If Only In His Dreams (19 page)

After leaving Lord Matlock’s home, Wickham made his way to a local tavern.
  Spending
the evening gambling and drinking, Wickham finally prepared to travel back to Meryton.  This was an arrangement which he intended to drag out as long as possible, so that he was able to bring in as much of Lord Matlock’s funds as possible before
reaping the pleasures of Darcy’s bride.

Wickham had already determined that in ruining Darcy’s voluptuous wife, he would strike to the heart of
his
former friend.  He smiled at the thought of Darcy not wishing to bed Elizabeth once Wickham had had his way.

Arriving back at the militia camp near Meryton, Wickham settled in to await his perfect time to strike.

Life at the militia camp was dull in Wickham’s eyes.  They would spend time training each day, then the rest of the time would be spent at their own leisure.  A great deal of time he was gambling and drinking, as well as
enjoying the pleasures of several young maidens in the neighborhood.  He knew that Darcy would be arriving in two days, and Wickham would have to have resources to learn details of the family so that he could carry out Lord Matlock’s request.

One of the young ladies that Wickham had come to enjoy was the bar maid at the tavern.  Her brother was a groom at the stables of Netherfield and he spoke openly to his sister of the comings and goings of the estate.  Wickham knew that this would be a perfect way of learning the habits of the occupants of the grand house.

The news came to Wickham that the Darcys had arrived at Netherfield on Monday afternoon.  Wickham decided that it would take several days for the couple to begin to have a routine, though he had heard throughout the neighborhood, even before Elizabeth became Mrs Darcy, that the young lady was fond of taking in nature by way of long walks.  Wickham hoped that this was one habit that she would resume now that she was in country again, and there were others in the house to occupy the time of the newlyweds.  In the city, as they were alone, the couple had spent nearly every moment of the day, and especially the night, in each other’s company and indoors.

While Wickham waited for news of the occupants of Netherfield, he did a great deal of thinking of what a jewel Darcy had when he found Elizabeth. 
Remembering the last time that Wickham had seen the beautiful Mrs Darcy, he found himself grinning.  The thought of her curves, her plentiful bosom, her seductive eyes and smile.  It was not fair that Darcy would be the only man to know the pleasures of Elizabeth Bennet Darcy.  Wickham used that as a reason for his desire to use her to extract his revenge.  He also
fancied himself superior and told himself that he wished to show Elizabeth what being with a real man could be.

The week progressed with no real news from the estate.  Wickham sent word to Lord Matlock that there had not been any news.  He also requested more funds, claiming that he was bribing staff at Netherfield and Longbourn for information. 

On Friday, a package was given to Wickham at the militia camp.  There was no letter or information as to whom it was from, but there was not a doubt in Wickham’s mind
from where it was sent
, before he even opened it.  Once opened, Wickham’s smile grew, seeing the number of coins that he found inside the package.

That night, Wickham enjoyed the pleasures of his favorite bar maid in her rooms.  “Has your brother been kept busy now that Mr and Mrs Darcy have returned to Netherfield?  I remember from my youth that Mr Darcy found great pleasure
in riding about his estate.  I would think that now he and his wife will enjoy this past time.”

“My brother says that Mr Darcy goes for a ride daily, though Mrs Darcy does not ride at all.
  I remember when I was younger;
there was a terrible accident with the former Miss Elizabeth Bennet and the Lucas’s eldest son.  Their horse threw them to the ground.  I do not remember the details, but I do remember that the Lucas boy died.  Since then, Miss Elizabeth…I mean Mrs Darcy, has never ridden a horse.”

“Interesting.” Wickham stated as he thought of this bit of news.  He could use that bit of information in his plan.  Having Elizabeth at a disadvantage of not being able to out run him on horseback was definitely a benefit.

“Does she enjoy the outdoors, walking the many paths in the neighborhood?”  Wickham asked. 

Lucy, the bar maid, looked at Wickham suspiciously.  “And why would you ask such questions?  Are you thinking that you have a chance to win her favors as easily as you have mine?  I have seen that husband of hers, I would not bet on your chances of winning her from him.”

Wickham pulled out some coins from his pouch.  Tossing them on the bed
before pulling on his clothes
, Wickham smiled.  “The coins are for your information and to keep my secret.  I wish to know all the comings and goings at Netherfield, especially with the newlyweds, and there will be more coins to come.”

Lucy was shocked.  The coins added to more than she made in a month at her job.  “All I have to do is tell you what the rich folk are doing and you will pay me more coins?”  Seeing that he nodded, Lucy smiled.  “I believe that I will be more than happy in doing business with you, Wickham.  Do you have to leave?  You have hours before you have to report to duty.”
  Wickham smiled as he removed his clothing and returned to Lucy’s bed.

Chapter 20

Darcy and Elizabeth arrived in time for breakfast the Monday after they had arrived.  Most mornings, they would have already been out for their morning constitutional before meeting for an early breakfast.  They decided to have a different type of exercise, and being winter, it was most definitely not the sort of exercise to be performed outdoors in the winter.

A healthy glow was visible on Elizabeth’
s cheeks.  She blushed when Lady Anne and Lady Cather
ine gave her a look of knowing.  How was she to be in a room with her husband’s mother and aunt after spending hours of bliss with him in their chambers?

