This was hopeful. Richard sat up. “What can I tell you?”
Gardiner smiled. “Tell me about your cousin, his family, his background, his character, and his friendship with you.” He chuckled. “Ought I to order more tea?”
Richard found himself liking this man. He wasn’t just an obstacle to finding his cousin, he was the man who’d helped Darcy, assisted him to build his life. He rubbed his forehead, and smiled ruefully. “I think it may take several cups of tea, if you can spare me the time.”
17
William gazed out of the window as Bingley’s coach rolled through the streets on the edge of London. He’d abbreviated his lunch so he could be sure of arriving at Gardiner’s warehouse before three o’clock. He couldn’t countenance going to the man’s house unexpectedly if he arrived after the working day was over, and was sufficiently unnerved not to return to the Swan Inn only a week after sighting the officer.
He smiled slightly. Gardiner had told him to stay away for two weeks or more — but here he was, barely a week after leaving. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the work calling him back to London, but his thoughts and dreams — filled with Miss Bennet — and her kindness and willingness to listen to his hopes and fears.
Leaning back against the cushions, he recalled all the help she’d afforded him when planning the army uniform trade. His heart warmed, she was an outstanding young woman. He’d never thought to meet anyone like her. And her acumen wasn’t at the expense of her femininity, either. She held all the promise of womanliness, and her manners were perfect. He closed his eyes, and brought to mind her warm, concerned gaze, suddenly looking fierce and protective as he’d last seen her.
He was startled out of his reverie when the coach slowed, and turned a corner. He leaned forward. Cheapside. He had to push away the hope that Miss Bennet would be there. She didn’t have to work, and she might well be staying with her aunt today.
He descended from the coach and turned to the coachman. “Thank you. A good journey.” He indicated the trunks on the back. “Please have my things unloaded into the office.”
The man touched his hat. “Of course, sir.”
William nodded and turned, pushing his way into the familiar building. The hairs on the nape of his neck rose — Miss Bennet was here, he knew, and he looked around with anticipation.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Stoke. It’s good to see you again.” The senior clerk rose politely to his feet, and William nodded at him.
“Thank you. Is Mr. Gardiner in his office?”
Before the clerk could reply, Miss Bennet hurried into the room from the main warehouse.
“Mr. Stoke! We were not expecting you back so soon.” She glanced at the main door. “You must go in to my uncle at once.” She moved hastily across the room, and opened the door to her uncle’s office.
“Uncle Gardiner, Mr. Stoke is here. Do you wish me to order your coach be got ready?”
William turned to her. “Has something happened?”
She nodded. “Uncle will explain, but it’s better if you’re not observed here by too many people. I’ll tell the clerks to forget they have seen you.” She closed the door firmly behind him, once he was in the room.
“Don’t worry too much, my boy,” Gardiner laughed. “Lizzy does love melodrama, as you’ve probably discerned.”
William smiled slightly, “I have. But you cannot mean nothing has happened and she is imagining everything?”
“Well, no.” Gardiner began to shuffle the papers on his desk. “But we might as well leave now and go home. It’s nearly the end of working hours, anyway.” He raised his hand to forestall questions. “I will explain everything to you over the port after dinner, when we can be uninterrupted. But the main gist of it is that the officer came to see me — on Tuesday. We had a long conversation, and he returned again this morning. I don’t think he is likely to come back today, but you will need time to decide what you want to do.”
“Do you think he means me harm?” William hoped his voice did not show his perturbation.
“No, I am convinced he does not. But I will explain why I have come to this view, and who he thinks may have caused you harm.”
And with that, William had to be content. Miss Bennet hurried in. “The coach is ready, Uncle. Mr. Stoke, I have had your trunks loaded onto it. I hope that is in order.”
He nodded. “I hope Mrs. Gardiner will not think I am determined to stay beyond my welcome.”
Behind them, Gardiner laughed. “She has said you are welcome to stay as long as you wish.”
Miss Bennet nodded. “She seemed quite uneasy when she heard you were being watched by this officer. I’m sure she’ll wish to keep you safe from harm.”
William was relieved when the two ladies finally left the dining room after dinner, and the footman placed the port by Gardiner’s hand. Being in the house had been quite uncomfortable. He wondered if he had been used to such living in the past, and was merely unaccustomed to it due to his recent living arrangements. He’d felt the same at Netherfield Park.
But Mrs. Gardiner had been graciousness itself, even though he wondered at her ill-concealed anxiety. However, being in the company of Miss Bennet had eased the situation. She had sized up the atmosphere, and her conversation was designed to keep all of them interested and amused. Her anecdotes of what had happened in the warehouse caused her aunt to laugh.
“Lizzy! your observation is far too sharp. I think everyone must be very careful not to attract your attention!”
Gardiner smiled. “All the staff enjoy her presence, Madeline, she lightens the atmosphere very well.” He glanced at William. “Lizzy has been at the warehouse each day this week, Stoke. She has been getting the clerks to write letters in my name, researching the provision of leather in the country, planning for us to be able to offer all sorts of leather goods — from boots to satchels.”
