by Zoë Burton
Elizabeth laughed aloud at his statement, and the warm, throaty sound wound its way through his insides and squeezed. I could listen to that all day, he thought.
~~~***~~~
Four days later, Darcy and Georgiana entered the Gardiners’ house, eager to enjoy a meal and conversation. The first thing Darcy noticed in the usually peaceful home was an underlying tension in the maid who took their things. Glancing at his sister, they followed her to the drawing room, wherein waited the entire Gardiner family and Elizabeth. After greeting everyone, and being introduced to the smallest Gardiners, the siblings settled themselves into seats, along with their hosts, and waited for the children to follow their nurse out of the room. Feeling that same odd tension coming from Elizabeth, Maddie, and Edward, Darcy was compelled to say something.
“Is anything the matter? It is usually so peaceful here, and cheerful, but everyone seems to be on edge this evening.” Darcy watched the range of reactions, from Maddie’s closed eyes, to Edward’s dropped head, to Elizabeth’s fidgeting.
“There have been some … strange goings-on,” Edward admitted. “We have tried to behave as naturally as possible, but I see we have failed.”
“What has happened?” Darcy’s eyes darted from Edward to Maddie to Elizabeth, settling on her for a moment, wishing he was closer to her. He desired to lay his hand on hers and calm her. Forcing his eyes back to Edward, he listened intently.
“The night we went to the theatre, we arrived home to find we had been broken into. The children and staff were well, and nothing was taken, but some rooms had been ransacked.” Gardiner’s eyes darted to his niece, and Darcy understood that to mean Elizabeth was the one whose room was violated the most.
Maddie continued her husband’s tale. “Then, yesterday, after our carriage ride, Elizabeth and I walked to the warehouse to take a meal to Edward. Brutus came with us. He began to behave strangely not long after we set out, as though someone was following us. We remained alert but arrived at our destination safely. However, when we left the building to walk home, the dog immediately began to act up again. As we walked, we began to notice a man following us.” She sighed. “We were frightened and hurried our pace, and the man increased his, as well. We think,” she continued, as her gaze turned to her hands, clasped in her lap, “that he approached, because suddenly, Brutus stopped and growled, then took off running and barking. We looked back to see the man who had followed us running into a store. Elizabeth wanted to follow and demand answers from the fellow, but I would not let her. I was rather shaken by the whole event. When Brutus returned to our location, we hurried home and locked the door.”
Maddie looked at Elizabeth again, and Darcy’s gaze followed hers. Seeing her chin up, lips compressed, and her eyes flashing, Darcy once again admired the passion that made up Elizabeth’s personality. He felt a wild desire to kiss her, but he clamped down on it as tightly as he could, forcing his mind to the matter at hand.
“I am happy your aunt was able to persuade you to remain with her. I fear your safety would have been compromised, had you pursued this man.”
Elizabeth met Darcy’s eyes and after holding them for a moment, nodded. She did not address his statement directly, however, when she replied. “I still desire to know what he was doing. I did not recognize him, and my aunt did not, either.” She paused to look down at her hands, clasped in her lap, and with a sigh, continued. “I do recognize, after further reflection, that it would have been foolhardy to chase after him.”
“I am happy you realize that, Niece.” Gardiner turned his gaze from Elizabeth to Darcy. “Lizzy has always been protective of her family. It is one of her finer qualities.”
“I admire her for that.” Looking at Elizabeth once again, Darcy allowed his feelings to show for a moment. Catching her eye, he smiled. He knew by the understanding dawning in her expression and the gentle smile she bestowed upon him in return that he had hope of her returning his admiration.
The Investigation
Once again addressing the Gardiners, Darcy asked, “Have you any idea at all who this man could be? Did you recognize him?”
