“I am. He is a lieutenant, and everyone needs to keep away from him, which means that the safest way is to give any militiaman a wide berth,” Hurst replied.
“Why is this Wickham so bad?” Elizabeth asked.
It was not unexpected that Lizzy would want to know more. Hurst was aware that she never accepted things simply because she was told. He looked at Darcy questioningly.
“Honourable is the last thing Wickham is,” Darcy revealed. “We grew up…” He related all of Wickham’s history with the Darcy family, including the plot he had hatched against Gigi which landed him in King’s Bench. He ended his account by telling them that some unknown benefactor paid Wickham’s debts and freed him from the prison.
“That man wanted to harm Gigi in that despicable way!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “He should be tarred and feathered before being run out of Meryton.”
“As long as he does not break any laws, there is no legal way to detain him,” Hurst responded. “Although had I a choice, I would like to see him treated in the manner Lizzy stated.”
“I need to warn fathers to protect their daughters, and we will make sure the tradesmen do not offer any credit to members of the regiment,” Bennet decided.
“Thomas, you and I need to speak to Sir William and Sarah Lucas,” Fanny suggested. “Then, I will speak to Hattie while you speak to Frank. Sir William will warn the merchants, as he used to be one of them, and for the same reason, they will pay heed to his words. Sarah and Hattie will make sure that word is spread to every family in the area so they will be wary of the men in the militia.”
“That is a good plan, Fanny. I also suggest we do not mention this Wickham character by name. That way he will not think the restrictions in Meryton are all about him.” Bennet had a thought. “Do we know why this man paid the debt and freed Wickham from King’s Bench?”
“I do not,” Darcy answered honestly. He did not miss that Hurst seemed relieved he had not had to respond to that question.
“Well, I am no longer interested in seeing the soldiers and officers if they are not real ones like Richard used to be,” Tommy announced. “May I return to my lessons with Miss Firth?”
Bennet released the five youngest back to their previous activities. Unsurprisingly, Bingley also made his way to the music room.
In order to put their plan into action, Bennet called for the carriage. Soon, he and Fanny were on their way to LucasLodge. Before night fell, word would already be circulating that the locals needed to be wary around the members of the militia.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
By midday on Tuesday, the following day, there was no shop owner in Meryton who would extend credit to a member of the militia. When Colonel Forster came to enquire why his men were being denied credit, he was informed that none would be provided to anyone not resident in the area for at least three years. He was able to report to his officers that it was not a slight against them.
At the same time, everyone—from tradespeople to landed gentry—with a daughter had issued explicit instructions that no one was to allow a member of the militia to approach them and to never be alone with any of them.
Wickham thought it was a town of prigs, but as he was not allowed to run up credit or meddle with any young girls, the restrictions made no difference to him. He was walking to his lodging to prepare a report. Colonel Forster had received a letter from one Viscount Wellington, and he knew St Claire would want to know of the contents. He saw a gig pass him. Next to the driver was a rather corpulent man dressed in the garb of a clergyman.
Collins was pleased that they were to arrive after four. It made it certain his cousin would not evict him from the estate, and that would allow him time to begin to formulate a plan to exact his revenge on the Bennets.
In the end, he had spent some of his funds to have a solicitor review the documents. Unfortunately, they were all genuine. The man had advised that no one would attempt to challenge the ruling and that Mr Bennet’s assertion that nomatter what happened to the Bennets, William Collins would never be able to acquire Longbourn was absolutely true.
That knowledge had fuelled his need to punish the Bennets. He schooled his features as the gig approached the house which would never be his. It would not do for his cousin to see what his intention was.
Other than a groom who stood before the horse pulling the gig, Collins saw no one else. He lumbered down from the gig, which caused him to sweat.
He approached the front door and lifted and dropped the knocker twice.
Hill had been warned that the uninvited man would arrive this day, so he opened the door just enough and slipped out onto the top step, pulling the door closed behind him. “Yes?” he drawled.
“I am… I was the heir to this estate, and I have come to see my cousin so I may heal the breach between our branches of the family,” Collins stated.
“And you are…?” Hill enquired knowing full well who the man was.
“William Collins, curate at St Mary’s church in Westerham, Kent,” Collins responded. “I wrote a note to Mr Bennet informing him of my coming on this day. Are he and his family ready to receive me?”
“As my master replied to your epistle with a refusal to host you, I suggest you leave, Sir, before some of our men help you off Longbourn’s land,” Hill stated. “Leaving by your own volition will be far more pleasant for you than if some of the men employed here have to evict you.”
Collins was about to issue a setdown when he sensed there were others near him. When he turned his head, he noticed four men, all rather brawny, standing behind him. He swallowed with a gulp and began to sweat profusely.
“M-my c-cousin w-w-was s-serious?” Collins managed.
“He was, Sir. I suggest you mount the gig and leave before these men assist you in doing so.” Hill cocked his head to the men behind the curate.
