Page 76 of Courting Elizabeth

“You don't have to do this,” I said.

“Yes, I do.”

“Because I'm your wife?”

“Because you're suffering.”

I turned toward him.

The words were there, at last. I could feel them on my lips.

I love you.

A servant entered to announce that the carriage was ready.

The moment shattered.

Fitzwilliam took my hand.

“We'll find her.”

No reproach. No mention of the scandal now attached to the Darcy name. He rang, gave orders, sent a letter to his cousin and another to London. In less than thirty minutes, the entire household sprang into action.

In the carriage, he unfolded a map of London across his lap. He had already drawn up a list of names: Wickham's former acquaintances, creditors, officers, keepers of furnished rooms, gaming houses. The handwriting was firm, but I caught the almost imperceptible tremor in his hand.

“You're afraid for Georgiana,” I said.

He looked up.

“I fear what he might attempt if he feels cornered. Wickham wields secrets the way others wield weapons.”

“Then don't hide anything from me to protect me.”

“I had no intention of doing so.”

“Really?”

He refolded the map with a sigh.

“My first impulse is still to keep you away from danger. My second reminds me you would hold it against me until the end of my days.”

“The second is much wiser.”

“It's also much louder. It speaks with your voice.”

I placed my hand on his.

“Lydia often wrote to Kitty from Brighton. She mentioned the places where the officers went to drink and dance. Jane may have kept those letters.”

He looked at me with renewed interest.

“That could help us.”

“She also spoke of a Mrs Younge she met by chance. Does that name mean anything to you?”

His face closed.

“Georgiana's former companion. The one who facilitated the meeting with Wickham at Ramsgate.”