Chapter 24 Crossroads
Grosvenor Square, London
Richard entered the study, and Darcy rose to greet him. The two men embraced briefly before Richard clasped his cousin's shoulder.
“Darcy, we shall see this through together. I shall accompany you and Georgiana to America to see you safely settled. An Atlantic crossing is no light undertaking while the war continues. French privateers still prey upon British shipping, and there is always the chance of encountering an enemy frigate.”
“Thank you, Richard. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you are willing to travel with us.”
“Is January still your intended month of departure?”
“Yes. I am still putting Pemberley in order. I have heard from the steward at Braemuir. Everything is in order. Kendall will oversee the stewards of the Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire estates, while Barnes will continue in Yorkshire without supervision. He has begun the refurbishments, and all should be in readiness by the time we return from America.”
“Cousin, I feel I have failed you and Georgiana. How that blackguard managed to bring such ruin upon us is beyond my understanding. We took such pains in engaging Georgiana's companion.”
“I have thought the same thing over and over until I fear I shall go mad. What more could I have done to prevent this tragedy?”
“I expect to receive my discharge from the War Office within the next three months. Once it is granted, I shall join you in Derbyshire. I will write and let you know the exact date of my arrival.”
Darcy rose. “Richard, let us go and find Georgiana. I asked that the carriage be brought round and loaded by half past eight.”
“Yes. They were loading it when I arrived.”
The two men walked to the front entrance and watched as the servants secured the last of the trunks upon the second carriage. Reeves, Darcy's valet, and Jenny, Georgiana's maid, stood nearby, but his sister was nowhere to be seen.
“Jenny, is Georgiana ready to leave?”
“Yes, sir. She is in the library selecting a book to take with her.”
“Ah, yes.” He looked to Reeves. “If everything is in readiness, you and Jenny may depart. We shall follow shortly.”
“Yes, sir.”
Mrs. Nichols appeared carrying two large baskets. She handed one up to Reeves before placing the other inside the larger carriage.
Darcy and Richard watched as the smaller carriage rolled away. A moment later, he heard the light tread of his sister's footsteps and looked toward her. Her expression was cheerful. It was the first sign of happiness she had shown since this calamity had befallen them.
“Are you ready, my dear?”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam.”
Georgiana embraced her cousin. “Farewell, Richard. Thank you for everything you have done for us.”
The three of them walked to the carriage, and Darcy handed Georgiana inside. The two men embraced once more, and Richard said in a low voice, “It will be well, Darcy. We are not the first family to suffer such a misfortune. Others have endured it, and so shall we.”
Darcy inclined his head. “Come to us as soon as you are able, Richard.”
He climbed into the carriage, and a moment later they set off.
His two footmen followed behind on his favorite mounts, Ares, his magnificent gray, and Rowan, a striking black stallion. He intended to leave both horses at Pemberley while he and Georgiana were abroad.
As the miles passed beneath the wheels, he gazed out the carriage window and found his thoughts returning to Miss Ramsbury.
She was lost to him. Without a doubt, she would make a suitable marriage and would wed before the Season was over.
He doubted he would ever find her equal again, but there was nothing to be done.
The Darcys had been three days upon the road when the carriage slowed to a halt. Darcy stepped down and looked toward his coachman.
“What is it, Hobbs?”
“There is a carriage stopped by the roadside just ahead, sir.”
“Does anything appear amiss?”
“No, sir. There is a lady, a gentleman who appears to be her husband, and their coachman.”
“Very well. They seem safe enough. Drive on and stop beside them. We shall offer our assistance.”
Darcy and Georgiana both looked out their respective windows, hoping to catch an early glimpse of the stranded carriage ahead.
A short distance later, their own carriage drew to a halt.
Darcy observed a well-dressed lady and gentleman standing beside a modest carriage, together with their coachman and groom.
“Remain here, Sister, while I make inquiries.”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam.”
He approached the gentleman, and after the introductions were made, the two men exchanged calling cards. Darcy glanced down at the one he had received.
Edward Gardiner, Esquire
Offices at 112 Cheapside.
He slipped the card into the inside pocket of his coat before offering his assistance. As the two gentlemen discussed the situation and considered possible solutions, movement at the edge of his vision drew his attention.
He looked toward the movement.
A lovely girl was approaching. He looked more closely. No, not a girl, but a lovely young woman.
