As he emerged from the carriage, he glanced back over his shoulder at the three footmen hopping down from the box and from the back of the carriage. “I still do not believe we should have brought so many with us,” said Darcy. “Wickham knows that you do not have that many servants. When he sees them he will think he can convince you to give him money.”
“He can think whatever he wants,” said Duke Derby. “I do not trust that man to remain civil when he is backed into a corner, and I would rather not see either myself or my daughter hurt when he tries to break free.”
They found the couple in a one-room flat. There was no kitchen, and the room was an absolute disaster. The bed was clearly visible and very disheveled. The two wooden chairs that sat by the window were badly scratched and looked as if they would collapse if anything heavier than a cat sat on them.
“Papa!” cried Lydia. Darcy expected the young lady to show remorse or embarrassment at being found in such a way, but surprisingly, she was delighted. “Have you come to discuss the marriage contract with my dear Wicky?”
Wickham scowled at this nickname, but he said nothing. He was eying each of the five men who were now taking up almost all the space in his apartment.
“Yes, that is exactly what I am here for,” said the duke. “Now, since this is a matter for men to discuss, perhaps you could go wait in the carriage. There is a maid there to keep you company, and one of these footmen will escort you.”
“Yes, Papa,” said Miss Lydia, or rather Lady Lydia. She turned to kiss Wickham on the cheek, which he just barely allowed, then she exited the room with one of the footmen.
“I will not marry her,” said Wickham.
“Yes, you will,” said the duke.
Wickham eyed the footmen. They were not dressed in the uniforms that Darcy used, and Darcy was certain Wickham knew that. He could practically see the calculation going through Wickham’s head.
“Fine,” said Wickham. “I’ll take the stupid chit off your hands for ten thousand pounds.”
Darcy almost laughed out loud. He and Duke Derby had discussed extensively what should be done for the couple, both to help Lady Lydia lead a comfortable and safe life, and to maintain the duke’s new position. They had already agreed that the duke would settle ten thousand pounds on his daughter as well as purchase a commission in the regulars for Wickham.
Wickham did not know it, but though he clearly thought he was asking the impossible, compared to the fifty-thousand-pound dowries that would be settled on his other daughters, this was a pittance.
“Done,” said the duke. “Now, if you would like to get that into writing, you will need to accompany us to a solicitor. Darcy has graciously referred me to his solicitor, a man you might be familiar with.”
“Wait,” said Wickham. “I meant to ask for twenty thousand pounds.”
“Don’t get greedy, young man,” said the duke, a hard edge entering his voice that Darcy had never heard before, never even imagined could be there. “I will purchase you an ensigncy in the regulars, but I will not increase my daughter’s dowry.”
Wickham opened his mouth to speak, but the duke quickly added, “If you press for anything more, these negotiations will stop immediately, and you will be transported to Australia on the next prison ship.”
“You can’t do that!” said Wickham. “I have committed no crime.”
“Oh?” asked the duke. “Is it not a crime to run up debts you have no intention of paying? That is tantamount to stealing, especially when it is clear from the beginning that you intended to defraud every shopkeeper in Meryton. But even if that is not serious enough to have you transported, I believe the word of the Duke of Derby will be enough to see it done.”
“You can’t possibly know the Duke of Derby,” said Wickham. “You are bluffing. Even so, I will take your offer of ten thousand pounds and a commission. You are most generous, sir.”
“The correct form of address would be Your Grace,” said the duke.
Darcy saw Wickham’s eyes bug out, and his mouth opened though no words came forth. After a moment, Wickham closed his mouth and looked to Darcy for confirmation. Darcy nodded. Even now, Wickham knew that Darcy would never lie about something like this.
Wickham swallowed hard and seemed frightened for the first time. “You have been most gracious, Your Grace.”
They all then proceeded to go down to the carriage. With two additional passengers, the carriage was too heavy for the horses to move swiftly. So, the duke gave a couple of his footmen enough coin to hire a cab to get home.
Chapter 10
Their first stop was to take Lady Lydia to Darcy’s house, where she was given a room and a maid to look after her. Though she was oblivious to it, she was also assigned a footman who would follow her wherever she went in the house. She would not be allowed to leave the house until her wedding day.
Once that was accomplished, Darcy, Wickham, and Duke Derby made their way to Darcy’s solicitor. There, the contract was drawn up.
The duke did exactly as promised, but there were a few caveats and conditions. The money was settled on Lady Lydia, and the quarterly payments on the interest of that money had to be picked up by her, in person. Additionally, Duke Derby was willing to pay for Wickham’s promotions in the army up to the rank of major, but only if Lady Lydia was well looked after, and only after at least two years spent at each rank.
Even if Wickham died, Lydia’s money would still not be hers outright, only the interest, though she could determine who she would leave the principle to.
The last stipulation was that neither Wickham nor Lydia would ever be welcome at the duke’s house in London and would only be welcome at Lockwood under specific conditions and by specific invitation.
