“Son, I should rest easier if you would allow Fitzwilliam to go,” his father urged.
“No, Father. I wish Darcy to remain here in London.”
Turning to his cousin, he said, “Vane, the principal officer I engaged is in Nottinghamshire at present. He is suspicious of the Earl of Manvers.”
Richard’s voice tightened. “Philip was courting the eldest Stanhope daughter. He wrote that she was receptive to him, and that is the last I heard from my brother.”
“Richard, I shall have my solicitor examine the finances of both Manvers and Stanhope. Perhaps we may uncover a motive for foul play. Does your batman accompany you into Nottinghamshire?”
“No, Cooper has also been granted leave. He is here in London, visiting his mother.”
“Then give me his direction, in case we have need of him. I will pay him well.”
Richard took up a pen and paper and wrote down the address of his batman’s home.
“Cousin, when do you depart?”
“This afternoon. I leave for Elvaston Castle, to learn what I can from the Stanhope family, and then to Thoresby Hall, the home of the Earl of Manvers, if needed.”
“Take care, Richard.” Darcy clasped his cousin’s shoulder, then left the house. He paid a visit to his solicitor, then went to his club in search of his friend, William Harcourt. If anyone knew the scandals and hidden dealings of the peerage, William would have heard of them.
Darcy sat in a corner at White’s for three hours before Harcourt arrived. The well-dressed gentleman nodded his head in greeting when he caught sight of Darcy and joined him.
“Where have you been, Darcy? I have not seen you this age.”
“I returned to town two weeks ago. I came to White’s hoping to see you. What can you tell me of Harrington and Manvers?”
Harcourt studied him closely. “Is this about Phillip?”
“Yes.”
“Has he come to his senses yet?”
“He has been unconscious for nearly a fortnight. Richard was recalled from France, in case...”
Harcourt’s expression darkened. “If Philip became entangled with Manvers, it bodes ill. Manvers is close to losing his estate. He has squandered his fortune, and I have heard the property is heavily mortgaged. He is desperate to marry for money.”
Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “And Harrington? Did he owe Manvers money?”
“I have never heard anything discreditable of Lord Harrington. He was only eight and forty when he died in a carriage accident.It is said that the carriage overturned when a shaft broke, and he was killed.”
Darcy’s voice sharpened. “Perhaps it was not accidental.”
Harcourt’s eyes widened. “I have never heard otherwise.” He fell silent for a moment, then added, “If Manvers was involved, he might have sought one of Harrington’s daughters. Each of them has a dowry exceeding forty thousand pounds.”
Darcy grunted. “If he is a gambler, ruined and mortgaged, perhaps Harrington refused the match, and then my cousin enters the picture. Twenty years younger than Manvers, handsome, wealthy, and destined to be an earl himself. Manvers fires upon him and misses.”
Harcourt exhaled. “It is a plausible account. I have seen men shot for less, in drunken brawls over a gaming table.”
Darcy rose. “Harcourt, I am in your debt. I must go. Richard leaves for Nottinghamshire today, and I must warn him to take care with Manvers.”
Darcy hailed a hackney outside of White’s and proceeded directly to Matlock House. He mounted the front steps at once and let himself in.
The butler emerged from the pantry, a cloth in one hand and a silver urn in the other.
“Mr. Darcy, sir, may I assist you?”
“I must speak with Richard.”
