Page 45 of Master of Himself

Caroline gasped. “Good heavens, what do you mean?”

Darcy gestured to the chairs and waited for the ladies to be seated. “Darcy and I ran into a militia man in the village this morning who must be avoided at all costs.”

When both women gaped in shock, he continued, “George Wickham is the son of the late Mr Darcy’s steward. He and Darcy grew up together at Pemberley and were the best of friends. Mr Darcy was Wickham’s godfather and saw to his education, including university.”

He hesitated, searching for the best way to relay the gravity of the matter without delving into the sordid truth. “I shall not attempt to convey the details of that young man’s conduct during his years at Cambridge and beyond. Such stories are not meant for your ears, but once he was free of his restraints at home, he succumbed to every vice. I daresay you could never imagine such immorality. Darcy’s father never learned of his reprehensible conduct and left a generous provision for him in his will, which Darcy faithfully executed, despite his disapproval of his former friend. However, even after receiving his full inheritance, Wickham continued to harass and abuse Darcy.”

Caroline clucked her tongue. “How infamous. I can scarcely believe it.”

“I assure you, it’s perfectly true, and I shouldn’t wish you to succumb to his predatory charm. Since he now resides in the neighbourhood with the militia, I shall rely on you, Louisa, to keep Caroline safe if you venture away from the house. Be sure to take a footman with you.”

Louisa kept her hands firmly clutched in her lap. “I certainly shall, Charles, but surely this abuse of Mr Darcy must not be allowed to stand. How could Colonel Forster admit such a dreadful man into his regiment?”

“I doubt the colonel had much say in the matter. The militia accepts even worse men into their ranks,” Darcy said, relieved that they fully understood the urgency of the situation. Then, hoping to avoid any further questions about his past history, which Charles would be unable to answer, he continued, “I must beg you not to mention the matter to Darcy. George Wickham has caused so much suffering that he can’t endure hearing the mention of that name and no longer acknowledges him in public.”

Caroline curled her lip in disgust. “Nor shall we, Charles, I assure you.”

Having completed that distasteful chore, Darcy found Charles in the billiard room. The furniture and billiards table were still pushed against the walls, but Charles had arranged three chairs around the serving cart.

“I’ve sent for Henry,” Charles said, offering him a tankard of ale. “How did it go with my sisters?”

Darcy paused for refreshment and sat with his friend. “I didn’t mention Georgiana or Ramsgate, but they are fully aware of the danger Wickham poses and will take care to avoid him.”

“Thank you for that, Darcy. I’m in your debt.”

“No, indeed. It’s exactly what you would have done for me, were the situation reversed,” he said, to which Charles nodded glumly.

“What’s amiss?” Henry said from the doorway.

“Come in and close the door, Henry. We have news.” Charles poured another tankard.

Henry listened intently as they disclosed the events of the morning and Darcy’s history with Wickham.

“Do you suppose he followed you here, Darcy?” Henry inquired.

Darcy discarded this possibility. “He didn’t appear any happier to see me than I was to see him.”

“What’s his game, then? He didn’t join the militia for the pittance they pay.”

“True, but they’ll feed and house him until he finds greener pastures.”

Henry released a long, frustrated breath. “You’ll need to stay well away from that fellow, Charles. He has a long history with Darcy that you know nothing about.”

Darcy disagreed with this evasive tactic. He had no intention of backing down from his mortal enemy. In this case, decisive action was necessary. “I absolutely refuse to acknowledge him in public, so if you run into him, you’ll have to cut him, otherwise he’ll suspect that something is off.”

“I beg you to use caution, Darcy,” Henry said in an urgent tone. “The last thing you want is for him to discover your secret and use it to extort you.”

Darcy groaned at this suggestion. “That’s exactly what he would do.”

Observing Charles’s worried brow, Darcy relented. Although he had never walked away from confrontation, he couldn’t reasonably expect his amiable friend to fight his battles. He doubted Charles had ever quarrelled with anyone on any subject.

Although uncertainty hovered over his head, he couldn’t properly address this latest issue without first returning to his true form.

Henry finally broke the troubled silence. “You know, Darcy, I’m not without friends in town. I can put the word out at my club to refuse his vowels.”

“I doubt he travels in your circles, Henry, but warning other men of his duplicity would help immensely.”

“I’ll see to it immediately, and a letter will go out with the morning post.”