Page 68 of Near Pemberley

The moment Fletcher departed, Darcy requested Colonel Fitzwilliam’s immediate presence.

Richard arrived less than an hour later, still carrying visible traces of interrupted sleep and very little expectation that the summons concerned anything agreeable.

“Fitz,” he began while entering the study, “if London has caught fire, I wish to assure you beforehand that I had nothing to do with it.”

Darcy did not smile.

The colonel straightened. “What has happened?”

For several moments, Darcy remained silent as though arranging even now how much might properly be said.

“I want Wickham found.”

Richard stared at him in complete astonishment.

“Found?” He stopped abruptly. “Now? You said to let him go.”

Darcy’s face darkened slightly.

“Something has occurred which changes the matter entirely.”

Understanding came gradually.

The colonel swore under his breath. “What do you know of him?”

“Only that he has fled.”

Richard’s expression hardened at once. “Then we find him.”

“Yes.”

Something in the answer caused Fitzwilliam to look at his cousin more attentively than before.

Darcy crossed slowly towards the fireplace.

“I believe,” said he at last, “that he possesses very little money. He is likely still in London. Travel requires funds he no longer has.” He paused briefly. “And he has deserted his militia duties.”

Richard’s brows shot up. “What? The bastard!”

Darcy then explained rapidly what Lydia had revealed: the unpaid accounts, the lodging houses, the constant movement through London to evade creditors.

By the time he finished, the colonel had abandoned all remaining traces of levity.

“What do you intend to do?”

“I intend that this time he shall answer for what he has done.”

Richard gave a low whistle. “That is… new from you.”

Darcy’s expression remained unmoved. “He abandoned a child in a brothel.”

Nothing further needed saying after that.

The colonel leant back slowly.

“Well,” said he after a moment, “in that case, I begin to think Newgate rather too generous.”

Darcy said nothing. Yet something in his silence suggested thoughts still darker.