Uncle Henry snorted. “Well, once it is more widely known he will not inherit, he will be called out for those debts. Surely he will not survive.” There was a note of satisfaction in his voice. “How much have you managed to buy?”
David extracted a slip of paper from his jacket pocket. “Some three thousand. I didn’t feel the need to buy more. It would be enough to see him transported if we can prevent them being paid off.”
“You don’t think we can prevent the debts being satisfied, do you, Darcy?” Richard’s voice drew Darcy back into the conversation.
“I think if he is in debtor’s prison, he will bribe a guard to send to my father.” Darcy tightened his jaw. “I am sorry to say it, but I think it will mean you make an enemy of him. I wouldn’t wish you to be unsafe.”
Cousin David frowned. “What makes you think that?”
Darcy shrugged. “It is merely a thought. But if he could do what he did to me when he was but fifteen or so years old, he must be incomparably more dangerous now. I would not wish him to think you are an enemy, too.” He was dismally aware it might well be too late already.
“So, what are you suggesting?” His uncle’s frustration was sounding in his voice. Darcy tried to remain calm, reminding himself that the earl feared Richard duelling with Wickham.
“It is a difficult problem. I know you have been trying to think of something for some time, and I have only just become acquainted with the facts.” He turned to his elder cousin.
“If he has amassed such debts through drinking, gambling and womanising, there must surely be some evidence of more serious crimes? After all, he was certain he had escaped without detection for what he thought to be murder. It might be better if he faced full justice which he cannot evade with money.”
Richard looked positively eager. “If he is happy to attack and leave a man for dead, perhaps an accident against him might give him a taste of his own medicine!”
“No!” The earl shook his head violently. “I do not want to consider that.”
“But I think it’s a good thought to see if there is evidence of other offences,” David said thoughtfully. “It might not take very long.”
“Perhaps my father will want to buy him off by awarding him an allowance.” Darcy wasn’t surprised when Richard snorted.
“After what you’ve said about him thinking us the enemy too, you can’t expect me to like that idea. He would brood over our future and Georgiana’s for ever.”
“Well, I have arranged to see my father this afternoon,” Darcy said. “I will see what his attitude towards me is, now Wickham has had the opportunity of pouring vitriol into his ear.” He looked at his uncle. “I do not like to say this — and it may be a product of my own feeling of foreboding over what has happened to me in the past — but I fear that if he sees Pemberley slipping through his fingers, he may try and secure Georgiana’s fortune at the very least. I think we need to take a great deal more care over her security.”
The anger on the faces of all the Fitzwilliam men almost made him laugh. They were so insulated by their wealth, they never thought anything could happen to them. Then he rebuked himself. Richard, at least, had faced danger in battle. He must not underestimate them.
“Would you permit me to come with you to Darcy House?” Richard enquired.
“I’d be glad of your company.” Darcy nodded at him, then turned to his other cousin.
“It must have been a great deal of work to identify all those debts. I’m sorry if I appeared to denigrate it, for it might be the only weapon we have.”
David looked surprised. “I have taken no offence, Darcy. But I am discomposed about the way you have described the risk to Georgiana. We will have to do something.”
“If he takes Georgiana, she will find herself a widow in short order!” Richard was clearly angry.
“No,” Darcy shook his head. “We must prevent that happening. I would not see her feel her life is not worth living. She might do something foolish, thinking we have failed her.” He rose to his feet.
“I ought to go to Darcy House before my father becomes vexed that I have not yet called.”
36
As he strode along Brook Street beside Richard, Mr. Reed following them unobtrusively, Darcy felt irritated there was barely half a mile between the two houses. He would much prefer to be further away from Wickham. But he supposed it to be convenient at this moment, or he might be expected to move there.
As they entered the house, Wickham was waiting for them. “So. The prodigal son, come to upset all the plans your father has made to safeguard his family,” he drawled.
Darcy raised an eyebrow; he could fence with words, too. “I’m happy to meet you at last, Wickham.”
The man’s expression darkened. “It seems you’ve had a difficult time these last years.” There was a note of satisfaction underlying his words.
“Interesting and instructive,” Darcy responded before turning to the butler.
“What is your name?”
“Er, - Jones, Mr. Darcy.”
“Very well, Mr. Jones. Please announce us to my father.” Darcy kept his voice measured, and could sense Richard’s amusement at Wickham’s frustration.
“I believe I ought to join your conference today, Fitz.” Wickham sneered. “You need someone who’s been closely involved with the estate to advise you.”
Darcy heard Richard draw breath, and raised a hand to stop him. “There is plenty of time to get to know each other better, is there not? I think my father would feel his time is more limited.”
Wickham’s lip curled. “You need to mind your manners, Fitz! You’ve been in the gutter too long.”
“Good manners and ill — both are found at all levels of society, Wickham.” Darcy turned for the library door and followed the butler into the room, knowing he would never turn his back on Wickham without knowing Richard or Mr. Reed — preferably both — were behind him.
He was still frowning, and his father frowned, too. “Is something the matter, son?”
Darcy forced a smile. “Nothing too difficult, sir. I hope I find you well today?”
