Chapter XXIX

P rofanity was not Darcy's method of dealing with anger. Darcy's anger burned cold, his fury expressed in an icy glare, the clenching and unclenching of his fists, or calm words with implacable intent.

? The letter arriving as it did from a welcome source, Darcy opened expecting to be entertained. The name of his aunt adorning the page with such prominence within the first paragraph put Darcy on his guard at once, for any invocation of her name never presaged anything good. Upon reading Bennet's account of his letter from her, Darcy exceeded angry and went straight to rage at the utter senselessness of her actions.

? "That must be some letter, Darcy," observed Fitzwilliam from where he sat at the breakfast table, an empty plate and a steaming cup of tea situated before him. "I cannot remember a time when I have seen you become ferocious in an instant."

? "There is only one who could provoke any of us to such immediate fury," snarled Darcy.

? Fitzwilliam understood the reference at once, for he shook his head and lifted his cup to his mouth. "What has Aunt Catherine to say now, Darcy. More of her ever-increasing attempts to force you to the altar with Anne?"

? "If that were all it was, I would ignore it." Darcy shook his head with disdain for the woman he would prefer not to call a relation. "The letter is not from Lady Catherine, but from a friend who lives in Hertfordshire, Mr. Henry Bennet."

? "Your parson friend with three daughters, one of whom I hope to find agreeable." Fitzwilliam grinned. "Now that I think on it, you spoke of your friend in Hertfordshire, but I had thought he was a parson in Nottingham."

? "He inherited an estate, the estate cheated from his father."

? Fitzwilliam regarded him with interest. "There appears to be much of which I am not aware, Darcy. Perhaps you should inform me of recent events."

? Knowing Fitzwilliam could assist him with Lady Catherine, Darcy did just that. He spoke of the Bennets' past, their recent inheritance of the estate, and his stay there with Georgiana. As he related his tale, he noted when Fitzwilliam became suspicious, likely sensing there was something Darcy was not saying, though he did not interject. Then Darcy turned to the events preceding his return to Pemberley.

? "That is an interesting coincidence, Darcy. Lady Catherine's new parson is Mr. Bennet's relation, a man who might have been in line to inherit the estate that Mr. Bennet now owns."

? "He is the sort of man Lady Catherine might prefer," said Darcy. "I met him when he visited Mr. Bennet, and he is no less than ridiculous, for all he appeared to be a good sort."

? "Your expression informs me that this letter involves him."

? Darcy swatted at the offensive letter. "It does. Lady Catherine, it seems, has taken an interest in Mr. Collins and seeks to bring suit to replace Mr. Bennet with her lacky."

? "That is strange, Darcy," said Fitzwilliam. "Lady Catherine is a nuisance, but I would not have thought her capable of interfering in matters of estate inheritance which do not concern her."

? "Nor would I," replied Darcy. "Especially when Collins made no effort to make any such claim when he visited Mr. Bennet. I was not privy to all their discussions, but according to Bennet, Collins all but said that he would have passed the estate on to him had he inherited from the previous master."

? "Now he is begging Lady Catherine to assist him to recover the estate."

? It was a curious situation, for the Collins he had met in Hertfordshire had not been the sort of man to lust after worldly things. To Darcy, Collins had seemed something of an oddity, though by Bennet's testimony he appeared knowledgeable enough about his profession.

? "Do you suppose he went to Bennet's estate and misrepresented himself?" asked Fitzwilliam, pulling Darcy from his thoughts.

? "For what purpose?"

? Fitzwilliam shrugged. "To get the lay of the land? Perhaps he wished to know what sort of man Bennet was before he made his attempt."

? Darcy considered his cousin's suggestion. "It is possible, I suppose, though something still seems out of place. I cannot say what it is, but something tells me the explanation is not so simple as this."

? "Then what do you mean to do?" asked Fitzwilliam.

? "Return to Hertfordshire at once," replied Darcy. "Bennet has asked for my counsel, and I have finished what I came to Pemberley to do. I expected to leave within a few days, regardless."

