Chapter 60
Chapter Sixty
After dining with the duke, who had wanted nothing more than to talk about Oliver all evening, Darcy and his cousin had retired to their shared sitting room.
“His Grace poses no threat to Miss Elizabeth’s well-being.” Richard was pushing to inform the duke all.
“I agree, for the most part.”
“For the most part? The man is harmless.”
“He is. He is a kind man who I believe Elizabeth would love. She deserves to know him. He is not young either, so I have no wish to wait another year before telling her she has a grandfather.”
“So, we are agreed? We will tell him in the morning?”
“Let us consider this from Mr. Bennet’s perspective for a moment, Richard.”
Richard sprawled on a settee near the fire. He steepled his forefingers and placed them under his chin.
“Very well. You bring the duke to London to meet Miss Elizabeth, and how would Mr. Bennet feel?”
“Threatened. He is her guardian, but the duke will wish to know her and possibly even have her move to Yorkshire with him…” Darcy swallowed, realizing what this could mean for him.
They would not be as close as if she were to stay in London, but Rowe Manor was not so far from Pemberley, perhaps fifty miles.
He and his cousin would have stopped at his home on the way here if they had not been in such a hurry.
It was only slightly out of their way. “Or he could fight for guardianship.”
“That is unlikely if Mr. Bennet allows him to see her. Assuming Mr. Bennet does, in fact, have legal guardianship. It could be to your benefit, however, if the duke has a say. His Grace loves you after you showed him your diamonds and explained his son’s heroics.
He would give you permission to marry his granddaughter. ”
Darcy’s lips twisted. “He loves you in the same way and for the same reasons. No matter who her guardian is, I have a feeling this is the reason Mr. Bennet insisted she wait until she is of age. If the truth comes out sooner, though, what is to delay our wedding?”
Richard sat up quickly. “Oh no.”
“What is it?”
“Darcy, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is Lady Elizabeth Rowe, the daughter of an earl, the granddaughter of a duke.” Richard looked him in the eye, and his heart sank.
“This is why he refused me. He thinks me too far beneath her.” Darcy put his hands to each side of his head, resting his elbows on his knees. He sat up and pushed his fingers through his hair, tangling his curls.
“The gap in stations is larger than that between your own parents or mine, but your cause is not lost.”
“But what would Mr. Bennet think if I brought the duke to Elizabeth? Would he turn further against me if I reunited her with someone he has spent nineteen years hiding her from?”
“Possibly. But consider. You could also inform Mr. Bennet that we apprehended the people who made three attempts on his niece’s life and ordered the murder of his sister and brother.”
“Of course.” Darcy hit his forehead with his palm. “Mrs. Jeune did not hire Wickham to kill Elizabeth to harm me. She had a miniature from Lord and Lady Rowe. It was probably identical to the one in my pocket. It was not with the pocket watch we returned to His Grace, but Wickham may have seen it.”
“Do you think that is why Wickham was after Miss Elizabeth last year?”
“Possible, but I do not think he would have given up so easily in that case. He would have kidnapped her and taken her to Gretna Green had he known. Elizabeth thinks he simply mistook her wealth due to being with the Bingleys and appearing a gentlewoman.”
“So, you think he saw the miniature after he had failed to seduce her. Then Mrs. Jeune realized the baby lived and sent Wickham to kill her without knowing why.” Richard nodded. “That sounds plausible. We have them both in custody now, so we will interrogate them further when we return.”
“Without giving away Elizabeth’s true identity.”
“Very well. I can be discreet.”
Darcy nodded. “The biggest question now is whether Mr. Bennet is the type to force his niece to marry for advantage instead of for love.”
“The duke made that mistake once, so we can hope he has learned his lesson and will be overjoyed to have his granddaughter marry a rich man from the north. What of your lady? Will she rethink your arrangement once she learns her true identity?”
“No. Elizabeth will not change her mind.” Would she?
“Have you decided what you wish to do?”
Darcy shook his head. “I keep thinking about what will allow me to marry her quickly, but I should instead be thinking about what is best for her.”
“Can those not be the same thing?”
“I pray they are.”
The next morning, after too little sleep, Darcy told his cousin he had decided to send an express to Mr. Bennet. He had not written it yet, though, because he still was unsure what to tell the duke.