Maddie’s head started shaking before Darcy finished speaking. “No, I did not. I keep trying to tell myself that it was all in our imagination, but …”
Gardiner laid his hand on top of his wife’s. “Maddie, Brutus would not have reacted as he did had it been nothing. Someone was following you, likely with ill intent.” He looked up at Darcy. “I have hired two additional footmen just this morning. Their sole task is to protect my family. No one is to leave the house unattended. I have told Maddie and Lizzy this.”
Darcy nodded in approval. “I would do the same in your position.” He decided then that he would inform his friend of the investigator he hired, when the sexes separated after the meal.
Georgiana and Elizabeth had been silent as the tale was told, but now the younger girl could restrain herself no longer. “I would have been terribly frightened to have such a thing happen to me! You are so brave to have remained calm throughout, and to want to follow that man like you did!”
This comment made Elizabeth visibly relax and laugh for the first time since the Darcys had entered the room. “Oh, I was only outwardly calm. On the inside, I was shaking.”
“No one knew it, though, Lizzy. Your courage rose, and none who saw you would have known anything was wrong.” Maddie praised her niece.
A small smile lifted the corners of Elizabeth’s mouth. “I am glad. I have grown quite weary of being fearful. It was refreshing to have anger surging through me for once.”
“You are doing so well in overcoming your fear, though. You are doing so well!”
At Georgiana’s earnest exclamation, Elizabeth smiled fondly at the younger girl. “Thank you. And, please, if we are to truly be friends, you must call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy, as my family does.”
Georgiana beamed with delight. “Very well, Lizzy. You must call me Georgiana.”
“I shall. I am so happy to have met you. Shall we play together after we eat, while my uncle and your brother are enjoying their port and cigars?”
“I would be happy to. We should prepare a duet for the gentlemen’s enjoyment.”
Before Elizabeth could reply, the housekeeper announced the meal, and the five of them repaired to the dining room. Darcy smiled to see Georgiana and Elizabeth with their heads together, deep in conversation, as they walked.
~~~***~~~
After the ladies had retired to the drawing room once more, Darcy brought up the investigator he had hired.
“I know it could be seen as presumptuous of me, but I have hired a man to investigate Miss Bennet’s accident.”
Gardiner drew a long pull on his cigar, blowing the smoke out slowly while he considered this information. “You are correct,” he said as he tapped the ashes into the saucer on the table. “It was presumptuous.” He sighed. “But I cannot complain. Thank you for taking it on. I cannot help but wonder why you have; perhaps you might explain that to me.”
“Gladly. I am … I have …,” Darcy searched for the correct words to say. “I have fallen in love with Miss Bennet, and I hope to gain her permission for a courtship, with your consent, of course. I am a methodical man, and as harsh as it may sound, I want to know everything I can about her past. There are things that neither she nor you know that an investigator may uncover.” Darcy stood and began to pace behind his chair. “There are too many things happening around Miss Bennet for my comfort. She was nearly killed in an accident, and almost kidnapped at the museum. Knowing now that your house was broken into and her belongings trifled with, and that someone has followed and apparently approached Miss Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner, I am convinced it was the right decision. These events cannot all be coincidences.
“There is also my sister to consider. If there is danger surrounding Miss Bennet, I could be putting Georgiana in peril, as well. I need to know what I am facing by becoming romantically involved with your niece.” He stopped and
turned toward Gardiner, holding the back of the chair in front of him and leaning slightly over it.
Blowing another smoke-filled breath into the room, Gardiner replied. “I agree, and let me say that it speaks volumes about your character that you would take such a step. I will also confess only to you an uneasiness about Lizzy’s safety. I have long felt there was something suspicious about the accident that brought her to us. Perhaps your investigator will find something.”
“If there is something to find, Haynes will locate it. In the meantime, you have hired more men to protect her.” Darcy pushed away from the chair as Gardiner rose. “I will keep you informed as to the investigation. I know I do not have any rights yet as far as Miss Bennet’s safety goes, but I will help you with it as much as you allow.”
“Your offer is greatly appreciated. I think we are set for now, but if that changes, I will let you know.” Gardiner stopped with his hand on the door latch. “When are you planning on asking Lizzy for a courtship?”