She was a little disheveled, but the effect was undeniably charming.
Chestnut curls had escaped their pins and framed her face, and the cool autumn air had lent a rosy hue to her cheeks.
The whole combined to draw his eye ever more surely to her lovely countenance.
She walked with a light, graceful step, and when she drew near and lifted her eyes to his, he found himself caught by their uncommon beauty.
They were a clear brown, flecked with green and gold, and framed by long, dark lashes.
They were, without question, the finest eyes he had ever seen.
And just now those remarkable eyes remained fixed upon his face.
He felt heat rise beneath his collar and spread across his cheeks.
Only then did he realize Mr. Gardiner was making introductions.
* * *
The tall gentleman, for a gentleman he most certainly was, appeared reserved, though not unfriendly.
When Elizabeth came to stand beside her aunt, his gaze settled upon her.
His eyes were a clear brown, light enough that she could distinguish his pupils.
He was altogether a remarkably handsome gentleman, with a well-formed, muscular figure, and an unruly lock of dark hair that curled over his left brow in a most alluring fashion.
Her heart quickened.
He might have stepped from the pages of the Greek myths she had spent so many happy hours reading.
Elizabeth was so captivated by the gentleman that she failed to hear her uncle's introductions.
“Lizzy, are you quite well, Niece?”
She started and looked to her uncle. “Sir? I beg your pardon. I was not attending.”
A hint of amusement touched his expression. “So, I perceive, my dear. I was saying, Mr. Darcy, this is my niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Mr. Darcy? Could this be the same Mr. Darcy who had so captivated her friend Caroline?
Mr. Gardiner regarded her with concern. “Are you quite certain you are well, Elizabeth? Perhaps you have walked farther than you ought.”
“No, sir. I am perfectly well, only a little distracted.” She dropped into a graceful curtsy. “Mr. Darcy, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir.”
As she raised her eyes to his, she found the gentleman looking directly at her. The corners of his eyes had crinkled, and one corner of his mouth curved ever so slightly.
“This is my niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“A pleasure, Miss Bennet.”
He bowed.
His expression warmed. And then she noticed that his color had heightened all the way to his fine cheekbones.
Was he as affected by her as she was by him?
This could not be Caroline's, Mr. Darcy.
According to her friend, that gentleman was exceedingly reserved, his face a mask that never betrayed any hint of his thoughts or feelings.
Whereas this Mr. Darcy was blushing, and the faintest suggestion of a smile still lingered upon his lips.
Looking to Mr. Gardiner, Darcy said, “Sir, my sister travels with me. May I introduce her?”
“We should be delighted.”
The fine gentleman returned to his carriage and handed down a fair-haired girl of about fifteen. She kept her eyes lowered and did not raise them until she stood before the company. Mr. Darcy made the introductions before continuing their earlier conversation.
“Sir, in regard to the broken wheel. Cromford lies just ahead, and the wheelwright there is a skilled man. If you wish, I shall take your wife and niece, along with the damaged wheel, into the village, where they may rest comfortably at the inn. The wheelwright keeps a cart and will either repair your wheel or provide a replacement. What say you, Mr. Gardiner?”
“I should be very much obliged to you for your assistance, sir.”
As the two gentlemen fell back into conversation with the coachman listening nearby, Elizabeth turned to the young lady and sought to engage her.
“Miss Darcy, I found several varieties of mushrooms in that little wood, including one especially lovely specimen with a scarlet cap covered in white spots.”
Miss Darcy glanced toward the trees. “That would be fly agaric. It is very common in these woods. We often fish in this very brook.”
Overhearing his sister, Darcy turned to Mr. Gardiner and said, “There is an excellent fishing hole just beyond that bend. Had we our rods, you and I might enjoy a little fishing while the carriage is repaired.”
Mr. Gardiner chuckled. “As a matter of fact, sir, I have my rod and Elizabeth's with us. We are traveling to my brother-in-law's estate, only two miles from Lambton, and fishing is among our favorite diversions.”
Mr. Darcy's interest quickened.
“Do you speak of the Radcliffs or the Stanhopes?”
“My wife is Mrs. Radcliff's sister.”
“Indeed? We know the Radcliffs well. They often dine at Haddon Hall, my uncle's seat.”
Mr. Gardiner looked pleased. “Then the world is close-knit after all, is it not, sir?”
Mr. Darcy agreed.