As breakfast finished, a message arrived from Longbourn.  Jane had been delayed in her plans to come to Netherfield, as she was assisting Mrs Hill with some preparations for the fast approaching holidays.  There was also a message for Elizabeth informing her that little Emma Smith, the five year old daughter of one of Longbourn’s long time tenants, wished to have Elizabeth visit her.  She had been ill of late had missed her dear friend.  Elizabeth had always had a soft spot in her heart for the girl, as she was a frail child, and often required the apothecary to visit with remedies.

“William, were you and Charles still planning to work on business matters this morning?” 

“As far as I know, dearest,
what do you have planned for the day?”

“Jane’s note states that the daughter of one of our family’s tenants is asking for me.  Emma has
always been a dear child to me,
as she has always been of delicate health and
we have spent many hours with my
reading to her or telling her stories that I have made up.”

Darc
y was concerned.  “She is not ill with something contagious, is she?”

“No, Emma was born with a weak heart.  When the weather takes a turn, it is common for her to have an episode with not being able to be out of bed.  And, like me, she becomes agitated at being confined being forced to rest.  So I have tried to keep her occupied so that she can regain her strength.”

“Very well, dearest, I see no harm in your making your way to visit her.  Mother, would you and Georgiana wish to accompany Lizzy?” Darcy smiled with pride at his wife’s generous heart.

“Georgiana has lessons this morning, but perhaps Catherine and I could join Lizzy.  What say you, Sister?”

“I would find that quite pleasant.” Lady Catherine replied.  “It will be like when we were girls and we would visit the tenants after Mamma took ill.  Remember little Jenny Tucker?  She was so taken with you and tried
to
carry herself as a proper lady.”

Lady Anne laughed.  “Oh, yes.  Remember how she tried to wear her hair to match yours?  She was so impressed with how regal you looked.  I remember her always telling us that she was so honored with our paying her such attention.”

“Well, perhaps we should change into more appropriate clothing and prepare to make our way to
meet Miss Emma.” Lady Catherine stated.  “Shall we me
et in the blue drawing room in
half of an hour?”

Elizabeth and Lady Anne nodded their heads and all rose from the table to make their way to their rooms.

The carriage pulled up in front of Netherfield’s front door.  Darcy escorted his ladies to the carriage, assisting them all inside.  Saving his wife for last, Darcy placed a kiss on her hand before aiding her in.  “Will you be returning in time for tea?”

“Most likely.” Elizabeth stated.  “If not, I will send you a message to make you aware of our plans.”

“Very well.” Darcy stated as he stepped back from the carriage. 

The carriage stopped first at the main house of Longbourn.  They visited for a few moments with Jane and Mrs Hill before deciding to walk the path to the Smith’s cottage.

Emma was thrilled beyond words to have not only her dear friend visit her, but also to have two ladies of the Ton visit her humble home to bring her cheer.  Lady Anne had brought with her a
doll that she had made that she was planning to send to Pemberley for a gift.  She had made dolls and clothing for children of Pemberley’s tenants and servants for many years and Lady Anne was pleased that she happened to have finished this one and had not sent it.  Elizabeth knew that Emma would treasure the doll always, and it pleased her to know that her husband’s family was generous and kind to those beneath them in standing.

Once the visit was over, the three ladies began to walk back to Longbourn to prepare to return to Netherfield.  Just half a mile from the Smith cottage, their travel was interrupted. 

George Wickham on horseback laid
in wait for them.

“Well, well.  I had expected Miss Elizabeth, but to have the two of you ladies with her, more the better.”

“What do you want, Wickham?” Lady Anne asked as she stood tall in front of his horse.  “There is no reason for you to be here, and especially no reason for you to be waiting to speak to my daughter.  And her name is no longer Miss Elizabeth, as she is now Mrs Darcy.”

Wickham leered at Lady Anne.  “Ah, yes, I remember that tone from my youth.  You never approved of me, did you?  If I remember correctly, you even went so far as to tell your husband to send me away and have done with me.”

“You always held yourself in higher regard than you deserved.  My husband was foolish to treat you with kindness.”

“Your husband knew that I was truly a Darcy and he wished to make amends to me for my being denied my birthrig
ht.” Wickham spat out his words,
as his fury was obvious.  Hearing this, Elizabeth gasped.

Having heard Wickham’s allegations before and knowing the truth of Wickham’s heritage, Lady Anne
had had her fill of his allegations.  “You may believe that you are my husband’s child, but I can assure you, you are not.  You have Darcy blood, though it was not Gerald’s blood that flowed through your veins.  It was Gerald’s cousin, Frederick, who bed your mother.  Frederick’s father was the younger brother of Gerald’s father. The man was a rake and left your mother immediately after taking his pleasure of your mother.  My husband took pity on her and arranged for her to marry Mr Andrew Wickham.  Andrew was a devoted steward to Pemberley and the Darcy family.  He tried to do his best by you, raising you as his own child.  When he died, Gerald took pity on you, seeing as you were a Darcy by blood.  He attempted to give you a future, though you only repaid his kindness by demanding more.”

“I am a Darcy; I am entitled to more than a few measly pounds and a living if I took orders.  Take orders, as if I would do something so beneath me.  I deserved to have an estate and wealth.  And now, I have had to lower myself further to purchase a commission in the militia.
”