Page 44 of The Lost Prophecy

Darcy pressed his lips together. Bingley was correct, which did nothing to improve Darcy’s temper.

Bingley lowered his hand. “Miss Lydia would have questioned me until I surrendered. Mrs Bennet would have repeated the explanation to every household within ten miles. Collins would have written to Lady Catherine before the tea cooled.”

“He might have interrupted his recovery,” Hurst added. “Such exertion could have proved fatal.”

Darcy turned to him. “You are remarkably entertained by a man who nearly announced my marriage.”

“I found his timing admirable. Most men wait until the bridegroom is informed.”

Fletcher returned the bowl to the table and kept one hand on its rim. The vessel trembled but did not attempt another escape.

Hurst’s amusement disappeared as he buttoned his gloves. “Wickham knows we are here. That you are here. He designed the situation well. He attached himself to the youngest Bennet girls because they were certain to speak of him. He knew they would secure his invitation before you could interfere.”

Bingley nodded. “If I withdraw it now, he will make himself the injured party. By tomorrow, Meryton will hear that Darcy persecuted a blameless officer and persuaded me to assist him.”

“He has used that story before,” Darcy said.

“And used it well,” Hurst replied. “Humans prefer an agreeable liar to a disagreeable truth. Wickham has built his life on the principle.”

Darcy walked to the table and regarded the bowl. Its agitation had subsided, although its rim was directed to the door.

Wickham was forbidden from entering Netherfield. Darcy had issued the command and could reinforce it when he arrived, but a master’s authority was not a bolt on a door. Wickham could resist. The resistance would cause pain, but he had endured pain before when profit or revenge stood beyond it. Forcing him from a crowded ballroom might expose enough of their nature to turn a country dance into a public execution.

Nor could Darcy pass final judgement on him without proof of a fresh violation. Vampire law required a witness, a victim capable of identifying him, or direct evidence. A ballroom full of vulnerable humans offered Wickham an opportunity, but it might also provide Darcy with the evidence he had pursued for years.

“We shall not cancel the ball,” he decided. “But Wickham will not move through Netherfield unobserved.”

Fletcher released the bowl and wrapped the jar in cloth before placing it inside a leather pouch.

“Fletcher. You will station servants at every entrance to the private corridors,” Darcy continued. “Nobody leaves the ballroom for the cellars, the upper floor, or the grounds without being noticed.”

Fletcher secured the pouch. “I shall choose those capable of following instructions without requesting the reason.”

“Wickham is never to be alone with any guest.”

Bingley settled his hat on his head. “I shall remain near Miss Bennet.”

Darcy had expected no other answer.

Hurst moved to the door. “And what role have you devised for me?”

“You will remain sober enough to recognise an attempted abduction.”

Hurst stopped with one hand on the handle. “That instruction strikes me as unnecessarily personal.”

“You attempted to feed on Kitty Bennet under a tea table.”

“I was retrieving her glove.”

Bingley examined the ceiling with fascination.

Darcy fastened his riding cloak. “You will remain sober.”

Hurst opened the door. “Tyranny often begins with restrictions on drink.”

“It began when you mistook a pet for luncheon.”

Fletcher restrained the bowl before it could roll after Hurst. Darcy and Bingley entered the passage, but the vessel struck Fletcher’s arm, twisted free, and landed on the carpet. It rolled through the doorway with astonishing speed.