“Fine by me, Darcy!”
Even as he watched the miscreant leave, Andrew Darcy began making plans, for when William had the fire at Richmond investigated, and he had no doubts that his cousin would do just that, the trail could lead to Brumeloe and then to him.
I shall forget about trying to convince old Poindexter to let me have my supplies and head north. Perhaps I can find sanctuary with some of Wickham’s cohorts in Derbyshire. What was the name of the man he claimed to have robbed coaches with before he joined the militia? The one who lives just north of Lambton? Denham? Denny? Yes, that is the name! Perhaps Denny will provide me with shelter for a while.
DARCY HOUSE
William’s study
As Mr. Barnes showed him through the elegant residence, Mr. Gardiner was just as astonished as his niece had been upon her first glimpse of Darcy House. The furnishings were of the finest quality and tastefully done, which was not always the case with the homes of the ton.
Edward Gardiner would know. By virtue of his import business, he was acquainted with many gentlemen and had been invited to several of their houses through the years. He had come to expect flamboyant furnishings that screamed of wealth more than common sense. Pleased to discover this was not the case with Lizzy’s new husband, he was still pondering that fact when he was shown into William’s study.
“Mr. Edward Gardiner,” Barnes announced.
“Thank you, Barnes. Mr. Gardiner!” Fitzwilliam Darcy exclaimed from where he sat behind a huge, wooden desk. “Please forgive me for not rising to greet you.”
“No apology needed! When I received your note this morning relating your injury and asking me to call again, I rushed over to see how you were faring.”
“To be truthful, I have eschewed most company. However, you are always welcome, and I have instructed my servants of that. I had no idea that you called until I saw your card last night.”
“Yes, well, I came to tell you that I believe I saw your cousin in Town.”
William’s eyes narrowed. “Andrew?”
“From a distance, the man I saw could have been you—same looks and height. It was only when he turned to face me that I discerned the difference. Still, he looks enough like you that there is no mistaking your kinship.”
“I had the pleasure of seeing Andrew at the ball, though he did not stay long enough for me to confront him. Where did you see him?”
“Across the street from Colette’s Confectionary. He was entering Poindexter’s shop.”
“The tailor?”
“Yes, that is the one.”
“Andrew always dressed far better than he could afford. Thank you for telling me. I shall consult Poindexter to make sure he is not charging items to my account as he has done at other shops in the past.”
Mr. Gardiner came around the desk to get a closer look at the injury. “My, my! You have done as fine a job as I have ever seen of rendering yourself unable to walk. What in the world happened?”
William gave him the explanation he had given Georgiana regarding Richmond, and the same justification for Elizabeth’s absence. Afterwards, he presented his new uncle with what he thought was a sincere smile. His performance must have fallen flat, however, for instead of being reassured, Mr. Gardiner stared at him with a look of total unbelief. Still standing, his eyes narrowed as he clasped his hands behind his back.
“Forgive my straightforwardness, but I know no other way. I detect that there is something amiss between you and my niece.” William started to object, but Mr. Gardiner held up both hands. “Please spare me the awkwardness of arguing that I am wrong. I am certain that no newly married man would willingly part company with his wife so soon after the wedding, especially if he had no idea when they would be reunited. I can only conclude that separation from my niece was preferable to being under the same roof.”
William’s fabricated smile vanished as Mr. Gardiner continued. “As I said on your wedding day, if you wish my advice on any situation, I promise not to judge. I know the extra strains upon your marriage due to the circumstances, and I am very aware of how stubborn my niece can be when she thinks she is right.”
While he spoke, William’s hands came up to cover his face and, for the briefest moment, Mr. Gardiner thought he might break down. After what seemed a long while, William dropped his hands and shook his head in despair. Edward’s heart ached for the young man, so he leaned across the desk, bracing on his fingertips.
“Please. Allow me to help.”
“I... I thought that if Elizabeth knew... if she understood how deeply I care for her, I could change her heart as well as her name. I no longer believe that will be the case.”
