Elizabeth was not blind to the rapid alteration of her opinions. In some respects, it was astonishing that her perspective had changed so quickly. Though she wanted to discount his account and forget she’d ever received his letter, something would not permit her to set it aside. It was a warning she could not ignore.
As she could not tell her friend about her meeting with Mr. Darcy, to say nothing of the letter, she framed her knowledge as a warning from Colonel Fitzwilliam, saying nothing of Georgiana Darcy, but laying the matter of his history with Mr. Wickham before Charlotte, curious what she would say. Charlotte’s gravity as she listened to Elizabeth’s account spoke to her understanding of its seriousness. When Elizabeth fell silent, Charlotte did not speak at once, her thoughts turned inward.
“That is interesting, Lizzy,” said Charlotte at length. “What do you make of it?”
“It is far from what I thought of either man,” confessed Elizabeth. “While part of me wishes to believe Mr. Wickham is as he portrayed, I cannot discount this new information, for Mr. Wickham’s behavior may confirm it.”
Charlotte regarded her, expression unreadable. “What do you mean?”
Thinking, Elizabeth said the first thing she remembered. “Mr. Wickham informed me of his past with Mr. Darcy. Though no such notion occurred to me then, now I wonder at the easewith which he spoke of it to a woman with whom he was not at all acquainted.”
“Yes, that is a consideration,” mused Charlotte.
Then her friend sighed and fixed her with affection. “Elizabeth, I apologize, my friend, but you are often quick to judge, and while I believe that serves you in good stead, at times it can trip you. My opinion of Mr. Wickham has never been so positive as your own, so this news is not so much of a shock. My question to you, as you are better acquainted with him, is whether Mr. Darcy’s charges appear borne out in his behavior.”
Elizabeth considered this. “Mr. Wickhamdidbegin to pursue Mary King after he learned of her inheritance.”
“Yes, I recall that. At the time, you suggested a man must consider matters of prudence when making his choice.”
“That is true,” agreed Elizabeth, “but now that I consider it, it strikes me that his interest in her had been precipitous.”
“What of debts or womanizing? Are there any rumors in Meryton of such behavior?”
“I have heard of nothing.”
Charlotte nodded. “It seems to me, Lizzy, that wariness in this instance is nothing more than prudence. Colonel Fitzwilliammaybe mistaken, but I do not think it is likely; he has nothing to gain—his concern for his cousin appears genuine.”
Elizabeth paled as a thought occurred to her. “An unscrupulous man may be injurious to the town’s economy, but the greater risk is to the ladies’ reputation. My family, in particular, is at risk given its composition.”
“Now you are considering it as you should,” agreed Charlotte. “The question is what you mean to do about it.”
“Of that I yet have no notion,” replied Elizabeth, still considering the increasingly tangled web. “It is clear that I must unmask him, but I do not yet know how.”
Charlotte’s eyes shone with affection. “I have no doubt you will think of something, Lizzy. Now that you have seen the danger, you cannot leave it be. By the time you are done with him, I expect Mr. Wickham will be in fear for his life.”
Elizabeth laughed, which was what Charlotte had intended. “I hope so, Charlotte. I have no liking for others who play me for a fool. Mr. Wickham will rue the day he crossed swords with me.”
“That is the Lizzy I know,” replied Charlotte. “Please remember you do not need to do it all alone. My father will not appreciate such a man as Mr. Wickham in the neighborhood, and your father, when he understands the danger, will not hesitate to act.”
Feeling guilty at doubting her father though she did, Elizabeth could not shake the notion that he would not be so eager. That was nonsensical, for her father, though indolent, was not an unintelligent man. To hide her sudden thoughts, Elizabeth nodded, trying to put Charlotte at ease.
“Do you wish to depart early?” Charlotte smiled. “I would not give your company away a second sooner than I must, but I understand if you believe it best to deal with Mr. Wickham at once.”
Elizabeth considered this, then shook her head. “In truth, I see no occasion for that. Somethingmighthappen in the interim, but I must leave in only a few days anyway, so whatever damage he has caused has already been months in the making. If I delay now, perhaps I may consider what is best to be done.”
“That is for the best. I am glad you shall remain, Elizabeth. Come, let us speak of other matters—you can plan what you will do with Mr. Wickham later.”
Though she agreed, Elizabeth had little head for speaking of anything else; her thoughts consumed with Mr. Wickham and what she must do. Elizabeth attempted to give as much of herattention to her friend as she could, but she was aware that it was a miserable failure. When Mr. Collins entered the room and later at dinner, she was able to focus on his absurdities instead, which diverted her from her chaotic thoughts.
When Elizabeth went to her room for the night, she found her mind slipping to the thoughts that had held sway that afternoon. The problem, she knew, was how to portray what she had learned in a way that would lead to Mr. Wickham’s unmasking. Mr. Wickham, she thought with a wince, enjoyed an excellent reputation in the neighborhood, his genial manners and handsome mien enough to recommend him to them all. Elizabeth’s approbation had also lent him some validity, though Elizabeth had never shared his charges against Mr. Darcy with anyone other than Jane.
It would be difficult, she thought, for she could not just return home and denounce him in the middle of Meryton’s square. It would be possible to canvass the merchants to learn if he had debts, but even that was not easy, for if Mr. Wickham had refrained, she would look silly, and the man’s other vices would become nearly impervious to inquiry unless he somehow made a mistake.
The matter would require more subtlety. A few whispers in the right ears, a few banal comments, and her neighbors would soon understand the sort of man they had welcomed into their midst. Perhaps she could even question the officers about the extent of Mr. Wickham’s gaming debts—not openly, of course, just enough to ensure they compared notes.
And if Mr. Wickham discovered what she was doing? That was possible, Elizabeth thought with a grimace, for she did not suppose the man was blind or stupid, only depraved. If he did, there would be little enough he could do to prevent her from exposing him. Elizabeth wished to ensure he paid for hismisdeeds, but she supposed the more important point was to protect her sisters and the other ladies of the neighborhood.
With that decided, Elizabeth changed into her nightgown and eased into bed, the spring air pleasant that night. Sleep did not come, for her thoughts were too active to permit it, though this time they turned in another direction. Instead of dwelling on Mr. Wickham and what she would do when she returned home, her mind wandered back to Mr. Darcy.