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Chapter 44: George Wickham's Punishment

"No Miss Lydia," I declared, unmindful of the fact that she might in fact be asking her father rather than me. "No one should ever have to be shackled to him. Imagine, promising to honor and obey a man like him!"

In that moment, I saw again Georgiana's face, after she realized she meant nothing to George, I remembered all her months of despondency, of self-doubt. I remembered all of my anger, and oh how it swelled in my chest, and oh how much I wanted to hurt George. There was a sort of roaring in my ears and the edges of my visions greyed out a bit, as I struggled to hang on to my rationality for a few more moments, to reason out a solution.

"He did not do anything to you," I told her. "Here is the story we shall all tell. George was terribly disappointed that your sister chose to marry me and, so, he insulted her virtue out of jealousy, for he wanted to marry her, too, and then I defended her honor."

I turned toward George and merely seeing his face, the look in his eyes, even though his bound face could not smirk, reminded me further of all he had done against me and those that were mine to protect, thereby igniting my anger. Instead of trying to harness and control it, I let it swell into an inferno I could not control, nor did I want to control it.

I unleashed it all through my fists, yelled, "This is for my sister" as with my first blow I broke his nose. I knew because I heard a crunch when I broke the bone and immediately blood began to flow down over his lips and chin, and then to drip upon his clothes. I admired the sight for a moment and then struck him at least three more times in the face, for with him seated it was the easiest part of him to hit.

I would have likely hit him again and again but hesitated and then stopped when I felt Miss Elizabeth grasp my arm and say, "That is enough."

Through the roaring in my ears, I faintly heard a voice say, "I thank you, Brother." I turned, confused at how Georgiana could be here and then realized the words came from Miss Lydia. I understood then, to my great relief, that Miss Lydia had interpreted my careless words as being solely in defense of her, my future sister, rather than being for Georgiana.

I felt myself shaking with my barely controlled rage. I knew I had to tame it, but it was difficult. If only a could have run or broken something. Still, I focused on the feel of Miss Elizabeth's small hand on my arm and forced myself to breathe in and out to the count of five. Slowly, I was able to let the anger drain away (not all away, but enough that I did not fear an imminent outburst).

After some minutes I began feeling the pain in my hands and was able enough to focus on the fact that Mr. Bennet had been talking for some time and praising his daughters and Mrs. Pope for their bravery and determination. Then he added, "While you did very well in restraining him, we must get him out of here and we cannot keep him bound with your ribbons. I want no one to suspect that he made his way up here with one of my daughters."

Mr. Bennet thereupon directed Mrs. Pope to make sure the way was clear down the hall, and Miss Bennet to do the same thing regarding the stairs and the area below it. "Now Mr. Darcy, we shall need to get that man out of here, while keeping him restrained. Do you think you can assist me with that now?"

I nodded, unwilling to trust myself to speak. I watched as Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary and Miss Lydia tried to salvage what ribbons they could which tied George to the chair, but in the end, most had to be cut as the knots were too tight to simply undo. I was hopeful, however, that those shorter lengths might still be used for something. As for those around his wrists and ankles, well those I feared once cut would have to simply be discarded.

As my rationality improved, a certain thought occurred to me. "Leave his hands and feet bound for now. I should like him to remain somewhat restrained for a moment, while I check to see if anything is in his pockets."

When I searched him, I found a heavy purse in one of his pockets, and in the other, an unsigned missive from the Earl. The wax seal was broken, but the paper perfectly matched what he always used, and I was well familiar with the Earl's hand, had seen it upon my own note the other day.

The note read in full:

Here is the renumeration for your efforts up until now. You are to desist at once as an understanding has been reached.

Oh, how I wanted to punch George Wickham again and the Earl, too! I heard my breath huff and a tension throughout my body. I did not want to imagine what they had planned for George to do, before, but unbidden, distressing imagined images flashed before me. How careless the Earl had been with the tool he honed for his use, and how arrogant he had been to think a simple payment and note would be enough to stop George! While I had suspected the Earl might employ George to harm the Bennets, I had hoped I was wrong.

Something in my expression must have shown my great distress, for Miss Elizabeth removed the missive from my limp hand and showed it to her father. Mr. Bennet was the clearheaded one then, for he asked, "Do you suppose he has other letters elsewhere, directing him to harm my daughters?"

I untied the strip of lace gagging Wickham and he spat out spit-soaked handkerchiefs which fell in a wet lump upon his lap. I asked him, "Well, do you?"

Despite his state, he had the audacity to smirk and say as if he were a taunting child, "You shant find out about it from me." At that moment, I dearly wanted to knock all his teeth out.

