Darcy was surprised. “Mrs. Collins keeps you remarkably busy.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “She does. The former rector was very old, and the parish suffered for it. She and Mr. Collins are determined to know every family and discover how they may be of service. Kitty and I take turns accompanying her. If I knew how to ride or drive, we could go alone and free Mary for her other work, but I do not have those skills. Kitty often stays behind to sew clothing for the children. Winter is near, and much remains to be done. In the evenings, we all sew together while Mr. Collins reads Shakespeare aloud. He has a fine voice, and the plays come alive when he reads.”
Darcy nodded. “My father used to read aloud on winter nights. Those were evenings of great enjoyment.”
Elizabeth turned away from the eastern sky. “Well, sir, it is time for breakfast. Do you join me?”
He smiled. “What delicacies await me this morning, Miss Elizabeth?”
“A plum pudding. We had it for supper yesterday. I prepared it myself, and it turned out very well. Cook says my pudding will taste even better after it sits overnight. You must try it and give me your opinion.”
They went to the folly and sat. Darcy tasted the pudding and praised it warmly. Elizabeth grinned and drew out a second jar from her basket. They ate with relish. She passed him butteredtoast with marmalade, then offered boiled eggs. They finished with scones and coffee.
Darcy set down his cup. “Miss Elizabeth, I must speak plainly. The smugglers we observed yesterday morning are bold. I studied the estate maps. The barn is built upon Blackwood land. The present lord may not even know it stands there. This tells us the gang is strong and unafraid of the law. The excise men and the magistrate may have been bribed. Lady Catherine may also have been paid. It is a dangerous situation. If they suspect discovery, they will act to protect their trade. Richard and Anne will continue to search for a second set of ledgers today. I am to remove Lady Catherine from the house, and I apologize, but I mean to bring her for a visit to the parsonage. If that visit is too short, then I will drive her to the village. They need at least two hours to search.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled. “Then I shall assist you. If we draw her into the sewing room and beg her opinion on our fabrics and patterns, she will have an abundance to criticize and will not wish to leave in haste.”
Darcy chuckled. “Very well, Miss Elizabeth. We have a plan which is bound to be successful.” He stood up and brushed his jacket. “I must leave if I am to view the barn and the track that leads to it. I need to see if there are any smugglers in the area. If I do not see any, then I intend to drive Lady Catherine to the barn to see how she reacts. Perhaps my aunt will speak to me about her relationship with the gang.”
He looked at Elizabeth and felt the desire to touch the copper strands of her hair, which glittered in the sunlight. She was kind and sensible, and she had never looked more desirable. The thought pressed upon him that he could carry her away from all this difficulty, make her mistress of Pemberley, and shieldher from danger. The notion no longer startled him. It settled comfortably in his mind.
Chapter 38: Two Sets of Ledgers
Mr. Darcy drove Lady Catherine to the parsonage at eleven in the morning and stood back while Mr. Collins handed her down and walked her into the house. Mary greeted their silent guest and asked if she could take his hat and coat. They were invited to sit, and within minutes, Mary served tea and little lemon cakes beautifully arranged on a plate. Darcy watched Elizabeth as she listened to Lady Catherine find fault with the chair she was sitting on, the bare tree she could see through the window, and the windy, grey day that had ruined her airing. Mary and Kitty both looked anxious, but Elizabeth was amused. Mr. Collins, meanwhile, consumed enough cake to ruin his appetite for the noon meal. Elizabeth could see that both men were interested in the new tax that parliament was considering.
“This new tax upon tea and tobacco,” the rector declared, “will do nothing but encourage the smugglers.”
Darcy stiffened, studying him closely, but soon judged that the man spoke in generalities and had no true knowledge.
When Lady Catherine stood up and told Darcy it was time to return to Rosings, Elizabeth rose. “Lady Catherine, would you be so good as to review the sewing we have undertaken for the parish children. Your opinion upon the cloth and the patterns would be of great value.”
The lady was instantly engaged and followed Elizabeth down the hall, Mary and Kitty trailing behind. Darcy allowed himself a satisfied smile and accepted another piece of cake.
At Rosings, Anne rang for the maid. “Rosie, go to my chamber and take Sara and Betty with you. You will need Jacobs as well. Isaw a mouse last night, and now my room must be searched. Be certain to turn the mattress and move the furnishings away from the walls. If you find any holes or nests, send for the carpenter to make repairs.”
After the servants had gone up to the second floor, Anne turned to Richard. “If Fitzwilliam is successful in keeping mother away, we should have a little more than an hour for our search.”
Richard bowed, laughing. “Well then, cousin, let us begin at once.”
The pair entered Sir Louis de Bourgh’s study, and Richard was impressed with the rich appointments. “It is a pity this room is no longer used. The carpets are in excellent condition, and the leather on the furniture is unmarked.”
Anne answered her cousin. “I keep this study in pristine condition as if my father were still living. I find comfort spending time in this room. Come, the entrance is this way.”
Richard followed his cousin to a heavy wooden cabinet and watched as she removed two books from the shelf. He could see a hidden lever installed in the wall, and when she turned it, a section of the cabinet swung forward. He saw a closed door and continued to watch while Anne unlocked the latch, and then she entered. Richard followed her in. One of the heavy drapes was drawn back, letting light into a large chamber furnished with a desk, couches, and cabinets.
“If I were Mother, I would hide the ledgers in this room.” Richard watched as his cousin began to search through the desk cabinets. He turned to the nearest cupboard and began his own search. He searched every cabinet that lined the eastern wall and then worked his way through those that lined the southern wall until he reached the other side of the room. At last, whenhe reached the western side, he saw four leather-bound ledgers. “Bloody hell, Anne, I found them.” Richard carried the ledgers to the sideboard, and the cousins set to work.
Within minutes, Richard found the incriminating entries. “Look at this,” he said. “Every month, beginning in April 1808, fifteen pounds were paid to Lady Catherine for ‘passage.’ And here, another book, payments from Rosings to a man signed only with the initial “M”. They begin in 1805 and continue until 1808. After that, the money flows the other way.”
He frowned. “It seems she once paid for protection, perhaps to the bricklayer, and then turned to the smugglers themselves when the price grew too high. From that time, she has been paid to remain silent.”
Anne moved to the safe and soon had it open. “Richard, come here.”
He crossed the room and saw stacks of banknotes filling the space. He gave a low whistle. “We must get your mother out of this, Anne. She cannot remain here when the dragoons are called.”
She closed the safe with a troubled look. They restored the ledgers and left the secret room, walking down the corridor in silence until at last Anne leaned nearer to him and whispered.
“Shall we go into the grove and discuss what we must do? No one will hear us there.”
