Imperative: Volume 2, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice by Linda Wells Read Free Book Online Page A

delusions.  I know a great deal about your character and past.  I even found a diary of your mother’s stuffed into the leather chair in the library when I rested there this morning and considered how to approach you.”  Judge Darcy turned to face him.  “All I want, and frankly expect, is the truth.”
    “I paid Wickham to approach Georgiana.”
    “Good God.”  Richard stared.  “Approach her to do what, exactly?  I cannot for a second believe that what occurred is what you planned!”
    “No, no of course not.  I asked him to court her, and on a prescribed date I would come to visit and find them engaged in a kiss.” 
    “Why?”  Richard demanded. 
    “So that I could rescue her from being ruined and . . . ultimately I hoped that she would marry Samuel.” 
    Richard snarled, “So that he might gain a dowry he would have no chance of receiving any other way?”
    “I wanted Samuel to be part of Pemberley.  When my brother broke the entailment, I felt that was the second time that he had dishonoured my son.  The first was when my children died and he did not allow Samuel to come to the manor and be safe from death.”
    “He was protecting Darcy!”
    “And I was protecting my last child.”
    “Well, that explains a great deal of your demands after she was found.  Good Lord, man, she was fifteen!  And I thought that Mrs. Bennet was terrible for putting her girls out at that age, but at least she was doing it for reasons of survival, what is your excuse?”
    “I only wanted Darcy to see that Samuel would be ideal for her, a few years from now when she was grown and he was established . . .  Damned fool.”  He twisted his hands together, “A kiss.  That was all it was ever to be.  I wanted Darcy to believe she was vulnerable . . .”
    “Vulnerable is right.”  Richard spat.
    “I wanted her to remain at home.” 
    “Well she is certainly doing that now.”  He snapped and striding around the room came to a stop before the fire and drew a calming breath.  “So . . . you paid him to pay court and you were to intervene on a specific date . . . and that was all.  Were you aware that he had just asked Darcy for the living again and was given another thousand pounds?  How could you possibly approach such a man and expect him to stick to your plan?”
    “Obviously if I could think of such a plan I also was arrogant enough to believe that it would not fail.  And as you rightly said, you do not need to hear the details.  I will not attempt to explain myself; there is no possibility of justifying my behaviour.” 
    “That is perfectly clear.  I do not want to hear whatever you tell yourself so you may sleep at night.”  He said disgustedly.   “However, I am removed enough from this that I can see things a little clearer than most.  I remember Georgiana before she left for Ramsgate.  She was not the most pleasant girl.”
    The judge spoke sharply, “I refuse to blame her in any way.”
    “Well that is blind.  Darcy himself remains angry with her for all that she did not do, and I have certainly expressed my disappointment.”  He sighed and shook his head, “Wickham saw opportunity.  She was angry with her brother and saw . . . whatever she saw in him.  You might have put them together, but you did not cause what followed.” 
    “Yes.  I did.” 
    Richard walked to the other end of the room.  “A groom from Pemberley House once spotted a tall man who resembled Darcy speaking to Christmas in Cheapside.”  Judge Darcy’s face paled and Richard used every ounce of his strength not to draw his blade.  “Wickham in his ranting made two comments that struck me to the bone and frankly, are the reasons I am here.  Shall I repeat them or shall you simply tell me?”
    “You said that you do not want excuses or details.  I am afraid that this confession is full of one and sadly lacking in the other.”
    “So you were behind Christmas being in Darcy House.”
    “Yes, I