Mr. Bennet commented, "I feel certain that Colonel Forster is a prudent man. He shall be only happy enough to let us search Mr. Wickham's quarters upon reasonable provocation. Burn that letter now. I have a better idea of what we shall tell them to explain his current condition, which will not impugn any of my daughters' reputations and give us the license to search freely before the militia leaves for Brighton. Darcy, do you think you can support whatever I say?"

I nodded. I certainly preferred an alternative solution to the one I had devised.

When George was no longer restrained, I hauled him to his feet and Mr. Bennet and I each grabbed one of his arms. As we dragged him from the room, Mr. Bennet instructed the ladies, "Do your best to clean up this mess and console Lydia. Then someone should fetch the others and you should decide amongst yourselves which of you shall return to the parlor. Make sure no one says anything about anything. I want you all as surprised as the rest when you hear about what Mr. Wickham did that merited his beating. I think, though, it best if Lydia does not come down."

Mr. Bennet and I then dragged George from the room, down the hall past Mrs. Pope and down the stairs past Miss Bennet, each of which headed back toward Miss Elizabeth's and Miss Mary's chambers. Fortunately, we encountered no one besides them, but I did note that George's nose occasionally dripped upon the floor as we walked. I mentioned this to Mr. Bennet, and he said, "I shall have someone I trust attend to that later."

When we were just outside the parlor, Mr. Bennet told me, "Wait with him here and guard him carefully. I am going to fetch Colonel Forster and Captain Carter.

When Mr. Bennet let go of him, George slumped and slipped down from my grasp, falling heavily upon the floor. There was no need for me to guard him as he merely lay there, moaning softly (whether due to the beating I had given him, or from still suffering considerable pain from being struck in the nutmegs, I do not know). He barely stirred but for occasionally swiping ineffectively at his bleeding nose with the edge of his sleeve. I noted that his face was swollen from my blows and I must have hit him fairly hard in the left eye, as it was already swelling shut with an impressive shiner.

When Mr. Bennet returned with the officers, I heard him explaining to them, "You must take Lieutenant Wickham back to your camp right away. I caught him in my bookroom rifling through my drawers, and what should be in his hands but this purse, packed full of shillings, and my money was all gone." Mr. Bennet held the coin-filled pouch up. "He tried to give me some story about having earned this money from gambling, but I well know that no one can gamble that successfully, and serving in the militia is hardly lucrative work in his post."

At first the officers seemed confused, likely their thought process were slower than they normally would have been, due to all the alcohol they had earlier imbibed. I thought it fortunate that Captain Carter had even been roused. But his nap must have done him some good for Captain Carter commented, hardly slurring his words at all, "Wick-im owes money to haf da men."

Wickham said, "They are lying. That is my own money. He is stealing from me. Mr. Bennet and Bitsy hate me."

"Why would I have any need of Mr. Wickham's money?" Mr. Bennet asked calmly. "I should have listened when Mr. Darcy told me that Mr. Wickham was not to be trusted. This thievery proves it out."

I watched as Colonel Forster and Captain Carter slowly reacted to Mr. Bennet's words. It was as if their thoughts were working at half-speed, but of the two of them, Colonel Forster reacted more quickly, his face forming a frown while Captain Carter's face went from impassive to forming two tense lines between his brows.

After a minute or two, I saw Colonel Forster stare at Captain Carter, who then gave an oversized shrug. Then they both looked over at me. I wondered if Colonel Forster was possibly recalling some conversations he might have had with Captain Carter regarding the warnings I had conveyed about Wickham's past actions.

I saw Mr. Bennet gesture at me. He was making a motion in which he was swirling his hand around. I tried to decide what he wanted of me, and then I recalled I was supposed to support his lie.

I am not all that good at thinking on my feet without sufficient preparation, but I was determined to do my best and, somehow, suitable words came tumbling out. "Yes, sadly George Wickham is a liar, and now I know he is a thief, too. I am sorry to have struck a man wearing the uniform of our King, who was once a favorite of my father," I told them, hoping my face made the lie believable, "but to see how George has failed to mend his ways, and has now resorted to thievery, a man who was once intended for the church, why it made me very angry."

Mr. Bennet added, "Now I suspect that he might have stolen my father's pocket watch as well. It has lately gone missing and while before I thought it merely misplaced, I recall now that I could not find it the day after he visited my house. It was a very strange thing, for I was certain I knew where I had left it in my bookroom, for I keep it in the same place all the time when I am not wearing it, but then it was simply gone.

