Tempted to turn and run after it, he instead forced himself through the door.Even if he ran as hard as he might, whoever it was would be too far ahead. All he would accomplish would be to put himself in danger and Elizabeth should she follow.
A great pity,he considered as he and Elizabeth entered the library.Though this would prove a far better use of time.
A warm cup of tea in hand and further details of Elizabeth’s conversation with Wickham shared and the moment Darcy had been dreading arrived.He would have to admit he had acted without her.
“Elizabeth,” he began, the use of Mr. and Miss they had implemented at the start long since forgotten in private. “I had a notion late in the night which I believe will be of help. You see, last year I…”
“Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy,” the first of the three men Darcy had written remarked as he entered the library, Darcy’s attemptedconfession to Elizabeth having come much too late. “I realize we only met over a plate of lemon tarts and a pistol, but really, you ought to have written sooner.”
However would Elizabeth react?
Fixing his gaze upon her, he watched as her eyes moved slowly between them, a single brow raised as she at last settled on Darcy.
Flinching, Darcy hurried to explain himself, the added footfalls of additional men entering the room disregarded as he kept his focus on Elizabeth, “As I was saying… Rereading a letter from my aunt late last night, I recalled three men I knew could be of help in all this. Indeed, I thought, should anyone be able to find my cousin and your sister, it would be them. The idea landed with such great force in my mind that I knew I had to act on it, but, seeing the late hour, I realized I could not go to you without worrying your entire household. Therefore, I sent the letters, planning on telling you first thing; but then with your having met Wickham in town, a decent moment never arrived as each of us had much to say regarding him. I truly did mean to keep you abreast of things…” he concluded, his words trailing off as he sought to ignore the three men now in the room.
A gentle pull at the corners of her lips as she at last gave him a slow nod, Elizabeth’s eyes danced with mischief. “Thisapology I will accept, though I continue to hold your first under consideration.”
Chest easing as his lips curled, Darcy inclined his head, “I will endeavor to prove myself worthy. Now then,” he added as he gestured to the men, “let me see if I can recall which of these men is which.”
Eyes drawing upward as he thought of the night of their meeting, he soon brought face to name in his mind.
Pointing to the dark-haired gentleman on the left, Darcy sought to imitate his cousin’s introduction of them, “Here, with the dashing smile and good looks, is Mr. Fredrick Aldry. Then,” he paused, pointing to the next, the man’s shoulders straightening, “this is Mr. Simon Pembroke Peters, a man of few words. And then lastly, we have a man of unequal charm, Lord Benjamin Randal Lightcliffe. Lord Lightcliffe, Mr. Peters, Mr. Aldry, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, one of the sisters of Miss Mary Bennet, and tireless in her efforts to discover what occurred. I trust none of you are opposed to working with her?” Though he had posed a question, his voice gave them all the clues they needed to know her presence would not be an option.
“Not a dram of it,” Mr. Aldry grinned as he bowed to Elizabeth, “and do not believe a word of our introduction, Miss, save my dashing smile and good looks of course, for Lightcliffe possesses none of the charm I do… and Peters here only needs the proper incentive in regard to conversation. Once, two years ago I heard him speak more than five words in an hour! It was the talk of London I assure you.”
A set of matching scowls worn by Mr. Peters and Lord Lightcliffe, the latter chose to speak, “Poor taste, Aldry. Incredibly so. You do remember why we are here, do you not?”
Smartly chastised, Mr. Aldry nodded. “Very well… Mr. Darcy, might you and your lady provide us with everything you know?”
Cheeks warming, Darcy risked only the briefest glances toward Elizabeth.If she had noticed the term ‘your lady,’ she chose to be unoffended.
Forcing his attention back to the topic at hand, Darcy sent for a fresh pot of tea and enough lemon tarts to keep the three men content as they partook not only of the tangy treats, but all Elizabeth and Darcy had discovered. Thus, for half an hour or more, the five of them were engaged, the silence at its end tangible as each of their group worked to find answers in the puzzle.
“Who are your enemies besides Mr. Wickham?” Peters asked at length, every eye turning from him to Darcy.
