Tenderly, she kissed him, relieved to see the burden of Darcy’s past life lifted off his shoulders. This guaranteed their happiness.
Before noon the next morning,pounding on the front door sounded throughout the house. Darcy glanced into the entrance hall when a footman opened the door to see a harried Mr. Bennet clasping the rim of his hat.
Worry about Mrs. Bennet’s health and the safety of Elizabeth’s sisters roiled like bile in his stomach.Anything that affected Elizabeth affected him. He was unsurprised when Elizabeth rushed past him.
“Papa, what has happened?”
Mr. Bennet pulled his daughter to him, though his eyes never left Darcy. “We need to talk.”
Directing him to the study, he suggested Elizabeth order tea.
“No. I shall hear what Papa has to say.”
Her father patted her shoulder. “My news does not involve anyone at Longbourn, dear girl. I am parched, and it is frigid cold outside. A hot cup of tea would be just the thing.”
His wife studied her father carefully before nodding, then leaving the room and closing the door behind her.
“May I get you something stronger until your tea arrives?” Darcy asked although he was desperate to discover what had happened.
“No, please.” His father-in-law peered at him with pleading eyes as if Darcy could figure out what he needed to say so the words would not need to be spoken aloud. When the silence continued, Mr. Bennet announced, “I regret to inform you that this morning, when a Longbourn servant went to Meryton for a kitchen order, he found Mr. George Wickham dead.”
“What!” Darcy could hardly process the information.
“They found his body in a ditch alongside the road. There was a large gash down the side of his face, and his throat was…well, I will just say that Mr. Wickham is no more.”
“Lord!” Darcy sank into a chair, stunned. “Who? How?”
Georgiana! Good God in heaven. How can I tell her that her child will be fatherless?
Rubbing his hands over his face, he looked up when Mr. Bennet loudly cleared his throat.
“I regret, more than you can know, that this is not all. You see, my foolish cousin, informed of Mr. Wickham’s murder at the same time as I, immediately proclaimed to the house and anyone who would listen that you, with your clear motive, were the obvious perpetrator. Before I stepped foot in my carriage, he was hurrying down the lane to spew his lies to any who would listen. I do not doubt that he will write to your aunt before the morning is done.”
Horrified, Darcy exclaimed, “Me? I was here all night, as your daughter can attest. We have not seen Wickham since Sunday.” He stood. “Despite the fact that I suffered the greatest loss to him, I would never act in this manner. Wickham was the criminal, not me.”
Mr. Bennet nodded his head. “I know. I know.”
“Who is the magistrate?” Darcy hoped beyond hope it was someone reasonable.
“Crosgrove.”
Relief flowed through him. In every interaction he had with Mr. Crosgrove, Darcy found him to be a fair and honest man.
Mr. Bennet sat across from him as soon as Darcy returned to the chair.
“Darcy, all the way from the scene of the crime to here, I considered who might be responsible.” He threw his hands in the air. “I simply do not know. Nothing like this has ever happened in this area.”
A list of names scrolled through Darcy’s mind. “Wickham made many enemies. For whatever reason, he felt he could take egregious advantage of others with impunity. Any attempt to explain the consequences to him was a waste of breath. In the se'nnight he was in Hertfordshire, if he were true to form, he would spend his time seeking his pleasure.” Tapping his chin, he added, “The innkeeper or anyone else who provided spirits should be questioned. Who did Wickham spend time with? Who was a victim of Wickham’s light fingers at cards? Whose daughter or wife did he attempt to charm? These are George Wickham’s habits, unchanged since he married.”
Blast!Darcy sat forward in his chair. Hesitantly, he said, “Since we are alone, I will mention that his abandonment of her humiliated Caroline Bingley, forever changing her position in society and ending her hopes and dreams. While I would believe no woman could arrange an act of violence that would end a human life, she was unreasonable, to where the Hursts no longer want her around. Once they give her the dowry her father set aside for her, she will be without family or friends.
“A woman scorned,” Mr. Bennet muttered.
“Yes.” Darcy was grateful that Miss Bingley was no longer part of his life. Except, if she were responsible, as the timing suggested, she would be forced back into his attention until the investigation concluded. He needed to warn Elizabeth and Georgiana.
He rose, approached the door, and instructed a footman to inform his wife of his wish to see her. Then he sent the housekeeper to retrieve his sister, requesting that she hurry.
Within minutes, Georgiana rushed into the room onElizabeth’s heels. Seeing Mr. Bennet, Georgiana stopped in place, standing as still as a statue. “What has happened?”