William turned to her. “It sounds as if you’ve been very busy, Miss Bennet.” He could not express how he felt, and his admiration of what she was able to achieve — not in front of her relations. It would be difficult, staying in the home of his business mentor, while the family included Miss Bennet. He set himself to try and be polite, but not too forthcoming.
So, all in all, the respite offered by the port was welcome. But Gardiner was going to explain about receiving the officer. Something had happened which affected him, and he wasn’t sure he really wanted to know.
His attention was drawn back to the table when Gardiner laughed. “Did you see Lizzy’s mutinous expression when she had to leave the room, Stoke? She is a stubborn young woman who finds it difficult to follow the requirements for ladies in society.”
“She is a clever and resourceful young lady, with bold ideas,” William responded carefully. “I can see why she finds such strictures irksome.”
The older man nodded, apparently satisfied. He put down his glass and studied William. “All right. I will tell you everything that has transpired. But I am rather at a loss. I know some of it might be difficult to hear, and I do not want to cause you any undue pain.”
William wasn’t sure quite how much he wished to hear, either. All these years he’d felt himself to be William Stoke. He’d made his decisions and choices knowing that was who he was.
And yet; he was not. He knew he had been different before — the results of the excellent education he must have received in his past had been instrumental in helping him move to better things. He could not see how his progress would have been possible otherwise, no matter how determined he might have been.
“William?” Gardiner’s voice was gentle, paternal. “Would you rather talk about your visit to Bingley, forget about what is happening here for a time?”
William turned to him with an effort. He forced a smile. “You must think me a weak man even to hesitate.”
Gardiner shook his head. “I do not. It takes a strong man to know his own weaknesses. And what happened to you was enough to break most weak-minded souls.”
&n
bsp; “You’re very kind,” William murmured. “I think the first thing I’d like to know is not who he says I am, but what manner of man I was.” He looked up. “I’ve had concerns whether whoever attacked me might have been justified in revenge that I caused someone harm.”
“No. I can put your mind at ease immediately.” Gardiner absent-mindedly poured a little more port into his still half-full glass. He seemed deep in thought.
After several minutes, he raised his head. “I know you don’t want to know who he is just yet, but I have to tell you that you were close friends with the officer; you can trust his description of you.” He smiled wryly. “He told me you were a studious and clever young man. You were good with horses, and liked nothing better than riding out alone for many hours in whatever part of the country you found yourself in. You were of a taciturn nature, although when amongst those you trusted, you could be as amiable as the next man.”
“What relation is he to me?” William received the information as if it pertained to another man, although his fingernails dug deeply into the palm of his clenched fist.
“He is your cousin.” Gardiner was not about to tell him more than he asked to know.
So Miss Bennet had been right. The officer had seemed familiar because he was a close relation. William looked down. His glass was before him. Perhaps he needed it. He took a sip. His world was tilting around him. Everything he knew would now change. And it had to be so. Now he could know who he had been, it would be impossible to remain as he was.
Gardiner sat quietly while William continued to think. He hardly knew what to do for the best.
“Do you think it’s the sort of news you would be better hearing in the company of friends, William?” Gardiner’s voice was quiet. “I know you have kept yourself apart for many years, relying only on yourself. But in me and Lizzy, you have real friends, who want what is best for you. Or you may prefer to hear a little at a time.”
With an effort, William looked up at him. “Does he know where I am?”
Gardiner shook his head. “No. I have told him you have gone to the country. I have to tell you that he was quite disconcerted at the news. I consider myself a fair judge of character, and I believe him when he says he is as concerned for your safety as I am. But the way he wishes to protect you will be different to what I can do. You may not like it, or you may find it is better.”
William sighed, and gazed round the room. “Now it has happened, I suppose it cannot be undone.”
“No, and you ought not to wish it undone.” Gardiner sounded firm. “You have a birthright at a higher level than you could ever attain by your own efforts, prodigious though they have been, and you need to embrace it, however hard it may seem while you are doing so.”
William nodded. If he pursued this, perhaps Miss Bennet would not be as unattainable as she seemed now.
18
Elizabeth looked up in surprise from her needlework. She had thought the men would be much longer over the port. Her heart beat a little faster; perhaps she’d soon find out what was happening. She really wished to help Mr. Stoke — the haunted look behind his expression tugged at her heartstrings far more than it ought.
“Lizzy, we were hoping you might be able to play for us.” Her uncle smiled, a different signal behind his eyes.
“Of course.” She’d risen as they entered the room, and she turned back to secure her embroidery and tidy it away. As she moved over to the instrument, she noticed an almost imperceptible look between her aunt and uncle, and as she began to play, she heard her aunt making a brief comment about checking the children in the nursery. Elizabeth wondered what it all meant. As she began to play, she saw the men take their places in the comfortable chairs close to the fire. There was no conversation.