? "That is for the best," agreed Fitzwilliam. "Lady Catherine has a habit of engaging in activities that she thinks she can influence by virtue of her position in society. Father keeps an eye on her, as he does not wish her to stain the family's reputation, but he cannot always watch her."

? "It will not please him to learn of her meddling in the ownership of another property," observed Darcy.

? "No, it will not," agreed his cousin.

? Darcy rose. "If I am to leave tomorrow, there are certain tasks I must see to today."

? "Do you wish for my support?" asked Fitzwilliam. "Aunt Catherine is so fearsome, we may need a squad of soldiers to back us."

? "That would be welcome, Fitzwilliam," said Darcy. "I shall make the arrangements."

Wickham was no fool, though that insufferable Darcy had tried to paint him as such over the years. Darcy had his wealth and position in society to comfort him, such that he did not need to engage in illicit activities to achieve his ends. Others were not so fortunate, as Wickham understood. While Wickham skirted the edges of the law, pushing as much as he thought he could without provoking retribution and then disappearing when he crossed the line, he did not get where he was by being foolish.

? Intrigued though he was by Mr. Philips's wish to meet with him, Wickham knew the man had his own agenda, one he did not think would be compatible with what Wickham wished to achieve. It was said that there was no honor among thieves, and that was a maxim by which Wickham lived his life. Wickham had engaged in his trade for many years, had his share of confederates with whom to pursue his objectives. More than once, he had stabbed his conspirators in the back before they could do the same to him. This Mr. Philips, he suspected, was just as cutthroat behind his cravat and his veneer of civility as any other man. Thus, it behooved him to be cautious when meeting the snake in his own den.

? "Thank you for coming this morning," said Philips, standing to greet Wickham with a shaken hand. "I hope that our business can be mutually beneficial."

? "As yet," said Wickham, "I have no notion of the business to which you refer. Perhaps you should speak more explicitly."

? Philips regarded him in silence for some time, a blatant attempt to induce Wickham to speak first, betray some discomfort at the other man's scrutiny. Wickham was no new army recruit to succumb to such tactics—knowing it was best to learn what Philips proposed first, he settled in and waited for the other man to speak.

? "This business of your dispute with Mr. Darcy," clarified Philips at last. "You mentioned you had no recourse from the law."

? Wickham knew Philips suspected him of being less than truthful in the tale he wove, but the man appeared to be playing his part with aplomb. "It was not a bequest. Mr. Darcy spoke to his son of his intentions and added them to his will but couched his instructions in language vague enough to allow the son to doubt his father's intentions if he wished."

? "Why would he do such a thing?" pressed Philips.

? "I assume because he trusted his son," said Wickham with a shrug. "If, instead, you are asking why Darcy denied me, that is easier to explain. Darcy has always hated me—his father knew something of our lack of friendship but expected his son to do his duty and follow his wishes. Darcy's definition of his duty did not match that of his father."

? "Do you have a copy of the document?"

? "If you suppose my persecutor would provide me with the means to prove my claim you are mistaken."

? Again, Philips regarded him, his expression revealing nothing. Yet Wickham was certain he did not believe the story. "Then what do you mean to do about it? Will you allow this travesty to persist?"

? "Mr. Philips," said Wickham, using the exaggerated patience that had served him so well over the years, "you proposed this meeting, and you are the one possessing knowledge of the law. I am just a poor soldier who has suffered the betrayal of a man who should have been my patron. Therefore, I would ask you to inform me the reason for your invitation."

? "My purpose was to discover if you meant to pursue this matter," said Philips.

? "As I said," replied Wickham, "so far as I know, there is no recourse, certainly not against a man who possesses such power as Darcy. Perhaps you will allow me to ask a question of my own."

? It was clear the man was losing his patience, for he gestured, his curtness more than he would ever show one of his clients.

? "I am curious why this concerns you, Mr. Philips. What motivates you to involve yourself in my dispute with Darcy."

? "Am I not a man of the law?" asked Philips, an obvious attempt to redirect Wickham's question.

