Once the door was closed behind them, Lydia turned to Elizabeth.
“Lizzy, was there any exaggeration in your words yesterday or were they all true? I do not wish to make you angry again, but I must know.”
“I did not exaggerate. I do not like to speak of the event, so I did not share every detail, but those I told you happened just as I described. If anything, I did not tell you enough.”
“I am sorry to have doubted you, Lizzy. I could not believe you yesterday. The man you described was not the one I knew.”
“I thought much the same at the time. Both Mr. Wickham and Mr. Darcy were strangers to me at that moment. I had trusted Mr. Wickham as well, and he was intent upon luring me to the old Peabody barn. When I stopped cooperating, he became a different man.”
Lydia nodded sadly. “He did not need to force me. I trusted him and went willingly. I truly did think he loved me and wished to marry me.”
Elizabeth took Lydia’s hand and they both sat on the bed. “I thought the same.”
“After all he had said of the wrongs Mr. Darcy had done him, his plan made sense. He would finally be able to get back some of what should have rightfully been his. I did not think Mr. Darcy loved you, and told Wickham so. However, I also did not think you cared for Mr. Darcy, so I saw no harm in the attempt to recover what Wickham had lost.”
Elizabeth had believed much the same at one point in time, so she could hardly blame her sister for doing the same. She would not have agreed to an extortion scheme, but she had once shared her sister’s desire to see justice done.
“I should have told you more about Mr. Wickham.”
“You may blame me as well,” Jane said. “We felt no good could come of anyone else knowing of Lizzy’s attack and feared word would spread and harm her reputation.”
“You did not trust that I could keep your secret?” Lydia asked. “Did you think I would tell all the town what could ruin my own sister?”
“At the time we were not willing to take the risk,” Jane replied before Elizabeth could say anything. “Lizzy was hurt and confused, so you cannot blame her as it was not her decision.”
“I was also ashamed,” Elizabeth stated, unwilling to let Jane absolve her of all guilt. “I felt I should tell you and Kitty, but I could not bear to have anyone else know, and so allowed myself to be persuaded into silence. Beyond Wickham’s assault, I was ashamed that I could have misjudged two men to such a degree. I needed time away to process what had happened and make peace with my own mistakes.”
Lydia looked back and forth between her sisters. “I thought Mr. Wickham was so honest and open.”
“He certainly appeared that way, but it was all deception.”
“Did he really attempt to elope with an heiress?”
“She was only fifteen at the time.”
“I feel foolish.”
Elizabeth had never heard her sister sound so small before. She had been angry or dejected or despondent, but always at full volume so that all could understand the depth of her feelings. Elizabeth had never heard Lydia speak seriously and softly before.
“You are not a fool, you are the victim of one intent upon deceiving you,” Jane offered as she gently stroked Lydia’s hair.
“Lizzy said I was a fool last night,” Lydia reminded her.
“Last night you showed no recognition that you had done any wrong. At that time, yes, you were a fool,” Elizabeth said. “Failure, however great, does not make you a fool. Refusing to learn from your failure does.”
Lydia considered her sister’s words. When she did not speak, Elizabeth continued.
“If you can recognize your folly, and vow that you will learn from it, we may be able to help you.”
“How could you help me? I am to be tied to Wickham for life, or until he abandons me and whatever debts he has incurred to start again in a new place. If I am lucky he may be sent to the front lines on the continent, but that is the best I can hope for.”
“Lydia!” Jane cried.
“It is true. I have considered your words. I knew that I needed to marry him, but I did not know before what kind of man he really was. I am sure I would be better off as his widow than wife.”
“If you do not wish to marry Wickham, we may have a solution.”
CHAPTER 44
“I believe I have found your man,” Colonel Fitzwilliam announced as he entered Darcy’s study.
“That was quick work. What makes him the ideal candidate?”
“I do not believe I could have found a more perfect man for our job. Lieutenant Winklen is a good match for size and coloring to Wickham. His hair is a bit darker and he does not style his the same as Wickham, but he is a good enough match for anyone who was not intimately acquainted with Miss Lydia or Wickham. Better, though, is that he was quartered in Brighton until a few weeks before the elopement. He was well known there and the timing is such that we can easily claim he returned a few weeks later, desperate for his lady, and absconded with Miss Lydia in the night.”
“His history aligns well with our goals, but what of the man?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam settled himself in a chair on the other side of the desk from Darcy.
“I believe Mr. Bennet will be most satisfied on that count. Mr. Winklen was the only candidate insistent upon meeting his intended and her family before committing to participate. The others I spoke to, in only the vaguest of terms of course, either rebuffed me immediately or cared little about the lady herself and wanted to know only the financial terms.”
Darcy leaned back. “Then he may decline any offer after learning the extent of the Miss Lydia’s shame. I do not think we can take such a risk.”
“I made the same argument and he suggested meeting at a neutral location where he may speak to Mr. Bennet without being introduced to him by name. He would not meet Miss Lydia until after committing to our plan, but he insists that he have the opportunity to speak with her prior to the wedding.”
