“Unfortunately, I also recalled the pain that I inflicted. The despair in her eyes when I could not remember our marriage and how distrustful I was of her motives those first few days. I was incorrigible!”
“You were not yourself, Darcy. You were ill.”
“Still, I should have treated her with more compassion. I would not blame her if she never forgave me.” Torment filled his eyes. “You understand what this means, do you not? I have to find Elizabeth straightaway and tell her that I remember everything—that I love her ardently. I would like you to travel with me to London tomorrow.”
“Are you sure? Riding horseback over Pemberley is a far cry from taking a coach all the way to London. Camryn will be livid when he hears you have disregarded his advice.”
“Camryn is not my priority. Elizabeth is.”
“If you are determined to go, then I shall accompany you.”
“Good. Now let us find Georgiana and get this talk over with. With luck, our united front may cause her to accept the situation more readily.”
“You do not believe that, do you?”
“No.”
“Good. For a moment I thought you had lost your mind when you regained your memory.”
William stood and dropped his serviette on the table with a frown. “That is not funny, Richard.”
A SHORT WHILE LATER
Exiting their sitting room, Joseph and Olivia Fitzwilliam could hear the disagreement raging in Georgiana’s suite two doors away. In fact, it was likely that most of Pemberley heard it as well. The few maids that were in the hallway dropped their heads as they passed them and hurried to the grand staircase where they descended as swiftly as they could without actually running.
“It seems our nephews are having that talk with Georgiana,” Joseph whispered as they passed the scene of the confrontation.
“It is a shame that it had to come to this,” Olivia added. “Fitzwilliam works so hard to please Georgiana, but she does not seem to care. I have never seen a more headstrong young woman.”
“Come! Let us hurry on to the dining room. I would not want either of my nephews to think we were eavesdropping, or Georgiana, for that matter. She would resent it, I am certain.”
“I agree.”
When they reached the stairs, Joseph slowed his pace in order to help Olivia navigate the stairs. As he did, he ventured, “So, Fitzwilliam is determined to go after Elizabeth as soon as possible.”
“He is.”
“Good for him!”
“But, he is not supposed to travel until the doctor agrees to it.”
“Some things are more important than a doctor’s orders, Livy—the love of a good woman, for one.” With that he brought her hand up to his lips for a soft kiss. “Fitzwilliam is doing exactly what he should. He does not need to let another day pass with Elizabeth thinking he does not remember her.”
“You are right. But, then you have always been a wise man, Joseph Fitzwilliam. You are your own man and have always taken control of your own destiny. I admire that. It is reassuring to know that one’s husband is a man who can be trusted to do what is best—for himself and for you.”
By then they had reached the foyer, and he leaned down to brush a kiss across her forehead. “I would not have had the courage without your support and love.”
“Then we are a good match.”
Another kiss followed—this one on her lips. “A match made in heaven.”
“We should eat while everything is fresh. There is no need to wait for Fitzwilliam and Richard, for I imagine they ate before they went upstairs.”
At that exact moment something crashed to the floor upstairs, and Georgiana’s high-pitched cries of protest again filled the house. They hurriedly entered the dining room, letting the heavy door close behind them. Instantaneously, the drama playing out upstairs was relegated to muffled sounds.
PATE’S FARM
Outside of Lambton
As Wickham and Andrew travelled the overgrown trail toward the rundown farm, Pate’s old hound rushed towards them sounding the alarm. He ran circles around them, baying continually until they reached the house. This was odd, for he was usually kept in the house. Also odd was that no one walked out on the porch to see who had arrived. Exchanging worried glances, they cautiously made their way to the stable, where they noted that the cow and Pate’s horse were still inside. Even more vigilant now, they used the key hidden on a rail at the top of the porch to enter the house. The interior looked as it always had, dishevelled and dirty. Making their way to the kitchen, Andrew checked the pantry for food while Wickham went to the stove.
“Someone used the stove this morning,” Wickham declared. “It is still warm.”
“I do not like it, George,” Andrew replied. “Pate never goes anywhere. Denny and Duke may leave for a time, but never Pate. His horse is here, so he should be here, too.”
“I agree but we have no choice but to wait. We will need all the help we can get to take the ransom from whoever took Mrs. Darcy.”
“How can you be certain he will demand a ransom?”
“I have faith in human nature,” Wickham said sarcastically. “Let us hope Pate shows soon. We must begin watching the estate where she is being held as quickly as possible. That is the only way we will know when the exchange is being made.”
“Why do you think Darcy will do the deed himself? After all, he could send any number of servants or even Richard.”
“Have you ever known Darcy to let anyone handle his business if he is capable?”
“No, but how do we know that he is capable at this point?”
“Did you not listen to what Susan said? Georgiana told her that your cousin has made great strides in his health, if not his memory. Let us hope he is too busy rescuing Mrs. Darcy to recollect what happened at Mason’s Pass. For once he does, Colonel Fitzwilliam will not send Bow Street runners; he will come himself. Of this I am certain.”
