“What kind of man is he to do something like this?” Mr. Gardiner asked incredulously.
“A man without scruples. A man who is so desperate for money, he would use another innocent girl to achieve his aim.”
“Another? He has done this before?”
Theo nodded. He could not share Georgiana's story with Mr. Gardiner, but surely Darcy had told Elizabeth or she had worked it out. She must be beside herself with worry. “Perhaps Miss Lydia did not know what he had in mind and had no idea he was using her to extract his vengeance on my family.”
“So your brother knows nothing about the elopement?” Mr. Gardiner’s brow was furrowed with worry.
Theo shook his head. “I am certain he does not.”
Just then Elizabeth appeared in the doorway. “Uncle, I heard voices. Has there been news?” Upon seeing Theo she blushed deeply. “Mr. Darcy, I thought you were...” She stopped suddenly and fixed her eyes on the floor.
The gentlemen stood. “Lizzy, it seems your Mr. Darcy is not avoiding you. In fact, in all probability, he has no knowledge of what has occurred,” said Mr. Gardiner.
Elizabeth’s gaze flew to Theo. “He does not know?” she said so softly that Theo almost did not hear her.
“He was called away last night on an urgent family matter. Did he not send word to you?” Theo asked.
Elizabeth's face was pale, and Theo was certain the cause was more than just her recent illness. “I have not heard from him. When he did not come today as he promised, I thought he...well, I thought...”
Seeing the uncertainty written on her face, Theo went to her and took both her hands in his, squeezing them lightly. “Please, Miss Elizabeth, do not doubt my brother's loyalty. He would never abandon you. He is the most honorable man I know. If he knew of the elopement, he would already be out searching for your sister.”
Elizabeth looked up, her eyes rimmed with tears. “Thank you for that. I did not want to doubt him, but the situation is such that I could understand his need to protect Georgiana.”
Theo gave her what he hoped was a reassuring look. “You must never doubt him.”
Elizabeth lowered her eyes. “Can you send word to him?”
“Yes, but I will do even better. Time is of the essence in matters like this. Now he appears to be in Town, I will begin looking for Wickham myself. I know many of his haunts and may be able to find him before Darcy even returns.”
“Is there anything I may do to assist you?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
“No, thank you, sir.” Theo gestured toward the window. “I see my friend is waiting outside for me, and we will begin the search immediately. He knows Wickham, too, and will be only too glad to help me track him down.” Theo smacked his fist into the palm of his other hand. He ached to connect that fist with Wickham's jaw. “In fact, my friend is the one who brought me the intelligence that something was afoot. Now I should be off.”
“Thank you for your assistance,” Elizabeth said, with a grateful smile. “I believe some people underestimate you, but I do not.”
Just then, they heard noises in the hallway and one of the maids appeared at the door. “There is a messenger here for Miss Elizabeth. He says he was instructed to put his letter directly into her hands.”
“Please show him in, Jenny,” said Mr. Gardiner.
The girl disappeared and returned in a few seconds followed by a rumpled and dusty boy. The way he played with his hat betrayed his discomfort at his state of dishevelment.
“Excuse me, Miss,” he said, holding out a letter to Elizabeth. “Mr. Darcy told me to give this directly to you and no one else.”
Elizabeth took the letter from him and fingered the seal.
The boy, who had not seen Theo in the room yet, nearly jumped when Theo said, “Thank you, Danny.”
Danny's eyes grew wide, and he touched his hand to his forelock. “Mr. Theo! I did not expect to see you here.”
When Theo stepped forward and put a coin in Danny's hand, the boy said, “Thank you, sir, but I am not certain I deserve it.”
“What do you mean?” Theo asked.
“Mr. Darcy gave this letter to me last night before he set out on his journey, with strict instructions I deliver it at first light, but on my way here, the horse I was riding went lame, and I had to walk him all the way back to Darcy House. Then all the horses were in use, so I had to make my way here on foot. I did not realize it was so far. I am very sorry. I hope my delay has not caused you any concern, Miss,” he said, turning to look at Elizabeth hopefully.
Elizabeth took pity on the poor young man whose appearance reflected the difficulties he had experienced that day. “No, there was no inconvenience at all. Do not worry,” she said. “If you go to the kitchens, Cook will see that you are fed before your return journey. I thank you for your efforts.”
When Danny left the room, Mr. Gardiner turned to Theo. “If the staff at Darcy House knew where your brother was, why did they not inform my messenger?”
“The servants are well trained not to give out any information about our family,” Theo said. “They must not have realized from whom the inquiry came. I am so sorry this caused you to worry, Miss Elizabeth.”
Looking up from Darcy's letter, Elizabeth gave the gentlemen a small but genuine smile. “It is as you say; Mr. Darcy was obliged to go to Rosings at short notice and begs my forgiveness for not being able to see me today.”
“Now that has been settled, I must be on my way. I promise I will find Wickham and make this right,” Theo said.
“But how will you do that? How can this be fixed?” Elizabeth asked.
“You said earlier that you have confidence in me, did you not?” Theo asked.