Did he even have enemies?he wondered silently, a few names of men who disliked him coming to mind.Dislike is as far apart from hate as finding someone’s company agreeable compared to loving them. Surely, to be his enemy, someone would have to hate him?
Sighing, he began, “Sir Reginald of Aldridge Hall always sought to best me during our time at Cambridge; I would hardly class him an enemy however. I had a tenant five years ago who, after beating a man without any cause, I ended his tenancy; he died shortly after in some fight or another, his brother–Mr. Tom Grey–spoke ill of me, but he also spoke ill of his late brother and half a dozen other men from what I gathered.”
Stroking his chin, Darcy considered the last potential suspects, “There was also Captain C. S. Rotter; his cousin was a tradesman my father had dealings with. I never learnt the whole story, but it seems they had a disagreement over the quality of some furnishings my father purchased. Father claimed they were not to the standard he had ordered, but the man claimed they were. They argued, yet it was found the goods were genuinely inferior to those ordered and therefore my father was not out even a shilling. Captain Rotter took great offense at the affront to his cousin’s honour–more than the man himself–and as news of theincident spread and the man’s good standing in trade fell, that offense only grew. Yet, I believe the captain and the tradesman are deceased now.” Pausing to take a sip of tea, he frowned, “Mr. Samuel Mason took umbrage with me when I chose not to court his daughter after spending a week in their home; his daughter has since married an earl, so I doubt he is harboring any ill will now. Aside from a few mamas who also wished me to take an interest in their daughters, or men who hoped to buy some prized mare from me, I can think of no enemies or even people who dislike me aside from Wickham.”
Setting down his plate, Lord Lightcliffe remarked, “Aside from the eager mamas and those not able to obtain any of your horses, I would only consider removing Mr. Mason from suspicion, and even he I would first make certain he is as happy with whoever his daughter’s husband is as we expect. True, most of these men appear unlikely next to Wickham, but someone seems to be working with him. No one lets a townhouse and provides the pseudonym E. N. Emy without being extremely cocky and equally spiteful. Someone hates you, and while the kidnapping of Miss Elizabeth’s sister is a strange turn of events, anything you did or said between meeting the Bennets and Miss Mary’s capture could have given rise to a belief that you would pay the ransom.”
“What do you suggest then?” Elizabeth questioned, the tip of her finger tapping against the cup she now clenched. “I assume you shall look into all of these men and the lease, but surely there is more we can do than send letters of inquiry and wait? Whatever reasons they found to choose my sister as a second victim, there is a man in Meryton we are near certain is involved, and I for one am loath to sit idly by whilst he saunters the length and breadth of our streets. Something must be done!”
His hand coming to rest on the arm of her chair without thinking, Darcy answered, “And so it shall, I give you my word. All of us are here with one purpose, and all of us will see it done.” Turning toward the three men he added, “As I assume one or more of you three will wish to begin making inquiries straight away, I shall write a list of their names and residences as last I knew them. Hopefully your inquiries into E. N. Emy will be more successful than mine, for all I could find was that the lease was for five weeks, but he vanished–bill paid–after a mere two. As to action on all our parts, what would you have Miss Elizabeth and I do? Neither of us wish to be idle, though…” he paused, his gaze turning toward Elizabeth warily–she would not be happy.
“Though?” Lord Lightcliffe prompted.
“Though there may be someone following Miss Elizabeth. If possible, I believe that whatever she and I do to help recover our families, it should be done together. She is of course capable in every respect, but whoever has done this managed to capture her sister and a colonel; this is no mere game.”
The briefest of blazes burning in her eyes, she at last nodded, his own eyes widening at her response.She agreed? To his company?
As if sensing his questions she offered him a wry smile, “Were the circumstances different, or had it been but a day or two past when Mr. Wickham was not yet in Meryton, I would have argued against it with no small amount of vehemence, but things have changed. It seems, Mr. Darcy, you shall be forced to endure my company.”
With pleasure,he thought to himself as Mr. Aldry began to lay out several theories and Mr. Peters gathered the means for Darcy to write out his list.Her company was the one greatpleasure available during all this wretchedness… If only he might be able to keep it when this ended.
Perhaps? Yes. Perhaps he would be so fortunate.
