A Vision of the Path Before Him

by Elizabeth Frerichs

  “I had not thought of doing so, but, yes, now that you have reminded me, I will certainly do so.”

  “I hope she will be pleased with events.” Elizabeth frowned. “What did you do with Mr. Wickham? Were you able to persuade him to change his ways?”

  “I believe so,” Darcy said shortly.

  Elizabeth’s frown deepened. “You did not—you did not kill him, did you?”

  “No.” Darcy sighed. “I have decided to enlist him in the Navy. I know a good captain who will be able to ensure Wickham does not have time for mischief, should he agree to do so, and I intend to send his two accomplices to separate colonies.”

  “I suppose he is less likely to languish to death in the Navy than in debtor’s prison.”

  “That was my thought as well. And, in truth, I cannot help but desire to give him one last opportunity to reform his ways.”

  Elizabeth smiled up at him. “I am not surprised. You seem to desire everyone to reform.”

  Darcy chuckled. “Perhaps I do.” He sobered, recalling Wickham’s rejection and Miss Bingley’s machinations. “One cannot help but wish for others to experience true self-knowledge after one has experienced the benefits of it. However, I seem to be unable to help them make such character changes the way you helped me.”

  “Oh?”

  “I spoke to Miss Bingley just after you and Miss Bennet left Netherfield following Miss Bennet’s illness. In fact, I was very frank with her and urged her to change her character lest she repel those she wishes to attract. But instead of changing, she paid Wickham to ruin your family.”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I am not of the belief that we should excuse her actions—I hope that Mr. Bingley will ensure such a thing does not occur again—but perhaps she had reason.”

  “What?” Darcy asked in disbelief.

  “Miss Bingley must have been very afraid of something to take such a large risk; failure would bring great detriment to her. What was she so afraid of?”

  Darcy walked with Elizabeth in silence as he contemplated her question. “I believe she was afraid of losing her chance at entering the first circles.”

  “I am aware that she appears to value status very much. Talking to Mary, I have discovered that she values morality and accomplishments so much because she believes it is the only way she can succeed: Mary believes she will never be as beautiful as Jane, as witty as me, or as good humoured as Lydia, and she does not desire to emulate any of us as Kitty has done. Therefore, she uses morality and accomplishments to set herself apart, to show that she as is valuable as the rest of us. Obviously, it has failed to garner my parents’ attention and has even been detrimental to her in society, but Mary perseveres because she does not see any other method. Perhaps Miss Bingley is similar in her motivations.”

  Darcy sighed. He did not wish to consider that Miss Bingley might be justified, if only in her own mind, but he supposed she would not have pursued this course of action if she did not believe it necessary. “Perhaps you are right. She may believe she is only worthwhile if she attains such a status, and Miss Bingley appears to believe that she will only attain the first circles if Bingley marries someone of the first circles or if she marries me. I have already informed her that I will never marry her—”

  Elizabeth chuckled. “I don’t know whether to feel sorry for Miss Bingley that you were so explicit or to laugh because that is exactly something you would say.”

  Darcy flushed. “I am afraid Miss Bingley has been so assiduous in her attentions precisely because I had never been that explicit Before. In the time preceding my vision—and throughout it—I only distanced myself subtly without clearly stating that I was in no way interested in her. I had always hoped my disinterest was obvious from my behaviour, but Miss Bingley never seemed to grasp that reality. Besides,” he glanced over at the vision of loveliness beside him, “how could I ever be interested in a woman like her when I have you in my life?”

  “You are convincing me that you are quite practiced at flattery,” Elizabeth said lightly.

  “No, I don’t believe I will ever be able to flatter you, nor do I believe that you would appreciate empty compliments. I do not have to contrive compliments for a woman as lovely in character and form as you, Elizabeth.”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath. “I do not see what you see, but I will allow that you are blinded by love.”

  “You do not think love sees more clearly?”

  “Perhaps I should have said ‘blinded by infatuation.’ ”

  Darcy laughed. “Infatuation would not have survived your rejection, my dear. Nor would it have lasted this long.”

