He had invested all of the seventy thousand pounds with Fanny’s brother,MidasEdward Gardiner, some years ago. The investments had turned that twenty thousand into now well over a hundred thousand pounds so Anne would be able to return Rosings to its former glory. In addition, her dowry had more than tripled in value.
He smiled when he thought of Anne’s promise of selling all of the ostentatious baubles Lady Catherine had obsessively collected because she had believed it demonstrated her wealth and superiority to all her visitors. All her décor had really done was show just how she was lacking in class and how bad her taste was.
The occupants of the carriage dozed for the four-hour trip to Town, and after thoroughly considering everything once again, the Earl was able to fall asleep with a clear conscience.
Lord Matlock was doing the right thing by helping his niece gain control of what rightfully was hers, with the added benefit of knowing all at Rosings Park would benefit under her care, and that consigning his sister to Bedlam was the safest for all, especially herself.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Wickham woke up a little worse for wear after spending most of the previous day deep in his cups and with no coin remaining. He hated that he smelled like urine, so he asked for water for a bath to try and purge the stench from his person.
After he bathed and dressed, he thought about doing what he had done so many times before, slipping away as he often was able to do as soon as things got too hard, or he was going to be called to account for his actions.
This time, maybe for the first time, it would not be to avoid unhappy relatives and debts, but because he thus far had been unable to act as he pleased due to the lack of credit and the fact there was nary a young maiden with whom he could please himself.
Once his head was a little clearer, he remembered two things. The men hunting him and the Bennet daughters and their forty thousand pounds each. He decided to stay to remain hidden and secure a fortune that he felt was his due.
He was very certain he could get it, either through marriage after the anticipation of vows or as hush money to make him go away. Who needed that little mousey Darcy’s thirty thousand when he could have so much more? It was past time to start planning.
Around eleven that morning, Wickham saw a sight for sore eyes. He beheld the three most beautiful, striking young ladies he had ever seen. He was both drooling and gawking at the vision. They were somewhat older than he preferred, but beggars could not be choosers, and if begging was involved, any of them begging for his attention was a welcome thought.
Before he could approach them, he heard one of them say they would be back to make some more purchases on the morrow as they climbed into a grand carriage, assisted by one of the biggest footmen he had ever seen.
After somediscreetenquiries, he learnt he had just glimpsed the three eldest Bennet heiresses, a blond and two raven-haired beauties. He had to have one or even all of them, then after he had his fill, he would decide which one’s dowry he would claim.
Drooling over his planned conquest, he had not noticed his shadows that were ever observant and were ready to spring into action not if, but when, his predilections caused him to cross the line.
Wickham was far too preoccupied with his dreams of the great fortune he would have and had no reason to suspect he was being closely watched. These were not homely looking heiresses, they were the most beautiful girls he had ever set his eyes on, and he was more determined than ever to carry his point. After all, no one could ever resist his charms.
Without any remaining coin, the tavern was not an option unless he was able to dupe someone into buying his grog for him. If not, he would have to stay sober until he received that first pitiful excuse for pay in another five days.
He stuck out his chin and puffed out his chest as he admired himself in a store window, deciding that he looked very well in regimentals. His ego would not allow himself to notice he was being avoided by the townspeople, both because of the warnings they had received about him and the remaining smell of urine wafting from his person. He had not bathed as well as he believed he had.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“The officer practically drooling when he saw us, was that the awful Wickham the Darcys have long dealt with?” Lizzy asked Biggs who was in the carriage with them for added safety. Anger at Wickham’s actions against her soon-to-be family was burning just below the surface.
Biggs just nodded, knowing he would need to add someone else to watch Miss Lizzy now, She had the look of an avenging angel in her eyes, a look they all knew well when she knew someone had hurt someone she loved. Mary and Jane shuddered as they too noticed how the man had leered at them, which could only be described as despicable.
The Bennet girls had hoped he would see them, in fact, knew their brief exposure to the dissolute scoundrel was needed as bait on the hook in order to spring the trap. They knew they would never be in such close proximity to the profligate again and even if he did manage to get close to one of them, they were never without more than adequate protection.
“I am so happy Sir William and Lady Lucas have ordered Maria to stay home unless they accompany her or at least go out with two of her older siblings at all times.” Mary exhaled in relief as her older sisters nodded in agreement. What was left unsaid was the sisters all knew how easily Maria’s head could be turned by a man in scarlet regimentals.
She had come very close to eloping with an officer two years previously when she was only fifteen, and only Charlotte finding out about the plan and reporting it to her parents had saved Maria and the honour of the Lucas family.
As the sisters exited the carriage, they alighted to three very relieved young men who had been anxiously waiting for their return from the baiting mission. Even though the men knew their ladies were well protected, if not overprotected at all times, they were still deeply relieved to see their ladies arrive safely back at Longbourn with smiles on their faces and no hint of worry or concern.
All three men burned with anger, and Mary’s Colonel had to be physically restrained from calling for a horse to go run the wastrel through when they were told about the way Wickham had in turn gawked, leered, and drooled at their ladies. This could not be over soon enough for their liking. Wickham had bedevilled the Darcy and Fitzwilliam families for the last time; he just did not know it yet.
They were about to enter the house when a courier pulled his horse to a stop in a cloud of dust. The man on the horse asked whether one of the gentlemen was Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. Once Darcy identified himself, the courier handed the identified gent a package of papers.
Darcy smiled when he realised he now held the solution to the Wickham problem in his hands. The package contained proof of the nearly four thousand pounds of debts Darcy had bought up in the various places Wickham had slithered into then slunk away from while leaving his debts behind.
Lizzy had a groom lead the courier to the stables so his horse could rest, and be watered and fed. She also asked a groom to show the man to the kitchen so the courier could get food and drink in order to revive himself before his return trip to town.
When the six acknowledged lovers entered the yellow drawing room, Darcy, after making sure Lizzy was comfortably seated, excused himself to look for Bennet. He was informed by the butler that his master was reading in the library.
Darcy entered, and after apologising for disturbing Bennet’s reverie as he sat reading flanked by his sons, Darcy told Bennet that the awaited for proof of Wickham’s debts had arrived.
