Page 77 of Master of Himself

“I advise you to heed our brother, Caroline, because you won’t be welcome at Netherfield either,” Charles said. “I’ve had my fill of your constant complaining and sniping.”

Caroline gritted her teeth, then shifted her focus to Henry and assumed a blank façade. “You may put your mind at ease, Henry. I shall be a model of restraint.”

“I should hope so,” Henry said as he resumed his seat. “I’m certain Miss Huntington taught you better.”

Charles raised his teacup to his host. “I salute you, Henry, and apologise for not checking our sister earlier.”

“I should have done so long before now, but I suppose we’ve both learned a lesson or two lately, haven’t we?” he said with a glimmer in his eye.

“Lord, yes. We’ve had a time of it.”

Caroline and Louisa exchanged curious gazes.

“You especially,” Henry added with a sideways glance at Caroline.

Charles cringed at the memory of his sister’s relentless attention at Netherfield this past fortnight. “But order has been restored at last.”

Henry’s shoulders quivered with silent laughter. “You’ll hear no argument from me.”

“What are you going on about, Henry?” Louisa inquired.

“Don’t trouble yourself over it, dearest,” Henry said, returning his full attention to his breakfast.

“Will you attend the assembly with us tonight, Charles?” Caroline inquired in a tranquil tone, as though she hadn’t just been threatened with eviction.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Charles was confident that Colonel Fitzwilliam would thoroughly enjoy the event.

***

Darcy broke his fast with Georgiana and Mrs Annesley as though that day were the same as any other. He listened attentively as his sister recited a long list of studies that she and her companion planned to pursue that day.

“I have a few business matters to attend to, but I’ll return in plenty of time to dine with you tonight,” he said, revealing no hint of the enormity of his errand.

Once the ladies had retired to the library, he called for his carriage and set out for the bank. Once he had secured the required draft, he then travelled to Surrey Street to collect Wickham.

When he gained entrance to the boarding house, a footman directed him to the dining room where he found George still at breakfast, wearing a brown coat and beige waistcoat. “I wasn’t expecting you so soon,” he said.

Knowing of Wickham’s tendency to bolt, Darcy had decided against sending a note to advise him of his pending arrival. “All the arrangements have been made. I’m here to take you to Whitehall.”

Wickham contemplated his steaming cup of coffee for an extended moment, then swallowed it down in a few gulps. He swiped two rolls from the sideboard and stuffed them into his coat pockets. “I’ll just need a few minutes to collect my things,” he said, then left the dining room.

Rather than leaving Wickham to his own devices, Darcy followed him up to his room. George neatly folded his red militia coat and tucked it into his knapsack, then added his shaving kit. “I’ll need someone to return this to Colonel Forster,” he said.

Darcy nodded. “Once you’re sworn in, a courier will see to that.”

After a final look around the empty room, they descended the stairs, and spoke to the proprietor one last time. Since Darcy had already paid for the full week, no outstanding charges remained. Outdoors, he whistled to his coachman who brought the carriage forward and waited for them to board. Having already discussed today’s itinerary with the driver, they immediately set out for Whitehall.

They passed the time in silence for a short while, until Darcy recalled Wickham’s precipitous flight from Derbyshire. “Are there any outstanding debts of honour in Meryton that must be settled?” he inquired, knowing George had reneged on past commitments.

Wickham didn’t meet his eyes. “A few.”

“To merchants or militia comrades?”

“Both.”

Once again, Darcy cursed himself for failing to warn the neighbourhood about Wickham’s deceitful tendencies. “I trust they have your vowels,” he said, to which George nodded. “I’ll see to them.” He gritted his teeth, now knowing that another large expenditure awaited him in Hertfordshire.

“When you decide to sellout, your commission is contingent on your good behaviour, and may be forfeited if you cross the line.”