Conundrums & Coincidences (Mr Darcy’s Dilemmas)

Chapter 20

20

SACRIFICE

T he vestibule clock struck twelve as Darcy stood at the head of the stairs, gripping the railing and watching the goings-on below him.

Just days prior, he had been determined to claim Miss Armstrong’s legacy of a country house and fifty thousand pounds. But in the gardens the previous day, although disguise was his abhorrence, he had decided to secretly cease trying to win the tournament. Miss Bennet’s need to do so trumped all his own aspirations.

For appearance and curiosity’s sake, he had continued to seek his series of puzzles and their solutions. Therefore, he knew the prize was ‘in a clock’. If Elizabeth and Mr Hadley were hurrying towards the same location, it most likely meant they were in a head-to-head race for the ultimate reward.

No longer able to keep the competitors under observation from above, Darcy quietly descended to the bottom of the staircase. Holding a forefinger against his lips, he silently warned Alfred to not reveal his presence as he slipped behind the parlour door. Barely daring to breathe, he peeked out.

Elizabeth and Mr Hadley stopped at the same instant in front of the vestibule’s walnut pendulum clock. The timepiece’s trunk had beautifully rendered carvings of birds, and there were side viewing windows on the square hood that enclosed the clock’s mechanisms and delicate face. Darcy assumed the deed to Oakwood Manor and the key to the money box—if, indeed, they were in that clock—would be hidden within a secret compartment in the base’s footed plinth.

Use that clever mind of yours, Elizabeth. There should be a disguised spring mechanism somewhere—an unseen lever or button—that will release a concealed door, drawer, or panel.

Although restless, Darcy remained stock-still, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Conflicted, he wanted Elizabeth to win for her and her family’s sake. Yet a selfish part of him wanted her to lose. Then he would provide for her and, if necessary, all the Bennets.

She, however, would gradually have to become intimately acquainted with all his strengths and weaknesses and learn to love him despite the flaws in his character. He was well aware that she would not marry for financial security alone, nor would he want her to do so.

The tournament was ending, and there were few opportunities for private, uninterrupted conversations. He was running out of time to win the lady’s heart.

Darcy recalled his first offer, the horrid one made at Hunsford. He had asked whether she expected him to rejoice in the inferiority of her connexions or to congratulate himself on gaining relations whose condition in life was so decidedly beneath his own. At such audacity and arrogance, he nearly groaned aloud in mortification and shame .

Then there was his fear that if Elizabeth won the tournament and he made her another offer, she might suspect he was doing so only because of how utterly her situation had changed. Worse, if he admitted he had forfeited the competition for her sake, she might accept him out of a sense of gratitude.

He was the architect of every conundrum he faced.

Meanwhile at the clock, Mr Hadley had tried to open the hood. Then he joggled the lower door in which the weights and pendulum were housed. Both doors were locked, and a key was required to gain access.

All the while, a variety of polite remarks and civilities passed between the two contestants.

“Oh, I beg your pardon, sir.”

“After you, Miss Bennet.”

“That was clever of you, Mr Hadley. I am sorry it was to no avail.”

“Good heavens, madam, I did not mean to touch you there!”

The young man, evidently thinking it best to distance himself from her, then stood on the left side of the clock and poked at the carved birds while the lady did the same on the right. They reminded Darcy of two lions facing one another with raised forepaws.

Crouching low, Elizabeth examined a wide, carved moulding on the base’s footed plinth. Clever creature. Darcy had suspected there might be a secret drawer concealed within that decorative strip of mahogany. Such would demonstrate not only the cabinetmaker’s ingenious skill, but it would be a perfect hiding place for papers and a key.

Mr Hadley also stooped and pressed a forefinger along the moulding on his side.

A loud, sharp, metallic sound made the four people in the vestibule startle. But only two or three of them had witnessed the moment the secret button, a bird’s eye, had been pressed by Elizabeth. The clang was followed by an elaborate six-note melodic chime pattern that resounded throughout the entryway and public rooms. Then, while Mr Hadley stood scratching his head, a secret drawer flew open and struck his shinbone.

Coming from behind the door, Darcy kept an eye on the young man lest he cease moaning and hopping about on one foot long enough to claim the drawer’s contents. No, Hadley is an honourable gentleman.

