Author's Note: I've rewritten chapter 17, or at least part of it, so go back and read if you have not already.
Sorry this chapter has taken a bit, I've had a lot going on this last week, plus, the story needed some help to get it moving forward. Thanks for waiting for me to get it figured out and continue to let me know what you think.
Chapter 18
"I still believe it advisable to remove Elizabeth from London, sir," Darcy protested as the gentlemen spoke after dinner. "This matter of Wickham being involved only adds to my concern. I know him entirely too well to be unconcerned when his name is mentioned."
"We cannot remove her from London, not yet," Elliott insisted. "We will need her here after we face Bennet. Of course, she should not go to Longbourn, but she may be called to give testimony."
"Gentlemen, I suggest we speak to Elizabeth in this matter. I know my niece well and know she would not be pleased with these decisions being made for her," Gardiner inserted into the conversation. At this, Darcy flushed slightly and seemed to release some of his frustration. He nodded and began to lead the others from the room.
However, he was halted by his uncle's arm. "We need a plan before we speak to the ladies," he insisted.
"Elizabeth will not respond well to a plan formed without her input. She is not a lady who would allow the men in her life to command her; she is an intelligent woman who is able to consider matters rationally and without excess emotion. Perhaps you would excuse your own wife from such a conversation, but I will not," Darcy stated.
"She is not your wife yet, Darcy," the earl observed.
"But she will be, and I intend to act now as I will then. Her uncle is correct; she would not appreciate not being included in this discussion. If you prefer to remain here and discuss it, you may do so, but I will go and solicit her opinion in this," he retorted before stalking from the room, followed by his cousin.
Gardiner laughed as he watched the young man depart. "He is quite a young man," he said quietly, causing the earl to nod.
"He is a very good man," he replied. "I wish my elder son had turned out half as well. He has always been a responsible child, and since inheriting the estate from his father, has only become more so. I confess, his ease with Miss Tomlinson is surprising, especially given the short duration of their acquaintance." With that, the rest of the gentlemen followed Darcy into the parlour, where the ladies waited.
Darcy was already seated next to his intended and the colonel next to Georgiana. The other gentlemen rushed to sit next to their wives though Mr Elliott, as a bachelor, sat in an armchair between Darcy and Gardiner. After a few moments of general conversation, Georgiana was encouraged to depart to the music room so the others might speak of weighty matters.
"Should she not be involved, William?" Elizabeth whispered to her intended.
"No, I will tell her what we discuss later, but there are things that it is best she not hear in company with others just now," Darcy whispered back. "Your uncle just informed me that Wickham is involved with Mr Collins."
Elizabeth's mouth dropped for a moment into an O. "Is that the man who attempted to elope with your sister?" she whispered back. At Darcy's nod, she looked at him with concern. "What do you think he will do?"
"I would not put it past him to attempt to swindle your uncle's cousin. He is acting as his solicitor in this matter and knows enough about the law to be dangerous," Darcy told her. "That is what we were discussing in my study, but before we make plans, I wished to consult with you. I would like to take you to Pemberley."
"Before we wed?" she inquired with an arched eyebrow.
"Would you rather go to Scotland first, dearest?" he teased before becoming more serious. "I am concerned about your safety, especially knowing Wickham is involved." Darcy began to continue telling Elizabeth what had been done at the solicitor's that morning. Some she knew from her uncle, though some of what was conveyed had been unknown to her.
"Scotland is sounding better and better, William," she said when he finished. "You are concerned about this Mr Wickham's involvement in particular, are you not?"
"I am, Elizabeth," he said. "I know him too well to doubt he will do all he can to injure me. Right now, he is only hoping to fleece a foolish man in order to provide for him, but when he learns I am involved, he will become more determined. I worry for your safety."
The others in the room had listened as Darcy spoke—the gentlemen had already known much of what was shared—but none, other than the colonel, were aware of the full extent of Wickham's depravity.
"Darcy, I know that you and Wickham have had a falling out, but you were friends in your youth. Do you really believe the man would injure Miss Tomlinson to get back at you?" Lord Matlock asked.
"I do," Darcy replied seriously, his tone grave. "Wickham and I have not had a mere 'falling out', Uncle. It was far more serious than that."
