Chapter Twelve
“No.” She held out a hand.
“No?”
“I am rather put out with you at the moment and would prefer not to answer any questions…any important questions wearing a dressing gown in a sick room. And I believe you should not commit yourself to such a course following a great threat to my life. You might regret it later.”
He glanced down at the floor and then back at her. “That is…fair. These are not the most auspicious circumstances for such momentous decisions. I know I will not change my mind, but I am willing to wait and prove it to you. Will you make me one promise?”
“Perhaps.”
“Will you promise not to accept another man’s offer of marriage until I have the opportunity to make one?”
She laughed. “Who do you think might make me an offer?”
The corners of his mouth curved upward. “Mr. Collins is still unattached.”
Her laughter increased. “Yes, I promise I will not accept another man’s offer of marriage without first listening to your proposal.”
“Then I am satisfied—for the moment.”
***
Leaving Elizabeth alone for any length of time made Darcy anxious, although he knew he was being irrational. Longbourn was warded by her father’s mancy, but he could still imagine any number of ways a clever villain could gain access to her room.
He was suitably chastened by her rebuke.
She was absolutely correct; he had not considered her feelings at all.
He had assumed she felt about him the same way he felt about her, and that his wealth would compensate for any inequality in their affections for each other.
But he knew her better than that. Only love would tempt her, not wealth.
Thank goodness he had won her love; for an awful moment he had worried she would tell him she could not love him.
He should know better than to make assumptions when it came to Elizabeth Bennet.
He had hoped to sweep her off her feet with a romantic proposal. But he would have to wait for a future opportunity.
Darcy would have preferred to spend the whole day by Elizabeth’s side, but he had other urgent concerns to address. He reluctantly made his way to one of Longbourn’s drawing rooms, where Richard awaited him. “How does Miss Elizabeth fare?” his cousin inquired.
“She is sleeping again,” he replied. “But I believe she is recovering quickly.”
Richard’s expression was grim. “I just received a note from Colonel Forster. Wickham has escaped.”
Darcy uttered an oath.
“Just so,” Richard agreed. “It appears he had help. My guess is the necromancer is scheming to employ his talents again.”
“We must conceal Elizabeth.”
Richard nodded. “I have been considering our next move. We cannot remain here indefinitely. Even if Wickham himself does not seek her out, Miss Elizabeth is too easy for the necromancer to find.”
“Perhaps I should remove her to Netherfield.”
“That would do her reputation no favors,” Richard pointed out. “It is also the second place they would look for her.”
Darcy rubbed the back of his neck. Richard was not wrong. “I could take her to Darcy House or Pemberley.” The idea was immediately appealing to Darcy. Hours alone with Elizabeth? It would be heavenly.
Richard raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“We would be accompanied by a suitable chaperone!” Darcy said quickly.
“I am sure,” Richard murmured. “As delightful as it would be for you, the necromancer would quickly guess those locations. We must also determine how he knows she is a vivomancer. If we can answer that question, we may be able to identify him.”
“You have kept Cranston apprised of recent events. No doubt he will be investigating that question.”
“Of course,” Richard said slowly. “But that may not be sufficient…if the leak is internal to the Agency….”
Darcy regarded his cousin as something niggled at the back of his mind. What was Richard thinking? “You suspect the director might be the necromancer!”
Richard’s expression was pained. “I do not want to credit the idea, but the pieces fit. He is one of the few people with knowledge of Miss Elizabeth’s abilities.
And I gave Cranston the list of the necromancer’s followers.
He has not moved against any of them. That may be for political reasons, but… .”
Darcy rubbed his chin, considering the awful possibility.
The investigation into the necromancer had been instigated by Richard based on rumors he had heard.
Once Darcy had learned the scope of the Necromancer’s activities, he had been amazed the Agency had not heard such rumors before.
Perhaps there was a reason for a lack of previous investigation.
The thought threatened to choke him. If the very heart of the Agency was corrupt, what hope did they have? Nobody else was likely to suspect the director, let alone investigate him. He and Richard could tell nobody of their suspicions until they were confirmed.
“What do you propose?” he asked his cousin.
“You and I should return to town and visit Cranston. We can learn more by speaking with him.”
