Page 136 of A Debt Inherited

“And why should I permit that?” Kerr demanded.

“Because confusion delays payment. My name will cause alarm.”

Wickham’s face darkened. “You bluff poorly, Darcy.”

Darcy turned at last. “You should not have brought me here.”

Kerr glared at Wickham. “You changed the plan.”

“For the richer,” Wickham said.

Kerr gave him his back. “Write to your man.”

Darcy remained standing. “See that Miss Bennet has water and food. Then I will write.”

“You set another term?”

“I state what preserves your bargain.”

Kerr’s jaw worked once. Then he looked at Wickham. “Fetch the jug.”

Wickham laughed. “Am I servant now?”

“You are the cause of my needing another lock on this affair. Fetch the jug.”

For a moment Darcy thought Wickham might refuse. Then Wickham turned aside with a muttered oath and crossed to a bucket near the far wall.

Darcy took the chair. He kept the words spare and left Mr Bennet the one liberty Kerr had overlooked.

Mr Harding,

You will place yourself at once in communication with Mr Thomas Bennet of Longbourn and make available, without delay or objection, any sum he requires. You are authorised to draw upon my accounts as necessary, and to lodge such funds, under proper instruction, with a respectable house at St Albans, should Mr Bennet deem it useful. The manner of delivery is to rest entirely with him.

F Darcy

Kerr read the letter. He stared at Darcy as if seeking something. He then read the letter again.

“This will go.” Kerr folded the paper. “And you, Mr Darcy, will remain.”

* * *

“My father sent you?”

The question left Elizabeth before prudence could amend it. Mr Kerr had commanded one word. She had given him four.

A stranger had come.

“He knows I have come for you,” he said. “You have my word.”

Her hands closed at her waist.

Her father knew.

Longbourn rushed upon her with such force that she had to set one hand against the wall. Her father in his study. The ledger open. His cane beside the chair.

Her father knew. He had not been left to count supper, candles, and absence until absence became certainty.

She checked her hope.