Page 64 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“Is he a suitor? I do not know if he is only being kind,” Anne said anxiously. “I do not know how suitors behave.”

“I think the nicest ones behave like Mr Bingley,” Georgiana giggled. “Are you tired, Anne?”

“No,” Anne said. “Why?”

“Let us stroll the garden for half an hour before we dress for dinner. We must do our part in helping you build some strength for Monday,” Georgiana suggested.

“Darcy wants us to stay indoors until Wickham is dealt with, Georgie,” Priscilla warned.

“I have no desire to defy my brother, but we have not had the sun upon our faces in three days,” said Georgiana. “We can take footmen with us; as many as you like. My father should join us, he has been too low since…since…”

Priscilla laid a hand upon her shoulder. “You are right, Georgie. We will be safe enough in the garden with my uncle. Your brother will understand. I am happy that you are no longer secluding yourself.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sunday 2 August 1812

Darcy and his cousins met a pair of officers at an inn on the market street. It was from these men that they learned why Wickham did not just take Georgiana, her pin money, and abscond. Wickham owed numerous gaming debts to several officers, including his colonel.

“If the colonel of the regiment was a decent sort, we would have included him in our plans and could have counted upon his assistance,” Richard said. “Such as it is, if a man is low enough to gamble with those in his command, he is low enough to be untrustworthy, in my opinion. We must handle Wickham without the authority of the militia.”

“I could easily use my authority with the magistrate, but it would cause talk, and his colonel would have to be involved, even if the name of Matlock won in the end. We will not subject my uncle to more humiliation,” Ashley Fitzwilliam replied. “We can achieve the same ends with money, subterfuge, and intimidation if necessary. In fact, I prefer it. There will be no one to talk when the bastard is gone from our shores.”

By speaking with Lieutenant Adams and Lieutenant Pulham, they learned that Wickham had realised that every member of his regiment was watching his every move, expecting him to abscond to avoid paying his gaming debts. The boat fare for Newcastle would exceed whatever pin money Georgiana had, and the only way Wickham would successfully escape Ramsgate was by obtaining fare money from his godfather, and at least enough to pay the lower-ranking men and purchase their fare. So he had gone to beg his godfather for help. Help paying his debts and for his journey so that he might more easily elope with the poor man’s own daughter.

When his patron refused, Wickham obviously panicked, for if he must travel by road, he and Georgiana would surely be caught. And if he did not pay his comrades, at least most of them, they would never stop following him. And yet, Wickham had still somehow eluded them all.

“Where is he?” Darcy demanded of the officers across from him.

Darcy had paid some of the men what Wickham owed in order to have better access to the villain without encountering trouble from the other men in the regiment. Yet when Darcy and his cousins went to take Wickham from his post on Saturday night, when he was meant to be on duty in a rather secluded location, he was gone, and no other officer was in his place.

“Don’t know, sir. Disappeared while on duty. We thought you took him, as planned. Left all his personal effects. Don’t think anyone would have done him harm. Everyone would have rather been paid,” Lieutenant Adams explained.

“He could be halfway to London by now, Darcy,” Richard grumbled.

“Doubt it, sir.” Lieutenant Pulham shook his head. “Some of the men roughed him up and took what little he had. I do not believe he has two shillings to rub together. No, sir, he’s around here somewhere, unless he’s walking to London.”

“He’s a deserter, then. It would be suicide to remain in Ramsgate when it is crawling with officers.” Ashley was thoughtful. “If he has no money, he is likely somewhere further in the country, perhaps near the orchards. If he can find an outbuilding, he can sneak out at night and steal fruit and crops from the farms.”

“That is a good idea,” Darcy replied. “We will have someone look around the outskirts of Ramsgate. If I know Wickham, he is close by. He will not leave the vicinity when my father and sister are his easiest targets. He will wait until he can approach them somehow.”

The Bennets did not see the Darcys at church. They returned to their cottage, as usual, and hoped that they would hear from their friends again soon.

“It is difficult to believe that Mr Darcy could fall victim to his own godson,” Mr Bennet said as they dined after services. “I cannot imagine how he must be feeling, knowing the man was plotting to take away his daughter.”

“I hope the two of you have learned something about trusting handsome faces and men in uniform,” Charlotte addressed Kitty and Lydia sternly. “Do you see now why your father and I are so protective?”

“I cannot imagine Mr Wickham doing something so vile. I believe I shall be quite afraid of handsome officers in the future,” said Kitty anxiously.

“A handsome face is no more indication of goodness than expensive gold lettering on leather binding is an indication of an interesting book,” Mary added to the conversation.

“If at least one of you marries by then, we will allow Kitty to be out properly when she turns eighteen,” Charlotte promised. “And Lydia may follow a year later. But I hope we have helped you to feel protected, rather than punished or confined. Both of you were entirely enchanted by Mr Wickham, while your older sisters were far more moderate in his company. Age and experience give you the benefit of discernment. If you cannot tell when a handsome face has no substance behind it, you are better off waiting another year to be properly courted.”

“It is difficult enough to be courted when one does have some discernment, as we learned when I was thrown from Mr Lovett’s phaeton.” Jane sighed as she took a roll of bread from a platter. “You must be sure before you allow a gentleman too close.”

“I was certain that at least you would have been engaged by now, Jane.” Mary sounded depressed. “I have had a few followers, but no one whom I would encourage to propose. It will be embarrassing if we all go home without at least one proposal.”

“It is no fault of ours if we have met no one we thought worth encouraging,” Jane assured her. “And when we return home, our neighbours will learn of our dowries. We left before the neighbourhood found out. I am sure there will be proposals then, though there is no one at home that I have been pining for.”