by Jennifer Joy
Chapter 23
Two sets of footsteps creaked down the stairs. Elizabeth resented the interruption to her exquisite daydream until she remembered why she waited downstairs.
She searched Charlotte’s face, looking for some kindness in her friend's eyes as she passed by, and she was not entirely disappointed.
“Maria has told me everything,” said Charlotte, taking her place in her chair by the window. “Unless Mr. Collins already knows what Maria has admitted to me, I do not think it wise to tell him yet. If we can keep him ignorant for as long as possible, we might be able to sort this out amongst ourselves."
Gone was the anger and anxiety, and in its place was a strategic determination that eased Elizabeth's spirits to see.
"We look guilty, Charlotte. What do you propose we do?" asked Elizabeth, who had pondered the same question over and over.
"As my husband quotes: 'In the multitude of counselors, there is knowledge.' Let us put our heads together and try to find Miss de Bourgh's earrings ourselves."
"How do you suppose we do that? We cannot march into Rosings to search for them," said Elizabeth, curious to see if Charlotte could come up with any ideas she had not thought of already.
"No, we cannot do that. Her ladyship would never approve of us poking our noses into what she considers to be her business, and her business alone— even though she has the audacity to point a finger at us and expect us to go down without a fight. Well, I, for one, will not wither before her accusations." Charlotte crossed her arms and looked pointedly at her little sister.
Raising herself up to her full height, Maria said, "Neither shall I."
Elizabeth added without hesitation, "Then, we are in this together. I have made no secret of my differences in opinion with Lady Catherine. I see no need to start now. She is wrong, and I am only grateful that no formal accusations have been made thus far."
Charlotte leaned forward to grasp Elizabeth's hand and squeeze it. "I love your loyalty, Lizzy, but we need to vow our innocence. If one of us is the thief, we should admit it here and now." She looked at her sister, whose eyes had widened to twice their size.
Maria shook her head vigorously from side to side. "No, Charlotte. I know that I took the magazine, but I would never take something so valuable as Miss de Bourgh's earrings. Besides, I have not set foot in her room. Lady Catherine can say what she will, but I know the truth. And the truth is that I did not take the jewelry," Maria said, her face growing red in her insistence.
Elizabeth added, "Maria and I were together the entire time we played the pianoforte in Mrs. Jenkinson's room. I can attest to the veracity of her words. As for me, I know that Lady Catherine would like nothing more than to send me away in disgrace, but I did not do it."
Charlotte, placing her hand over her heart, said, "I did not steal them either. I have yet to set foot upstairs."
It was time to think of solutions. Elizabeth said, "I had thought to speak with Lady Catherine privately to convince her of Maria's innocence. After all, a magazine full of fashion plates hardly compares to a set of diamond earrings. But I fear it would only be a waste of breath. She has proved herself to be unreasonable and irrational. I think that is why Mr. Darcy came to warn me earlier today."
Charlotte looked stricken. "That was why he was here?"
"Yes. After Mr. Collins left, there was an upheaval at Rosings, and he thought it best to warn us. So, you see, there is another person who believes that we have nothing to do with the disappearance of Miss de Bourgh's earrings. Otherwise, why should he bother?"
"I am sorry for doubting you, Lizzy. I spoke rashly, and I deeply regret it." The tears pooling in Charlotte's eyes convinced Elizabeth that all was well between her and her friend.
"Think nothing of it. You had every reason to be cross with me. I should have spoken more openly with you earlier, and so much of this could have been avoided. It is I who should apologize to you."
"We are even, then." Charlotte reached over to squeeze Elizabeth's hand again, and Elizabeth squeezed back.
Maria, who had sat quietly through the emotional exchange, suddenly spoke, "Did Mr. Darcy only mean to warn you? Or did he mean to include my sister and me?"
Elizabeth thought back. He had not mentioned the other members of the parsonage household, but surely he would understand that she would take his warning to include them. Or would he?
