Page 44 of The Engagement at Longbourn

“Only six men know the exact timing.”

“Then one of them has been talking.”

“Or Wickham has been listening.” Forster tapped the letter. “He and Harris have been assigned near the quartermaster’s stores twice this month. Cole keeps accounts badly but reads them well enough.”

Richard leaned back. “Will you cancel the delivery?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Forster’s eyes sharpened. “You expected that answer.”

“If we frighten them now, they will simply invent another plan. Better to know where they are when they act.”

Forster nodded. They planned for two hours. The real pay chest would arrive as expected but be moved secretly before nightfall. A second chest, weighted and containing a smaller quantity of marked coin above layers of scrap metal, would remain in the quartermaster’s locked room. Two trusted sergeants would hide nearby. Another squad would wait beyond the south road.

The most difficult question was Lydia.

“She is not to participate,” Richard said.

“Agreed.”

“But Wickham must believe she will.”

Forster frowned.

Richard took up a pen. “She can answer under supervision.”

Back at Longbourn, Lydia was horrified. “I must write to him?”

“You do not have to,” Elizabeth said immediately.

Richard looked at her, then at Lydia. “Your sister is correct. You have already done enough. We can construct another reason for the distraction.”

Lydia stared at Wickham’s letter on the table. “What would I say?”

Richard answered, “That you will do as he asked. Nothing more.”

“Will he believe me?”

“Yes.”

Lydia flinched.

Richard’s tone softened. “Because he believes you foolish. Use that.”

Something offended flashed through her fear. “I am not that foolish.”

“No.”

She picked up the pen. The note she produced sounded so thoroughly like Lydia that even Elizabeth was impressed.

Dearest Mr. Wickham,

La! You do make everything sound terribly exciting. I shall do just as you say Thursday, and no one will suspect a thing. Kitty thinks I am going to Mrs. Forster’s, which is very funny. Do not forget what you promised me when you are free!

L.