Mr. Bingley nodded thoughtfully. “I think you must be right. It was very considerate of you, and must have been difficult to arrange.”
Elizabeth grimaced. “I confess I did feel diffident having to ask a duchess, no less, to make provision for me to travel. But she is kindness itself, and made it easy for me.”
“But, Lizzy.” Jane looked anxious. “You haven’t said what effect it must have had on Miss Darcy. She would have relied on you very much when you were taken by that man, and is probably distressed by your leaving.”
Elizabeth grimaced slightly. “I admit, I am a little concerned, but I remind myself that she knows her cousin and uncle very well, so she has someone to talk to. And I have wondered if seeing me is a reminder to her of what we went through. It might mean she is happier now without seeing me there all the time.”
“Oh, that is a happier thought!” Jane clapped her hands together softly. “Now I can think of that and not feel anxious for her losing you.”
Mr. Bingley smiled proudly down at her. “You are always so concerned for others, Miss Bennet. But your sister shows an equal amount of care for others.” He rested his hand on Jane’s shoulder and looked at Elizabeth.
“I hope, Miss Elizabeth, that you will always feel very welcome to stay with us once we are married.” He hesitated. “I know you may wish to stay with your uncle and aunt, too. They are the kindest of people. But I know you enjoy living in the countryside, and we may be able to persuade you sometimes.”
Elizabeth laughed up at him. “You have learned from Jane how to tempt me, Mr. Bingley!” She became serious again. “I cannot imagine how it must feel to discover all I had worked for, all I’d known, was not the reality of my life. I think Mr. Darcy must feel so much effort was wasted, and now everything else has happened, he’s lost his remembered past, and not just his life before it.”
She sighed, and Jane reached out for her hand. “Oh, Lizzy, please don’t distress yourself. You told me before you thought Mr. Darcy was a strong and courageous person, and, if it is so, he will undertake this transformation very well.”
Elizabeth smiled ruefully. “I don’t doubt it, Jane. But I think it will be hard for him, because he must try and hide the effort it is costing him.”
“And I do not believe his family will prevail,” Mr. Bingley said firmly. “Darcy is not like that, he will wish to keep the associations he has made. He values them.”
Elizabeth had to reassure him. “He certainly respects your friendship — and my uncle’s, of course …”
A call from Kitty distracted her, and she looked round.
“Lizzy! Lizzy! There is an express letter for you! The direction’s written in the most beautiful hand!” Her younger sister was casually waving the sheets in her hand.
Elizabeth’s heart had leapt at her sister’s voice, but it settled with a bump. It couldn’t be Mr. Darcy, of course, and he was the only person she wanted to hear from or speak to.
“It will be Miss Darcy, I expect,” Jane murmured.
“I expect so.” Elizabeth rose to her feet to meet Kitty halfway.
“Thank you, Kitty. Wasn’t Hill going to bring it to me?”
“Well, I expect she would, but she took Papa’s post in to him first, so I said I would bring it. It’s express!” Kitty’s eyes were bright and interested. “Who is it from?”
Elizabeth turned the letter over, and frowned, puzzled. “I’m not sure. I don’t recognise the handwriting. But thank you, Kitty.” She turned and went back to Jane.
“Jane, Mr. Bingley, please excuse me, I’ll go to my chamber to read this.”
“Is it Miss Darcy?” Jane looked at her.
“I don’t think so. The writing is that of a mature lady.” Elizabeth dipped a little curtsy at Mr. Bingley, who bowed gallantly in return, and then she hurried to her chamber.
The seal bore the stamp BC entwined. Would that be Blackwell Court? Had the duchess actually written to her? Or would their seal be a D for the Duchy of Durdar? Once she was safely in her room with the door shut, she dropped into the chair and broke the seal impatiently.
It was from the duchess. Elizabeth took a few deep breaths, hoping there would be news of Mr. Darcy. She smiled slightly, it was already easier to think of him as such than it was to remember Mr. Stoke. But his gaze was the same, and the times they’d shared together had been as he was before. She had been a fool to refuse to allow him to make an offer.
