CHAPTER 29

Wickham paced the darkened alley beside one of the back entrances of the Woodyard Brewery in Seven Dials. He had met and seduced one of the tap room girls who had fallen for his "down on his luck gentlemanly charms", which had secured him free food, lodgings and comforting nights, but he feared he may have pushed his luck by asking her to steal an advance on her pay from the evening's takings. He had used the last of his coin to win her affections two nights earlier, and he had no expectation of a favourable response from his letter to Annabelle Younge. He had to lay low and was unable to approach his usual confederates and bedfellows, having burned all his bridges prior to landing a position with the Warwickshire Militia which took him to Meryton. He cursed that decision, the day Darcy was born, his ill luck at the tables, his weak and dissipated mother, his scrupulous father, the stars that took his gullible benefactor away and any and all circumstances and situations that served to further erode his ability to live as he pleased with no consequences.

That all of these events had not led him to a deeper understanding of his own nature was neither here nor there. Wickham lived to please himself and was incapable of self-reflection, lacking both the wisdom and the depth of character that would assist him in making use of the blessings he had been given since his fortunate birth alongside and within the Darcy largesse. It may have been possible for him to strive towards goodness, his ability to imitate goodness, kindness, compassion and every other virtue necessary for the attainment of his one true goal, led many to hope and believe that real goodness was, indeed, deeply buried within him. It gave him fresh victims at every turn, for it was almost impossible to know the depth of his narcissistic depravity until it was too late to be extricated from his tangled web of deceit.

She was taking too long. He shrank back in the shadows when he heard a scuffle from inside the door. Two moments later he heard a frightened plea for mercy which he knew would herald a confession from Tilly that would not end well for him. He melted away and sprinted south-west towards Mayfair in a split-second decision to throw himself on the mercy of the only gentleman in whose weakness and honour he could always depend. Unbeknownst to Wickham, he was being watched by Lieutenant James, who was following up one of many vague tips from known associates given by Darcy's information. As he watched a man answering to Wickham's description from the shadows, he noticed his agitation just prior to hearing Tilly's plea for mercy and the confession of her accomplice's name before she was unceremoniously thrown into the alley sobbing. He had the presence of mind to give her the directions to Darcy House, knowing his superior would wish to speak to her, and likely assist her, given what he had heard about Betsy, before marking Wickham's flight and giving chase. Tilly was dumbfounded but noting her precarious and vulnerable position having just lost her employment and her lover in one regrettable moment, chose to attend to the promise of justice and the directions she had been given and made her cautious way towards the servant's entrance at Darcy House, praying all the way to a God she had not spoken to since she was a child.

Lieutenant James easily caught up with Wickham but was surprised to note his passage appeared to be taking him towards Mayfair so he paced himself to keep him close enough that he could intercept if he took an unexpected detour but which avoided an altercation if in fact his destination was to be anywhere near Darcy House. He had noted Wickham's nervous disposition and was amazed to see him relax as he entered the environs of Mayfair, adjusting his dress and attempting to make himself more presentable as he approached Grosvenor Street. His posture straightened and even his gait and demeanour became more confident as he put on the persona of a fashionable gentleman returning from an evening out. His chameleon ability to alter every aspect of his person to fit into his surrounds was a lesson to Lieutenant James in the dangers of accepting appearances at face value.

Darcy House was situated just off the Square, no less impressive but far more private for the inhabitants. James struggled to maintain an adequate distance in the residential streets which were less populated with traffic in the late hour of night. He was uncertain about Wickham's intent, concerned about adequate security as no one had entertained the possibility of Wickham surrendering himself at this juncture. He must have known Darcy to be in town, or possibly assumed he could ingratiate himself on the housekeeper or whatever skeleton staff remained when the master and mistress were not in residence. Although grateful that Darcy had instructed his sister and her companion to make Chilton House their temporary home, James knew that Darcy would have ensured adequate protection of the family home remained in place had his sister been present.

