“Would you please return the Shang to the library?”
“That is not possible.”
“Whyever not?”
“Because I gave it to Princess Augusta.”
Mr Darcy shot to his feet, lost his balance, and had to steady himself on the desk. His chin dropped, leaving his mouth agape. Elizabeth almost chuckled but reined in her mirth when espying his contracted brows.
“Princess Augusta came to our house, without you having been presented or even introduced?”
“Yes. I suppose it was because she was a great friend of your mother’s.”
Darcy closed his mouth and resumed his seat, steepling his fingers. His expression reverted to one of absence of mind before he rose and pulled the tassel to summon his butler. The servant arrived after three long, silent minutes.
“Could you confirm which ladies visited Mrs Darcy this morning?” her husband questioned.
“It was only the one, sir. Miss Augusta Molesworth.”
“Why did you not inform Mrs Darcy that it was Miss Molesworth? You must have seen that she presented herself as someone else on her card.”
“I do not read the cards, sir. I would never invade Mrs Darcy’s privacy in such a manner.”
“Very well, you are dismissed.”
Mr Gilbert hesitated but a moment before leaving them.
“But…her card said—” Elizabeth closed her mouth when Darcy advanced towards her with his lips pressed into a thin line.
“Her card was obviously false. Did you not question anyone as to the veracity of her assertions? And why would you give a morning caller, princess or not, a Chinese artefact? Especially one displayed in my library, where no ladies are allowed? Well, you and the housekeeper I must exempt…” Darcy’s voice rose with each sentence.
“She already knew it was here and entreated me to view it. When she laid her eyes upon it, she was immediately enamoured and so exhilarated that she demanded I give it to her. What could I do but comply with the demands of the daughter of our king?”
“A king’s daughter!” Darcy spat. “She is the daughter of a swindler. Richard Molesworth is the third Viscount Molesworth of Swords, and Miss Molesworth is a thief who will put anything she likes into her reticule. If the item is too big, she will beg you to give it to her. Only on rare occasions will she offer to pay a significantly reduced price, which she knew perfectly well I would never accept. A princess?” Darcy mocked. “She lives in a small, dilapidated apartment.”
Her husband’s nose was inches from her face, crinkled in disgust.
“Lady Matlock said—”
“I would advise you not to imply that my aunt is culpable for any part of this scheme.”
Elizabeth swallowed hard and blinked to relieve the pressure building up behind her eyes.
“Was the bowl valuable?”
“Theguiwas three thousand years old and priceless! Not to forget that it was my mother’s most precious possession. Which is why I kept it in my library as opposed to any of the public rooms.”
Elizabeth cowed in front of his imposing figure.
“I shall leave for Miss Molesworth’s apartment at once and retrieve it.”
“And make us the laughingstock of thehaut tonas the most capricious fools who cannot decide whether to give or take?”
“I am certain she will agree to remain silent on the subject.”
“Highly unlikely,” Mr Darcy growled.
“Then what shall I do?” Elizabeth waved her arms in exasperation.
