Here's an extra chapter just because. As I mentioned before my version of Mr. Bennet is a bit different than the original. This chapter shows a bit of that. This also tells some of the changes that are happening at Longbourn.
Mrs. Taylor brought in Elizabeth's medicine a short time later. Mrs. Gardiner explained to the woman Elizabeth new method of communication before she and Jane departed. Upon exiting Elizabeth's room, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley asked to escort them back to Gracechurch Street. Once receiving an agreement to the plan, they departed Darcy House with the gentlemen following on horseback. Mr. Bennet was in the study when the party arrived at the Gardiners' home. Mr. Gardiner sat with him playing chess. Mr. Darcy was welcomed and invited to sit. After an update on Elizabeth's condition, Mr. Darcy brought up Mr. Wickham. He gave an abbreviated version of his history of the man and outlined his concerns.
"It would be wise to inform the merchants." Mr. Gardiner agreed.
"They should mind their accounts and not offer credit to those who obviously cannot pay." Mr. Bennet remarked.
"Bennet, many people could be harmed if this man or any of the militia overuse their credit and depart without paying."
"I do not see that happening in Meryton."
"Wickham is quite good at gaining people's trust, sir." Mr. Darcy stated. "He likely has debts of honor among the other militia men as well."
"Gambling is a terrible habit." Mr. Bennet. "Perhaps the men will learn a lesson about holding on to their money better."
"You have as much to lose as any, Bennet, some might even say more so." Mr. Gardiner put in.
"Yes well some may need to hold their tongues lest they be visited by their sister for a full month."
"If it will make you act then I shall endure the visit."
Mr. Bennet studied the two men then looked back to the chessboard. He captured Mr. Gardiner's queen then leaned back in his chair.
"The merchants need not be warned. They have already taken action against the militia men, Mr. Wickham chief among them."
"What do you mean?" Mr. Darcy asked surprised.
"The merchants of Meryton have a rather unique arrangement." Mr. Bennet began. "Part of this arrangement is that they discuss their customers, especially those who buy on credit. When a person's credit accounts reach a certain amount they are no longer allowed to buy on credit. Though there are a few exceptions none of the militia men qualify for those so no need to worry. A few of the men, including Mr. Wickham, reached their limit about a month ago."
"That is...quite brilliant."
"As for the other matter, Mr. Wickham was paying a great deal of attention to Miss Mary King as of late. She recently inherited ten thousand pounds. Her uncle suddenly appeared in Meryton last week to take her to Liverpool."
"She may be safe but other young ladies may not be."
"It has been pointed out by many that he did not begin to pay any attention to Miss King until news of her inheritance had spread. It also came out that he was making promises among some of the merchants daughters just days before Miss King let slip that she and Mr. Wickham had some kind of understanding. An understanding that Miss King shared had been of at least a week's duration." Mr. Bennet explained. "All but the silliest ladies have found that he is all charm and no substance. As for the silliest ones, they experienced a rather enlightening discussion about finances and how much their future husband would need to earn to keep them in the style they have grown accustomed to. While I do not want my daughters to choose a spouse based on income, I do want them to know what they will face if they choose a man of little means."
"How did that conversation go over?" Mr. Gardiner asked curiously.
"Lydia was quiet for nearly an entire day. Kitty asked Mary for lessons on the piano-forte and her mother for lessons on household management. Mrs. Bennet was delighted and decided the younger girls should have the same teachings Jane and Elizabeth received."
"It is about time she took them in hand. If she wishes them married, they need to know how to run their house."
Mr. Bennet nodded.
"So you see, Mr. Darcy, you have no need to worry about Mr. Wickham. For the present at least, he has been rendered harmless."
The gentlemen soon joined the ladies and Mr. Bingley. After a bit more conversation Mr. Darcy and his friend departed. Upon their return, Mr. Darcy shared the conversation he had with the gentlemen on Gracechurch Street with his cousin and friend.
"That is just brilliant." the colonel remarked.
"That was my thought as well." his cousin commented.
"I am glad he can do no harm to anyone now." Mr. Bingley put in.
"Just because he is wrangled for the moment does not mean he will be trouble in the future." Mr. Darcy said, solemnly. "I wish there were a more permanent solution."
"Perhaps the merchants will send him to debtor's prison."
"That's a good idea, Bingley." Colonel Fitzwilliam replied.
"I do not think he has incurred enough debt in Meryton for the merchants to go to the expense of putting him in prison." Mr. Darcy remarked.
"Perhaps not in Meryton, but you do hold a great deal of his debt, Darcy."
"And if I act against him, he could still harm my family."
"Not if he did not know it was you."
"How do you mean?"
"Well if the merchants discovered the true amount of his debt elsewhere and filed for his arrest first then it would not be you acting against him, it would be them. Then if you 'found out' about his arrest and added what he owed you..."
"Even then he could try to cause trouble."
"If you return to Hertfordshire with Miss Elizabeth on your arm, he will cause far more trouble."
"The cost might be prohibitive for the merchants."
"Perhaps someone could help them."
"Wickham would know it was me."
"What if you paid and had Mr. Bennet take the credit?"
"Then he might try to cause trouble for the Bennets."
"What if you sent someone to talk to the merchants? Tell them that he is a representative of a group of gentlemen who wish to remain anonymous but who wish to see Mr. Wickham out of the neighborhood." Mr. Bingley suggested. "You said he had been flirting with several ladies before Miss King. It is possible that some were daughters of gentlemen."
"It could work." Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked. "It would be believable that a group of fathers took up a collection to cover the fees. As long as no one is named, Wickham would not know who to blame."
"I will talk to my solicitor."
The conversation soon turned to lighter subjects and the rest of the day passed easily.
I hope you enjoyed this. Please review.