Free The Phantom of Pemberley by Regina Jeffers

Darcy’s brother. “My friend asked me to come to Newcastle to identify the man.When I arrived, I also learned that Mr.Wickham’s commanding officer entertained the idea that the gentleman in question had ill-used Mrs. Wickham on more than one occasion.”

    Darcy made no comment. He comforted Elizabeth when she had returned in tears to their shared chambers with news of Lydia’s accusation against her husband. Nigel Worth’s words only underscored Darcy’s opinion of George Wickham. “That still does not explain how you ended up as Mrs.Wickham’s newest friend. ”
    “In reality, it was a coincidence. According to your wife’s sister, Wickham left her in Nottingham to wait for the public coach to Pemberley. I had no idea of Mrs. Wickham’s identity until she shared it during one of our conversations.”
    “And what is your connection to this new case against George Wickham?” Darcy needed all the facts—needed to know how to ensure his family’s well-being.
    “I would testify to the repetition of Mr. Wickham’s offense—to his proclivity for gambling debts—assuming they decided to bring charges.”
    Darcy had to ask. “Do you have any idea of the extent of these debts?”
    “Somewhere in the neighborhood of nine thousand pounds, I believe, sir.”
    A sickening feeling flooded his stomach. Barely eighteen months earlier, Darcy had settled a large sum on Wickham to marry Lydia Bennet, plus he paid the man’s gambling debts in Hertfordshire and Brighton. He could not afford to bail his enemy out again, no matter what the emotional cost to his family. Enraged, he wondered, How could Wickham go through so much money in such a short time? If it would not affect the Bennets, and, ultimately, the Darcys, by association, he would lead the party to lock Wickham away.
    “You are not thinking of paying Wickham’s accounts again, are you, Mr. Darcy? It would be throwing good money after bad.” Worth spoke the truth, although Darcy did not wish to hear it.
    “I will not take money from my sister’s future to save Mr.Wickham. Plus, I will not rescue the man if what you say is true regarding his actions towards his wife.”
    “I assure you that it is true, Mr. Darcy.”

    Darcy stood to end the conversation. “I thank you, Mr. Worth, for being so candid.You have given me much on which to think.”
    “Let me know, Mr. Darcy, if I may be of service.” Worth made his obligatory bow to leave. “You and your family need to openly dissociate yourself from any dealings with Mr.Wickham.”
    “Unfortunately, you may be correct, Mr. Worth.” Darcy led the way to the door.“However, how do I convince my wife to set aside her feelings for her sister and to allow the lady to flounder in the situation she has created?”
     
    Despite Lady Catherine’s objections, Darcy insisted that Elizabeth sit opposite him at his evening table. He placed Lady Catherine on his right and Viscount Stafford on Elizabeth’s right. He kept Cathleen Donnel away from Georgiana, placing her between Lydia and Nigel Worth.
    “It does appear that the storm is not going away anytime soon,” Worth observed. “We may be in your debt, Mr. Darcy, longer than we originally had intended.”
    “I am sure that my nephew knows his duty,” Lady Catherine declared to the whole table. “As is our family’s nature, we take our responsibilities to the neighborhood seriously. My brother, the Earl of Matlock, is the most magnanimous of men.”
    “I was unaware, Mr. Darcy, of your relationship to the earl,” Mrs. Williams raised her head to join the conversation. She seemed a bit disturbed by the news of Darcy’s connection, but she said,“My late husband and I had the honor of making the acquaintance of the Earl of Matlock at a celebration dinner hosted by the Naval Board at Whitehall.”
    Lady Catherine puffed up with pride.“My brother is known for his strong support of our military efforts. In Parliament, he often urges more funding for our