"I prefer to keep this matter quiet and to cause no distress to the ladies. For some might think one rotten apple had spoiled the whole barrel and of course that is not correct. But I would request that you might let me search his quarters and possessions, on the off chance that he might still have my watch, or perhaps some of my other possessions. I suspect the watch and anything else of mine is long gone, but I wish to check for sure."

"If you can come around half-past nine tomorrow, I will see to it," Colonel Forster decided.

"I do not know anything about a watch," George said in a whiny voice. "It is lies, all lies! They tied me up and hurt me when I could not even fight back, rather than being willing to face me on a field with honor. Bitsy hates me and now his new father is on his side."

"So, what 'ere ya doin' up-pin Mr. Bennin's bookrum?" Captain Carter asked him.

"I was not in his room, I was kissing his daughter, Miss Lydia, up in her room," Wickham answered. "She wanted a little romp before I went away."

Colonel Forster considered. He seemed to be taking a long time to consider everything that was said. "No one believes that. They may be silly girls, but what woman would consent to an assignation in her own home, during a party with her parents about? No, that girl is too fond of society to miss out on any of the fun."

"Oh, she was going to have fun alright!" George responded.

"May I hit him again?" I asked the men.

"You had better not," Mr. Bennet replied. "Lieutenant Wickham is theirs to discipline now."

Colonel Forster responded, "Quite right. Mr. Bennet, I am very sorry that this rascal has behaved in such an abominable way. A thorough flogging and a night and morning in the stocks (for I believe in time-proven methods, old-fashioned or not, and pain and humiliation gets through to a man like few things will), remaining there until we are ready to be away, may be just what he needs. Shall that be sufficient?"

"But I did not do anything. I swear. They are out to get me," George complained.

Colonel Forster ignored George completely, while Captain Carter instructed, "Shut ya bone box or you be gettin' extra lash . . . lash-ins."

George finally fell silent, then.

Mr. Bennet responded, "I suppose that will suffice. I am sure you can understand that I cannot abide having this reprobate in my house any longer; will suffer no thieves in my house."

"Naturally," Colonel Forster replied. "If you would be so kind as to inform my wife that we are leaving, Captain Carter and I will take him to the carriage."

The Colonel and the Captain were still hauling George to his feet (with Captain Carter barely staying upright himself) when Mrs. Forster came out of the parlor with Mr. Bennet. Just as she was exiting, I saw Mr. Bennet pause to let Miss Bennet and Mrs. Pope back into the parlor. The ladies nodded at one another, but Mrs. Forster's nod was only a slight movement. I observed her eyes were narrowed, her lips tight and there was nothing pleasant in her expression, nothing at all.

I am not usually good at deciphering other people's emotions from seeing their visages, but every expression upon Mrs. Forster's face, even somehow the way she held herself, bespoke a sort of raw anger, disgust and dismay. Perhaps it was because she was a young woman not much older than Miss Lydia, and was making no effort to modulate her expression.

Mrs. Forster then narrowed her eyes further, and her upper lip even curled and stuck out as she brought her lower lip up higher, while she gazed in the general direction of where George was being held up between the two men. She declared "I was having such a lovely time, during our last night here in Hertfordshire, and then you had to ruin it."

I was not sure if Mrs. Forster was addressing her husband or George. But the matter was clarified soon enough as when a footman opened the front door, and Mrs. Forster proceeded out first, I saw her pause just on the other side and turn back to speak with her husband. She said in a sweet tone "Oh my dear Colonel Forster, please be careful with him for I have suffered quite enough." She then added in a harsher tone, "I do not want that mutton-headed man, that noddy, that brazen-faced thief, he of the cloven hoof, bleeding all over our new carriage."

In hearing this, I understood that Mr. Bennet evidently told Mrs. Forster (if not the whole of the occupants in the parlor) something about George's thievery and why they had to leave right then. As I believed Mrs. Forster to be long tongued, I thought it was likely half of Meryton would have heard about George Wickham's disgrace before the militia departed for Brighton.

"Do not worry, my darling," Colonel Forster replied. "He will be sitting outside with the coachman. And Wickham, do not even think of jumping down from the coach, for deserters will be hung." By then they were out the door and then it was closed behind them.

"Let us rejoin the others," Mr. Bennet told me. "Doubtless there are plenty of wagging tongues debating why the officers had to leave so soon. It is best if we feign a desire to remain closed lipped, but then gradually give more details away. That shall give my wife, Mrs. Philips and all the rest something to talk about and I should not be surprised if the tale should reach London and half the countryside within the course of a week. Behind such a wall of gossip, my Lydia shall be quite safe."