Miss Bingley did not go downstairs. In truth, she had scarcely slept at all, tossing and turning throughout the night, considering various schemes to overthrow Charles’ proclamation. She had momentarily considered throwing herself at Jane Bennet’s feet and begging for mercy, but had dismissed the idea at once. She finally fell asleep sometime after dawn.
By the time the latecomers thought to ask, Mr. Darcy had already been gone several hours.
***
At Colonel Forster’s house, Mr. Darcy was asked to wait in the small parlour. Colonel Forster had taken advantage of Mr. Bingley’s generosity at the ball, and had awakened with a throbbing headache and a dry throat. Upon hearing that Mr. Darcy awaited him downstairs, the Colonel rushed through his ablutions and managed to greet his visitor a mere thirty minutes after his arrival.
“How may I assist you this morning, Mr. Darcy?” If the Colonel accentuated the wordmorningjust a bit, he could not be blamed, for his headache truly was throbbing.
“I have with me proof of your Lieutenant Wickham’s debts to me in excess of one thousand pounds.”
The Colonel’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. “Indeed?!”
“Yes; it is my intention to have him arrested for debt; I inform you of this as a courtesy, as I will return shortly with Sir William Lucas who, I understand, is the magistrate.”
“He is, yes. May I enquire, Mr. Darcy, whether these debts are of long standing?”
“Many of them, yes; others are no more than six months old.”
“May I further enquire as to what prompted you to take action at this time?”
“It does not signify,” Mr. Darcy replied, shortly. “But I ask that you confine Wickham in some manner; the moment he gets wind of what we are about, he will run.”
Colonel Forster sighed and rubbed his temples. “Very well, Mr. Darcy; I shall do as you ask.”
Mr. Darcy took his leave, mounted his horse and rode to Lucas Lodge. There, he was forced to wait another half an hour for Sir William to be made presentable. He restrained his impatience, reminding himself that this was to be expected; certainly no one in Town would be awake before noon after a ball. When Sir William at last appeared, Mr. Darcy explained his errand.
Sir William invited him to his study and asked to see the papers. He looked each one over carefully, and finally said, “You are well within your rights to demand payment from Lieutenant Wickham. If he cannot pay –“
Mr. Darcy interrupted. “I am certain he cannot.”
“I am sure you are right; he will then be held in a spunging-house in London, as we have no such facilities here, and he will eventually be imprisoned.”
“I am aware of the consequences, Sir William,” Mr. Darcy replied, coolly. “I visited Colonel Forster before coming to you, and he said he would have the man confined, awaiting your appearance.”
Sir William sighed. It appeared he would not be breaking his fast anytime soon. “Do you wish to accompany me, Mr. Darcy?”
Mr. Darcy and the Colonel had spoken of how they wished very much to see Wickham’s face upon hearing his fate, but it was best not to see his childhood friend begging and pleading for mercy, as he might just be tempted to grant it. The rational think to do was to write to his attorney in London, explain the situation, and let the law take its course. “No, Sir William, I think not. I leave this in your capable hands.”
***
Back at Netherfield, Mr. Darcy found his host, his cousin and the Hursts still lingering over their breakfast.
“Darcy! Where have you been?”
“You are looking rather bleary-eyed, Bingley.”
“I am certainly entitled to look bleary-eyed after my own engagement ball, I think,” Mr. Bingley returned.
“Fair enough,” Mr. Darcy agreed. Taking his seat, he signaled to the footman to pour him a cup of coffee.
“Wickham?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.
“Taken care of,” Mr. Darcy replied, succinctly.
“Indeed! Well, that was certainly fast. And?”
“And I hope to take you back to London as soon as may be. I will spend one night with your parents and then leave at dawn tomorrow for Pemberley.”
