The Best Part of Love (Happily Ever After with Mr Darcy #3)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

The gentlemen who were gathered at the Matlock estate near Derby represented the most powerful in Parliament as well as the wealthiest in England.

The occasion was, ostensibly, to shoot and fish, but all knew they were gathered for one true purpose: to find a solution to the massive problem that had so recently landed in their laps.

Failure would have far-reaching consequences, and it could not be considered.

Servants were busily setting out refreshments and drinks in the room as the gentlemen assembled.

It was understood that the deliberations would be long, and to adjourn before a solution was found would be impossible.

The gentlemen greeted one another and discussed only trivial matters as the servants attended to their tasks.

When their duties were finished, Lord Matlock instructed them to leave the room and not return unless summoned.

As the last footman departed, the earl engaged the lock on the door.

Lord Liverpool had charge over the proceedings, and Lord Matlock indicated he might begin. Before he could, however, he was preceded by Lord Whitworth, a man of more interest than influence, who was given to nervous effusions.

“A disaster! Why, any manner of doing might come forth, and with the king gone mad—”

Liverpool, celebrated for his sobriety and dedication to restraint, held up his hand. “I understand your anxieties, but let us first discuss what is known before we give way to our fears, shall we?”

With that, Whitmore was silenced, and the discussion could begin.

“As I am certain you are all aware, the Courtenay fortune is extraordinary, and the lands they own are extensive. Upon the Earl of Courtenay’s death two years ago, the holdings went to his son Henry Warren.

Lord Courtenay succeeded his father’s seat in Parliament the same year.

His brother, the Honourable Francis Warren, received a generous settlement as well as an estate in Ireland from their mother’s people.

“Francis is the younger brother?”

Liverpool gave what was, for him, a smirk. “Francis is Henry’s twin. For ease of discussion, I shall henceforth refer to the two brothers by their Christian names.

“Francis is younger by only an hour, and he was known to be heartily resentful of that fact. Long before the conspiracy was born, it was observed that Francis did not like his brother. Even their schoolmasters at Eton attested to the rivalry although Henry was less vituperative in his expression of it. However, from all that can be determined, it was not until Francis took up with his latest circle of friends that the notion of fratricide moved from vague notion to well-conceived plan.”

Owen asked, “Are we certain Mr Francis Warren was behind this? Could the group have acted without his knowledge?”

“Francis hid his actions well,” Liverpool replied, “and, naturally, did not fire the gun himself—that was hired out. We have no firm evidence linking him to this yet, but we shall seek it, either by the word of his co-conspirators or in some sort of written proof.”

“Does this group, the radicals, have a name?” asked Lord Moore.

“The group has not a name, a creed, discrete members, nor a clearly defined mission. Their cause may be loosely described as a desire to topple existing class structure. They are against Parliament and those in it, as well as the sovereign and the Prince of Wales. They are devoted to the writings of Thomas Spence and Thomas Paine, and they admire the French and American rebels. They support the Catholics, the abolitionists, even”—Liverpool emitted a dry, short chuckle—“the writings of Mrs Wollstonecraft.” The gentlemen laughed.

“The fact they are so ill-defined makes them difficult to follow, and observation has thus been limited to a few key persons of interest. As the group had few resources, and did little besides vent their spleens, they were generally disregarded.

“Their object in approaching Francis was money.

The coffers of the Courtenays, as we are all aware, are sufficient to support any number of radical uprisings.

Mr Francis Warren is a man with little sense and an excess of vanity, matched only by his pride.

In exchange for his financial contribution, he was promised a position of honour and authority within the new order that the group would establish.

“And how did the group plan to establish this new order?” Liverpool moved to a table, unfolding some documents upon it.

The men gathered closely around him. “In the usual manner of rebels, several assassinations were planned, including my own and several of you in this room. Family homes would be destroyed, and attempts would be made on the lives of our sovereign and his male heirs—the Prince of Wales first and foremost.”

A grave silence ensued; it was sobering to see one’s name on a list composed by assassins.

Liverpool continued, “Killing Lord Courtenay was the first order of business, and it was achieved. Francis Warren would be the next Earl of Courtenay and in control of the family fortune but for one thing…”

“Which is?”

Liverpool allowed a scant smile to breach his sombre mien. “The plans were in motion when Francis learnt his brother was betrothed. Henry further confounded him by marrying within a week of his brother’s hearing the news.

