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“He is educated, but his character is selfish and wicked!” Elizabeth replied bitterly. “I cannot see how this can end well. Even if he marries her, which I scarcely believe he will, she can expect little happiness with him.”

“I shall speak to Mr Darcy and explain that we must leave. You and your aunt should prepare your things.”

Elizabeth grew paler. “He knows…he found me crying, and I told him. He has gone to speak to his sister.”

She saw her own question in their faces. Would there still be a wedding?

“Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner!” Darcy’s voice startled them. He stood in the doorway, his expression grave and stern, and Elizabeth watched him anxiously, waiting to hear what he would say.

“Mr Darcy, we are deeply sorry to leave under such circumstances. We cannot thank you enough for your hospitality. Please tell Miss Darcy whatever you think suitable…”

“I have spoken to her. You need not be concerned. She has gone to her room, as she feels unwell, but sends you her best wishes for your journey.”

Elizabeth lowered her eyes. She had expected it. Even her friendship with Georgiana must be over.

“Mr Gardiner, I shall accompany you to London,” Darcy continued, and Elizabeth dropped her glass. She immediately knelt to gather the broken pieces, but he hurried to help her rise and called a servant to clear them away. After examining her hands for any injury, he spoke almost as a command. “Please prepare to leave. We shall take my carriage and discuss our plans when you are ready. With your permission, I wish to speak to Miss Elizabeth.”

He bowed, and the Gardiners returned the gesture before leaving hurriedly, still astonished.

“Mr Darcy is coming with us, but what of the wedding?” Mrs Gardiner whispered.

“I do not know. Who could have imagined such trouble when both Lizzy and Jane were about to marry?”

Mrs Gardiner was close to fainting, though she had never faltered before life’s trials. Her temples ached as she tried to understand what had happened. Those two young women were almost her sisters, intelligent and kind-hearted, deserving of happy lives. Lydia’s recklessness had endangered, if not ruined, everything.

Darcy was travelling with them to London, and Elizabeth could scarcely understand it.

She had expected him to withdraw, and had misjudged him again, for as soon as the door closed he took her into his arms and held her so tightly she could hardly breathe. She clung to him, suddenly daring to hope.

“You still want me!” she whispered.

Darcy looked at her so sternly that tears rose again. “You distrustful creature! I shall have to scold you for the dreadful things you are always ready to believe of me!”

Her sobs pained him, and he immediately softened. “Now, Elizabeth, do not cry. Any punishment I have in mind will be quite bearable, and confined to our own chambers!” He hoped the jest would assure her that his intentions had not changed. He had promised to marry her, and nothing that had happened could make him abandon her.

He wiped away her tears and looked into her eyes. “Come, let us decide what must be done. We shall leave in ten minutes to see our vicar. I have already sent word that we are coming, and the maids will have your belongings ready when we return.”

“Then we shall leave for Longbourn and visit your parish clergyman before continuing to London, where I shall speak to your father. We must arrange for the banns to be read in both parishes.”

He kissed her hand, and her relief was so great that she could hardly believe him.

“So many obstacles to our marriage!” she murmured, but Darcy would not allow her to lose hope again.

“I shall find that scoundrel and see that he answers for what he has done. Do not be afraid. This time he shall not escape the consequences, even if I must compel him to marry your sister, if this is what she wants.”

Something in his voice was new to Elizabeth, a bitterness close to hatred, and she understood how deeply Wickham’s conduct had angered him.

She longed for an end to the trouble he had brought upon them and hoped that Mr Bingley would remain as firm in his intention to marry Jane as Darcy was in his own.

“How will you find them? London is immense.”

He reflected for a while, but he already had a plan. “I know where that dreadful lady who was Georgiana’s companion at Ramsgate lives. She is close to that scoundrel, and I suspect she has helped them.”

“And Georgiana? Will her connection with me harm her? I suppose she no longer wishes to see me…”

“Why should you think that, Elizabeth? She is distressed because Wickham has done this to your sister.”

They were silent for a moment before he continued, “You know that he tried to persuade Georgiana to elope with him…”