Wickham did not break stride as he entered the private lane behind Darcy House and disappeared behind the long hedge. Fearing exposure, James waited and watched, hoping something would occur that would make his next actions clearer. He could see the back entrance had not been breached and wondered if his quarry had intended to hide away until morning. He understood the wisdom of Wickham's flight now, as he knew none of his associates would seek him here immediately, but then was gripped with the sudden realisation that he had sent young Tilly to the very same door. Having no idea when she would arrive, if at all this night, he knew the time to act was now and he took the long way around to avoid notice, knocking quietly at the front entrance, hoping Wickham had not given him the slip and did intend to make his presence known, for whatever purpose, at Darcy House sometime in the next few hours.

Darcy had been unable to sleep, so rose and made his way to his study where he was fairly certain there would be dying embers in the fire he could easily restore to warming flames. As the warmth and light brightened the space, Darcy could not shake the cold sense of unease that had kept him awake. He knew they were drawing nearer to Wickham, hoped that he would be able to hold the line if given the opportunity and prayed for a resolution that would not stain his soul. You are not responsible for Wickham, Darce. These words had yet to make their home in his mind; his responsibilities to his father inextricably linked with the love and hope he had held for his godson until his dying day. He had never tested his father's love against the truth of Wickham's proclivities and so he was now left with a gnawing sense of failure as he contemplated setting Wickham adrift into the inexorable tide of consequences, habitually forestalled and circumvented by Darcy's need to protect his father and then the family name.

A soft knock at the door brought him sharply out of his reverie. Lieutenant James stepped in, relieved the Master was awake and gave his brief summation of events. He was immediately sent to fetch the Colonel and apprise the footmen with as little ceremony as possible as Darcy wondered how to confirm Wickham's location on the property without alerting him of their awareness. Darcy could hardly believe Wickham's audacity, but then considered that perhaps the alternatives available to him at this point were likely worse than anything he had received at the hands of Darcy, which helped to ease his conscience a little.

"Can this be true, Fitz? He has come directly to Darcy House?" The Colonel's urgent whisper at the door was followed by the man himself, still tucking in his shirt, clearly just awakened but bristling with the tightly coiled energy of a battle-hardened soldier. Darcy could see his footmen and officers assembled outside the door, quietly waiting instructions. He nodded to his cousin, who then continued to confer with James, then directed him to return to his position outside via the circuitous route to keep an eye out for Tilly and also ensure Wickham could not change his mind, if indeed he was still there. He asked the remaining footmen whether there was any vantage point within Darcy House that could be used to inconspicuously confirm the presence of an intruder in any particular location near the servant's entrance. Two were sent to verify. The two remaining officers were given instructions to alert the butler and housekeeper and to check all entrances were secure on the ground floor.

"Is this all really necessary? He has apparently come here alone, Richard. He is likely planning to throw himself upon the mercy of my father's legacy or threaten me with potential scandal in the hopes I will continue to pay for his misdeeds and cover his debts. He has tested my resolve for the last time. It will be Marshalsea or transportation or he can take his chances with his creditors in whatever gambling hells he has been frequenting."

"I am not willing to take any chances, Fitz and I do not want to lose this opportunity. We need to be able to secure him until we can alert the Runners and ensure we are squared away legally. I do not want him to escape justice on some absurd technicality, especially if he threatens exposure. Georgie is just now regaining her equanimity and is actually looking forward to coming out now that you have secured her a delightful big sister to guide and protect her through the shark-infested ton."

Darcy bowed his head in acquiescence and poured his cousin a brandy. They waited in silence, Darcy pacing and frequently rifling through the papers on his desk, as though to assure himself all was in order for whatever was to come. The footmen confirmed that there was an unknown person barely visible in the shadow of the tall hedge near the servant's entrance. It would be another 4 hours until the break of daylight rendered his position obvious to anyone using that entrance.

As it appeared he would be easily apprehended, Richard persuaded Darcy to wait and see what unfolded in the next hour. Richard had taken a seat and after swallowing the whole of his glass, settled back into the high-backed chair and closed his eyes. Darcy envied him his peace and eventually settled into his own chair and retrieved Elizabeth's letter just to have something of her in his hands. He tried not to think beyond the moment to anticipate a future without his personal sword of Damocles swinging over him. Just the thought that this may all be resolved before seeing Elizabeth again was too much hope clouding his judgment and his purpose.

