Chapter 32 The Hidden Cache
Richard slept through half the day before returning to assist in the search for the smuggled goods.
He rode along the base of the bluffs until he passed beyond the Rosings Park estate and onto the Blackmore property. Continuing onward, he finally located the men. They had paused to rest and drink water.
Richard removed the provisions from his saddlebags and offered them their luncheon. Having already eaten himself, he set off to continue the search.
Following the footpath, he eventually discovered another cave.
He halted in surprise upon finding Sir Gareth already inside, holding a lantern far within the cavern.
“Beaumont, I imagined you still abed.”
Sir Gareth grinned. “No. I slept for a few hours and returned. Miss Bennet will not rest until this business is settled, so I came back. Never let it be said that I failed to do my part in ridding the neighborhood of this scourge.”
“Ah, Miss Bennet is your motivation. Have you made her an offer?”
“I stood upon the brink of doing so when her sister disappeared, and so I was obliged to wait.”
Richard grinned. “Congratulations, Beaumont. She is as amiable as she is beautiful. You need never fear you have married a shrew.”
Sir Gareth laughed. “No, she is a treasure. A rarity.”
“Well then, let us return to our work. The sooner we locate the goods, the sooner we may return to the house.”
They labored on until the sun began to sink behind the bluffs. Then one of the servants let out a loud shout.
“Sir, it is here. I found it.”
The men emerged from the adjoining caves and hurried toward him. Nothing appeared visible from the entrance, but the servant led them around an outcropping of stone into a vast chamber.
Wooden crates stood stacked four deep and stretched all the way to the rear of the cavern.
“Well, the devil take it, you found it, Stephen. I had begun to believe the goods concealed elsewhere.” Richard clapped the man upon the shoulder. “Excellent work.”
He looked toward the others.
“Well done, men. Let us return home. I shall write a note and have it delivered to the post office. If the gang confirms the missing goods consist of the cache of lace, then we have accomplished what we set out to do.”
“Sir, how are we to mark the cave so the gang may identify it?”
Sir Gareth answered, “Raise a cairn of stones before the entrance.”
The men set immediately to work. Before long, six large stones stood piled one upon another before the adjoining cave.
Then they all returned to Rosings.
Sir Gareth asked, “At what hour do we dine?”
“Seven o’clock. I shall see you then.”
Anne hurried up to Elizabeth’s bedchamber. She found the three sisters standing close together, reading a letter Elizabeth held near the candlestick. They looked up when Anne tapped upon the door and entered with Georgiana.
“They found the treasure. Crates upon crates of lace.” Anne removed her gloves as she spoke.
“Richard has sent an express to Fitzwilliam. He asks that the excisemen seize both the smugglers and the goods in Lewisham, nearer London and far from Rosings. He wishes to keep us entirely removed from the affair.”
Elizabeth lowered the letter. “I hope they seize the brandy at the same time. I begin to fear venturing outdoors lest I stumble across more contraband.”
Anne agreed. “I have not taken out my phaeton since the brandy was discovered.”
Mary shivered. “It is fortunate you have not. You might have been abducted.”
A heavy silence settled over the room.
At length, Anne spoke again.
“We must not go out, not even to the rose gardens, until we are assured it is safe.”
She grinned at Jane. “Richard invited Sir Gareth to dine with us tonight. That man is besotted, my dear. He labored through the entire night and returned again today after only a few hours of sleep. He told Richard he was working to make this county safe for its womenfolk.”
Jane’s eyes shone with happiness.
Georgiana asked, “Miss Bennet, do you believe he means to offer for you soon?”
Jane covered her mouth with her hand to conceal her girlish giggle. “I believe he does. Twice already he has appeared upon the verge of it, but somehow the words fail him.”
“Jane, for goodness sake, give him more encouragement,” Elizabeth said. “Do not be so guarded. Smile at him.”
Jane laughed again. “Lizzy, I have. I feel almost shameless. I have been so encouraging.”
Anne added, “You are so reserved that what you consider shameless, others would regard as merely polite.”
