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CHAPTER 16

Ben stood at the window of his medieval fortress, his spyglass to his eye, keeping faithful watch over the king’s land, when he noticed a splash of red moving steadily along the lane and then darting into the woods. He soon supposed it was an officer from the militia. That was something worth investigating, but he remembered Darcy’s admonishment to keep his distance from the militia.

On the other hand, as a good watchman, he felt obliged to investigate what was going on. He was about to pack his things and scuttle down to the ground when someone else came into view. A fair lady skipped along the path. Closer scrutiny revealed this was no fair lady at all. It was Aunt Lydia, and she was alone. He was no stranger to her wont of walking to Meryton nearly every day, but never had he known her to walk anywhere unaccompanied and especially not this early in the morning. Where is Aunt Kitty? Ben’s interest was piqued when he observed his aunt Lydia veer off the main path in the same direction as the officer he had espied earlier.

He imagined the militia must be conducting some secret mission and perhaps his aunt Lydia had been taken into their confidence. Perhaps she is a spy acting in service of the kingdom!

Ben suspected that Darcy did not care very much for Lydia, for he rarely, if ever, spoke to her more than was necessary in greeting or farewell. More telling was the absence of warmth in his demeanour when he was with Aunt Lydia that always existed when he was with Aunt Georgiana. Surely this intelligence would increase his esteem, for who did not admire a spy sacrificing herself on behalf of her country?

No—I dare not breathe a word of any of this to a single living soul, for doing so would surely brand me a traitor to my country.

Besides, Ben had another purpose in being out and about so early that morning. His mama had pointed out the road to his dearly beloved Grandfather Carlton’s estate the other day, and Ben was determined to journey there on his own. He was not unaware how this would meet with his mama’s objections, what with her having said on more than one occasion that she did not approve of the people who now resided at Camberworth. Ben had no intention of seeing any of them. He simply wanted to return to the place that belonged to his late father’s father. If he were quick about it, he would return to his fortress by early afternoon, and no one need ever know about his adventure.

Later that day, Darcy and Bingley nearly collided in the doorway of Bingley’s study. Bingley stepped aside. “I say, old man, where are you headed in such a hurry?”

“I must be off to retrieve my son.”

“Did you not say your London solicitors were due to arrive within the hour? What of your meeting?”

Without pausing for even a second, Darcy said, “Tell them to await my return.”

Ever since Ben had wandered off from Cheapside that harrowing day last spring, Darcy had made certain Ben was properly escorted wherever he went. Having no reason to suppose Ben would venture beyond the confines of the Longbourn estate, Darcy had relaxed his restrictions in Hertfordshire. Now learning what a mistake that had been, he did not know whether to be aggrieved or amazed upon receiving word of Ben’s whereabouts that afternoon.

Upon being announced, Darcy strode into the room. Ben pushed his chair away from the small table where he and his uncle Henry Carlton sat and rushed to Darcy’s side. Carlton, a tall gentleman with dark hair and a slender build, was right behind his nephew. The gentlemen bowed.

“Mr. Darcy, it is a pleasure to see you again.”

“Indeed.”

Ben’s eyes opened wide. “You already know my father, Uncle Carlton?”

“Indeed, your father and I had the pleasure of making each other’s acquaintance when he first arrived in Hertfordshire.”

A servant entered the room, and Carlton excused himself, thus allowing Darcy and Ben a bit of privacy.

“Why did you keep your plans to visit Camberworth a secret?”

“I am sorry. I should have told you, for I knew you would understand, but you would have told Mama.”

“Why should your mother be kept in the dark?”

Ben lowered his voice to a whisper. “Mama does not like the people who reside here.”

“I will have to inform her, for there are no secrets between your mother and me.”

Carlton approached Darcy and Ben. “You know, I truly do not mind that my nephew thought to come all this way to visit. I was delighted to renew our acquaintance, for he was so very young when we last saw each other.”

He turned to Ben. “If your parents will allow it, you are invited to return at any time during your stay in Hertfordshire. In fact, if Mr. Darcy is agreeable, I would love for the two of you to join me for a day of fishing. What say you, Mr. Darcy?”

“I see no harm in that.”

“Capital!”

Taking his son by the hand, Darcy said, “Ben, we must be off, for I have a prior engagement this afternoon. I can delay it no longer. Say goodbye to your uncle.”

Shortly thereafter, Darcy and Ben sat high upon Darcy’s stallion, which trotted along at a slow, steady pace. Ben’s pony trailed behind them. Darcy said, “Ben, although your mother and I strongly believe in the importance of familial legacy, that does not give you licence to discover it on your own. You were wrong to wander off to Camberworth all alone. Your act will not go unpunished. You do understand, I pray.”

His lower lip trembling, Ben turned to face Darcy. “I hope you are not saying I cannot return to Camberworth. Pray you and I will go fishing with my uncle.”