January 1812
It turned out that Darcy’s uncle had only a faint recollection of Lord Rowe’s death on the continent, but other memories were enough to prompt Richard to agree to dig further.
He had written letters after they spoke to Lord Matlock, and now that they were back in London, they were in a position to learn more.
Darcy had other business to manage first, however.
He had long since given up the lease on the Portman Square house he had taken for his sister and Mrs. Younge, and he now did all he could to ensure Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley were comfortable at Darcy House.
The afternoon after his arrival in London, he planned to call on Elizabeth.
She was to arrive by noon, so he would wait until three or perhaps two o’clock.
He was pacing his drawing room, counting down the hours, when Richard arrived.
“I have news.” His cousin’s eyes shone, and the men quickly moved to the study. As soon as Darcy told his footman to leave them undisturbed and secured the door, Colonel Fitzwilliam, almost regal in his scarlet uniform, spoke.
“After my father said he had known of a government plan to hoard diamonds, I wrote to a contact in the Exchequer, among others. I visited him yesterday and learned he had found some records for us. Mr. Gardiner’s story appears to be true, that Lord Rowe was to purchase precious gems for a few wealthy men of the kingdom, including your father. ”
Darcy nodded.
“What Mr. Gardiner did not know was that the majority of the diamonds would be kept by the kingdom. It was as much an attempt to keep the diamonds out of France’s hands as it was to have them ready to fund further fighting.
Lord Rowe was supposed to buy a large quantity with government funds and give them to his contact on the continent, who would take them to England.
The Crown would keep some diamonds and give the rest back to Lord Rowe, who was supposed to distribute them through Mr. Green. ”
“Why all the changing of hands?”
“Lord Rowe had other business in Antwerp, and it was thought the safest way to get the diamonds home while also providing a story that could leave the Crown out entirely if anything went wrong.”
“Which it did.”
“Yes, but not until after Lord Rowe purchased the diamonds.”
“You have confirmed he completed the purchase?” Darcy could barely contain his excitement.
He had no stakes in this ancient business, but he had become caught up in the mystery of it and thought of telling Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth the story later.
Both men were still standing, too agitated to sit.
“He did. Lord Rowe’s contact, one Solomon Roberts, reported that he had taken possession from Lord Rowe of twenty-five hundred carats of Mazarin brilliant and Antwerp rose-cut diamonds.”
“Twenty-five hundred?”
“Correct. Just over a pound, by weight. Quite easy to transport, you know.”
“But the cost to the Crown…”
“Indeed. Lord Rowe was able to negotiate excellent prices due to the imminent threat of invasion, purchasing well below market value. A one-carat diamond should have cost about fifteen pounds, and a two-carat stone could go for fifty pounds or more. He paid only thirty-five thousand pounds for the lot.”
“A wise investment, indeed.”
“Yes, but here is where my information gets interesting, Darcy. The Exchequer has no record of this, but I spoke to several other people yesterday and this morning…All this talking is a bit much. I am parched.”
“Forgive me.” Darcy poured them both glasses of brandy, and they sat. Richard took a long drink, and Darcy refilled his glass and resumed his seat before his cousin continued.
“Mr. Roberts took possession of more than diamonds from Lord Rowe.”
“Oh?”
“He was working for Mr. Etches, Darcy.” Richard bounced in his chair.
“Mr. Etches. Should I know who that is?”
“I suppose not. He is a legend among spies. Mr. Etches has done a great deal for the war effort. He retired a few years ago, but he lives just outside of London, and I visited him this morning. I would have brought you along, but he would not have spoken to you.”
“I understand. What did he say?” Darcy had not seen his cousin so excited in years.
“First, in the name of the Red Silk Reticule, I will tell you all, but you can reveal nothing going forward. I know you will wish to tell Miss Elizabeth and her uncle about the diamonds, and I give you leave, so long as they are discrete. But you are not at liberty to share what I will tell you now.”
“Very well.” Darcy would attempt to sway his cousin later if he felt the need to tell Elizabeth.
“Lord Rowe was working not only with Mr. Roberts but directly with Mr. Etches. He was a spy, too, Darcy! His wife had joined him on several missions in the years before Antwerp, and she was with him for his final assignment. Lord Rowe kept detailed records, later delivered to Mr. Etches, showing his progress.”
The colonel removed a folded page from his haversack and flattened it on his leg.
“Etches has several pages of notes at his home written by Lord Rowe and Mr. Roberts. His files are meticulous, and he trusts few in the government. He keeps his unsolved cases in his safe. I copied as many of the relevant points as I could, exactly as they were in the originals.”
Darcy got up and moved a small table close to their chairs, and the two men sat huddled over the page.
Jan. 19, 1793. Arrived Dover, am. Obtained passage on ship. – OR
Jan. 21, 1793. Arrived Ostend, dawn. – OR
Jan. 23, 1793. Arrived Antwerp, evening. Opera tonight. – OR
Jan. 24, 1793. Opera success. Persing tr. Auction at 10 am. – OR
Jan. 24, 1793. Auction success. 3 paintings. – OR
Jan. 24, 1793. 2500c for ￡35,000; Girl success. – OR
Jan. 25, 1793. 2500c, 3 paintings, girl to SR at 8 am. Travel Ostend. Meet 31st. – OR
“What is this OR?” Darcy pointed to the end of the first line.
