Incredulous, Darcy replied, “Like you invited me to yours?”
Elizabeth stepped forward to draw the other’s attentionaway from her husband and his sister. “Yes, well…The housekeeper will show you to your rooms in the guest wing.”
“Guest wing?” Caroline Bingley whined. “Mr. Wickham should have no less than the best suite in the family wing, as should I.”
Elizabeth said calmly, “I beg your pardon, but we have guests already in those rooms.”
“Who do you think you are?” Miss Bingley challenged.
He was proud of his wife when she said, “I know who I am. I am Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy, wife of the most honorable gentleman on earth, the cousin to Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the niece of Lord and Lady Matlock. My Bennet family has lived at the neighboring estate of Longbourn for over two centuries. Now, politeness requires that I repeat your question by asking who you think you are?”
Miss Bingley sputtered. “Mr. Darcy may have relatives in society, but he is no longer part of the sphere with which we associate.” She swept her hand toward Wickham.
Elizabeth reminded her of the obvious. “Yet, he is currently your host as a courtesy to his sister. Therefore, if you are to remain at Netherfield Park, you shall accept the rooms you have been given. There are baths prepared so you may rid yourselves of the dust of the road. A tray will be sent up shortly.”
Darcy said, “George and my sister will be up later.”
Miss Bingley flounced from the room, the Hursts following like obedient lap dogs.
Wickham glanced around the room. “You have doneunexpectedly well for yourself, though it is far from the grandeur of Pemberley.”
“As matters stand, Netherfield is an improvement over Darcy House, is it not?”
Color rose in Wickham’s cheeks. Georgiana’s eyes darted between her husband and him.
“Yes, well”—Wickham pulled at his collar—“before the embers died out, a friend recommended workers who will rebuild an even more magnificent house, filling it with even greater treasures than before.”
Georgiana shuddered.
Horrified, Darcy said, “Did the fire brigade not come? The house was covered by fire insurance that expired only last month. Did you not pay the fee?”
Wickham’s mouth gaped. “Insurance?”
Darcy ran his hands through his hair. “Did you not see the fire mark on the front of the building? If you do not pay the fee or call the right brigade, it will be left to burn. Is this the sort of care you give a property you coveted for a lifetime?”
Darcy’s uncle barked. “You have ready money available to pay for that, Wickham? I imagine that in the last four months since your wedding, you have been busy draining your coffers.”
Regaining himself, Wickham showed no reaction to the taunt. “Prior to departing London this morning, I pulled out all the funds set aside for Pemberley’s repairs to rebuild Wickham House. After all, Pemberley has stood through good and bad for at least one hundred years. It will continue to stand without new fencing or a new school.”
“Is Pemberley’s roof replaced, then?”
“Pemberley’s roof? I saw nothing wrong with it when we returned from Scotland.”
Darcy rubbed his hands over his face. “That was the middle of the hot summer months. Now that winter is near, you will see the damage the rains and snow will do.”
“Then it is a good thing that you no longer need to worry about Pemberley. I own the estate. You do not.”
A sob from Georgiana drew his attention away from her husband. Before he could reach her, Elizabeth inserted herself between his sister and Richard.
“Come, dear. I have a tray set aside for you with all your favorites that your brother remembered. Lady Matlock and I will see to your comfort.” She wrapped Georgiana’s arm around hers. His aunt rose to join them.
Before they left the room, Elizabeth looked back at him before telling the colonel. “No bloodshed on the carpet, Richard.”
His cousin bowed formally. “Aye, Mrs. Darcy.”
The men watched them depart, Darcy excessively proud of his bride. Elizabeth was as regal as a queen. Although he yearned to be the one to bring comfort to his sister, he needed to establish some rules for Wickham.
Georgiana meekly allowedherself to be escorted to Elizabeth’s chambers. Waiting for Darcy’s sister was an array of meats and cheeses on a tray and a steaming bath in the large copper tub.
