Unfortunately, the old and famous saying "There is none so blind as he/she who will not see" is frequently applied to people when they are in love.

Although Lord Sebastian and Darcy visited Miss King that afternoon, in their opinion, the visit was a waste of time. Miss King refused to believe them. Her dear George was a wonderful man, and she accused them of slandering him because they were envious of him.

"Mr. Darcy, my fiancé already told me you envied him because your father preferred George to you." She shook her head and looked at Lord Sebastian. "I do not understand what you gain, Lord Sebastian, by accusing Mr. Wickham of things he has not done. I know my George Wickham is incapable of seducing a girl and abandoning her."

"Miss King, I gain nothing talking with you! The only reason I am here is because my conscience demands it! You are right to be suspicious of what we told you, but I can show you several pieces of evidence, including testimonies from the relatives of both young women. If you wish, you can meet George Wickham's son. He is a replica of him!" An annoyed Lord Sebastian replied.

"I do not need you to show me 'evidence'. Your interference is not wanted; you are nothing to me, and George Wickham is my fiancé. Please stop bothering me with your lies!"

Lord Sebastian nodded and said, "Very well, I will speak with your uncle since I hope he negotiates a good marriage settlement that will protect you."

Annoyed, she nodded and said, "Do what you want, but I am of age, and my uncle has no power over my decisions."

PPP

After the failed conversation with Miss King and then with her aunt, they went to the inn where Wickham was staying. With a bit of persuasion and a few pounds, the innkeeper directed them to the room in which Wickham was staying, handing them a copy of the key.

"No; do not knock. Use the key," Lord Sebastian said quietly.

Darcy nodded, and he unlocked the door, and they entered the room.

Wickham was in bed with a naked woman on top of him. They were too engrossed in their activities to realize they were no longer alone. Lord Sebastian coughed, and the woman immediately covered herself with a dirty sheet. She took a guinea that was on the night table, grabbed her clothes from the floor, and ran out of the room.

Annoyed at being interrupted, Wickham quickly put on his pants and scolded them, "What are you doing in my room? You should be ashamed to walk into my room uninvited like that!"

Lord Sebastian looked at him with disgust and, in a clear voice, said, "We came to talk to you."

Annoyed, Wickham replied, "I already know Darcy, but who might you be?"

"I am Lord Sebastian, the only son of the Marquess of Hertford."

Wickham looked at him in surprise and said, "My Lord, why do you want to speak to me? We are not acquainted!"

Lord Sebastian looked him up and down and replied, "I wonder if the name Sophia Smith or especially Charles Smith rings a bell to you?" He paused. "Hmm, perhaps the name Jane Martin and her three siblings might ring a bell too?"

Wickham blanched, knowing Charles Smith had tried to kill him a few months prior. He was afraid of what that man might do to him if he caught up with him. He was the reason Wickham no longer went out at night while in London and avoided going to the most dangerous London neighbourhoods.

Lord Sebastian smirked. "From the expression on your face, I see that we understand each other."

Wickham shook his head and said, "I do not know what you are talking about."

Lord Sebastian shook his head. "You know very well what I am talking about. Since I am feeling generous today, I will not tell them your whereabouts as long as you leave on a ship to America within four days."

"And if I do not agree with your plan?"

Lord Sebastian looked him squarely in the eye. "Mr. Wickham, I am a very powerful man, far more powerful than Darcy, and I can make things happen. I can easily tell the Smiths and the Martins of your whereabouts. However, I am willing to pay for your trip to America." He paused and added, "You still have a few thousand pounds; if you work honestly, you can have a good life in America."

Wickham was no fool and understood that if he stayed in England, his life would be in danger, but his wedding to Mary King was close, and he would then have her dowry. "I will think about it, but before I make a decision, I must speak with my fiancée."

"I can tell how much you care about her!" Darcy sneered.

Before he could reply, Lord Sebastian said curtly, "You have until tomorrow. Bear in mind that I have eyes on you."

"I still do not understand why you care so much about Sophia Smith and Jane Martin."

Lord Sebastian gestured for him to be quiet. "It is none of your concern. Just know I wish there were fewer men like you in England."

After the conversation with Wickham, the two gentlemen went to the inn's common room and ordered two beers. The same woman who had been with Wickham in his room a few minutes earlier was one of the inn's barmaids.

In a low voice but loud enough for those nearby to hear, Lord Sebastian commented, "That man is a scoundrel, having sex with a cheap inn's maid with his fiancée only three blocks away."

"Poor Miss King, I feel so sorry for her. I hope she leaves him before it is too late and her life is ruined."