The ladies dissolved into laughter.
Then Anne asked, “You have received a letter, Lizzy?”
“Yes, from my father. He shall arrive tomorrow for the wedding. Did Fitzwilliam mention he invited a guest to your house?”
“He did. I have prepared a bedchamber for him adjoining Jane’s room. Your mother is not coming?”
“No, Annie. My mother and I have never been close. In truth, I have proved a disappointment to her. She says she has failed me, for in spite of all her interventions, she still considers me too spirited and independent. She believes Papa has spoiled me, and no eligible gentlemen will want me.”
“Well, my dear, Fitzwilliam considers you perfect. He admires a woman who is neither a sycophant nor a simpering ninny. You were made for one another.”
Anne looked toward Mary. “How do you fare, my dear?”
Mary had settled into a chair near the hearth.
“I believe I am with child, and I would far rather await my confinement among those who love me. I shall claim morning sickness and return home to benefit from my mother’s care.”
“That is a highly unusual course to pursue, Mary,” Anne said.
“I may as well make use of Longbourn. Goodness knows I have paid dearly enough for it. My child shall inherit the estate. I have decided the baby will be born there, and if Mr. Collins does not alter his ways, the two of us shall remain there for the rest of our lives.”
Silence fell among the women while they considered her words.
At length, Georgiana asked, “I thought a husband might compel his wife to remain with him.”
Anne said, “Under the law, he can, but I am certain Richard would persuade him that if he forces Mary to reside with him against her wishes, he shall lose his position as rector of the Hunsford parish.”
After a little reflection, she added, “He is an excellent rector. The parishioners esteem him highly. His sermons are interesting and not overlong. Church attendance has increased considerably under his guidance. And with others, he behaves very differently than he does with you, Mary.”
“Yes,” Mary replied. She blinked to fight back the tears threatening to spill over. “I have observed the difference myself, particularly when he is in company here at Rosings. He presents himself as respectful and humble, but with me, he is vastly different.”
“But now you carry his child,” Anne said. “And if the baby proves a son, perhaps he may alter his behavior.”
“That may be so,” Mary answered. “We shall see. If he changes, I shall return.”
That evening after dinner, Sir Gareth Beaumont led Jane out of the dining room. He inclined his head and asked, “Will you join me in the yellow salon for not more than ten minutes, ma’am?”
Jane smiled at the man. “Yes, sir. Of course.”
Once inside, he lowered himself onto one knee before her.
“Miss Bennet, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her eyes were bright, and she said, laughing, “Yes, sir. I will marry you.”
He rose to his feet, drew her into his arms, and kissed her. She slipped her arms about his neck and leaned into him.
After a few precious moments, he drew back and said, “Jane, you have made me very happy.”
She wiped a tear and sniffed. “Sir, you have made me the happiest woman in all England.”
Laughing, he kissed her deeply, passionately. “I am utterly intoxicated by your charms, my love.”
Then he straightened and said, “I shall ride to London tomorrow and procure a marriage license. Let us marry at the same time as your sister and Darcy. Your father shall already be here and may witness both ceremonies.”
“I would love that above all things,” she said.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “We ought not linger here any longer lest I commit an impropriety. Come. Let us tell the others.”
Back in the drawing room, Sir Gareth announced their engagement.
Everyone rose and crowded around the couple, offering embraces and kisses. Richard called for champagne, and they drank to the happiness of the newly betrothed pair.
Sir Gareth remained another hour before excusing himself, explaining that he intended to depart early the following morning.
Before leaving, he turned to his host.
“Is there anything I may deliver for you, Richard?”
“No. I dispatched an express today after we discovered the cache. Darcy shall return tomorrow or the day after. I believe we have done all that lies within our power. The rest belongs to the excisemen.”
Sir Gareth glanced toward Anne. “Your wife bears her mother’s illness remarkably well.”
“Yes. She has come to understand its inevitability. Now she wishes only that her mother may suffer no longer.”
“I offer my deepest condolences, Richard.” Then, Sir Gareth took his leave and departed.