He dropped his hands to stare intently at a portrait of his father on the wall. To Mr. Gardiner, it seemed as though what William said next was meant as an apology to that man.
“My father raised me with the expectation that I would have sense enough to use good judgement. With Elizabeth, I let my heart overrule my head. I knew she was opposed to the marriage; however, I had no inkling how much she truly hated me, not just the idea of being forced to marry. That is, until now. In hindsight, in every circumstance before and since our union, she has chosen to believe the worst of me.”
“What could possibly have caused you to come to this conclusion?”
Completely devoid of the strength necessary to keep up the charade, William told Elizabeth’s uncle everything. When he was done, Mr. Gardiner was dumbfounded by what he had heard and completely unable to speak.
For a long time he gathered his thoughts. Finally, he managed to say, “I completely understand your feelings despite the fact that I can see things from my niece’s point of view too. Having said that, I have always known Lizzy to be headstrong, but I imagined she would be more discerning when it came to charges against her own husband. Am I being presumptuous to enquire if you have lost all desire for a reconciliation?”
William’s voice was barely a whisper. “Even if I were to tell her the truth regarding Andrew’s children, and Lady Susan’s schemes, I have no expectations that she would believe me. After all, in her eyes I am a liar. Besides, it seems there are still many aspects of my character that she found abhorrent from our first meeting. Things I never thought to question before.”
“Do you mind telling me what they are?”
“No. I am sure she will enlighten you in any case. Apparently, I do not know the difference between settling an issue and being dictatorial. In Elizabeth’s eyes, I am a selfish, officious tyrant who thinks only of himself. Regrettably, I never before considered it unkind to take charge when circumstances dictated action.”
“Not an uncommon complaint among women, I think,” Gardiner said, trying to garner a smile with his tease. “Even my wife has charged me with that on many occasions.”
William’s silence made the hair on the back of his head stand up. Are the wounds still too fresh, or have Lizzy’s criticisms cut too deep?
“Fitzwilliam, if you will allow, I will share everything you have told me with my wife. I am certain she will wish to counsel Lizzy when we get to Derbyshire, as will I.”
William sighed. “You may share the details with Mrs. Gardiner, but please do not try to convince my wife that I am worthy of... ” His voice trailed off, the sentence left incomplete.
Mr. Gardiner walked around behind the desk and clasped William’s shoulder. “Nephew, please try to remember that things always seem insurmountable when you are in pain. And it is a cruel trick of fate that my niece’s accusations came at the same time as your injury. But, in spite of what you may think, Lizzy is not insensitive, and when she realises how badly she has erred, she will be distraught. Then she will try valiantly to make amends; that is her nature. The question is, can you forgive each other and move forward?”
“The Lord commands us to forgive if we are to be forgiven, so I must. I just do not know if I will be able to forget. My greatest fear is that all that has occurred has created a wall that will forever
divide us.”
“That is understandable,” Mr. Gardiner said, his heart heavy with concern. “Now, I shall take my leave. You have only to send word, though, and I shall be here in a shake of a lamb’s tail. Unless I hear from you, however, I shall not call again before we leave for Lambton.” All he received in answer was a nod, so he added, “Try to keep your spirits up. Give it time. Things will get better.”
“That was my father’s favourite admonition,” William said, without emotion. “Though, as I recall, it rarely worked out that way.”
Mr. Gardiner went to leave, but paused at the door to glance at Lizzy’s husband. William was gazing listlessly at his father’s portrait.
Oh, Lizzy! Knowing how headstrong you are, I pray that you are ready to listen when next we meet.
NOT LONG AFTER MR. Gardiner departed, Barnes came back into the room. “Sir, a Mr. Harahan and a Mr. Coleridge are here to see you. And, perhaps I should not say, but I found it a little odd that they came by way of the back alley?”
“All is well, Barnes. They are retired from the Bow Street Runners, and I asked them to come via the back entrance so that those who are familiar with their work will not suspect that they are working for me. Please show them in.”