“What if Darcy brings too many men and we are outnumbered?”
“Think, Andrew! What would you do? I know how a fellow thief thinks, and he will tell Darcy to come alone, and your dutiful cousin will comply rather than take a chance on getting all of them killed.”
“And you truly believe that we will be able to catch them unawares?”
“I do. They will be expecting Darcy, not us! It will be effortless if Pate, Duke and Denny help us. Of course, we will have to share with them, but part of a ransom is better than none at all.”
“I think it will be harder than you imagine. Whoever took Mrs. Darcy had at least six men at the coach.”
“Yes, but they have no idea that we saw them and are planning to take the ransom for ourselves. They will be concentrating on Darcy. They will be shocked when we appear to claim the prize.”
“I do not know.”
“I DO! Stop concocting problems! Listen to me and all shall be well!” Wickham declared in exasperation.
Just at that moment the back door flew open, and Pate walked in with his pistol drawn. Seeing who was there, he laid the weapon on the kitchen table. “I figured it was you, but I could not take the chance until I was certain.”
“Certain of what?” Andrew asked.
“Just this week two Bow Street Runners were here asking questions about the two of you, and I do not think they believed a word I said.”
“What did you tell them?”
“That you were both in London, as far as I knew.”
Wickham stalked into the parlour, pulled back the curtain and looked out. “Do you think they could be watching the house now?”
“That is why I began to leave old Blue outside. He will let me know long before they reach the house that I have company. By the way, what brings you here? I thought you were going to remain at Monthaven until the uproar over Darcy’s injury died down.”
“We cannot afford to stay hidden any longer. There is a fortune at stake, and we need you, Denny, and Buck to help us secure it. Where are they now?”
/> “They are not far—in Lambton. We ran out of liquor, and they went to a pub to have a drink and bring a pint or two back here.”
“Can you contact them and get them here quickly?”
“I can. Mind telling me what is going on, though?”
Wickham and Andrew told Pate what had happened, and afterward, he saddled his horse and rode into Lambton, knowing he would cause less notice than either of them. Finding the others just where he expected, they agreed to circle back to the farm via different routes just in case anyone might be watching.
Later, once everyone was assembled, it was decided that they would move to a location nearer the estate where Mrs. Darcy was being held. While Wickham and Andrew were spying on the estate, they had seen an old guard house, covered in vines and brush, near the entrance to the drive, and they believed it would do nicely for their purposes. They would each take a few days’ rations and occupy the shack until Darcy came to claim his wife. Then they would make their move.
PEMBERLEY
That afternoon
All of the family, except Georgiana, had gathered on the terrace outside the library for tea and biscuits. Since he and Richard were leaving early the next day for London, William wanted the Fitzwilliams to know what decision they had made regarding Georgiana and to leave them in charge until his return.
“So, Georgiana decided that she would rather live with the Matlocks,” Joseph Fitzwilliam stated.
“Yes,” Richard answered. “She has no idea how strict Father can be when he is confronted with a disobedient child.” He chuckled. “I could have warned her, but it would have done little good in her present state. She is convinced that she is right regarding Elizabeth, Andrew, and Lady Susan, and that all the rest of us are wrong.”
William stirred his cup of tea, staring absentmindedly at it. “I have written a letter to my aunt and uncle. If they accept the challenge of raising her, Georgiana will reside under their roof and their supervision. This is not what I wanted for her, but it seems my wishes have not been Georgiana’s priority for some time. From this point on, I intend to concentrate on what constitutes my happiness.”
“You must, Nephew,” Olivia said. “You have sacrificed too many years already for Georgiana. You deserve contentment with a family of your own.”
“I agree,” Joseph declared. “As soon as you receive an answer from the earl, I shall forward it.”
“There is no need, Uncle. I authorize you to open the letter, and if Lord Matlock agrees, you may send my sister on to them. Ideally, she will be gone before Elizabeth returns.”
“If that is your wish.”
“It is.”
FROM A WINDOW ABOVE the terrace, Georgiana seethed as she whispered to Florence.
“How dare Brother speak of my departure as though he is ridding Pemberley of a plague! I shall show him and Richard that I will not be forced to live with my aunt and uncle. They will be too busy chasing Elizabeth to give much thought to me, and I shall be married to Lord Attaway before anyone realises that I am missing.”
“How will you accomplish that?” the maid asked. “Your brother gave strict orders that you were not to leave the house, even to ride, until he gets an answer from your uncle.”
“But you are not restricted,” Georgiana said with a smirk. “Just bring me one of your oldest gowns and bonnets. I will sneak out of the house tomorrow morning just as Brother and Richard are leaving for London. No one will notice me then.”
“Should you send a note telling Lady Susan that you are coming?”
“There is no need. They will be pleased to see me, I am certain, and Lady Susan will help me escape to Gretna Green with Lord Attaway. She has often said that she wished me to be part of her family, and now I will be.”
