“John is a good fellow, father. He stays away from bad influences and is aspiring to become a great barrister, perhaps a judge one day.” William answered. “I told him about your uncle Judge Darcy and John wishes to make great changes in our legal system as well, especially those regarding the crimes committed by the poor which transports them to Australia for the minutest of crimes. He is one of few friends that I trust and I am careful with those I meet.”
Mr. Darcy scowled now, “Tell me more about George Wickham, Fitzwilliam. I know you had shared with me your concerns last winter but you had not mentioned anything of it during your Easter holiday break. Has he improved now? What shall I do this autumn?”
William stood and paced in front of the unlit fireplace in his father’s study. “Father, I have been trying to be kind, I truly have, but I find him offensive and vulgar and I honestly do not believe he is making any effort to gain more than quick friends and entertainment instead of an education. I have told you about... his activities with loose women and I had heard rumours that he is responsible for...” He hesitated.
“Go on, Fitzwilliam. You can tell me anything.” His father pressed.
William took a deep breath, “He asked me for loans several times, which I did provide but ceased after the fifth time, and there are at least three maidservants at Cambridge who have accused Wickham... of impregnating them.”
Mr. Darcy sat stoically, surprised with the information but not completely unexpected, as his son had alluded to Wickham’s immoral behaviours before. “I promised Mr. Wickham that I would care for his son but I have no intentions of paying for his corrupt debaucheries. I had thought perhaps he would go into clergy and Wickham had told me himself that he was very interested in pursuing a career of goodness and morality but it seems he has gone completely the opposite.” He sighed. “How much has he borrowed from you?”
“It does not matter how much, father. I thought he had need of it and loaned it to him liberally until I realised that he was gambling it away and owed heavy debts to his friends and then I stopped.” William replied. “I will not be giving him any more from now on.”
“How much, Fitzwilliam?” His father asked again, his face reddened in anger now. “A womaniser and a gambler. I am aghast at his behaviour!”
“£600, father.” William sheepishly answered.
Mr. Darcy stood, “WHAT?! That is more than ten times many see in a year! He would be fortunate to see that much in five years as a vicar. Did you make him sign a loan note? Your allowance is for you to use as you see fit but such a sum! You are given a modest allowance now but I would have thought you would spend liberally rather than saving it.”
“You always give me too much and I had saved it for gifts and minor expenditures.” William smiled. “You know my largest expenses are for Lizzy and Georgie’s gifts.”
Mr. Darcy calmed and smiled. “Yes, son. You have always been generous to Lizzy and Georgiana and I am proud of you. You will receive your share of inheritance when you come of age and will likely have more than all of your acquaintances combined, and I am glad you are careful in your choice of friends. I had hoped George Wickham would turn out to be more like you but I was wrong. He had been diverting and had made me smile while your mother was ill and I had hoped for a secure future for him, but if he will not take the reins of his own prospects, he will have to earn it the hard way like everyone else. I will put a sum into a trust that he can withdraw in small increments so he will not be left destitute. That is all I can do for him and I will speak with him, Fitzwilliam. You shall no longer bear the burden of covering his debts. He should never have asked you and although you were being a good friend, he is not your responsibility.”
“I understand, father.” William responded. “Wickham is to go his father’s house to collect his belongings and he believes he will be residing at Pemberley until our return to Cambridge. Father,” William paused. “I have more... I am sorry, father. I have more to reveal.”
“What is it, son?” He asked.
“Wickham, father, he is blessed with such happy manners as they may ensure his making friends, but he is incapable of retaining them for long. After some of the sons of peers had found out that he was the son of a steward and cut him direct, he began to spin a story that he is secretly an illegitimate son of a very wealthy landowner and why he is able to attend Cambridge and stay in the Gentlemen Commoner’s rooms. Sir, father, I believe he is spreading... spreading gossip that, that you are his father.” He saw his father burn red in anger. “He might have told one or two of his colleagues that he is the firstborn Darcy son but because his mother was the wife of the steward, he could not be heir as he should have been. I am sorry to be bearer of such news. I had only recently heard of it when Knightley heard it from another acquaintance and told me in confidence. Knightley hates Wickham, not because of his position or being the son of a steward, but because of his lies and arrogance.”
Mr. Darcy stood to move to his desk. “I will be composing several letters, Fitzwilliam. I will keep true to my word and set up a trust for George but
