"Colonel Fitzwilliam?"
"Yes, sir. A man arrived just now, and he introduced himself as Colonel Fitzwilliam. He is waiting downstairs."
"Please show him into the parlour. We shall be down shortly," Mr Bingley replied. The men hurriedly made themselves presentable then met with the surprise visitor.
"Good evening, Colonel."
"Richard, what brings you here? And at this time of the night?"
"Darcy, Bingley, I apologise for making an appearance in such a manner. I had not planned on getting here so late, but the bad weather has slowed down my travel. Some roads are nearly impassable. But I had to come as soon as I could, to share some news," the colonel explained.
"Is it Georgiana?" Darcy paled. "Please tell me she is well."
"This is not about your sister. I have received information that Wickham has left town, and was on his way to Hertfordshire," the colonel reported.
"Hertfordshire! Why would he come here?" Darcy exclaimed.
"I am not certain, but I would not discount the possibility that he could be here to see you. Perhaps he needs some favour or other from you again."
"I have absolutely no inclination to meet with him. He had squandered his chances of ever retaining any modicum of goodwill from me. If he thinks he can take me in with his tales of misery, then he is sorely mistaken," Darcy replied in a cold voice.
The colonel considered his cousin's countenance. He had known Darcy for many years, and he never fully understood why he did not approve of turning Wickham in to the authorities for all his misdeeds. Part of him thought that Darcy was understandably concerned about safeguarding Georgiana's reputation, but part of him also believed that Darcy did not wish his childhood friend to meet an irrevocably doomed fate.
"Wickham? I know that he has treated you ill, Darcy, but I have never met the man. What does he look like?" Bingley asked.
After hearing the men describe Wickham, Bingley's eyes widened and gasped, "Could it be… the man… the one found unconscious last night… could it possibly be him? It was dark in the room when he was brought in. And I was advised not to go near him prior to being seen by the apothecary, with cases of the pox on the rise in town."
"Where is this man? Take me to him," the colonel urged.
Before leading the men to the stranger, Bingley asked a servant about his condition and was informed that there had been more noises and activity that evening.
"Wickham!"
"That is him! I need my sword!"
"Wait! He is still unconscious," Bingley intervened.
"Not for much longer!" the colonel hissed. "He could be dead soon."
"Colonel, perhaps we should ask him why he is here when he comes to," suggested Bingley.
"We can ask him now," the colonel remarked and started to shake the patient. "Wake up, Wickham!"
Wickham groaned and his lips moved as if trying to say something.
"The apothecary said he thought Wickham said something that sounded like 'colonel'."
"He was calling for me? Well, I am here, you scoundrel! Get up!"
"I think we better leave him to be for the meantime. We can come back in the morning," Darcy spoke solemnly after witnessing no other reaction from Wickham.
"You need to get some rest, colonel. You must have had a difficult journey. I will make sure he is closely watched."
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The next morning, the men, with the exception of Mr Hurst, were the first ones to come down. To avoid being overheard by servants or other guests, they proceeded to discuss matters relating to Wickham in the study. Darcy and his cousin avoided any mention of Georgiana, keeping Bingley unaware of her near elopement. Their main dilemma was what to do with Wickham. Another issue was whether they ought to disclose any knowledge about his character to the other guests. Miss Bingley and the Hurts already had some vague insight into his history with Darcy, but not its particulars.
"He needs to leave as soon as he becomes conscious," Darcy stated.
"Where is he to go?" Bingley asked.
"That is none of my concern, as long as he is gone. The further away, the better."
"He is bound to cause trouble where he goes next. It may be better for the meantime that we know exactly where he is," the colonel voiced his opinion.
"We have other guests here. The Bennets, all of them ladies, and their cousin Mr Collins. Are they not in any danger?" Bingley worried.
"Are they wealthy?" the colonel queried. "Wickham is after money."
"The word is that the daughters have small dowries. Mr Collins is the holder of the living at Hunsford," Darcy revealed.