  “And that attitude is exactly what may have driven Miss Bingley to desperation. We both know that she considered me a threat even when Jane and I were staying at Netherfield. Mr. Bingley’s courtship with Jane may have been the final straw.”

  “Though you may be correct, I still intend to cut her privately and to do so publicly if she does not accept the private cut.”

  “I believe that is wise,” Elizabeth said. “She will not learn if she does not experience consequences.”

  “Has Miss Lydia spoken of her ordeal yesterday with you or Miss Bennet?” Darcy asked, thinking of the consequences the youngest Bennet now faced—not only would she experience the shame of being unable to participate in society, but she also had to deal with the pain and terror of being kidnapped, and he only hoped there were not more personal consequences. Regardless, he could not imagine that such an event would not affect her character. Perhaps Georgiana could help Miss Lydia, if she visited and if Miss Lydia would listen.

  “Jane has spoken to her. As Lydia said yesterday, she overheard Mr. Wickham speaking to Mr. Havener when he provided a cart for them. Lydia then attempted to run away but tripped and injured her ankle, leading to her recapture. Once Mr. Wickham ascertained that she would not willingly accompany him to London, he and Mr. Havener bound her and brought her up to the cottage. I do not believe Mr. Wickham had as yet done more than threaten her.” Elizabeth shuddered. “Apparently, there was some difficulty with having to return the cart before a certain time and to arrange for other lodgings. I am glad that it prevented Mr. Wickham or his associates from being able to take further action against Lydia.”

  “As am I,” Darcy said, placing a hand over hers. “Did someone see to her injuries?”

  She nodded. “Her ankle is only sprained, but the sprain is bad enough that she is confined to her bedchamber for the next two weeks.” A ghost of a smile crossed her face. “I believe Papa considered it to be a part of her punishment but has since regretted that stance as Lydia has rung for assistance every few minutes since the apothecary examined her.”

  “Ah.”

  “Yes, he does not appreciate the disturbance, but he has taken it much better than I would have expected,” Elizabeth said, a puzzled look on her face. “I believe this situation has changed his perspective on many things.”

  Darcy hesitated, thinking of Mr. Bennet’s potential changes and of the changes still necessary if he were to protect Elizabeth—Miss Lydia needed a firm hand lest she shrug off Wickham’s lesson and elope with some other poverty-stricken soldier, or worse. “Do you think a companion would be beneficial to your sisters?”

  “A companion? I believe if we could not afford to hire a governess, we will not be able to afford a companion.” Her eyes narrowed. “Unless you intend to bear the cost yourself, which I will not allow.”

  Darcy stiffened as visions of an Elizabeth who had decided she wanted nothing to do with him or his money danced through his mind. “Will not allow?” he asked woodenly.

  Elizabeth sighed. “Please do not do such a thing. It is not that I dislike your assistance; it is that, though I greatly appreciate your concern for my family, we already owe you so much. I do not think I would be comfortable engaging in a courtship with someone to whom we were financially beholden.”

  Darcy echoed her sigh. “I apologise. I am glad you do not intend
to reject me while you reject my money.”

  “Very much on the contrary, Mr. Darcy.”

  “Will,” Darcy said suddenly, unable to stand the continued formality on her part.

  “Pardon?”

  “You may call me ‘Will.’ ” He was a bit embarrassed at his forwardness, but he could not help but desire this sign of closeness when she spoke as though her acceptance to him was a fact dependent on time only.

  “Will,” Elizabeth said as though tasting the name. “I have no desire to reject you, nor any intention of doing so now. But I also do not wish either of us to feel that pecuniary concerns may influence any acceptance of a proposal.”

  “I have no concerns in that direction,” Darcy said earnestly. “You have already rejected my money—”

  “I have not! The Elizabeth of your—vision did so, but I have done no such thing.”

  Darcy pulled her to a halt once more. “Can you tell me honestly that you would accept any proposal if the gentleman were wealthy enough?”

  “Well, no, but—”

  “Did you or did you not reject Mr. Collins because you did not suit despite his inheriting your family’s property?”

  “I did, but—”

  “Then I do not see the problem. As I have told you, you are the Elizabeth of my vision.”

