Revelations

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  He knocked on the door of the apartment with the right number, and felt a distinct satisfaction as George Wickham opened it, scantily dressed, saw his worst enemy right in front of him in full formal attire and stood immobilised with shock for a full minute. Darcy walked right past him, closing the door behind him in the process. The apartment was as dingy as the hall leading towards it, it was cheap, and still Mrs Younge said Wickham couldn't afford to pay it any longer.

  'Have you eaten today?' he asked the scruffy looking man in front of him.

  Wickham recovered fast and said charmingly, 'I can't say that I have, no, thank you for your kind interest in my well-being.'

  'Miss Lydia still with you?' Darcy was not in the mood for niceties.

  Wickham didn't verbally object to Darcy's authoritative way of talking but replied, 'She is, but she is not exactly dressed for company.'

  Darcy truly had to restrain himself not to knock the piece of filth out with a

  single blow, but that would hurt Lydia Bennet even more for it would not get her her honour back and it would spoil her chances at marriage altogether. Besides, he was sure Wickham would relish having gotten under Darcy's skin. Restraining himself, Darcy instead commanded, 'Put on some clothes and tell her you'll be back in an hour or so, with something to eat.

  I'm buying you dinner.'

  Within half an hour they were sitting in a private booth of the only establishment close-by that Wickham didn't shake his head at, the others probably having a sizeable account in his name that needed payment.

  Wickham was savouring what seemed to be his first decent meal in weeks and Darcy joined him, for he was hungry after a busy day. When the first plate of food in front of Wickham had disappeared and a second had been ordered, Darcy said, 'Do you have no dignity at all, Wickham, another sixteen-year-old girl? You've really gone too far this time!'

  The man opposite him complained, 'That's what Karen said, but how could I help it? The little tart made up her own mind to follow me around, I didn't force her! Did Karen give you my address? She must have, she refused me money, and a room in her house, I thought she was my friend.'

  'Mrs Younge was your friend, Wickham, she even misled Georgiana for you, until you betrayed her trust, as you did with all of us.'

  But that was not what this was all about.

  'The girl is sixteen, Wickham, why didn't you send her back to her friends?

  It was your duty as an adult not to take advantage of a girl her age.'

  'You're still the same stuck-up prig you always were, Darcy.'

  Wickham had finally had enough and lashed out, 'And what did it ever get you? I bet you're still a virgin.'

  It didn't even hurt much to hear Wickham say that, he was right of course, but thinking of Mrs Younge, Darcy knew it had been his own choice.

  'I may be a prig, Wickham,' he retorted, 'but I'm a very wealthy one, and you seem to be rather out of luck at the moment. Even your best friend Mrs Younge is quite fed up with you.'

  That shut him up nicely, and Darcy asked, 'Were you at least going to marry her?'

  Wickham's face said enough, he had no intention whatsoever.

  'Why not? Mr Bennet isn't rich, but he can keep the two of you from starving.'

  'Oh come on, Darcy, I wasn't raised a gentleman to marry a penniless minor

  noble's daughter! I can do much better, not here, I kind of had to leave the regiment rather quickly due to a minor misunderstanding, but somewhere new, make a fresh start.'

  A gentleman no less, but in a way he was right and Darcy knew it: Darcy's father did raise Wickham to be a gentleman, even made the provisions for him to live as one, but Wickham just hadn't been able to measure up. This was the kind of neighbourhood where he seemed most at home, actually.

  But Darcy didn't tell Wickham his opinion of course, instead he offered, 'I can take care of that within days, Wickham,' hating himself for bribing a worthless piece of trash he'd rather have left to be killed by some impatient creditor, or to sink into debauchery further and further.

  'You want me to marry her? Why? What do you care about some trashy country girl?' Wickham looked at him shrewdly, and Darcy was hard put to keep a straight face and not let his anxiety show.

  'Never mind my motives,' he replied coolly, 'let's talk about how much it would take for you to make an honourable wife out of Miss Lydia Bennet.

  I'm certain we can come to an agreement.'