Doubt crept in enough that Charlotte could read it on her face, though she said nothing. "It is in our best defense to assume that Mr. Darcy did not mean to include us. We do not want to pretend that we have more allies than foes. It would only work against us. Now, I believe that each of us is clear of guilt, which begs the question: Who stole the jewelry?"
Elizabeth had considered the subject in depth and was quick to share her thoughts. "The more Lady Catherine insists on our guilt, the more I suspect her of stealing them just to be rid of us."
Charlotte sat bolt straight in her chair. "Why? She has shown nothing but the most gracious condescension toward Mr. Collins and me. Why would she force us to leave under these circumstances when she could simply ask us to go and give us a recommendation securing our living elsewhere? What does she stand to gain?"
It was Elizabeth's turn to look uncomfortable. "Do you remember the day I stayed behind while you went to tea at Rosings?"
"Yes, you had a headache," Maria contributed.
"That was so. And, indeed, my head pounded by the end of the evening much worse than it did before you left. I must swear you to silence before I continue. Will you promise me that you will not say a word of what I am about to tell you? Not even to me after it is spoken!" she added, to show the import of their silence.
After securing their promises, she continued, "Mr. Darcy called to propose while you were away."
Charlotte exclaimed, "Oh, Lizzy! Imagine, you engaged to Mr. Darcy! But why did you not say anything? This is happy news and could very well mean our salvation. When it is known by Lady Catherine..." she stopped and added in a much more subdued tone, "...when it is known by Lady Catherine, she will suffer a fit of rage because she believes Mr. Darcy to be engaged these many years to her own daughter."
"That is so. I refused him, believing his character to be much different from what I have since learned it to be."
She could see the sorrow in Charlotte's eyes. "You always did judge easily," was all she said, but she may as well have stabbed Elizabeth in the gut with a dagger.
"It is the reason I have to suspect that Lady Catherine hates me and might do anything to get rid of me, punishing my friends in the process" she said, bringing the subject back to her purpose.
Charlotte squinted her eyes in thought. "It is a possibility, but Mr. Darcy does not seem to me to be the sort of man to air his failures. How would she know unless someone told her? The proposal happened in my home, yet this is the first I have heard of it." Leaning forward, she added, "And it will be the last I mention of it, Lizzy. You need not worry."
"Thank you, Charlotte. I do not know how she might have heard. Nobody was about."
"My suspicions lie elsewhere. I know that everyone likes Colonel Fitzwilliam. Before you told me of Mr. Darcy’s proposal, I rather thought he fancied you. He is one of the most agreeable gentlemen of my acquaintance, but might that not mask something darker? I cannot help but think him capable of committing such a crime," said Charlotte to the disbelieving ladies in the room.
"Surely not the colonel," said Maria, aghast.
Raising a finger, Charlotte continued, "There are several points against him. For one, he has access to Rosings and the rooms. And with what Mr. Collins learned, we know that he was in need of money. He could have done it out of desperation. Men have done worse things for lesser causes."
Elizabeth struggled to maintain an open mind, and her immediate reaction to come to the colonel's defense without listening to Charlotte's reasons unnerved her. Could it be?
"However, Mr. Darcy covered his debt and came to his aid. I doubt he
would have done so if he believed his cousin to be a thief. I cannot trust my own judgments, but I trust Mr. Darcy. Of anybody, he is the one individual who rises above suspicion." Now that her defenses were down, it was easier to see the good qualities he possessed. There were several.
"There is that," Charlotte acknowledged. "But I still think that we should keep an eye on him." Looking to her sister, she asked, "What of you, Maria? Whom do you suspect?"
Hesitantly, Maria said, "I know that you will not agree with me. Even in my own ears, it will sound preposterous. But could it be that perhaps Miss de Bourgh has been lying? And let us not forget Mrs. Jenkinson. She is always with Miss de Bourgh and could very well know much more than she lets on."
It was easier to imagine Miss de Bourgh fooling everyone than it had been to imagine the colonel guilty.
"Why would she lie? What could she gain from it? They were her earrings," asked Charlotte.