  She held his gaze. “I know that you believe that.”

  “I wish you would believe it.”

  “I am trying to do so. But I still do not wish the added pressure on our courtship that any financial assistance on your part would bring.”

  “Very well,” Darcy said. “I will not pay for a companion for your sisters until after we are engaged.”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I can see I shall have to be very careful about how I word things, won’t I?”

  Darcy smiled at her. “No more than I shall have to be, considering that I am courting a young lady who often intentionally misinterprets my words.”

  With a huff of mock displeasure, Elizabeth turned to Apollo. “Apollo, I do not know how you can endure such a difficult rider. I am certain you must have put many hours into training him to behave.”

  Apollo stepped closer, forcing the two to separate as he nuzzled Elizabeth.

  “You see, someone listens to me,” she told Darcy seriously.

  Apollo snorted as though laughing at her blithe assessment.

  “I do indeed,” Darcy said with a laugh.

  Elizabeth put her nose in the air and began walking away. “I am surrounded by traitors!”

  “I beg your forgiveness, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said, hurrying in front of her.

  “For?”

  Darcy’s eyes danced with suppressed laughter. “For not giving your concerns the weight they deserve. Clearly, I ought to have weighed them as several horses’ worth of trouble and treated them accordingly.”

  Elizabeth shook her head in mock annoyance. “I see you have not yet perceived the verity of my concerns.”

  Darcy held out a hand, and she took it. “I will not do anything which would harm your family or our courtship. I wish only the best for you and your family.”

  “I know.”

  Darcy brought her hand up to kiss it. “Then why will you not let me pay for a companion for them?”

  Elizabeth frowned. “Because it is not your responsibility to do so. They are not your family.”

  “Yet.”

  “Fine. After we are married, then we can revisit the topic.”

  “Very well,” Darcy agreed, the smile in his heart growing as he recognised she had not said “if we marry.” He drew her hand back onto his arm and resumed their walk. Perhaps he could speak to Mr. Bennet about Longbourn. If the man had not been trained to run an estate, there might be much that could be improved, thereby allowing the Bennets to pay for their own companion. And if, after their respective nuptials, Bingley and he supported their wives’ family, well, that was what family did.

  Chapter 43

  After finishing his letter to Georgiana, Darcy hurried down to the stables to meet Bingley and Fitzwilliam. Tommy was there and flashed them a wide grin. When they had spoken to the boy about Mr. Havener and Mr. Nimbleton’s histories, Bingley had promised to ensure Tommy was trained in a more valuable and higher paying position than that of a stable boy. Afterwards, he had mentioned doing more for the boy to Darcy, but, recalling Wickham, Darcy had cautioned him to wait and see how Tommy handled the increased status and responsibility before investing further in the boy lest he be spoiled—a suggestion which Bingley had taken to heart. Darcy was proud of his friend for taking on that responsibility.

  Fitzwilliam stood near his steed but walked over to greet Darcy when he arrived. Bingley was nowhere in sight.

  “You look like death warmed over,” Fitzwilliam called as Darcy reached him. Though bags clustered under his eyes, Fitzwilliam’s step remained as firm as the day before.

  “Perhaps you ought to look in a mirror,” Darcy suggested lightly. “Are you certain you feel up to going to London today?”

  Fitzwilliam frowned. “Of course! I am accustomed to far worse than spotty sleep and a short ride afterwards.” He clapped a hand on Darcy’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about me, old man.”

  “Very well,” Darcy said with a small smile. “I shall do my best to refrain from excessive concern.” He held out his letter to Georgiana. “Will you deliver this while you are there?”

  “I thought you’d already given me everything I need for your secretary and Captain Archer.”

  “I did; this is for Georgiana. Miss Elizabeth suggested I write her.”

  “Miss Elizabeth did, eh?”

  Darcy rolled his eyes at his cousin’s jocular tone. “Yes. I assume you intend to see Georgiana while you are in London, but I thought she might wish to have a letter from me as well.”

  Fitzwilliam took the letter, tapping it against one hand. “And did you tell her about Miss Elizabeth?”

  “I have already done so previously,” Darcy said, trying to suppress a blush.

