Page 243 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Harcourt motioned toward a chair and took the one opposite it. “What does Darcy want from me?”

“He hopes you will prosecute Wickham for the jewelry he stole from your house.”

Harcourt’s face darkened. “I would have prosecuted him months ago if I could have found him. But I will not have my wife or daughter dragged through a public scandal. Whatever else Wickham did in this house stays within these walls.”

“Mr. Darcy has no desire to expose either lady. Wickham is presently confined for debt, but that will not hold him forever. If you prosecute the theft, the evidence against him may be sufficient for a criminal conviction and a sentence of transportation.”

Harcourt studied him. “I saw him with my own eyes. He had my daughter’s jewels in his hands, and I watched him go through the window carrying them. My wife discovered her jewelry missing immediately afterward.”

“If you are willing to give that testimony, we will also need an account of the property taken and whatever evidence you retained concerning the theft.”

“My solicitor prepared a complete inventory. He has the descriptions and values of every missing piece.”

“Then there should be enough to place the matter before a magistrate.”

Harcourt rose and went to the bellpull. “My solicitor can be here tomorrow. I will give you everything we have.”

Kendall stood.

Harcourt pulled the bell.

“I want George Wickham prosecuted.”

* * *

The matter moved quickly once Sir Edmund Harcourt placed it in the hands of his solicitor.

The inventory prepared after the theft listed each missing piece and its value, and Harcourt gave his account of finding Wickham in his daughter’s bedchamber with her jewelry in his possession. Lady Harcourt provided a statement identifying the pieces missing from her own collection.

Kendall kept Darcy informed as the case proceeded. Wickham was brought before a magistrate and committed for trial, and the evidence was presented at the next assizes.

Several weeks later, Kendall came again to Darcy House.

Darcy set aside the letter he had been reading when Kendall entered the study.

“It is finished, sir. Wickham has been convicted and sentenced to transportation for life.”

Darcy sat back in his chair. “When does he leave?”

“That is uncertain. He will be held until arrangements are made to place him aboard a transport. It may be some time.”

Darcy considered this before looking at Kendall. “I want to know when he is aboard the ship. Not when they move him from the gaol or when his name is placed upon a list. I want confirmation that the ship has sailed with George Wickham aboard it.”

“You shall have it, sir.”

“Until then, this is not finished.”

“I understand. I will send word as soon as I have confirmation.”

* * *

Nearly two months passed before the letter arrived.

Darcy recognized Kendall’s hand and opened it at his desk. The message was brief. George Wickham had been placed aboard a convict transport bound for Australia, and the ship had sailed from Portsmouth three days earlier.

Darcy folded the letter and went in search of Elizabeth.

He found her in the drawing room with a book open on her lap. She looked up when he entered, and he crossed the room and handed her the letter.