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Any chance for conversation ceased as the clock struck midnight; perfectly in tune with Elizabeth’s heartbeat. At length, she said, “It seems we were meant to be here before—that is to say, in circumstances much like this.”

“I apologize for the way things unfolded at Pemberley. I know this is hardly a worthy excuse, but I have recently discovered that there were those in our party who actively conspired against the two of us, quite effectively as it turned out.”

“Who?” Elizabeth exclaimed with energy. Just as quickly she said, “Or do I even have to ask? Who else would take the trouble of wreaking havoc of any such sort, other than Caroline Bingley?” Not that Lady Catherine de Bourgh did not also come to Elizabeth’s mind, but accusing one of the gentleman’s own relations did not seem like the thing to do.

“You are correct. It is Caroline Bingley of whom I speak. Although, she did not act alone. She had a very willing accomplice.”

“Her sister? Mrs. Hurst?” Elizabeth replied with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Darcy shook his head. “George Wickham!”

“Mr. Wickham?” Taken aback by this revelation, Elizabeth stepped away from Mr. Darcy.

“I rather suspect that gentleman garnered your good opinion while you were in Derbyshire, which must certainly affect your reaction to what I am about to tell you. However, I beg you to listen to all I have to say before coming to any sort of conclusion. Indeed, what I am about to tell you is entirely Wickham’s own testimony.”

“I am listening,” she replied, still somewhat bothered by his belief that Wickham meant more to her than he did.

“First, the letter you received presumably from me was, in fact, penned by Wickham.”

“Mr. Wickham?”

“Indeed. I received a letter that fateful evening as well—presumably from you—telling me you never wished to see me again for reasons—well let me say the reasons stated were sufficient to persuade me that you had indeed written the words.”

“I wrote no such letter,” Elizabeth declared.

“I know—what I mean is, I know now. At the time I received the letter, I allowed it more credence than I ought to have.”

“As did I with respect to the letter I received,” she said, her voice filled with a measure of uncertainty mixed with regret. Lowering her arms and likewise her guard, she continued, “What could Mr. Wickham have hoped to gain in poisoning our minds against each other?”

“Plain and simple, he was motivated by greed, and he acted under a powerful inducement.”

“Caroline—”

“—Caroline offered him a hefty reward to do her bidding in sowing seeds of discord between us and keeping the two of us apart. When she reneged on the terms of the final payment, citing her inability to obtain the full amount as previously agreed to and on Wickham’s hastened schedule, no less, he brought his sorry tale to me with the intention of collecting a large payoff.”

He went on to give her a thorough accounting of the nefarious events of the evening as told to him by his former friend. Elizabeth listened. She colored. She stared.

At length, she said, “I confess to feeling rather foolish, sir.”

“Foolish?”

“You always said Mr. Wickham was not to be trusted, as did your cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. Having seen no overly compelling evidence for myself, I negated your advice in deference to my own prejudice. I ought never to have done that.”

“You must not blame yourself. Wickham has such happy manners. He is always making friends wherever he goes. Even my own father, may he rest in peace, was blind to Wickham’s faults.”

“Still, I cannot help but feel ashamed.”

“Then may the subject of George Wickham never cross either of our lips again.” As though realizing he had forgone all the usual civilities that seeing Elizabeth for the first time since she left Pemberley entailed, Darcy said, “Pray how is your family—your father?”

Elizabeth assured Mr. Darcy that all was well until further talk on the matter was no longer necessary. Endeavoring to inquire on the gentleman’s family, she asked, “How does your sister get along? I pray she does not continue to suffer too severely.”

“I believe Georgiana gets along better and better with each passing day. She remains with our uncle and aunt in Matlock.”

“Does that mean you have been all alone these past months—at Pemberley?”

“Yes—for all intents and purposes, which is largely part of the reason I was so pleased when my friend Bingley wrote to me, asking me to come to Hertfordshire.”

“I understand you are here to help him with matters regarding the management of the estate.”