Page 64 of Near Pemberley

And Wickham himself –

Darcy’s expression darkened slightly at the thought.

The scoundrel must be found.

Not merely for the family’s sake now, but because Darcy intended personally to see paid for what he had done.

Nearly two months had already passed.

Lydia, watching him anxiously over the rim of her teacup, seemed almost frightened by his silence.

“You despise me now,” she said in a small voice.

Darcy looked up at once.

“No.”

She blinked rapidly.

“But I have been so foolish.”

“Yes,” he answered with calm honesty. “Very foolish.”

Fresh tears rose instantly in her eyes.

“But not wicked,” he continued more gently. “And there is a difference.”

Lydia lowered her face and began crying again, though more quietly now.

Darcy let her weep.

For the first time that evening, he thought she perhaps truly understood the precipice upon which she had stood.

He rose at length. “You will remain here tonight only because it is too late to remove you safely elsewhere.”

Lydia looked up in alarm. “I cannot stay here!”

“You shall not remain longer than necessary,” Darcy assured her. “I will settle the matter before morning.”

The relief which crossed her face at those words alone was almost painful to witness.

Darcy moved towards the door and rang again.

When the mistress of the establishment appeared several minutes later, all traces of gentility had vanished from his manner entirely.

He did not sit. He did not invite her farther into the room. Instead, he stood beside the fireplace with such cold authority in his countenance that the woman herself became cautious before he spoke a word.

“You will provide an exact accounting of every debt claimed against this girl.”

The woman attempted a smile. “Sir, the young lady has been expensive to maintain…”

“I did not ask for commentary.”

Her expression faltered. A calculating pause followed.

Darcy continued with icy composure. “You will also understand this clearly. She leaves this establishment tomorrow morning under my protection.”

A flicker of calculation passed across the woman’s face.