“We do not disagree. She will not be allowed to harm de Bourgh or Anne again,” Matlock reassured the two women.
“Before I inform you of our conversation regarding William and George, Gigi has been invited to join de Bourg and Annie at Oak Hollow,” Darcy revealed. “If you agree, we can travel as a family to take her to Bedfordshire.”
“Andrew, Richard, and William have been invited to spend the next month with the Huntingtons in Staffordshire. They departed yester-morning,” Lady Anne reported. “I did not think you would object.”
“I do not,” Darcy agreed. “Now as to George…” Darcy, with Matlock’s assistance, related their conversation in the coach.
“Thank goodness!” Lady Anne exclaimed. “It has been some time now I have known that boy was no good, but you chose not to see it or listen to anyone who pointed the facts out to you. I think we should go to Pemberley to see Mr. Wickham and his son before we take Gigi south.”
Darcy did not disagree.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“You sent word for George and me to see you, Mr. Darcy?” Lucas Wickham stated once the door to the study was closed.
George had been feeling confident until he saw Lady Anne was with her husband, and unlike the latter, the former was not taken in by him.
“Thank you for coming so promptly, Wickham. My wife and I would like to discuss these debts which have been made in William’s name around Eton.” Now that he was looking for it, Darcy did not miss the sly smile of satisfaction that flitted across George’s face. “I have decided to grant William’s request. With your permission Wickham, as he is adamant the charges against my son andheirare all true, I would like George to join us when we go to see each merchant who was cheated.”
None of the three adults could miss, even if they wanted to, the sudden change in George’s pallor to the white of a sheet. “F-f-father I-I h-have t-t-t-too m-much w-work…” George tried to claim.
“What work? You have refused everything I have suggested,” the older Wickham scratched his head.
“The reason George does not want to return to the area with us, I suspect, is that it was he who opened the accounts in William’s name,” Darcy stated firmly. “If not, he would be only too pleased to see me acquire proof against William, especially as George claims he is mytrue sonwho willreplace William as my heir.”
“That would be a physical impossibility! The monthswhen your mother would have had to become with child based on the date of your birth, we were in London,” Lady Anne revealed.
“B-But Mama swore I was not of your blood,” George said as he looked at his father.
“That is one of the few true things she told you. Your birthfather is Jed Hutchin who works in the stables at the inn in Lambton,” Wickham stated as he shook his head sadly. “If you choose to see for yourself, go meet the man and you will see your face.”
“You are no longer my godson, although I will pay for your final two years at Eton. After that Wickham, I am sorry, but I will not support George any longer. I know I owe you much for saving my life…” Darcy was cut off by his steward.
“I never thought you were in debt to me for that. I only accepted the offer for an education as my late wife had fritted away all the money I was saving for George’s future.” Wickham turned to his reeling son. “Yes, even though I knew I did not beget you, I have always treated you like a flesh and blood son.”
“Will you admit the truth or do we need to make the journey to Eton?” Darcy questioned. “If we go there and we discover you are responsible, you will be sent to debtors prison to work off your debt.”
“It was me, not William,” George admitted softly, at a barely audible level.
“George Wickham, how could you,” Wickham thundered at his son. “I will repay all...”
“No, Wickham, you will not. I told your son he would be liable if he did not tell the truth,” Darcy insisted. “He is not yet fifteen and he did have his mother’s lies in his ear. But that does not excuse all the times over the years he has blamed William for things I am now convinced George did himself. From now forward, George will not be allowed around my family, especially not my son and daughter.”
“In light of my son’s misdeeds, I will resign my position,” Wickham offered.
“That would only punish you and me,” Darcy objected. “I do not want to lose you, but George will not be able to roam freely around Pemberley as long as he is under your roof.”
“In that case, I will not resign, but with all due respect, Mr. Darcy, you will not pay for anything more for George, including his final years at Eton,” Wickham insisted. “Without my money being drained, I have begun to save. Whatever education George will have will be at my expense, not yours.”
George Wickham was not happy. Mostly to discover not only was he not a son of Pemberley, but his true father was a man who laboured at the inn’s stables. He was aware enough to know his position was precarious so he would have to be careful.
The Wickhams exited the study.
“When I see William again, I have many amends to make,” Darcy acknowledged to his beloved wife.
“That you do. You never added a bequest for young Wickham in your will, did you?” Lady Anne queried.
“No, I had planned to next time we were in London. Do not concern yourself Anne, I will not add him to it.” Darcy paused. “My eyes are open regarding young Wickham.”
