She opened her mouth to explain what had happened, but nothing came out. Instead, she began crying.
He pulled her into his arms and held her closely. His warmth loosened all the fear she had balled up and stuffed down, and she simply cried harder as her body shook. Her arms went around him, and she held onto him as if her life depended on it.
Vaguely, she was aware that as she was being held, Colonel Fitzwilliam tied up the horses and went to investigate the woods. When he returned, Elizabeth’s sobs had slowed.
“There is a cabin back there,” said the colonel. “Wickham is inside, unconscious from a head wound.”
“Elizabeth, can you tell me what happened?” asked Mr. Darcy.
Slowly, she explained what happened as well as she could, though she glossed over Mr. Wickham’s filthy words and insinuations. Even without them, his intentions were clear enough.
When she was done explaining, Mr. Darcy said, “I am truly glad you are safe and mostly unharmed, but I want you to know that even if he had succeeded in his plan, I would not have abandoned you.”
Elizabeth looked up into his warm brown eyes, the eyes that had told her in so many ways how much he loved her. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she said. She did not know how else to express how she was feeling other than to say it again. “Thank you.” She then hugged him.
As his arms went around her once more, she felt soothed and safe. All would be well. She was sure of it.
“I hate to interrupt, but we need to determine what to do with that demon before he wakes up,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. Once he had their attention, he said, “The way I see it, we can either finish the job here or we can turn him into his colonel.”
“You can’t kill him!” cried Elizabeth. “I cannot allow you to spill his blood on your hands. Besides, if any of this ever leaks, people will say that I killed him.”
“That is true,” said Mr. Darcy. “Though I can’t imagine how the information would get around, it’s not certain that we can keep this incident quiet.” He turned to Elizabeth. “If we take him to Colonel Forster, you will likely be required to testify against him. Do you think you can do that?”
Elizabeth looked up at Mr. Darcy. “Did you mean what you said, that you would not abandon me no matter what happened to me? If I testify, and the world believes I am ruined, will you leave me behind?”
“I will do everything in my power to see that everyone knows he did not touch you other than to grab your arms and wrists,” said Mr. Darcy. “If I fail, and your reputation causes you and your family difficulty, I will do all in my power to take careof you all. And I could never leave you unless you expressly tell me to go.”
“Then I will testify, but only if it is necessary,” she said.
Chapter 17
Darcy was furious. He had only been this angry once before, and that, too, was because of Wickham. The man was exactly what Richard had called him, a demon, sent to bring misery to every female he came close to.
Darcy’s cousin, Richard, took on the task of getting Wickham to Colonel Forster while Darcy escorted Miss Elizabeth home. It took some time to explain her appearance and the bruises on her wrists, but once he was certain she was safe and would not be upbraided for her misadventure, he headed into Meryton to see what had happened to Wickham.
When he arrived at the house the militia was using as its headquarters, Darcy was surprised to find that Wickham had not yet been locked up, nor had he been seen to by a doctor. He was simply lying on the floor, still unconscious, while Richard and Colonel Forster argued.
“I don’t understand why you refuse to believe the evidence of your eyes,” said Richard scathingly.
“The only evidence my eyes have seen is that you or your cousin has attacked my officer for no reason whatsoever,” replied Colonel Forster. “Mark my words. Neither your wealth nor your status will save you.”
“Colonel Forster, I believe you mistake the matter,” said Mr. Darcy as he entered the room. “That wound was not inflicted byeither myself or my cousin. Rather, it was inflicted by a lady he was attempting to force himself upon. If you doubt my word, you may speak directly with the lady. However, I believe it would be best if Wickham were first secured in a room and seen to by a physician.”
Colonel Forster grimaced. “I don’t need you to tell me how to care for my men,” he said. Even so, he called for his captain and an adjutant to take Wickham away and see to his care.
Once they were gone, Colonel Forster said, “Now what is this about a woman being attacked? I cannot believe Wickham would do such a thing. He is quite the charmer. Why would he need to force any woman?”
Darcy barely refrained from rolling his eyes. “It wasn’t just a woman. It was a lady, one of high standing in this neighborhood. She is willing to testify, though she would rather not unless it is absolutely necessary. It is understandable, considering that the moment she testifies, her reputation will be in tatters.”
“A lady?” said Colonel Forster. “That is an even less likely story. Wickham is the soul of honor where ladies are concerned.”
Darcy could not help the bark of laughter that escaped his mouth, and he easily heard the hearty laughter coming from Richard.
“He is anything but,” said Richard. “He is a fortune hunter of the highest order, and if there were an heiress anywhere close to this town worth at least ten thousand pounds, the man would be married by now.”
“Are we not all fortune hunters?” asked Colonel Forster. “I am certain you, yourself, would not balk at attempting to attract an heiress were she to come your way.”
“Ah, but the difference between Wickham and myself is that I have something to offer in return. Additionally, I wouldnot waste my supposed wife’s fortune with foolish and dissolute living, whereas Wickham has already proven himself capable of such behavior.”
