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I assured him that between me and the other execs, everything was in hand. “Do you want me to take on Paris?” I asked. “You’ll have been away for a while by then.”

“No, it’s fine. They’re expecting me. And you’ve got your own businesses to run.”

That was true, but there wasn’t much I wouldn’t do to help him make a success of his, and I’d carved out as much time as I could over the next few weeks for exactly this purpose. Besides, he had another pressing reason to want to be at home that I didn’t. I forced myself to say it.

“I have, but I imagine it’s hard being away from Elizabeth for any length of time.”

“Oh… yeah.” He said it haltingly, like I’d taken him by surprise, and I panicked slightly that I’d given myself away.

“Especially when she’s ill,” I added, trying to justify my comment but clearly making it worse, because he paused again, for even longer this time. So long that I began to wonder whether he even knew she was sick.

And was she?

Not for the first time, my mind went back to the moment yesterday afternoon when the name Kev had flashed up on her phone screen, and her strange behaviour right after. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t considered the possibility of her absence from work today being connected somehow.

Except then Bingley said, in a strained voice, “Yeah, it sucks,” and I felt terrible. Of course Elizabeth was truly unwell, of course he knew, and of course he was worried about her.

He wasn’t alone, because in between suspecting her of cheating, I’d wasted an embarrassing amount of time trying to recall whether she’d shown any hint of sickness the day before and wondering how ill she was and whether she had anyone to look after her while Bingley was away.

“But I’ll see her next week, because I have to be back for King’s gala,” he added.

“Ah, yes,” I answered resignedly, not liking the reminder. “He mentioned that when I met him earlier in the week. Let’s hope Elizabeth is feeling better by then, because he’s looking forward to seeing her again.” He hadn’t shut up about it, in fact. I’d had to listen to him prattle on about what a great couple she and Bingley were for a good ten minutes before the meeting started.

“Is that right?” Bingley said stiffly.

“Yep. In his words, ‘It’s nice to see a young man in a settled relationship instead of bed-hopping and home-wrecking’. And his wife loved her when they met at the reception. Your choice in women shows you have your head screwed on, apparently.”

Bingley blew out a breath. “Right, well, glad he approves.”

There was a pause, which I had no idea how to fill, before he surprised me with a complete non sequitur.

“Listen, Darcy, I heard something today that I don’t think you’re going to like. Vertex have hired a new Lead Irrigation Engineer. It’s George Wickham.”

“You’re kidding.” That was a name I could happily have gone my whole life without ever hearing again.

“Sadly not. Is it going to present a problem? I’m sure we could find a way to get rid of him post-takeover. Offer him redundancy or something. But before that, if you need to rethink⁠—”

“I doubt he’d willingly work for me anyway. I’d put money on him leaving of his own accord if we’re successful.” After a moment’s thought, I added, “He can’t know we’re trying to buy the company. He’d never have taken the job.”

“I doubt many people at Vertex know the management are considering our offer; selling out isn’t something they’re likely to advertise.” I could hear the smile in his voice when he added, “But I’d pay good money to be a fly on the wall when he finds out.”

I chuckled. Wickham would squirm all right. “I appreciate you telling me, Bingley, but this doesn’t change anything. You’ve put too much into this to back out for the sake of that scrotum.”

I could tell he was relieved, and it occurred to me that he’d genuinely considered this a big enough hurdle to derail the entire venture. Wickham had caused me major problems in the past, it was true, but he’d been comprehensively neutered. Figuratively. I’d been advised by lawyers against attempting it literally. That Bingley would consider pulling the plug on his own company out of consideration for my history with the man… Well, it made me feel even lousier for being unable to stop thinking about his girlfriend so often.

Too often.

Most of the time.

All the damned time.

I’d realised today that I didn’t just notice her around the office—I looked for her. I’d known she wasn’t there hours before I caved and asked Polanski why. It was messed up. I’d never been so into a woman—and never after such a short time. Less than a fortnight ago, I’d never met Elizabeth; now she was in my life every day. Even on the days I didn’t see her, she still filled my head.

I hated it, because what did I really know about her? There’d been a few acts of kindness, the odd teasing remark—admittedly all of them vastly gratifying, but who was keeping tabs on that? She was exceptionally intelligent, but then, that was a given, working for Bingley; he exclusively employed the best and brightest, so that couldn’t possibly be what made her stand out over and above any of his other employees. No, I told myself for the umpteenth time that there was no other explanation for my growing obsession than physical attraction—and the irrationality of being governed by lust was pissing me off.

We ended the call not long after, agreeing to catch up again via email the next day. I stood in the dark and scrubbed a hand over my face, unsure what to do next. I’d been about to put in a stint on my exercise bike before I took Bingley’s call, but I’d gone off that idea now. As was usual whenever I was here, my mind was going ten to the dozen, trying to outrun every memory. Indecision immobilised me until, on a whim, I headed to the kitchen, flicked the lights on, and grabbed a beer from the fridge.

The crack and fizz of it opening was preternaturally loud in the utter stillness of the flat. Georgiana would tell me to put on some music to drown out the silence. I smiled at the thought of what garbage she’d make me listen to if she were here. Chasing the comfort of that connection, I took my phone back out of my pocket and dialled her number.