A Perilous Match

Chapter 26

D arcy stood at the top of the grand staircase in Ashburn Court, watching intently as the door from the foyer to the hallway swung open. Relief coursed through him as Elizabeth entered, but it was quickly tempered by a gnawing sense of unease. Something was amiss. Her usually bright and lively eyes were dulled with distress, and her complexion was ashen. Then, to his utter dismay, he saw Wickham following closely behind her.

A surge of anger flared within him, but it was swiftly overshadowed by a deep concern that clawed at his heart. What could have transpired to bring about such a sight? And why was Elizabeth in the company of Wickham? Darcy descended the stairs with quickened steps, his worry increasing with every stride.

“Elizabeth,” he called out, his voice taut with anxiety. “What has happened? Are you unhurt?”

She turned towards him, her eyes wide. Darcy’s breath caught in his throat; never had he seen her so shaken, so utterly vulnerable. When she spoke, her voice trembled, and it was clear that she was exerting all her strength merely to remain composed.

“We- we must talk, in private,” she whispered, casting a brief glance at Wickham before returning her gaze to Darcy. “There is something you must hear—something of the utmost importance.”

A cold dread settled over Darcy, tightening his chest. He glanced towards Wickham, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “What is this? Why is Wickham here?” he demanded, his voice rough with unease.

Elizabeth’s hand found his, and she gripped it with a desperation that sent a chill through him. “Please, Fitzwilliam, just listen. I beg of you.”

Darcy swallowed hard, his concern for her momentarily overriding his instinct to dismiss Wickham out of hand. He nodded stiffly, guiding both Elizabeth and Wickham towards his study. As they entered, Richard, who had been waiting within, rose to his feet, his expression grave. His eyes flickered with surprise and concern as he noted Wickham’s presence.

“What is this about?” Darcy repeated, his gaze never wavering from Wickham. “What game are you playing now, Wickham?”

Wickham raised his hands in a gesture of appeasement, his countenance uncharacteristically earnest. “No game, Lord Dorset. I swear it. I have come to reveal the truth—a truth that has been concealed from you for far too long.”

Darcy turned to Elizabeth, searching her face for answers. “Elizabeth, what is happening?”

She took a deep breath, and when she spoke, her voice was soft yet laced with a gravity that made Darcy’s blood run cold. “Fitzwilliam, you must listen to him. I know you have every reason not to, but please trust me on this.”

He clenched his jaw and nodded curtly at Wickham, though his posture remained rigid, his guard up. “Very well. Speak.”

Wickham hesitated, his gaze shifting between them. At last, he began, his voice low and measured. “I have kept a secret—a secret that even your father carried to his grave. There is a reason he took such an interest in me, even at the expense of his own son. You see, I am not merely the steward’s son. I am your cousin—born of your uncle, Morris Darcy. I am Phillip’s half-brother. Born out of wedlock, of course.”

Darcy froze, his eyes widening in shock. “What are you saying?”

“I am a Darcy by blood,” Wickham reiterated. “Morris Darcy, your uncle, had an affair many years ago with Mrs Wickham—my mother. I am the result of that union. Mr Wickham, the man who raised me, was aware of the truth, as was your late father.”

Wickham handed over a folded document, which Darcy accepted with visible reluctance. “This is a letter from your father to Mr Wickham, vowing to support me in the absence of my true father, Morris Darcy, who had no interest in me.”

As Darcy read the letter, his lips parted in disbelief. “This is my father’s hand, the contents confirm what you have said, but—”

“I have additional proof if you require it,” Wickham interrupted. “Correspondence between my parents, and between your uncle and my mother. Phillip has known all along. It is one reason he has always kept his distance from the Darcy family, preferring the company of the late Lord Dorset.”

Darcy’s mind reeled with the impact of these revelations. “I cannot believe it,” he murmured, looking up at Wickham. “If this is true, why did you not use this against me sooner?”

Wickham offered a wry smile. “I was tempted many times, I assure you. But I had given my word to Mr Wickham that I would not. My existence would bring disgrace upon the Darcy name, and I owed him my loyalty. Besides, your father was always good to me. Moreover, Phillip made it worth my while.”

Elizabeth stiffened slightly. “He paid you to remain silent?”

Wickham nodded. “He did. Phillip feared the scandal would devastate his mother. Thus, he ensured I had no reason to make trouble. But as we grew older, his resentment towards you, became insidious. Never more so than when you rose in station.”

“Resentment?” Darcy echoed, folding the letter with trembling hands.

Wickham sighed. “Phillip envied you. It was clear to us both that you were your grandmother’s favourite, and Phillip encouraged me to make your life difficult. I did so willingly, but it was at Phillip’s behest. As you inherited the title of Marquess, his envy turned to something darker. He felt that everything you possess—your title, your estate—should have been his.”

Darcy’s hand tightened around Elizabeth’s, the enormity of Wickham’s words pressing down upon him like a weight. “This is madness.”

“It is the truth,” Wickham insisted. “Phillip believes the title should be his by right, and he will stop at nothing to see it so. He cannot abide the thought of you producing an heir, further diminishing his claim. He sought to prevent your marriage to Elizabeth, and failing that, he has endeavoured to destroy it. He even went so far as to hire me to seduce her, to provoke a scandal that would ruin you both. But when that did not suffice, he resorted to far more sinister means. He means to see you dead, both of you. He made an attempt on Elizabeth’s life this afternoon.”

“What?” he rounded on Elizabeth, cupping her cheeks. “Are you harmed?”

“No,” she replied. “Thanks to Mr Wickham who came to my aid.”

“I could not let Phillip do such a terrible thing. I might feel that Lady Dorset’s taste in husbands is poor, but I always found her enjoyable company and that is hard to find,” he said with a shrug.

Darcy’s breath caught, his face paling. “He would see us dead? My own cousin?”

Wickham nodded solemnly. “Yes. He has orchestrated numerous accidents, including the near-fall from your horse and the robbery on the eve of your wedding. Each incident was intended to harm you, to scare you away from the role given to you. He hoped you might decline it and allow the title to move to him. If you still do not believe me, you may wish to inspect your saddle, you will find evidence of tampering. Phillip tasked me with it, but I could not bring myself to carry it through.”

Darcy turned to Elizabeth, his eyes filled with a mixture of anguish and rage. “You tried to warn me…”

Elizabeth nodded, her voice a mere whisper. “I did not have proof, only a sense that something was wrong. But now…”

Wickham continued, his voice laden with regret. “I am sorry for the harm I have caused, to both you and Georgiana. My actions were inexcusable, driven by jealousy and greed. But I see now that the Darcy name, my heritage, deserves better than what I have done. I will do whatever I can to put an end to Phillip’s machinations.”

Darcy shook his head, his expression grim with determination. “The past cannot be undone, but we can ensure that this madness ends here. You will help us expose Phillip’s treachery.”

Wickham nodded earnestly. “I will do whatever is necessary. I owe you that much.”

Darcy turned to his wife, his expression softening as he reached for her hand once more. “We shall face this together,” he said quietly, his voice firm yet tender.

Elizabeth nodded, and his heart swelled with love and resolve when he saw the expression of devotion on her face. “Together,” she echoed.

As they stood united, the shadows of deceit and betrayal began to recede, giving way to the dawning hope that, together, they could overcome even the darkest of trials.