Married in Haste: A Pride and Prejudice Reimagining by A.K. Madison

Author:A.K. Madison [Madison, A.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-22T23:00:00+00:00

James Wyatt was a different man as he was admitted to his employer's home in London. The butler conducted him to Mr. Darcy's study. Wyatt was surprised to note the presence of a very comely young woman—presumably Mrs. Darcy—and an older gentleman. Darcy rose to shake hands and presented him to Mrs. Darcy and to Mr. Thomas Bennet, Mrs. Darcy's father, who was visiting from the country. They all looked expectantly at Wyatt.

“It has been an eventful two days,” he began. Keeping his story as brief as possible, he related all of his experiences in Maidsbrook, his conversations with the vicar and housekeeper, and his interactions with the village boys. He went on to give the most salient details of his conversation with Flora McDaniel, omitting those portions which would have scandalized Mr. Darcy's lady, but leaving nothing else out.

Darcy bit his lip. “So, Wickham is involved in this. Why am I not surprised? And the would-be Mrs. Younge is not only a murderess and a thief, she is married to Wickham. I cannot help wondering how that came to be, though they appear to be well matched.” His face was grim.

“Where is the girl now, sir?” Mrs. Darcy's voice was light and pleasing, but her face appeared troubled.

“I took her home, madam. My wife, Sophia, is quite taken with her. She has had a bath and been dressed in clean clothes, and she has proven herself to be of immediate use with our younger children, amusing them as my wife went about her work in the kitchen. She is in some danger, for she knows the full story of the murder of the real Mrs. Younge. But I was able to extract her from the neighborhood without attracting any notice. She has also told me that, so long as her mother is protected, she is perfectly willing to testify in court to all that she told me.”

Darcy was up and pacing the room. “Do we know where her mother is?”

“She has not yet told me, sir. I suspect she may confide in Mrs. Wyatt.”

“I understand. Flora is far safer in your family than she would be here with us, Wyatt. When we have concluded our efforts to apprehend the Wickhams, I will arrange to pay you for her wages and upkeep, and she may work for Mrs. Wyatt, if you've no objections. I know I can rely upon you to keep her safe. As to her mother, notify me when you learn of her whereabouts. We should arrange to deliver such aid and succor as she requires in as discreet a fashion as possible. If her living situation is bad, we shall address the problem of moving her to better quarters.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

Darcy sat. “Now, since we are all here together, we must address the problem of apprehending Lucy Wickham. I have my own ideas, but I am open to any and all suggestions. She is to return here tomorrow evening. Pardon me for a moment. I shall return immediately.

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