A sensible request spoke well of the man. Darcy considered their options. Bingley had offered the use of his home and carriage to the Bennets in his absence, should any need arise. Should Mr. Winklen choose not to take part in their plans, he was unlikely to ever run into a country gentleman like Mr. Bennet again.
“Let me check with Mr. Bennet, but I believe an interview would be wise as soon as one can be arranged.”
Over the course of a few messages sent to and from Gracechurch Street it was decided that they would meet with the gentleman as soon as could be arranged. Before long, Darcy found himself in Bingley’s drawing room with Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner.
Darcy felt uncomfortable borrowing his friend’s home for such an odd charade, but knew Bingley wished to assist in any way he could.
“I almost feel I should have a harlequin mask,” Mr. Bennet commented. “Were the stakes not so high, I would be immensely diverted by this whole endeavor.”
If Mr. Bennet had been diverted less frequently as a father, their efforts now may not be needed. Darcy immediately felt the hypocrite for such a thought. His own sister had fallen into the same trap, despite Darcy’s best efforts. True, Miss Lydia had needed better guidance, but such would have been no guarantee against a rake of Wickham’s prowess.
“I believe the gentlemen approach,” Mr. Gardiner said as they heard the front door. Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner sat at a table, but Darcy kept his position by the window as he preferred the freedom to move around the room.
Colonel Fitzwilliam entered first and introduced Mr. Winklen.
“I will not introduce the other gentlemen,” he told Mr. Winklen, “except to say that this is the girl’s father,” he gestured to Mr. Bennet, “and uncle. My friend,” here he nodded toward Darcy, “and I have been assisting the family.”
Mr. Winklen seated himself at the table across from Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner.
“I believe the colonel has informed you of our situation,” Mr. Bennet said.
“He has, but before I consider the
matter, I wish to know more about the family I would be acquiring with my wife. Have you other children?”
“I have five daughters. One is married to a clergyman, one is engaged to a gentleman, two are unattached at present,” here Mr. Bennet glanced toward Darcy with a wry smile, “and the youngest is the subject of our present meeting.”
“Forgive me for asking, Sir, but I must know the character of your other daughters. A resolution is sought for one, but is there any danger of repetition in this situation? I have a younger sister and I would not risk her marriageability.”
“Given what has happened, I cannot take offense at your question,” Mr. Bennet replied with a sigh as he folded his hands on the table. “My youngest has always been headstrong and was allowed more freedom than she was ready to handle. My new wife was assisting me to curb her activities, but I am afraid it was too little, too late. My other daughters are well respected by all who know them. My next youngest has followed her wild sister too often, but will no longer be out in society until she has demonstrated she is ready for such responsibility. With guidance, I have no doubt she will resemble her sisters in propriety.”
Miss Kitty was likely still malleable enough to reform into a respectable young lady, though Darcy had seen little evidence. The new Mrs. Bennet was a sensible woman who would instill some order in the household.
“Thank you, Sir. Can you tell me a bit more about your youngest?”
Mr. Bennet furrowed his brows for a moment as he thought. “She was a favorite of my late wife and that lady could see no wrong in the child’s actions. The girl has always had a lively and outgoing spirit, much like my wife when she was younger. Perhaps that is why I did not make a greater attempt to check her behavior.” Mr. Bennet trailed off in thought for a moment before collecting himself and continuing.
“Whatever our reasons, we failed her as parents and did not provide the guidance nor consequences to her behavior that she needed. I would like to say that my daughter was acting out of character after her mother’s death, but that would be untrue. I thought the holiday away from home would be good for her, but it only removed any last restraints she had upon her behavior. She stayed with good people, but they were not prepared to counteract the neglect my daughter had received in lessons on comportment and propriety.” Mr. Bennet again grew silent and he looked at his hands, apparently lost in thought.
“Do you think her character would be receptive to a better example? Forgive me, again, but I need to know if her behavior is still correctible or if she has passed beyond any hope of saving. A naïve girl misled by a rake is a different matter than a fast girl of easy virtue.”
Mr. Bennet continued his silence, so Mr. Gardiner was left to answer.
“At the moment, she is very open to correction. How long that may last, I do not know. When she was first discovered, she had no shame for her condition. She has since been made to understand the potential effects of her actions and the character of the man she believed she was in love with. Right now, she desires to escape that man and have a better life.”
“Thank you for your honesty,” Winklen replied as he considered. “I believe the circumstances are those that I can live with. Do you have any questions of me?”
“Why are you considering this marriage?” Darcy asked. He knew it was not his place and should have allowed Miss Lydia’s family the opportunity to ask the first questions, but he could not help himself. He needed to know what motivated the man who seemed too sensible for Miss Lydia.
“I have a sister of my own, as I mentioned,” Winklen replied, leaning back in his seat to better direct himself to Darcy. “My father is not well, has not been well for many years. I have not a home of my own, nor the means of obtaining one at present, short of considering this offer. If I had a settled home, I believe I could convince my father to name me as guardian for my sister upon his death. My elder brother did not share the same mother as my sister and I, nor has he ever been close to either of us. While he would allow her to live with him, he is not a man I would trust to see to her best interests.”
“And you would be willing to shield an unknown lady from scandal by offering your own good name?”
