Thank you all again for the amazing response to this story. I want to take a moment to answer two specific reviews.
The acknowledgement of correct process and protocol in the Regency period is thanks to JaneAustenWorld and my wonderful beta. Without these two resources, I would not be as historically correct and feel the tales would lose something in the translation. Besides, there are so many reader much more acquainted with this time period and their social customs, I dare not make a mistake!
I am not overly conversant with the difference between Lady Marianne and Lady Bainbridge. However, thanks to one reader, I think I now have the right of it. In this story, because Marianne married a man who was knighted, it should be Lady Bainbridge. I never did realise the difference between Darcy's mother being called Lady Anne (because she is the daughter of a peer and not married to one) as vers Lady Lucas (who gained her title by her husband's knighting). Still, for the purpose of this story, it matters not and gives the author a second way to introduce the character in prose, otherwise there would be a lot of Marianne's!
Now, on with the show. Oh, and before we begin, don't shoot me.
Scene II
At the very moment Elizabeth Bennet distracted Georgiana, yet another knock sounded on the door. Mr. Mills did not trust any of the servants to deliver a note to Mr. Darcy. Therefore, he took the message himself. A quiet word in the ear of Jeeves, Lady Marianne's butler, and the man waited anxious in the entryway. It did not take long for his current employer to greet him. They left together rather rapidly after a quick explanation and a farewell to Darcy's current hostess.
"I have done as you ordered," Mr. Mills informed Mr. Darcy as they marched across the square. "I have the gentleman in the west drawing room. He is guarded by three of my best and strongest men."
Not choosing to say anything, Darcy merely nodded and increased his pace, for he wished to have this confrontation over with as soon as maybe. Indeed, Lady Bainbridge's intelligence could not have come at a more impeccable time. The half hour amble he had taken to clear his head on the way to Bainbridge House took less than a third of the time on the return journey. Mr. Mills found himself quite out of breath as they reached the front door of the townhouse.
"Please ask Mrs. Annesley and Hanna to repack their trunks as well as my sisters belongings," Darcy ordered, hesitating to gather his thoughts. He needed this detail out of the way so he could focus on the main objective. "Miss Darcy is to stay the remainder of the summer at Bainbridge House. After I have dealt with Mr. Wickham, you may send in Mrs. Younge when I call for her and then Pilkington a half hour later. I wish to close the house today."
"Sir," Mills stated, somewhat shocked at the very sudden turn of events.
"The permanent staff need not fear," Darcy consoled, understanding many masters would place them on half pay. "They will remain on with their current conditions but you may release the help hired for the summer season, unless another tenant can be located immediately."
"It is height of the season, Sir," Mr. Mills considered the situation, "and property in great demand. It will not take long to let this house, for its location adds to its appeal."
Giving the servant an assessing glance, Darcy asked, "do you know of any family wishing for such a situation?"
"Aye, Sir," Mills nodded. "Mr. Haynes, the attorney with whom you signed the lease, has a list. I am sure he will be able to aid you, for we receive several enquiries a day with regard to the house."
"Very well, I shall write a note," Darcy decided, "requesting his presence as soon as my current business is complete. Please have it delivered and my man await a reply. I should like to close with the attorney as soon as may be."
Their conversation now over, Mr. Mills showed his employer to the west drawing room. Darcy stood at the door for several seconds taking in the sight before him. George Wickham indolently reclined on a seat by the unlit fire. Fine crystal goblet in his right hand filled, no doubt, from Darcy's liquor cabinet. The colour and cut of his clothes were very fine; however, on closer inspection one could see they were worn and slightly outdated. For all intents and purposes, Mr. Wickham presented as a gentleman, something Darcy knew to be very far from the truth.
"Darcy," Wickham, having felt the hair on the back of his neck rise, knew he'd been caught. Nancy Younge warned only last evening, she felt their time had run out. Both intended to give this plan one final attempt before leaving on the morrow, for it seemed Georgiana's tenure at Bainbridge House would continue indefinitely. Then the invitation to this drawing room appeared. Wickham accepted gleefully, but should have known better, he should have smelt the rat, for little came easily to him.
"Wickham," Darcy stated, his eyes becoming cold and grey. They alone displayed his anger.
"It has been an age," George smiled, wondering how he could extract himself from this situation. He had learnt to play the cards dealt early in his life and intended to do so now, to his best advantage.
"Not long enough," Darcy returned. "However, I'm not afraid to say this will be the last time our paths cross. Indeed, I can be assured of it."
"Oh," Wickham's mouth made a perfect O. Something in the way Darcy held himself in check sent a shiver of apprehension down his spine. Usually George could find a word or threat to unsettle the Master of Pemberley, or at least find enough leverage to extract some of what he wanted.
"Let me be very clear," Darcy walked into the room with confidence. On his way, he signalled to the three footmen to close the door. He did not want them hearing his threats, nor George Wickham escaping. "I have, in my possession, debits of honour as well as funds owed, in five separate counties. I will not trifle with the total, but it is enough to see you in debtor's prison for the remainder of your natural life. My cousin, your old friend Colonel Fitzwilliam, is at this moment collecting the bailiff from Marshalsea and the local magistrate whom, I am sure you know, is his distant relation. As you have few friends left to aid in repaying such an amount, and I do not trust you to keep your word, I am left with only this one option."
