Darcy called, “Peter, come with me.”
The butler had stepped out of his pantry, and Darcy continued, “Get Robert. Tell him to bring rope and send him to the treehouse.”
The three men ran out through the French doors in the library, which were still standing open.
Elizabeth turned to Georgiana. “I am going back, but you may remain here if you feel safer. You can find Jane.”
Georgiana shook her head. “No. I will go back with you. I need to see this through.”
The two women hurried out through the library doors and ran back. Darcy, Bingley, and Peter were standing around Wickham. Miss Ashbrook stood a little distance away, and the two women joined her.
Peter pulled Wickham to his feet while Darcy questioned him, but Wickham only sneered.
Then Miss Ashbrook spoke. “This devil found me in Scotland and threatened to reveal my secret to Edinburgh society if I did not return to Derbyshire and persuade my father to pay for his silence.”
Wickham struggled to free himself and said, “Do not listen to her. She is hysterical. We can work this out as we have done before, Darcy.”
But Miss Ashbrook interrupted him. “Wickham has been lurking on your grounds, and when he saw your sister, a grown woman, he decided to kidnap her and take her to Scotland. Then he would have her dowry as well as Papa’s money.”
Darcy swore an oath under his breath, and Wickham whined, “This has all been a mistake, Darcy. Let me go, and I swear I will never come near you again.”
Christiana laughed on the edge of hysteria as she approached Wickham. “But you did not account for Mrs. Darcy, who has disabled you! And now look at you, you devil! You have been caught at last, and you will finally answer for the evil you have brought upon women through all the years of debauchery.”
She spat in his face, then turned away, walking into the woods.
Robert arrived then, and Darcy turned to the Millers. “Take him to the stable and tie him up. We will leave for London in the next couple of hours. I mean to deliver him to debtors' prison today.”
He walked toward Elizabeth and Georgiana and drew them into his arms. “Are you well?”
They both nodded.
“Elizabeth, your hair. Did he catch you by your hair?”
Her hands went up to her head, and she felt several loose strands. She began to pin her hair back up. “I am uninjured, sir.”
Darcy turned to watch Wickham being led away, and he saw that the man was limping. “My dear, it appears you left your mark on that blackguard. He may be lame the rest of his life.”
He turned to her. “Why is your hair coming down?”
“Wickham seized me by my hair, thinking to restrain me, but Georgiana struck him, and he let go.”
Darcy drew her close and kissed the top of her head. “You will not go out without a footman while I am away, Elizabeth. I will not leave you unless I have your solemn promise.”
She shivered. “I will not go outside alone for a long time. This incident has made me afraid.”
He drew her against him and kissed her temple. “I am sorry, darling. Perhaps a dog would help you feel more secure. I could purchase a Newfoundland or a mastiff that would belong to you alone. When I return, you may tell me if you wish for a dog, and I will obtain one for you. Or perhaps you would prefer a footman to trail behind you.”
She objected at once. “No footman, sir. Purchase a dog for me, so that I may maintain my independence. Georgiana will need one also.”
He turned to his sister, who was nestled against his other shoulder. “Did he hurt you, my dear?”
She pushed up her sleeve and studied her elbow. There were blue marks on her arm. “They are only bruises, brother. I gave him worse than I received.”
Darcy shook his head. “I never foresaw this. Wickham grew up at Pemberley; he was like a family member. I never imagined that he could turn on us.”
Hearing horse's hooves, they turned toward the sound and saw Miss Ashbrook riding out of the woods toward them, leading a second horse.
She addressed Darcy. “Fitzwilliam, I am returning to Edinburgh. You need not fear that you will ever see me again.”