She sighed and hardened her heart. No, his family would have given him much grief if they had thought she had trapped him for his fortune. She turned to her letter.
Dear Miss Bennet
Thank you for your kind note appreciating the provision of the carriage and praising the conduct of the servants. I have relayed your thanks to them.
I am writing to tell you all that has happened here over the last few days, because I’m sure you have been wondering.
But first, I want to tell you the duke and I have decided to go to London early this year and remain for the season. We will be opening up Durdar House in three weeks’ time, and I am writing to invite you to stay with me. I wish to sponsor you for the season, and, if you come to us when we arrive, I will be able to ensure you have all you need for the balls I will take you to.
Please come, Elizabeth — you did say I could call you that. I wish to help you be accepted by the Darcy and Matlock family, some of whom are too bull-headed to be able to think as they ought.
I have told the duke to write to your father and say I am inviting you, and ask his consent for you to accept my invitation.
Elizabeth stopped reading, and held the letter to her bosom. Did the duchess know something? But she had said she wanted her accepted by the Darcy family. She turned to read further.
I’m sure you understand I am not intending you to find someone else because I think Darcy will not return for you. I am convinced it will not be very long before he does. But if you attend dinners and balls with him here in town, it will be much more accepted, much more quickly, if it is from our London home.
Elizabeth smiled. She didn’t even know if it was the right thing to do, and here was a duchess matchmaking.
Darcy was certainly discomposed when he discovered you’d departed on that Friday morning, and I half-expected him to saddle a horse and ride after you. However, he has a strong sense of duty, and spent some time with his sister, who was also distressed. The colonel was also not happy until I told him quietly what you had told me, that she would be better able to forget her ordeal without seeing you here, which might remind her of it. Then he was fulsome in his praise of your thoughtfulness.
You’re very observant, Elizabeth. What you said to me about his affections are certainly right, although I do not think the poor man sees it for himself. But Georgiana is very young, so there is time for them both to discover their feelings.
But your task will be to get Darcy to accept who he now is. Being a gentleman and the master of such a large estate is not an easy option, and there is a great deal of work required to ensure the well-being and happiness of the tenant farmers and servants. He will find it rewarding, I think, once he knows the scope and the opportunity. With you by his side, he will be able to make a great deal of difference to many hundreds of people.
He had to remain here for the hanging, of course; a duty he didn’t relish, but neither did he shirk it. We had a quiet day on Sunday, before they could travel. He allowed his father to take him to Pemberley on Monday, and Georgiana left for Matlock House the same day with her uncle and cousin.
So the duke and I remain here quietly. I have to say, the house appears quite empty now, and quiet, with all the excitement over.
I expect you are happy to be home, and hope being able to talk to your sister has helped ease your mind.
It was a terrible thing you endured, and, if you find it hard to put behind you, it is perfectly understandable, and not a sign of weakness at all.
Now, please write back and accept my invitation
. I am looking forward to being able to assist you in any way I can. We can settle on the actual date later.
Yours, etc,
Anna Durdar
Elizabeth got to her feet and went to the window. Below her, she could see Jane and Mr. Bingley walking close together, talking quietly.
Elizabeth got out the letter again and reread the parts which told her about Darcy. It must be a real challenge for him to learn something new again, something about which he had no choice.
But she knew he could do it as soon as he put his mind to it. She smiled. It was as certain as a stable lad being able to learn bookkeeping and attract the attention of a businessman. As certain as an apprentice being able to learn enough to become a partner in business — just as long as that stable lad or apprentice was named Darcy — or Stoke.
64
Cheapside. Darcy glanced out of the window. He was already getting accustomed to travelling in luxury. He smiled at Mr. Reed; he was also becoming used to flouting convention when he wished to talk to his steward during a journey.
