Chapter 11 – Departures
Will's anger carried him out into the hall, where he would have collided with the footman if the man had not jumped aside, then out the door and down the steps into Gracechurch Street. As he strode briskly along the street he found his thoughts jumping between the recent conversation with his father and the look on Charles's face when he had stopped Will at the door. By the time he found a hackney carriage and settled in for the ride to Darcy house he decided Charles must just have been upset on behalf of the blonde "angel". Truly the young woman had not displayed the same brazen manners as her younger sister and it was Charles who had approached her, not the other way round.
Will clenched his jaw at the thought of the disagreement with his father and pain shot across his cheek. A bit of gentle exploration with his fingers found the area swelling. He remembered the fiery glare Miss Elizabeth had given him when she called him to task for his insults. He supposed he was lucky she had not knocked him out cold. He had never imagined a slap could be that forceful. If she had punched him instead she might have broken his jaw. As he thought over what he had said he realized a broken jaw was probably still less than he deserved. No matter what he thought of their behavior, Miss Elizabeth was correct; he no right to determine their movements or offer them insults in a house where he was the guest and they the residents.
If he were staying in London he supposed it would be necessary to issue an apology. However, he had no intention of staying in London. Nor would he wait around for another lecture from his father or the inevitable consequences of the scene he had just left. Still under the influence of the anger he had bottled up for so long, Will decided it was time to strike out on his own. He would go to Pemberley for a visit with his sister while he attempted to find a place as a tutor. It might be the last chance he had to see Georgiana for some time.
As the carriage moved through the crowded streets, Will made his plans. First he would stop at Darcy House, pack his trunks to be sent for when he found work and fill his saddle bags with the most necessary items. He would be out of the house and on the road towards Pemberley before his father returned if all went well.
"Sir! What happened?" the butler, Mr. Carroll asked when he opened the door for Will.
"Nothing serious," Will assured him. "Someone slapped me."
Mr. Carroll raised an eyebrow. "Was the individual wearing a metal gauntlet at the time, sir?"
"Does it really look that bad?" Will asked.
"Can you not feel how swollen the area has become? The bruising is very obvious as well. We do not have any ice on hand, but I can send out for some."
"No need, Mr. Carroll. I am planning to leave for Pemberley as quickly as I can get my things packed. I have no time to sit around holding ice chips on my face. Would you ask the stable to have my horse saddled in about an hour."
"Yes, sir," the butler said a little doubtfully. He looked concerned, but did not ask any more questions.
Will took the stairs two at a time and ran to his room. His trunks were still half full. After the lecture from his father the previous evening he had not felt like finishing his unpacking. That would be to his advantage now. Working quickly he began to repack his belongings, setting aside the items he intended to carry with him in the saddle bags. As he gathered his clothes in the dressing room he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror on the wall. Will stopped to look more closely.
Although he could make out a set of small bruises that could have been from Miss Elizabeth's fingers, the majority of the bruising had come from hard contact with her open palm. Between the size of the bruise and the amount of swelling, Will could understand why Mr. Carroll had been concerned. Will had been so busy planning, and so angry before that, he had barely noticed the pain. Now as he stopped to look at it, he could feel the area throbbing and aching.
Suddenly, Will remembered the look of outrage on Miss Elizabeth's face. There had been nothing false or flirtatious about her anger. He saw again the horror followed by embarrassment in Miss Bennet's expression on hearing his insults. There had been nothing false about her reaction either. He took another look at the bruises and acknowledged he deserved them. Quickly he turned back to his clothing and began choosing the items he planned to take with him.
Despite his best intentions it was almost two hours before Will was ready to leave. Everything he thought he might need was packed away in his trunks along with clothes and other items he had outgrown that he might be able to sell if he needed the money. He instructed the trunks to be held until he sent instructions for their delivery. After changing into his riding clothes and packing his saddle bags, Will took a few minutes to quickly eat a light meal and asked the cook to pack some bread, cheese and cold meat to take with him. He felt fortunate his father had still not arrived when he carried the bags out with him to the stable where his horse was saddled and waiting. He fastened the saddle bags tightly, then mounted the horse and set off.