"Aunt Catherine's parson? Interesting…"
"Mrs Bennet and her two youngest daughters display a total want of propriety. They present themselves as flighty women, lacking manners, tact and wisdom. I have strong reservations about divulging any information to them," Darcy cautioned, giving his cousin a pointed look. "Perhaps it would be best to tell the father instead and he can determine what to tell his family. When the rain clears, we could call at their neighbouring estate, Longbourn."
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
After breaking their fast, the Netherfield party, without Caroline and Jane, were ensconced in the parlour, finding ways to entertain themselves. It had been a few days of dreary weather, and some of them would appreciate any form of change. Fortunately, for the Bennet ladies, the colonel provided a welcome distraction. They found him charming and gallant, which they decided was more than enough to prefer him over his dour and arrogant cousin. The new guest was besieged with numerous questions about his experience as a ranking officer in the army and he did not disappoint in regaling them with his adventures, though some may have been slightly exaggerated. As such, Mr Collins did not have any opportunity to recount his admiration and devotion to his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
"Ahhhh… I feel like I need to stretch my legs after sitting in one attitude for so long. Miss Elizabeth, would you join me in taking a turn about the room?"
Elizabeth startled, surprised to be singled out by the colonel, but was flattered, nonetheless. She quickly recovered and duly accepted.
"My dearest cousin Elizabeth, I would be happy to join you. I know how much you love walking," Mr Collins hastily added, not willing to merely observe from a distance.
"Mr Collins, I heard you have injured your back. It would be best if you continue to rest so you may have a speedy recovery," the colonel told the parson. The latter could not very well disagree with the distinguished nephew of his patroness.
Noticing that Darcy had his eyes on them, the colonel addressed him thus,
"Darcy, would you care to join us? You have been occupied with your book for a good while."
"No, thank you. I do not want to lose my place in this chapter. Besides, the space would not be wide enough to comfortably admit three," Darcy tried to sound unaffected. He very much wanted Elizabeth to lay her hand on his arm but he resisted the temptation.
"Very well. I shall enjoy Miss Elizabeth's company while you may admire her fine eyes and pleasing figure from where you are."
Kitty and Lydia disguised their laughter with coughs, remembering Mr Darcy's insult towards their sister at the assembly.
"I believe it is a family trait. It is known in the village that Mr and Mrs Bennet have handsome daughters," Darcy provided what he deemed to be a safe answer, not wanting to show that he was paying Elizabeth too much attention.
"Mr Bingley, are you still planning on holding a ball?" Lydia called out.
"Yes, definitely. When your eldest sister is well enough, we can name the date. I know someone here may not find much pleasure in dancing, but I think the rest of the present party would be delighted with such a prospect."
"Do you mean my cousin Darcy? He is ill at ease to converse and dance with strangers; however, he improves upon closer acquaintance," the colonel defended his relation.
"Mr Bingley, will you be extending invitations to the officers?"
The man smiled and nodded, his favourable response eliciting squeals from the two youngest Bennet daughters.
"Mama, Captain Carter and Colonel Forster do not call at Miss Watson's as often as they used to. I hope to dance half the night with the captain," Lydia wished out loud.
"Yes! And Lieutenant Denny," Kitty joined in, giggling.
"Colonel Forster is too old for me," Lydia added.
"Colonel Forster?"
"Yes, he is the commander of the regiment here in Meryton."
Before Colonel Fitzwilliam could enquire further about the presence of the militia in the area, the housekeeper informed Mr Bingley that Mr Wickham had only just regained consciousness.
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Hi all.
I am conflicted about what to do with Wickham in this story. I have several scenarios in mind but still undecided about which one to pursue.
I would appreciate knowing if you have any preference. Would you like a Wickham who is:
Very bad, Not overly bad, Semi bad, Good, Reformed, No preference, Other (if you could explain a bit, that would be great)
Thank you very much.
(Chapter subject to editing)