As the coach rolled to a stop outside Gardiner’s warehouse, he nodded at the man opposite.
“All right, Mr. Reed. If Mr. Gardiner’s free to see me, I will be staying a while.”
As he entered the building, it wasn’t Gardiner he wished to see, as much as Elizabeth. But he steeled himself against the chance. She was unlikely to be working here every day, and might need time to recover properly from what had happened to her. But his heart was pounding even on the remote chance she’d be here, and his eyes sought out any hint of her presence in the entrance.
Both clerks rose hastily to their feet. “Mr. Stoke!” The elder hesitated. “I am sorry, sir, but Mr. Gardiner is at home today. We do not expect him until tomorrow noon.”
Darcy turned to him. Had they not been told he was Darcy now? “Thank you, Mr. Vesey. I will call at Gracechurch Street.” He didn’t feel equal to the explanations.
Outside, he swung up into the coach. “He’s at Gracechurch Street, Mr. Reed.” His heart was lighter. His mentor was rarely away from his business without good reason, so it must mean Elizabeth was there. He craned out of the window at the familiar roads as they drove the short distance, and stopped outside number twenty-three.
“Better fortune this time.” Mr. Reed smiled as Darcy jumped down again.
He rang the doorbell, remembering how much he’d admired this house when he’d been here before; the calm graciousness and acceptance being the sort of home he desired for himself. Even though he’d been heavy-hearted and uneasy at that time, he’d felt it, and aspired to such a place.
Now, he’d seen how the really wealthy lived their lives, and to him, this home was still one to prefer — perhaps larger, more commodious accommodation; perhaps a better area of town or country. But the atmosphere, the love and serenity, he wished for it with all his heart.
With Elizabeth. He could not imagine his life without her in it. Beside him. He could not countenance anyone else.
The door swung open. “Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy.” The butler held the door wider still. “I will see if Mr. Gardiner is available.” But he nodded at the footman to take Darcy’s hat and coat, a gracious touch which showed he was welcome and the butler had no doubt he would be admitted.
It was barely a moment later that Gardiner appeared in his library doorway, beaming. “William!”
Darcy bowed politely. “Mr. Gardiner, I hope I am not disturbing a private time. I was told at the warehouse you were at home.”
“Come in, come in!” The older man ushered him into the comfortable, wood-panelled room. “Take a seat, and let me pour you a whisky.”
Darcy sank into the chair, noting the untidy desk, loaded with papers. “It looks as if you have a great deal of work here, too.”
Gardiner rolled his eyes. “I have had to institute the habit of working here two afternoons a week, now there are so many interruptions at the warehouse.”
“I’m sorry I’m not here to help you more.” Guilt weighed Darcy down. “I proposed the new business and abandoned you to all the work.”
“Nonsense! How were you to know?” Gardiner handed him a glass. “I have been searching for three new men to do the work you used to do. No doubt it will be too much for them!” He sank into the chair opposite. “Now, tell me all your news.” He shook his head regretfully. “I confess, I wondered if you could ever forgive us failing to protect your sister. It was unpardonable.”
Darcy shook his head. “Be not discomposed, Mr. Gardiner. I have had it from her. It was entirely her fault. She was safe within this house, and Eliz … Miss Bennet was with her.” He sipped his drink, his heart heavy at the memory of that dreadful moment when he’d heard the news.
“I understand your niece didn’t wish to take the coach, saying they ought to send to me for verification before setting off. But Georgiana was insistent, and said she would leave alone if Miss Bennet wouldn’t go.”
“So you have forgiven us?”
“There is nothing to forgive.” Darcy heaved a huge sigh. “The courage of Miss Bennet accompanying my sister, even when she knew something was wrong, when she knew it might cost her dearly …” He shivered. “I am indebted to her — and you all.” He smiled thinly. “We ought never to talk of it again.”
A knock on the door revealed the butler. “Mrs. Gardiner wishes to suggest you might join her for tea with Mr. Darcy, sir.”
