Colonel Forster grimaced, confirming Darcy’s suspicions. “No, Mr. Darcy, I cannot say I was unaware, only that I did not know what the truth was. Wickham was eager to share his tale of woe at the hands of his supposed oppressor—you, of course—but I’ve lived long enough to know his perception colors his charges at the very least. Some of the men believed him, but as many were skeptical. To own the truth, I thought it a grudge bearing some measure of truth, told from Wickham’s perspective, and not germane to the regiment.”
“That is true,” acknowledged Darcy. “What happened between Wickham and me can have no bearing on your regiment.”
“Thus, you see my point. I allowed Wickham to say what he wished, for I did not suppose you would concern yourself with what an estranged acquaintance said about you.”
“Wickham’s opinion has not concerned me for many a year. The unfortunate fact, however, is that truth and Wickham are only distant acquaintances. The only reason he speaks any truth at all is to give his lies more legitimacy.”
Colonel Forster responded with a slow nod. “With that, we return to the original reason for my imposition upon you today. The men informed me of the accusations and what you told them after. The event concerning Miss Elizabeth Bennet at Lucas Lodge was also known to me, but as Wickham wove a credible tale of too much punch, I reprimanded him and allowed it to rest. Now I wonder if I was not mistaken in doing so.”
“That is your business, and I shall not attempt to intervene. What Icansay is that there are not enough adjectives to describe the true measure of Wickham’s vices. He is prone to gaming,incurring debt, womanizing, debauchery, and all manner of other misbehavior. If you canvass the merchants in Meryton, you will almost certainly discover that he is already indebted, no doubt hoping to put them off until the regiment departs for summer quarters and leaving without paying. If that did not work, he would have no qualms about decamping whenever the mood struck.”
“The debts and the womanizing are of most concern to me,” said the colonel. “If the men gamble away their winnings, that only concerns me when they affect their ability to support themselves. If he has seduced any of the local ladies, that is a serious issue for the regiment, and the debts he leaves behind are little better.”
“For the debts,” replied Darcy, “I have pledged myself, and it is not the first time.”
At the colonel’s interested nod, Darcy explained: “I have settled Wickham’s debts in both Cambridge and the market town near my home. There are enough debt receipts to see him in the Marshalsea with no chance of ever leaving it.”
“If I may be blunt,” said Colonel Forster, “I wonder at your patience, sir. Most other men would have used the markers they hold against someone of Wickham’s ilk long before his sins became this extensive.”
It was a valid question, and one which Darcy had asked himself many times over the years. The excuse he had always used, that of respect for his father’s attachment, was now so thin as to be wearing holes in the fabric, though it had been true for a time. Now, however, the honest man in Darcy could only confess that he had become so accustomed to distancing himself from Wickham and pretending he did not exist that he’d grown comfortable in it. Even if he hadn’t acted after settling Wickham’s debts elsewhere, he should have consigned him tohell after Ramsgate—Georgiana’s tears had earned him that much.
“If you ask my opinion,” said Hurst, “I think it is past time you acted against him. He has grown emboldened because you declined to make him face the consequences, Darcy. That is not sustainable and puts other neighborhoods like Meryton at risk.”
Uncomfortable though it was, Darcy had to acknowledge that Hurst had a point. A new resolve filling him, Darcy turned back to the colonel.
“What will you do now?”
“Now I will speak to the merchants to learn the extent of Wickham’s debts. I do not suppose the matter of his ways with the ladies bears investigation—if hehascompromised anyone in the neighborhood, the family’s best response is to keep it a secret so the woman in question does not suffer public humiliation.”
“You are correct. As he has only been here for a month, let us hope the damage is minimal.”
Darcy paused, a thought coming to him. “Wickham is not one I thought would accept even the more relaxed discipline of the militia. How did it come about?”
“Wickham had a slight acquaintance with Denny, who recommended him, knowing that one of our lieutenancies was vacant.” Colonel Forster shrugged. “I do not blame Denny, for the acquaintance was not substantial. To own the truth, Denny is one of my better officers, though he enjoys the society of certain ladies far more than he ought.”
As Darcy recalled, Lieutenant Denny was a favorite of the youngest Bennet sisters, accounting for the colonel’s comment. Darcy could not agree more. Denny must be six- or seven-and-twenty, while Miss Lydia was only fifteen—the age difference problematic precisely because she was so very young. Given this eye-opening experience with Wickham, Darcy suspected the officers of the regiment were about to get a lecture about properbehavior with the locals, especially the young ladies not yet of age.
“Very well,” said Darcy. “I shall leave the investigations to you, though I will pledge my support for any debts you discover. When we have a full accounting, I can purchase those debts and use them to see Wickham in prison. If necessary, I can bring the other debt receipts to bear—or send him to the New World without the means of returning.”
“That is not advisable,” said Hurst. “This Wickham has avoided consequences for so long that it is time he enjoyed the fruits of his labor.”
“I cannot disagree,” said the colonel, while Darcy sighed and nodded along.
“Then it is debtors’ prison for Wickham.” Darcy eyed the colonel and added: “It would be best to ensure that Wickham cannot escape; if he even suspects you are looking into his finances, he will run.”
“I thank you, but I have already thought of that,” said Colonel Forster. “A pair of men are watching him; when I speak to the merchants, I shall have him put into the stockade.”
“Excellent,” said Darcy, standing and shaking Colonel Forster’s hand. “Let me know when you have discovered the extent of Wickham’s activities.”
“I shall,” agreed the colonel, who then bid them farewell and left.
“I hope you will not blame me for saying it, Darcy,” said Hurst, “but you have not handled this business with your former friend as you ought.
“Do not suppose that I blame you.” Hurst flashed him a commiserating smile. “It cannot be easy to know that one you esteemed when you were young has become a man lacking all common decency.”
“That is true,” agreed Darcy. “But I have known for many years what Wickham is. Your comment is not ill-judged—I should have done something about him years ago.”
“It is well that you are committed now,” said Bingley. “Miss Bennet’s younger sisters are far too enamored with the officers as it is; removing such a man will only benefit them.”
