Page 31 of To Go Against Her Heart
“Might I see you safely back to Longbourn?” he asked, knowing her response before she spoke.
“That will not be necessary, I am well aware of my way. I hope you have a pleasant day,” she said, patting Darcy’s horse before hurrying down the path.
Darcy stood rooted to the spot until her slender form disappeared and heaved a sigh.
You do care about me, but you are afraid to admit it.
***
A few hours later, Colonel Forster sat with Darcy and Mr. Bingley in the study, not understanding Mr. Bingley’s urgent request to meet him at Netherfield.
“It is indeed wonderful to finally meet you, Mr. Darcy,” he said, noticing the seriousness on Darcy’s face.
“It is good to meet you. I only wish the circumstances were different,” Darcy said.
“I apologize for asking you to meet us here, but we decided it would be better to have this conversation in Netherfield,” Mr. Bingley added.
Darcy quickly related his association with Wickham and how the latter had betrayed his trust. However painful it proved, he confided to Colonel Forster of his schemes with Georgiana and how narrowly the young girl had escaped from being ruined for life.
“I stand before you today guilty of having concealed his character from the world to protect my sister’s reputation. He gave me his word that he would amend his ways, yet trusting him was a grievous error. Pray do not misunderstand my purpose; it is not merely to vindicate myself, but to prevent him from bringing ruin upon another woman. If he is deliberately circulating falsehoods about me, despite my leniency with him in the past, it can only be with the intent to deceive yet another.”
Colonel Forster looked at him in horror.
“Miss Darcy was fifteen, you said?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Darcy said with pain.
“Mr. Wickham has been cautious when spreading this story. He has never brought it up to me, and I understand why; I would have immediately scrutinized the truth in his tale. And yes, he has been a favorite among all the young women in society.”
“I hope you can take the necessary action against him,” Mr. Bingley said.
“If needed, my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, can corroborate my story,” Darcy said.
“That should not be required, sir. But I do need your help in this matter,” he requested.
***
The same afternoon, Wickham was surprised to be summoned to Colonel Forster’s house. He understood that none of the other officers were summoned in attendance. He reached the house a little worried about what the matter could be, as he had carefully avoided the Colonel’s scrutiny during his time in the regiment.
“Mrs. Forster, good afternoon. It is a pleasure to see you again; we missed your company at the party last evening,” he said to the Colonel’s wife.
“I had a bit of a headache, Mr. Wickham, but I am certain it was an enjoyable evening,” the Colonel’s wife said, and she was fond of him.
The servant led Wickham into the parlor where Colonel Forster was seated.
“Good afternoon, young man. I hope you were not diverted from something important because of my request to see you here.”
“Not at all, sir. I am at your service,” Wickham replied with confidence.
“A report of an alarming nature has reached my ears; I learned from Sir William that Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Darcy, has wronged you in many ways. Is that true? I understand you gave him an account of Mr. Darcy’s misdeeds some days ago.It troubles me that you chose not to bring the matter to my attention. Surely you are aware that the welfare of my officers is my highest concern.”
“Sir, I did not…” Wickham stammered, caught off guard by the topic of discussion.
“Do not hesitate. I am intent on exposing the man to his own circle in town. You very well know that I have several connections there. If at all he cheated you of your living in Derbyshire, then he must pay for his offences.”
“Yes, yes, he did. But I have forgiven Mr. Darcy as I respected his late father to a great extent. I never cared for money, sir. All I wanted in life was an honest living, and I have earned it now. I am honored by the regard you have for my well-being. Please trust me; I do not want to cause any shame to the Darcy family,” he declared with confidence and pride.
“I did not know you had to face such adversity in your past, especially from someone so well respected in society. The late Mr. Darcy raised you?” the Colonel asked with sympathy.