“After I hear from the investigator. I would like to come to her with some knowledge of what is going on.”
“I see. Where do you see this courtship going, should she grant you permission?”
“To the altar, sir.”
Gardiner grinned. “I thought as much. She is a good girl. She will be blessed to have you, should she accept you.”
“I will be the blessed one, I assure you.”
~~~***~~~
The next day, Darcy sat down at his desk just as the door flew open. Seeing that it was his cousin, he did not bother to rise again. Instead, he waved toward the decanters and asked, “Do you never knock?” Though his tone was annoyed, his head was down to hide his smirk.
Fitzwilliam snickered before smugly replying. “Of course I did, at the front door. Baxter let me in. How else did you think I would gain admittance? You keep this place locked up like a fortress.”
“With the crime in this city, I have to.” He looked his cousin up and down. “Just look at the riffraff that wanders in.”
Fitzwilliam affected a wounded look, his eyes growing large and his mouth falling open. His free hand pressed against his chest. “Me? Riffraff?”
Darcy rolled his eyes at his cousin’s dramatics. “Yes, you. Come, sit down and tell me why you are here.” He shook his head and chuckled.
“I had an hour or two before my meeting with the general and thought I would come visit my favorite cousin. And his wine.” Fitzwilliam winked, grinning at Darcy’s laugh.
“I would venture to say you would far rather visit my wine than me, eh, Fitz?”
The pair laughed some more, and when their merriment had ceased, Fitzwilliam asked about the man he had seen leaving as he approached the front door. “Have you hired the Runners? Why? Is that scoundrel Wickham stirring up more trouble? I tell you, Darcy, if you let me take care of him, your pocketbook will thank you.” Richard patted the hilt of his sword.
Darcy set his drink down carefully and then looked up at his cousin and leaned forward. “I have hired an investigator, yes, and no, I have not heard from Wickham. I introduced you last week to Miss Bennet?”
Fitzwilliam’s brows rose, and he nodded. “You did. You are serious about her, then?”
“I should like to be.”
“Do you doubt her character? Did you not tell me she has a connection in Lady Marlee?”
“I did. It is not that I doubt Miss Bennet’s character; the Wickham affair has made me cautious. Miss Bennet has told me the story of how she came to be living with her uncle, but she cannot tell me everything, in part, because she has gaps in her memory due to the accident, but there are details that simply do not make sense. Even Mr. Gardiner admits to some suspicions regarding the event, but he does not have the resources that I do. I want to know as much as I can about Miss Bennet before I proceed.”
“Very wise, especially given, as you so aptly called it, the Wickham affair. Is your heart engaged, then?”
Darcy leaned back in his seat once more, his gaze focused on the gleaming polished top of his desk. “Yes,” he admitted after a moment’s reflection. “It is.”
~~~***~~~
The next morning, Darcy and his cousin entered Gardiner’s study. They had discussed the investigator’s report and had agreed that Gardiner needed to be informed about its contents. Darcy had dashed off a note the evening before, requesting a meeting, and Gardiner had immediately sent a reply back. Now, the three of them were greeting each other and settling into seats.
“Your note said you have news related to your investigation?” Gardiner had poured drinks for each of them and was settling into his desk chair as he spoke.
Darcy was caught mid-sip, and so he swallowed and set his glass on the table that sat between his chair and the colonel’s. “I do.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a packet of papers. He handed it across the desk to Gardiner, then sat back, picking up his drink once more as he spoke. “This is the report, but allow me to share with you the most salient points.”
At Gardiner’s nod, Darcy began. “My investigator has uncovered evidence about your niece’s accident. He found the remains of the carriage behind the blacksmith’s shop in Meryton. Both the harness and the axle show marks that indicate they were cut through somehow.” Darcy saw Gardiner stand and begin pacing the room, but kept talking. “The investigator interviewed several townspeople and some of the Bennets’ neighbors, and based on the descriptions of the scene and the damage to the carriage, it is clear that what happened was not an accident. Mr. Haynes does not have a perpetrator as of yet.”
