“Yes, quickly.” Darcy tossed some coins to the rider before vaulting into the carriage. His mind raced. Knowing Wickham, sabotaging Darcy had been as attractive an inducement as searching for treasure.
The coach’s wheels clattered over the cobblestones as they raced toward the Thames. He stared out of the window without seeing, his thoughts churning. Wickham would do everything within his charming, manipulative power to destroy, not only the quest, but Darcy’s chances with Elizabeth.Blast it all!
Colonel Fitzwilliam was overseeingthe loading of their trunks when Darcy arrived at the docks. One look at his cousin made Richard immediately stride toward him.
“What has happened?”
Darcy thrust the letter at his cousin. “Read it and see.”
When Richard finished, he looked up with murder in his eyes. “Wickham.”
“He knows everything. The destination, the participants, the first clue. He knows I am involved.”
“That rake would sell his own mother for a shilling if she were still living.” The colonel’s voice was deadly quiet. “He has wormed his way into this expedition…”
“We have company.”
His cousin’s head snapped up, following Darcy’s gaze toward the maze of warehouses lining the waterfront. There, half-hidden between two buildings, stood a familiar figure in uniform. Even at this distance, Wickham’s cocky posture was unmistakable.
Their enemy stepped into full view and raised his hand in a mocking salute, then melted back into the shadows between the buildings.
“The arrogant dastard,” Richard growled. “He wants us to know that he is here.”
“This changes everything.”
“How so?”
“Elizabeth.” Darcy stopped, took a breath. “She finds him charming. He has already poisoned her mind against me with his lies.”
“What lies?”
Darcy paced beside the carriage, his control fraying with each step. “Last autumn, when I was at Netherfield, Wickham told the neighborhood that I destroyed his prospects out of petty jealousy. That my father intended him for the church, but I denied him the living when it became available.”
“And Miss Bennet believed him?”
“She had every reason to. I had already insulted her publicly at an assembly, calling her ‘merely tolerable and not handsome enough to tempt me.’” Darcy’s voice was raw with self-recrimination. “There was a ball at Bingley’s estate the evening before I abandoned him. When Elizabeth and I danced, she confronted me about Wickham.”
“What did you say? Did you not explain?”
“I said nothing. I was too proud to defend myself, too arrogant to explain.” Darcy stopped pacing, his shoulders sagging. “It is obvious she thinks I am exactly what Wickham painted me to be: a cruel man who destroys the happiness of others.”
Richard was quiet for a long moment, absorbing theinformation. “And now Wickham will be at every port whispering more poison in her ears?—”
“While I will struggle to prove I am not the man she believes me to be.” Darcy laughed bitterly. “The obstacles to true love have become mountainous.”
“We shall have to watch for him at every stop,” Richard said. “He is dangerous enough as a fortune hunter, but if he is working against you specifically…”
“He will use every charm at his disposal to turn Elizabeth further against me and use her to find the treasure he thinks we are pursuing.” Darcy’s voice had dropped to slightly above a whisper.
Richard rubbed his chin. “What of her father? Is Mr. Bennet so neglectful a parent?”
“He will become so absorbed in ancient manuscripts and scholarly puzzles that he will forget she is even there.” Darcy’s comment was devoid of humor. “I did not lie when I said I came on this quest to protect her. I never imagined the greatest threat would be someone she already trusts more than me.”
“Then we make our own plans.” Richard had the steely resolve of a military commander. “Wickham may have the advantage of her current good opinion, but we have truth on our side.”
“Truth?” The word tasted sour in his mouth. “She has no reason to accept my word over his. In her opinion, I am the villain of the piece.”
“Then you must prove otherwise through your actions.” Richard gripped his cousin’s shoulder. “Show her the man you really are, Darcy. Not through words, but through deeds. Protect her. Support her. Demonstrate the honor Wickham lacks.”
