“Yes, pray come in.” Jenny withdrew to the dressing room.
He sat beside Georgiana and related all he had learned. “No crime has been committed.”
“Then he is to escape punishment? He nearly killed Mrs. Younge and might have carried me off, and there is no crime?”
“It would be difficult to prove intent, my dear, but there is another course I will pursue. I have purchased his debts over the past five years. With this final act, he has overstepped every boundary, so I have decided to deliver him to debtor’s prison. His debt is so large that he will remain there for the rest of his life.”
She regarded him with unease. “I wish you might send him far away, Fitzwilliam. While he remains in England, I shall not feel secure.”
“You would have me send him to Australia?”
“Yes. I should feel far safer if he were transported there.”
“Very well. That shall be done, and you need not fear him again.”
He took his sister's hand.
“Georgiana, you understand that you must not speak of this to anyone. You may tell Richard, and perhaps Aunt Helen, but no one else must know, or your reputation will suffer. People will assume you have been compromised by that scoundrel.”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam, I understand. I am capable of keeping this to myself.”
“I shall see that the servants are well compensated for their discretion. I believe we can keep this matter contained and preserve your reputation.”
Chapter 1: Looming Threat
Fitzwilliam Darcy stood motionless, a letter in his hand.
“Kendall, how can this have occurred? He was confined for these two months without incident.”
“Sir, several inmates died of typhus in the ward where Mr. Wickham was held. It is believed he was removed when the bodies were taken out.”
“Are we certain he lives? How do they know he escaped?”
“His name appeared upon the list of the dead, but he was not among those taken for burial. When they made inquiry, several prisoners reported Wickham had boasted he would escape by feigning death, and it appears he has done so.”
“When did this occur?”
“But four days ago, on the twenty-second of March. His name was entered among the dead, and he was taken by the undertaker. When they went to bury the bodies, one was missing. Wickham was nowhere to be found.”
Darcy drew a breath. “I must inform Georgiana that she may exercise proper caution when she goes out.”
“Sir, perhaps Miss Darcy would be safer at Pemberley.”
“No. She had me promise not to leave her alone. And I must remain in London, for my aunt insists upon it.”
“Shall I engage guards for the house, and for Miss Darcy when she goes out?”
“Do you know men of good character?”
“I will engage two officers from Bow Street.”
“Kendall, are you certain Mrs. Younge sailed for Canada?”
“Yes, sir. The Miller brothers and I escorted her to the ship and remained until it set sail. He will not find refuge with her, for she has been gone these two months.”
“Thank you, Kendall. Hire the officers.”
Darcy went at once to the drawing room. “Georgiana, I must speak with you, my dear.”
