June 1811
When Darcy returned home, he found Lord Matlock anxiously waiting for him.
"Nephew, you have come at last. At White's a few hours ago, I heard several gentlemen say horrible things about Georgiana. The first thing I did was refute such lies, but they showed me the newspaper. I went straight home, and Lady Matlock told me that all of London was talking about her. She is furious with you and Georgiana, but we are willing to help you."
Darcy sighed, "I have just returned from visiting Lady Isabella, and she has ended the courtship. I am leaving for Ramsgate early in the morning." He paused and added, "The gentleman is rumoured to be George Wickham."
Lord Matlock blanched, and he did not say a word for several seconds. Finally, he exclaimed, "It cannot be! Are you sure?"
"I don't know."
After several seconds, Lord Matlock told him, "Darcy, we must prevent Georgiana from getting involved with Wickham at all costs." In a low voice, he added, "Can we speak in your study?"
Darcy nodded, and a few minutes later, they were sitting in his study, drinking a generous glass of brandy. After several sighs and adjusting his ideas, Lord Matlock asked him to pay close attention and not interrupt him.
"What I am going to tell you, very few people know, including Mrs. Reynolds and your mother's former maid, Mrs. Dawson." He paused and continued. "As you already know, my sister's marriage to your father was arranged by your grandparents. I think it would be difficult to find two people with less in common than them." Looking at Darcy, he added, "I know this is going to be hard for you, but your father was in love with another woman his whole life."
Darcy's eyes widened, and he asked, "Who was she?"
"Mrs. Carrie Wickham." He gestured to Darcy not to interrupt him: "They had known each other since they were children, but both knew they could never marry because of their great social differences. Your grandfather would never have allowed it. They had an affair before your father married and then resumed it several years later." He swallowed and added, "I am telling you this because Wickham is probably your father's son."
Darcy was stunned, and for several minutes, memories of his childhood and youth returned to him. His father's favouritism for Wickham, the money he left him in his will, the quarrels with his mother.
"You do realize that if the Ton found out about this, and if it is true that Wickham and Georgiana are having an affair, it would be a huge scandal."
"It is incest!" Darcy exclaimed in horror.
Lord Matlock hesitated and, on second thoughts, decided it was best not to tell him that he was pretty sure Georgiana was not George Darcy's daughter. "The important thing now is to mitigate the gossip. Let us hope Wickham is not the gentleman."
That night, Darcy could not sleep. He always knew his parents were not in love, but he never imagined that his father was in love with Mrs. Wickham, let alone having a clandestine affair with her.
He thought about George Wickham for several hours. He was definitely tall like his father but physically resembled Mrs. Wickham. He could neither affirm nor deny that it was his brother.
And if he were his biological brother, what would he do?
He felt confused, upset, and full of doubts. He recalled various scenes of his father quarrelling with his mother. Now it all made sense. He remembered when he heard his mother say to his father during a discussion, "Like it or not, Fitzwilliam is your legitimate son, not George Wickham."
He was indeed his legitimate son, but he was not the 'son' his father preferred.
Darcy left for Ramsgate alone the following day, as Richard could not be absent from his regiment. When he arrived at Ramsgate, he found very few servants in the house. The housekeeper informed him that Miss Darcy and her companion had left a few hours ago with Mr. Wickham for Gretna Green.
The housekeeper grudgingly told him that one of the maids had seen Wickham and Georgiana lying naked in her bedroom at least twice. The servants knew Miss Darcy and Mr. Wickham were living as husband and wife without the benefit of marriage.
The news was like a bucket of cold water for Darcy. His sister's reputation was utterly ruined, but after what his uncle had told him, he could not allow Wickham to marry her.
If Wickham found out that he might be George Darcy's son, he would try to take advantage of that situation, even though he had no rights as an illegitimate son.
He set off at once for Gretna Green, stopping at every inn along the route to look for the couple. On the second day, he found them.