Turning white as a sheet, Wickham knew the consequences of such an action. Without money, he would be thrown into the general population at Marshalsea Debtor's Prison. Food, better lodgings and the ability to get out and find useful employment to repay one's creditors did not come cheaply. Added to this, criminals with vicious backgrounds, some of whom Wickham had crossed in the past, lived within the walls. Should he pass through the gates of that establishment, George Wickham knew he would scarce survive a week.
"Surely, Darcy," he tried not to let the beads of sweat on his forehead show, nor the quaver of sheer terror enter his voice. The Master of Pemberley had always been a fair and equitable man. However, Wickham had never sunk so low as to attempt a compromise of his sister. "We can come to some agreement? Perhaps a passage to the new world and a small amount to aid me in establishing myself, say £5000. I shall be out of your life permanently."
"I think not," Darcy replied in the softest of tones. "I wish for a more permanent solution. There are other options open to me, although I am loath to use them. I am told, here in Ramsgate, there is a gentleman, if you could call him such, attempting to locate you. A Mr. Duncan McTavish…."
Darcy did not need to finish his sentence. Wickham's face became even paler, if that were at all possible, as the perspiration now poured off him. Lady Marianne Bainbridge's information had come at a most fortuitous time. It seemed George Wickham had suffered rather a losing streak at the gaming tables this last week, necessitating Georgiana's dowry urgently. Mr. McTavish had the urge to meet the young man in a dark alley, with or without funds.
Returning to the door, Darcy knocked once and it opened immediately. He signalled to the nearest, and smallest footman. Whispering in his ear, the man hurried away to return two minutes later with Mrs. Younge. A hand wrapped firmly around her upper arm, he guided her none too gently towards the door, pushing her through. Tripping on her skirt, she went sprawling and it took all of Darcy's will power not to aid the woman to stand.
"Now the entire family is here," Darcy scowled at the woman currently scrabbling to her feet.
Brother and sister looked to one another. Mrs. Young quite obviously blamed her sibling for this misfortune. However, before she could say a word, Darcy produced several sheets of paper from his pocket.
"I believe, Mrs. Younge, you have misrepresented yourself and your qualifications," he stated in an icy tone. In the same voice, Darcy went on to explain his actions, uncovering her web of deceit and lies. "I now know you to actually be Miss Wickham, sister to this cur, having lived with a Mr. Younge for some time without benefit of the act of marriage. Nor have you ever held the position of companion. Indeed, Mr. Younge's family are anxious to regain much of the property taken from their home. I believe there is some question of several thousand pounds and items of jewellery missing from Mr. Younge's safe."
The Wickhams, realising their dire predicament, turned on each other. Darcy watched the descent into a heated argument with a heavy heart. Only yesterday, he'd read Georgiana's letter. By that afternoon, he's sent several express letters, bringing together the major players in this drama. Taking his fob watch from his pocket, Darcy hoped his cousin, with the magistrate and bailiff would soon be in attendance. It took them almost an hour, in which he stood guard, refusing to be drawn into the Wickham family feud.
By the time Wickham and his sister were removed from the townhouse with all the appropriate explanations, Darcy scarce had time to instruct his valet to remove his belongings to Bainbridge House. His sister, it seemed, was welcome to stay for the remainder of the summer with her new companion and maid. Lady Marianne wished for her niece to have the company of a proper young woman of the first circles, namely her new friend and bid Darcy stay for at least a fortnight to come to know those caring for Miss Darcy. It seemed, both Darcy and his sister would be staying in Ramsgate rather longer than expected. He could then return to his pressing matters of business in London, understanding his sister's welfare to be in good hands. Beside, given the attention to Georgiana's reputation, Darcy could hardly refuse this request.
"Pilkington," Darcy frowned. This business had all taken much longer than he expected. If he did not hurry, he would be late to dine at Bainbridge House this evening.
"I have your black satin breeches and coat laid out," the valet explained. "The water is now in the bathing room awaiting your pleasure. I have also taken the liberty of sending the remainder of your things ahead with Mrs. Annesley and Miss Georgiana's new maid."
"Very good," Darcy stated, as he wondered what he would do without the man. It seemed Pilkington was always pre-empting his needs. Indeed the man proved his good judgment only yesterday, minutes after first reading Georgiana's letter. Pilkington suggested Mrs Annesley, the widow of his late cousin and lately in need of a new situation. Fortunately the lady had recently left the employ of Mr Davies daughter upon her marriage. The verbal reference from his most trusted servant, and an enquiry to Mr Davies had been all that was necessary to engage Mrs. Annesley's services.
"Mr. Mills," Darcy requested as he took the stairs two at a time, "please have the carriage ready in half an hour. I do not wish to keep Lady Marianne waiting."
I promise some Elizabeth and Darcy interaction from here on. You'll just have to wait for Thursday. Until then.