Page 59 of The Crown’s Gift

Darcy moved toward the stairs.

"Wait."

He turned with a look that might have stopped another man.

Sir Thomas lowered his voice. "She has spent weeks being commanded by Wickham and years fearing your anger at yourself. When she wakes, you will go to her as a brother, not an avenging guardian."

"He threatened her under your roof."

"And will answer for it. But if you make your rage the largest thing in her room, she will comfort you instead of receiving comfort."

Darcy's hands closed at his sides.

The words were intolerable because they were true.

"What has been arranged?"

"Coffee first. Then you will hear it from Georgiana."

In the breakfast room Darcy found Elizabeth, still dressed from the previous evening, writing out a copy of Wickham's final demand. She looked up.

Everything he had felt at Hunsford moved across his face and was buried beneath the emergency.

"Miss Elizabeth."

"Mr Darcy."

"You were with her?"

"Mary found the letter. Georgiana told us together."

"Thank you."

The words were inadequate. His voice made them otherwise.

Elizabeth set down the pen. "She is afraid you will challenge him."

"I would like to kill him."

"That is not what she asked."

Darcy shut his eyes for one moment. "No."

"Papa has the magistrate's cooperation. Colonel Forster has confined the regiment to quarters on the pretext of inspection. Wickham believes Georgiana left for London, frightened. We shall answer the demand and deliver marked notes at the toll house."

"We?"

"Not Georgiana."

"Nor you."

Elizabeth's brows rose.

Darcy heard his own tone and stopped.

"Forgive me," he said at once. "I meant that Wickham may be dangerous. I ask that you not go."

"I do not intend to. Papa and Colonel Forster will manage the exchange."