"I am not sure, but maybe she stole them herself for the money she would need to flee from home?" suggested Maria timidly.
"Why would she flee? She leads a comfortable existence at Rosings and needs the constant medical attention Lady Catherine arranges for," dismissed Charlotte.
"How would you like to live as she does? She is so pale and weak, and it seems to me that she ought to try a different doctor. Is that not what you would do if you were constantly ill and never improved?"
Maria had a good point. Elizabeth had thought it before. Why did Lady Catherine only employ one doctor when her daughter's health did not improve? If she had a daughter, she would search until she found a doctor who could offer a treatment she would respond well to. Could it be that Miss de Bourgh yearned to escape, but she got caught taking her own earrings before she could get away?
Elizabeth asked, "You mentioned Mrs. Jenkinson. We have overlooked her, but she has been at Miss de Bourgh's side this whole time. Could she be responsible?"
Charlotte and Maria looked at her like she was mad.
"What? She has access to Miss de Bourgh's room. What if she took them?"
"The question we need to consider is: what motive does she have? She has a comfortable position as a companion in a household which, no doubt, suits her needs very well. I find it difficult to believe that after all her years with the de Bourghs, she would steal from them. They would cast her out, and where would she go? No, Lizzy, the risk is too great for her."
Maria added, "I think she would only assist Miss de Bourgh if it came to that. But I agree with Charlotte: I do not think she would act of her own accord. She stands to lose too much. At her age, why should she risk it?"
Elizabeth chewed on her bottom lip. There was so much to think about. Missing diamonds, livings in jeopardy, confessions, the ache she felt in her stomach every time she thought of Mr. Darcy. Was it guilt? She had felt a lot of that particular emotion that day, but it felt different. More like misery mixed with bliss.
Chapter 24
The first matter of business Darcy attended to on returning to Rosings was to seek out Richard. He was the last person in the world he wanted to see, but he needed to ascertain if anything had happened in his absence.
He found him in the library with a periodical spread out before him, his legs flopped over the side of a chair, nursing a drink.
Coming up from behind him, Darcy shoved his feet off the seat, causing Richard to nearly fall from his perch.
"What?" he found his footing and turned to see who had disturbed his comfort.
Forcing himself to smile, Darcy stood still and waited. It never took long. Besides, it helped ease the jealous monster taking root in his heart to cause Richard discomfort. The brotherly love he treasured with his cousin would never allow him to do anything more.
"What in the infernal blazes possessed you to startle me like that? I nearly spilled my drink. And we know what Aunt Catherine would say if her carpets smelled of spirits." He looked like a ruffled up rooster prancing about, his face red in agitation.
Darcy could not explain why he had done it, other than a need to follow his impulse and break through the tension that swept over him when he set foot in the house. It was such a drastic change after the lightness and calm he felt with Miss Elizabeth. He could imagine her laughing beside him that very moment. She had the most adorable laugh. Like what sparkling stars would sound like if they danced.
With a shove at his shoulder, Richard came to his amiable senses. Darcy stepped back with the force Richard pushed him, but he only chuckled. He deserved it.
"You looked much too comfortable draped over the chair as you were. I only meant to assist you," he said mischievously.
"You, Darcy, are a pest. Where have you been that has put you in such a playful mood?" His face lightened up as he remembered. "Ah, so this is what happens when you pay a call on Miss Bennet. Did you find her well?" he teased.
"Miss Elizabeth is the sort of lady to find sunshine and laughter where there are only clouds."
Richard looked at him with a cheeky grin. "You like her, admit it!"
Growing serious, Darcy answered, "I have no reason to deny it. I daresay she is liked by a good many people."
Looking at him askance, Richard said, "You are only one of several admirers? Your admiration is merely friendly?"
Darcy did not like where the conversation led. "You certainly must be one of them," he tried to say carelessly. Being a poor actor and hating disguise in any form, he knew he failed. His words had come out sounding exactly as he meant them— as a resentful grumble which Richard would use against him at every opportunity.
