Through the Window 2

by Mary Jane Ballew

  Richard shook his head, “I am not defending Wickham’s actions,” he told him. “He is a married man and should conduct himself as such. I agree with you completely on that score. However, as a soldier, I can tell you this; if there is the slightest chance that one of the men in my regiment can be spared by the information that Wickham is able to ascertain, then I would gladly accept it. It is possible that Colonel Wellington is a very honorable man…” he said when Darcy interrupted him.

  “An honorable man!” Darcy was astonished. “Richard, truly you astound me. How can you think this colonel an honorable man when he has sent Wickham here to seduce a married woman, all to get information out of her!”

  Richard stood his ground, “Darcy, there is a reason I do not discuss the battlefield or the horrors of war that I have seen with you,” he told him. “It is because I hoped to spare you the reality of what I have seen. It is entirely possible that Colonel Wellington saw Wickham’s flirtations with the Lady DuVernay and realized that he was the sort of man to indulge his carnal appetites regardless of his being married to Lydia. It is also possible that even though the colonel does not approve of Wickham’s conduct, he is determined to exploit Wickham’s already deceitful nature to the benefit of the crown. At least it would offer some small benefit in the saving of lives. If Lady DuVernay can give us insights into Napoleon's plans for his troops and we can bring about an end to this war that much sooner, then I can well understand the man’s actions.”

  Darcy shook his head, “As you have said, I do not know the horrors of war that you have seen. I will readily admit, I have enjoyed a life free from knowing first hand as you have those kinds of cruel realities that war is, but to say you can understand this man’s actions is not something I can agree with you on. Good grief man, Colonel Wellington is sanctioning Wickham’s affair. He is practically paying him to commit adultery with this woman!”

  Richard took in a deep breath, “Darcy, will you concede that if Wickham were so inclined to have an affair, he would do so regardless of whether Colonel Wellington gave him leave to do so or not?” he asked him.

  Darcy nodded his head, “Yes, of course; we both know he would without hesitation. Wickham has always been the sort of man to do as he pleases and to fulfill his own desires regardless of whom he hurts.”

  “Agreed,” Richard said, “All I am proposing to you is that it is possible that Colonel Wellington has realized that about Wickham as well. If Wickham is having an affair with the lady regardless, why not at least try to take something good away from his despicable actions and help save the lives of young men fighting for their king and country?”

  Darcy sighed, “I cannot see it your way,” he told him. “I am sorry, cousin. I know you have suffered the sorrows of the battlefield, and I have not, but I cannot overlook what is right and what the Colonel has sent Wickham here to do is most certainly not right.”

  “I wish I still had the luxury to look at things as you do cousin,” Richard took the reins of his horse in hand and climbed up on his back, “Sadly, I do not. As you said, you do not know the sorrows of the battlefields as I do. Until you lead a regiment of young men into battle knowing that more than half will surely die; until you write letters to the loved ones waiting back home hoping beyond hope never to receive the letter you are now writing, you cannot possibly understand my view of it. I do not excuse Wickham’s deplorable treatment of Mrs. Wickham. I detest it to my very core, but if using that behavior can save lives, then yes, I can well understand it!”

  Darcy did not say anything further. Instead, he mounted his horse, and they rode back to Windham House in silence. Once they arrived, Darcy went to his study and remained there while Richard went to the drawing room to pour himself a glass of brandy.

  Kitty looked up from her sewing as Richard came into the room. She watched as he walked straight over to the table and poured himself a brandy. “You seem determined in purpose, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she remarked. “Was there a chill in the air this morning that you need the brandy to ward off the cold?”

  Richard turned around abruptly and saw her sitting there. “Miss Bennet, I am sorry; I did not see you when I came in,” he told her as he finished his glass. “Yes, there is a slight chill this morning,” he said as he placed the glass back on the table. “I suppose I wanted to ensure I did not catch a cold.”

  “My uncle often has a glass after he goes riding. He says it helps to warm the blood in the fall and winter when the weather turns colder,” Kitty commented.

  Richard smiled, “Yes, I suppose it does,” he said as he took in a small breath. “Tell me, Miss Bennet, what is it you are working on?” he asked as he walked over and sat down across from her. “It looks to be a complicated piece.”

  Kitty smiled as she looked up at him, “I am making a sleeping gown for my nephew. My sister was not exactly prepared for the arrival of her son, nor were we and the poor little thing has very little to wear at the moment.”

  “Darcy mentioned that little Ben’s birth took everyone by surprise,” Richard commented.

  “Well, yes and no,” Kitty said, as she raised her brow just a little. “I do not think my sister Lydia was as surprised as she is pretending to be. She thinks we are all just as silly as she and do not know that Ben came just exactly when was time. Of course, she likes to laugh and giggle and pretend that he is a big baby, but we know,” she told him.

  “So you think Mrs. Wickham would rather believe you are all deceived into thinking that Ben is only a large baby and not admit the truth of the timing of it all,” he remarked.

  “I will only say that Lydia is very fortunate that my aunt kept many of her youngest boy’s clothes and has given them to her to use until things can be purchased for her son,” Kitty told him.