Presently a very tall, muscular, ginger-haired man entered the room. Patrick Harahan was six-foot three. He was followed by an equally brawny, bald-headed fellow who was nearly as tall, Dale Coleridge. William noted that they both had the scraggly features of men who had been in plenty of scraps, similar to those who made a living as pugilists.
“Gentlemen, as you can see, I am unable to rise.” William greeted them, nodding to his foot. Both men glanced at his ankle. “So, if you will, please be seated and we shall begin.”
When the men left an hour later, they were both employed by William. Richard had wished him to hire them as protection against Andrew’s schemes, but he felt that he had more pressing needs. Since he was unable to walk and Richard was busy with his career, he had to have men he could trust to investigate the things that weighed on his mind. As a result, Harahan was sent to Eastbrooke Manor to investigate the fire and to try to locate Mr. Hobson, and Coleridge was charged with finding out where Andrew was staying and what happened between him and Mr. Harrington at Marsden Park.
With these two mysteries in good hands, William was beginning to relax when his shattered marriage came rushing back to mind. Immediately, his spirits fell as Richard’s warnings taunted him anew.
“Any caring person would feel dreadful about Miss Harrington’s death, Darcy. But that is no reason to sacrifice your life if there is no mutual affection to be had in the bargain. You could aid Miss Bennet and her sisters by finding them employment if she does not want to accept Collins.”
“You do not understand. I have had tender feelings for Miss Bennet since leaving Netherfield. And to see her again, not as the woman I remembered, but changed entirely—‘shattered’ is the word that comes to mind.”
“Shattered by her tender feelings for Andrew,” Richard reasoned, “otherwise she would not have been in this predicament. Remember, she was seen kissing him in the moonlight.”
Unable to bear any more reminiscing, William slammed his fist down on his desk, sending papers flying in every direction. He reached for a bell that Mrs. Barnes had provided him and rang it steadily. He kept at it far longer than was necessary, intent on drowning out the recollections that mocked him. In the end, the effort proved futile, as he was still ringing the bell when his housekeeper rushed into the room.
PEMBERLEY
The next morning
If anyone thought that Elizabeth would take her time assuming the duties of mistress, they would be mistaken, for she was on a mission of redemption. Thus, early the next morning when the Fitzwilliams encountered the housekeeper as they came downstairs to break their fast, they learned that the new Mrs. Darcy already had plans.
“Is Mrs. Darcy awake?” Olivia enquired of Mrs. Reynolds.
“Oh my, yes. According to Mrs. O’Reilly, she arose at dawn, though she did not come downstairs until she was certain the rest of us were awake. At present, she is in the dining room with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Sergeant Thaggart.”
“I assumed that she would sleep late. After all, she had been on the road for days, and we kept her up last night getting to know her better.”
“I must say that I am impressed,” Mrs. Reynolds continued. “Already Mrs. Darcy requested a meeting with me when she is finished eating. She wants to go over all the ledgers, and she mentioned getting to know the tenants as soon as possible.”
“That bodes well,” Olivia stated. Then she looked to Joseph. “Let us hurry then, before Elizabeth finishes eating. Otherwise, we may not get to speak to her today.”
As they walked into the small dining room, everyone seemed focused on their plates of food and not on conversation. Noticing their arrival, however, Richard broke the silence.
“I am so pleased that you have deigned to join us!” A wry smile accompanied his tease. “Thaggart and I are to leave right after we are done eating, and I wished to see you before we do.”
“Do you have to leave so soon?” Joseph Fitzwilliam ventured. “Livy and I were hoping to visit with you again. We see you so infrequently.”
“I would love to stay longer. In fact, I have several months’ leave accrued and had intended to return straightaway, since Darcy always insists I take my leave at Pemberley.” He chuckled. “Who am I to refuse his entreaty?”
“Who, indeed!” Joseph joked.
