Unlike the rumours that had been reported to Darcy, the newspaper article did not vilify the duke, and Darcy and Elizabeth were not praised in such exaggerated terms as befitted a novel. Instead, every fact was stated in neutral language and backed by evidence. The article made Darcy incredibly proud of his decision to ask James to serve as editor for the periodical.
The message from Lodge was even more heartening, because it advised that a band of twelve landowners from northern Derbyshire were travelling together to London specifically to make a complaint against the duke and to stand with Darcy. He had never heard of such an action, in the past, and it amazed him that someone had rallied supporters on his behalf!
“Does it not seem surprising,” Elizabeth asked, “that twelve landowners in Derbyshire would know of the duke’s threats against us almost the moment we learnt of them?"
Darcy’s uncle tapped Lodge’s report. “Theodore Bramley is the first man mentioned; Bramley Hall is very close to Lymeston, and he has battled with the duke over fifteen years. I know that, if I tell you all something, you will keep it to yourselves—no telling wives or fathers or anyone other than the four of us in this room?”
Everyone nodded, so the earl continued, “Bramley has a man deeply involved with Lymebourne. He lives in an ancillary house at Lymeston, and he is a trusted member of meetings; I am certain that he knew the duke’s plans before the man even picked up his pen to whine to the Prince and issue threats to you all. Bramley’s man would have been able to contact him within an hour, and then Bramley could have sent messengers to the eleven other landowners that same day. It is no surprise to me that he would have jumped at the chance to set down the duke, given the fact that your actions, Darcy and Elizabeth, have captured the interest of the populace.”
Gardiner nodded and said, “I imagine that you believe that the Prince will side with Darcy because so many people have already done so?”
Uncle Henry nodded. “I do. The Prince Regent has wearied of Lymebourne’s escapades. Prinny does many of the same things himself, so it is not a moral stance, but Lymebourne has caused too much uproar among the nobility to have any influence at all in the House of Lords these days, so it is expedient to side with the many over the one. Also, there has been rioting in the north, as you know, and the Prince does not wish to incite more!”
Darcy said, “As far as I can tell, this is all quite unprecedented, but what shouldIdo, if anything?”
“And I?” Gardiner added.
“Mr Gardiner,” the earl said, “you have a sterling reputation as fair to all, of whatever rank; you should continue as always, and if I learn anything important to you, I will let you know, and you should let me know, via Darcy, if anything happens in your sphere.
“As for you, Darcy, if you are called to meet with the Prince Regent, you should stick with your usual highly moral views because otherwise he will not trust you; however, please attempt to be more pleasant than you usually are.”
Elizabeth chortled a bit at that advice, and Darcy sent a swift smile her way before checking with his uncle, “So I should act like a prig but not frown quite so much?”
Everyone laughed, although Darcy knew it might be a fine line he would have to skate.
The next two days, Darcy kept busy meeting with attorneys and bankers, investigators and possible investors. Although theladies kept equally busy shopping—especially with a very long and, Elizabeth claimed, gruelling session with Georgiana’s usual modiste—Darcy managed to squeeze in a few outings during which he escorted the ladies. One blessed hour was spent at Hatchards, during which Darcy was able to shower Elizabeth with her favourite sort of gift, books. Another pleasant time was the visit to Gunter’s Tea Shop for hot tea and cold ices.
“I miss you,” Elizabeth said to Darcy.
It was ridiculous, since they were living in the same house, but he agreed: “I feel as if I am seldom able to see you andneverable to speak with you alone.”
“You have not been keeping me apprised of the battle, sir. Who is ahead at this point, you or the duke?”
“That is an excellent question, and when I have even the faintest notion, I will let you know.” Darcy smiled. “I would not mind in the least if the earl saw fit to drop by and inform us of the most recent information. But….”
“You hate to interrupt him, in whatever he is doing—mayhap helping you!—in order to soothe your own anxiety?”
“You know me so well,” he murmured.
“I would like to know you much better,” she whispered back; however, a moment later Mrs Bennet was whisking by, urging Elizabeth to make haste so that she could help her sister make a decision on what was apparently to be the wedding of the century.
The next day, the earl did descend on Darcy House, bustling up the steps with a worried look on his face. Darcy had been about to leave for a meeting with a man who wished to invest in a mill that made luxury fabrics; the earl waved his hand at Darcy’s plan and said, “Send a man to postpone; you are called to meet with the Prince Regent!”
The other shoe dropped when his uncle said, “And Elizabeth is to go, as well.”
Darcy gave rapid orders, and one footman rode out to cancel Darcy’s meeting as another travelled the opposite direction to find Elizabeth at the cobbler’s shop. Darcy’s orders had been simple: “Take her directly to Madame DuBois, and dress her to impress the Prince. Madame will know what to do. Then I will meet her at Carlton House at four.”
“Tell me what I need to know before I go,” Darcy asked his uncle while a bath was drawn.
“Bramley and the others arrived and spoke with the Prince Regent this morning. He seemed quite vexed with the duke, who had not bothered to come in person but has been burying the Prince with complaint letters. Bramley said that the Prince acted very high-and-mighty regarding traditional virtues, but he kept venting his anger with little comments that were likely more injurious to the duke’s case. Once he said something about the complaints contradicting one another, and another time he said that the attitude against the duke is unanimous amongst both Houses of Parliament.”
“And what would you most wish me to do, or say?” Darcy asked.
“Allow Elizabeth to charm the Prince, and you should be as polite as you were taught to be, but go ahead and attack the duke’s character, words, and actions—but do so politely.”
“Very well,” Darcy said. It did not sound too terribly onerous, although Darcy hated the idea of Elizabeth coming to the notice of the notorious Prince. Still, she had been summoned; she had to go.
Darcy hurried through his bath, shave, and dressing. His valet was amazingly quick despite the enormity of the care he took for the elegance of his dress. Darcy soon found himself in his carriage quite early, which was ideal; one never knew where and when congestion might delay the simplest route.
