“The list Darcy provided kept me writing half a day when we sent out those enquiries, it is your turn now, Lightcliffe,” Mr. Aldry teased, his foot prodding the gentleman in question until Lightcliffe shoved the offending appendage away.
“I will do it,” Mr. Peters announced, patience thin as he considered them. “If only to end whatever argument you two mean to begin.”
“Agreed,” Mr. Aldry and Lord Lightcliffe said in unison, wicked smirks forming at their successful avoidance of correspondence.
Mr. Peters and Mr. Aldry each departing the room, one to correspondence, the other to leisure, Darcy turned his attention to the man beside him.
“Lord Lightcliffe,” Darcy began, the other man’s hand rising.
“Please, call me Lightcliffe, heaven knows I hear enough titles and pompous preening when I am in London; a man of substance such as yourself is a welcome addition to my circle.”
“Very well, Lightcliffe,” Darcy continued, “Leave off the Mr. if you prefer.”
“Good. In situations such as these, formalities are the least of our concerns… and judging by your expression, you have something to ask in regard to one of those concerns?”
Focusing on the man in front of him, Darcy agreed, “I do. There is no easy way to ask, but do you think one of the men Elizabeth mentioned could be involved?”
“Bingley in particular?” Lightcliffe surmised. “He and I have not exactly been on the best of terms, what with both of us holding a fondness for Miss Jane Bennet, but is he involved? Years in my…profession… have led me to suspect everyone. He has appeared amiable, been helpful in all our requests, and has yet to displayany overt behaviors which would lend me pause. As a good host goes, he certainly fills every requirement. Do I think he could hold a secret nature, then yes, I do.”
“And you are certain prejudice is not the cause for this assertion. Jealousy perhaps?
Shrugging he held Darcy’s gaze, “There is always that possibility. Without facts, I can merely suppose. However…” he added seriously, “because he sees me as a rival, I have seen looks you have not, and nothing in them speaks of a man who presents himself as warmhearted as he has. In them, I have witnessed something I have only seen once before.” Rubbing his jaw, Lightcliffe hesitated, his gaze distant and filled with unease, the air alive as Darcy waited for him to speak. “I must warn you, Darcy, you will not like what I am about to say.”
Body rigid, Darcy’s breath slowed as he viewed him.What had Lightcliffe seen? What unwholesome thing could unsettle a man with his background?
“Darkness,” Lightcliffe continued, his eyes grown dim. “Such deep rage that its release would frighten any decent man… I tell you, if the look I witnessed is anything like the one I speak of, you do not want to know what the other was capable of. I only wish I did not.”
Rising, Lightcliffe took his leave, Darcy’s eyes unseeing as he sat by the fire.
Jealousy, surely. Lightcliffe’s own jealousy had clouded his judgement. No man such as Bingley would stoop to kidnapping, to threats, and possibly worse. He was a gentle soul, rather like Miss Jane Bennet– the two holding endless good will and generosity. Nothing dangerous or untoward.
Yet, though he stood with full conviction of his friend’s innocence, a cold chill met Darcy as he turned to leave; a heavy weight formed by the prickling of his skin.
Somehow, even in the staid walls of Netherfield, he could not shake the feeling of being followed.
∞∞∞
Later, after a pleasing luncheon and far too long spent considering every lead they presently had, Darcy, Aldry, Peters, and Lightcliffe donned their coats in preparation for a walk into Meryton, a man in their hire soon to keep watch on the alley if their trip went well.
“Has the man watching Wickham not discovered anything?” Darcy asked as they passed through the hall toward Netherfield’s main entrance.
“One would suppose he would,” Lightcliffe growled, “he has had long enough to do so.”
Opening the door Peters lifted his eyes heavenward, “You are becoming as bad as Aldry. Our man’s ‘occupation,’ if you will, does not allow him to be with Wickham every moment. Besides, his inability to keep to the man’s heels lessens suspicion.”
The door closing behind them, Darcy turned toward the stone facade, the indignation of Aldry ahead of him lost as his eyes narrowed on an upper window, a dark shape disappearing as quick as it had come.
Blinking as he stared at the spot, he shook his head before hurrying his pace to match the others.
Had he imagined it? It had appeared to be a man, yet, it could not be Bingley, he had left some time past in hope of seeing the eldest Bennet. True, he could have returned unnoticed, but for all their suspicions, the man’s regard toward Miss Bennet appeared far more genuine than his dalliance the year prior. To be involved in the kidnapping of her sister would in no way endear him to her. Besides, deportation or the death penalty would be enough deterrent to a man of Bingley’s fortune; thirty-thousand pounds or even the sixty of both, could not be compensation enough.
Musings tossed aside as the worried, hurrying figures of Elizabeth and her elder sister came into view, Darcy and his companions rushed to meet them.
“Whatever is the matter?” Peters questioned as the gap between them closed.
Taking a steadying breath, Elizabeth gave an uneasy smile, “I fear my sister and I have allowed the situation to blossom in our minds, what with our family off visiting the Lucas’ and Mrs. Hill come down with a chill.”
Hand reaching for hers, Darcy forced it back to his side as Jane wrapped her arms around her sister, though he kept near should she need his support.
