“Mrs. Hurst…”
“Is behind her sister. I do hope they will not seek us out this evening.”
“Fitzwilliam told Mr. Bingley that he would cut his sisters should they attempt a public conversation with us.”
“He did?” His grandmother whispered with genuine surprise. “Oh, to be able to witness the conversation Mr. Bingley had with his sisters over that dictate! I would imagine the shrew had a right fit over it.”
She grinned and tilted her head closer. “You should not say such things, Grandmamma!”
“Why? Because it is what all and sundry thinks, but will not voice aloud?”
Miss Bingley was not worth her attention, so instead, she allowed her eyes to roam the rest of the boxes. Several ladies she had met during calls were in attendance, as well as some of the gentlemen from trips about town with her husband. She was about to lean in to ask her companion a question, when Fitzwilliam startled her by taking his seat.
“I apologise for the wait. I ran into Bingley at the refreshments.” He took his grandmother’s flask and poured some brandy into the empty wine glass he had procured.
“How is Mr. Bingley?” asked Elizabeth.
“He is well and nothing less than ecstatic. Miss Bingley is being courted.” He sniggered as he handed Elizabeth the goblet.
His grandmother leaned forward. “I hate to question good fortune, but is the gentleman quite sane?”
With her hand covering her mouth, Elizabeth made an effort to stifle the burst of laughter threatening to escape her lips. She then attempted a stern look, but it became a spectacular failure.
“I know what you are trying to do, Lizzy, but it is a pertinent question.”
Fitzwilliam stifled his laugh with his fist. “He is quite sane, but could not marry without attention to money it seems.”
“It is a good match for both of them then,” commented the dowager. “He is a gentleman, and she has a substantial dowry.”
Fitzwilliam nodded towards the Bingley’s box across the theatre. As Mr. Bingley took his seat, he broke into a broad grin for Elizabeth and the dowager. “I do not believe she has ever wished for a love match, so it should have been her objective long ago. Bingley expects that a proposal should be forthcoming. He has been courting her for two months now.”
After taking a sip of the brandy, Elizabeth contemplated the gentleman she assumed was Miss Bingley’s beau. He was not an unattractive man, but he lacked a certain warmth that appealed to her; however, Miss Bingley lacked the same intangible quality, so she doubted either would miss what they never had themselves. In her opinion, such a relationship was still a sad fate!
“My love?” She turned at the sound of her husband’s endearment. “Is something amiss?”
She shook her head. “I suppose I was wool-gathering.”
His forehead wrinkled in silent question, and she smiled. “I was studying Miss Bingley and who I assume is the man who is courting her. I would not wish for such a marriage for myself. I always dreamed of marrying for love.”
“I suppose our felicity was a bit backward, but you have a husband who loves you dearly.”
She grinned and entwined her fingers with his. “And I love him just as dearly.”
“And I love both of you,” came the dowager’s voice from beside her. “Now hush and forget about Miss Bingley. The play is beginning.”
Chapter 20
After his abrupt departure with Mr. Gardiner, Richard never did join them at the theatre. He was not even at Ashcroft House when they returned. Instead, they found a young officer standing guard outside of an attic room, who was relieved the next morning for a fresh, rested sentry.
At long last, Richard made an appearance while they broke their fast with a document of some sort in his hand. “I have found a ship!”
His grandmother eyed his rumpled uniform. “Have you been home to sleep, Richard?”
“No, I have not. Instead, I have made much better use of my time, and went down to the port where I found our guest transport! It leaves at the beginning of the week for Nova Scotia.”
Darcy took the paper in his cousin’s outstretched hand. “I told Gardiner the Canadas. What if he disagrees?”
With a resonant snort, Richard plopped into a chair. “The point was to remove him from England, which this accomplishes with haste. He should not look a gift horse in the mouth!”
He scanned the document, which detailed the ship’s name and certain particulars including when it would disembark and crew. “How did you manage it?”
“Do you remember Randall Babcock?”
“From Eton? Did he not attend Oxford?”
“He did,” continued Richard, “but we remained good friends after Eton. His father owns ships that sail between either Southampton or Liverpool and the colonies, but they just bought a new ship from a builder near London and it is at the port as we speak. They plan on sending it to Southampton where it will take on its crew and cargo before it sails on to Nova Scotia.”
He tensed and sat forward in his seat. “To begin with, what information did you provide him, and moreover, what will the passage cost?”
“The captain has been informed of an acquaintance of mine, who has come into some difficult times and wishes to start a new life. He does not often take passengers, but if Gardiner is amenable to work as part of the crew until they reach their destination, he will not charge a fee for passage. Babcock was intent Gardiner keep what little funds he might possess.”
He nodded, concerned that Edward Gardiner might regard himself as above menial work. “We shall have to ask him. He may not agree.”
Richard took a seat and began to shovel food onto his plate. “He would be an imbecile to refuse this offer. It will provide him an escape from England, and Babcock indicated he could live on the ship until it disembarked.”
“Richard, this is not the barracks. Please eat with some decorum.” His grandmother’s face showed the evident distaste for his cousin’s lack of manners.