She played on and on, until finally, Mr. Stoke stirred and glanced at Uncle Gardiner, before rising and coming to the instrument.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet. You’ve been very understanding — and you play beautifully.” His smile was strained. She’d never felt sorrier for anyone in her life.
“I’m dismayed you have this difficulty to think about, Mr. Stoke, and sorry I can think of no way of helping you.”
His brows creased slightly. “I was wondering if I might trouble you to listen to the dilemma I’m in.”
She dropped her hands from the keys and turned to face him. “Of course, if you wish to share it. It is the least I can do.”
He glanced back at her uncle, leaning back in his chair, eyes half-closed. “I would be grateful for the opportunity.”
“Draw up a chair, and I will be able to play while I’m listening.” Elizabeth smiled. “No one can think anything is amiss.”
He chuckled appreciatively, and the warm sound caused an answering warmth to spread within her.
She berated herself for letting her feelings run away with her. Just as her father would not have let her marry Mr. Stoke when he was a poor employee of her uncle, so his family would not permit him to marry the daughter of an ordinary country gentleman if he was indeed from a family high in society, as she knew he must be.
She let the quiet, lilting tune ripple through the room. “There, Mr. Stoke, I can give you all my attention. The music will play itself without my giving it thought.”
He shook his head. “I am continually amazed at your accomplishments.” He looked round, and drew up a chair to sit close to the piano stool.
There were a few moments of silence before he spoke. “I don’t know what you have seen or been told by your uncle, but of course you know the officer called on him.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I saw him return again this morning. Uncle has told me nothing, except that he is convinced he is a relation.” She let herself smile. “But the resemblance is unmistakeable, so I knew that already — although I also know you were discomposed when I mentioned it before you went away.”
He nodded. “It was difficult for me to go away, but it allowed me time to think.”
Her laughter seemed to startle him. “Yes, I think not having any work with which to occupy your mind meant you had to confront what had happened.”
He nodded ruefully. “You must think I am a poor specimen of a man, to be so disconcerted by what has happened.”
She concentrated on her fingers then. “I could never think that. I have tried to imagine what I would feel like if I discovered I was not who I think I am, if everything I have come to rely on turned out to be a falsehood.” She shivered. “I cannot imagine what it must be like.”
He sighed. “Thank you. All I have asked of your uncle so far is what I was like before — before it all happened. From what he has told me, I am not much changed, except I was less reticent with those I know well. He has also told me that the officer is my cousin, who has said we were very close friends while we were growing up.”
Elizabeth nodded, knowing she need not speak.
“But, if that is so, why would he not immediately approach me in astonishment, the first time he saw me?” Mr. Stoke’s brow was furrowed. “I don’t understand it. Surely surprise or pleasure would compel him to greet me?”
She frowned slightly. “I agree. But perhaps he was in a coach, or maybe he only caught a glimpse as you entered the warehouse. Either way, when he returned to seek you out, he would have had time to consider whether you would be dismayed by his approach.” She turned her head and looked him full in the face. “Do you think he knows that something happened to you? Or might he think you were hiding from your past, determined to be free of it?”
“I hadn’t considered that,” he murmured, his gaze watching her hands as she played. He seemed to make up his mind. “Your uncle says that whatever I might wish, I have a birthright I ought to seek out, and I need to take my rightful place in society, because it will mean I have more advantages than I could ever get by refusing to acknowledge my family.”
She nodded quietly. Uncle must know which family he was from. “There is another reason I agree with him, although I know how diffi
cult it will be for you to hear.”
“Pray elucidate, Miss Bennet. I would wish to know your thoughts.”
She dropped her hands from the keys, and swung round to face him. “I’ve already told you that I think you were injured so terribly because of your birthright — because someone wanted it for himself. If you don’t return to your family, he might yet gain it — and if he is so evil as to wish you dead, it will not be good for your family and those around him, for him to have so much power or wealth, or whatever it is you have lost.”
His jaw tightened, and she had to fight the urge to reach out to him. “I know it is hard for you, Mr. Stoke. But you are the most courageous and determined man I have ever met. I have every faith in you being able to make a success of your life, whatever life it is you choose.” As she spoke, she knew she was saying farewell to her own hopes and dreams, too. Farewell to those times of close agreement as they considered his business dealings; those moments when she discovered the depths of his generosity, when he showed he had her uncle’s interests at heart. She thought her heart might break, but she must not show it, and it would be the hardest thing to accomplish, knowing how astute he was.
There was a small frown line between his brows. “There is something else discomposing you, Miss Bennet,” he murmured. “I would not wish you to be unhappy.”
She shook her head and schooled her features. “It is only my concern at what you might yet learn, Mr. Stoke. If I can help at all, I would like to do so.”
“You have already helped, more than you know.” His voice was low, and she set the sound into her memory, knowing she would never forget.
He rose to his feet. “I am decided. Thank you. I will ask your uncle what else he knows.” He glanced at the door. “I hope your aunt has not felt excluded from her own drawing room.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “I’ll go and find her, perhaps. I expect Uncle will take you into his library.”
The Lost Heir Page 8
