“That will never do, Elizabeth. I fear you must adopt some familiarity with horses once we are wed. I will find you the gentlest mount alive, and you will have no need to fear.”
“Even a gentle horse is many times my size. I do not like to feel myself at such a disadvantage, and they are entirely too fast for my taste. Nevertheless, if you can brave the carriage, I suppose I can mount a horse.”
“I have just hit upon a capital idea, but it may have to wait until we are properly married. You could ride with me in the saddle, and I could keep you securely in my arms while I direct the horse. Perhaps you might grow accustomed to the motion.”
“You paint a delightful picture! I might find my courage if you are to coddle me so. I think, however, you must speak to my father before we attempt it.”
He frowned unhappily. “Elizabeth, we are to pass near Meryton within the hour, but I think we must travel directly on to London. I wish to speak to your father this very moment, but the stop would cost us at least a full day. I dare not delay so long.”
“No, I think you are right, William. We may apply to my uncle, and certainly my father will have your letter by this time. My father is a reasonable man; I believe he will understand the circumstances, but my uncle may well insist that I remain at his house, rather than yours.”
“I had feared as much,” he sighed. “I never thought I would request this, but do you think he would permit Mrs Wickham to remain with Georgiana? I believe they find one another’s presence comforting, and I would have another at hand for her just now. Matters within our family may become strained when this deed comes to light.”
“She is a married woman, in the eyes of the world. I see no reason why she could not.”
“We will arrive at my townhouse by mid-afternoon, and after you have refreshed yourself, I will escort you to Cheapside. And then,” he smiled tightly, “I intend to visit Doctor’s Commons tomorrow.”
“Are you not premature?”
“Premature! You have owned my heart for nearly a year and a half. If anything, I would say that I am somewhat late in coming to the point.”
“Ah, another failing for which I must punish you! Come here, Mr Darcy, and accept the consequences for your misdeeds.”
He grinned broadly, knowing full well that the expression declared to the world that he had become the fool for her, and not caring in the least who might see. “Gladly.”
London
“Myfault?”ReginaldFitzwilliam,the Viscount Matlock leaned over the card table with a ferocious hiss. “It was not I who did not finish Darcy in the first place! Had you done so, we would not now be faced with this crisis!”
“And lose my negotiation piece? You must take me for a fool,” Vasconcelos growled. “You never did intend to fetch me my deed. Once Darcy was out of the way, you had only to wait for the girl to mourn him and your wife to die, and you had everything you wanted. What of me? Was it not I who designed this opportunity for you?”
“And I was fool enough to listen! I ought to have hired my own worthless mercenaries.”
Vasconcelos scoffed. “And have the blood on your own hands! I ought not to be surprised, for your grandfather suffered no qualms from such a crime.”
“From what I heard,” the viscount examined his fingernails, “your uncle deserved what came to him. The Fitzwilliam men are not afraid to do what must be done.”
Vasconcelos slammed his fists on the table. “Must I avenge myself on the whole of the family? I had determined to content myself with Darcy, if it secured my family’s honour, but I shall not stop there if you do not procure what I need!”
“And what of my bride? Darcy will never permit anyone to wed her now, and if the steward is to be believed, he has a country wench he intends to marry right away. The chit will fall with child almost immediately, and the estate entails away from Georgiana Darcy! Had you simply done as you promised—”
“I! I was right to mistrust you and keep him alive. I would have happily washed my hands of him, had you only found my deed.”
“It does not exist! I have had the very best searching for it, and none have found it. I am afraid you will have to content yourself with forging a new one.”
“That does not answer for my uncle’s life, nor for my father’s disgrace. I would have the original, with Richard Darcy’s signature to attest that the debt was paid, and that my uncle’s death was murder.”
“Your father was a fraudster,” Reginald shook his head in mock pity. “And your uncle made an attempt on a lady. It is their own fault if my family lost patience with them.”
Vasconcelos’ fists curled and he leaped from his chair to grasp Fitzwilliam by the collar. “Lies!”
Fitzwilliam coolly flicked a glance to the lad at the door, and four large footmen were instantly admitted to the dingy room where they held conference. Vasconcelos, shaking in barely restrained rage, released the viscount. Fitzwilliam straightened his cravat and rose from his chair.
“You said you sent men again to Pemberley? You had best hope they carry out their task there. If he appears again in London, where many may see his face, all hope is lost. We cannot then carry him off, for the incident would be too sensational. As it is, let us simply hope that he is either too broken, or not clever enough to find us out.”
“And what if he does come to London?”
Fitzwilliam scoffed. “He would not dare. He would know by now that an attempt was made on Georgiana—which your men bungled—and he would lock himself within its walls for now. Our best hope is to withdraw completely, wait for some day when his guard has lowered, and then he, and perhaps his prospective bride, may have a carriage accident in eight or nine months. So long as he has no issue, Georgiana will still inherit, and I shall make her a proper husband.”
