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“The oldest explanation for the behaviour of a woman—jealousy! Just say that you want Darcy for yourself, so it would be in your best interest for her to leave England. She would believe that. After all, it is true, is it not?”

Cecile glowered at the obvious insult.

“Oh, come now. Do not be missish. It is not like you and every other woman in England has not coveted him at one time or the other.”

Ignoring his insults, she continued, “So I shall take her to Liverpool and await your instructions?”

“Yes, stay at the Landmark Inn. It is in the middle of the wharf district, but it is pleasant enough. I shall look for you there.”

Wickham pulled an envelope from his pocket. “Here, you will need this.” Cecile looked inside to see a large sum of money. “This should suffice until I arrive to join you.”

“I do not see Fitzwilliam’s allowing the count—or us—to get away with this.”

“Do not worry. Darcy shall be so focused on recovering the woman that we shall be well away from England before he remembers us.”

“I pray you are right, but somehow, I feel we are poking a hornet’s nest with a short stick.”

Wickham smirked. “Then let us do a good job the first time and run for cover!”

Darcy House

The Library

William sat amused as Mr. Williamson stood in the very middle of his vast library, a look of awe upon his face as he turned slowly in a circle. Finally, after making a complete circle twice, he stopped, and a smile graced his features.

“I can say only that I would be most happy to avail myself of your magnificent library whenever I have the chance to come to London. I could not have imagined that any home could boast of having this many books.” He shook his head, chuckling. “I feel quite like a child in a sweet shop. I have no idea where to begin.”

“Begin wherever you like. If you enjoy the library here, you will be even more pleased when we travel to Pemberley, as the library there is four to five times larger.”

“Really?” At William’s smile and nod, he continued, “How could a reasonable man refuse?” Suddenly, his features sobered. “But, enough about my interests. You asked me here to discuss Lizzybet, did you not?”

William’s smile quickly disappeared. Where to start? How much to tell?

Seeing the trepidation on his host’s face, Mr. Williamson moved towards him, taking the seat opposite and leaning forward. “Mr. Darcy, in all my years of counselling my congregation, I have learned that it is best to come right out with what is on your mind. Stewing about it will not change it or make it go away.”

Looking up to meet the vicar’s kind eyes, William tried unsuccessfully to smile, sure that it looked more like a grimace. Then taking a deep breath, he began his account of all that had happened regarding Elizabeth since last they had talked in Meryton—everything with the exception of their decision to live as man and wife and the discovery of Stefano’s many marriages, details which would be revealed later. He finished, fell silent, and waited for the vicar’s reaction.

However, the man who had so vigorously encouraged him to talk a few minutes ago, sat speechless, staring into space with a look of bewilderment on his face. After several seconds, William began to wonder if he should have told a man of his age something this unsettling. Standing, he clasped the older man’s shoulder and shook it slightly.

“Mr. Williamson? Sir?”

Still he did not answer. Fearing the worst, William hurried in the direction of the library’s double doors. Just as he opened them, calling out for Mr. Barnes, he heard a faint voice.

“That will not be necessary.”

William hurried back to the elderly man, who was now lying back in the chair, resting his head against the upholstered cushion. His eyes closed as he murmured, “A brandy, please.”

Barnes appeared at that moment to find Mr. Darcy leaning over the indisposed guest. “Bring Mr. Williamson a brandy, quickly.”

The butler hurriedly complied, noting the vicar’s pale complexion. “Shall I call for the physician, sir?”

“No!” Mr. Williamson exclaimed, adding in a softer voice, “Just let me rest for a moment, and I shall be well.”

William studied the rector for a few moments before dismissing the butler. The trusted servant nodded and slipped out of the room.

Williamson opened his eyes to study the younger man. “My Lizzybet is truly alive? Then who is buried at Meryton?”

Remembering his shock at finding Elizabeth alive at Netherfield, he was sympathetic to the affect this news had had on her dear friend.