With a sheepish expression, Richard stopped chewing. “Sorry, Grandmamma.” His mouth was full as he spoke, and the others rolled their eyes as he attempted not to display the food within.
“Perhaps if I explained the offer,” broached Elizabeth.
“Absolutely not!” The ladies stared at both Darcy and Richard, who in unison slammed down their utensils.
“I do not see why not! I have known him longer than either of you, and I wish to speak with him anyhow.” Elizabeth’s tone was defensive and matched the ire in her eyes.
He remained adamant. “I shall not have him upset you or worse, cause you an injury.”
“He would not harm me since I am the reason you are sending him from the country. If he were to injure me, you might turn him over to Grayson.”
“Why do you wish to see him?” The idea did not have much merit, but Elizabeth would continue to work on him until he relented.
“You can accompany me, but I wish to speak with my uncle one last time before he is gone forever. Despite all that he has done, he is still a part of what little family I have remaining.”
With a sigh, Darcy ran his hands up and down his face in frustration. “Very well, let us be done with it!” He leapt to his feet, and offered one hand to Elizabeth, who rose to follow him towards the stairs.
Elizabeth continued behind him until they reached the door, which he requested to be unlocked by the young soldier Richard had posted. Once they were within the room and the door locked behind them again, an uneasy Edward Gardiner stood from the trunk where he had been seated. He shifted from foot to foot and appeared angry.
“Uncle Edward.” Elizabeth’s voice held a tremor as she took a tentative step in her uncle’s direction. “How are you?”
A sarcastic bark erupted from Gardiner’s mouth as he clenched and unclenched his fists. “I have been living in the slums of London. Do you think I am well?”
With a step forward, Darcy placed a hand on his wife’s back; Gardiner
must understand she was by no means unprotected. “You would do well to mind your tone.” He refused to allow this man to abuse his wife, regardless of their previous relationship.
As Gardiner eyed the two of them, his lips were drawn tight and his stance was haughty, indicating his anger, but his shoulders dropped as he attempted to quell the display of his ire. “When did the two of you become acquainted? Were you already betrothed when I came to Meryton to retrieve Lizzy, or was your marriage the work of my brother Philips?”
Darcy bristled. How did Gardiner deserve any sort of explanation? “I was at the inn the day you told Philips you would take Elizabeth." Gardiner’s eyebrows furrowed as he made an evident attempt at remembering Darcy’s face. Could her uncle place him? It seemed doubtful since he was sitting behind Gardiner and Philips. “I heard your entire argument and offered marriage as a solution to their problem.”
“And Philips drew up the paperwork and you took her with you that night.” He did not ask, but stated the obvious progression.
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, we were wed within the week.”
“So instead of allowing me to sell you to someone to save myself, you whored yourself to escape.”
How dare Gardiner speak to his wife in such a fashion! She was a gentlewoman and not some common prostitute! Darcy’s shoulders tensed as he made to raise his hand in the man’s direction, but Elizabeth’s voice prevented him from intervening on her behalf.
“You are delusional if you believe I would have accepted your wishes.” Her vehemence and refusal to show a hint of shock at her uncle’s accusation were astonishing. “I met Fitzwilliam and found him to be agreeable—someone I could respect. I would not be sold to a stranger who would treat me as a servant to their whims.”
She paused, providing him with an opportunity to reiterate his warning. “I would advise you to be careful of the manner in which you address my wife. I have had investigators watching Grayson’s men, and I could turn you over to them with very little effort.” A glare was Gardiner’s response.
“They have been merciless. I have been unable to find work since I returned because they are always in Cheapside.” Gardiner was still angry, but he kept his temper under better regulation. His eyes rested on the swell of Elizabeth’s waist, and he clenched his fists. “I assumed your marriage would be legitimate from the start. It made you less valuable to me—Grayson wanted you untouched. Now you are worthless to me.”
He had to remove his wife from the room! Her uncle’s restraint on his ire was limited, and he would continue with his hurtful words as long as she remained. They would accomplish nothing of use until she could be convinced to leave. His hand grasped Elizabeth’s arm, but instead Elizabeth thwarted his plans by shaking off his hand to step closer.
“You did not find me worthless when I was young.” Tears in her eyes threatened to spill over her lashes as she spoke, and her voice quivered. “You would bring gifts when you travelled to Longbourn. I remember the wooden pony you brought when I was ten. Do you?” She gasped back a small sob. “I never left the house without it. Mama claimed I would be the death of her because I would set it on the table beside me at dinner.”
“Your mother’s nerves were legendary in Meryton.” Gardiner’s voice was devoid of any warmth, and Darcy wondered if her uncle had any feelings other than the selfish ones he had exhibited thus far.
“They were, as was the kindness you bestowed upon us as little girls. I remember when you brought Miss Margaret to visit us. She was so handsome, and it was obvious how much the two of you loved one another. I know she would be heartbroken to see what you have become.”
“Elizabeth!” The direction she steered could anger Gardiner more. She was too kind-hearted, and it was unsurprising that she wished to change her uncle; however, she would not obtain the transformation for which she hoped.
“She is not here to see what I have become.” Gardiner’s voice was almost a hiss and menacing. “She left me because her father and I lacked the funds to pay for more than the apothecary, who claimed her illness beyond his capabilities.”
