The men exchanged a look and Darcy answered. “I guess it would depend on how much money one was willing to invest in the problem. An investigator with unlimited funds to hire many eyes and ears, might see success.”
This line of discussion was canvassed for several minutes and only cut short by a knock on the drawing room door.
“Come,” Mr Gardiner called out.
A maid entered and handed a card to Mr Gardiner. She curtseyed. “Beg your pard’n, sir, they are asking for Mrs Carrington.
Chapter 21
Mr Gardiner looked at the card and frowned, then lifted his eyes to rest on Elizabeth. He instructed the maid to show them in and took a stand beside Mrs Gardiner.
They did not have long to wait before two men were shown into the room. At their entrance they bowed to the room in general.
One was tall and thin, with a shiny, bald pate. The other was shorter and stockier, with bushy brows and a full head of riotous curls. Even their colouring was a picture in contrast. The tall man was fair skinned and had light eyes. The shorter man was swarthy and dark of eye and hair.
“Mr Gardiner, I presume,” said the tall man looking at Mr Gardiner. His voice was reedy and articulate.
“I am he.”
“I am Mr Laurence Graham. This is my associate, Mr Seymour. We are from the solicitor’s offices of Wildeman and Graham.”
Mr Graham bowed to Mrs Carrington. “Madam, you are a difficult lady to find.”
“And an even more difficult one to find information on,” concluded Mr Seymour.
Mr Darcy stepped forward and stood half in front of Elizabeth. “What is this about?”
The two men shared an amused look.
“Forgive us, it is a long story. I assure you, we mean no harm or disrespect,” Mr Graham appeased smoothly. The two men looked expectantly at Mr Gardiner.
He nodded once. “Very well. Gentleman, may we offer refreshment?”
“No. We thank you, sir.” Mr Graham sat in a chair facing everyone in the room. His associate remained standing near Mr Graham’s chair.
Before another word was said, Mr Darcy faced Mr and Mrs Gardiner. “I feel Miss Darcy and I should depart. This seems to be a private matter.”
The men exchanged another look. “Actually, Mr Darcy, your knowledge and advice may be of benefit to Mrs Carrington.”
Darcy stiffened, his expression tight. “You know my name, how, exactly?”
“I beg you would allow us to reveal all.” Mr Graham spread both his hands in an expansive manner, indicating everyone should take a seat.
Elizabeth, Jane and Miss Darcy sat together on the settee. Mrs Gardiner sat in a chair, with her husband settling into the chair beside hers. Mr Darcy did not sit, standing tall in an imposing manner. Mrs Annesley stayed in her seat slightly off to the side, remaining unobtrusive.
Seeing everyone had situated themselves, Mr Graham began to speak and by degrees a tale of investigation emerged. Mr Seymour spoke little, only inserting small details not mentioned by his superior.
“We have been searching for you for some time, madam. Your husband cut ties with his family on the occasion of your marriage, and few knew either of his whereabouts, or even who you were.”
Elizabeth tilted her head inquisitively. “May I ask if you two gentlemen made inquiries about me in Meryton.”
Mr Seymour bowed slightly, “We did indeed, madam. Although you are highly thought of and few would speak to share even the slightest gossip.”
“Well, perhaps they learned some circumspection, after all.” Jane murmured, so only Elizabeth could hear her.
“We discovered enough to know you came to London to retrieve the inheritance Captain Carrington left for you. This was after we sought you out in Plymouth. Or rather, we sought out your husband. Word of his death had not yet reached us. It was there we learned of your, ah, condition.
“Upon leaving Meryton, we followed you to Town and did some investigating to find your late husband’s attorney. Fortunately for us, Lord Matlock’s activities assisted us in this matter, courtesy of Mr Darcy. It was his… robust protection of a young naval widow in regard to your late husband’s legacy and the temporary freezing of the assets, which gave us the first inkling of your whereabouts.”
