Page 4 of The Difference of a Darcy
He nodded. “You have known my sister since she was a girl.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then tell me why you allowed her to believe she might marry George Wickham without my knowledge.”
Sally’s mouth parted. Her face crumpled.
“I—I tried to stop it, sir. I truly did. I begged her not to agree to it, but she would not listen. She was so happy, and Mr. Wickham was so charming—at least to her.”
“And to you?”
The girl hesitated, then dropped her gaze to the floor, flushing. “He would look at me strange-like when Miss Darcy was not in the room.
“Then why did you not sound an alarm? Send for help?”
“Mrs. Younge, sir. She said if I tried to meddle or sent word to you, she would report me for theft and have me arrested.”
Darcy’s brow furrowed. “Theft?”
Sally nodded miserably. “Said she’d claim I stole a brooch. That it would be her word against mine. I was terrified.”
He exhaled harshly and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“My plan,” Sally said quietly, “was to wait until Mrs. Younge and Miss Darcy left—I thought I could speak to Mr. Filkins, the butler, or even send an express myself. Or walk to the post if I had to. But I was afraid. If I left too soon, she might… they might go early, and Miss Darcy would be alone.”
Darcy looked at her for a long moment.
Sally’s chin trembled, but her eyes did not waver. “I am sorry, sir. I know I should have found a way sooner. But I did not want to leave her.”
His anger softened—not extinguished, but redirected. He saw now the impossible trap the girl had been caught in. And in truth, she had done the most important thing she could have: she had stayed.
“Thank you,” he said at last. “For not abandoning her. That alone may have made the difference.”
Sally’s eyes filled with tears.
“I am going to give you something,” he said quietly, stepping to the escritoire and opening a small case. From within, he removed two crisp five-pound notes.
Her eyes widened.
“This first one is for you, as a way of expressing my gratitude for your loyalty.” He extended it, and she reached out with a trembling hand.
“This other is for emergenciesonly,” he said. “If ever there is danger again—if Wickham or anyone else returns, if Georgiana is in distress—you will use it to send me word. Any delay could be disastrous. Is that understood?”
Sally took it solemnly, hands shaking. “Yes, sir. I swear it. I’ll keep it with me always.”
Darcy gave a terse nod. “Good. Now please return to my sister’s room and begin packing. We will return to London tomorrow. Tell her nothing of Mrs. Younge for now. I shall speak with her myself later, once she has calmed.”
Sally curtsied deeply and slipped from the room. He sat down and the desk, ran a hand through his hair, and began to write.
Richard,
I know this letter will not reach you in Spain for quite some weeks, but I needed to tell you about Georgiana’s experience in Ramsgate. Do you remember my old playmate from childhood? Well, she encountered him here, of all places. Is that notthe most strange coincidence? Fortunately, I arrived in time before he departed. It is a pity you could not be here to give him your regards.
The companion your mother interviewed was also required to depart, which has greatly saddened my sister. Due to her feelings on the matter, we will be traveling to London as soon as may be. She misses you, and so I believe residing with your parents under your mother’s care will be best for her tender emotions.
It is so strange to think that she has grown so much and is nearly the age to be married, though I know I hope for a few more years yet before she makes such a decision. It would not do for her to choose poorly because of a young girl’s fancy.
Please do take care. I will admit that I will be greatly relieved once you have returned to England’s shores.