“At any rate, I cannot do as I please, for I have been ordered to take Colonel Franklin’s position while he is on leave. As a result, I now serve as aide to General Lassiter until Franklin resumes his post. Then I shall have my leave. So, if you stay a good while longer, we may visit.”
Suddenly he remembered that things had changed with his cousin’s marriage. “Excuse me, Mrs. Darcy, if I sound presumptuous. Though Darcy has always asked me to stay here when on leave, I should not assume the invitation still stands, now that he is a married man. I would not want to interfere with your felicity, and I can always stay at my parents’ estate, Matlock, which is a little over ten miles from here.”
“Colonel, nothing at Pemberley shall change. Those who were welcome to stay here before our marriage will be welcome now. Actually, I look forward to getting to know my new family when they visit.”
Richard studied her a moment and, satisfied that she was sincere, said, “We look forward to knowing you better as well.” Then he addressed his batman. “Are you ready, Thaggart?”
“I was ready, Colonel. Now, I think I have eaten too much and need a nap or, at the least, another strong cup of coffee before we leave.” Everyone chuckled.
“I tell you what I shall do, Sergeant. I will have one more cup of coffee with you. This will allow my aunt, uncle and Mrs. Darcy to finish eating and to walk out with us. How does that suit?”
“Most kind of you, Colonel, most kind.”
SEVERAL MINUTES LATER everyone was on the portico, waiting for the horses to be brought around to the front of the house. A footman hurriedly placed their bags at the base of the steps, just as Olivia stood on tiptoes to kiss her nephew’s cheek.
“Please stay safe, Richard. Joseph and I worry so much about you. The roads can be dangerous, what with highwaymen and all.”
Before he could answer, Thaggart did. “No need to worry about the colonel, ma’am! I keep a good watch on him.”
Richard nodded at the younger man. “Thaggart does make my job a lot easier. He is always there to offer his support. And two on the road are safer than one.”
Olivia smiled at the sergeant. “Then I thank you for doing a fine job of protecting him.”
“You are welcome, ma’am.”
While Joseph shook both their hands, Mrs. Reynolds spoke up. “Mr. Darcy would want me to insist that you come back to visit us whenever you can, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“That is enough coddling
, Mrs. Reynolds! Now Thaggart shall pester me to come in this direction every time I leave London,” Richard declared, chuckling.
Then he met Elizabeth’s eyes. “Mrs. Darcy, I pray that my cousin heals quickly and joins you soon. I know that you will be glad for that as well.”
“Yes, I will. Thank you for all you have done, and please—now that we are family, call me Elizabeth.” Something profound seemed to pass between the two as they studied each other.
“If you will call me Richard.”
A small smile turned up the corners of her mouth. “Done.”
Then Richard grabbed a small bag and mounted his horse, calling over his shoulder, “If you want to keep your rank, Thaggart, you had best get moving.”
Quick as lightning, the sergeant was on his horse, kicking it into a trot. Richard pursed his lips to keep from smiling as he followed his batman. About fifty yards out, as he turned to wave one last time to his family still on the portico, his eye caught Elizabeth’s.
I hope you succeed, for your sake as well as Darcy’s. Then he kicked Titan into a gallop, never looking back.
AFTER EVERYONE HAD gone back inside the house, Elizabeth excused herself, saying she had to meet with Mrs. Reynolds. As she followed the housekeeper to her office, the Fitzwilliams were left to themselves.
Watching them walk away, Joseph leaned in to his wife. “I can see the wheels turning in your head, Livy. Something is bothering you.”
Olivia cut her eyes to her husband. “You know me well.” Then she gave a quick tilt of her head in acknowledgement. “Let us walk in the park where we may speak without being overheard.”
With that, she took the arm he extended, and they went down the hall and out the back entrance of the manor. Once in the gardens, they selected one of many gravel paths and began to walk down it. When they had gone several hundred feet without conversation, Joseph could be silent no longer.
“It was evident last night that you were taken aback that Elizabeth never mentioned Fitzwilliam—well, not until you asked about him.”
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 34