Page 48 of To Win Her Affections

“Without delay, Mr. Darcy.”

Leaving her office, Darcy climbed the stairs and stepped into his bedchamber, finding Snell, his man, attending to his duties. Snell was an odd sort, stuffy, prickly, and devoid of humor, but observant and attentive—Darcy’s father had hired him when he was a lad, and now Darcy could not imagine any other man seeing to his needs.

“Is aught amiss, Mr. Darcy?” asked he, catching sight of Darcy’s grim expression.

“There is,” replied Darcy, removing his coat and handing it to Snell. “An urgent matter of business calls me south to London. I shall leave within half an hour.”

Snell did not ask questions—he began to work with the efficiency of a well-trained servant. “Then you will wish to change into traveling clothes, and I must prepare your effects. Shall I travel with you, Mr. Darcy?”

“No,” replied Darcy. “I will travel with the Gardiners and their niece, and will endure the lack of your services for a few days.”

“Then you mean to return at once?”

Darcy shook his head. “I doubt it. Instead, when the Bingley party departs on the morrow, I suspect Georgiana will wish to journey south and join me, though whether it will be London or Hertfordshire, I am not yet certain.”

Snell’s eyebrow rose at the mention of Hertfordshire, but he did not comment. “Very good, sir. I shall see to your personal effects at once.”

After a pause, he added: “Miss Bingley has been out of sorts since her arrival.”

“That she has,” agreed Darcy. “While she may receive an invitation to Pemberley in the future, I suspect it is unlikely. I know the staff is concerned about the possibility of Miss Bingley as the mistress of the estate, but that will never happen.”

“I never doubted it, Mr. Darcy. Yet I know that many will rejoice to learn of it.”

“Their relief does not exceed mine,” replied Darcy wryly.

When Bingley entered, Darcy had changed into his traveling clothes and was trying to hold to his patience as Snell fussed with his cravat. Not having Snell’s services in London would be a bother, but Darcy could enlist the assistance of a footman. The man would not have Snell’s deft touch, but he could endure it for a few days.

“Darcy!” exclaimed Bingley upon seeing him. “What is this news I hear of you ordering your carriage for a long journey?”

“I shall see to the final preparations, Mr. Darcy,” said Snell, withdrawing.

“A matter of the utmost urgency has arisen, Bingley,” replied Darcy. “As it might concern you, I shall relate it in full, though I cannot delay for long.”

“Tell me all.”

Darcy did just that, relating his meeting with Miss Bennet that morning, the letters from her sister, Miss Lydia’s imprudence, and Darcy’s plan to deal with Wickham once and for all. Bingley, to his credit, listened, stared in disbelief, seethed, and gave no hint of softening resolve.

“Tell me, Darcy,” said Bingley when he learned all, “will this affect your intentions toward Miss Elizabeth?”

“Only in that they have hastened the resolution between us.” Darcy felt the elation of her acceptance all over again. “When I learned about her sister’s folly, I proposed to Miss Elizabeth on the spot. Though I will own that the situation forced my hand and that I needed an excuse to involve myself, I have wished to have her as a wife for many months.”

“That is a curious way to hasten a courtship, Darcy,” said Bingley, showing a feral grin. “Congratulations are in order. Perhaps when I arrive in Hertfordshire, I shall follow your example.”

“That is your affair, my friend. It is up to you to handle it in whatever way you see fit.”

Bingley nodded, but his thoughts turned to other matters. For a moment, he appeared to consider something.

“Darcy, I would like to be of some assistance if I may.” Bingley shook his head, forcing away unwelcome recollections. “I forsook Miss Bennet once, but I shall not do it again.”

Though he hesitated for a moment, Darcy knew what form his answer must take. “That is good of you, Bingley, but in this instance, I believe it is for the best that you follow your original plans. I shall have more than enough assistance to deal with Wickham once I arrive in London.”

“You mean to involve Fitzwilliam?”

Darcy offered a grim nod. “Fitzwilliam has long despised George Wickham and will jump at the chance to participate in his downfall. As he has connections within the army—and Wickham is a deserter, after all—we shall have no trouble dealing with Wickham once we locate him.”

Indecision gnawed at his friend—Darcy could see it and understood his dilemma. Bingley wanted to prove himself to Miss Bennet, and throwing his support behind Darcy’s efforts to locate Wickham would, in his mind, help repair his trust with her. Yet, Darcy could not but think it was inadvisable.

“Bingley,” said Darcy, speaking the truth but not minimizing his friend’s wishes, “your first duty must be to your family. Until this is resolved, I think it is best to keep your sister away.”