“No, but—”
“I will remain here and keep her company until you return,” Wickham said.
“Lizzy?”
“I will be well, Jane,” she replied, glancing at Darcy. “Do hurry Mrs. Wickham as I look forward to her company.”
“Very well. I will be back in a trice.”
As Jane retreated, Elizabeth stood beside the chaise where Darcy sat erect. With his back to Elizabeth, Wickham followed Jane, then quietly closed the door behind her.
“Wickham.”
Wickham turned to find Darcy standing, although unsteady, beside Elizabeth.
Elizabeth looked between both men. “Mr. Fitzroy, are you acquainted?”
“We are not,” Wickham replied.
“I am not well known to Mr. Wickham,” Darcy said, realizing Wickham did not recognize him and moderated his voice, “yet we were at school together.”
“Fitzroy?” Wickham repeated thoughtfully. “Oh, yes. I remember the name. You have an estate in…”
“Salisbury.”
“Yes, Salisbury. And you have a brother…?”
“A sister,” Darcy replied with concealed venom.
Wickham looked up at him with slight fear. Darcy could see the cogs turning.Trying to determine if mine was one you ruined, eh? No, by Jove, she was not! I saved her from that fate!
“You appear injured. Were you set upon by bandits?”
“No. As best I can remember, I was thrown from my horse.”
At this revelation, Wickham took on an air of nonchalance. “And what brings you to this part of the country?”
“I am uncertain,” Darcy said.
“Uncertain?”
“Yes, I believe I am here to visit family.”
“Mr. Fitzroy’s accident,” Elizabeth interjected, “has caused him to lose some of his memory.”
“Oh, that is what Collins was prattling on about in the garden. What an odd sensation to not recall parts of your life.”
Darcy said, “Yes, but things which are most important are never forgotten.”
“Such as?” Wickham asked, stealing a glance at Elizabeth, who had taken a seat on the longue.
Darcy sat next to her before replying. “Character.”
“Character?” Wickham raised a brow.
“Yes, character,” Darcy said, attempting to maintain his even tone. “I am sure, no matter what the situation, a man’s character would never change, whether he remembered his name or not.”
Wickham turned a guarded look at Darcy. “Well, Mr. Fitzroy, I do wish you the best. If you are feeling well enough, you should join us at Rosings tomorrow evening for dinner.”
