“Do you want to walk up the aisle, or should we just begin the ceremony?” the vicar queried.
“The sooner we begin, the sooner I will be married to the man of my dreams,” Miss Bingley claimed. She turned her smiling countenance on the two officers and beckoned them to approach.
The ceremony was proceeding as would be expected until the vicar asked Mr Wickham for the ring to be placed on his soon to be wife’s finger. Wickham almost panicked, but was rescued by Denny who lent them a ring from his little finger. From there, things proceeded smoothly. When his bride looked at him questioningly regards the lack of a wedding ring, as they were not yet married, Wickham knew he needed to placate her.
“You are aware how I have been cheated?” She gave a curt nod. “In a few short months, you will have your pick of the Darcy jewels.”
Caroline Bingley brightened up immediately and was happy when they were pronounced man and wife. When they signed the register, Denny witnessed Wickham’s signature, but as she had no maid or matron of honour, Mrs Chambers signed as Miss Bingley’s witness as Caroline signed Bingley for a final time.
“What now, Husband?” Mrs Wickham purred.
“To Netherfield Park to present your brother with the proof of our wedding so he will release your dowry for us to live until I gain what is rightfully mine.” Wickham used his few remaining pennies to hire a trap to drive them to the estate.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elizabeth was pleased her father was keeping to his new habit of taking his meals in his study. Seeing him during the morning meal would have made her rather nervous, and not put on nerves like her mother’s either.
“Mary, please take our sisters upstairs to spend time with the cousins in the nursery, and help keep them all occupied, it is time for me to speak to our parents,” Elizabeth requested.
Nodding her understanding, Mary led Kitty and Lydia upstairs. Once she heard a bedchamber door close, Elizabeth took a deep breath and looked at her aunt and uncle who both smiled at her encouragingly. She made the short walk to the study and knocked on the door.
“Enter,” Bennet called out.
“Father, I need to have a discussion with both you and Mother. I know she keeps to her chambers, but this is not something we will be able to ignore forever,” Elizabeth stated evenly.
Knowing this was inevitable did not make it easier for Bennet. He said nothing, simply nodded and rang for Hill. “Please have Mrs Bennet join us in the study, and Hill,” Bennet commanded.
“Yes, Sir,” Hill responded stoically.
“Make sure my wife understands her ever receiving an allowance again in the future, depends on her attending me, as soon as humanly possible,” Bennet added. Hill bowed and left the room.
An awkward silence descended as father and daughter waited for Fanny Bennet.
Chapter 16
Bingley and Darcy were seated in the study poring over the ledgers when Mr Nichols entered the room looking bewildered. “Yes, Nichols, what is it?” Bingley asked.
“A Lieutenant Wickham to see you sir, he claims to be Miss Bingley’s husband. She is with him and did not contradict the officer,” Nichols reported.
There was no missing the building fury on Darcy’s face at hearing who had come calling. “Nichols, please wait in the hallway for a few minutes,” Bingley requested .
The butler withdrew after a bow to the men and pulled the door closed behind him. “Darce, calm yourself. It is time for us to teach both of them a lesson they will never forget. I suggest we meet in the library where you will be able to sit in the small reading room with the door cracked. I will give a signal when it is time to show yourself.”
As angry as he was, Darcy knew it was a good plan. If only Richard were here… “Bingley, before we proceed, may I write a note for my cousin and have it sent to London with my courier? Have Nichols tell them you will be with them as soon as may be.” Bingley agreed and Darcy wrote what he needed to.
Mr Nichols was called back in and given his orders. He was handed the short note to be given to the Darcy courier with instructions to make all speed. The butler was then told to send for the Hursts to join the master as quickly as possible, and then wait until a footman indicated all was ready before bringing the Lieutenant and his so-called wife to the library.
Bingley sat on the settee facing the door while Darcy ensconced himself in the reading room after leaving the door open a few inches. The Hursts entered and looked at Bingley questioningly. “All will become clear very soon,” he promised as he nodded at the footman waiting to inform Nichols he could now announce the couple.
“Lieutenant and Mrs George Wickham,” the butler announced. The newly married couple entered the library looking well pleased with themselves.
“Will you not congratulate me on my conquest?” Mrs Wickham crowed. The former Miss Bingley headed towards an armchair to sit, but stopped when she saw what looked like a smirk on her brother’s face.
“It is good you did not sit. As far as I remember, no one invited you or yourhusbandto be seated. When did this travesty occur?” Bingley drawled.
“TRAVESTY!” Mrs Wickham screamed. “Just you wait! When I am mistress of Pemberley, I will ruin you. All of you who did not pay me the respect I am due!” she screeched.
“You are married to the son of Darcy’s late steward; a paid member of the staff, mind you. How on earth does that get you to be the mistress of Darcy’s anything? Have your delusions finally driven you insane?” Bingley asked. There was no missing the amusement in his voice.
