“I am certain you do. The question now is, what do you mean to do about her?”
Bingley paused, pondering the question. “We’ve already discussed insisting that she find a husband this year.”
“That we have. It is imperative that she takes the matter seriously, Bingley, or she will ignore you.”
“If Darcy would marry, she would have no more hope in that quarter.” Darcy could see Bingley grinning at him out of the corner of his eye. “Do you suppose there is any young woman who not only interests him, but might accept his proposal?”
“I have already decided to call on her, Bingley,” replied Darcy, not looking up from his letter. “For your peace of mind, I shall proceed at the most expeditious pace I can muster, but I have no notion how long it will take to convince Miss Bennet that I am worth the risk.”
“Even if Darcy persuades Miss Elizabeth, I doubt Caroline will concede defeat while Darcy is only engaged. Should that happen, she would redouble her efforts—I do not like to contemplate what she might attempt.”
“Are you suggesting that Caroline might attempt a compromise?”
Darcy looked up enough to see Hurst considering Bingley, coupled with a small measure of what Darcy took for exasperation.
“Bingley, you know my opinion of your sister. Caroline has many fine qualities, but those qualities are sometimes overruled by those that are not so benign. I cannot say for certain what Caroline might do, but my experience with your sister has taught me to expect the worst. Carolinemightaccept her attempts to get Darcy’s attention are at an end, but it is only prudent to expect otherwise.”
Darcy finished his letter and sanded it, but he could see Bingley’s contemplative expression. “You are correct to take care, unless Darcy intends to marry my sister because she has compromised him.”
The two men grinned at him, but Darcy ignored them for the moment, instead folding the paper and sealing it with wax.The letter completed, he went to the door and summoned the housekeeper, instructing her to send the letter at once via express. Then Darcy turned back to his two grinning companions and shook his head.
“I apologize if this seems harsh, but I will not marry Miss Bingley under any circumstances.”
Hurst eyed him and offered a slow nod. “That is not harsh, Darcy. It may be the best way to induce Caroline to desist. Any attempt to coerce you would damage her far more than it would you—especially if you refused to reward her scheming by yielding to her designs.”
“Exactly,” replied Darcy. “While I would regret the damage it would do to you both, I have no interest in having Miss Bingley as a wife.”
“Then it is best that we prevent her,” said Bingley, sounding far firmer than Darcy had ever heard from his friend.
“Aye, that it is,” agreed Hurst.
“Do you suppose Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley will remain in London?”
Bingley shrugged. “At present, they have no notion of where we are, and that should keep them from any adventures. If Miss Darcy can retreat from London without Caroline discovering where she is bound, there should be no trouble from my sisters.”
“What will your housekeeper tell Caroline should she visit your house?” asked Hurst.
“With the doorknocker removed, that should be no problem,” replied Darcy. “If she insists, I’ve instructed Georgiana to let the staff say we’ve ‘gone north’ should anyone inquire.”
“Sneaky,” said Bingley with an approving grin. “It is a misdirection, but it is not a lie.”
“That was the general idea,” replied Darcy.
“Then we should be free of Caroline for the moment,” said Hurst. “If you are fortunate, perhaps you will convince Miss Elizabeth to accept an engagement before Caroline learns the truth.”
“That is my hope.”
At that moment, the housekeeper entered the room, leading the colonel of the regiment. Colonel Forster was a man of average height and dark hair, his bearing unlike that of Darcy’s cousin Colonel Anthony Fitzwilliam of the regulars. For all that, Darcy’s opinion of Colonel Forster was favorable, for he was not a man to mince words and seemed to take care of the regiment’s reputation. The reason for the visit was not hidden.
“Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Hurst,” said the colonel in greeting. “Thank you for receiving me.”
Darcy nodded, noting at the same time that Hurst and Bingley remained silent, allowing Darcy to respond. As it was nothing less than he expected, Darcy welcomed the colonel to the estate and offered him a seat. The colonel accepted, but he did not waste any time before coming to the point.
“When several of my officers returned from Longbourn, they came bearing unexpected tales of what occurred there.” The colonel paused and shrugged. “To own the truth, I had suspected no harm of Wickham. I shall not scruple to suggest that he is among the most diligent of my officers, but militia men in general are not eager to complete the work of the regiment, and many consider it nothing more than a lark, an opportunity to partake in society and flirt with the local ladies. In that, Wickham is no better or worse than any of his fellows.”
The colonel grew serious again. “The stories the men told me, however, are a cause for serious concern. Thus, I resolved to ask you for whatever details you are willing and able to impart, since you appear to have some knowledge of him.”
Darcy regarded the colonel for a moment before responding. “I am not unwilling, Colonel Forster, but I am curious. Were you unaware of the connection between Wickham and me before today?”