Laughing out loud, Richard said, "I will say no more on the subject. I much preferred you when you were in a merry mood and will do nothing to spoil it further."
Darcy moved around to the other side of the chair Richard had sat in. “Has anything of note happened since I left?”
"You are determined to find out what has happened, then?" asked Richard, rubbing his palms against his breeches.
He had Darcy's interest. Richard may not have stolen anything, but he most certainly was hiding something.
"As you should be. You have always held a high sense of justice. Could you stand by while one you know to be innocent is condemned for an action she did not commit?"
"You assume that it was a woman who stole her jewelry?" asked Richard.
"Unless we can prove otherwise, all that matters is that Aunt Catherine is convinced of it. Besides, the only gentlemen to have any access to Anne are you, me, and Mr. Collins. Do you think one of us did it?" asked Darcy sarcastically.
Richard rubbed his chin. "Mr. Collins... hmm... No, I cannot say that I believe him capable of carrying off such a farce. He would have to be a master of deceit coming here the way he did to accuse me, only to have stolen them himself. No, I do not think he could."
"I agree. That leaves the women, but I cannot believe Miss Bennet responsible.”
“Nor I, Darcy, though I admit that I do not know her well enough to give proof of my belief.”
“What can you tell me of Anne? Do you know why she said that the earrings had not been stolen?" The question had bothered him since that morning, but he had not had opportunity to ask, feeling it more urgent to warn Miss Elizabeth of the goings-on at Rosings. That, and he had wanted to see her. Needed to see her.
Richard cleared his throat. "I am privy to some information regarding Anne, but I am not free to reveal it just yet. Please, believe me that it has nothing to do with the theft of her jewelry. I did know, however, that she had hidden the earrings for a short time. Of their theft, I know as little as you." He stared steadily into Darcy's eyes, willing him to let the subject drop and accept his reassurance for the time being.
"If I can get no more information from you, perhaps I should speak to Anne." He watched Richard closely for any sign of nervousness. There was no time to play these games.
Richard exhaled deeply and sat back in his chair. Opening his hands wide, he said, "That would be for her to decide. If sh
e deems it necessary to talk, then that is her affair. I do not like these secrets and can only handle so much."
Relieved at his cousin's openness, Darcy asked, "Whom do you suspect?"
Richard rubbed his hands over his face. "Do you want to know the truth? I suspect Aunt Catherine has a great deal to do with this whole business. I think she is desperate for you and Anne to marry, and she contrived this means to keep you here. Otherwise, you would have gone."
"You forget that it was you who asked me to stay another couple days."
"You would bring that up. If you must revel in how I was wrong and you were right, then let me oblige you. I admit it. I was wrong." He waved his arms in the air theatrically, making Darcy chuckle.
"Why did you want to stay in the first place? Can you tell me that?"
"I had hoped not to have to ask you for a loan. I had another prospect nearby, but in the end, the deal fell through. It was my way of maintaining my dignity before my richer, handsomer cousin. Can you blame me?" Richard shrugged his shoulders and grinned.
Darcy did not like comparisons between Richard and himself— even when made in good humor. From his point of view, he would come out the loser in a competition. What good was wealth when he had been unable to convince the one woman whose opinion mattered to marry him?
Losing no time, he inquired if Anne could join them in the library, but she was indisposed, thus delaying his conversation with her.
With dinner fast approaching, Darcy readied himself for another meal in the company of his imperious aunt. He wished to speak with Anne privately and hoped to make arrangements to do so the following morning. However, Aunt Catherine could not know of his requesting an interview. She would expect him to propose, and it would only make her increasingly strong insinuations about him doing so all the more unbearable.
Dressing and descending the stairs to wait until dinner was announced, he saw his opportunity. Mrs. Jenkinson would be present when he spoke with Anne, not only as a chaperone, but as another person who was aware of the events which occurred the day the diamonds went missing. She might have recollected a helpful detail, and Darcy meant to find out.
