“The note explained everything,” Martha said. “The danger to your life, the murders of your parents.” Her gaze swung to Elizabeth. “I saved you from that fire, child. Risked everything to protect you when your own blood would have seen you dead.”
“I object to your unproven characterization,” Darcy interjected. “If you have specific accusations, provide a signed statement.”
“At significant danger to myself and dear Elizabeth?” Martha retorted. “I think not. My only concern is protecting Elizabeth Rose Darcy.”
“Then perhaps, Mrs. Wickham, we should have your signed testimony,” Mr. Blythewood stated as if the proceedings had as much interest as the accounting of the candle inventory.
“You know I can’t do that, not yet.” Martha darted narrowed eyes at Darcy and Georgiana. “The beneficiaries of the murders are present, and I fear for my life.”
“And yet, Mrs. Wickham, you would provide this testimony if I married your son,” Elizabeth countered. “A curious form of fearing for your life, wouldn’t you say?”
“A mother looks out for her son’s interests,” Martha replied, unrepentant. “George would make you a fine husband—far better than some puffed-up country parson.”
“Marry Wickham?” Lydia gasped from her windowsill perch. “But Lizzy, he’s the handsomest man in the regiment. You would be fortunate indeed.”
“Lydia, please,” Elizabeth interrupted firmly. The last thing she needed was her youngest sister’s romantic notions complicating an already impossible situation.
“This is all highly irregular,” Blythewood interjected. “Mrs. Wickham, your claims directly contradict your testimony after the fire. I have in my files your sworn testimony that John and Rose’s infant daughter, Elizabeth, died in the fire.”
“Ask old Molly, then!” Martha challenged. “Or Mrs. Winters. They were both at Pemberley when it happened. They know the truth about William Darcy and what he did to his own brother.”
A charged silence fell over the room at this direct accusation. Elizabeth felt rather than saw Darcy stiffen behind her, his presence suddenly radiating a cold, controlled fury. She resisted the urge to turn toward him, to offer some gesture of support or understanding. Whatever his father may or may not have done, Darcy deserved the chance to discover the truth without prejudgment.
“Enough!” Blythewood’s voice cut through the tension. “These are serious allegations that require careful investigation, not emotional outbursts in my office.” He turned to Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, given the nature of these claims, I recommend we proceed with formal interviews of all potential witnesses, beginning with the Pemberley staff mentioned by Miss Bennet.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “I have no objection. Truth serves the rightful heir, whoever that may prove to be.”
Elizabeth caught the echo of his words from the cemetery, the subtle reminder of his promise to honor the investigation’s outcome. The knot of tension between her shoulders eased fractionally.
“Very well.” Blythewood made a note. “Smith will arrange interviews with the servants. Mrs. Bennet, I will require a formal statement from you regarding the circumstances of Miss Elizabeth’s arrival at Longbourn.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Bennet agreed, straightening her bonnet with aself-important air. “And my brother-in-law, Mr. Philips, is a solicitor himself. You may expect to hear from him regarding Lizzy’s legal representation.”
Blythewood’s expression suggested he was not particularly intimidated by the prospect of dealing with a country solicitor, but he nodded politely. “I shall look forward to our professional correspondence.”
“And what of this?” Martha demanded, gesturing toward the locket. “That is my property, given temporarily into the Bennets’ keeping along with the child.”
“How is it possible,” Darcy asked with a stiff tone, “that a locket bearing the Darcy crest, with miniatures of John and Rose Darcy, could come to your possession, Mrs. Wickham, unless you purloined it?”
“Of course, you would question me.” She pointed a shaky finger at him. “If I didn’t save this locket for Elizabeth Rose Darcy, it would have been conveniently buried in that grave your father prepared for the infant.”
“Then the locket belongs to the daughter of John and Rose Darcy,” Darcy thundered. “And if she exists here, she would certainly not be manipulated into marrying your son when her prospects, should she be a true Darcy, were to be greatly improved.”
Elizabeth felt a rush of warmth flood her cheeks at Darcy’s implication. Her prospects as a Darcy would certainly be improved beyond George Wickham—but was Darcy suggesting himself as a more suitable match? The thought sent an unwelcome flutter through her stomach that she hastily attributed to the tension in the room.
“Vastly improved indeed!” Mrs. Bennet crowed, unable to contain herself. “Why, as the daughter of a Darcy, Lizzy could aspire to a viscount at the very least—perhaps even a duke. I always said she had the bearing of nobility. Such fine eyes. Such elegant manners. Nothing like my other girls, though Jane is quite pretty too, if not so clever.”
“La!” Lydia exclaimed, bouncing on her windowsill perch. “ButWickham is the handsomest man in the militia. Such fine red regimentals, and he dances divinely. You cannot blame him for wanting to marry Lizzy if she’s to be an heiress. Any man would.”
Georgiana’s face had gone pale at the mention of Wickham, her fingers gripping the edge of her chair with white-knuckled intensity. Elizabeth placed a reassuring hand over the girl’s, receiving a grateful glance in return.
Martha Wickham opened her mouth to deliver what would undoubtedly be a cutting rejoinder, but was interrupted by a sharp crack that made them all jump. Blythewood had brought a small wooden mallet down upon his desk with surprising force.
“Enough!” he commanded, the dignified solicitor momentarily transformed into a stern magistrate. “This is a legal consultation, not a marketplace squabble. One more outburst and I shall clear this room entirely.”
“The locket appears to be a pivotal piece of evidence,” Blythewood continued, carefully closing it and setting it aside. “As such, I propose to retain it here until ownership can be properly established. Unless there are objections?” His gaze moved deliberately between Elizabeth, Mrs. Bennet, and Martha.
Elizabeth considered. The locket represented her strongest physical connection to John and Rose Darcy, yet its immediate emotional significance was perhaps less important than its evidentiary value. “I have no objection, provided it remains secure.”
