Page 13 of Compromise & Consequence
“Yes, I am sure all women place lace around the edges of her gown in hopes of tripping and snagging it on a man’s buttons,” Richard scoffed, not even trying to mask his sarcasm.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“No, I am trying to see reason instead of lashing out in anger. How do you know she is involved with Wickham?”
“We argued about him while dancing.”
“You danced?”
“I tell you about Wickham and all you hear was that I danced.”
“Truly, Darcy, this fact is more earth-shattering than you being compromised. One, you chose to do, the other, you did not. Extraordinary.”
“Can we focus on the problem at hand?” He pinched the bridge of his nose to stave off a tension headache. Or, a Richard headache. Both were annoying.
“Of course.”
“The mother had to be in on it because as soon as Miss Elizabeth tripped, she was the first one out on the terrace, leading the charge. Practically all of the guests poured outside after her as witnesses.” His conscience knocked at his memory, reminding him it was the words of Caroline Bingley that had sealed his fate, not the mother – or Elizabeth. Resolutely, hepushed those troubling thoughts aside.
“So, there is no getting out of this?”
“None whatsoever if I wished to remain an honorable gentleman.”
“All right, then. What is it you want me to do? Take your bride out into the countryside, and make sure she is never found?”
“No!” He was horrified his cousin would even suggest such a thing. “She stays at Pemberley until I am sure she is not bearing the devil’s spawn. As angry as I am with her, she is no more guilty than any other woman who fell for his charms. If I intend to have an heir, I will have to get over my revulsion of touching something Wickham has enjoyed.”
“And your wife will not mind being left in Derbyshire for the rest of her adult life?”
“She is a country squire’s daughter and does not know any other way of life. She likes to walk, and there are plenty of paths on the estate. She will adjust.”
“When you wrote Mrs. Reynolds, did you ask her to carefully watch your wife for certain signs and symptoms?”
“I have not yet sent notice. Thank you for reminding me.”
“I want to know more about Wickham. Where did you say he was?” Richard took a sip of his brandy.
“He has entrenched himself in the militia in Meryton. If you thought he was potent with women as a mere pretend gentleman, you should see him all puffed up in his uniform. I am sure by now he has run up at least a couple hundred pounds in debt and has impregnated someone, maybe even my betrothed. I guess we will find out soon enough.”
He realized Richard was glowering at him.
“What?”
“Are you telling me you did not go to his superior officer and tell him about Wickham’s character? Did you at least tell the merchants not to extend him credit? Or caution the men you became acquainted with they should keep their beloved daughters far, far away from him?”
“No, I could not risk him spreading rumors about Georgiana.”
“So, it sits well with you that honest merchants lose money, and families are torn apart because their daughters are ruined by a rakehell we could have stopped.” Richard stood and towered over him. “I want you to go to your strongbox and gather together every vowel you have on him. Now that I know where the traitor has hidden, I am going to ride to this little town, stop in and chat with his commanding officer, and with luck, have Wickham in chains awaiting transport, or at the end of a short rope.”
“When can you go?”
“I cannot go sooner than a week before Christmas. I will sacrifice one of my days off to make sure this blackguard cannot hurt anyone further.”’
“That is regrettable. I am to be married Tuesday; you could have stood up with me.”
“Sorry, old man. I cannot. Duties are duties. Is Georgiana going with—”
“No!” Darcy took a deep breath to control his anger. “I will not subject her to that family or the chance of Wickham showing his face. I will go alone.”