  “I agree, she is very fortunate in that respect,” Richard told her. He thought about his discussion with Darcy and wondered what Miss Bennet thought about her brother-in-law’s actions. “I heard Mrs. Darcy mention that George Wickham only came briefly to see his son and then returned to his unit, to the north.”

  “Yes, I think he was there for a brief time,” Kitty commented. “I doubt Lydia will see him for some time to come now. She thinks he is away on some kind of secret mission, but I do not believe that to be the case.”

  Richard narrowed his eyes, “Really? Why do you say that?” he asked her.

  Kitty set her sewing aside, “Because I overheard Lizzy and Jane discussing Mr. Wickham and his dreadful treatment of my sister. I do not know all of what they were discussing, but I do know that Lizzy very seldom ever defends Lydia and she was talking about the cruel injustice being done to her,” she explained. “So that must mean that Mr. Wickham is lying about having to be away so soon. It can only mean that he is up to his usual deceitful conduct.”

  Richard furrowed his brow, “Have you said this to Lydia? Have you made her aware of what you think about Mr. Wickham’s abrupt departure?”

  Kitty shook her head, “No, it would do little good and in the end; Lydia would only be hurt by such news. She loves Mr. Wickham very dearly, I think, and is blissfully unaware of his true nature.”

  “Do you think it best that she be kept in the dark?” Richard asked her.

  Kitty thought about it for a moment, “If it were anyone else but Lydia, I would probably say no,” she told him. “My sister is not very clever, Colonel; and Mr. Wickham is not about to change, so telling her would gain nothing. She will be busy with her son for the duration of her stay at Longbourn, and by the time little Ben is grown, we can pray that perhaps Mr. Wickham will also.”

  Richard took in a small breath, “That is probably a very wise way to proceed,” he told her.

  Kitty picked back up her sewing, “I do not condone my brother-in-law’s actions,” she began to say. “If I thought I could say or do something to put a stop to his conduct, I would; however, as a female, there is little that I can do.”

  “I think there is little that any of us can do to change Mr
. Wickham,” he told her. “I believe Mr. Wickham must desire to change himself.”

  Kitty finished the last few stitches and then held up her work to inspect it, “There we are, one down and only a dozen or so more to go. The least Mr. Wickham could have done was to give Lydia some money to help with the care of their son. I suppose even that is asking too much of him,” she gave a sad little laugh. “I do feel sorry for my sister, though. I know she is accountable for her conduct. However, I do believe she deserves to be treated better than she is by Mr. Wickham.”

  Richard took in a small breath, “I believe you are right,” he said as he stood up.

  Kitty smiled as she stifled a small yawn. “Where are you off to now, Mr. Fitzwilliam?” she asked.

  “I am off to write a letter, Miss Bennet,” he told her. “I believe there is a colonel to the north I owe a letter to, and it is long overdue.”

  “Well then, I wish you well with your correspondence,” she said as she went back to her sewing.

  Richard went to his room and began his letter. He was determined to do what he could to see that Wickham at least helped with the care of his child. He did not know what kind of man Colonel Wellington was, but he felt sure he could be persuaded to send some compensation to Lydia for the child by way of Mr. Bennet. He decided if the colonel wanted to continue his missions with the Lady DuVernay, at least Wickham’s son should have some of the rewards instead of it all going to gambling debts.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was early in the afternoon when Elizabeth sat down with her sisters, Lady Fitzwilliam, and Caroline for tea. “I have heard from my son that you have had a very exciting time of it over the past two days,” Lady Fitzwilliam commented.

  “Yes, we have,” Elizabeth said. She had hoped the news of the birth of Lydia’s child would not have spread so quickly among the social elite of London.

  “Are your sister and nephew well?” she asked her.

  Elizabeth nodded her head, “Yes, they are both doing very well,” she told her. “Lydia did have some difficulty, but both she and her son are doing very well.”

  Lady Fitzwilliam hesitated for a moment, she placed her teacup back down on the table and said, “Elizabeth my dear, I was wondering if you and I might take a small turn about the room. I am afraid my legs are rather stiff from the ride in the carriage, and the walking will help me, I think.” She turned back to her niece, “Georgie, perhaps Miss Bingley could begin by suggesting to you some of the families she knows who might be added to our guest list.”

  Caroline nodded her head and smiled, “I would love to help in any way I can,” she said. “I do know of several families that are in town just now who would be very delighted to join us for the evening of your coming out.”

  Elizabeth took in a small breath and returned her teacup to the table, “Very well then,” she said as she stood up and walked over to join Lady Fitzwilliam.

  After they walked several feet away from the others, Lady Fitzwilliam took Elizabeth’s arm in hers and said, “Do not be alarmed, my dear. I have not asked you to walk with me so that I might lecture you about the timing of your nephew’s birth. I am not as much a snob or as reserved as my son and nephew like to think I am,” she said in a hushed voice. “Having said that, I do feel it my duty to guide you in this matter,” she continued. “Will I offend you if I speak honestly with you?”

