If Elizabeth was right in her suspicions—hang it all, did it even matter whether she was right? She believed it, tortured herself with it, and that was enough to goad him into an overpowering desire todosomething. Anything would suffice!
Houghton—yes, he would go to Houghton and demand that the Army cut all ties with Bryson and his remounts. Ruin the man, if they could! But that was not enough to comfort Elizabeth. Not enough to give her back her father.
A vase fell next to his outrage, then he stood, panting with his fists locked at his hip and his eyes fixed on a blank part of the wall. Hehadto do something. Good heavens, whatever else she was to him, she was also a fresh widow—his favourite cousin’s widow, no less! Surely, no one could criticise him for rushing to comfort her in the wake of such news! What man of decency and honour couldnotgo to her?
Yes, he would go. That very afternoon if he must! He returned to his desk to put things in order, but his hand strayed over another letter he had not yet opened. The handwriting was unmistakable.
What the devil would make George Wickham think he had a right to ask something, particularly now? With a hiss and a snarl, he tore the letter open.
Darcy,
You may wonder at my audacity in writing to you, and you may further wonder why I have taken so long in doing it. Well, to the first, I say that need and greed will erode a fellow’s vanity until he is ready to dance with the old deuce. And to the second, I was obliged to wait on certain matters, not the least of them being your return from South Africa. As I am assured you have been back some while, I am prepared to address you.
To say that our dear Miss Darcy astonished me is a frightful understatement. Indeed, I had quite believed her ready to sail away with me, all by her own design, of course. I do not doubt that you think I tried to coerce her. Of course, a brother would believe his sister innocent of such schemes and impulses, and it does pain me somewhat to disabuse you of your naivety in that regard. I only intended to see her well protected on her journey, as a friend of the family ought. You cannot believe I would compel her against her wishes, I hope, no matter what the little tart may have told you.
And speaking of tarts, I have made some inquiries about Georgiana’s darling companion. Fitzwilliam’s widow, is she? Oh, she is an eyeful, Darcy, and perhaps more than one handful, if you take my meaning. I can see why you keep her close, but I wonder if you know much about the lady’s history. I learned a bit, quite accidentally.
She stayed at a rooming house in London when she first arrived, and it so happens that I am rather well acquainted with the lady who owns it. That cousin of hers was apparently a loquacious fellow. My… let me call her a friend, for you would object to a less delicate term. My lady friend learned enough to understand Mrs Fitzwilliam’s purpose in our country, and that she had fled her own under less than auspicious circumstances. Furthermore, by a little phrase our Mrs Fitzwilliam let slip upon my acquaintance with her, I gleaned another morsel of intelligence. I followed this up, naturally, with some judicious letters to certain useful people, and confirmed my fears. My old friend, I believe you are sheltering a murderess.
Naturally, my intent in writing to you is merely to serve my sense of loyalty. I would not wish for any in your family to fall into disgrace by some mésalliance, engaged upon under false pretence. I know you are a generous fellow, and your gratitude is ever of a substantial quality where your friends are concerned—even if they be friends you no longer name.
I have in my possession items to verify my claims as regards both ladies, and I am certain you would wish to guard them more carefully than I am capable of doing. I can be found at my usual place, if you wish to parley.
Oh, and may I add, a Merry Christmas to you and Miss Darcy.
GW
Chapter 34
“GobacktoDerbyshire?”Georgiana sputtered. “But tomorrow is Christmas Day! There will be no trains.”
“The day after, then,” Darcy conceded as he paced in agitation before her. “I am sorry, Georgiana, but I will brook no refusal. A matter has arisen that troubles me greatly, and it concerns you.”
Georgiana sat down and made it plain by her manner that she was staking her ground until he told her all. “What is it?”
Darcy sighed and reluctantly produced George Wickham’s missive. “Has he any letters in your hand he could use to threaten you?”
Georgiana read, her eyes growing dark and round with anger. “The scoundrel,” she hissed. “How dare he!”
“Does he have letters from you?”
Her teeth sank into her lower lip. “Yes.”
“And in these letters, did you confess anything scandalous?”
“I… suppose. Everything was all straightforward and friendly at first. He was merely offering to escort me to Paris. Then one day, while you were gone, I was very put out with… well, I was quite vexed over something, and he soothed me so gallantly that I fear I… I kissed him.”
A strangled scowl, almost a snarl arose from Darcy’s throat as he raked fingers through his hair. “And of course, you must have made mention of this in your letters?”
“William, you must believe me, it all seemed quite harmless fun at the time! I never thought he would—”
“Nor did I,” Darcy interrupted, taking the letter out of her hands. “No, I shall not chastise you, for I think we have had enough of that. I thought I was being patient and reserved in this matter, but it is apparent I have not done enough in your defence. I have sent inquiries after his activities, seeking what leverage I could find, but I should have personally confronted him a month ago, when you first told me of his behaviour towards you.”
Georgiana lifted her shoulders and ground her teeth. “But you had to tell everyone about Richard, and the family all wished to commiserate together, and that was all we did for a time. You had other matters, and it is not as if we did not manage on our own. Elizabeth and I sent him off in fine fashion.”
He paced round to her chair and set his hands on the arms of it, leaning close to her face. “Youare mysister.” He held her look for a long moment until she blinked and softly nodded, then he backed away.
“You should nothaveto manage this alone. Yes, I was already pursuing the reprobate, but quietly, so as not to create a scene that might further expose you. I have learned some about his personal habits, but it seems he was investigating our affairs even more closely.”
