfully from those vessels. It is an insult to the other nations, particularly to the Americans. I foresee a day when they will call us on that insult."
"You know nothing of the matter," Will said sharply. "Our sailors are paid a reasonable amount and I am certain the tales of wrongful impressment are simple exaggerations. Our ships only stop those suspected of engaging in illegal activities."
"The slight raise in pay given after the mutinies at Spithead and Nore a few years ago were the first change to the salary of a regular seaman since the 1650s. That fact was established during the hearings after the Spithead incident and was one of the major points under negotiation. Even after that, the salaries are too low to tempt most men to willingly sign up for duty."
Will's temper finally snapped completely. He was crossing a line he should never even have approached, but he could not stop the words that began to tumble from his mouth. "I am certain you are incorrect. What does a woman know of such things? If you are going to flirt and attempt to flaunt your so-called knowledge, you should at least do so with a subject more befitting a lady instead of speaking on matters that are only suitable for a tavern wench at the docks."
Ashby, Gardiner and Bingley gasped at the comment and Darcy's jaw dropped hearing the rudeness of his son. "Fitzwilliam!" he admonished, "You embarrass us both with your comments. Miss Lizzy does not deserve your censure. Apologize at once!"
Although he would normally have agreed that his words and attitude were offensive, at this point his father's comments only pushed Will to become more angry and rude. "Why should I apologize to a pair of fortune-hunting tarts who haven't the sense to keep silent and leave the room when it is time for the men to meet, particularly this one, who speaks of things about which she knows nothing?" Will answered testily.
With every eye in the room turned on him now, Will knew the lid on his anger had finally been released to let his ill-temper boil over. He had no intention of backing down from his statements even when Lizzy stepped almost toe to toe with him with fire in her eyes and asked, "What gives you the right to determine when I should come and go in my uncle's house? Or to insult us and call us fortune-hunting tarts without evidence or provocation?"
He looked at her with disdain and said, "How else should one interpret your excessively forward and flirtatious behavior. Clearly you are trying to draw my father in with your cheap arts in an attempt to make yourself the next mistress of Pemberley, just as your sister immediately set herself to capture my friend, who you both know is the only son of a wealthy man. Or are you already my father's mistress without benefit of marriage?"
Will reeled from the force of the slap he should have been expecting after such a speech. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Jane first turn pale and then blush bright red. He could see her tears as Lizzy walked away without another word, pulling her sister with her out of the room before anyone else could recover from their shock.
As the door slammed behind the two young women Charles found his voice. "That was very bad form, Darcy. Even if you are in a foul mood there was no cause to insult the ladies like that."
"No indeed," Gardiner spoke angrily, "it is only my friendship for your father that prevents me from calling you out for your false and unprovoked insults to my nieces."
"Call me out?" Will asked incredulously and in a manner strongly reminiscent of his Aunt Catherine. "What makes you think I would feel obligated to answer the challenge of a lowly tradesman? Especially over a pair of ridiculous chits like that?"
Darcy finally recovered his voice, although he was red-faced and shaking in anger. "You will apologize to our host and the young ladies immediately, Fitzwilliam! I am astounded you could behave in such a manner even with the reports I have had of your failings at school."
Any chance Will might have had to recover his temper and back down was now lost. He idly rubbed at the spot on his cheek where Lizzy's very forceful slap had impacted. He would most certainly have a bruise and part of him realized he deserved it even as his anger continued to rule his tongue.
"Why? What are they to me? Their status is so low there is no reason to be concerned for them. I have had enough of trollops throwing themselves at me and dislike seeing one turn your head in a bid for my mother's place. I will not apologize." Will glared at his father, who looked like he might drop into a fit.
"Has the boy gone mad?" he heard his uncle quietly ask as the older Darcy sputtered and fumed.
"Fitzwilliam Darcy! I am ashamed of you!" His father finally spit out the words.
"How is that news? It seems you are always ashamed of me, no matter what I do. I may as well be condemned for a wolf as a lamb." Will said with deceptive calm.
"That is enough. You will apologize immediately!"
"Why should I apologize for stating the truth about a stupid girl parroting facts of which she has no understanding? It is all another ploy to catch the attention of some eligible suitor. It is clear she will not be able to do so with her looks." Will heard the other men gasp again at his reckless speech and saw that Gardiner looked ready to strangle him, still he could not stop himself.
"She has more understanding of the facts than you do and has no need to parrot anything. Miss Lizzy is intelligent, well-educated and a very pretty girl. Her statements were correct and all of yours were in the wrong." Darcy insisted.
"It was a lucky guess on her part, then. Women have no true intellectual ability. All their little minds can hold is fashion, gossip and ways to compromise a man. She is not even a gentlewoman and yet you expect me to humor her and behave with respect."
"What has gotten into you today, Fitzwilliam? I had hoped you would improve your ways at school, but you have only become worse over time. How I wish you were as good a man as young George Wickham."
Will was shouting now. "That is what it always comes down to, is it not? Well, I should be ashamed if I were only as good a man as George bloody Wickham! I thought you wanted me to behave as a good and honorable man. That is what you always tell me. Well, what is so honorable about George spending his days gambling and drinking, running up debts, forging letters and chasing after anything in skirts? What is there to admire about a man who made it through his studies by lying and cheating? Or is that behavior actually what you admire? Perhaps that is why I can never gain your approval. I am just not dissolute enough. Well you can have your golden boy! Now that I am out of school I am finally done with him! I think I am done with you as well!"
Will turned to leave, but found Charles standing in his way at the door. He had no idea why his friend looked so hurt. The study was silent but for Darcy's labored breathing. Charles gulped a few times and then quietly asked, "Did you mean it?"
"What?"
"All those comments about Mr. Gardiner's status. All those insulting words."
"What? Oh, never mind. Will you come with me Bingley?"
Charles shook his head and stepped aside. Will looked at him oddly for a second before he shook his head and quickly left both the room and the house. Charles looked defeated.
"I hope he did not mean it. I know we have often joked about my status as the son of a tradesman, but he has never said anything like that before. I never expected to hear such vile words from someone I have long thought of as my best friend in the world. I think I must leave as well. I will find my own way home." He turned to go and then turned back again.
"You should know, Mr. Darcy, that outburst has been a long time coming even if it came out very poorly indeed. I do not know why you cannot see the truth, but every word he said about George Wickham was true, even if all the rest was beyond rude. You pushed him to this point, a place without hope, and I think he no longer cares that you will disown him now. I hope his comments about status and tradesmen were just his anger boiling over, but they have called into question our whole friendship. Lord Ashby, if he talks to you later tell him I do not wish to see him for a time. I..I.." his voice trailed off and he too walked out the door leaving the four men to stare after him.
