Chapter 61 #2
That evening, he sought out Richard, who had not been at his parents’ home Thursday.
“Guillemine Baudains Jeune will be tried for murder, attempted murder, and robbery,” his cousin informed him.
“What are the charges against Wickham?”
“Attempted murder. He has a strong case for Botany Bay, but she will hang.”
Darcy nodded, unable to muster the decency to care.
“Mrs. Jeune’s home and investments have already been turned over to the Crown. My superiors have told me the government expects to receive from her the full amount Lord Rowe originally paid for the diamonds, thirty-five thousand pounds.”
“Mmm.”
“She has held the investment for more than sixteen years, and she did not take her full interest payment several times. The principal is now more than thirty thousand pounds.”
“Impressive. What of the house?” Darcy had asked for news of their investigation, but it was not distracting him as he had hoped.
“Hard to say. Likely it is worth five hundred to eight hundred pounds.”
When Darcy stared at the rug for some minutes without speaking, his cousin clapped him on the shoulder.
“Do you know what this means, Darce?”
“Know what what means?” He rubbed his shoulder.
“I was told anything recovered in addition to the thirty-five thousand pounds given to Rowe would be considered spoils of war. Being in the army, I generally do not see such income, but naval officers get rich from their spoils.”
“You mean you will be permitted to keep some of the diamonds as recompense for your recovery of the thief and her assets?” Now he understood his cousin’s enthusiasm. This was excellent news. As a second son, a few thousand pounds would be life changing for the colonel.
“I mean you will keep them. We always called them your diamonds because you found them.”
“They were never mine—”
“The government thinks differently. I have learned that your father was one of the initial investors. It seems he did put some money into the endeavor. He and two others. One has died without heirs, and the other is a Mr. Holman, last known to live near Cardiff. The Crown put in only twenty-five thousand pounds. They are happy to keep all of Mrs. Younge’s funds and her home, but they are pretending to know nothing of the additional diamonds.
My superior told me your father put in eight thousand pounds, while Mr. Holman and the deceased man each put in one thousand.
That means you own an eighty-five percent share, and he owns a fifteen-percent share of the remaining diamonds. ”
Darcy still thought his cousin deserved them more than he did, but he wondered whether the duke or Elizabeth should be considered.
He had not seen Elizabeth in two days and had not spoken to her with any semblance of privacy since before his journey to Yorkshire.
He felt she was drifting away from him, and he was powerless to stop her.
“Darce! Darcy!”
Darcy looked up at his cousin. “I apologize. What were you saying?”
“I realize additional wealth is meaningless to you, but I had thought the Gambol of the Red Silk Reticule would hold your interest for a bit longer.”
“Forgive me. It is only that I fear for my chances with Elizabeth now that she is nobility. She will be courted by peers.”
Richard laughed, and Darcy flinched.
“Do you doubt her love for you?”
“Perhaps. She has had no time for me all week. I understand it is an exciting time for her, but I have been unable to talk to her or even touch her hand since Sunday. Her focus has been entirely on her grandfather.”
“The duke is residing in your home, Darcy. Have you spoken to him again about marrying her?”
Darcy shook his head. “I had thought to give them time together. I have scarcely even seen him in the past couple of days.”
Richard sighed. “Go. Talk to him. Or talk to Mr. Bennet if you prefer. Ask one or both for their blessings or at least for their thoughts. Do not sit around assuming the worst. You have always been a man of action, and this is the time to act.”
Darcy nodded and stood.
“Oh, and Darcy, put these somewhere safe, will you?” Richard placed the black egg-sized pouch and the red silk reticule in his hands.
“The Crown kept Mrs. Younge’s letters, but all the diamonds are here.
You are expected to seek out Mr. Holman at your convenience to give him or his heirs fifteen percent of whatever is in these bags. The rest of the diamonds are yours.”
Darcy swallowed. He had never felt comfortable carrying them around, knowing they belonged to the Crown. Now, he held some other man’s property and diamonds that he did not yet comprehend as belonging to him, even if his father had paid for them. Still, he tucked them away in his pocket.
He cleared his throat. “Did you get them appraised?”
“No. As I said, my superiors have chosen to ignore their existence. You can take care of that at your leisure.”
Darcy nodded. “I feel like the duke may be owed some of these, or Elizabeth. But they are also yours.”
“I appreciate that, Darcy, and will take a few stones happily, but first settle your own future with Lady Elizabeth. You are no fun to be around at present.”
“Right. My apologies.”
Elizabeth had not seen Fitzwilliam for days, and she worried he thought of her differently now and no longer wished for her company.
At first, she had thought he would be elated to learn of her change in social status, but perhaps he had preferred the idea of rescuing her from her lowly position.
Was that what had attracted him to her, after all?
With his fortune and connections, he could have married anyone, but he had chosen her.
It had been confusing, but she had believed in his love.
Had it all been nothing but a chivalric impulse after all?
Had he lost interest in her now that she did not require saving by a gallant paladin?
She hoped she was only being silly, but why had he not spoken to her since telling her about her family, and why did he now keep away? Grandfather said he had not even seen Fitzwilliam, though he was staying in his home. Could he have left London again without telling her?
Uncle Bennet planned to return to Longbourn on Monday, and she had hoped to have their engagement settled before then.
He had told her the day before that he was happy to give his consent for their marriage now but that she should consult her grandfather about the details.
Her uncle was her legal guardian, but he hoped to please the duke by offering the choice between the reading of the banns or common license, as Fitzwilliam had at first requested.
None of that mattered if Fitzwilliam no longer wished to marry her.