“I know exactly what he’s been up to and where he’s been doing it. Do you know where he is now?”
“Oh, yes. He is rooming with some doxy over in the St. Giles Rookery. Asked about you, though.”
I raised my brows. “How much money does he want?”
“More than you want to give him. I told him to bugger off.”
I walked to the window to stare outside. The streets were already dark, with lanterns glowing along the walks. There would be no meeting with Elizabeth Bennet tonight. Tomorrow, we would test our destiny. Tomorrow, we would save both our families, or we would be ruined together.
But perhaps there was a way to increase our chances of success… and see a bit of justice done along the way. “I need to speak with Wickham,” I mumbled.
“Wickham! What the devil for?”
I turned back to Richard. “I just had an idea.”
Fifteen
Elizabeth
“Ithankyouforthe offer, Aunt, but the carriage is unnecessary. Jane’s beau has offered to escort us to Bond Street himself.”
Aunt Gardiner gave me a dubious look over her tea. “Forgive me for saying, Lizzy, but this is all rather sudden. How did she meet this Mr. Bingley?”
I focused my attention on my poached egg because I was a terrible liar. “He is to be our new neighbor. Uncle Philips knows him.” There. That was all true.
“Indeed! I say, dear Jane has captured him rather quickly. Your mother must be pleased. Is he amiable?”
I cleared my throat. “Oh-oh, yes. Yes, I think him rather amiable. I suppose.”
“Well, that is… that is wonderful. Does Jane truly like him? I would not wish to see her accept someone so quickly just to please others.”
I swallowed my dry toast and tried to think of some truthful response. “I know no harm of him, Aunt. I have been assured that he is gentlemanly in every way.” Though I still wondered how well I could trust the assessment of a burglar.
Aunt Gardiner shook her head. “You young ladies do things in such a fearful headlong rush these days. Are you certain you do not need me to attend you? Your father really believes Jane will be safe with only you and his sister as her chaperons?”
“I am confident. Moreover, I understand Mr. Bingley is a rather modest man, and you know Jane. I think too much company would make them uncomfortable.”
She sighed and surrendered. “How long do you plan to be away this afternoon?”
“Oh, did I not say? Mr. Bingley is coming by ten, and Jane is expected to ah… to take tea with his sisters before attending a play this evening. I am afraid we may be rather late.”
My aunt’s brow furrowed. “With such haste during their courtship, are we to expect a wedding within the fortnight? How long ago was this arranged? And how very like your father to neglect to tell us.”
I shrugged and smiled weakly. “Yes, Papa can be forgetful. And as for a courtship, it is only a shopping outing and tea. Mama desired for Jane to have a new gown before the next ball, and Papa, for once, was happy to oblige. So long as he did not have to escort her.”
“That sounds like him. Oh, my goodness, look at the hour. I will be wanted in the nursery, and you ought to be going upstairs to dress for your outing. I am looking forward to meeting this Mr. Bingley you praise so highly.”
She rose and left me alone in the room. I let out a groan and rolled my eyes to the ceiling. “I’m looking forward to meeting him, too.”
Darcy
“Isay,Darcy,Inever thought to hear from you again.” George Wickham strolled confidently into my study, flanked by Richard, who was regarding him with a scowl and watching Wickham’s hands like a hawk. He’d already made certain that nothing small and valuable remained within arm’s length of Wickham’s path through the room.
I nodded curtly. “You are looking well, George. Do be seated. Sherry?”
He smiled. “I don’t mind if I do.”
I poured and waited for Wickham to relax in his seat, sniffing the glass as if he relished the very aroma.
