Wickham gave him an innocent look. “We agreed, did we not, that you would act the boor and I would besmirch you, in the hope that any malcontent plotting a poisoning would seek me out as an ally.” “We did, but as that part of Richard’s plan did not work, I regret it.” He had not enjoyed being so high-handed and aloof, nor the insults he’d delivered. Particularly the one he’d issued, unprovoked and unwarranted, to Miss Elizabeth.