As he picked his way through traffic heading out of town, Will considered the road ahead. He had made the journey often enough over the years he knew what to expect. He planned to travel as far as he could this first day, pacing his horse so he did not have to rest it very often, although what he really wished for was a good, hard gallop. His good sense won out as his anger was cooling. There was no need to push his horse or create delays for himself by behaving foolishly. He would be at Pemberley soon enough.
0o0o0
Darcy and Ashby left the Gardiner home feeling good about the business they had completed that day. After reviewing the new plans for their investment with the other two gentlemen they had returned to the topic of the betrothals. Upon additional discussion Gardiner agreed to the betrothal between Lizzy and Will so long as the arrangement included the clause that would allow her to end the engagement if she decided in the six months before her eighteenth birthday they would not suit. The men worked together to draft out settlement documents for all three betrothals which they would have their solicitors cast into the proper forms over the next few days.
"I am pleased with the arrangements we have made today," Ashby said as he and Darcy settled into the carriage for the ride back to Darcy House. "I plan to let Richard know he has another year in the Army and then he must come back and spend some time courting the young lady. Richard is practical. I think he will take it well, especially when he learns of her dowry. I have heard him say more than once he wanted nothing to do with putting himself forward on the marriage mart although he would probably need a wealthy heiress. I am happy to have found one along with the funds I have been able to put away for him."
"You do not think he might have objections because her father is in trade?"
"Not Richard. And she is not just any tradesman's daughter, she is Bingley's daughter and Charles's sister. My sons respect both men, so I am sure the girl will be acceptable once Susan and Miranda have spent some time with her."
"Charles seemed so pained by Will's outburst. Do you think my son meant those unkind things he said about Gardiner's status?"
"I believe Will had no clue he was insulting Charles at the same time he was responding to your demands he make an apology to the young ladies. I know Will has no real issue with status from his behavior at school. That was quite the performance. I almost thought I was hearing Cathy speak. She does like to have the distinctions of rank preserved, you know." Ashby chuckled, "It is my guess he said what he did as a way to further anger you because of all those times you have lectured him about being too proud to keep company with George due to his status as the steward's son when all Will was trying to do was get away from his tormentor."
"I could just see no other reason than pride for why he would not wish to spend time with such a pleasant boy."
Ashby snorted. "Yet each of the other boys told you at one point or another that it had nothing to do with status and everything to do with the company. You simply did not listen. The boy you thought was so pleasant laughs about your gullibility and used every bit of favor you showed him as a way to twist the knife he has stabbed in your son's back. Do you plan to actually check on his behavior with an open mind? You will have to admit your own culpability in the matter to do so."
"I have trouble believing everything you and the others have told me about George and about my own behavior, but I trust all of you to be honest with me. I need to understand Will's outburst, so I plan to do what you suggested and take those miniatures with me to Cambridge to find the truth. I do not wish to lose my son."
Shaking his head slightly, Ashby answered, "You may already be too late. It has been many years since he stopped believing you would take his side on any matter. In fact, I will be surprised if he is still at Darcy House when we arrive. In his last letter Richard told me Will is so certain you will disown him in the near future your son has been making plans to support himself as a tutor to other young gentlemen. Rather than stay to have you lecture him before throwing him out, I expect he has packed his trunks and headed to Pemberley for the rest of his belongings and a chance to visit with Georgiana before you choose to part him from her company as well."
"I cannot imagine why he would think I would disown him or keep him from his sister. Everything I have heard today seems upside down."
"I imagine it does. You still do not truly believe what all of us have told you about George. Until you do, Will's reactions will not appear sensible. Think about that letter you mentioned. If your most persistent enemy, someone you knew wanted to supplant you, had learned to forge your writing with skill enough to fool your friends and family, would you not be certain that person would eventually succeed in getting rid of you? There is no end to the kind of harm George can do with that dubious talent."
