“Lady Westland, it is a genuine pleasure to make your acquaintance.” His every word was steeped in charm. “My wife and I were enjoying a leisurely stroll and were about to return home for tea. Would you and the young earl do us the honour of joining us?”
Little Arthur looked eager, but his mother shook her head. “I must return to the house—I have a guest.” Her face twisted in displeasure. “But I should be delighted to have your wife to tea next week, if she is free. Would Tuesday suit?”
“We had intended to go to Bond Street that day.” A shadow of false regret crossed his features. “My wife’s wardrobe is in need of improvement.”
Elizabeth’s heart sank. She longed to call on the countess; if she might claim only one friend in London, she knew instinctively that this lady would be the truest and most loyal she could desire.
The countess seemed of the same mind, for she proposed a gentle compromise. “May I suggest an alteration to your plans, Mr Fiennes?” Perhaps you and your wife will come to Godfrey Place for tea on Tuesday, and then, on Wednesday, I might take Elizabeth shopping on Bond Street. The shops are dreadfully tedious for a gentleman, and I fancy I have more knowledge of the fashions than your dear wife. We can go to my modiste—Madame Dubois, the finest in London. One must be recommended by her existing patrons to gain an appointment. Afterwards, I shall have your wife for tea. Pray, have you any accounts established?”
Fiennes’s eyes gleamed. This was what he sought—a connexion within the first circles. “That sounds delightful. I shall send my information with Elizabeth to arrange the accounts. She has ample pin money to spend.”
Elizabeth inwardly winced at her husband’s indelicate mention of money, but she composed her features into a pleasant smile. “I shall look forward to it.” Turning to the young earl, she stooped a little to address him. “If you promise to mind your mama, I shall bring you a sweet after our shopping trip.”
Arthur nodded eagerly, shivering against the cold.
“We must go now. Have you a card, that I might send round an invitation?”
Fiennes reached into his pocket and withdrew a gilt calling card. Lady Westland accepted it, and carrying no reticule, tucked it into her pocket. “Until Tuesday, then. I must get this boy home before he freezes.”
Elizabeth stood with her husband, watching until Lady Westland and her son disappeared from their sight.
“Well done, my dear. I did not think you would take to my scheme so readily. Kane, it was wise to let her speak to the lady.” Kane looked momentarily discomposed, and Elizabeth suspected he had refrained from interfering only to observe her and report all to his master. She had learnt quickly that her every word and action was under scrutiny, and that the slightest misstep might bring reproof or punishment.
They had not walked as far as she had wished, but the outing had revived her spirits. For the first time since her marriage, she had something to anticipate.
Chapter Nine
15 November 1806
Longbourn
Mr. Bennet
MrBennetsatathis desk, staring through the window at the cold, grey morning. The air hung heavy with mist, and the lawn beyond lay dull and colourless beneath a wan sun. Life had lost its purpose. Jane, his eldest, had discerned that something was amiss but did not enquire; whether from apprehension of his answer or a sense that it was not her place, he could not tell.Elizabeth would have pressed him,he thought, a new tide of misery rising within him.Oh, Lizzy, what have I done?
Guilt had become an ever-present burden. Even in sleep, his mind tormented him with images of his beloved child’s pale, stricken features. He had once prided himself on being an intelligent man of great wisdom; now he deemed himself a fool. What arrogance to imagine he might secure a fortune through so perilous an investment.
A knock at the door broke his reverie. Mr Hill entered, ushering Mr Nathan Cartwright, whose sudden appearance rooted Bennet in place and left him speechless.
“Bennet! I beg your pardon for not sending word of my coming. My ship only docked in London yesterday.” Cartwright crossed to the desk,set down a leather satchel, and took a seat. “Tell me, old friend, how have you fared in my absence?”
Astonished, Bennet wetted his parched lips. “I am afraid I do not understand. Where have you been precisely?”
“Did you not receive my letter? I wrote last February. Having learnt that our investment had met with some difficulty, I embarked for India. In my missive, I explained everything and bade you not to expect my return until November—or perhaps December. Fortunately, by the time I reached Calcutta, the trouble had been resolved. I remained a few weeks to oversee and settle certain particulars and then sailed home aboard an East Indiaman. It pleases me to inform you that our investments are beyond what I could have imagined. Your share comes to some two hundred thousand pounds as of my departure.”
“T-two…two hundredthousandpounds?” Bennet stammered. “Am I dreaming?”
“Not in the least.” Cartwright opened the satchel and drew forth a sheaf of papers. “’Tis all here, Bennet! The mine has proved more profitable than we ever conceived, and I have secured several buyers. I held in my hand a ten-carat gem—uncut, yet of perfect clarity. Look! I brought back several specimens for you. Have them cut and set for your girls.” He loosened the drawstrings of a smaller pouch, pouring into his palm a scattering of diamonds, sapphires, and opals. The stones caught what little light crept through the window, glittering like a cruel jest. “These I obtained in trade with another gentleman.”
Bennet inclined towards him, the shock of it all numbing his thoughts. “Have these funds already been placed in my account?”
“Oh yes, I saw to that yesterday. You see, I docked at dawn and, after a brief stop at my London house, went directly to the bank to arrange everything. What you choose to do now is your affair. More willfollow—the mine yet overflows with diamonds. Might I suggest placing a portion in the four per cents? I have left a list of sound investments among your papers; reinvest wisely and you may increase your wealth handsomely.”
Cartwright looked rather pleased. “I thank you for your trust, my friend. Without your capital, we could not have acquired so many shares.”
Funds. The word struck him like a blow. Reality crashed down on him. “If only you had come a month sooner,” he moaned, sinking back into his chair.
Cartwright’s genial countenance fell. “What has happened?”
