There was no objection voiced. The expanded group began the walk to the Bennet estate with the stallions being led by two of the guards.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Only you, Lizzy,” Fanny exclaimed as she kissed her daughter’s cheek. “You think he walked into you on purpose, do you not? What could he mean by it?”
“I think I can elucidate Aunt Fanny,” Richard averred. “If as you say word about Lizzy’s inheritance is abroad, then I am sure he wanted an introduction so he could—what he would consider such—make subtle enquiries to discover who the heiress is. The way your daughters report he was leering at them I am sure he would have wanted to have his way with each of them. As much as it pains me to say it, hadhe succeeded, it would not have been the first time he forced himself on an unwilling female.”
“I suppose I should have allowed John to take care of him right away,” Elizabeth sighed. “I knew he had caused the accident purposefully.”
“No harm was done, except to him by you,” Bennet assured his second daughter. “Richard informed me there is a nice print of your hand on his cheek.” Bennet turned to his soon-to-be son. “Will you write to your parents and Darcy and ask they bring all proof against this wastrel with them?”
Richard nodded.
“Enough about that waste of a man,” Fanny declared. “I need some time with you two so I may begin to plan your wedding.”
That was Bennet’s cue to stand so he could return to the study. “No speaking of lace in my presence, please Fanny dear,” Bennet requested playfully.
Fanny smiled indulgently and herded Mary and Richard towards the small parlour.
Chapter 36
George Wickham was stripped of his lieutenancy and reduced to the rank of private without delay. He was informed once Lord Matlock arrived, he would be cashiered out of the militia, but until then he was under their control, including the administration of a punishment of twenty lashes, he was to receive later that morning.
Wickham tried his best to talk the Colonel out of delivering the discipline, but the man could not be moved in the least. Claiming he had not known the penalty for not being truthful about himself when joining the regiment fell on deaf ears.
None of his former friends, not even Denny, were willing to speak on his behalf. Oh yes, they had spoken, but against him! For some reason, they were not appreciative of him having played them for fools and hisrelievingthem of some of their belongings. Sitting in his cell in the brig, he wished he had never heard the name Bennet nor joined the army.
How was he supposed to know the regiment moved to a town where his attempt to have Karen Younge gain the position of Miss Darcy’s companion was known. If that was not enough, Richard Fitzwilliam was residing in the area. He would have never told the story of his supposed ill-usage by Darcy had he known someone in the neighbourhood would be able to contradict him and offer proof as well.
Unable to consider he played a part in his downfall, Wickham chalked everything up to the bad luck which haddogged him at the tables and when he played cards with his former brother officers.
From the window in his cell, Wickham could clearly see the two posts with the metal rings on the inside edge of each. There were chains attached to each ring, each of which ended with a manacle. The two at the top were for the wrists, the lower two for the ankles. Having seen a soldier suffer in this manner while he was lashed for some infraction in Oxfordshire, Wickham was well aware of the purpose of the rings and chains. He hoped he would lose consciousness before too many strokes had been administered.
He saw the two soldiers guarding the door to his cell come to attention which told him the time to be taken to the posts was nigh. Denny and Carter stood waiting for one of the soldiers to unlock the door. Once it was open, Denny nodded to one of the men who handed his weapon to his mate and then entered.
“Off wif yer shirt,” the soldier commanded roughly.
“Come now Denny and Carter, this is not the way to treat a friend is it. Let me go and I will not hold these offences against you,” Wickham tried. He was desperate but he needed to exude confidence.
“You do not have friends, only those you feel you can use. I was a fool once, but never again,” Denny spat out. “My missing fob watch was found secreted in your former quarters, so unless you want to feel my retribution before your lashes, remove your shirt as Johnson commanded.”
Wickham looked to Carter and saw heavy disdain in his eyes. His last avenue for escape was lost.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Lord and Lady Matlock, along with their ward, arrived at Netherfield Park the Friday after Lizzy’s now famous slap which had unmasked the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Accompanying them was their nephew, William Darcy. He hadridden in the coach with them while their personal servants and the companion followed in the coach behind. Zeus was led by one of the six outriders.
Although he tried to hide his anticipation of seeing Miss Bennet again, especially as his full mourning and her mourning had ended the day before, he tamped down his desire knowing he and his uncle needed to deal with Wickham first.
On the journey into Hertfordshire, uncle and nephew had come to a consensus regarding the punishment which would excise the blight—Wickham—forever.
Bingley and his aunt welcomed the arriving party very warmly. Richard was also waiting to welcome his parents, although he would have preferred to be at Longbourn.
Once the travellers were washed and changed, Lord Matlock met in Bingley’s study with Richard and Darcy. “Is that bounder ready to be moved?” he enquired. “It has been more than a sennight since he was whipped.”
“I spoke to Mr. Jones this morning,” Richard reported. “The seducer will be able to travel in two days at the most.”
“It must have been a shock for him to answer for his crimes for once,” Darcy opined.
