The women twisted around at the sound of his voice and assessed him from his boots to his hat. Their anger when they turned back to Wickham was even worse, were such a thing possible.
“That’s yer’in godbrother? Why ain’t you got the blunt, then? Why’s you taking our’n?” yet another woman asked angrily.
For once, Wickham was on his back heel. “Well, I . . .” He shut his mouth, for truly, what excuse could he offer that they would accept?
Darcy did not have to say a thing. The women took up the banner for him, giving Wickham a kick with each accusation they hurled.
“Liar!”
“Cheat!”
“Cad!”
Their kicks must hurt, but they were none of them strong enough to do any real damage to either Wickham or the ladies. Despite enjoying himself very much, Darcy interrupted them to say, “You might be interested to know, ladies, that I am not in the least tight-fisted. Mr. Wickham was left one thousand pounds by my father and was given three thousand more to study the law.” He grinned at Wickham, whose eyes were wide with horror. “If he is now peddling lies to beg shillings, he has either lost it all or does not care to share it. Either way, Mr. Wickham is not a man who will honour a promise made to you under the mistletoe.”
The combined howl from those gathered rose to a crescendo.
Mr. Bennet had the right of it. Adding fuel to the fire could be a great deal of fun.
At last, a woman pushed her way through the circle. She was near thirteen stone and as tall as Wickham himself. Even Darcy unconsciously took a step back.
“Georgie,” she purred, sidling up to Wickham and pulling him to his feet.
Wickham’s eyes darted to her and then to Darcy, searching for an escape. It was not to be had. Even had Darcy wished to offer Wickham aid, and he did not, he would never ally himself against this band of scorned women. It would be ungentlemanly. It would be unsafe.
If only Georgiana could see her seducer now.
The woman’s foot flew up between Wickham’s legs, and the man let out a scream that rivalled any of the women’s.
Darcy winced and grimaced. Even if the manwasWickham, that had been painful to watch.
“No man lies to Penelope Stout.” Miss Stout plucked a berry from a piece of mistletoe and flicked it at Wickham who was curled up and writhing in pain. Then she flicked another. And another. “I think this ‘ere gentleman needs to leave town,” she said. “If you won’t do it for me, pet,” she purred, “do it for yerself. For if you stay here, me brothers will git ye for certain.”
Wickham grew even paler, if such a thing were possible.
“Lieutenant Wickham!” shouted another officer, striding up the road with the girl Darcy had sent. It was Captain Carter, and he was trailed by two rather large soldiers. The girl ran to him.
“Well done,” Darcy said, and handed the girl a shilling. Her tiny hand closed tightly around the coin as she bobbed a little curtsy to him and scurried away.
“Captain,” he called, “I think each of these women has a complaint to lodge against Mr. Wickham. Do what you will with him, but he ought to repay these women, and I suspect he ought not be allowed to remain in the area.”
“’Fer ’is own good,” Miss Stout added. She gave Darcy a satisfied nod and he offered her a little bow. She grinned widely.
“Ladies, if you wish to be heard, please convene at the regiment’s headquarters in a half an hour,” Captain Carter said smartly. “I shall write the report myself.”
There was some gratified grumbling. Carter hauled Wickham up and the two soldiers each took one of his arms to support him, for he could not walk. The women followed the strange procession and soon they were all out of sight.
“Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth was at his elbow. He took her hand and placed it gently upon his arm as he turned her to head back to Longbourn.
“What was that all about?” she asked.
Darcy laughed and then motioned that they should begin the walk back to Longbourn. “Miss Lydia gave Mr. Wickham some of her mistletoe, and he seems to have hanged himself by it.”
Chapter Ten
Bingleywasmademuchof over dinner. He was served first, and the menu was filled with softer foods, things he would not require a knife to eat. Fortunately, there was still a fine goose for the rest of the party who had full use of both hands. Darcy saw out of the corner of his eye that, just as before, a portion of the meat had been cut into pieces in the kitchen. It was being served to Bingley now that everyone else was busy with their own food.