“Itwillneverwork.”Reginald, just arrived from the Derbyshire train, paced Darcy’s study, and shook his head.
“I tell you, it will. Wickham thinks he has the upper hand, so we let his pride lead him directly into the fall.”
“Yes, but if what you say is true, Wickham has probably won over Mrs Bennet. She will be no more likely to trust you than he is to keep his word. How then will you persuade her to come with you when you try to separate them? What advantage do you have that he does not know about?”
Darcy paused and waited for his cousin to stop pacing long enough to look at him. “I have Elizabeth.”
Reginald blinked. “Well… of course, metaphorically… I suppose she must have told you a great deal about her mother and—”
“No. IhaveElizabeth. I found her in Rhode Island after she wrote to Georgiana.”
“What!” The earl’s jaw dropped in horror. “Do you mean she left Richard after all? I thought better of her than that.”
“As a matter of fact, he intended to leave her. Or rather, send her back here.”
“Darcy—” Reginald’s voice was low and dangerous. “I warned you not to interfere.”
“I did not. I only went there because I needed her help when I learned that Mrs Bennet had gone missing. As it turned out, Richard tried to file for an annulment before I even arrived, but there was nothing to annul. The marriage was not even valid by the laws of the state of Wyoming.”
Reginald held up a hand, his eyes clenched in denial. “Suppose for an instant I believe this was done honourably—what now? Do you still mean to marry her after everything?”
“I already have. We married in Boston the day we boarded the ship.”
Reginald dropped into a chair and stared at the wall in blank stupefaction. “Egad, Darcy. You eloped! And she is here in London?”
“She is staying with Bingley for now because I wish to conceal her presence from Wickham, but yes. His intent was to shatter me, bring me to my knees. Let him think he has done so.”
Reginald pushed back to his feet and paced again like a caged tiger. “It will be a fearful scandal. Think what everyone will have to say! Elopement is starting to become almost fashionable, but what of her history?”
“You know I care nothing for that. And I think you are wrong, because we were too vigilant when she first arrived. Our shame in how we disbelieved her at first may prove to be the very thing that protects her.”
“All the same, what do you mean to do about Wickham? Are you asking me for money? Footmen?”
“Only the appearance of support.”
Reginald’s jaw set and his teeth flashed much as his brother’s were wont to do when his resolve was fixed. “What do I do?”
Chapter 56
Just Outside Meryton, Hertfordshire
Thesunwasalow and heavy bronze in the sky when Darcy drew up his enclosed Brougham in the clearing. His eye roved the thin edging of trees surrounding them, and he wondered precisely how many men lurked in the shadows. Reginald grunted on the seat beside him and gestured to a second carriage, now approaching from the road beyond a neighbouring field. They exchanged long looks but said nothing.
Wickham pulled up and dropped the reins in his lap. “Prompt as usual, Darcy, but you agreed to come alone.”
Darcy carefully looped the reins, set the brake on his carriage, and nodded to his cousin. They got down, and Darcy came to the horses’ heads. “We are alone, unless you brought someone. You did not think Matlock would agree to hand over such a sum without demanding to see it done properly, do you? Bring out Mrs Bennet and her daughters.”
“Not so hasty, let me see inside the carriage.” He pulled apart his coat just enough to display a pistol butt.
Darcy went to the door, keeping his hands visible. Wickham angled his own vehicle, the better to see inside. “Very well, so long as you have no guard or someone secreted between the wheels. The money?”
“Send out Mrs Bennet and her daughters first.”
Wickham shrugged and got down to open the door. “Forgive me, Mrs Bennet,” they heard him say, “but this highbrow does not believe that you are perfectly safe. I hope your drive was everything pleasant?”
A chorus of feminine voices spilt out the carriage door. “Not believe you? Why Mr Wickham, I shall set him right. Who is this insufferable man? Lydia, step carefully! Do not twist your ankle again. Mr Wickham cannot always be carrying you.”
Wickham handed the ladies down and bowed before them, putting on a nauseatingly gallant display. “This way, my dears,” he urged. “There, now you see my old friend Darcy who would have stolen your Elizabeth from her rightful husband. He thinks I have done dishonourably by you! What do you say to that, my loves?”
