Page 62 of An Accidental Meeting
“Pity me?” Lydia asked. “You are so strange. I still think you are jealous.”
"I amhurt, Lydia. Have you no consideration for anyone but yourself? To be betrayed by my own sister in such a way and to find you wholly unrepentant—it is more than I can bear."
Lydia's countenance remained infuriatingly blank.
The door opened to admit a grim-faced Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. Lydia huffed and turned towards the windows, away from the scrutiny of her relations.
“Well,” Uncle Gardiner said sharply, “I suppose we are to have a wedding, then.” He turned to Aunt Gardiner. “I wonder thatwe were not informed that this foolish child had eloped. I would have expected Bennet to recall me to town.”
“It is fortunate he did not, or we may have missed her on the road,” Aunt Gardiner said, and sat next to Lydia. “What a poor choice you have made, child.”
“I am not foolish,” Lydia said petulantly, before turning to her aunt. “And I am not a child. I am to be Mrs. Wickham.”
Elizabeth shot to her feet. “I cannot stay here. I am so . . .” Angry. Humiliated. Desolate. “I must pack my things.” Mr. Darcy would wish to have them all out of the house as soon as possible.
“We understand, dear,” Aunt Gardiner said sympathetically. “Go to your chambers. I will visit you after we have a conversation with your sister.”
Elizabeth nodded tightly. “Thank you, Aunt,” she said, choking out the words, and hurried away.
Darcy strode into the study with purpose, standing behind his desk and glaring at Wickham. “What were you thinking, bringing a child such as Lydia Bennet halfway across the country?”
“Miss Lydia wished to see her family, Darcy, and would have come on her own. You know how stubborn she is. I merely escorted her to see to her safety.” He smiled maliciously. “And Miss Lydia is no child.”
“She must be, for your charms only work on the young,” Darcy replied coolly.
“Perhaps, but there are so many of them.”
Darcy scowled.
Wickham linked his hands behind his head. “I might be persuaded to marry this one if she came with a bit of blunt.Fifteen thousand and an invitation to complete our courtship at Pemberley ought to do.”
Was the man mad or was his real game to make another attempt on Georgiana? “I admit to some curiosity,” Darcy said, instead of responding to Wickham’s demands.
This change in the direction of their conversation caught Wickham off guard and he straightened. “About?”
“I suspect Miss Lydia had enough money to get you to town. Why did you not leave her there? In fact, why leave London at all?”
“I heard you were here with Elizabeth and her family.”
“Miss Bennet to you."
"Always such a prude, Darcy. She hates you, you know, no matter what she pretends now."
Darcy sighed. "How did you know the Gardiners and Miss Bennet were here?”
“I have my spies,” Wickham said, casually crossing his legs.
Damn the man. He did have spies, but not here. At least, not among his permanent servants. “Pemberley’s coffers are closed to you, as you well know. What could you possibly hope to gain by coming here?”
Wickham shrugged. “I thought you might be obdurate, but surely Lydia’s uncle will want to do something for her. Apparently, he has more to give than her father.”
This was too easy. What was he dangling after?
“I will only require what any groom-to-be is due. And a room until we wed.”
Darcy tipped his head to one side and stared at Wickham. “Do you really think I would allow you to remain? Mr. Gardiner will certainly call on you if he deems it necessary.” He stood. “I thank you for delivering Miss Lydia to us, but this interview is over.”
Wickham feigned shock. “You would deny me even a place to lay my head?”
