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“And not a rich one amongst them, as best I can tell.”

“Oh, Lydia, pay no attention to Mary. Pray tell me, who has asked you to be his wife, and when did it happen?”

“Well—that is the thing. The gentleman has not asked me to be his wife, at least not in so many words, but it is simply a matter of time, and, when he does, you must be sure to be very happy for me, for it shall be a very good thing. And Kitty, you are welcome to come and live with me.” She clasped her hands. “We shall have many fine balls, and we shall invite all the officers. We shall have such fun!”

With that, Lydia skipped out of the room with Kitty trailing close behind her, endeavouring to satisfy her curiosity on when the happy occasion would occur, for it had been much too long since they last attended a grand ball. Mary could do no more than shake her head and owe Lydia’s improbable account of riches and grand balls to her sister’s overabundance of hope and her undeniable want of sensibility.

Bingley paced the floor of his study. After a number of starts and stops, endeavouring to make sense of the morning’s chaos, he turned to his friend. “Darcy, you must believe me when I say that I do not have a clue how any of this might have happened.”

“Charles, you know that I want to believe you—trust me when I say that. But how does one refute such strong evidence? It is one thing that Lydia was even in your room, for she is untamed and unabashed, and she likely views this matter as a game, but how might one account for the bloodstains?”

“Darcy, I know I am not as experienced with the ladies as I might be for a man of my age, but I would like to think that had I—” He ran his fingers through his unkempt hair. “Had I committed such an act with a young woman, then I would surely have some recollection of it.”

“I know not what to say that will bring you any sort of reassurance, Bingley.”

“You might advise me on what to do and say to prevent me from having to offer for her. I cannot bear the thought of it! If I might be completely honest, the fact is that I do not even like her.”

“If it helps, I will tell you that I believe you in that. I find it highly improbable that you willingly sought her attentions, but I do not know if it will make a difference. If I know the young woman, she will have told everyone whose path she has crossed what happened. No doubt she is making plans for a grand wedding and her future life as the mistress of Netherfield. Then, too, there is the matter of the servant who also saw her emerge from your room this morning.”

“Oh, Darcy! This is grave indeed. I had no idea there were others involved. I had hoped it would be my word against hers with you vouching for my side of the story.”

“Bingley, it would never be as simple as that, and you know it. Think rationally, man.”

“What are you saying, Darcy? Are you saying I have to offer her my hand?”

“I am saying that you will have to do what is expected of you to right this situation.”

Bingley sat and covered his face with both hands. “What will Mrs. Collins think when she hears of this?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Jane. Darcy, you must know what she means to me—how I value her good opinion above all else.”

“The better question is what that husband of hers will think. You know he fancies himself the Bennet family’s protector in Mr. Bennet’s stead. No doubt, he will be eager to see the younger daughter married and away from Longbourn as soon as he learns of this.”

For the first time in her young life, Lydia walked to Meryton alone. She simply could not wait to share the good news with her heart’s one true love. Espying him on the street with Mr. Denny, she thought nothing of approaching the officers and beseeching Wickham for a private tête-à-tête. After they had walked only a short distance from where Mr. Denny still stood, Lydia commenced her speech.

“Oh, my dearest Wickham, things went exactly according to plan, just as you said they would.”

“That is excellent news; however, I suppose nothing is truly decided. It is rather too soon. You must not say a word about what really happened, else it shall all be for naught.”

She threw her hands about his neck. “How clever you were to give me the vial of blood, although I must say it was the most disgusting thing ever. Why, I nearly fainted when I opened the bottle, but I am certain Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley would not have believed a word I said had I not shown them the irrefutable proof.”

He jerked her hands from his person. “Lydia, how many times must I remind you that we need to keep our mutual love for each other a secret, else neither of us shall reap the fortune we deserve.” He tugged at his attire and stood straight and tall. “Now, you mentioned Darcy. Is he the one who bore witness to what occurred?”

“Yes, I thought it would be so much better were he the one to witness me coming out of Mr. Bingley’s apartment. Oh, you should have seen his face.”

Wickham smirked. “I can well imagine.” This is a far better outcome than I had expected. At the least, he will not attempt to align Georgiana with his idiot best friend. “Did I not tell you before how clever you are? I can hardly wait to reward you.”

She simpered and flashed a coltish smile. “What do you have in mind?”

He looked over his shoulder to make certain no one might overhear. He lowered his voice. “Meet me at our place at dawn.”

Lydia batted her eyes. “It shall be my pleasure.”

“Another thing, whenever we are in company, you must make a show of talking to some of the other officers, else you might give rise to speculation.”

“But I should hate to do anything that would give you cause for jealousy.”

“Jealousy—how might that possibly be when you and I know the truth? We are too close to having our fondest wishes come true to jeopardise it all.”