Page 65 of Undone

Darcy shifted beside his cousin, but Richard lifted one hand to restrain him.

"She was fifteen," Darcy said

"Yes," Mrs. Vane replied. "About the age at which one should learn that wealth and consequence cannot protect every member of the Darcy family."

The calmness with which she spoke made his anger more difficult to master.

"She had done nothing to you."

A flicker passed over Mrs. Vane's face, the first crack in her composure. It vanished almost at once.

"Neither had I."

Darcy studied her. "What is that supposed to mean?"

She looked towards Colonel Forster.

"Am I to be questioned here, or shall you convey me directly before the nearest magistrate?"

"You will answer Mr. Darcy," Colonel Forster said. "Your answers may spare us the trouble of obtaining them from others."

"Others?" Her glance travelled briefly towards Hale and Wickham.

"Mrs. Younge has already told us a great deal."

For the first time, Mrs. Vane's composure deserted her. Her eyes narrowed, and some of the colour left her face.

"You found her."

"You believed this affair rested solely upon Wickham?" Colonel Fitzwilliam said. "Had you resisted the temptation to seek out Darcy at the Kingsleys', you might have escaped suspicion for a while longer. But you could not resist, could you?"

"I wished to see for myself what remained of the head of the Darcy family."

"Well, Mrs. Younge proved rather more forthcoming than you expected," Colonel Fitzwilliam replied. "She told us of the forged references, of her placement at Pemberley, and of the plans made against Miss Darcy. She also informed us that every instruction came from you."

Mrs. Vane released a quiet breath. "She never possessed the fortitude to do what was necessary."

"But she possessed sufficient fortitude to endure what you drew her into."

"I compelled her to do nothing."

"No?" Darcy said. "You merely sought out the weaknesses of others and employed them for your own ends. Wickham's greed and envy, Mrs. Younge's desperation, and the desire of every man you have used in this plot of yours. You made instrumentsof them whilst remaining hidden, leaving them to bear all the danger."

"And yet you have not asked the proper question."

"I know what you did," Darcy said

Mrs. Vane smiled. "But you do not know why."

Darcy felt Richard's attention turn towards him. Colonel Forster remained silent, though his bearing showed that nothing escaped his notice.

"I am sorry to disappoint you," Darcy said evenly, "but I believe I do."

For the space of a single breath, Mrs. Vane's shoulders lost their careful set, and then, just as quickly, recovered it.

"It concerns your father, does it not?" Darcy watched her closely and caught the slight flinch she could not suppress. "Mr. Thomas Hartley."

Her lips parted, but no reply came.