Georgiana’s Friend by Odom C. P

Author:Odom, C. P.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Meryton Press
Published: 2024-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

Friday, May 22nd, 1812

Meryton, Hertfordshire

Darcy sat in the dim confines of the Red Lion at half past two o’clock nursing a mug of passable ale and wondered for the tenth time if Wickham had decided to disappear so none of this sordid act would have to be played out. But no sooner had the thought passed through his mind than an officer clad in regimental dress stepped inside and looked around the dim room. As soon as he spotted Darcy, he began to work his way over to his table.

Darcy considered remaining seated as a calculated snub, since he considered it unlikely any friend of Wickham’s could be a person of any real worth, but he quickly decided that would be premature until he was able to form a judgment of the man. Accordingly, he rose to his feet as the man came to a halt and gave him a quick bow. The officer was somewhat familiar, but Darcy was unable to put a name to the face.

“Lieutenant Denny, at your service,” the other man said. “I am acting for Lieutenant Wickham in this affair of honour.”

“Fitzwilliam Darcy. I am acting for Mr. Bennet,” Darcy said coldly, “though I am of the opinion that little honour is involved in this affair.”

Lieutenant Denny stiffened at these words, but after a moment’s hesitation, he shrugged and took his seat. He opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Darcy’s peremptory gesture.

“Lieutenant, I know little of what Wickham has told you of this matter, but you must know certain things if we are to converse intelligently. The first item you need to be informed of is that I was a witness to the actions leading to this challenge. I know that Wickham forced himself on Mr. Bennet’s daughter. No matter what coquetry she may have indulged in, she did not rip her own clothing from throat to waist.”

Denny received this information in dumbfounded amazement. After giving the officer a few moments to digest this piece of information, Darcy pulled a sheaf of papers from his inside coat pocket and laid them on the table in front of him.

“The second item that you should know is that these are at least some of the debts that Wickham has run up with Meryton tradesmen. They total almost a thousand pounds.”

After a moment in which a succession of expressions flickered across the lieutenant’s face, Darcy continued.

“They do not, however, include whatever debts he may have with officers of the regiment.”

He smiled derisively at the shocked expression on Lieutenant Denny’s face.

“Yes, I can see that you are surprised. A thousand pounds owed to merchants. Half that would land him in debtors’ prison for years. And this was with a mere couple of hours’ investigation around the village.”

“I…I do not know what to say,” Denny said at last, clearly shaken by Darcy’s statements.

“Now,” Darcy continued remorselessly, “the third item that you should know is that I have known Wickham my whole life. I know how his mind

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