Page 10 of Attempted Compromises
A surge of rage coursed through Darcy’s veins. He slammed open the door. Wickham jumped up in alarm.
“Wickham!” Darcy’s voice cut through the room like a blade, every syllable laced with fury.
“Ah… Darcy,” Wickham said, his false casualness betrayed by the widening of his. He rose from his seat, adjusting his coat as if trying to brush off Darcy’s presence.
Darcy’s jaw clenched, his hands trembling with rage. “What do you think you are doing here?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. “Have you no shame, Wickham? Do you truly think I would permit you near my sister, after everything you have done?”
Wickham, momentarily stunned, quickly regained his composure. He leaned against the arm of the settee with a practiced smirk. “Darcy! I was merely keeping your dear sister company in your absence,” he said smoothly. “I thought it would be a kindness to her, as she seemed so… lonely.”
Darcy’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he took a menacing step forward. “You have no right to be here, near her, or in this house.”
Wickham’s face paled, the smirk slipping. He shifted uneasily, glancing toward the door as if calculating his chances of escape. “Now, Darcy,” he said, a flicker of fear in his eyes, “there’s no need for threats. Surely you would not resort to such… unsavory measures.”
“Unsavory measures?” Darcy repeated, his voice dangerously calm. “After all you have done? If it weren’t for Georgiana, I would summon the footmen to finish what Lady Catherine began.” His voice dropped to a chilling whisper. “Or I would call you out myself and ensure you paid for the ruin you brought to Anne and the stain you nearly cast upon Rosings.”
The threat hung heavy in the air, and the color drained from Wickham’s face, his usual bravado vanishing entirely. Without another word, he hedged around Darcy toward the door, his gaze darting from Darcy to the hallway. He gave a final glance at Georgiana, whose expression was a mixture of confusion and horror, and then bolted from the room, disappearing before Darcy could grab him.
Georgiana looked up at Darcy, her face a mixture of confusion and shame. Before she could speak, Mrs. Younge appeared in the doorway, a perplexed expression on her face.
“Mr. Darcy?” she asked, looking between him and Georgiana. “Is something the matter?”
Darcy’s eyes met hers, and he wasted no time. “Mrs. Younge,” he acknowledged her coldly. “Your employment here is terminated. You have failed in your duty to my sister, and I will not tolerate your lack of discretion.”
Mrs. Younge’s face paled. “Sir—surely there’s some mistake—”
“There is no mistake,” Darcy interrupted sharply. “You were charged with the care and protection of my sister, and yet you allowed her to be alone with a man I specifically forbade from ever approaching my family. Your negligence is unforgivable.”
Mrs. Younge opened her mouth to protest, but Darcy’s expression silenced her, and she bowed her head, retreating from the room without another word.
Once she was gone, Darcy turned his attention to Georgiana. His expression softened as he took a seat beside her. She looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes, her voice trembling as she asked, “Fitzwilliam, what… what did he mean? Why did you send her away?”
Darcy took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. “Georgiana, there is much you do not know… and I fear I must now explain. Wickham—” he paused, struggling with the words, “—Wickham is not the man he appears to be. His presence here, near you, was a violation of trust and decency. He is a man of deceit and cruelty. His actions are the very definition of dishonorable.”
Georgiana listened in silence, her gaze fixed on him. He knelt beside her and took her hands in his with a steadying breath. He continued, his voice growing heavier with each word. “Georgiana, I need you to understand something very important.” His tone was gentle but firm. “Wickham is not our friend.”
Georgiana’s eyes widened. Tears gathered as she whispered, “But… why?”
Darcy closed his eyes briefly, steadying himself. This was not a truth he had wanted to share with her, but Wickham’s presence in their home had left him no choice. He looked at her with somber eyes, his voice thick with the weight of revelation. “Georgiana, the child… Andrew, whom you know as your nephew—he was not born of love or choice. Wickham forced himself upon Anne, and it was his intention to use her for his own gain. He… he violated her in an attempt to gain wealth and status he did not deserve.”
Georgiana gasped, her hand covering her mouth as the color drained from her face. “Oh… oh, Fitzwilliam… I did not know…”
Darcy squeezed her hands, his gaze filled with sorrow and resolve. “You could not have known, and I did not wish you to carry this burden. But you must know now that Wickham cannot be trusted, nor can you ever permit him to approach you or our family.”
She nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks, her expression one of devastation and horror. “How could someone do such a thing?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “How could he be so… so cruel?”
“Because of greed. He tried to secure Rosings for himself by… vile means, hoping to gain control of Anne and the estate. There are those in this world, Georgiana, who seek only their own gain, regardless of the cost to others. But you are safe now, and I will protect you, no matter the cost.”
Georgiana’s cheeks flushed with shame and fear as she looked down, trembling. “Oh, Fitzwilliam… I did not know. I thought… I thought he was kind, that he… cared about me.”
“It is not your fault, Georgiana,” Darcy said. “Wickham has spent his life deceiving people, preying upon kindness and innocence. He will not trouble you again—I swear it.”
She nodded, her face still pale, but there was a faint glimmer of relief in her eyes. “Thank you… for telling me,” she whispered, squeezing his hands. “I understand now.”
Darcy felt a surge of protectiveness and he placed an arm around her shoulders. “You are safe now, Georgiana. I will see to it that you are protected, always.”
As he held her close, he felt the weight of his promise settle within him. Wickham’s despicable schemes would find no purchase here. He would ensure that his sister and Andrew were shielded from the darkness Wickham had brought upon them, for they deserved a life free from his treachery and harm.
Chapter 3
