Page 19 of Conundrums & Coincidences

Miss Rigby nodded her thanks to the man, then addressed Elizabeth. “You should not be alone out here with”—she scowled again at Darcy—“him.”

Why does she dislike me so? Whatever the reason, he was thankful Miss Rigby had not the supervision of Elizabeth during the young lady’s stay in Kent. Had such a strict chaperon been there, she and he would not have been able to meet for their private rambles within the park. At least I thought Elizabeth and I had an arrangement to meet alone there. The more fool I!

“Mr Darcy,” said the chaperon, “you have been summoned by Mr Monroe. He presently is holding court in the library.” With efficient brusqueness, she bid the gardener a good day, turned on her heel, and spoke over her shoulder. “Come along quickly now, both of you.”

As the three strode towards the manor, the somewhat less spry Miss Rigby gradually lagged behind, out of earshot.

“That woman makes me feel like a lad being summoned for reprimand.”

“I am all astonishment, sir. Do you actually know how it feels to be rebuked?”

Darcy gave her a pointed look. “Yes, I do. And you, of all people, should know that.” He feared he had offended her when she turned her head away and was silent. The only sound was wood being chopped somewhere in the distance. To his relief, several beats of his heart later, her eyes met his with a teasing glint.

“Surely Mr Darcy of Pemberley never did anything naughty.”

His ears reddened, and he was glad his hair was in need of a cut and that his hat sat low. Inspired by her gentle tease, he waggled his eyebrows at her and was rewarded with a delighted smile. Darcy’s heart then soared like a long-winged, forked-tailed red kite aloft on a summery breeze.

“Speaking of things that astonish me, sir, I was equally surprised this morning when you played Buffy Gruffy. I had not thought you would so willingly expose yourself to ridicule. But, with such commendable thespian talent, you could have had a career on stage. How did I not know that about you?”

“There are many things you do not know about me. And, since we parted in Kent, I have tried to change for the better. You may be pleased to know that any improvement you might perceive was wrought entirely thanks to you.” He cast a quick look over his shoulder at the chaperon. “But that is all I shall say on the subject for the nonce. As for acting… At age eleven, shortly after my mother died, I was sent to school. There, amongst other things—some more unpleasant than others—we learnt elocution, and we performed scenes from the books we had to read.” He further lowered his voice. “In fact, I have been acting my entire life. Acting superior. Acting the fool. Acting⁠—”

Miss Rigby caught up with them, for they had arrived by then at the house.

Subsequent events happened with a swiftness that left Darcy standing alone until Alfred, at his customary post in the vestibule, came and received his hat, gloves, and walking stick. All the while Darcy’s eyes remained fixed on Elizabeth as the chaperon swept her away, up the wide staircase.

Next, Alfred opened the library door and announced him. There Darcy was greeted by a distracted Mr Monroe and invited to join him at a Sheraton writing table. Behind them, the footman silently left and closed the door.

Settled into a low chair, Darcy could not help but ask, “Are you well, sir?” The attorney was pale and appeared bone-weary.

“Well enough, I thank you.” Mr Monroe rubbed his temples, casting doubt on his assertion of health. “This has been quite the day, though. A valuable vase has gone missing. And the sequence of Mr Hadley’s search has been disrupted, but that is the least of my troubles. I have a master list and shall have the young man’s difficulty resolved in no time. However, I have had two—no, three—complaints concerning you, sir.”

“Complaints? About me?” Taken aback, Darcy uncrossed his legs and sat straighter.

“I am afraid so. The first report concerns a tender moment witnessed yesterday, near the games room, between you and another beneficiary. You cannot doubt to what I allude, yet on Thursday you informed me there was no attachment there.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Which is it, sir? Do you have an understanding, or are you a scoundrel?”

Darcy opened his mouth to protest, but the attorney held up a hand. “A moment, please. I must emphasise that the young lady in question is under my and Miss Rigby’s protection here, and I promised her father she would be perfectly safe. Now, what do you have to say for yourself?”

“I give my solemn word as a gentleman that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is, unequivocally, in no danger from me. What occurred yesterday was the result of an impact. It seems that at the time of the collision neither of us was watching where we were going. If there is any menace here at Oakwood, it is not from me. I cannot speak for the others, but I am fairly certain Mr Hadley also presents no danger to Miss Bennet.”

Mr Monroe nodded thoughtfully. “I have heard such differing accounts of you that I am exceedingly puzzled. One detractor says you are disobliging. Cruel even. Another critic asserts you purposely are hampering their progress in the tournament. Yet another fault-finder fears you may be a rake. On the other hand, there is at least one beneficiary who told me they recently changed their mind about you and now believe you hang the moon. As for Miss Bennet, I do not know her opinion.”

I would not care for you to know what Elizabeth thought of me two months ago, but I would give the world to know what she thinks of me now.

“You should know, Mr Darcy, that everyone employed here at Oakwood has been tasked with keeping an eye on you and the other beneficiaries during this competition. Several of them, when asked, reported seeing you secretly meeting with others.”

“I was not aware that simply being in company with them constitutes collusion.”

“Not at all, not at all.” The attorney cleared his throat. “But then there was that curious exchange you had with Miss Bennet during Gruffy Buffy or whatever it is called. I could not hear her soft response to your second question. Still, those first two enquiries seemed rather odd and not at all in keeping with a silly game. My concern, of course, is Miss Armstrong’s insistence that this property not be sold. However, I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Just be aware you are, almost always, under observation and that I am sure to receive intelligence of any wrongdoing.”

Standing, Mr Monroe extended an arm towards the library door. “Oh, before you go… I have not received a request for verification from you today. Do you have something for me?”

Between the morning’s parlour games and the afternoon’s walk, Darcy had forgotten about his solved puzzle. Standing and reaching into a breast pocket, he withdrew two items. The first, a piece of foolscap, was unfolded and placed upon the table.

I cut my first with my second and put my whole in my pocket.

“That,” said Darcy, “required little thought. And this”—he added a penknife with a slip of paper wound round it to the foolscap—“was readily found in the drawer right there beside you.”

“Well done, sir.” Mr Monroe unfurled the paper from the knife, gave it a glance, nodded, and returned it to Darcy. “Be assured that casting aspersions upon you did not come easily to me, and I wish you continued good fortune in the days ahead.”