Page 83 of Attempted Compromises
Panic struck like a lightning bolt. Her head shot up, her eyes darting around the dim interior of the carriage. Across from her sat a man—dark-haired, his mouth twisted in a smug smile.
“Mr. Wickham?” she croaked, her voice raspy and uncertain.
“Ah, you’re awake,” George Wickham said smoothly, His voice was smooth, as though they were sharing a casual conversation over tea rather than riding in a secluded carriage together.
Her confusion quickly turned to panic as reality came crashing down. She sat up straighter, clutching the scratchy blanket to her chest like armor, as if it could offer protection from the situation in which she found herself.
“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded, her voice rising with every word, her words trembling with both fury and fear. “Why am I here? Where is Mr. Darcy? Why am I not—”
Wickham’s mouth curled into a smug grin. “You’re here because I saved you from making a dreadful mistake, Miss Bingley. You made a mess of things, and I had to… redirect events. But think of this as just fate, my dear.”
“Fate?” she asked in bewilderment.
“Why yes,” he drawled, lifting a hand to casually inspect his fingernails. “You’re now exactly where you’re meant to be…”— his eyes looked up, directly into hers— “…on your way to becoming Mrs. Wickham.”
Her mouth dropped open, the words crashing over her like a tidal wave. She clutched at the edge of the carriage seat, her knuckles whitening. “I’m… I’mwhat?”
“I’ve saved you,” he replied nonchalantly, as if the situation were entirely rational.
Her mind raced, fragments of memory surfacing—the tea, the laudanum, her plan to ensnare Darcy. And then nothing. A cold dread settled in her chest. “You… you saved me?” she whispered, disbelief mingling with fury. “No, youtookme!” she shouted.
He nodded, unrepentant. “Indeed. And we’re on our way to Gretna Green. It’s all arranged.”
Caroline’s shock gave way to a tidal wave of rage. She launched herself across the carriage, fists flying as she screamed, “You fool! Do you realize what you’ve done? You’ve ruined me, you vile creature! I’ll have you arrested—no, hanged—for this!”
Wickham raised his arms to block her blows, but her nails raked across his sleeve. The carriage rocked violently as she lunged at him, her voice a shrill crescendo of anger.
“How dare you! Howdareyou!” she screamed, her fists pounding against his chest. “Do you know who I am? Take me back this instant, or I swear I will have you arrested at the next stop!”
His smile vanished as he endured the onslaught. Finally, he grabbed her wrists, forcing her back into her seat. She struggled, thrashing against his iron grip, but he pinned her arms firmly at her sides.
“Enough!” he barked. His voice was low and cold, each word carrying an edge of steel. Caroline froze, her chest heaving as she glared at him. “Compose yourself, Miss Bingley, or you’ll only make this worse.”
“Worse?” she hissed. “How could it possibly be worse than this? You’ve destroyed me—my reputation! My life!”
“Listen to me,” he said, his tone cold. “Even if I were to turn this carriage around right now and return you to Netherfield, it would change nothing. You are ruined, Miss Bingley. Everyone saw you leave with me. Your reputation is destroyed, and no one—not even your precious Darcy—will take you now.”
His words struck her like a slap, and her breath hitched. Her thoughts raced as she tried to make sense of his accusations. He couldn’t be right, could he? Surely, she could explain, insist it was all a misunderstanding. Surely Darcy would—
“Do you think I took you without considering the consequences?” he continued in a growl, his grip firm but no longer painful. “Do you think you can march back into Netherfield after leaving with me, and everything will go back to how it was, Caroline?”
“I did not give you permission to use my given name,” she snapped at him, her lip curling in disdain. “This is your doing! I had a plan, and you—”
“You are ruined,Caroline. Whether you like it or not, the world will believe the worst.Darcywill believe the worst.”
Darcy.The thought of him sent a pang of both hope and despair through her. Would he come to her aid? Would he even want to after what she had done? But how would he know it was she who put the laudanum in the tea?
Her throat tightened, a flicker of fear creeping into her fury. “I’ll deny it,” she said, her voice trembling. “I’ll say you abducted me against my will.”
“And I’ll be hanged for desertion,” Wickham said, bitterness lacing every word. “That’s what you want, isn’t it? My death?”
“Better your death than my disgrace!” she retorted hotly.
Wickham clenched his jaw, his knuckles whitening as he fought to maintain control. Slowly, he released her wrists and leaned back against the carriage wall.
“But here’s the thing, Miss Bingley,” he said, his anger replaced by calculated calm. “Even if I were to turn this carriage around right now and beg forgiveness, your reputation would still be intatters. You were seen leaving with me. The whispers will have already begun.”
Caroline’s nails dug into her palms. She hated that he was right. Hated the smug satisfaction in his voice. “No one will know,” she tried again. “My plan ensured everyone—”