? "You must know that I can offer little compensation," pressed Wickham. "Even should you carry any action to a successful conclusion, a parson is not a wealthy man, and I would labor under the complication brought about by being the parson to a man who despises me."

? "That is unlikely," replied Philips. "Regardless of the strength of your claim, I judge it probable you would not receive the living. Rather, a more pecuniary judgment is almost certainly the best you could hope to gain."

? "Which could not be enough to make it worth my while," said Wickham. "Why, I cannot imagine I would walk away with much once I paid your fees."

? "What of vengeance?"

? It had taken longer than Wickham had expected, but he had exhausted the other man's patience. Wickham was not yet ready to speak without disguise.

? "Vengeance is fine for those who can afford it, Mr. Philips. Men in my position must carefully weigh the benefits of any action against the potential drawbacks. Darcy may consider vengeance at his leisure—I must keep practicality in mind."

? It appeared they were at something of an impasse, for Wickham would say nothing more until Philips revealed more than he had, and Philips waited for him to speak. As the heavy silence grew ever more fraught, Wickham considered what he might do to move things along, for he sensed that with his revelation about vengeance, the other man might be ripened enough to spill his reasons for speaking as he had. Wickham had some suspicion, but he wished the solicitor to speak of his own volition.

? "Again, I ask you, Mr. Philips," said Wickham at length, "what do you hope to gain from this? If you say anything about your concerns about the law or my plight, I shall leave at once. You asked me here—now it is time to tell me your true purpose."

? Philips regarded him for several moments before he responded. "I have a score to settle with Mr. Bennet. You have a score to settle with Darcy. We are bound by common purposes if you have the stomach to act against your tormentor."

? The goad to provoke him to action by appealing to his pride was a miserable failure, one that amused Wickham to no end. Now that he had Philips where he wanted him, however, Wickham was not of a mind to dissemble any further.

? "Then what do you suggest?"

? "There are many avenues that might work," said Philips, thinking he had provoked the same revelation that Wickham had received from him. "It may be possible to compromise one of the Bennet sisters, for example. This would bring the Bennets ruin and might prove profitable if we can induce Bennet to pay for our silence."

? "Silence you have no intention to keep," said Wickham.

? "Bennet will not know that until after it is too late," replied Philips. "Oh, I do not mean to be involved, for Bennet will not agree to any sum of money if he sees my hand in the business."

? "And what portion would you wish for yourself?"

? "Nothing," said Philips, his reaction genuine enough for Wickham to believe him. "For me, the satisfaction of seeing that family revealed as the pretenders they are will be enough. Whatever money Bennet will part with is yours alone."

? Wickham considered this. "Your scheme deals with the Bennets but does not connect to Darcy so far as I am aware."

? "Ah, then you have not heard of Darcy's attentions to Bennet's middle daughter."

? "Some rumors, yes," said Wickham, feigning surprise. "The Darcy I know would not pay attention to any woman, for he has spurned them all for many years."

? "Then," said Philips, seeming to feel all the importance of his possession of such information, "he is acting in a way you had not foreseen. The connection is real and has progressed to a courtship according to my intelligence."

? "Well then," said Wickham with a smirk. "That changes much. Tell me, Philips—how do you suppose I might work upon Bennet? For example, if I should compromise one of his daughters, would Bennet agree to betroth the girl to me and will the estate to her in exchange for my silence?"

? Philips seemed to consider this, though Wickham was certain the man had already rejected the notion altogether. At length, he shook his head.

? "I do not think he would, for his morality would not allow it. Even if you could work on him, do you suppose Darcy would allow you to take control of the estate?"

? With some amusement, Wickham shook his head. "No, you have the right of it. Darcy would not hesitate to move against me should I try my hand at such a scheme."

? "Then do we agree?"

? "We do."

In reality, Wickham had no intention of involving Philips in his vengeance against Darcy, regardless of what they had agreed upon. At the moment, Wickham did not know what he meant to do, for his plans, though they were taking shape in his mind, were still imprecise, yet to develop beyond amorphous musings.

