Page 19 of An Interrupted Proposal
“Two merchants’ daughters losing their virtue?” Darcy arched his brow as he returned his gaze to Wickham. “The militia is gaining an unwanted reputation.”
Philip chuckled. “I would say they are ridding themselves of an unwanted reputation.”
“Colonel Forster has withheld my wages, Darcy,” Wickham whined. “I will go wherever you wish, but you must help me.”
“I don’t see why Darcymusthelp you. Indeed, I would think he would be the last man who wouldwantto help you.”
Wickham stepped forwards, clearly desperate now. “It isn’t just Georgiana’s reputation. I have some intimate knowledge of one of the Bennet sisters as well.”
Darcy growled, “My sister is Miss Darcy to you, and I warned you to guard your tongue in regards to the Bennets.”
“Which?” Philip asked, ignoring Darcy’s glare that was now focused on him.
Wickham turned a confused look towards him. “Which?”
“Yes, which of the Bennet sisters. There are five, if I am not mistaken. Which?” Philip sat down in the chair between Wickham and the door, removed his knife and began cleaning his nails with the tip. “We all know the eldest Bennet sisters would never toss aside propriety in such a manner, so it must have been one of the younger two. Was it Miss Catherine or Miss Lydia?”
With another swallow, Wickham muttered, “Miss Lydia.”
“Did you take her virtue?” Darcy asked in a low, deadly voice.
“No,” Wickham said as he shook his head and held out a hand. “Just a bit of kissing and touching in the woods between Meryton and Longbourn.”
Silence reigned in the room while the cousins conducted a silent conversation with their eyes. Finally, Darcy nodded.
“Where are you staying? I will have my man explore a few options and you will choose which suits you best.” Darcy held up his hand before Wickham could respond. “There will be no negotiations. You will choose the package as it is presented and sign a statement that you willnevercontact me or anyone connected to me and never return to England, or you may find your own way in the world. But know this, George. My door is now, and forever after this day, closed to you. If you so much as breathe my name, I will see you in debtor’s prison for the remainder of your sorry life.”
Wickham nodded and gave the direction where he could be found. Philip opened the door and requested Jasper, Darcy’s largest footman, to escort Wickham to the door and see that he left the premises directly. When he closed the door behind the departing reprobate, he grinned. “That was fun.”
Darcy shook his head. “I have never understood your sense of humour.”
Chuckling gleefully, Philip poured two glasses of whisky and returned to the desk. After handing one to Darcy, he took his seat. “Has Jackson provided the list we requested?”
“He has.” Darcy reached into the same drawer and removed another sheet of paper from his man of business and passed it to his cousin. “May I say again that your knowledge of Wickham’s actions astounds and frightens me. I suspected he would approach me for funds, but not in person.”
Philip shrugged. “A desperate man will do things he otherwise would not dare.”
“He has been desperate before.” Darcy lifted the glass and took a sip.
“He never had a blacksmith the size of Harold Smith ready to demand he marry his unattractive daughter.”
Darcy sputtered over his drink. “You knew of the accusation?”
A wide grin covered Philip’s countenance. “Miss Smith and I devised the plan.”
“What plan? When?”
His cousin shrugged. “Just before you and I met on Main Street. She had told me of her friend’s distress and expressed a desire to seek revenge on Wickham. I noted that Wickham has always been wise to choose victims whose families could in no way hurt him. It was her suggestion to lead her father to believe she had also been a victim. I attempted to dissuade her, but she insisted she had no expectations or desires to be wed, so her reputation was worthless to her.”
Darcy shook his head and drew a third page from the drawer. “Is her friend Miss Lavinia Barnes?”
“Perhaps. She called her Vinny.”
“Miss Smith’s name is Madeleine?”
Philip shrugged and drank his whisky.
“Jackson has also accumulated a list of ladies who have felt the effects of Wickham’s attentions. Miss Barnes and Miss Smithare included. They are to be sent to a distant relative of Miss Barnes.”