With measured tread, Elizabeth rounded the clock, her eyes wide and singularly focused on the open drawer and the legal document within. Darcy doubted she had even noticed him.

The words ‘This Indenture’ were writ large upon the top of the page, and red wax seals authenticating the deed had been affixed along its bottom. A key with an attached ribbon rested upon the paper. Falling to her knees before the drawer, Elizabeth reverently reached for her prize with trembling fingers. Holding the deed and key to her breast then, she wept what Darcy assumed were happy tears. Behind her, he surreptitiously brushed his own eyes.

“Alfred,” called Mr Hadley, “kindly fetch Mr Monroe.”

“No need.” The smiling attorney stood in the library’s doorway. “I was summoned by the clock’s unique chime.”

“Miss Bennet has been the most skilful competitor, sir,” cried Mr Hadley. “She has won the tournament!”

“Indeed, she has.” Still smiling, Mr Monroe helped the winner to her feet and bussed her hand. “Congratulations, my dear.”

Turning to the others gathered round—which by then included the entire household—the attorney declared Miss Bennet the victor and called for a round of applause. As the clapping diminished, he beckoned the butler. “Mr Atwater, a bottle or two of wine, if you please, to celebrate our winner’s sweet success. Now, young lady, if you will excuse me, I have an express to send to your father.”

Elizabeth’s eyes were bright, sparkling, and Darcy suspected she was overpowered by wonder of a most gratifying and delightful sort. Rooted to the spot, she beamed and cried and clutched to her heart the deed and the key. Surrounded then by well-wishers, she expressed herself with becoming gratitude for the kindnesses she had been shown by everyone from the butler and housekeeper on down to the stable-boy.

Having waited to come forwards, Darcy simply bowed to her when what he really wanted to do was hold her as closely as he had while carrying her from the garret. “Congratulations. Your worries have been obviated and your diligence well rewarded.”

“Thank you. Yes, matters have taken a most favourable turn.” Her happiness overflowed, and laughter escaped. “I suppose, at length, after this ebullition of shock and delight have subsided, something like composure may succeed it. For now, I am dazed and hardly know what to do or feel or say or even think. How I wish my family was here with me!”

How I wish to become part of your family!

At once, there seemed to exist an unexpected and unwelcome reserve between them; and, like Elizabeth, Darcy hardly knew what to say. In looking about, he noticed Mr Hadley awaiting his turn to congratulate the winner. The manner in which the young man was bouncing from foot to foot indicated his shin had not been badly injured.

Excusing himself and stepping aside, Darcy joined Miss Rigby and Mrs Vincent, who stood chatting just inside the parlour. While making the occasional comment, he could not help but listen to the conversation taking place beyond the doorway.

“Truly, I am not one who takes defeat with bad grace. I am utterly delighted for you.” Mr Hadley sported a wide, genuine smile. “On our first day here, I told you I had no expectation of winning a contest of mental acuity. Indeed, I was completely perplexed by this clock’s secret. At any rate, what would I do with a country house that I could not put up for purchase? No, that is not a case of sour grapes. Even had I won this place and the fifty thousand pounds, I most likely would still want to be hard at work in London at the Inns of Court, learning to be a barrister. Eventually, Eastmeadow Park, the estate in Eton Wick, will be mine someday. My brother is considerably older, and he never married.”

“Well, sir, you must come and visit me, although I have no notion of how or when I shall take up residence here at Oakwood. There is much to be decided…or decided for me, as I have not quite reached the age of majority, though my birthday is nigh.”

“How happy I shall be to see you as mistress of these venerable walls! But I should very much like to visit you, wherever you may be. Perhaps I shall have to call on you and Darcy at Pemberley one day.”

“Good heavens! Why would I be at Pemberley?”

“Come now, Miss Bennet. You must know Darcy is violently in love with you. It is plain to see.”

Plain to see? Darcy was violently, ardently, passionately in love with her. Still, he winced at having made his feelings so easily perceived by another. For such a private gentleman, those sorts of displays, clear demonstrations of intense emotion, were unprecedented. Even Elizabeth herself had not been aware, in Hertfordshire or in Kent, of his admiration and love . Only Miss Bingley, at Netherfield, had suspected his interest in the young woman.