“The lady is still a child from what I understand. She is what, fifteen, sixteen?” Winklen turned his attention back to the gentlemen at the table. “My sister is fourteen, and I do not approve of the naïveté that has been forced upon her. I do not think a girl can be expected to protect herself from one intent upon seduction, not when she is deliberately kept ignorant of the world.”
Darcy thought this a more charitable interpretation of events than Miss Lydia deserved, but said nothing. Mr. Winklen appeared sincere, obviously cared a great deal for his sister, and was willing to take on a wife not much older or more mature than that sister. Darcy would far rather fund Mr. Winklen’s future than Wickham’s. The man seemed to forgive the past of his future wife, so Miss Lydia would likely find a kinder husband in Winklen than in many other men.
Darcy glanced at Colonel Fitzwilliam, who looked well pleased with himself for having brought in such a commendable young man.
“Where do you expect to settle, Mr. Winklen?” asked Mr. Bennet.
“I am from Derbyshire and would wish to return. I hope to find a place near my father and sister.”
Darcy smiled. He always suspected the men of Derbyshire to be a superior sort. If Mr. Winklen proved to be as sensible a man as he appeared at present, Darcy would not be sorry to have him settled nearby and know him better. If he was able to keep Miss Lydia under better control, so much the better.
“That sounds an excellent idea,” Mr. Bennet replied, again sending a wry smile towards Darcy. “Let us now have some proper introductions before we discuss financial matters. I am Mr. Bennet.”
CHAPTER 45
The Bennets and Gardiners waited outside the church. Mr. Wickham was due any moment. Elizabeth shifted nervously. What if he did not show? He was no longer necessary, but she did not wish him to be free to cause further misery to others.
She need not have worried. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham joined them shortly. Elizabeth should have known that Mr. Darcy would see to it that Wickham showed up at his own wedding.
“Good morning, ladies, gentlemen,” the man said with a graceful bow. “I am so pleased you could all be here to celebrate with us. Miss Lydia deserves a proper wedding with her family present.”
“Indeed she does,” Mr. Bennet replied.
“Now, shall we finish our business so we may proceed to the altar? I find myself quite eager to be leg-shackled.”
“How fortunate, for that is exactly what you shall be.” Wickham turned to see Colonel Fitzwilliam and a group of officers had joined them.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam. How good of you to join us,” Wickham replied, appearing somewhat confused by the presence of the newcomers.
“For once I can honestly say I am pleased to see you as well. George Wickham, you are under arrest for desertion of his majesty’s service.”
The blood drained from Wickham’s face, but he maintained his posture of bravado.
“You would not make such a foolhardy move. I have already agreed to marry Miss Lydia, you have no need for such theatrics.”
“But they are not theatrics, George,” the colonel continued with a wide smile. “You have abandoned two commissions in a time of war. That is a hanging offence.”
“Lydia will be ruined and all the Bennets with her. You need me to marry her to avoid a scandal.”
“Miss Lydia will marry today,” Mr. Darcy informed him. “But she will not marry you.”
“Then she will still be under a scandal. She left word she ran away with me. I made certain she did so. Marrying her off to another will not save her reputation.”
“Let me introduce you to Lieutenant Winklen. When you deserted at the same time Miss Lydia eloped with Mr. Winklen it is no wonder her letter was misread the way it was.”
“We were quite delighted to learn our mistake
,” Mr. Bennet said with a grin. “Thank you, Colonel, for removing this man. Come Mr. Winklen, we are needed in the church.”
Wickham just stared at them all in disbelief as the officers proceeded to shackle him.
“Your charade will not work,” he called at last. “Too many people saw me courting Lydia in Brighton. Your story will unravel.”
“Then we are fortunate those officers are unlikely to return to Meryton anytime soon. Mr. Winklen is about your height and coloring. It would be understandable if the two of you were mistaken for one another.”
“This is beneath you, Darcy. And you as well Fitzwilliam. You are using your post to enact a personal revenge.”
“I am arresting a deserter. My personal pleasure does not diminish the fact that your own actions have brought you to this point. You will have a trial, have no fear. When the judge learns of your sordid past I am sure he will find some leniency in his heart. He may order you hanged immediately to save you further distress.” Colonel Fitzwilliam gestured and the officers began to lead Wickham away, still protesting and struggling in his agitation.
Mr. Bennet escorted his wife into the church where Lydia and Jane were waiting. Mr. Darcy offered his arm and Elizabeth gratefully took it.
“Will he truly hang?”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam is quite certain. He could likely influence a judge to reduce the sentence to imprisonment at a penal colony, but sees no reason to use up a favor for Wickham. The man will be a danger to others no matter where he goes. He has been given chance after chance and squandered each. He is an infection that has been allowed to spread too far. Amputation is the only remedy that will work now. He cannot be allowed to continue his misdeeds.”
“I had not expected such a punishment for him when I tried to remove him from our lives.”
“I know you had not, but such is what he deserves according to the law. He will not be hung for wronging your family or mine. He will be hung for offenses committed against the crown. You are not responsible for him.”
Folly and Forgiveness: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 30