“So you allowed her to depart this world with your heart? I think that she loved you and would want you to keep it for yourself!”
“I vowed I would never be in that position again.” Gardiner moved towards the window, but stopped in the sunlight that streamed through the panes. “I took part in several ventures, which brought me half of what I paid for the first ship. I made a significant profit on that first run, but Philips was correct. I was not buying fast enough ships. I wanted a profit and could not afford the necessary transport, which allowed the second shipment to be seized. I still owe Grayson ten thousand pounds.”
Elizabeth did not attempt to draw closer to him, but remained rooted to her spot while she continued. “And now my husband shall ensure you leave Grayson behind, so you can begin again. If I had not escaped you, you would still be paying your debt.”
“I would have had a reprieve, and my debt would have been lessened.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I believe I shall return to Grandmamma. I hope someday you let go of your bitterness, Uncle Edward. I know the man I grew up adoring is still there somewhere, but mired in guilt. I miss him a great deal.” She observed him for a moment as if she hoped he might reciprocate some kind of feelings for her, but her uncle remained silent. “I wish you good luck and a happy life.”
She turned and walked towards the door, but had not managed to open it before Gardiner called her. “Lizzy!” A certain amount of his haughtiness had disappeared, and instead, an almost defeated man stood before him. He did not throw out accusations or bitter words. “Goodbye,” was all he said.
After a cheerless nod, his wife departed. Darcy stared at the door for a moment to ensure she was gone before he returned his attention to the ragged man, yet when his eyes set upon Edward Gardiner again, the humble visage had disappeared—the bitterness had returned.
“How long before I can depart?” His voice was harsh.
“My cousin has arranged your passage through an acquaintance of ours. A short time ago, he purchased a new ship and is willing to take you on as one of the crew for the voyage.”
Gardiner’s eyebrows rose. With luck, he would not be above the terms of the deal. “One of the crew?”
“It is not his usual practice to take on passengers, so he asks that you work on board during the crossing. Do you know anything of sailing?”
“I can manage it, if it frees me from Grayson. I have no doubt he will kill me if he finds me.”
Darcy gestured towards the sparse room where Gardiner was staying. “Mr. Babcock has offered to let you join the small crew already aboard, until Monday, when you will sail for Southampton. There, the ship will collect its cargo and the remaining crew before it sets out for Nova Scotia. I know it is not Upper or Lower Canada, but it was the swiftest way for you to depart England.”
“The destination is irrelevant. I just do not understand why you would do this for me? Especially, after the deal I made with Grayson for Lizzy.”
“Disguise of every sort is my abhorrence, so I will not pretend to think well of you or to even like you; however, had you not put Elizabeth in danger, she would not be my wife. I have no wish to reward you, and if you were not one of her last remaining relations, I would see you handed over to whoever this Grayson is for frightening her.” His lungs drew in a deep breath, but his attempt to calm was futile and his anger began to simmer. “Do you have any concept of what you put her through? You, sir, terrified her with your unspeakable plan!” Darcy ground out the words, leaning towards the scoundrel. “A lesser woman would have broken under the weight of your threat.”
Gardiner made to say something but Darcy held up his hand. “Regardless of my wishes in the matter, I will not have her feel guilt for your death, nor will I allow her to fear you or your fate. This is the best solution I have found. So—will you accept the terms?”
Her uncle regarded him warily, as if unsure
he could believe him, but nodded.
“Good, I shall attempt to arrange for some decent clothes, and I shall check with the housekeeper about a bath, if you would care for one.”
“I would, thank you.” When he uttered his thanks, his face puckered as though he had sucked on a lemon, but at least, he appeared to realise they were not his enemies.
“In addition, I have decided to add the cost of a passage to the funds I shall provide you upon your departure. For Elizabeth’s sake, I hope you find a good life wherever you happen to settle.”
He made to leave the room, but was stopped when his name was called from behind him. When he turned, Gardiner had approached so he was no more than a few paces away. “You should be aware of Grayson’s identity. He may still be a threat to Lizzy, and if he discovers you were of aid to me, he may be a threat to you as well.”
“Why would you want to be of help to us now?” Her uncle’s sudden willingness to be of use was off-putting, and any information the man might offer was certainly suspect.
“You and Lizzy did not have to arrange for any of this, particularly after all I have done. I do not know Grayson’s plans, but he has a lofty position and ample funds to arrange things as he likes.”
“Are you saying he is a peer?” Darcy’s tone was incredulous, but the notion of a peer that would take a young woman as payment for a debt seemed dubious.
“He is, but he uses the name Grayson for his dealings in trade and smuggling. He is also known as Lawrence Grayson, Viscount Carlisle.”
“I find that difficult to believe. His family is known for their aversion to dabbling in any form of trade.”
Gardiner exhaled with a gravel growl. “They are; but I happened to arrive early to the apartments he uses to conduct his business, and overheard him discussing an investment with one of his men, who addressed him as Lord Carlisle. I had heard of Debrett’s Peerage, so I checked a booksellers that afternoon and found him listed.”
An Unwavering Trust Page 31
