Wits & Wagers: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Amy D'Orazio

Author:Amy D'Orazio [D'Orazio, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quills & Quartos Publishing
Published: 2023-11-26T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

“The African savannah?” Fitzwilliam asked, but Darcy would not gratify his curiosity. He only shrugged; he much preferred to lose himself in recollections of the scant time he had spent talking to Elizabeth and the brief but glorious moments spent touching her, helping her with her small problem.

Thinking of that reminded him of another problem that plagued her—her young sister being permitted to go to Brighton with the regiment. She had mentioned it to him, and he had overheard her speak of it to Fitzwilliam; he had also heard bits of it himself in various conversations.

Mr Bennet was the picture of a gentleman at ease at the end of the long table, a glass of port in front of him as he chatted with Mr Simpson and Sir William Lucas. Beholding them, Darcy felt a pang of guilt. Yes, he had saved the Darcy name, but what of these other men, with their daughters, who had no idea what George Wickham was? Everything they allowed for Wickham—to dine in their homes, to dance with their daughters, to be received by their wives—was because Darcy had kept the man’s true nature hidden from them.

In the end, the confession was almost fated, such was the arrangement. Mr Bennet’s companions left him while he remained seated, obviously not eager to return to the ladies.

Darcy rose with his cousin, then said, “I shall be a minute,” and gestured to him to go on.

Elizabeth’s father seemed surprised when Darcy asked whether he might join him, but he nodded and offered the port from the decanter that rested by him. “Nights at the Simpsons’ run long. Best to keep your glass full.” He poured them both a generous glass, then took a sip and regarded Darcy curiously, no doubt wondering at his sudden wish to speak to him.

“I understand,” Darcy said, after a sip from his own glass, “that Miss Lydia will be off to Brighton after the wedding.”

“She will,” Mr Bennet agreed with a nod. “Jane will be at Netherfield, Elizabeth intends to travel with her aunt and uncle, and Lydia will go to Brighton. If I can think of any place to send the other two, I surely shall. A summer of peace sounds just the thing after all this wedding business!”

A laugh was expected and duly given. Darcy then cleared his throat and said, more seriously, “Loath as I am to disturb your plans, there is something I wish to acquaint you with before she goes,” he began slowly. “As you know, I have a younger sister, and last year when she was fifteen, I was prevailed upon to allow her to go to the seaside with her friends and…and it had near-disastrous consequences that I have kept…quiet…for the sake of my name. Alas, I am just now recognising that silence and secrecy exposes other young girls to the same danger.”

“What danger do you mean?” Mr Bennet asked.

Mr Bennet received the information about George Wickham as well as Darcy could have hoped. He could only pray the gentleman would act in the best interests of his daughter.

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