Gardiner smiled. “I thought she might suggest it. Please tell her we will join her in half-an-hour.”
“Very good, Mr. Gardiner.” The door closed silently behind him.
Darcy glanced over at him. “How can I assist you with the work for the next thirty minutes, sir?” He must try and make the next half-hour pass quickly. Surely Mrs. Gardiner would have Elizabeth with her.
“Not at all, not at all!” Gardiner looked reprovingly at him. “I got your note saying the man who wished you ill had been taken when you recovered the ladies. Are you safe now?”
Darcy nodded. It was hard to think about it. “Yes, he was tried at the quarter sessions and sentenced to hang. I was expected to attend.”
Gardiner’s gaze was astute. “You are a compassionate man. How was it?”
Darcy gazed at the far window. “I was more concerned that he not see me and think I was there to gloat in his final moments. The roar of the crowd must be difficult enough. However, I believe I managed to be out of his view. The world, traders, and especially young women, are undoubtedly safer without him in it, given the other crimes of his we uncovered.” He shrugged, and turned the conversation to business.
At the appointed time, he followed his host into the pleasant drawing room. A heart-stopping moment of disappointment — Mrs. Gardiner was alone.
He kept his face impassive, and bowed his greeting. When they were sitting over tea, he couldn’t prevent himself any longer. “Is Miss Elizabeth not staying here?”
Gardiner looked surprised. “I didn’t know you expected to see her, Darcy. I thought you would know she went straight home to Hertfordshire.” He laughed comfortably. “I think she longed for the freedom of her familiar hills to walk in, or else she would undoubtedly have come here, to Jane.”
“I see.”
Mrs. Gardiner broke into his disappointment. “She sounded happy to be going home, Mr. Darcy. She wrote from her journey to beg Jane to return home to her, certain Mr. Bingley would reopen Netherfield at once.”
Darcy knew his lips twitched. “And is that what happened?” He glanced at the window. It was too late to go to her today. He would have to wait until the morning.
She laughed. “Of course. Jane will always be there for Lizzy, as Lizzy will for her.”
“So, Bingley is still courting Miss Bennet?” He must try and catch up with what was going on, so he knew what he would discover tomorrow. “And is Mrs. Bennet pleased to have both her elder daughters at home?”
Gardiner’s eyebrows went up. “I imagine my sister is beside hersel
f, William. Bingley reopened Netherfield, and I understand was calling on Bennet to ask his consent for their marriage.”
Darcy smiled. “I had hoped it for them. I’m very pleased.”
If he was fortunate enough to win Elizabeth’s hand, he’d have a brother he liked very well, in addition to four more sisters. No, six. He’d almost forgotten Bingley’s sisters. He tried not to shiver at the fear of too many people around him, and remembered Mr. Owen’s words, a few days ago, recommending he spend time at Pemberley, getting used to the peace of being settled.
He pulled himself back to the present. Mrs. Gardiner was looking a little anxious.
“I’m sorry, madam. I was distracted by my thoughts. Did you speak?”
She shook her head. “No, Mr. Darcy.” She indicated her husband.
“It was nothing, William. I was merely commenting that I might expect a number of the family to descend here and at the warehouse, once the date is set!”
Darcy nodded. “I will go to Hertfordshire. If Bingley is at Netherfield, I can presume upon our friendship and stay there.” He hesitated. “I’d like to call on Miss Elizabeth.”
Gardiner’s gaze was astute. “Has Lizzy told you about her family yet?”
Darcy frowned. “We have not talked about it very much. I believe she was concerned I hadn’t met them and did say to me that she loved them, although she referred to their behaviour not being such as was normally approved of.” He met his host’s gaze. “But it means nothing to me. You know how I feel about her, and nothing about her family could alter that.”
Gardiner smiled. “If she has told you that, it will be a good idea to call upon them, and put the objection from her mind.”
The Lost Heir Page 28