? After a further discussion in which the man had suggested certain actions, Wickham departed, walking through Meryton toward the militia's headquarters. Wickham had seen many such places, towns with little to recommend themselves except the wealth of the patrons who frequented them, gentlefolk who parted with their wealth in the establishments, though only grudgingly. The only thing that made this town different from any of them was the presence of the detested Darcy, and of more interest to Wickham, the man's sister.

? The failure that was his attempt to secure her dowry still rankled Wickham, even several months after the event. Georgiana was still a potential avenue for his revenge, though the young woman Darcy had been pursuing was another interesting possibility. Miss Elizabeth was a handsome woman, and if she was of greater interest to Wickham than her sisters because of Darcy's interest in her, any of them would satisfy Wickham's urges nicely. Should no other opportunity present itself, Wickham would take his vengeance on one of them and, as Philips suggested, offer to keep silent for a sum of money as large as he could extort.

? The issue in all this was time, for Wickham was certain that not much was available to him. Darcy, he had heard, departed for Pemberley only two weeks before, and if he was courting the woman, as unbelievable as that sounded, he might not remain in Derbyshire much longer. Whatever he meant to do, Wickham knew it needed to be soon. Until then, it was of utmost importance that Wickham remain unremarkable to the Bennet ladies, and not come to Georgiana Darcy's attention. That meant he would need to forgo participation in local society whenever the Bennet sisters were in attendance, but that did not concern Wickham much. The means to live as he wished would be his once he had accomplished his designs. Until then, though patience was not one of the few virtues he possessed, he would wait.

? The necessity of this last point became apparent to Wickham the day after he met with Philips. George Wickham was rarely prone to self-reflection, considering it perfectly useless. On this occasion, however, he had to own that his interest in society, and what that society might provide rendered him forgetful of the consequences of inattention.

? It was an evening in company, a gathering at an estate in the area, and as the family had only one daughter, thirty if she was a day, and a small estate that could not provide him with the wealth he deserved, Wickham paid little attention to the name of the place or its master. The officers were out in force, being the guests of honor, as each of those in the neighborhood attempted to put their best foot forward to those new to the area. Wickham found the situation amusing, that so many gentlefolk would go to such lengths to welcome a company of soldiers, men who were of the gentry themselves no higher than those hosting them, and in many cases, lower by far.

? When Wickham caught sight of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he realized his mistake and cursed his inattention, knowing he should have begged off this gathering against the possibility of the Bennet family being in attendance. As her eyes found him the very moment Wickham noticed her presence, there was nothing he could do but greet her, hoping against hope that he might retreat from this place without attracting much attention, and without Georgiana catching sight of him.

? "Miss Elizabeth," said he with a correct bow, knowing he cut a striking figure in his militia uniform. "How lovely it is to see you again."

? "Mr. Wickham," said the young woman, her disinterest plain in her voice. "I hope you have been well, sir."

? "I am well, Miss Elizabeth," replied Wickham. "A hearty constitution has always been one of my blessings, for I am never ill."

? "That is excellent for you, sir," replied Miss Elizabeth.

? The way the woman glanced around the room suggested she had little interest in speaking with him, and as Wickham wished to provoke as little of her attention and interest as he could, that suited him well. One could not depart, however, without offering those civil comments essential to polite society.

? "And your family?"

? "We are all well, sir," replied she. "Our guest is suffering a small indisposition which prevented her from attending tonight, but I imagine she will be well by tomorrow. My sister, Mary, stayed home to keep her company."

? That little bit of information set Wickham's mind at ease, for the guest she mentioned could be no one other than Georgiana Darcy. "I am sorry to hear it, Miss Elizabeth."

? Miss Elizabeth inclined her head in thanks but did not respond. Perhaps it might have been better to excuse himself and avoid her giving him any more consideration than was necessary, he recalled the bit of misdirection he had offered Denny and wondered if it were not best to do the same with this woman.

? "I do not see the Bingley party here."

