I posted a chapter earlier today, in case you missed it.
Chapter 38
That morning Colonel Fitzwilliam left the house immediately to see to the matter of Wickham. He knew Darcy harbored fears the reprobate would expose Georgianna, but Colonel Fitzwilliam knew Wickham was too self-interested to play his trump card, leaving nothing between himself and the doors at the debtor's prison. That threat was almost all he had, in addition to the love Darcy bore his father, to keep his former friend covering his sins.
Darcy could never see the advantage he held in dealing with Wickham, the man had a way of maneuvering Darcy to feel as though he was at his mercy. Up with the dawn, the Colonel decided to deal with the matter presently, then submit it as finished business for Darcy's review, sparing them both the consequences of his cousin's determined avoidance of confronting his father's sorry Godson.
"Wickety wick!," shouted Colonel Fitzwilliam, intent on making a scene in order that his nemesis would know he was not afraid their dealings would be exposed. Wickham felt immense and immediate fear upon hearing Colonel Fitzwilliam's voice. Few things could send chills through him so fast, as he was quite accustomed to finding trouble. Darcy, he could manipulate, but never his cousin, the Colonel wouldn't be taken in by his threats or even by lingering sentiment for his uncle.
For the Colonel's part, remembrance of his uncle was hardly enough to stay his hand with Wickham. He had liked the man that was his uncle enough, but that was no reason, at least in his eyes, to allow his Godson to wreak havoc on the rest of them. If Uncle George knew what his dealings with Georgianna would be, he would have cut him off and put him out, any father would. Why Darcy couldn't see that, he'd never understood.
Wickham gathered himself and bowed, his excellent manners never failing him. "Colonel Fitzwilliam sir, to what do I owe the pleasure?" inquired Wickham charmingly, even as his fellow officers abandoned him, sensing their acquaintance was in some trouble, they simply wandered off, seeming to be about their own tasks.
"Wickham don't trifle with me, I'm immune to your charms. I'm no adolescent girl. I mean to make myself clear, I understand you've been up to your old manipulations. I've been to your commanding officer, just this morning, and alerted Forester to the depth of your depravity."
"Surely you didn't expose your ward," said Wickham stunned, though it was the wrong thing to say to Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"Shut your mouth, Wickham, you have nothing but deceit with which to regal anyone's ears. I've already informed Colonel Foster of your history of threatening to slander young women if your debts weren't paid by their families. He was appalled, I assure you. He is also committed to seeing none but you pay your debts in Meryton."
What Colonel Fitzwilliam did not say was that Colonel Foster had requested discretion, in order that debts could be investigated while Wickham was sent on a brief errand to London. He was hoping to avoid disturbing the peace of the community and having the Militia gossiped about, resulting in their welcome being less warm. Colonel Foster had agreed to deduct any outstanding debt directly from his wayward lieutenant's pay, and ensure he was conducting himself as a gentleman at all times, lest the reputation of his regiment ruin his career.
Wickham blanched, this was not how he had envisioned his stay in Hertfordshire. Darcy was already scorned here. He had thought to use the sympathy he had garnered by having been at the mercy of such a man, to make the locals easier prey for his more dubious dealings. Empathy had proven to be an effective aphrodisiac for women in the past, rousing their very nature to provide comfort and solace, and almost any man could mourn the ill-used powers of the wealthy - it would be easy work it to rack up debt and suffer no deficit of unpaid affection.
"Furthermore," Colonel Fitzwilliam continued, "I've alerted him to your history of running up debts and ruining young women, as I'm sure he has no desire to see the militia shunned by society for the duration of their stay in the neighborhood.
Let me be clear Wickham, you'll stop slandering my cousins, both of them, or I'll see to it personally, and I'm no Darcy, I come from the arrogant side of the family. You can expect no quarter from me. I've been itching for your downfall for years. Darcy should have quit you the day his father died."
Wickham gaped, seeming about to say something, but Colonel Fitzwilliam dismissed it, and continued, "I believe your commanding officer has a wish to see you, to address the rest of your dealings. Understand this, Darcy has turned your debts over to me. Don't believe I'll deal with you as he did when you step out of line." spat the Colonel, thinking there was no harm in Wickham thinking he wielded more power than he did. Darcy was far too fearful of Wickham to hand over those debts, but it hardly hurt Richard's agenda to have the reprobate thinking he had acquired them.
Richard issued the order for Wickham to report to Colonel Foster and rode into town to acquire a discrete accounting of Wickham's debts, entirely ignorant that his other efforts were simultaneously being undone, due to his aunt's clergyman, and his ridiculous series of proposals.