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, I do. Please forgive my momentary panic. I trust you will do everything in your power, Theo.”
He was startled at hearing her address him by his first name.
“I may call you that now, may I not, as we are to be brother and sister? And you must call me Elizabeth.”
CHAPTER 15
Theo swung himself up into the curricle and settled himself beside Monty. “I had not expected you to arrive so quickly.”
Monty looked pleased. “At your service. Now, where are we going? The Great North Road?”
“No. It turns out Wickham is here in London. He convinced Miss Elizabeth’s youngest sister to run off with him.”
Monty swore under his breath. “Poor girl. What now?”
“I say we find him. I know several of his usual haunts.”
“And when we find him? Do we force him to marry the girl?”
Theo’s eyes narrowed. “I think not. He is clearly hoping my brother will pay him to wed her, but even without that incentive, he would still take this opportunity to marry into the family and keep his hand in William’s pocket for the rest of their lives. No, I say we stop the marriage and teach Wickham a lesson instead.”
Monty’s expression brightened. “This is starting to sound enjoyable.”
*****
Once Theo had left, Elizabeth pleaded exhaustion and stole away to her room to reread her letter from Darcy.
With everyone in the drawing room looking at her, she had not been able to give it her full attention, and from her first glance at the message, it was clear this was more than just an apology for missing their appointment for that day. Now alone in her room, she fluffed some pillows and curled up on the bed. Carefully, unfolding the pages, she began to read.
My Dearest, Loveliest Elizabeth,
A family matter has arisen which requires my immediate attention and will take me to Rosings for a day or two. The unfortunate result is I will be unable to call upon you today as I had promised. I am certain you will understand my absence, as family is of the highest importance to you as well as to me. I shall send word as soon as I return.
I hope I have not been too forward in addressing you as “my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth” for it has been many months since I first thought of you this way. Although
you have been gracious enough to accept my proposal, I know you are not entirely pleased with the circumstances of our engagement, nor even with the engagement itself. I can only promise to do everything in my power to assuage that concern and make you as happy as you have made me.
I am looking forward to taking you to Pemberley, as I have imagined you there so many times. I have known you belong there from almost the first moment I met you. I cannot wait to show you all the pathways and gardens on the estate where you will be able to ramble to your heart's content. I am anxious to share each season and its special gifts with you—the warmth of the summer's sun, the changing colors of the leaves in the autumn, the first dusting of snow that signals the beginning of winter, and most especially the spring, as trees and flowers burst forth with new life. Just like spring, you have brought new hope and joy back into my heart for the first time in more years than I care to count.
I wish I could be more eloquent when it comes to telling you how very much you mean to me, but whenever I am in your presence you seem to steal away not only my breath, but my ability to form a coherent sentence. In time, I hope I will be able to show you what I cannot easily express in words.
I was very serious in my suggestion to invite the Gardiners to Pemberley for Christmas. Your aunt and uncle are very fine people, but even more importantly, I know how much you love them and that makes them dear to me as well.
My Heart Is Yours.
FD
Elizabeth closed her eyes and held the letter to her heart for a moment. Did this count as her very first love letter? She reread some parts again, especially the paragraph about Pemberley. Did she belong there as he said she did? She hoped so. Darcy might have difficulty expressing himself in conversation, but there was no mistaking his eloquence with the written word. Every day revealed new layers to this man and with each one, she saw more to like.
Just then, she heard sounds outside her door.
“Aunt Lizzy? Are you sleeping?” It was her niece, Ella.
“No, come in.”
The door opened and Ella’s bright face appeared. “Would you come and read to us, please?”
Elizabeth smiled and straightened her legs. “Of course I will.”
When the child did not move, Elizabeth added, “Now off with you! I shall be there in just a moment.”
Ella grinned back and disappeared in a flash of skirts.
Elizabeth stood and carefully placed the letter in the pocket of her dress where she could touch it any time she wished. She was getting married. She would be mistress of Pemberley. She and Darcy would have children together. For the first time, she began to believe that those very things just might be exactly what she wanted.
*****
Theo and Monty ran Wickham to ground at the second place they stopped, a seedy tavern with several shabby rooms to let. Wickham must have wanted William to be able to find him; he had used this place often in the past.
Fortunately, the man behind the bar did not recognize the wild lad Theo had once been in the soberly clad young barrister, but he was happy to answer questions in return for a few coins.
“Wickham? Yes, he is upstairs, and as much a rapscallion as ever.”
“Did he bring a girl with him?”
The man guffawed. “Of course he did. She were dressed too fine for a place like this, but she weren’t complaining. Doubt she been wearing many clothes since then, if you take my meaning.”
Theo had no doubts as to his meaning. In an attempt to save the poor girl further embarrassment, he told Monty to remain below while he approached Wickham.
“I will call if I require assistance.”
“Be sure that you do!” said Monty.
Theo climbed the narrow, uneven steps, noting the dirt in the corners. He rapped with his cane on the door the barkeeper had indicated.
Wickham’s voice came from inside. “In a minute, in a minute!”
