Chapter 30: Future Plans

As it happened, the fate of George Wickham was not something Darcy had given much thought to in recent times, except to begrudge him any good fortune that came across his way. Moreover, of all the conversations that he had imagined having with Elizabeth, the fate of Wickham did not feature. Accordingly, Darcy was ill-prepared to answer the question that Elizabeth put to him.

"I am not sure I understand your question," Darcy responded plainly. "I have done nothing to Wickham. His prospects are what they always were, and he can avail himself of what the world has to offer, unfortunately, if but he would apply himself."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I am not speaking of his prospects, and I am certainly not asking that they be improved. I meant that…there must be some concept of fairness. He needs to be accountable for what he has done. Perhaps more importantly, shouldn't something be in place to ensure that he will not do this again? How many Elaines will you run to the rescue of?"

Darcy was at a loss for words. He had not expected this. "Restitution is beyond Wickham's capacity. He has whittled away the funds he was given, has nothing to his name, and I do not know if it is in his inclination to make an honest living." He paused, saddened by how vast the distance between and a man that should have been like a brother to him had become. "We all – I think – work on hope that people will improve with time and experience. I have certainly harboured such wishes regarding Wickham; the potential every human has to improve and better themselves with time makes a permanent punishment unpalatable. As well, he was my father's particular favourite. How should I honour one while reining in the other?"

Elizabeth seemed taken aback. "Do you believe that he has the capacity to change? Such a man as he?"

Darcy shrugged. "Put that way, likely not."

"But you have hoped that he would?"

"I have tried my best to think about him as little as possible." He sighed, and softened his words. "But I had hoped so, yes. In answer to your original question, nothing is being done about him. I have tried to deal with the problems created by him, but have not grappled with what to do with him."

"Do you disagree that something ought to be done?" Elizabeth asked quietly.

"No!" Darcy exclaimed. "You are right, of course! Wickham is unlikely to be a problem relegated to the past, and of course I should have dealt with him in a timely manner. Something should be done. I just – "

Elizabeth interrupted him. "I did not mean – "

Whatever it was that she did not mean, Darcy could not find out as Bingley walked in then, bringing an end to the conversation. Elizabeth, seemingly embarrassed, bid a hasty exit.

"That did not seem so bad?" Bingley asked cautiously.

Darcy shrugged, but did not respond. He had failed to meet her expectations, yet again. He could not even blame her. How had it never occurred to him that Wickham needed to be controlled so that he did not continue to wreak havoc?

"Is there something I could assist with? No argument is beyond resolve."

Darcy was tired, and his first inclination was to ask his cousin Richard for help in dealing with Wickham. However, it struck him that Bingley, with his calmer and benign demeanour, could suggest a mode of deterrence that would not entirely dishonour his father's wishes.

"Actually, I would like your advice on a different issue. I believe you remember George Wickham?"

Having Bingley at Pemberley was a blessing Darcy could not put into words. He brought cheerful without being foolish, and brought a lightness that Darcy was grateful for. Bingley took it upon himself to organise their days, frequently entertaining the ladies effortlessly. Over a week of his stay had gone by without issue.

As well, Darcy found it easier to engage with Elizabeth from the shadow of Bingley. With pressure of being alone with each other absent, it was easier to attempt the levity and tenor of their earlier conversations, though it was a charade.

He wondered if she felt the same, or what she felt at all. She had avoided him since speaking about the fate of Wickham, and they had been brought together only in public.

"She's wonderful, isn't she?" Bingley asked. They were supposed to be playing billiards, but Bingley seemed to be abandoning the game.

"I wonder whom you speak of," Darcy said drolly.

"Can you not tell?" Bingley asked with some alarm.

"Even the servants can tell that you are completely taken with Jane Bennet."

Bingley grinned. "Darce, I am in love."

"You have known her for a week," Darcy replied patiently.

"I have known her considerably longer, you forget that we knew each other in Hertfordshire!"

"Ah, yes, that had slipped my mind." Darcy set aside his cue stick.

"You are concerned that we do not know each other well enough? You knew nothing at all about Miss Elizabeth, though I suppose the circumstances were different."

"As well, look how well Miss Elizabeth and I are faring. I daresay you should aim higher than our circumstances." Darcy sighed. "Bingley, are you serious in your intentions?"

"I am. Why, are you advising against it?" Bingley asked, worried.

Darcy pondered how to word what he was thinking. "Jane Bennet is a stellar lady. Her steady temperament, understanding, and compassion would be an asset to any man. I daresay that you could do much worse than her…"

"You could not possibly have any objection to her, no one could!"

"As I said, I have no objections whatsoever to the lady. I wonder though, what reception she would receive from your sisters. They expect you to marry better. And…"

"They will have to be satisfied!"

"Their satisfaction may impact the welcome Miss Bennet receives, to your home and family. In any event, I have no objections as your friend. You could have made many a stupider choice. However, while I am your friend, I am also Miss Bennet's guardian while she remains at Pemberley."

Bingley suddenly looked somber. "Are you going to tell her to refuse me? Will you tell her that she can do better? Of course we both know that she can."

"I will tell her no such foolishness Bingley, do not be so silly. I just hope to say something more meaningful or appropriate than anything her father would or could say."

After some moments of silence, Bingley spoke again, his words proving that he was no fool. "If my hand were to be accepted, Miss Elizabeth would be in a position to break of her engagement with you."

"That she would," Darcy replied quietly. The family would have some protection, and Elizabeth not required to secure their future.

"Would you prefer for me to wait?"

"No, no, of course not! I absolutely would not wish for you to defer your own happiness on account of me." This was not something Darcy had accounted for, and only added to his misery, though he thought it a matter of necessity to not let Bingley know. "I have written to Mr. Bennet, asking whether he could make some discreet inquiries about Wickham's debts in Meryton. I also wrote to Richard, to see what can be done about bringing him into the regulars. It is a place from which control of Wickham would be easier," Darcy said, changing the subject.

"Can't his debts be sold to the navy? How much trouble can the man cause at sea?"

"He is an excellent horseman, alas a skill of no use to the navy, though that would be preferable."

"It is not yet a requirement of 40 shillings, is it?"

"No, though it would not surprise me in the least if Wickham owed more than that. But better I do something now, before parliament makes it harder to deal with this sorry mess of a man."

"Darce, why are you worrying about Wickham now? Perhaps you should be focusing your attention on problems closer to home."

Darcy smiled tightly. "As it so happens, Wickham is a problem very much close to home."

Notes:

My sincere apologies for the delay in updating. I had written previously about being very tied up with work. To that, I have to add the sad passing away of my father. I had written this while he was getting worse, and am posting it now while waiting for the undertaker.

This really is a filler chapter, which makes it easier for me to post without needing to much presence of mind. I hope to return soon.