Page 145 of Near Pemberley

“You are certain?”

“Entirely.”

She met his gaze without hesitation. Too readily.

Darcy had spent enough years managing estates to recognise rehearsed answers. “You would not object if I repeated the question tomorrow?”

“I should only repeat the same answer.”

“I thought perhaps you might.”

He thought of bribing her with a few coins but reconsidered for the time being. He inclined his head politely. “Good morning, Mrs. Younge.”

She seemed almost relieved when he turned away.

Darcy did not look back until he reached the end of the street. The front door remained firmly closed. He stood for a moment considering the house.

She had lied. She had denied Wickham’s existence before he had even accused her of knowing it.

That was enough.

A groom waited with the carriage nearby.

Darcy beckoned him over.

“I want two reliable men from… here.” He took a card out of his pocket. “Find this man. Tell him to send two men as soon as possible. I shall wait in the pub here and keep watch until then.”

“Sir?”

“They are to watch this house continuously.” He glanced once more towards the quiet doorway. “If Mrs. Younge leaves, they are to follow her.”

“Without being seen?”

“Precisely.”

“And if she leads them to someone?”

Darcy’s expression hardened.

“They are not to interfere.”

The man looked surprised.

“No, sir?”

“No.”

Darcy’s eyes remained fixed upon the house.

“They are to discover where he is.”

In an hour, the men took over the watch. It was nearly three hours before anything happened.

Mrs. Younge emerged carrying a small covered basket upon her arm.

She looked both ways before setting off on foot.

The first man followed at a comfortable distance. The second remained farther behind.