But if I thought for a moment that such a public display was what Elizabeth desired, I would run to the top of that staircase and shout of my love for everyone to hear. Yes. That is as likely to happen as to see a hog fly!

Having accepted a glass from Christopher’s tray, Darcy took a sip and tried not to pull a face at the wine’s sweetness. He suspected barrels of the vin de pays had been imported—that is to say smuggled—from France’s northeastern region. Then sugar had been added and the champagne allowed to further ferment before being poured into superior English glass bottles. Nevertheless, he heartily joined the others and raised his glass in a toast to Miss Elizabeth Bennet and drank to the health of the new mistress of Oakwood Manor.

Half tempted to propose to her on the spot, admit what he had done, and let her accept him in appreciation for it, Darcy knew neither of them would be happy in a marriage where one’s love was unreciprocated. Besides all that, Elizabeth has enough to occupy her time and energy for the nonce.

Just then, Mr Hadley came up to him. “Well, Darcy, as soon as Mr Bolton and Jimmy have my Cleveland bays and curricle ready to go, I shall take my leave of Miss Bennet, give my thanks to Mr Monroe and Miss Rigby, and be on my way to Eastmeadow Park, four miles distant as the crow flies. After spending the night there, I shall continue on to London in the morning. I must say this has been the most diverting se’nnight I can remember. Although I came here with no expectation of winning a contest of mental acuity, I am rather proud of myself for having made it as far as I did. Remember when I… ”

Soon the two gentlemen were sharing a bit of a laugh about the epergne puzzle.

“It has been a genuine pleasure,” said Mr Hadley, “to make your acquaintance, sir. Perhaps somewhere, sometime, our paths may cross again, eh? I am sure that you and a certain young lady will find your way to one another.” For an instant, it seemed the amiable fellow was going to give Darcy a nudge or a wink, but he simply grinned at him.

“It has, indeed, been a pleasure, Hadley.” Darcy passed one of his calling cards to the younger man. “I hope you will call sometime while I am in residence at my town house. If for no other reason, you should come and see your old friend Biscuit. And if you ever find yourself in Derbyshire, Pemberley’s doors will be open to you, always.”

The two shook hands, and Darcy was sorry to see Mr Hadley go.

I, too, should leave, but… Blast! A brilliant idea formed. Why did I not consider such beforehand?

After ascertaining from Alfred that Mr Monroe was in the library, Darcy went there and conveniently encountered not only the attorney but also Elizabeth and the chaperon.

Immediately upon bowing, he blurted, “Has the express already been dispatched to Mr Bennet?” At their surprised expressions, Darcy added, “To save her father the trip, I could take Miss Bennet to Longbourn. ’Tis almost on my way.”

“On your way? Are you for Derbyshire, then?” asked Mr Monroe, eyebrows shooting upwards.

“No.” Too late, Darcy realised his folly. “I shall first go to my town house.”

The attorney exchanged a knowing look with the ladies. “Then what a strange route you would take from Oakwood to London, sir. Rather than simply travelling due east from here, you first would go north into Hertfordshire, would you?”

“I said almost, not directly.” It had been a daft idea, and Darcy was paying the price for it.

Miss Rigby, too, appeared entertained. “And would you have Miss Bennet travel alone with you, an unrelated gentleman?”

“Of course not. I would ask someone to accompany us. Perhaps a mature woman with experience in being responsible for the decorous behaviour of a young, wealthy, unmarried lady.”

“Well,” said Miss Rigby. “You are fortunate that I happen to know where you might find both a meritorious chaperon and such a young lady.”

“I thank you for the offer of transportation, Mr Darcy,” said Elizabeth. “However, my father has been staying in London with my relations on Gracechurch Street, near Cheapside. And Mr Monroe and Miss Rigby will be escorting me there on the morrow. Papa and I shall remain with the Gardiners awhile. There are legal matters to settle, you see.”

She looked apologetic and, Darcy liked to think, disappointed. “I see,” he said. “Well then, Mr Monroe and Miss Rigby, may I impose upon your hospitality for another night? I should like to leave at the same time as your party. We could travel in tandem. Safety in numbers and all that.”

“Perhaps, Mr Darcy,” said the chaperon, “you should ask Miss Bennet whether you may remain here. This is, after all, her house.”