Darcy was tempted to wash his hands of it. Miss Bingley had attempted to sabotage his relationship with Elizabeth; he would never have invited her today but could not have barred her from her own brother’s wedding. However, he could not ignore Wickham’s disturbing presence; he should not be in the house at all. No. Darcy sighed. They must discover what occurred in the yellow drawing room.
Bingley hurried up to them, trailed by Mary. “Caroline is closeted with Wickham?” he said hoarsely. “Why?”
Darcy shook his head. “I do not know, but I believe we must discover the truth.”
They could hear nothing but the murmur of voices through the thick wooden door, so Darcy eased it open just a crack. Fortunately, the hinges were well-oiled and did not creak.
“I will not pay you one more penny!” Miss Bingley screeched.
“I fulfilled my side of the bargain,” Wickham insisted. “I was engaged to Elizabeth Bennet.”
“For ten minutes!” Miss Bingley snapped. “It hardly signifies, and you have been amply rewarded for your pathetic efforts.”
Elizabeth and Darcy exchanged looks of alarm. Wickham had been paid to propose to her? But as Darcy considered the events of the previous weeks, a number of Wickham’s odd choices made more sense.
“I do not believe you thoroughly grasp the situation.” Wickham’s voice had turned silky. “It would be a shame if anyone found out what you paid me to do…”
Miss Bingley gasped. “That-That is blackmail!”
Beside Darcy, Bingley shook his head at his sister’s stupidity.
“Oh, dear me!” Wickham exclaimed in mock outrage. “Who do you think I am? You paid me to seduce a woman! You are not dealing with the Archbishop of Canterbury here.”
“Why, you—!” Miss Bingley screeched. Then there were sounds of a scuffle. Had she struck Wickham? Had he struck her? Darcy did not want her to come to harm.
He threw open the door, and all the listeners piled into the room. Darcy gasped at the sight that greeted them. Miss Bingley was sprawled on the floor, writhing under Wickham, who grinned as he pressed her hands to the carpet—preventing her from striking him.
“Caroline!” Bingley cried in alarm.
“Wickham!” Richard shouted.
The struggles stopped as both participants stared dumbfounded at the new arrivals. “I—We—Just—” Wickham babbled.
“He and I—We needed to—Remove yourself from my person!” Miss Bingley pushed ineffectively at Wickham, who appeared to rather enjoy his current position.
Other wedding guests, attracted by the commotion, were crowding the doorway. Darcy saw his aunt and uncle, Mr. Hurst, and Mr. Gardiner all watching curiously. Well, there was no hope of keeping this quiet.
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Elizabeth must have reached the same conclusion. “Really!” she exclaimed. “If you wanted an assignation, did it have to occur during our wedding breakfast?”
Both Wickham and Miss Bingley gaped in horror before babbling denials: this was not an assignation, they were not doing anything illicit, this was merely a…
Unfortunately for them, their awkward situation rather belied any assertions of innocence. Wickham scrambled into a standing position, but everyone had seen him lying on top of Miss Bingley.
Finally, Darcy silenced the hubbub with a loud clearing of his throat. “If you were not meeting for an assignation,” he asked, “how did you come to be in my drawing room?”
They looked sidelong at each other but were unable to think of a response. The truth would be even worse than the lie Elizabeth had promoted.
Bingley trudged over to his sister and helped her to her feet. She brushed off her rumpled clothing indignantly and righted her be-feathered hat. Bingley turned to Wickham with a deep sigh. “I hope you are prepared to do the right thing.”
Wickham turned green. Miss Bingley cried, “No!” From her expression Bingley might as well have demanded she eat a plate of worms.
Bingley gave his sister an apologetic look. “Caroline, you have been compromised. You cannot marry anyone else.” Then he clapped Wickham on the shoulder. “Congratulations, man. She has a good dowry.” Wickham brightened momentarily but soured again at the sight of Miss Bingley’s expression.
“Charles, you cannot do this!” Miss Bingley shrieked.
“I have no choice,” Bingley said patiently.