Monday, September 28, 1812 – Longbourn

Hearing light footsteps in the hall, Mr. Bennet was unsurprised when Elizabeth entered the dining room. She gave a quick smile as she moved to the side and made up a plate of sausages, toast, and eggs. Placing that in the seat next to her father she returned for a cup of tea and settled down to eat. he gave her a small smile and asked "A good morning for a walk?"

"It was perfect and the rest of the day should be lovely."

"What are your plans for today?"

"Hill and I have to go over the house accounts after breakfast. Kitty will be helping me. Then she and I were planning to visit a couple of tenants. We have a charity basket for the Haddons and want to look in on Mrs. Mills who is with child."

"I gather then that Jane and Kitty will be dancing attendance on your mother."

Elizabeth struggled to control a slight frown at this comment. She was finding ever harder to accept her father's disrespect for her mother even as she recognized the truth behind the words.

She quietly replied, "Jane and I agree that it is best if she handle Mama since I seem to excite her nerves a great deal. I admit I find it difficult to be as patient as I should."

Her father simply shook his head as he got up from the table, refilled his cup with coffee and made his way to his library. If he noticed her displeasure, Elizabeth could not detect that from his demeanour. As Elizabeth was leaving the room a few minutes later, her sisters entered and prepared to break their fast. She nodded at Kitty and said, "I will be sitting down with Hill in about a quarter hour in the kitchen. I shall see you then."

Their Aunt Phillips visited that afternoon and obviously had important news for their mother and it was obviously too good not to share as widely as possible. On her way upstairs, she saw no reason not to impart it to Elizabeth, Jane and Kitty who had gathered in the drawing room. According to Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Bingley had given up the Netherfield lease and new owners were being sought.

Elizabeth glanced quickly at Jane but, apart from a small look of dismay, Jane's countenance was quickly schooled to its usual serenity. Anticipating her mother's lamentations, Elizabeth quickly suggested a walk in the garden, a suggestion with which her sisters were happy to comply. As they walked, Jane rebuffed all efforts by Elizabeth to discuss the news, saying only "Lizzy, I cannot talk of this now. Perhaps later tonight." With this Elizabeth had to be content.

Over dinner, their mother's profusions were much as in the past, decrying Mr. Bingley's unworthiness for having treated them all so badly, saying that he had used Jane very ill indeed and lamenting the loss of a suitor with five thousand a year. Jane bore the complaints with no obvious distress.

Later that night as she and Elizabeth prepared for bed, Jane sat on the bed and stated "Lizzy, you must believe me. I have quite given Mr. Bingley up. I still think he was one of the handsomest and most amiable man I have known but obviously his affection for me did not equal to mine for him."

Jane paused and then, looking at the floor, said with some reluctance, "Lizzy, I have a confession. When you were travelling with our aunt and uncle, I had cause to get something from your dresser. I saw the letter from Mr. Darcy and, to my shame, I read it. I know that you hid Mr. Darcy's involvement in convincing Mr. Bingley not to return. I understand why and ask your forgiveness for intruding on your privacy."

Elizabeth could not hide her dismay and embarrassment. Nonetheless she was not unhappy to have this secret revealed and replied "my forgiveness is easily granted. I am happy that I no longer have to hide it. Did knowing of the involvement of Mr. Darcy have anything to do with your change of opinion about Mr. Bingley?"

Jane was slow to answer. "Possibly, I am not sure. I know that I was most disappointed in Mr. Bingley's lack of resolve. I can understand Mr. Darcy being unable to comprehend my feelings, but that Mr. Bingley would do so also is harder for me to accept. It seems to me now that either he lacks resolve or his attentions were not truly serious. In either case, I have to believe he is not the type of man who would make a good husband. I have resolved from this that, in future and should the opportunity arise, I shall make every effort to make my preferences known to an eligible suitor. I have to believe that Charlotte may have been correct and, while I cannot and will not display affections that I do not feel, I do think, should the right man seek to court me, that he be left in no doubt as to my regard."

Elizabeth's face gradually assumed a pensive look and Jane asked, "What are you thinking?"

"I am thinking that the two most amiable men we have met this past year - Wickham and Mr. Bingley - are possibly the least suitable candidates for husbands. Funny, is it not, that the dour Mr. Darcy may be the best of husbands. What value then is amiability?"

Jane laughed "Shall we then look for husbands only amongst men who are disagreeable or reserved?"

Elizabeth chuckled "Perhaps we should. And, if you need to make your preferences known to a suitor, you should take lessons from Miss Bingley. She certainly was not inclined to hide her preferences."

Their giggles lured Kitty and Mary into the room and as the teasing continued, the laughter increased in volume such that Mr. Bennet had cause to request peace and quiet, which was granted reluctantly by all participants.

September 28, 1812 – Darcy House, London

Darcy sat alone in his study, reading for the third time a letter received in today's post.

Fitzwilliam Darcy,

Greetings from one I know you would rather forget all about. As I sure you probably will guess, my situation is rather poor at the moment. I have had to leave the _ Militia under adverse circumstances and while my immediate prospects are not dire, my long term prospects are quite poor. I am sure you are sadly disappointed and surprised to hear as much. Ha!

