Darcy's suspicions were confirmed. He placed a comforting hand on each boy's shoulder. “You're not in trouble, boys. But I need you to tell me everything you know about this man.” He stood, and when he heard Mr. Milner’s voice, he sought the man out and brought him back into the sanctuary to confirm their positions would be safe.
“We don’t know ‘im,” Harry said, crossing his arms over his chest. “But he was like our da, and I was afraid.”
Mr. Milner met Darcy’s eye. They knew precisely what Mr. Sykes was like. “Go on,” the pastor encouraged.
“He said it was not what he was due, but he would take all he could lay his hands on since his cousin left the house to someone else.” Matthew shrugged. “I don’t know what he meant. I just wanted him to leave us alone.”
The pastor placed a hand on Matthew’s shoulder. “You could have gone to Mr. Kendrick and told him what was happening, Matthew. He would have helped you.”
The boy nodded but seemed sceptical.
“You did wrong, taking the candlesticks, and you shall have to apologise to the Kendricks. But as they will be recovered, and you were threatened, I do not believe you will be charged with theft.”
Matthew closed his eyes. “Thank you, sir,” he whispered.
It was a crime to browbeat a child into stealing for one’s own gain—or if it was not, it ought to be. Darcy added justice for the Sykes boys to his growing list. With the information he now had, Darcy knew he must return to Hollydale—not inside the house, for Mrs. Bennet would still be distressed, but certainly outside, to help keep watch. He rode back to Pemberley, his mind already formulating a plan. As he entered the house, he found Georgiana waiting for him.
“Fitzwilliam, you rode off in such haste. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Darcy paused, offering his sister a small smile. “You are already helped by recalling Mr. Ellis’s relation, Georgie.”
“You and I have Grandfather’s memory,” she said quietly. “Father always said so.”
It was that memory that had helped them both do well enough at school that they had intimidated others. “By the by, I have written a letter to inform your headmistress you will not be returning, and why. I insisted she return the funds for your tuition.”
Georgiana squeezed his hand. “Thank you,” she said. “Will I go to another school?”
He hesitated. “I do not know yet. We shall have to seek out better recommendations this time if you wish to—”
“No!” she exclaimed. “That is, I should rather study here at Pemberley, or even in London if it is convenient for the masters.”
“We shall speak of it soon,” he told her. “But for now, I am afraid I must away.”
Georgiana blinked. “You are leaving?”
“I must,” Darcy replied. “I have reason to believe there is trouble at Hollydale, and I mean to be certain the ladies are protected.”
“But what about Mrs. Bennet?” Georgiana asked, her voice tinged with worry. “She seemed so upset when we left . . .”
“Especially because of that,” Darcy said. “Mrs. Bennet has been deceived by this man you recognised, and I fear he means the Bennet family ill.”
“And you gave your word,” his sister added.
He nodded. “And I gave my word.”
“Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana said gently, “I think you are a very good man.”
“I hope that I am.” Darcy could not deny that his sister’s estimation of his character pleased him. “But in this case, I am simply doing what any gentleman would.”
Georgiana shook her head, a fond smile playing on her lips. “No, brother. Not every gentleman would go to such lengths for a family they have known for so short a time. But while you are a man of duty, in this case I suspect there is even more that drives you.”
Darcy paused, but there was no point in denying it. Georgiana had recognised his feelings even before they went to Hollydale. “You are right,” he admitted. “Does that bother you, Georgiana? She is not the ton heiress with titled connections my aunts and uncle expect me to wed, but . . .”
“Do you love her?” Georgiana asked.
Darcy felt a flush creep up his neck. “Georgiana, I—”
“I have read your letters, and I have seen the way you look at her, even though you try not to. It is why I kept Mrs. Bennet so busy, although I truly do enjoy her company. Miss Bennet is a gentleman’s daughter, Fitzwilliam. Her father has two estates. Even if she has little or no fortune of her own, she is still from a respectable family. Our relatives should have no say in the matter. Do you love her?”