Gardiner cursed. “That confirms my worst fears. Bennet was indolent and did not manage Longbourn so that its profits increased, but he was not lazy or careless. His carriage was older, but he maintained it as though it were new. The same with his horses and tack.”
Richard’s brow creased. “If that were the case, how was the tampering not found before they set out?”
“I am uncertain. I know he had hired a new groom not long before the accident. Perhaps that man did not know to inspect it.”
Darcy disagreed. “Perhaps that is true. However, the first thing any groom is taught is to thoroughly inspect the rig. At least, that is how it is at Pemberley, but I cannot imagine anyone doing otherwise. To overlook it is as dangerous for the coachman and grooms as it is for the passengers. I will pass this information on to Haynes. He will continue investigating, but this is not all he has discovered.” Darcy waited for Gardiner to turn and look at him. “There is someone watching your house.”
Gardiner’s eyes widened in realization. “Most likely the same man who followed the ladies three days ago.”
Nodding, Darcy and Richard murmured their agreement.
Gardiner dropped heavily into his chair. “What a mess this is! My sister and her family have been murdered, and it seems that whoever was behind it has now targeted my only remaining niece.” He ran his hands through his hair gripping some at the sides of his head, and rested his elbows on his desk, staring down at the report. “I am glad that I hired the extra footmen.”
“Yes, that was wise.” Darcy watched Elizabeth’s uncle as he struggled with the weight of this new knowledge. Taking a deep breath, he blew it out slowly before he spoke again. “I would like to hire more men to supplement what you already have, but I fear stepping beyond my place. You already know that I wish to court Miss Bennet; my urge is to protect her at all costs.” Though he felt that he was pushing himself and his desires onto Gardiner, Darcy also felt the stomach-twisting worry that something would happen to take Elizabeth away from him forever. He forced himself to push the fear aside and concentrate on his companion’s words.
“I appreciate your sentiments, Darcy, I do. I am not without funds, however, and am able to hire more men if I need to.” Stroking his jaw, he thought for a moment. “What I suggest is that you hire protection for her while she is out with you, even if it is a simple walk in the park. I will take care of the matter here in my home a
nd when you are unavailable; you may do it everywhere else.”
“That is a good plan. I fully assent to it.” Darcy’s chest, which had tightened in worry during the discussion, loosened. He had never been in love before; he could not bear the thought of losing Elizabeth due to a lack of proper protection.
Gardiner got up to pour more port for all three men. “You stated previously that you intended to ask Lizzy after you got the investigator’s report. Has that plan changed?”
“Not at all. I should like to speak to her now, if I may.”
Gardiner leaned back in the chair, having seated himself once again. “Let us finish this wine, and I will call her down. She has been playing with the children this afternoon. They adore her.”
Darcy smiled, imagining Elizabeth with her own children, children he hoped would also be his. “I intend to share the investigator’s report with her. Do you have any objections?”
“No. I know you well enough to trust you to impart the information gently.”
“Thank you. I am honored to have earned that trust.”
A short while later, Richard and Gardiner quit the room, and Darcy sat awaiting Elizabeth’s arrival. All the nerves he had managed to keep at bay while speaking to Gardiner suddenly reasserted themselves, and he wiped his sweaty hands on his breeches. Puffing his cheeks out, he blew out a deep breath in an effort to calm himself. He forced himself to stay still in his seat as he mentally reviewed what he would say. Then, the door opened, and she stood there before him.
Darcy leapt to his feet at the sight of her, all his carefully considered words forgotten. Deeply, he bowed. “Good day, Miss Bennet.”
Curtseying, Elizabeth returned his greeting. “Good day, sir. My uncle said that you wished to speak to me?”
“I, I do. Please,” Darcy gestured to the chairs he and his cousin had so recently occupied. “Come and sit. I have something to tell you and something to ask.”
