Page 43 of The Marriage Game

“He is still here?” Mr. Darcy enquired of his aunt.

“Yes, but he will leave quite soon. He had hoped to leave at dawn, but I forced him to have breakfast first.”

“And he is quite determined to go?”

“I am,” a voice replied from the doorway.

Mr. Darcy turned. “Richard.”

They clasped hands.

“I cannot be happy, knowing that Georgiana is not,” Richard said. “Does she know of my mission?”

“She does not; we do not want to get her hopes up, in case Wickham laughs in your face.”

“Oh, yes, let him laugh in my face,” Richard growled.

“You know you cannot just kill the man,” Mr. Darcy said.

“I do know that, of course. But I will make certain he knows what fate awaits him if he disobeys my orders.”

“I assume you will not resign your commission until you return.”

“Quite right; as a Colonel, I will be accorded respect in the Newcastle camp; as a civilian, his commanding officer can toss me out on my ear. Georgiana knows nothing of this?”

“No; only that you have a last mission to complete.” Mr. Darcy said. “Have you adequate funds for the journey?”

“My parents have provided funds.”

“Let me add to them,” Mr. Darcy insisted, pulling out his wallet. “You never know what will arise in a mission such as this one. Oh, and Elizabeth asks if you might check on her sister, Mrs. Wickham, should the opportunity arise.”

“I shall do my best.”