  Fitzwilliam grinned. “Well then, I suppose Georgie shall press me for news.”

  “I have only told her that we captured Wickham mid-indiscretion and that he is enlisting in the Navy,” Darcy murmured. Though no servants were nearby, it seemed unnecessary to take chances. “I did not explain the nature of his indiscretion,” he warned.

  “That does not seem in keeping with your recent ‘more information is better’ stance.”

  Darcy grimaced. “It is not, but I did not think that I had time to explain the matter as it is somewhat complicated. Besides, it is better not to put the truth in writing.”

  “True,” Fitzwilliam said wryly. “I suppose it falls to my lot to tell her the unhappy tale then.”

  “You could always speak to Miss Bingley instead,” Darcy countered.

  Fitzwilliam made a face. “No, thank you! I shall leave that to you and Bingley.” He straightened. “Bingley has scavenged up some men who are protective of Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth—something about a list your man was keeping?” he said, one eyebrow raised.

  Darcy merely held his cousin’s gaze. Penn was known to keep track of any number of facts for when they might come in handy.

  “Regardless,” Fitzwilliam continued once it was clear he would not get a rise out of Darcy, “Roberts is already with our charges as are two of these Good Samaritans. I believe,” he gestured to several men who stood to one side of the stables as though patiently waiting, “we should not have any trouble ferrying our charges between the lot of us.”

  “Thank you, Fitzwilliam,” Darcy said. “I know that you would wish for a different resolution to this matter. Thank you for supporting me nevertheless.”

  Fitzwilliam waved a hand in dismissal. “I am coming around to your way of thinking. Knowing that he is suffering somewhere is far more appealing than providing a quick end to his misery.”

  Unsure what to say in the face of his cousin’s thirst for revenge, Darcy floundered
for a reply. Fortunately, Bingley arrived then, looking even more drained than Darcy felt.

  “Good morning, Bingley,” Darcy greeted.

  Bingley nodded wearily. “It is morning at least.”

  “Shall we?” Fitzwilliam pressed.

  “Yes,” Bingley said with determination. “Let us depart.”

  As the gentlemen mounted their horses, Darcy’s stomach roiled. This was the right course of action, he was certain of it, but a part of him still expected Wickham to weasel his way out of any consequences he had set. In the early watches of the morning, Penn had pointed out that Wickham had always escaped consequences because Darcy himself had aided the man. Now, however, he would not have assistance from anyone, therefore, it was unlikely Wickham could effect a last-minute escape of any sort.

  The words had comforted Darcy at the time, but now, in the light of day, they seemed hollow. He had not been able to protect Georgiana—why should he expect to be able to save Elizabeth or any of the Bennets?

  Elizabeth. His thoughts immediately sought her out, his mood lightening at once. Her openness to marrying him felt like a bouquet of sunshine that kept spreading the fragrance of its joy throughout his heart.

  No, if Wickham somehow escaped, Darcy would chase him down. That was all there was to it. He would not allow Wickham to harm anyone ever again.

  The group was a silent one, all lost in their thoughts. Darcy studied Bingley with concern. Much as he had told Elizabeth, Bingley appeared more shaken than he had ever seen him. He only hoped that his friend would someday be all the better for this upheaval.

  Long before Darcy was ready, they arrived at the cottage. The three miscreants were standing up against one of the cottage walls, their arms bound behind their backs. Roberts and two others, pistols trained on Wickham and his cronies, were keeping a close watch. Even from here, Darcy could catch snatches of Wickham wheedling with Roberts to let him go—that it was all just a misunderstanding.

  Darcy’s jaw tightened. Wickham seemed incapable of learning. He only hoped the Navy might make something of his ex-friend. As Wickham had no experience on the seas, he assumed Wickham would be forced to start in the lowest position, whatever that was. A flicker of apprehension flitted through him: the Navy was notoriously intolerant of poor behaviour, and Archer would be firm. He hoped he was not condemning Wickham to a life of torment. But no, it was entirely up to Wickham whether he chose to follow the rules. Archer was a fair man; Wickham’s own behaviour would determine the treatment he experienced.