Now Fitzwilliam’s eyes burned with a slow fire. “Tell me all, Darcy.”
When he did, Fitzwilliam shook his head. “That was poorly done. You should have warned Bingley’s neighbors of the danger Wickham presented.”
“Well do I know it,” replied Darcy. “That is why I mean to go now. As I did not warn them, I will take responsibility for Wickham’s debts, but the price I extract will come from his hide.”
“Thank you for seeing the necessity, Darcy,” replied Fitzwilliam. For a long moment, he eyed Darcy before observing: “Am I to suppose that you have come to this decision because of a young lady who also resides in the neighborhood? I commented on the subject the day we left Rosings.”
“You did,” said Darcy, reflecting that he had not told Fitzwilliam about his failed proposal. He had not even betrayed it to Georgiana.
“It is well that you did not deny it. Now, what do you mean to do about our dear Wicky?”
Darcy shrugged. “I will go to Meryton, speak to his commanding officer, and speak to the local merchants. If Wickham has behaved as he usually does, I will use what I find to see him in the Marshalsea.”
“Remember that the militia will have the first claim upon him, Darcy,” replied Fitzwilliam. “Discipline in the militia is not as high as the army, but they will not appreciate his actions any more than we do.”
“Then I shall speak with Colonel Forster. He struck me as a good man—between us, I am certain we can plan a suitable fate for Wickham. I may even involve your father to have him transported—then we need not worry about him escaping from prison. If he is on the other side of the world, he will be unable to return.”
“Very well, Darcy,” replied Fitzwilliam. “I shall speak to my father when I return home and alert him to the matter. My purpose for visiting today was to inform you of my departure.”
Fitzwilliam bared his teeth. “Were I at liberty, I would go to Hertfordshire with you, for I would not say no to the prospect of witnessing Wickham’s downfall. As it is, my general is sending me on an errand to the north that cannot wait.”
“You may leave it in my hands, Fitzwilliam. Should Wickham elude us, you will have the pleasure of hunting him to ground.”
“Then I shall pray for Wickham’s success. Even more satisfying than witnessing his downfall would be having a hand in it myself.”
Fitzwilliam departed soon after, leaving Darcy again to his thoughts. As they were only to be away for a few days, there was not much preparation to be done, so it was completed by the third hour of the afternoon. That was when the second visitor of the day arrived, a man for whose arrival he had waited the previous week.
“Darcy!” exclaimed Bingley as Mrs. Mayfield led him into the sitting-room. “I see you are returned from Kent in good order.” Bingley winked. “Caroline is most eager to be in your company again, though I do not suppose a similar affliction besets you.”
“Bingley,” said Darcy, rising to greet his friend with an extended hand, Georgiana standing by his side, with a bright smile.
Appearing to see something of it, Bingley regarded them with open curiosity. “There is something strange at work here, but I cannot put my finger on it.”
“There is no time like the present, William,” said Georgiana. “I shall excuse myself while you and Mr. Bingley speak. If you need me, I will be in the music room.”
With that, Georgiana departed, leaving Bingley to watch her as she left. When the door closed, Bingley turned back to him, a question in his expression.
“Thereisa matter of which I must speak to you,” said Darcy. “Please sit, and I will explain all.”
“Very well, Darcy. I am listening.”
Darcy explained the business with Miss Bennet to Bingley, who listened to him with an attentive focus Darcy had rarely seen from his friend, who sometimes tended to carelessness. Though he did not touch on his proposal to Miss Elizabeth, he related her assertions about her sister’s feelings and his conclusion, which he now believed to be error. Then he explained his intention to depart for Hertfordshire the following morning and the reason for it. When he completed his account, Bingley sat back and considered what he had heard.
“I cannot quite determine what to make of this, Darcy,” said Bingley, his manner showing less dejection than Darcy had expected.
“I apologize if I have recalled unwelcome memories, Bingley. My concern was for my error and informing you of it so you could take whatever action you deem necessary.”
“Return to Netherfield,” agreed Bingley, sitting up straighter. “Yes, that is the proper course. Though I have pushed my feelings for Miss Bennet away these past weeks, I feel not a jot less for her than I did before.”
When Bingley’s eye fixed on him, Darcy felt the piercing quality. “Tell me, Darcy, did my sisters also know that Miss Bennet was in town? They must have, for I cannot imagine you would learn of it while they remained unaware.”
Omitting Bingley’s sisters was deliberate, for Darcy had not wished Bingley to think he was pushing the blame to them. “Miss Bingley informed me of Miss Bennet’s visit to her. Other than that, I know nothing of what passed between them.”
Bingley nodded, a decisive motion. “For answers, I must approach my sisters. Tomorrow, however, I shall accompany you to Hertfordshire.”
Darcy laughed. “I have always known you were impulsive, my friend. I should have expected it.”
“Yes, you should have,” said Bingley with a grin. “Might I assume you mean to depart early?”