I know that I have trespassed on your charity quite frequently in the past but want, nay need, to do so once more – I expect for the very last time. You see, I fear my presence in this country is becoming quite uncomfortable. Indeed, there seem to be numerous gentlemen, of one ilk or the other, who desire to be uncomfortably, for me, severe with me. I would like to avoid such an eventuality if possible. Hence my suggestion.

I wish to depart this country for the new world, specifically the rebel colonies. I believe they call themselves the United States of America. Presumptuous bastards! I should feel right at home.

Unfortunately I lack the means to pay my passage or to support myself there until I can find a suitable situation. If you can provide me with passage money and £2,000, I will commit to remaining there for the rest of my days. You will be assured that, by doing so, George Wickham will no longer be a threat to you and your family. I think your father would be pleased if you complied with my request.

Yours,

George Wickham

P.S. Please respond to me in care of Mrs. Younge, Edwards Street.

Darcy scarce knew how to respond. Despite his disgust and anger with Wickham, he still felt some vestige of responsibility due to his father's regard for his godson. As well,the thought of removing Wickham as threat to Georgiana was attractive. He needed advice.

He quickly wrote a brief to note to his cousin and summoned Hodgkins, his butler. "Please have this delivered immediately to Colonel Fitzwilliam. I believe he is staying at _ House at the moment. Have the man wait for a reply. Thank you."

After Hodgkins left the room, Darcy began to consider how he might deal with this opportunity. First, he was definitely not giving Wickham another £2,000 – he would need some funds but not that much since it would likely be gamble away before the boat docked. No, any funds would have to be released when he arrived. Second, hostilities with the rebel colonies would make a voyage there quite difficult. Could he travel to the British colonies first and take passage from there? He thought his cousin might have a suggestion.

He would also need to have some assurances that Wickham would not return. He had bought some debts from Lambton. Perhaps he could acquire those he undoubtably left behind in Hertfordshire. Was his regiment still based there? Richard should be able to find out. The threat of debtor's prison should dissuade Wickham from returning. As well, he apparently deserted the militia. Again Richard would know of possible charges.

Finally, he probably needed some contact in the new world to handle the transfer of funds and arrange passage from the British to the rebel colonies. He must talk to his solicitor on this also.

As disagreeable as it was, Darcy mused on his past with Wickham while awaiting word from his cousin. Hodgkins appeared an hour later and passed a note to Darcy which informed him that Fitzwilliam was not free until about eight in the evening.

At eight that evening his cousin knocked, showed himself into the study, headed to the sideboard for a brandy, took a sip and asked "What has Wickham done now?"

Darcy smiled and said "His final, I hope, piece of effrontery." And he passed Fitzwilliam the letter. His cousin read it once and then again before turning to Darcy saying quite firmly "I hope you do not plan to reply to this! The man is an out-and-out scoundrel."

Darcy shook his head and said quite deliberately "I admit that was my first reaction also. But stop and think, Richard, we might remove him as a threat to Georgiana once and for all. And, I am inclined to help him for the last time because of my father."

"You are mad. I would let him stew in the stews of London. He could be a corpse before the year is out. I doubt he has any true friends left anywhere."

"I fully comprehend your feelings but I am inclined to one last bit of charity." Darcy replied and then began to describe to Fitzwilliam the plans he had sketched out in his mind while awaiting his arrival.

"Richard, I presume you know the probable penalty for desertion that he faces. If I can hold his debts and a military charge over his head, his should have little desire to return."

"It galls me to help the bastard in any manner at all but if you must deal with him, this is as good an approach as I can see. The answer to your question is rather simple. He will face a court-martial and the punishment transportation – to Australia."

Darcy nodded in acknowledgement. "I will see my solicitor tomorrow and begin the proceedings. This cannot be done too soon for my happiness."

"By the way Darcy, I realize Bingley's decision to quit Hertfordshire ruined your plans to approach Miss Bennet but have you given further thoughts to alternate tactics?"

"Not really, Richard. I have been rather busy with the harvest at Pemberley and since I was unable to effect a reconciliation between Bingley and her older sister, I doubt I would be received very favourably were I to call on her. In truth, my feelings have changed little and I fear that hers are also the same."

"She might be visiting her friend in Hunsford again next spring."

"Perhaps, although I would not expect her to want to visit Mrs. Collins at a time when she could expect that I would likely be visiting my aunt. Anyway, enough of this. Care for a game or two of billiards? I instructed Hodgkins to put a fresh bottle of brandy in the room and I need to win my guineas back from you. Honour demands it!"

"Just a final word about Miss Elizabeth. I do hope that you have not relinquished all hope of introducing yourself to her again. I know you have been greatly saddened by her refusal and I hope you know that you have my sympathy. As I said before, she is worth the winning and at some point, I think you should simply visit Hertfordshire and attempt to court her. Show her that you have taken her charges against to heart. Now enough about the lady, I have been practicing, Darcy and, as our aunt would say, I have become a true proficient!" With which the two men moved to the billiard room and a comfortable evening of billiards.