“Sir, had I been a man, I would have killed him myself. I would have called him out, and we might have settled it upon the field of honor. But the Earl had no honor. He was a vicious man, and he was determined to have me for my fortune, and because I am my brother’s heir.”
Her eyes filled.
“When I think that he might have marked my brother next, in order to lay hands upon my father’s estate, I tremble.”
Darcy said, “When I first heard that Manvers was pursuing your fortune, I imagined he might have set out to kill my cousin, for Lord Stafford is young, handsome, wealthy, and titled. He is everything Manvers was not.”
Lady Abigail flushed.
“Yes, sir. He is all those things. It never occurred to me that my father’s death was not an accident, nor that Lord Stafford’s injury was not accidental either. Sometimes, I believe that no woman in England can be as naive as I am.”
Lady Anise answered at once. “We were not raised among vicious men, Abby. There is no reason we should suspect anything beyond appearances.”
Lady Abigail turned to Darcy. “Sir, you were with Lord Stafford all afternoon. How does he go on?”
“The surgeon believes that if we can restore enough fluid to his body, he may awaken without lasting injury. It is too early to know, but he moves all his limbs, which is a favorable indication.”
“Oh, I am glad,” Lady Abigail exclaimed. “He is so amiable, and he has such a sharp sense of humor. It would be tragic if that were lost because of this senseless act.”
“Lady Abigail, if the Earl was so despicable, why was he part of the hunting party?”
Lady Harrington replied, “I was outside watching the party prepare to set out when he rode up and declared he had a mind to join the young people. He invited himself, as he always did.”
“My daughters and son were put out, but the others had no understanding of the man’s character, and they welcomed him.”
Her voice tightened. “There was nothing I could say or do to dissuade the Earl. And so it was that your cousin was injured. Giles was stalking Manvers and followed him to Elvaston, and when he had him in his sights, he fired, but he missed. The shot spooked Lord Stafford’s horse, and you know the rest.”
Lady Helen had quietly seated herself next to her nephew, and she heard details of which she had not been privy before.
Soon they were called into dinner, and despite all that had passed, the party shared a tolerably pleasant meal.
Afterward, they listened to the twin sisters play the pianoforte, and when the ladies excused themselves early, citing exhaustion, Darcy did the same.
He knocked upon Richard’s door and entered, drawing near enough to see that his cousin slept. He poured water into Richard’s glass and moved the small table close to the bed, so that he might reach it easily if he woke.
He fed the fire, then went to check on his elder cousin.
His valet sat at the bedside with the toddy lifter in his hand.
“How does he go on, Miles?”
“He has taken three cups of sweet tea, sir.”
“And he is swallowing it?”
“He is, sir.”
“The surgeon left for Bakewell early this afternoon to visit a colleague, but he will return tomorrow morning. He says that his lordship improves now that he is taking more fluids, and he believes he may awaken any day.”
“I am pleased to hear that. Phillip must be doing well indeed if the Surgeon felt at liberty to leave his side. You are a good man, Miles. Phillip is fortunate to have you.”
He excused himself and returned to his own room.
When he entered, the first thing he saw was a letter propped against a floral vase. It was from Georgiana.
He took it up and broke the seal.
As he read, he felt faint, and he sat down at once.