“Lord Rowe used no code name. It is for Oliver Rowe.”
“Opera, Persing, auction, paintings, 2500c. That must be the diamonds. And a girl. What does it all mean?”
“First of all, it means Lord Rowe and his wife died heroes. They completed not one but three aims. Etches thinks they were killed not long after their success or sometime on the two-day journey to Ostend. It is unlikely they ever reached Ostend, as he was to have posted a final letter to Etches reporting on his movements. It would have arrived after its sender, but instead it did not arrive at all.”
“All of these details of Lord Rowe’s movements were conveyed via letters across the Channel?”
“He sent daily letters, but he also sent a summary back with Mr. Roberts.”
“I see. And what were his three completed assignments? We know about the diamonds, and it seems they were delivered to this SR. I assume that is Mr. Roberts?”
“Yes. Do you see what else was delivered to Mr. Roberts?”
“Of course. Three paintings and a girl…You do not think it could be Mrs. Younge?” Darcy looked in wonder at his cousin, his excitement now entirely understandable.
“Etches said the girl’s name was none other than Guillemine Baudains.”
Darcy laughed in surprise. “I could never have guessed the connection. But wait, what is the connection?”
“Miss Guillemine Baudains had a favorite paternal aunt by the name of Nicole Baudains. This Nicole emigrated to England and married very well. She then wished to bring her niece, then seventeen, out of the dangers of France. Her new uncle, Lord John Persing, arranged for her to travel from her home in Rouen to Antwerp, where she could be smuggled to England and reunited with her aunt and her betrothed, one Amice Coutanche.”
“Miss Baudains made it to England, but Minny Bowden never married this Mr. Coutanche, did she? She married Mr. Jeune.”
“You are getting ahead of yourself, Darcy. Remember Mr. Roberts?”
“Er, yes. The agent who was to deliver Miss Baudains to England.”
“Miss Baudains, the paintings, and the diamonds.”
“Of course. Did he give her a few gems on the way?”
“Not likely, but we cannot know. Roberts returned to England and gave three landscape paintings to Etches. He was then expected to take the diamonds to the Bank of England and finally, the girl to the earl, her uncle, Lord Persing. Before he reached the bank, Roberts was killed.”
Darcy stopped his cousin. “So, Roberts delivered the paintings to Etches first and then went to the bank? And the girl was with him this whole time?”
“Yes. Etches said he met her but left her in an anteroom while he conversed with Roberts. Aside from the girl, Etches was the last one to see Roberts alive. He had a case full of diamonds with him then, and Etches informed me he sifted them through his fingers before sending Roberts on his way. The diamonds and the girl were never seen nor heard from again.”
“Because she changed her name to Minny Bowden. But did she not live with her aunt and uncle, the Persings?”
“That is where Etches and his men looked first, but they never found her. Remember the paintings?”
“Yes. What was their purpose?”
“Lord Rowe’s reason for going to the opera that first night in Antwerp was not to entertain his young wife.
In fact, with her facility in speaking French being better than his—though his Dutch was useful—she was an asset in helping him gain intelligence.
They were there to intercept French plans.
Etches said Lord Rowe hid his copy of his daily reports and the military information inside the frame of one of the paintings.
The papers Etches recovered that day also proved Lord Persing and his wife were traitors to England, as was Mr. Coutanche.
All were working for the French cause. It is possible Miss Baudains was a part of it, as well, but they did not have proof.
She may have killed Roberts and stolen the diamonds without contacting her aunt and uncle at all before they were arrested. ”
“And Mr. Coutanche, her betrothed?”
“He was captured the day after the girl’s aunt and uncle.
All three were hanged for treason, but no trace was found of the girl.
Etches said the papers Lord Rowe sent back in the painting also made possible the success of a battle six weeks later that saved the Austrian Netherlands from French occupation. ”
Darcy sat in silence for a few minutes, taking in all he had learned. Finally, he asked one of his two burning questions.
“What did Mr. Etches say when you told him you knew who Miss Baudains is?”
Richard laughed. “He told me to have fun and reminded me he is retired.”
Darcy smiled. “I think we will. You did say I could join you to speak with Mrs. Younge, did you not?”
“I did. Her recent stint as your sister’s companion will give us the perfect entry into her company.”
Darcy looked at his cousin to gauge his reaction.
“I also want to visit the duke, Lord Rowe’s relation.”
“The duke is his father, but why visit him?” His cousin appeared skeptical.
“His son died a hero, and he likely has no knowledge of it. How would you feel if it were you who died on assignment and your father never knew? Would you not wish someone would tell him? Surely two decades later, secrecy is not required.”
Richard pursed his lips. “I will think on it. If it seems he can be told, we will go together.”
“Thank you. And now I believe you have distracted me long enough that Elizabeth should be in London. Stay as long as you like…” Darcy was already to the door.
“Give her my best, and keep all but the diamonds to yourself. And I mean you can tell them only how and why the diamonds were purchased and that they were lost. Not a word about paintings, Roberts, Etches, Baudains, Persing—”
“Yes, I understand. Perhaps I will save this story for another day, as I am sure to have other things to speak of with Elizabeth this afternoon.”