The Heir and Spare (Jane Austen Adaptations)

13. Fitzwilliam

Chapter 13

Fitzwilliam

F itz was more and more disgusted with Wickham the longer he followed his trail. His military commanding officer had little good to say of him. The local tenants and working class were not missing him, that much was certain. Several maids were suspiciously hidden from sight. He’d racked up an obscene amount of debt in a short amount of time. And everything Darcy learned told him that the man had no honorable intentions toward the Bennet girl. Fitz was left in a moral quandary. The more he exposed the man, the worse things would be for Lydia Bennet and therefore for her family. The best thing possible for her family would be for her to marry Wickham quietly and for them to live far away. In that way, all reputations would be salvaged. Miss Lydia would undoubtedly have a terrible marriage, but if there was a way for Wickham to have a living, perhaps they could make good of this ill begone path.

He stood outside the largest of Wickham’s debtors and closed his eyes. He would love to just expose the scoundrel and be done with him forever. If they’d done so initially, Wickham would not now be able to prey on innocence like he was.

But the same moral dilemma had faced them then. To preserve Georgiana’s self-respect and her reputation, they swept the whole thing away.

He did not know Miss Lydia at all. He’d seen her rather overly emotional and loud self at two gatherings of the local gentry outside of Meryton, and he’d seen little he admired in her or in the family. The eldest two sisters aside, the Bennets had little to recommend them, admittedly. He knew the eldest two to be beyond reproach, and he had a surprising amount of thoughts directed at Miss Elizabeth. Even though he’d refused to ask her to dance, she had intrigued him. So be it. Here he was attempting to ease her situation. Beyond his admiration for her, he could not help or ease his sense of responsibility for the wrongs Wickham had committed, knowing Darcy could have prevented such a thing to occur, could have warned the whole area and the military of his character. Fitz did not often trouble himself in the affairs of others. But this situation with Wickham hit too close to home. He’d hidden his worry from his siblings, but Georgiana’s almost fall had worried him more than anyone would guess.

Having Wickham handled by the military had been a relief to both he and his brother. They’d somehow mistakenly believed they could now wash their hands of him. Unfortunately, they were gravely mistaken, and now Miss Lydia and her family were suffering the consequences. His friend Charles might also be suffering the consequences by either associating with such a scandal through Miss Jane or distancing himself and therefore being deprived of his love. The idea that one man, one despicable human, could cause so much upheaval was inconceivable. And Darcy should have the means to put a stop to him. He should have done so long ago.

But be that as it may. Truth had a way of making itself known and freeing everyone of the bondage of deceit and secrets and lies. He had to trust such a thing for his current situation even though he’d been too fearful to trust before. Truth had a way of making things right.

He made a decision. He was going to expose Wickham. Perhaps these people would stand by the Bennets, vouch for Lydia’s good character, somehow keep the news quiet? He had not seen behavior that magnanimously demonstrated in any of his interactions with the gentleman’s class but there was always a first. And it was time. The man had been left free to cause ruination and defamation long enough. He would expose him, his debauchery, and ask for help in tracking him down with Miss Lydia in tow. In truth, Wickham had already exposed himself all over town and with his commanding officers.

Any help anyone could give Fitz would take him one step closer.

As is, he knew where to look next. Wickham had an accomplice in his efforts to deceive Georgiana. And that accomplice lived in London.

Fitz left word everywhere he could and then made arrangements to travel to London. He had one more stop, possibly two, before making the quick journey.

He didn’t know how much—or if—to apprise Charles and so he avoided Netherfield. Some things were best handled alone. He’d have to consider the best course of action regarding Charles and the loss of his heart to Miss Jane. He wasn’t even certain what to advise his own self and his odd relationship with the man. He ran a hand through his hair not caring one whit that it was now a flyaway mess all over his head.

Horse hooves sounded outside Darcy’s window. An express rider flew down the street and stopped at Darcy’s door below. A servant brought the note. They’d found Wickham! He handed some coin to the servant for the rider and ordered his carriage prepared and things packed immediately.

If he made haste, everything could be resolved before sundown tomorrow. He pressed his lips together. Or it would all be ruined. So much depended on the next several hours.