Darcy stayed in his office for several hours thinking about the different options he had until he finally decided on one of them. Lady Maria was already in her bed-chamber, and contrary to his custom, Darcy entered without knocking. She was sitting at her vanity and her lady-maid was combing her hair. Seeing her husband, she dismissed her.

Annoyed she told him, "I waited for you for over an hour for dinner until Mrs. Tilk told me that you asked for a tray to be brought to your office. Next time, kindly let me know so I don't waste time waiting for you."

Darcy sneered at her, "I had a lot to think about and some important decisions to make." He looked into her eyes and gripped her shoulders tightly, "tell me, dear wife, how many times have you laid with Sir Thomas? Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

Lady Maria's eyes widened, her face turned pale, and she was speechless.

"Early tomorrow we will return to Pemberley and from there you will go to Scotland indefinitely. I am going to lease a cabin until that child is born."

Finally, Lady Maria reacted, "You are hurting me… Have you lost your mind? You can't send me away, it's your child."

Darcy released her shoulders, "My child? Why should I believe you? Who knows how many other men you have shared your favors with!"

She shook her head, and began to cry, "It's your child! I don't know who told you those lies. I have never been unfaithful to you!"

"You are a liar and shameless. There are several witnesses, so don't waste my time denying what half of London already knows."

"I swear it's your child!"

Darcy shook his head, and sarcastically replied, "If after your child is born, I am really convinced that it really is mine, the child will live with me in Pemberley, otherwise I will give it up for adoption." He paused, "I never want to see you again. I have power, witnesses, and enough money to divorce you. It may take time, and I'm even aware that I'm going to be London's cuckold for a while, but I don't care. You disgust me, you are worse than a cheap whore "

Lady Maria cried inconsolably, she was aware that if Darcy filed for divorce her life would be completely ruined and she would never be able to return to London again. To preserve her younger sister's reputation, her parents were going to turn their backs on her and her friends were not going to want to have any kind of relationship with her. How could she have been so stupid?

She was almost certain that the child was Darcy's because Sir Thomas had been careful most of the time, they had been intimate that she did not get pregnant, but she never thought that Darcy would find out...

The next morning, before leaving for Pemberley, Darcy went to see Lord Matlock. He told him in great detail about Lady Maria's infidelity and asked for his help in getting a divorce. Unsurprisingly, his uncle tried to persuade him to change his mind, since divorces were expensive, and he was going to be the cuckold of London.

After being convinced that his nephew was not going to change his mind, Lord Matlock reluctantly agreed to help him. He knew he was more powerful than Lord XXXX, and with the right witnesses, it was likely Darcy would indeed get a divorce. He agreed that his nephew could not possibly accept the possibility of another man's son inheriting Pemberley. Furthermore, Darcy no longer trusted his wife and did not even want to have any kind of contact with her again.

During the three days journey to Pemberley, Darcy did not speak to his wife. On more than one occasion Lady Maria tried to speak to him, but he simply ignored her. He knew he had married her because she was the daughter of an earl, and to forget Miss Bennet. Unfortunately, the latter had not been achieved since it was enough to see her for a second and she would invade her dreams again!

Two days after arriving at Pemberley, Mrs. Reynolds's husband and a maid escorted Lady Maria to Scotland. She was going to stay there with a maid and later a nurse...