“But I do not want Elizabeth to be unprotected,” Darcy said.
“Perhaps…” Richard said. “My mother could take her in for a few days. That would also alleviate any concerns about propriety. Matlock House is well protected. My father has paid a fortune for wards.”
Darcy rubbed his chin as he considered the idea.
His aunt and uncle would be shocked when he announced his engagement to Elizabeth.
But as of yet there was nothing to announce.
It might soften the blow if they made her acquaintance beforehand.
He doubted he might ever win his uncle’s approval; the man thought very highly of the ties of blood and family.
But his aunt might eventually be charmed by Elizabeth’s wit and manners.
Certainly it would not hurt for them to make her acquaintance.
Elizabeth exhibited curiosity about London and would probably consent to the journey.
“It is a good thought, Richard,” he said. “Will you send a message to your mother? I hope Elizabeth will be well enough to travel tomorrow.”
***
The next few days were a whirlwind for Elizabeth.
Mr. Darcy consulted her about his scheme to remove her to London and the home of the Earl of Matlock, and she readily agreed.
She certainly would be better protected there—in Mr. Darcy’s company—than at Longbourn.
She had visited London little; staying with a peer of the realm promised to be an exciting experience—despite the danger.
Her mother was beside herself at the honor that would accrue to her daughter.
Her father, newly awakened to his daughter’s mortality, did not desire her to make such a journey accompanied only by gentlemen they barely knew.
At first, Mr. Bennet was bent on having the entire family travel with her, but this was not a practical plan.
After much discussion, Jane was selected to accompany the party.
Although she was sorry to take Jane away from Mr. Bingley when their relationship was at such a promising stage, Elizabeth was grateful for the company.
Her father insisted that the rest of the family would follow no less than a day later and stay with their relatives, the Gardiners, at their house on Gracechurch Street.
The party traveled to London without incident and in great comfort in Mr. Bingley’s coach, which he had lent to Mr. Darcy for the occasion.
Matlock House was far larger than any London house Elizabeth had ever seen.
The butler escorted them into a parlor lavishly decorated with blue silk curtains and gilt furnishings.
Lady Margaret rose to embrace her son and nephew—after which Colonel Fitzwilliam made the introductions.
Lady Margaret’s welcome to the Bennet sisters was gracious if not particularly warm. She cordially invited them to sit, and a maid provided tea and biscuits—precisely as one ought to treat guests. She inquired about their families, quickly establishing that they had no acquaintances in common.
The countess then turned her attention to Colonel Fitzwilliam. “Did you know that the Duke of Burlingham’s second son is engaged to Viscount Fortunegate’s daughter?”
“No, I had not heard.”
She nodded. “An extremely advantageous match on both sides.”
“Indeed.”
Elizabeth did not imagine that the topic of marriages was a random one.
Lady Margaret’s gaze fixed on Mr. Darcy. “The Earl of Mansfield’s daughter made her bow this year. Such a lovely girl! Have you met her?”
“I have not had that pleasure,” he said in a measured tone.
“The marital season is well underway!” she exclaimed. “You should remain in London rather than traipsing around the country. Pemberley needs an heir.”
He set his teacup on the table. “A certain amount of traipsing has been necessary for Council business.” Mr. Darcy had informed Elizabeth in the carriage that his aunt and uncle knew about his position with the Agency.
Lady Margaret waved her hand negligently.
“Someone else can perform those duties.” Mr. Darcy heaved a sigh and did not reply to a comment he had undoubtedly heard before.
“You have an obligation to the Darcy name,” his aunt insisted as her gaze slid over Elizabeth and Jane.
She must worry they had designs on her son and nephew.
A contrary impulse struck Elizabeth. I could request my proposal from Mr. Darcy now.
He was certainly eager to offer it. How shocked Lady Margaret would be to discover that Elizabeth was the one preventing the banns from being posted.
But, she reminded herself, the object of the visit is to catch the necromancer.
Shocking Lady Margaret must wait for another day.
The Earl of Matlock was not at home when they arrived, but his presence was promised for dinner. Lord John, the earl’s heir and Richard’s older brother, was at the family’s country estate—where Mr. Darcy’s sister Georgiana also resided—so they did not expect to encounter him.