“Quite fair.” His father rubbed his face. “I slept ill, though, knowing you had been found, but were not here, with me.”
Darcy sat sat beside him. “I’m sorry you feel that way. But I find myself in some difficulty since Richard found me.” He thought for a moment. “I had come to the awareness that I had been ambushed for something. All I could think of was that whoever had done this might wish me harm if I was found again.” He glanced at his father’s face. “I do not wish to live my life looking over my shoulder, so I intend to find out what happened.” He drew a deep breath. “The only other alternative is to return to my old life, and give up the thought of ever continuing the Darcy line.”
His father jerked upright. “You cannot do that! You have a duty to take your birthright.” He subsided slightly. “Georgiana must be pleased the responsibility is no longer with her.”
Darcy nodded gently. “Your thinking accords with mine … Father. But I must find out rather more than I know now.”
The old man leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes slightly. “How might I help you?”
Darcy smiled faintly. “I’m sorry if what I say now sounds vulgar and coarse. I hope you’ll forgive me, but I have no memory of how this works.” He watched his father’s eyes open and fix on him, and grimaced slightly. “I have laboured for twelve years to get from nothing to building security for myself. But during this last week, my expenses have been greater than I have ever been used to. I have drained my savings considerably. I do not feel comfortable taking money out of the business unless I am working in it.”
“Ring the bell, Richard, since you’re not doing anything.” His father’s voice was sharp. “And pour drinks while you’re on your feet.”
Darcy smiled at Richard’s smirk, and watched as the butler hurried to answer the bell.
“Mr. Jones, send at once to my busin
ess steward. I want to see him now!” the old man barked, and the butler bowed deeply.
“Yes, Mr. Darcy.” He almost ran out of the room in his haste.
Darcy sat quietly. It seemed his father might be willing to pay him an allowance as heir to the estate, and he could relax at least so far as money was concerned.
While they waited for the steward, his father began talking about Pemberley. “When will you be able to come to Derbyshire with me, son?”
Darcy thought quickly. He could hardly imagine Pemberley, and it would be useful to gain an idea of the place. “Are you fit for such an arduous journey?” He wondered if he could go.
“Of course I am!” The old man sounded irritable. “You need to see the place.”
“If we can take Georgiana with us and keep her safe, perhaps it can be arranged quite soon, sir.”
His father sipped at his whisky. “It’ll be good to see you and Wickham rekindling your friendship. When you were very young, you were inseparable.”
Richard’s shock equalled his own, Darcy thought. “Sir, I would not wish to travel with Wickham, especially in Georgiana’s presence.” He hesitated for the barest moment. “She seems to be afraid of him.”
There was a long silence. Darcy determined to wait for his father to speak. He caught Richard’s expressive glance, and continued to wait.
“I knew that, of course,” the old man muttered. “But he is charming and easy-mannered. He will treat her well, and she will not be at the mercy of fortune-hunters.”
“I am here now, and I can protect her, sir. She is very young, much too young to marry and risk her life in childbirth.”
“Yes. With you here, the urgency is gone.” The old man swirled the amber liquid around his glass. “For a long time I haven’t felt as confident about the estate as I do today.”
“I’m happy about it. But I do think …” a knock at the door admitted the butler.
“Mr. Leigh, sir.”
“Oh yes! Come in, Mr. Leigh. You’ve been here many years. I expect you recognise my son.” The old man beamed with pride, and Darcy felt a lump in his throat. He’d had a difficult time, but he must remember his family had, too.
Mr. Leigh was a stolid-looking man with an astute look. His astonishment was absolute, as was his pleasure. “Young Mr. Darcy!” He bowed. “It is wonderful to see you.” His position meant he couldn’t ask any questions, but no doubt he would hear some version below stairs.
Darcy nodded at him. “Mr. Leigh. I look forward to your assistance as I get to know the estate, now I have returned.”
His father interrupted. “All right, Mr. Leigh, we don’t have long. But I need you to open an account at Coutts for my son, and arrange a monthly allowance for his use.”
He frowned, and looked at Darcy. “Of course, you’ll have the use of any of the carriages and horses here. Your bedchambers have already been got ready. Until you wish to run your own household, perhaps two or three thousand will be enough. Or do you have other expenses in mind?” He looked over at Darcy enquiringly.
“That’s more than sufficient, sir.” Darcy smiled. “Two hundred a month, perhaps. The offer of the carriages is very generous.”
“No, it isn’t.” His father looked at him. “It’s your birthright, and I’ll be offended if you don’t make use of it all.” He relaxed and smiled. “Now, I think I might have to ask your aunt to arrange a ball. Society needs to know you are back — and you need to become acquainted with some eligible young ladies!”
Darcy allowed a slight lift to his eyebrows. “Do you plan that before or after you propose to go to Pemberley?”
The old man looked vexed. “Oh. There is so much to do.” He hesitated. “Perhaps we ought to stay in town.”
Darcy tried to speak gently to his father. “That might be best, sir. Then we could travel in the spring, when the weather is warmer.”
“But I might not have another spring.” His father shook his head. “I wish to be the one to show you Pemberley.”