  They bartered like farmers over what it was worth to Wickham to avoid abject poverty by marrying the sixteen year old girl currently living in sin with him. Darcy could spare the money, but it hurt to enrich his most hated enemy, the man who had done himself and his sister so much harm, and had soiled Darcy's reputation into the bargain. Still, it would be worth something to have Wickham married and unable to ruin more women with his slick manners and his silken speeches. And it did give Darcy some satisfaction to see him in such dire straits, Wickham really was a hopeless loser and he would always remain such.

  During the next two days Darcy had the apartment watched by a hired investigator to make sure Wickham didn't make his escape. But they had come to an agreement on financial compensation, and Wickham would most likely decide to gracefully accept immediate relief from his debts and his deplorable situation. Darcy had to meet Wickham a further four times to arrange all the details, a list of his debts to be made, a new commission to be purchased, preferably as far away from Hertfordshire or Derbyshire as possible, the details of the wedding to be arranged.

  And Darcy made one attempt to convince Lydia to leave Wickham and start a new life somewhere without him. But she refused resolutely, it was just

  incredible that this was actually Miss Elizabeth's full sister, for she was frighteningly stupid and uneducated, and she insisted on remaining with Wickham, whom she believed to be the man of her dreams. In a way, Darcy found a certain vindication in bribing Wickham to marry her, for Wickham was a smart man in his own right who certainly appreciated intelligence in a woman. To find himself shackled to this featherheaded, loud-mouthed little tart by his own greediness would be a punishment for life to him, a punishment he richly deserved.

  A bit ashamed of his uncharitable feelings towards his beloved's sister, he promised the silly girl everything would be all right, and he prepared to visit Mr Gardiner, whom he had in mind to execute all his arrangements so his share in it would not become public. Miss Elizabeth must never know, for it might change things between them, and likely not for the good. He wanted her to be happy, preferably with him, but he did not want her to be attentive to him because she felt obliged to return his favours.

  After making sure his man still watched the apartment he took a cab to Gracechurch street, to call on Mr Gardiner. A manservant opened at his knock, and Darcy asked politely whether his master was in at the moment, and whether Mr Bennet was still in town. With only a slightly curious look the man replied that the master was out for the moment, but that he would certainly be back the next day. Mr Bennet was still staying with the Gardiners, but he was scheduled to return to Hertfordshire the next morning.

  Darcy did not leave a name or specifics but told the servant he would be back tomorrow for a business call.

  Glad to go home early he had dinner alone, then sat in his library all by himself with a glass of excellent brandy. With the hard part of the business concluded, he allowed himself to dwell on his wishes for half an hour, daydreaming of the woman he loved.

  He no longer cared about being related by marriage to Wickham, or having the silliest mother-in-law ever. He just wanted the woman he loved to become his to hold, and to be free to worship her in total adulation, as foolishly as Lydia Bennet adored her very dear Wickham.

  The next day saw him back at Gracechurch street, and seen in daylight it actually turned out to be quite a nice place. Mr Gardiner's house was of a very decent size and very well-kept. Darcy knocked on the door, and the servant was the same as yesterday, recognizing him as well.

 
'Mr Gardiner asks you politely to follow me,' he said, and Darcy did so with anticipation, despite the sensitive nature of his business this had the potential to become quite enjoyable. And so it turned out. Mr Gardiner was at first almost stunned to see him, but quickly recovered and offered him coffee. They retreated to the library, where Darcy explained the goal of his visit, giving Mr Gardiner obvious relief.

  'We didn't have a clue where to even start looking, London is huge, a man can disappear here quite readily. May I ask how you did find them?'

  Darcy gave him the censored version of his dealings with Mrs Younge, not mentioning Georgiana's meditated elopement, nor his own strange relationship with Wickham's lady friend. Then he related the arrangements he had already made on the new couple's behalf, and he gave Mr Gardiner a quick insight in Lydia Bennet's motives. His host was not surprised, and shook his head sadly.

  'Unfortunately not all my nieces have the excellent sense and understanding that Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth have. Of course we are very grateful to you for saving our niece's honour, and frankly that of our other nieces as well, but may I ask why you would go through so much trouble for a girl so wholly unconnected to you?'

