Page 60 of The Crown’s Gift

"I shall go with them."

"That decision belongs to you and Georgiana together."

For a moment he said nothing. She had neither softened her answer nor sharpened it to wound him.

"You are right."

At seven, Georgiana came downstairs with Mary. Darcy rose but did not cross the room until his sister moved toward him.

Then she ran.

He caught her against his chest. For a long time he said nothing. Georgiana wept into his coat. His hand trembled where it rested on her hair.

"I am sorry," she whispered.

"No." The word broke. He lowered his forehead to hers. "Never apologize for another man's cruelty. I am sorry you believed you must carry it alone."

She drew back enough to see him. "You will not fight him?"

Darcy's jaw worked.

"If the law fails—"

"William."

He looked toward Sir Thomas, then Elizabeth, and finally back to Georgiana.

"I will follow the plan we agree upon. I will not challenge him."

Relief collapsed her against him again.

The response to Wickham was written in Georgiana's hand because she insisted.

I will pay what you demand. I cannot come to the toll house. My companion will leave the packet beneath the loose stone at the east wall at eleven. The letters must be placed there in return.

Wickham's message had demanded midnight, but Sir Thomas moved the hour to make him react rather than prepare. A stable boy carried the response to a hollow oak along the boundary, the place specified for communications. Colonel Forster's men watched Wickham retrieve it.

Darcy's solicitor was already tracing Mrs Younge through the questionable drafts, though no answer had yet reached Hertfordshire.

By afternoon the magistrate, two constables, Colonel Forster, Colonel Fitzwilliam—newly arrived from London—and Darcy had assembled in Sir Thomas's library.

Lady Bennet ordered food for all of them and then refused to leave until the magistrate explained the charges.

"Attempted extortion, possibly forgery, and unlawful threats," he said. "If the notes he promises are forged in Miss Darcy's name, the matter becomes graver. We must catch him taking the money."

"You will," Lady Bennet said. "He is vain enough to believe every woman frightened of him and foolish enough to believe every father inattentive."

Sir Thomas glanced at her. "An error common in this neighborhood."

She understood the reference to his former self and touched his sleeve.

The packet contained paper cut to the size of banknotes, with real marked notes above and below. Sir Thomas would place it beneath the stone. Colonel Forster and the constables would conceal themselves inside the toll house. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam would wait beyond the rear wall, far enough that Wickham would not recognize their horses.

"I should make the delivery," Darcy said.

"He expects a servant or companion," Sir Thomas replied. "He may flee if he sees you."

"And you resemble a companion?"