He took a deep breath and held it. The familiar voice brought back a flood of memories. For years he had considered Wickham more his brother than William. It had started after William had rejected Theo following Sebastian’s death; it was George Wickham who had been there for him and had provided desperately needed comfort. And when their father had passed away, Wickham had been Theo’s only remaining tie to Pemberley at Cambridge, since William never wrote to him and Georgiana was far too young. They had shared so many memories—it was difficult to believe they had parted ways so completely.
The door flew open, revealing Wickham in his shirtsleeves, no sign of a cravat and his hair disheveled. His countenance brightened when he saw his visitor.
“Theo! Now this is the best surprise I have had in months.” He took the hand Theo had not offered and pumped it enthusiastically. “I so hoped your anger would run its course so we could be friends again. I hope you know I never intended to hurt Georgiana in any way. I would have treated her well; you must have known that. She was your sister, after all.”
Wickham seemed so pleased to see him that for a moment Theo was tempted to return his warmth, but his mention of Georgiana put an end to that. He could manage little more than a nod of acknowledgement. Had he said one word, he would have said far too much. He was not here to pay back old debts, but to recover Elizabeth’s sister.
“Come in, come in! The place is not much, of course, but I have a bottle of wine we can share.” Wickham paid no attention to the young girl in the bed, covered with a blanket.
Managing the difficult feat of bowing in her direction while keeping his eyes elsewhere, Theo said, “Miss Lydia Bennet, I presume?”
“How did you know?” she said coyly.
Wickham’s face grew dark. “I see you are not here on your own behalf, but an emissary from Prince William. Pray forgive me for assuming old friendship meant something to you.”
Goaded beyond wisdom, Theo blurted out, “You were the one who put an end to our friendship, not I!” He cursed himself as soon as the words were out of his mouth.
An unbecoming expression marred Wickham’s face. “A man must have money to live, at least those of us without brothers to give us an allowance. So, how much is His Highness offering me this time?”
Theo gestured toward Elizabeth’s sister. “Surely you do not wish to discuss this here.”
“It does not matter. Lydia knows all about my plans, do you not, my Dove?”
Theo was shocked enough by this that he turned to look at the girl. “Is that true? You know he ran off with you with the intent of blackmailing my brother into paying him to marry you?”
“Your brother? Lord, no wonder you are so stiff!” she said. “Of course I know. Why should I care? Mr. Darcy has plenty of money and will not miss it; and I will be married before Lizzy is.”
Even though Mr. Gardiner had warned him Lydia was different from her sisters, Theo had not expected this. He put on his best barrister face and ignored her words. “You seem to have found yourself a kindred soul this time, Wickham.”
“She will do, and you and I will be brothers after all. Perhaps then you will see your way to forgiving me.”
Theo’s skin crawled. “That is not the point.”
Wickham tossed off a glass of wine and smirked. “But it is the point—I see it all now! That is why you are being so cold to me. Let me guess. His Highness has threatened to withdraw your allowance unless you cut me. You have no choice. I understand completely, and would do the same in your shoes. But we need not play that game when it is just the two of us, not after all our years together. I will tell the Prince that you were very harsh towards me. I have missed you, Theo!”
It was like a knife in Theo’s side. He had watched George Wickham lie his way through a hundred scrapes over the years, and he knew when his old friend was lying. He was not doing so now. God help him, George had truly been hurt by his defection.
“You may think that, if it gives you comfort,” Theo said brusquely. His initial plan, to convince the Bennet girl to return to her family and turn her over
to Monty while he dealt with Wickham, was not going to work. “If we are such friends, perhaps you might want to explain something to my satisfaction. When you were planning to run away with my sister, why did you steal Georgiana’s ring and necklace?”
“Me? I never touched anything of hers.” Now he was lying.
“I wanted to believe that at the time. I wanted to blame the servants when we found they were missing, but having trained as a barrister, I needed proof. You should not have taken them to old Grimby to pawn, because it meant I knew where to look. I knew your habits. Grimby told me you had brought them.” It had taken half a year’s allowance for Theo to redeem his sister’s jewels and quietly return them to her. Now he was paying for his unwillingness to have his old friend arrested at the time.
“I needed a few pounds to tide me over, since my plans to wed Georgiana were exposed. I could hardly ask you for them.”
Theo hardened his heart. He was not dealing with his boyhood friend, but a man who had chosen to take advantage of his family again and again. “Indeed not. But perhaps I was not clear enough. Grimby is willing to testify against you.”
Wickham’s cocky grin faded. “Theo, you would not do that to me. Not after everything we have been through together.”
“I will charge you only for stealing the ring. Its value is less, and you will be transported, not hung.” There were some things Theo could not bear to have on his conscience, and being the cause of George Wickham’s death was one of them.
“Transported! That is as good as dead. You are joking, Theo. Tell me you are joking.”
The pain was twisting inside his chest, but he told himself to remember Georgiana, to remember William, to remember Elizabeth’s anxiety.
“I am not joking,” he said calmly. He turned to the door and opened it.
“Where are you going?” Wickham sounded panicked.
“To fetch a constable, of course.”
The Darcy Brothers Page 28