  Oh, how Darcy longed to tell this sympathetic man of his yearning for Miss Elizabeth, and his ardent wish to see her happy, the heartache witnessing her grief gave him. But he did not, he stated his other reason, just as valid and a lot better suited to be publicly known, how he should have exposed Wickham as a fraud straight away, but hadn't felt the inclination to lay his private life open for everybody to discuss. And Mr Gardiner accepted his explanation, though he did let Darcy feel that any other possible motives were probably as noble and as kind as the one he had stated. They left it at that, and Miss Elizabeth's name was not mentioned once, not by himself, and not by Mr Gardiner.

  Within days, everything was arranged and formalized to perfection, Mr Bennet had written his consent, and Miss Lydia was set to live with the Gardiners until the wedding. Mrs Gardiner had returned from Hertfordshire with her children and would be the most suitable guardian to keep her niece from further mischief. They still had Wickham watched, neither he nor Mr Gardiner were going to take any chances until the wedding was over and done with. But Wickham seemed to have resigned himself to the whole

  scheme, his creditors must have started to threaten him with serious harm, for he showed a singular lack of his former spirit and boundless optimism.

  Darcy rode back to Pemberley to spend a few more days with his friends and his sister, who asked to see him in her apartment and told him, 'Miss Bingley is not recovered yet, but she has stopped crying at least. I'm afraid she will not give up on you completely until you are well and truly married, and if you do not succeed in winning your lady, she will be there to comfort you. But Mr Bingley was a great help to me, he kept his family in line and amused. I practised every day and spent most evenings reading in the living-room, and Mrs Annesley accepted that. And how did things work out for you? I guess well, for you look fine.'

  'It was less awful than I imagined, getting Wickham's address was less unnerving than I thought, it took me just two days. And bribing him to marry Miss Elizabeth's most stupid and trashy sister was a true pleasure, she's over the moon, but he'll be thoroughly unhappy with her I'm sure. Her aunt and uncle were even nicer than I imagined, such steady, smart, developed people, both of them. Despite the situation I actually enjoyed arranging business matters with them. I think they believe Miss Elizabeth and I are already quite intimate, but since I didn't dare mention her, and they were much too considerate to inquire, we didn't talk about her at all. So I still don't know what she thinks of me. I'll attend the wedding next week, and then I'll propose a nice trip to Netherfield to my dear friend Bingley.'

  And he did just that, the morning after his return from Wickham's marriage to Miss Lydia Bennet.

  'Say Bingley, my business in town is finally concluded, and I feel like taking a leisurely trip. What would you think of you and me riding to Hertfordshire in a week or so to do some serious shooting? Just you and me.'

  His friend's face was a study in emotion all of a sudden, and Darcy almost readied himself to catch him as he fainted. But Bingley managed to restrain himself, and after pretending to be contemplating the scheme, he replied, 'I think it's a capital idea, Darcy, I shall write to Mrs Nicholls immediately.

  Without ladies you say?'

  Darcy nodded and explained.

  'We might want to engage in some social activities there, you'll be invited to dine with families, we may want to attend a dance or two, let's keep it simple.'

  With a shrewd look, Bingley said, 'I'm sorry my sister keeps harassing you, Darcy, I've given her hints regularly, but she doesn't seem to be able to control herself. Fortunately she's engaged to visit other friends the coming weeks, so we can have a week of leisure here as well. Of course Georgiana is much better able to entertain herself, once she is with her instrument she seems to lose all sense of time. And have you noticed how proficient she is becoming?'

  'I have, dear friend, she's going to take some extra classes this winter, you know, with a truly superior master. I will very much appreciate spending the coming week with just the two of you.'

  And so it happened that they stayed at Pemberley for one more week with just Georgie around, the gentlemen out all morning for their sports and Georgie at her piano. In the afternoons they usually took a long walk in the woods with Georgie, exploring the whole park on foot together, and finding some lovely spots even Darcy hadn't visited for years since he was usually on horseback these days. When the week had passed, Darcy promised Georgie they would go to London together in two weeks' time to find a master for her for the coming winter. He would fetch her from Pemberley, for it was the end of the harvest and his people expected him to attend some festivities. But for now, Bingley and himself were on their way to Hertfordshire, to both find either love, or the end of hope.

