Page 85 of Twice Chosen

"Do not speak her name."

"Why? Afraid your country friends will learn what happened?"

Darcy crossed the room.

He did not strike him.

It required more than fifty years of maturity.

Barely.

"Georgiana has done nothing shameful."

Wickham's smile faded.

Darcy continued, "If you mention Ramsgate publicly, I will not hide it."

Wickham blinked. "You won't."

"No."

"Her reputation--"

"Will survive the truth better than yours."

Wickham stared.

That was new.

Darcy had once considered Georgiana's reputation too fragile for daylight. Elizabeth had taught him the cruelty of making victims carry secrecy as shame.

"I will tell anyone necessary," Darcy said, "that a fifteen-year-old girl was deceived by a man nearly twice her age who wanted thirty thousand pounds."

Wickham's face changed. "And Georgiana agrees?"

Darcy's jaw tightened. "She will decide what may be said."

There.

Her choice.

Wickham looked uncertain for the first time. "You always were sanctimonious."

"No. I was proud. There is a difference."

"And now?"

Darcy almost smiled. "Still proud. Better managed."

Wickham's eyes narrowed.

Darcy returned to his desk. "If you require money, do not come to me. If you require employment, I will provide the name of an agent who may assist you in finding honest work, but I will not purchase another promise from you."

"How generous."

"It is not generosity. It is the last opportunity I will offer."

Wickham left London within a week.