“The conspirators advanced their timing, hoping to beat the inevitable, but they have failed. I learnt a few days ago that Henry’s young widow is with child. If the child is male, it will be he who inherits and not Mr Francis Warren.”

A short and heated discussion followed as this information was acknowledged, disputed, accepted, and placed within the context of the various rumours and hearsay to which the other men were privy. When the group was settled, rational conversation began.

Liverpool continued to hold sway. “Matlock, have you any insight into the matter of Lord Courtenay’s marriage?”

Lord Matlock was quiet throughout the proceedings.

An intelligent man, he was noted for his ability to remain silent unless he had something of worth to offer.

When he did speak, he was listened to with respect.

The elder Earl of Courtenay, father of the more recently deceased earl, had been one of his dearest friends, dating from their days as schoolboys.

Therefore, he could boast a greater understanding of the family than the others in the room as well as a more personal interest in upholding the Courtenay family name and keeping it unsullied by accusations of disloyalty and treason.

Lord Matlock cleared his throat. “Henry Warren was of age when his father passed; I believe he and his brother were thirty this year. Although I am his godfather, he neither required nor sought my counsel when he set his mind towards marriage. I learnt of his rather precipitous wedding in the tattle sheets, as did you all.”

Whitmore was first to react, his voice quivering with nervousness. “She is a country nobody! How are we to know she is not part of the plot? Perhaps she used some sort of arts to lure him. She might spend the Courtenay fortune supporting these radicals, or she might raise her son to do so.”

“Lady Courtenay was formerly Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and she brings with her an entirely different set of concerns,” Lord Matlock admitted.

“She is the daughter of a gentleman of little consequence whose estate is in Hertfordshire near the small village of Meryton and not ten miles off the Great North Road.

“Meryton and its neighbourhood are rather rustic. Mr Bennet is one of the more prominent landholders, and his estate brings in only about two thousand a year. Mr Bennet’s family has been on the land for above a century, but many of the other families in the area are either recently risen from trade or mere farmers.

There are four and twenty families of note within the environs of Meryton, but they are all unknown among the ton.

“Concerns that Lady Courtenay—or perhaps her father—is sympathetic to the cause of her brother-in-law’s radical friends have not yet been laid to rest. Mrs Bennet is descended from tradespeople; therefore, it is possible the Bennets were sympathetic to a change in the order, although there has been no indication of seditious activities. ”

“How did such a girl ensnare Lord Courtenay? How would she manage to meet him?” Lord Moore asked, amazed. Having recently seen three of his daughters through their first Seasons and into the marriage state, he could deem the process nothing short of arduous.

“We do not know,” Liverpool admitted. He paused, taking a drink from his glass.

“However, I must say, Lady Courtenay is full young. She had only recently come out into country society, and she had not been among London society at all until she married. So as unlikely as it was for her to meet Henry, it was even more unlikely that she would have met Francis, or any member of his cohort, prior to her marriage. I suspect we shall find she had no part in the plot, but we still must learn what we can about her.”

“However, we must also protect her,” Lord Matlock added.

“As Lord Courtenay’s widow, she now controls the Courtenay lands and fortune for the benefit of the possible heir apparent.

Mr Francis Warren and his colleagues are aware of that, and they might attempt any number of plots to prevail in their objective.

They might persuade her, they might coerce her, or they might simply kill her to achieve their goals.

A man who would stoop to killing his brother could have no scruple in ridding himself of the inconvenience of a widow and unborn child. ”

Lord Matlock paused to allow them all to consider his words.

“Efforts to apprehend the key traitors must be given the highest priority. We must also do all we can to retain Lady Courtenay within our control until her lying in, both to protect her and to watch her, ensuring she does not sympathise or collude with the radicals.”

Much discussion ensued with debate on the ideal means of achieving both goals.

In the end, it was decided that a special group comprised of selected military men of valour would be placed on this mission to eradicate the conspirators.

These men would be overseen by a few members of Parliament who would direct the efforts on behalf of the whole.

Lord Matlock would serve as the intermediary between Parliament, the military, and Lady Courtenay.

For young Lady Courtenay, a remote place in the country would be found where she might give birth to her child in safety and secrecy. A companion and suitable protectors would accompany her. Once the sex of her babe was known, along with the bent of her loyalties, further plans would be laid.