Within 20 minutes Baker had returned from his post having managed to intercept Tilly and bring her stealthily to the front entrance. Her large eyes were full of fear and unshed tears, but the gentlemen could not fault Wickham's ability to turn the head of the most beautiful girl wherever he happened to find himself. She was overawed and speechless at all the gentlemen's questions and it was not until Mrs Harrison had been summoned and taken her below stairs to feed and console her that she opened up about her brief, and ultimately life-changing, relationship with George Wickham.

They learned nothing new about Wickham's plans, simply adding another pitiable mark to Wickham's tally of victims and dupes. She did make it clear that his profligate ways were catching up to him, however, and Darcy understood that his connection with Wickham may be the only thing standing between him and an unpleasant, violent death. As much as he desired an irrevocable severance between them, he was not sure he could bear the weight of Wickham's blood on his hands. Handing him over to the law by pursuing justice through debtor's prison or other means may provide a similar outcome, but it tore at his conscience less than allowing Wickham to suffer the natural consequences of his poor choice of bedfellows. He unconsciously caressed the letter he still had in his hands, his conscience at war with his deepest desire to protect those dearest to him. Wickham's worthless life could not compare with them.

Richard had little sympathy for Wickham but having spent time leading men from all stations in life to war, he knew the misery of poor choices, had seen the desecration of men for the happenstance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and knew the unseen stain upon one's soul when another life was taken by your own hand. He would not wish that upon Darcy and would protect him from it at all costs. He saw the moment Darcy's resolve hardened and prayed it was justice and mercy that drove him, and not vengeance. Darcy glanced down at the letter and his eyes softened briefly. He pocketed it in his breast pocket and looked to Richard expectantly. He would let Richard take the lead.

"Thank you for coaxing this information out of Tilly, Mrs Harrison. Please assure her that we will assist her in recovering her employment or if she wishes to relocate, perhaps find a new position for her elsewhere, if you believe she has an adequate character for such? I doubt she would be suitable for domestic work in our circles, but I know Darcy would want to know she is not left destitute because of Wickham. It is also imperative she understand that any assistance provided is contingent upon her good behaviour and her discretion. I will not allow Mr Darcy's generosity to be used against him. By anyone." Darcy nodded his agreement, trusting all to Mrs Harrison's compassion, good sense and virtually infallible discernment. She left to give Tilly the best news she had heard in her difficult young life, and he hoped that another soul would be given an opportunity to rise to a better situation than the one life had handed her.

"So, what now, Richard? The blackguard stands outside my door. Is it best to confront him immediately or let him stew out there as long as he can bear it and let him approach me? Are any of my staff at risk? It appears his circumstances are desperate and that he is indeed friendless, since he was forced to take flight from Meryton."

"I think it best if we wait, as difficult as that is. While he is being watched, he cannot escape, and I would prefer to have him come to us on his own terms. I am still not sure he has come here for you – does he even know you are in town? Mayhap, he is lying in wait for confederates to accompany him for some other nefarious purpose. Perhaps I am crediting him with too much forethought, but I would prefer to know that we are eliminating one enemy, rather than creating more. He was located in Seven Dials, Darce. If he has been reckless enough to make enemies there or in any of the rookeries and has advertised his connection to your family, then we need to know it all. He has fallen hard if his situation has led him to the Dials. I only hope his residence there has been recent – borne of necessity – as it means he may not have had time to make serious enemies. Tilly seems harmless, and at least it appears she was not a prostitute. James does not believe he was followed here by any other than he, but if someone was watching Tilly, or if he let slip enough to suggest he has power or influence over you - that you will continue to protect him or pay his debts..." Richard shrugged. "Your sense of honour and duty to your father's misguided preference for his godson could easily be interpreted as weakness in this situation, Darcy. A weakness that men without honour would be happy to exploit."