Florence pressed her lips together to thwart the smile that threatened. She had long recognised that Lady Susan had no love for Georgiana, but instead, used her for her own purposes. It was a trait they held in common. And, as for Lord Attaway, the way he looked at her when she delivered notes to Monthaven Manor, Florence was just as convinced that that gentleman had an eye for anything wearing a gown.
“Shall I accompany you tomorrow?”
“No. I need you to stay in my room and make some sounds—footsteps and such—so that they will think I am still there. By the time they realise it is you, it will be too late.”
“Will they not punish me for fooling them?”
“For what? You have only to say that I asked you to wait there for me, and you had no idea where I went.”
“I suppose you are right.”
“I am. And, once I am married, I will send for you to be my lady’s maid and give you a raise in pay for all your support.”
“I shall look forward to that.”
“So will I. Now, let us sneak back to my rooms through the servant’s hall before anyone sees us.”
Florence preceded Georgiana into the hall just in case they met any other servants along the way; however, they were fortunate not to be seen and were soon safely ensconced in the suite of rooms belonging to the master’s sister.
ON THE TERRACE
After the Fitzwilliams retired to their rooms so that Olivia could rest before dinner, William announced that he was going to his study to finish some correspondence, since he would be leaving in the morning.
“I shall go with you,” Richard declared. “I have some information that I wish you to know, but I did not want to speak of it in front of our aunt and further worry her. Your study will provide the privacy we need.”
“Then by all means,” William said, waving an arm for his cousin to go ahead of him to the study. In short order they were both inside the study with the door closed.
“Now, what important things have you to say?”
“The first thing is puzzling, if not verifiable. I hired Sergeant Woods, a retired friend, to investigate our late friend, Lord Hartley. He has just now sent me his report.”
“Hartley? But he is dead. Why investigate him?”
“I felt that finding out what happened to Hartley would shine a light on Lady Susan’s plans. At the time, you were trying to please Georgiana and were considering marriage to her, remember? I, however, was prepared to do whatever it took to dissuade you.”
William shook his head slowly side to side. “I was out of my mind. I was running from my feelings for Elizabeth, for I feared she would wither under the disapproval of my family and the ton and had convinced myself that I had to marry a woman of my station. I began to think I should settle for the devil I know—”
“Instead of one you did not know,” Richard finished.
“Precisely. Thank you for being bold enough to set me straight!”
“You are welcome.”
“So, tell me, what did Woods discover?”
“According to my friend, rumours abound at Land’s End that Hartley did not die after all.”
“Is there any real evidence?”
“Nothing solid, but Hartley was great friends with the local fishermen since he grew up playing with them in the coves along the beach. Rumour has it that when he was shot he did not fall into the ocean, but instead landed on a ledge just below the cliff. One of his friends heard the shots and hurried to investigate. They say that he found Hartley gravely injured and secreted him to his cottage where a doctor was summoned to treat him.”
“Did Woods talk to the fisherman?”
“He did, though the man would not admit to anything. From the answers the fisherman gave, Woods felt that he was trying to protect Hartley and was reluctant to admit that he was still alive.”
“Is that all?”
“No. He found out that Lord Hartley had a godfather, Lord Montpier. Does that name sound familiar?”
“I think I remember hearing Father speak of him. Does he not live near here?”
“He lived in the southeast corner of the county until five years ago when he moved to Spain for his health. His estate was, for all intents and purposes, left
idle except for a minimal staff. Then someone claiming to be Montpier’s cousin moved in last year. He calls himself a baron, though little is known about the man, as locals say no one has seen him.”
“And you suspect it is Hartley?”
“I think it is possible.”
William rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It is just conjecture.”
“Admittedly, but I am of the opinion that I would like to meet this cousin of Montpier’s, just to put to rest my suspicions.”
“If it is Hartley, I doubt he would admit you.”
“I shall just have to work out a plan. Oh, and in other business, Coleridge and Harahan returned while you were occupied with your steward earlier. I took their report and sent them on to their rooms, as they were clearly exhausted.”
“I appreciate that you handled it. What did they have to say?”
“After greasing his palm with silver, the proprietor of Pig Whistle Inn north of Lambton proved most informative about Andrew and George. Apparently this Nate Burton said that they split their time of late between a farmhouse outside Lambton and a hunting cabin at Monthaven Manor.”
“Monthaven? I imagine the whole county has heard by now that we are searching for them. Lord Concord would never let them stay there if he were still in charge, so why would Susan risk doing so?”
“Indeed, why would she—unless she is involved in the whole sordid mess?”
“After I retrieve my wife, I shall have an answer to that question.”
“I look forward to being with you when you do. Also, Burton hinted that they were involved with a group of highwaymen.”
“Nothing would surprise me at this point.”
Richard stood up. “Nor I! Now I shall leave you to your work so that we can leave in the morning as planned.”
“I will see you at dinner then.”
“At dinner,” Richard repeated. He went out the door and closed it soundly behind him.
William stared out the window absently. If Hartley is not dead, why would he continue this pretence? Sighing heavily, he concluded, I suppose we shall know the answer to that question very soon if Richard has any say in the matter.
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 74
