The Red Chrysanthemum by Beutler Linda

Author:Beutler, Linda [Beutler, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Meryton Press
Published: 2013-09-09T16:00:00+00:00

Heliotrope

“Devotion”

Chapter 11

Sorting Out Wickham

Wednesday, 5 August, 1812

By noon, without having to mention the building owner but after lining Mrs Younge’s pocket with £50, Darcy was in possession of the name of the sordid inn where Wickham and Lydia were lodged. It was in a part of town where even the confident Darcy was loath to travel without an armed escort. Rather than proceed there immediately, he returned to Darcy House to ask his cousin to join him. The colonel agreed to stay with the carriage, along with one of the larger Darcy footmen.

Darcy stepped to the desk of the inn and noticed a public house adjoined the vestibule. He enquired whether George Wickham was in residence and whether there was a private place they might have a conversation. The innkeeper informed Darcy the use of a private room would add to Wickham’s bill, but a bright sovereign erased the innkeeper’s cares. Darcy wondered whether the innkeeper already suspected Wickham was the sort to steal away in the night, leaving behind an unpaid bill and possibly a young, foolish country girl. Wickham was fetched.

“Darcy! I wondered whether you might come looking for me. Tell me, do I have something you want?” His manner was as overly familiar and insinuating as ever.

Darcy found it in himself to smile a little. “Indeed, you do, Wickham. Something that is of no real value to you: the Bennet family honour.”

“Ah…honour. Intimate acquaintance with the youngest Miss Bennet has taught me there is not much honour to be protected there, Darcy.”

Darcy looked away. “Nonetheless, that is why I am here.”

“I was not aware you had any friends amongst the Bennets. There is one lady of the family who thinks nothing of disparaging you. She has been very” — Wickham smirked — “shall we say ‘candid’ with me.”

“Yes, I know perfectly well of whom you speak, and she did not scruple to disparage me to my face when I gave her the chance of it. You are producing nothing that is news to me.”

“But now you entertain her at Pemberley?” Wickham raised his brows with leering mock surprise.

“Do not assume I entertain her as you are entertaining her youngest sister, here in one of London’s finest establishments.”

“Believe me, I do not.” Wickham laughed at Darcy derisively.

Darcy would not be ruffled. “May I ask what your intentions are towards Lydia Bennet? She left a letter implying a wedding between you is imminent. Is it?”

Wickham scoffed. “It most decidedly is not. I needed to leave Brighton on urgent business matters, and she was ripe for adventure with birthday money burning a hole in her pocket. So you see — we were of one mind about leaving Brighton.”

“That I do doubt. I would speak with her.”

“What? With Lydia? Why?”

“If she can be convinced to leave you, I shall take her away at once, and that will be an end to it unless she is with child already.”

Wickham started to make a caustic reply, but paled and was silenced by Colonel Fitzwilliam’s entrance into the room.

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