Darcy considered the idea. With a growing sense of foreboding he realized Ashby was correct. If that letter was a forgery, then it was skillfully done. With that kind of skill, written evidence could be forged for the most heinous of crimes and would be believed. Will would not stand a chance of defending himself if no one was willing to question the evidence. Darcy had never been willing to do so before, he admitted to himself. The thought made him squirm a little, mentally and physically.
"How can I protect him?" he asked Ashby.
"First, go learn the truth. Establish his innocence and George's guilt beyond the shadow of a doubt in your heart. You need to remember George has been using Will's name for years in his wrongdoing – use the miniatures instead asking for names. It is the only way you will get accurate information."
Darcy nodded sadly. "If, as you say, Will is already gone, then I will head to Cambridge day after tomorrow. I want to meet with my solicitor tomorrow to get the betrothal paperwork taken care of."
"Will may resent your choice of wife, you know."
"At first, perhaps. Once he gets to know Miss Lizzy I think he will love her."
Ashby chuckled. "They are very well matched – intelligent, thoughtful, well-read and stubborn as mules. If they can get past their initial meeting and decide to marry they could be a powerful team. At the very least she will be protected during the term of the betrothal and Will might gain some relief from the fortune hunters. You know Miranda will be most drawn to Miss Lizzy, while Susan will probably find her the most challenging of the three."
"True enough. I think it will be a good thing for all three girls to spend time with both Miranda and Susan. Your wife and my sister are ladies of elegance and accomplishment, but their approach to teaching the young women will be very different. I look forward to seeing what a year of their influence and teaching will make of those three lovely young ladies."
In addition, Darcy hoped Will would eventually accept the betrothal and make himself agreeable to Miss Lizzy. Even without the proof of George's misbehavior he now expected to find, Darcy regretted much of his behavior towards his son. He hoped he had finally done something right for him, but only time would tell.
0o0o0
Bingley knocked on the door to his son's sitting room, unsure in what kind of mood he would find Charles. After receiving permission to enter he opened the door and stepped inside. Charles sat in an armchair with a glum expression on his face and a half-filled glass of port in his hand.
"What your friend said upset you more than I expected," Bingley said as he took a seat in the second armchair.
"I have never heard him speak like that. He insulted the ladies, he insulted his host and he insulted me. I know he is angry and frightened. Will has been backed into a corner and he sees no good way out of it, but to speak like that..." Charles trailed off, shaking his head.
"As you say, he is angry and frightened. People say stupid things, things they never intended to sound as they do, when they are in that state. As you told Darcy before you left, it has been a long time coming. We had a very interesting discussion after you left and I am glad you opened the door to it with that comment."
"What do you mean, Father?" Charles asked, setting the wineglass down on the small table near his chair and looking at his father with interest.
"I think we finally made Darcy understand young Wickham is not what he presents himself to be. Ashby and I both told him some hard truths when Darcy questioned the meaning of your statements. I think the biggest eye-opener for him was learning the general belief that the Wickham boy is his illegitimate son. He had no idea the rumors existed and he denied they have any foundation."
Charles shook his head. "Then Mr. Darcy's behavior makes even less sense. I know Wickham is his godson, but that is not a close enough attachment for him to favor him over his own son. If anything it makes the situation more insulting."
"I agree. At any rate, we may have convinced Darcy to actually verify the accusations against Will. Did I ever tell you how proud I was of you for convincing the headmaster at Eton to vindicate your friend over that credit incident?"
"I do not think we have ever really discussed it. All I did was prompt the older boys to insist on justice for Darcy and our house."
"You stood up for what was right and you prevailed. I am proud of you Charles. I always have been. I just wanted to make sure you knew that."
Charles blushed slightly. "Well, thank you father. I have always felt you were, but it is good to hear the words."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment before Bingley asked his son, "Tell me, what did you think of Miss Jane Bennet?"