  They arrived to find Netherfield spotlessly clean and well-stocked, Mrs Nicholls was a good housekeeper. Their days were filled with hunting activities and passed quickly, of course Bingley had some business to attend to as well after nearly half a year's absence. In both men a certain restlessness grew, Darcy felt like an apprehensive child himself, and Bingley didn't seem much better. During dinner on the evening of the second day, Bingley clearly showed a lack of appetite, and he looked at his friend and blurted out, 'Whatever you may think, I'm riding to Longbourn tomorrow morning. I need to be sure, I can't bear the suspense anymore, I need to see her just one more time.'

  Darcy felt incredibly guilty, and more than a little apprehensive himself, but he coolly observed, 'Of course you do, Bingley, I understand completely. I'll come with you for support.'

  As they arrived at Longbourn and got to the door, it seemed to Darcy as if he was the one who was the most out of sorts now, he couldn't seem to

  control himself, his nerves were buzzing, he knew he would not be welcomed here by most of the family, but would the only one who mattered receive him with pain or pleasure?

  Bingley was the braver man, and as he knocked the door was opened by the butler, who led them to the drawing-room where all the ladies were gathered. Miss Bennet greeted the two of them with quiet politeness, she was truly very beautiful, and didn't seem to feel any emotion at seeing Bingley again after almost six months. Or did she?

  Of course Darcy couldn't keep his eyes from searching out the face that seemed to be the only thing of any importance in his life right now, but when he found it, it didn't face him as frankly and as openly as he had hoped, and only his sister's assurance that a budding love for him might lead the object of his affections to behave this subdued kept him from turning around and running back to his horse.

  He could not face rejection again.

  Naturally the mother was offensive, dripping with civility to Bingley, cold and repulsive to himself, but he had generally been lacking in civility in his behaviour to the people of this neighbourhood, the
y had every reason to dislike him and he would have just to suffer it. Miss Elizabeth did seem to wilt under her mother's incivility, maybe that was what was oppressing her, and even his friendly inquiry after Mr and Mrs Gardiner did nothing to loosen her up. She answered briefly and continued her needlework. She did look lovely bent over her work, as beautiful and as glowing as ever, though her eyes were mostly directed at the floor or her work.

  Fortunately Miss Bennet was very friendly, as always, making him feel at least the slightest bit welcome. The conversation turned to Mrs Wickham's marriage, but Darcy didn't listen much to what was said, he merely observed Miss Bennet's behaviour to his friend, and sometimes dared a glance at her sister to feel his heart swell for a few moments, until her distant attitude started to hurt him and he turned his attention to his friend once more.

  It was clear that Bingley was still very much attached to Miss Bennet, and with Miss Elizabeth's assurance in mind that her sister loved Bingley dearly, he did seem to notice a difference in Miss Bennet, she had clearly been hurt, she was less open, less chatty than she used to be.

  Miss Elizabeth inquired after Georgiana, and he told her she was still at Pemberley with Mrs Annesley, the rest of the company having moved on to

  other friends. He wanted to take Miss Elizabeth outside, and ramble through the woods with her, and tell her about his feelings, but he couldn't. He had to sit here and hear her mother sneer at him, and see her beautiful, gifted daughter wilt ever more in shame and misery.

  Maybe Miss Elizabeth remembered his letter, his severe censure of her mother's manners, and was so ashamed she couldn't speak. It would be a judgement on his own pride, his feeling of superiority turned against him once more, for it was lessening his chance to reach her, to convince her he truly loved her. Darcy had long since stopped caring about her relatives, he only cared about her.

  Pretty soon, Miss Elizabeth and himself were delivered from this mutual torture by Bingley and Darcy's departure, but not before Mrs Bennet invited them over to dinner in two days. However much his own doubt had grown this afternoon, his friend was already very comfortable again, Miss Bennet was not yet as outgoing as she used to be, but she had thawed towards Bingley considerably, and in Darcy's opinion her being different than she used to be was proof she did care. Bingley was probably going to be a very happy man in a few days, whereas his own fate was not yet clear at all.