“Pardon?” Darcy asked, raising a brow. “I am uncertain of your meaning, Lady Catherine.”
“You must know something. The man is never at ease in your presence.”
No matter what life I am in, Wickham fears me.He caught the smile, which was twitching at his lips, before it was exposed to his aunt’s observant eyes.
“It has also come to my attention from my niece that you visited Pemberley as a child, and even remember the cook, Mrs. Rogers.”
“All true.”
She turned her head back to the window and sat quietly for a full minute. “I find it rather odd that such a young boy would remember the name of a cook from someone else’s household, which he had only visited once.”
Within the carriage was silent before he replied. “Her apple bread was unforgettable.”
“Indeed.”
The scene outside the window began to change, and Darcy realized they were approaching theold estate.He craned his neck to see around the bend that led to the burned-out ruin of the original Rosings House. Sir Lewis de Bourgh’s family had abandoned it after a fire and began new construction in the park.Although not in its original form, there are still some small nods to the past.
“Mr. Fitzroy. I believe it is time to tell us exactly who you really are.”
Darcy attempted a nonchalance he did not feel. “I am William Fitzroy—”
“Yes, yes… But whoareyou? Who are your mother and your aunts? Who are your uncles?”
The question hung between them while he collected his thoughts, ill-prepared for the onslaught of suspicion from Lady Catherine. “Who would you have me be, m’lady? I cannot claim to be someone I am not.”
She looked at him, incredulously. “I am not one to be trifled with, Mr. Fitzroy. I have looked into your claims, and although you are the current master of Pembrook in Salisbury, I believe you are someone else entirely.”
His face remained even as he felt Bingley’s eyes on him.
“But yes,” she said, knocking her cane on the floor of the equipage, “I am sure you are wondering why I invited you out today.”
Darcy inhaled. “To be frank, Your Ladyship, I am more in awe of your present demeanor, as it is quite the opposite of the frail woman I first met at Rosings.”
His words were met by an ugly laugh. “I understand your confusion. Suffice it to say, Mrs. Abernathy is no longer in my employ. According to a trusted servant, Abernathy was paid handsomely to increase the dosage of my prescription. Hence, my odd behavior for the last several months. But, thanks to said servant, that problem has been eliminated. Or, shall I say, itwillbe eliminated. Now, as to why you are both here?”
At Darcy and Bingley’s silence, she continued. “I have been contemplating the situation for myself, my daughter, and my niece, and I realize it is one you both have a stake in.”
“Your Ladyship,” Bingley began, “with all due respect, George Wickham is the last man…let’s say, we do not get along.”
“Hmm…” She smirked before replying. “It must be difficult for you to reside in the same village as the man at whose hand you lost your fortune!”
Bingley stiffened.
“I am aware of your circumstances, and I must say that you handled yourself admirably last night. But, today…today, I offer you something you cannot refuse.”
“And what might that be, Your Ladyship?”
“I wish for you to dispose of George Wickham.” Both men gasped. “It matters not to me by what means, but I want that son-of-a-steward removed from England with a guarantee he will never return.”
“Lady Catherine,” Bingley began, “I cannot in good conscience—”
“I will reinstate your fortune.”
Bingley stared.
“And I will provide for your ruined sister in America.” Darcy looked sharply at Bingley, while Lady Catherine said, “Do not think me ignorant ofhercircumstances. You cannot believe she carries the first illegitimate child of George Wickham? No, you are wiser than that. You are surely aware of his cunning with maidens and other men’s wives, but there is no need to speak of such ugliness.”
Bingley remained mute, but Darcy spoke. “How did this all come to pass? How does Wickham hold such power, Your Ladyship?”