? "The Bingleys are hosting their neighbors to the north this evening," replied Miss Elizabeth. "Not everyone in the vicinity is here tonight, Mr. Wickham. The only parties I have attended that boast the entire neighborhood's presence are those hosted by Sir William Lucas."

? "Then they must be a press," replied Mr. Wickham. "Unless this Sir William possesses a much grander estate."

? "No, Lucas Lodge is perhaps a little larger, but not by much. Sir William loves company and has several rooms set aside to entertain."

? "Aye, I have met his like before," said Wickham with a nod.

? After a few more moments of inconsequential comments, Wickham excused himself and moved to another part of the room, though he remained watchful. A few moments later, Miss Elizabeth moved to speak with a beautiful woman who bore a decided resemblance to her, no doubt the eldest Miss Bennet. Wickham regarded them, taking care to remain unobserved, and decided the Bennet sisters were blessed with an abundance of beauty. Should he discover no way to spirit Georgiana Darcy away, either of these ladies would do to satisfy Philips's lust for vengeance, though Miss Bennet would not be so satisfying for Wickham as her sister.

? A little later, Wickham offered the excuse of feeling indisposed and left the party early to return to the camp. He did not think Miss Elizabeth had paid him much attention after their exchange, but the less he was on her mind the better. The following day he determined to make inquiries and investigate the layout of the estate to prepare his plans.

Contrary to Mr. Wickham's designs, he did not fade from Elizabeth's recollection as soon as he might have hoped. As Charlotte had not been home the day after Maria's encounter with the officers, Elizabeth had not had the chance to pass on her warning. Seeing Mr. Wickham at the gathering recalled the subject to her memory, such that Elizabeth huddled with Charlotte after having a quick word with Jane.

? Upon hearing Elizabeth's comments, Charlotte sighed and smiled at her friend. "Maria is a good girl, but she is of a romantic disposition, unlike her elder sister. The officers and their dashing demeanors have fired her imagination with thoughts of adventure."

? "You do not possess a romantic disposition?" asked Elizabeth with a teasing note in her voice. "The last time I saw you with Mr. Herridge you gave a good impression of a romantic."

? Charlotte smiled but shook her head. "I shall not debate the benefits of such a disposition, Lizzy. I have spoken with Maria more than once about her interest in the officers, but I suppose I must do so again. If she does not behave herself, she may find herself confined to Lucas Lodge, for my father trusts my judgment."

? "Better that than finding herself in a predicament she would not have expected."

? "Tell me, Elizabeth," said Charlotte after regarding her for several moments, "do you suspect this officer of whom you speak of having a depraved character?"

? Elizabeth shook her head. "I do not know the man so well as to accuse him of behavior unbecoming of the uniform he wears. His kind is no mystery to me, for we had a company of redcoats near my home in Nottingham two years ago. There are certain officers who consider themselves to be charming ladies' men, who will flirt with any woman given the opportunity. I cannot say if Mr. Wickham would push beyond that boundary, but I would not wish to discover his limits."

? "That is sensible," agreed Charlotte. "Can you point the officer out to me?"

? "Of course," said Elizabeth, turning to look about the room.

? There were several clusters of officers, each speaking with certain members of local society, though Elizabeth noted with some amusement that most of those giving them consequence were ladies. Young, old, married, maiden—the lady's situation did not seem to influence the level of her interest in flirting and the like. Among their number, however, Elizabeth could not see Mr. Wickham at all.

? "Perhaps he has gone into another room," said Elizabeth when she failed to discover him.

? "Then tell me when you see him again. He may be no more dangerous than any other man in the room, but if you thought to be wary of him, it would be wise to follow your instincts."

? Though she agreed, Elizabeth did not catch sight of the officer again that night, and rather than banish him from her thoughts as Wickham might have liked, Elizabeth wondered why that bothered her. There was little enough reason to think of him to excess, so Elizabeth turned her attention to the evening and her new friends. In the back of her mind, however, she continued to wonder about Mr. Wickham.