As Darcy began to tell the company about his experiences with Wickham—excluding the incident with Georgiana—they gradually came to agree that Darcy was correct. However, Gardiner had already sent a man to Kent to purchase the debts left by Wickham and to use those to imprison the man, at least temporarily, until they could deal with him.
The colonel perked up at this idea; he would love to go to Kent and 'help' George Wickham come to town. The debts paid by Gardiner, combined with the debts Darcy already held, would put Wickham in Marshaelsea for some time.
A half-hour later, it was decided that the party would remain in London for the time being. Gardiner would ensure Wickham was detained in Kent, allowing him to be dealt with at their leisure. The parson was not a factor—a letter informing him that he could not exchange Longbourn for Briarwood was discussed, though, in the end, it was determined it was unnecessary. Of greatest concern was dealing with Mr Bennet and taking him to task for his failure to act as required in regard to Elizabeth.
In the meantime, a companion would be hired to stay with Elizabeth. She and Darcy would be seen around town, and their courtship—they did not want to announce an engagement at the moment—would be made public. Lady Matlock would assist by introducing Elizabeth to other ladies her age while subtly explaining her history and her inheritance to ease her way into society.
Additionally, several footmen would be hired to accompany her for her protection at Darcy's insistence. Something gnawed at him that made him insist more than he typically would have done, and Elizabeth had acquiesced.
"I do not like the restriction on me, but my walks would be curtailed in town regardless, and I will allow it for your peace of mind. However, do know that I do not like to have my actions restricted, at least not without cause. I appreciate that you took the time to explain the reasoning to me," Elizabeth told him when they sneaked into the library to steal a few moments together. After exchanging a kiss or two, he had expressed his concern for his safety and nearly demanded that she not leave the house without accompaniment.
Darcy held her closely. "Now that I have found you, I cannot stand the thought of losing you, dearest Elizabeth," he whispered before kissing her once again. They were breathless when they parted, and Elizabeth stepped away from his arms.
"I can see how easily a woman can lose her sense of what is proper," she stated breathlessly. "I fear I am in some danger from you, William."
"Danger? From me?" he stammered.
"Yes," she replied seriously. "I lose all sense of decorum when I am in your arms, and I fear you do as well. It is yet uncertain when we will be able to marry, so we need to take care."
He was abashed by her words. "I apologise, dearest." His eyes were cast down until he heard her melodic laugh.
"It is well, William," she replied. "You have done nothing I did not wish."
Darcy smiled down at her for a moment, but his expression quickly changed to a frown. "I hate not knowing. We cannot make plans for our wedding until the question of your guardianship is sorted. I realise that eloping to Scotland is not the most advisable idea, but I confess I would very much like to do so."
"I know, but we will still be able to see each other," Elizabeth soothed, stepping forward to place her hand on his arm. "Come, let us join the others. My uncle will want to depart soon."
They returned to the drawing room, where they found the others preparing to leave. "Darcy, we will speak more on the morrow," the earl stated loudly. "My wife has invited your intended for tea—come early so we can talk first."
Reluctantly, Darcy saw his company out and kissed Elizabeth's hand in farewell.
"I will see you tomorrow, dearest," he whispered as he released her. "I will call on you early."
He watched her carriage depart before returning inside. Richard waited for him in the study.
"I think it unwise for you to travel to Kent, Richard," Darcy said without preamble. "At the moment, Wickham is unaware of my involvement in this, and if he discovers that I am interested in Elizabeth, he will attempt to do far more than he is presently considering. I beg you, stay out of it for now."
Richard seemed to consider this before speaking. "Surely he knows you are a trustee of the estate."
"He may, but he does not know of my personal involvement. He does not know that Elizabeth and I are engaged, and you know if he discovers that, it will make him more determined to steal her away from me," Darcy replied. "You know me, Richard, but I have a deep sense of foreboding about that. I desperately want to snatch Elizabeth and carry her straight to the border; damn the consequences and the gossip that may arise. I want to protect her."
"Calm yourself, Darcy," Richard replied, laying his hand on his cousin's arm. After a moment, he poured them both a glass of whisky and brought it to the chairs before the fire. His cousin scrubbed his face with his hand before accepting the proffered glass. The two spoke together late into the night as they discussed and discarded various plans to protect Elizabeth from Wickham and Mr Bennet.