“And the marriage records at Barnet?” Mrs. Gardiner asked, pouring tea for her husband and Mary.
Mr. Gardiner accepted the cup with a nod of thanks. “The innkeeper claimed no knowledge of any wedding taking place at his establishment. When I described the circumstances in detail, he merely shrugged and suggested I had been misinformed.”
“That’s impossible,” Elizabeth protested. “He was a witness. He signed the registry himself.”
“There was no registry page,” Mr. Gardiner said quietly. “I examined it personally. No record of any marriage on that date.”
Elizabeth felt as though the floor had dropped away beneath her. “And Reverend Michaels?”
“Said to be traveling up north, according to the local parish. No one could say precisely where.”
“This makes no sense.” Elizabeth’s voice rose slightly. “Whywould anyone go to such lengths to erase all evidence of our marriage?”
Mr. Gardiner shook his head. “I cannot say with certainty, but I suspect deliberate sabotage. Though of course I have no proof.”
“By who?” Mrs. Gardiner asked. “Certainly no one would have expected…”
“Mr. Darcy has powerful connections,” Mr. Gardiner said heavily. “Money can change testimonies, alter documents, render people hard to locate.”
A chill snaked its way down Elizabeth’s spine. Hadn’t she seen how easily Darcy’s coin had purchased compliance? Smoothed the way? But no, Darcy was too honorable to…
“Did you inquire about the attack on the road?” Mrs. Gardiner asked, interrupting Elizabeth’s spiraling thoughts.
“I did. Local gossip confirms there have been several highwaymen attacks on gentlemen in recent days.” Mr. Gardiner frowned. “Some say a gentleman matching Mr. Darcy’s description was among those attacked, but the accounts differ. One version holds that the victim was taken to a local physician. When I went to inquire at the physician’s house, it was empty. Neighbors said the doctor had taken a patient back to London some days ago.”
“To London,” Elizabeth repeated, grasping at this slender thread. “Perhaps that explains why Darcy is at his home but ‘indisposed.’ Perhaps he was brought there to recover.”
“It’s possible,” Mr. Gardiner acknowledged. “Though without being able to gain entrance to Darcy House, I cannot confirm it.”
Elizabeth felt for Darcy’s signet ring, resting underneath her chemise close to her heart. “He would come for me if he could. Something prevents him.”
“Or someone,” Mr. Gardiner added grimly.
Elizabeth looked up sharply. “You believe this is more than misfortune. You suspect deliberate interference.”
“I do.” Mr. Gardiner glanced at Mary, then back to Elizabeth. “Forall evidence of your marriage to be systematically erased suggests someone with considerable influence and motivation.”
“George Wickham,” Elizabeth said without hesitation. “He was there at the inn, trying to convince me I was delusional about my marriage. He claimed Darcy had sent him to take me to a sanatorium.”
Mr. Gardiner nodded. “The innkeeper’s wife remembers his visit, though she claims not to recall any wedding. She did, however, mention seeing you leave with the Honywoods.”
“At least that part of my account remains unchallenged,” Elizabeth said bitterly.
“There was… one other piece of gossip,” Mr. Gardiner said, hesitating. “Less credible, but perhaps worth mentioning.”
“What was it?” Elizabeth asked, steeling herself.
“There were whispers that perhaps the gentleman in question had decided to renege on the wedding.” Mr. Gardiner’s discomfort was evident. “That he had second thoughts about a hasty marriage to a woman of… lesser standing.”
Elizabeth flinched as if her mother had slapped her. “Fitzwilliam Darcy is a man of honor. He would never abandon me, nor deny our marriage.”
“I believe you, Lizzy,” Mr. Gardiner said gently. “I merely report what was said.”
Mary, who had remained silent until now, placed a hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “It is easier for people to believe a gentleman rejected a penniless young woman than to believe someone would go to such lengths to erase a legal marriage. The former happens every day. The latter suggests a conspiracy.”
“Thank you, Mary.” Elizabeth’s voice was clipped. “But you haven’t told us why you’ve come to London. What’s happened at Longbourn?”
Mary’s hands shook as she accepted a cup of tea from Mrs. Gardiner. “After you left, everything changed. Mother wastriumphant at first, convinced you would come crawling back within days. When you didn’t…”