“Let us call the physician. You must know someone you trust. We can take his advice to make sure you are well before the spring and we can enjoy the journey and seeing Pemberley together.”
As they walked back to Matlock House together, Richard chortled. “Did you see the steward’s face when you were discussing your allowance? He’ll go back to your father and persuade him to reduce Wickham’s payment.”
Darcy raised his eyebrows. “Do you think it equals mine? I suppose, with Georgiana’s, too, it makes quite a dent in the income of the estate.”
“Full half of it — and more, I suspect. Wickham’s will have been going up for years. Your father could never resist any plea of his.”
Darcy grimaced. “I will be in even more danger, then.”
Richard scowled. “We will have to have him arrested for the debts, if David hasn’t found enough evidence of other crimes.” He shrugged. “And we’ll have to put in more security for Georgiana. Father has told me to go back to Nottinghamshire and escort the ladies back to London. He misses my mother.”
Darcy thought rapidly. He couldn’t countenance his sister returning to London without care being taken to make her safe. He’d not like to see her a prisoner in the house, but where else could she stay?
Gardiner would welcome her to Gracechurch Street, and he’d like her to meet Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Surely Wickham would not think to look for her there? He would not tell the rest of the family where she was. But he could not put in as much security for her as the earl could.
He walked, silent and pondering deeply, beside his cousin.
37
Elizabeth tapped on Jane’s door. “Are you ready to go down for dinner?”
“Nearly. Come in, Lizzy.” Jane was hastily repinning her hair. “Maddie wanted an extra cuddle.”
“Everyone wants an extra cuddle,” Elizabeth laughed, watching her sister’s reflection in the glass. Jane was radiant. Elizabeth had gone with her to Hyde Park today, accompanied by Mr. Bingley, and she’d sat on a bench to read her book, allowing the couple privacy to sit on another bench and talk. It was all very satisfactory, and Elizabeth smiled smugly at the memory.
There was sadness behind her smile, though. Today she hadn’t gone to the warehouse to assist her uncle, but had stayed to chaperone her sister. The warehouse wasn’t the same since Mr. Darcy had rejoined his family, and although she dutifully attended and helped her uncle as much as she could, there was no longer the spark of excitement at learning new things, discussing new ideas, and making plans for future business that she’d had before.
She’d said she understood that she had to give him up. But she hadn’t considered how much it would hurt.
Jane swung round on her stool. “Thank you for going to the park with us today, Lizzy. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to talk to Mr. Bingley.”
Elizabeth pushed her sadness into the depths of her mind. “You said he was everything that a young man should be — has he shown that he thinks you are everything that a young lady should be, and beautiful, too?”
Jane blushed and glanced down. “I think he believes that, Lizzy. He doesn’t even seem to be concerned about my lack of fortune.”
“Well, that is as it should be,” Elizabeth said determinedly. “Now he needs to do what is right and make you an offer.”
Jane bit her lip. “I thought he was going to do so today,” she whispered. “But he didn’t.”
Elizabeth embraced her. “Soon. He will soon. Now, we must go down to dinner, or Aunt Gardiner will have to send for us.”
It was as they finished dining that Uncle Gardiner looked directly at her. “Lizzy, I’d like to speak to you for a few minutes in my library, please, before we join the others.”
“Of course, Uncle.” Elizabeth kept her voice quiet, but her heart jumped. Was there news of Mr. Darcy?
She followed him into his library, taking comfort from the fact that he didn’t look solemn or serious; as he closed the door behind them, h
e smiled at her, reassuringly.
“It’s nothing to worry about, my dear. I have a little news for you and wanted to impart it without having to make complicated explanations to Jane — you can do that later, in your chambers.”
Elizabeth looked at him expectantly. “Did Mr. Darcy call upon you today? I confess I didn’t really want to stay away.”
Her uncle nodded. “I know he expects you to spend time with your sister, and he also knows I will send for you if needed.” His expression became serious. “Now, a lot seems to have happened in the week or so since we saw him last. He told me that the man they suspect of evil intent toward him has been arrested on an unrelated matter, and he feels somewhat reassured about his own security.”
“Oh, I’m relieved about that!” Elizabeth felt the worry loosening around her own heart. “What else did he tell you — that you’re permitted to tell me?”
Uncle Gardiner rubbed his forehead. “The fact he has returned to his family is now public knowledge, I understand. But he has told me that he is not informing anyone of where he has been these last years.”
“He is not the sort of man to be ashamed of us — or his past,” Elizabeth said quietly.
“He is not.” Her uncle spoke sharply. “I hope you know better than that, Lizzy.” He sighed, and sat back. “I think William feels his family have relaxed too soon, and that Wickham is a cunning and devious man who is not to be so lightly dismissed.” He got up and absently poured himself a drink before returning to his chair. “His cousin has escorted Lady Matlock and Miss Darcy back to London, but William is concerned very much for his sister.”
Elizabeth leaned forward. “I wish I could help. Might she be amenable if I take her to Longbourn? She wouldn’t be found there, would she?”
Uncle Gardiner nodded. “I think William is wondering if something like that might be safest. But first of all, he would like you to meet her. I understand she’s exceedingly shy and anxious.”
The Lost Heir Page 16
