Lord Fane immediately requested a private audience with Mr. Darcy; remembering what Bennet had put him through, Mr. Darcy merely listened to the passionate young man declare his love, then heard the plans he had for Georgiana’s well-being in terms of pocket money and so on, and then promptly gave his consent. Lord Fane told him that Georgiana had confessed her almost-elopement, prompting Mr. Darcy to tell him of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s mission to Newcastle.
“So it might never come to light at all, if the Colonel is successful! So much fuss and worry for nothing,” Lord Fane said.
“I have heard nothing from the Colonel, but I will let you know as soon as I do,” Mr. Darcy promised.
***
In bed that night, Elizabeth whispered, “Mrs. Annesley was so right! Georgiana dealt with the situation on her own, and we showed that we trusted her by not going after her.”
“It is very, very good of the Fanes to be willing to risk Wickham’s revenge, though I still hope that Richard’s mission will be successful.”
“I hope that he kills the man,” Elizabeth said under her breath.
Chapter Forty-Six
April 1815
It was a weary and travel-stained Colonel who finally arrived at the militia camp in Newcastle. He presented himself to the guard stationed at the edge of the camp. “I am Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, and I am here to speak with your commanding officer, Colonel Rowley.” His tone spoke of authority, and the guard responded to it.
“Yes, sir!” The man executed a snappy salute and led the way through the camp.
Colonel Fitzwilliam entered the command tent, and was immediately welcomed by Colonel Rowley, who offered him a comfortable seat and refreshments.
“Thank you, Colonel. I am grateful for your hospitality.”
“You have come all the way from London on horseback?”
“Yes.”
“Your errand here must be urgent indeed.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam hesitated. How much family business should he relate? Very little, he decided. “I hope to speak with one of your men, a Lieutenant George Wickham, on a personal matter.”
Colonel Rowley frowned. “Is he a friend of yours?”
“I would not call him a friend.”
“That is just as well, as he is in prison.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s jaw dropped open. “In prison?”
“Yes; he tried to leave camp with my own horse, if you can believe that.”
“Desertion and horse theft!”
“Precisely.”
“What will you do with him?”
“Shoot him at dawn, unless you are here to rescue him. If the latter, I must say you have cut it fine indeed, as punishment is to be carried out tomorrow.”
“Would you actually permit me to rescue him?” the Colonel wondered.
“You would need a mighty fine reason, as he has been nothing but trouble for me.” Colonel Rowley eyed his guest carefully.
Colonel Fitzwilliam thought about it, long and hard, while Colonel Rowley waited patiently. Whatever decision he made was one he would have to live with for the rest of his life. Finally, he said. “I will not interfere. I understand that he has a wife and two children. Does she know his fate?”
Colonel Rowley hesitated. “Mrs. Wickham was told, and she immediately went into hysterics. She has not visited her husband in prison, and I am given to understand that she has not left her lodgings.”
