“Nephew, I cannot believe you gave that man good coin after all Wickham has done.”
“I did it for his father’s sake. Gerard Wickham was a good man who served my family well over the years. I shall make arrangements to have him buried in a common grave, nothing more. He does not deserve better.”
“I agree.” William’s uncle paused for a moment before continuing. “Darcy, forgive me for being indelicate, but may I assume everything Wickham said with regard to Mrs. Darcy and Georgiana was a complete falsehood? I would hate for you to have to deal with the French Disease on top of everything else.”
Attempting to control his ire, William said, “Uncle, there is no truth whatsoever to Wickham’s assertions. Georgiana was drugged from the time she was taken from Ramsgate, and her maid swore to me that Wickham never touched her in that way. As for my wife, she was a maiden when we were finally able toconsummate our marriage two days ago. Wickham’s torments were unfounded, and had he not been on his deathbed, he would have suffered much by my hand for saying so.”
“I see. I appreciate your candour. Would you care to stop by Matlock House for a brandy before going home?”
“No, I thank you, Uncle. The sooner I make provisions for Wickham’s body, the better. Georgiana and Richard will be back later this afternoon, and I need to put this distasteful business behind me as soon as I am able.”
“Of course.”
Darcy House
The Study
Having completed the arrangements for Wickham’s body, William was mentally exhausted. The emotional drama, combined with what the man’s death signified, had affected him greatly. Wickham could have been so much more, but he chose a path of dissipation and destruction. He had been such a lively lad, and one who had brought William great pleasure as they grew up side by side during their boyhood. Despite all of the hurt, in retrospect it saddened William to see what Wickham had become. Sitting behind his desk with his head leaning against the back of the chair and his eyes closed, he sighed heavily before drifting off into a light sleep.
Not twenty minutes later, Elizabeth quietly knocked on the study door. Hearing no answer, she slowly opened it and peeked inside. Seeing her husband thus moved her with compassion. William had endured much by Wickham’s hand, and she was sure his time spent at the gaol was equally as difficult. Elizabeth had been informed of William’s return, but at the time she was with Anna, lulling her to sleep in the rocking chair with astory and a song. With so much activity, the little girl had tired easily, and Elizabeth wanted her to be well-rested by the time Georgiana and the colonel arrived.
Moving to the edge of his desk, Elizabeth reached out and gently touched William’s furrowed brow. It could not be a restful sleep with so much visible strain on his face, and she knew instinctively that he needed her. When she leaned forward to place a kiss on his lips, it was enough to wake him. All at once he pulled her onto his lap and into his embrace.
“Oh, my love,” he moaned into her hair. “You are the best tonic any man could have. How did I ever live without you?”
“You are my life, William, and I am yours.” Again they kissed.
“Elizabeth,” William hesitated, “Wickham is dead. He is finished and will never hurt my loved ones again.”
Tenderly trailing her fingers along his cheek, she said, “I see. ‘Tis a pity, is it not?”
“Yes, it is. Despite all he did to harm our family, at one time he was my good friend. Truly, we were like brothers, yet no matter what I did to help him, he persisted in wasting his life, and for that I am sorry.”
“‘Tis a sadness to be sure, but the man made choices, and in the end, he was his own worst enemy.”
William sighed heavily and, looking to Elizabeth’s comforting expression, said, “I thank God that chapter is now closed. And although not forgotten, we can finally move forward with our lives.”
“Yes, we can.” She smiled lovingly, lightly kissing him and pulling him close. “William, as you know, I have much planned for the rest of today, but while Anna is napping, if you would join me for a time in our chambers, I shall do my best to help you put aside those gloomy thoughts.”
Softly chuckling into her hair, he murmured, “How could I resist such an invitation, my love? Let us go now.”
The Front Parlour
Late Afternoon
“Mama, Papa, I see another carriage in the street. Do you think it is Aunt Georgie?”
“Sweetheart,” said Elizabeth, walking to where her daughter stood and giving her a hug, “there are many carriages in the street, but she will be here soon, and I know she will be eager to see you, too.
“William, I do hope the trip has not been too demanding, considering her injury. If her headaches persist, the ride in the carriage may have made her quite ill.”
“That, too, is one of my concerns,” he said, joining them at the window. “Nevertheless, Richard will have kept her well entertained and if needs be allowed for frequent stops.”
“Look, Papa! A carriage is stopping in front of the house!” Anna excitedly exclaimed.
“Ah, it is the Matlock crest,” he confirmed. Lifting Anna into his arms, William continued, “Let us all go out to greet your Aunt Georgie and Cousin Richard.”
As soon as the steps were let down, Richard stepped out and waved to the Darcys, who were coming through the front door. Turning to Georgiana, he offered her assistance as William, Elizabeth and Anna crowded around the weary travellers. Georgiana looked very pale following the long trip, and it was obvious to William that his sister was not feeling well. Once she saw her family, the poor girl could not contain her tears.