  Elizabeth took in a small breath, “I realize my sister having her child so soon after she married will stir gossip, Lady Fitzwilliam,” she told her. “You have met my mother and sister. You must know that gossip and ridicule are not strangers to me. So please, say what you will, and I will do my best not to be offended.”

  Lady Fitzwilliam patted her arm, “There will be talk,” she began to say. “There is already talk among many of the servants. I do not doubt that Lady Catherine will call on you very soon, so be expecting that,” she warned her. “As to my niece’s ball,” she said looking back over at Georgiana. “You must carry on and have it,” she told her.

  Elizabeth was somewhat surprised, “I will admit, Lady Fitzwilliam, this counsel puzzles me just a little,” she told her. “I had thought you were going to suggest we postpone the ball for another time.”

  Lady Fitzwilliam shook her head, “No!” she said a bit louder than she meant to. When everyone looked up at them, she smiled and lowered her voice, “No, my dear, if we postpone that gives the vultures confidence. If those of Lady Catherine’s ilk believe that they can chase you off and somehow make you feel as if you truly are tainted by your sister’s actions, they will be emboldened to keep doing so. No, we must forge ahead with this ball and do so with every confidence of it being the highlight of the season. I will, of course, make it known that I am attending, and that several of my friends will be as well. I have already secured the acceptance of Lady Belmont on your behalf. She will come with three of her very eligible, handsome nephews in tow. That will be too great a temptation for many of the ladies with single young daughters to resist. I have also asked Lady Simmons to come, and she has accepted as well.”

  “What of Lady Knowles?” Elizabeth asked. “Do you think she will be expecting an invitation?”

  Lady Fitzwilliam smiled cunningly, “Oh yes my dear, she will be expecting it. However, I have no intention of inviting her. She would only decline to come and make it known that she has done so. By not inviting her we do not give her the weapons to attack us.”

  Elizabeth was astounded by the decisive actions of her husband’s aunt. “I find I do not know what to say, Lady Fitzwilliam,” she told her. “You almost make it sound as if we are going to war instead of planning a coming out ball.”

  Lady Fitzwilliam sighed, “Do not be mistaken, Elizabeth; learning to navigate the upper society of the ton can be very much like going to war. If we are not prepared for every possibility that Lady Catherine could devise, she will devour you and my niece. I have watched her destroy many families over the years for some offense she believes was given.”

  “Then do I have much hope in helping my sister or Georgiana?” Elizabeth asked honestly. “I am sure Lady Catherine has already done her best to make known the events of my nephew’s birth. She has already spread all kinds of lies to Lady Knowles concerning me. I doubt she will show restraint now.”

  Lady Fitzwilliam shook her head, “I am sorry to say you are probably right about that, my dear girl,” she told her. “Do not give up hope that all will be well,” she encouraged her. “After all, once the details of your sister’s marriage and the birth of her son are forgotten, all will be well. You will find that those in London Society can easily forget a matter if details are not widely known. If we are careful not to fill in any of the more intimate particulars, the speculation will soon die down, and they will forget your sister’s imprudence and move on to the next salacious scandal.”

  “I thank you, Lady Fitzwilliam, for your help in all of this,” Elizabeth told her. “I am not sure I could have navigated my way through without your help.”

  Lady Fitzwilliam smiled as they walked back across the room, “You are very welcome, my dear girl, very welcome indeed,” she told her. “Remember, I was once in your place. I know very well how Lady Catherine can cause havoc in the lives of those around her for no other reason than to suit her fancy.”

  “Again, I thank you, Lady Fitzwilliam; your kindness to me is very generous,” Elizabeth told her.

  “You must call me Lady Abigail. Truly, we are family,” the older woman said. “I know we shall get along very well, you and I. We are a united front; Lady Catherine will not succeed in her plans. I was once very close to Anne myself, and I love both William and Georgiana as if they were my own children. I will not stand by and let Lady Catherine cause them sorrow because she has some notion that obedience to her wishes is owed to her,” she whispered softly as they rejoined the others. “Well now, that is much better. Nothing like a short walk around the room to get one’s blood flowing again, I must say. Now tell me, Miss Bin
gley, have you some suggestions for my niece?”

  Caroline nodded her head, “Yes, I believe so, Lady Fitzwilliam,” she told her as she handed a slip of paper over to her with several names on it. “I chose only those families that I felt would be a suitable match for someone of Miss Darcy’s parentage.”

  Lady Fitzwilliam took the list and examined it closely, “Very good,” she said as she read each name. “This is a very good beginning, I think,” she told them. “Georgie, I have spoken with Lady Belmont; she will be attending with three of her nephews. I am sure that one of them would possibly be a very good match for you. Of course, several families of wealth and connection will be there so you will have a number of young men to choose from.”

  Georgiana was not sure what to say, “I vaguely remember meeting one of Lady Belmont’s nephews once,” she told her. “I think maybe it was Edmond.”

  Lady Fitzwilliam smiled approvingly, “Yes, Edmond is the oldest; he would be five and twenty I believe and a very handsome young man. He will inherit from his father so you would do very well with him. Of course, there will be several other young ladies there as well who will be in want of his attention. However, I will speak with Lady Belmont to be sure to have her point Edmond in your direction,” she told her.