Page 56 of The Widower of Pemberley
Several other officers, dressed in their red uniforms, stood in a circle near Elizabeth. Her face was pale, and her eyes flickered between Wickham and Darcy.
At last, Darcy had found him.
Because Wickham had fled after Darcy discovered what he had done with Mary, and then again after Mary died; Darcy had never been able to issue his challenge. “Wickham, you have insulted me sufficiently. You have behaved in a manner that displayed the worst sort of ingratitude for the kindness that my family showed you. I shall have satisfaction. By Jove, Iwillhave my satisfaction. Will you meet me?”
“I—”
“Will you meet me?”
The officers watched.
Georgiana watched.
Elizabeth.
Even Mr. Bennet and Bingley watched, the latter supporting the former. Mrs. Bennet and the younger Bennet sisters crowded into the hall. The blind Miss Bennet stood in the doorway, her head tilted to listen.
Oh God. Emily also watched.
His daughter hid behind Miss Bennet and the door of the drawing room, only her little pale face visible.
“You must explain to me,” Wickham said slowly, his voice calm, “what you accuse me of.”
“You know. You know why I have no choice but to challenge you.”
“Darcy, you— I am a gentleman. If I am forced to fight, I shall. I am no coward. But I can think of no insult that I have offered you that would give you reason to kill me. Let us make peace. Perhaps we—”
“You want me to say it aloud? You want me to expose my shame to the whole world?”
Wickham held his hands out defensively and tried to look small. “Darcy, I do not want to fight you. Please, accept an apology for whatever you believe me to have done.”
“I can never forgive you.”
“Darcy, I shall not—”
“Good God, Wickham!” Captain Carter exclaimed. “You are a coward. How you behave as a gentleman and an officer reflects upon all of us. Denny, what sort of man have you introduced into our company?”
Wickham stood taller. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “It is no cowardice to refuse to fight about a trivial matter with a man who wishes to revenge himself upon me for a petty reason, and not to display honour, and I—”
“You cuckolded me!”
The air swam red in front of Darcy. He had announced it himself.
“I will kill you for it,” he added, baring his teeth. “By Jove, I will see you dead. I will put a bullet through your heart.”
Emily had left her secure vantage point by the door. She pulled at the back of his riding coat. “Papa, Papa.”
Darcy bent down and picked up his daughter.
She felt lighter than usual. His hands were tight. She giggled. “What’s cuckolded?”
It felt like a splash of cold water on the face.
Darcy hugged her against him. She asked again, “What is cuckold?”
Darcy handed Emily to Georgiana. “Take her away.”
Her sister’s face was white. She looked between Darcy and Wickham.