“If we could get him to London without telling him all, it would be ideal. I would prefer to speak to Mr. Bennet first to ensure we are not missing something, but I do not want to lose another fortnight in returning to Yorkshire to retrieve the duke.”
“Lizzy, your Uncle Bennet has written that he will come to London next week. Did he tell you the same?”
“No, Uncle. Why is he coming?”
“He wishes to ensure you are safe. Wickham trying to kidnap you must have him unsettled.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “But you wrote Mr. Wickham has been apprehended. I wonder why he would come now. Did you say anything else in your last letter to him?”
Her uncle considered. “I told him about Matthew’s injury, but he is almost fully recovered now…I told him Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were also there to protect you.”
“I hope he is not coming to stop me from seeing Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth knew he could.
“He would have written me a letter commanding it before coming himself if that was all. Oh, I also told him about Mr. Darcy’s diamonds. I thought the story might be of interest to him, as we have found so much entertainment from it recently.”
“Nothing more? Perhaps he does only wish to see me after hearing about Mr. Wickham’s latest attempt. Have you heard from Mr. Darcy? Do you know why he went to Yorkshire?”
“No, I have not had a letter. Do you suppose he will complete his business quickly? I am undecided whether it is better or worse for him to be here when your uncle arrives.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Without knowing why my uncle is coming, that is impossible to say. Mr. Darcy should have reached Yorkshire yesterday, but I do not know why he went. He has been rather mysterious lately.”
“All in good fun, Lizzy. Have you not noticed he has been mysterious since he showed us those three diamonds and told us where he found them?”
“Yes, but you do not think all of his travels have been about the diamonds, do you? Oh, I hope not! Remember, Lord Rowe may have been killed over diamonds. Will Mr. Darcy remain safe, do you think?”
Her uncle patted her shoulder. “I am sure he is fine, Lizzy. When did you last hear from him?”
“I received a letter today, but he sent that at the beginning of his trip north.”
“Do not worry. Three little diamonds will not put him at any risk. Remember, Lord Rowe had far more, if he had them at all.”
Elizabeth sighed. “Of course. I do not like it when Mr. Darcy is away.”
“That is only natural, Lizzy. I will speak to your uncle again about allowing you to marry Mr. Darcy.”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Elizabeth knew it was no use, but she appreciated Uncle Gardiner’s support.
“Oh, and in case Aunt did not tell you yet, Jane said she and Charles will be here this evening. Charles has expressed an interest in going to St. Helen’s church tomorrow, so they will spend the night.
I think they are getting tired of his sisters and will be back at Netherfield soon. ”
She and her uncle laughed.
Monday morning, Darcy and his cousin were on their way back to London.
The Duke of Malmesbury traveled with them, his own carriage following.
They would stop at Pemberley that day to break their journey.
His cousin agreed it would only help his suit to allow the duke to see Darcy’s wealth and standing in society.
They had decided to tell the duke everything. Sunday afternoon, Darcy had showed him Elizabeth’s miniature of her mother and explained why he had it. The duke had barely taken a break from questioning him about Elizabeth since then.
He had not agreed to accept Darcy for Elizabeth, but he had also not scoffed at the idea. He did question Mr. Bennet’s reasons for delaying the marriage and Darcy’s entire history with her. The duke was alternately elated and sagacious since learning of his granddaughter’s being alive.
Given what he had told the duke, Darcy thought it only right to inform Mr. Bennet of the upheaval about to enter Elizabeth’s life.
He had decided not to send the letter by express, though, as he wanted to be sure to get to Elizabeth before Mr. Bennet did.
And to be cautious, his letter was vague.
He told the man he had important news to share and hoped he would come to London.
The duke had needed to take the journey more slowly than Darcy and his cousin would have alone, so in the end, they did not reach London until Saturday evening.
The duke had been somber on this last day, reminding them it was the anniversary of the deaths of Elizabeth’s parents.
When they finally reached Darcy House that night, it was all Darcy could do to remain there when he was so close to Elizabeth.
If it were not for a heavy rainstorm that had met them in London, he might be at her doorstep even now.
He wished he had not sent his letter to Mr. Bennet at the start of his journey.
He may be at Gracechurch Street already.