"Oh, Father, she is an angel!" Charles said with enthusiasm. "She is so lovely and such a pleasure to speak with. I hope she will not associate me with Will's outburst as I would love to spend some time with her."
Bingley grinned. "I am glad to hear it, because I have made an arrangement on your behalf."
Charles looked at him curiously. "What kind of arrangement?"
"I hope you will not be upset. There are a number of factors behind my decision that I will be happy to explain to you. Put simply, as of today you are betrothed to Miss Bennet."
Bingley held in his amusement as Charles's eyes widened in surprise. "Betrothed?" he asked in a slightly squeaky voice.
"Yes, son, betrothed." He watched as Charles chewed the thought over, tasting the implications. Slowly Charles's expression turned pleased as he swallowed both the idea and his shock at it.
"Will you tell me the reasons?" Charles asked, grinning as widely as his father now.
"First off, are you aware the Bennet ladies are the daughters of a gentleman?"
"Yes, you have mentioned that before. I was little surprised Darcy, Will that is, had not realized it as well, but perhaps his father has never mentioned them before. They do not really talk about things like we do."
Bingley chuckled. "No, I do not think they do. Mr. Bennet, their father, owns an estate in Hertfordshire. It was fairly prosperous at one time, although it is nowhere near as big as Pemberley or Ashby. However, Bennet has had several spells of illness and the management is left largely to his steward. The estate is entailed through the male line and the Bennets have had only daughters. Miss Jane is the oldest of five girls. When Bennet dies, Longbourn, their estate, will go to a distant male cousin with whom he has had several disagreements. It is likely the man will turn the whole family out as quickly as he legally may."
"That is terrible. Are there provisions in place for them?"
Gardiner and his brother-in-law, Mr. Phillips, will take in his sister and the girls if it becomes necessary. Mr. Phillips has a law practice in the village closest to Longbourn. Over the years Gardiner and Phillips have both set aside a little money for each girl which has been invested to eventually provide dowries. Nothing as big as those I have for your sisters, but far more than the interest on the thousand pounds each they will receive after the death of their mother."
"I am glad they will have something, but I begin to see why Mr. Gardiner was willing to arrange a betrothal."
"There is more. Mrs. Bennet is somewhat flighty and also very fearful of what will happen when her husband passes. She met this Mr. Collins many years ago and is certain she will end up in the hedgerows with all her girls because he is a hateful man. As a result she has put the older two out as soon as they each turned fifteen and has tried to force them into what Gardiner calls inappropriate marriages."
"How old is Miss Bennet now?" Charles asked.
"She is seventeen and Miss Lizzy only recently turned fifteen."
"I thought Miss Elizabeth was seventeen or eighteen," Charles said in surprise.
"She is a very quick-witted young woman and highly intelligent. She has always seemed a little older than her years. Miss Jane has as well, but for other reasons. She has looked after her younger sisters and taken on many responsibilities around the house and caring for the tenants on the estate with Miss Lizzy's help. Both are still a bit too young to marry and I think you are as well. We have put some terms in the betrothal papers that might surprise you further."
Charles waited for his father to continue. After a moment Bingley did.
"You may not know I have become concerned about Caroline and the effect school has been having on her personality," he said.
"She has become rather snippy and unpleasant to be around lately. She has always been somewhat opinionated, but now it feels like she is rejecting everything we are."
"Exactly. I have been looking for an alternate way to help her learn to be a gentlewoman without making her behavior even worse. Miss Jane also requires a little more training and polish to be a truly accomplished lady, as does Miss Lizzy. We will be sending the three of them to the Ashby estate where they will be placed in the care of Lady Ashby. Darcy's sister, Mrs. Evans will also be invited to assist the girls. Over the next year the girls will be trained and prepared for their future by ladies of quality and kindness. You will be given opportunities to court Miss Bennet during that time and come to know each other better. On her eighteenth birthday she will be given the choice to continue with the engagement and marry you as soon thereafter as you both agree or to back out of the betrothal without penalty."
"That seems fair enough, but why formalize the betrothal at all?"
"To calm Mrs. Bennet, primarily. The knowledge her eldest is betrothed will help her feel more settled. The provisions of the agreement will also give Bennet peace of mind which may help him better recover from his current illness."
Charles nodded thoughtfully and then looked at his father again. "Why is Lady Ashby willing to train the Bennet sisters and Caroline?"
Bingley smiled at his son. "Well, you see, yours is not the only betrothal I agreed to today."
"Caroline?" Charles asked in surprise, "Who is she to marry?"
Bingley laughed. "She is betrothed to your friend, Captain Richard Fitzwilliam, with the same conditions as Miss Jane. I know he has become a good man who will treat her well and her dowry will allow him to leave the Army and work on that dream of his."
"What an excellent idea, Father! And Lord Ashby agreed?"
"He proposed the idea. He has met your sister a few times and thinks the two might make a good match. If they do not agree, Caroline will still have had not only the training with the other girls, but sponsorship for a presentation at court next season."
Charles whistled. "That would give her the chance to make an even better match than Louisa if Caroline and Richard decide they are not suited."
"Yes, I am very pleased with the arrangements we made today. I honestly hope you and Miss Bennet will make a match of it. I also think it is time we start looking for that estate I have been saving to purchase. I am content remaining in trade, but I think you will do well as a landowner after the training you have had from Lord Ashby's sons and your friend, Will."
With a sigh Charles said, "I am not certain about my friendship with Will. Why did he not answer me before he left? He sidestepped my question and walked out."
"Son, I do not think he even realized he had insulted you with his tirade. He had no clue what you were asking and was trying to leave as quickly as he could."
"I hope that is the case, but I have trouble believing he could speak like that and not realize it would hurt me."
"Give him time to cool down and then talk to him. The two of you have been friends too long to let one angry outburst come between you."
"I suppose you are right, Father," Charles said before picking up the wineglass and taking a sip. "Now, when can I visit with Miss Bennet?"
Bingley burst out laughing again and Charles joined him in his mirth.
0o0o0
The betrothal documents were drawn up and signed. His business in London was done for the moment. Now, George Darcy waited in his study for word that his carriage was loaded and ready to go. Sitting on the desk in front of him were the porcelain miniatures he hoped would help resolve his doubts about the information he had been given. He studied the differences between the young men as he held the two images in the light from the window.
Even for the portrait Will had maintained that blank look George knew so well. No smile, no emotion, the expression gave nothing away. Now that his attention was drawn to the matter George thought over all his memories of his son. It had been years since the last time he had seen Will smile. Was it when Georgiana was born? Had it been nine years?
George Wickham, on the other hand, always seemed to be smiling. It was part of his charm. Could he really be as bad as they claimed? Darcy realized he had not seen that much of George in the last few years, although the young man sent regular letters. For the first time Darcy realized how often those letters contained subtle criticisms of Will disguised as news, as well as the hints about the need for a new hat, boots, coat or other item to help George appear well in front of his friends. Darcy had often forwarded five or ten pounds to the young man in his responses. Now that he thought on it, those gifts would total a large sum. Will had never hinted at the need for money despite the drain on his funds because he was paying the cost of his lodgings out of his own allowance and Darcy realized he had never sent his own son a single gift of money in all the time he had been away at school.
The knots in his stomach that had been twisting away ever since he decided on making this trip tightened. He was beginning to understand why people thought George might be his illegitimate son. Had he seen such behavior in another man it would have been his conclusion as well.
A knock at the door startled him out of his thoughts. Mr. Carroll poked his head into the room and announced that the carriage was ready. Darcy thanked him as he stood, ready to leave. Pocketing the two portraits with a sigh, he left the room wondering what other revelations he would find on his journey.