“Oh, I will. Be sure to have my payment ready.” He disappeared into the shadows.
Chapter 22
The Gardiner house was quiet, with candles lit in only the upstairs bedrooms.
The upheaval from the afternoon was over, for that day at least. Mr Graham promised to return the next morning, and implied further meetings were a possibility.
Elizabeth was pacing her room again. It was becoming a nocturnal habit. She was wringing her hands and muttering to herself. Her agitation was further evident from the hunched tightness of her shoulders.
“How shall I keep him safe? I can only surmise someone wishes my Alex dead, too. How ever shall I protect my baby? I should have denied him the title. Alex would not miss what he never had.” She laced her fingers and lifted her hands to the back of her head. She held back a sob. “Fire killed the old earl and the viscount. A fire can be started anywhere, at any time. Is my entire family now in danger?”
A soft knock on her bedroom door brought her to a standstill. “Come in.”
The door opened slowly, and Mrs Gardiner stepped into the room, a robe covering her night-rail. “I figured you would still be awake.”
“I hope my pacing did not disturb you?”
“Not at all. I am merely well acquainted with your mind. Sleep will not soon find you, until you have the opportunity to settle your thoughts.” She aimed a fond smile at her niece.
“Oh, Aunt. What have I done? Has my acquiescing to a more prominent future for Alex placed him in terrible danger? And you, and uncle, my cousins, and Jane…!” Her voice rose in volume as she spoke her loved one’s names.
“Lizzy, that is enough.” The rebuke was sharp, startling Elizabeth out of her near hysteria. She took Elizabeth’s hand and led her over to the bed where they both sat down.
“Your uncle and I are not unaware of the ramifications of this situation. We spoke on this with Mr Darcy before he and Miss Darcy left. We spoke of our concerns after retiring, as well. Hiring guards is a top priority and Mr Darcy has offered Darcy footmen until we manage to hire you a team of your own.” She squeezed Elizabeth’s hand.
With a slow shake of her head, Elizabeth grimaced, “It is not how I expected to spend Gregory’s legacy.”
“It is a part of your husband’s legacy. The Carrington name, whilst somewhat tarnished, is an old one. I have no doubt you and your son will bring it back to its former glory. What better way to honour Gregory’s memory?”
Elizabeth whimpered, “My head is sore.”
With a chuckle, Mrs Gardiner responded, “That does not surprise me. I will prepare a headache powder for you and stay for a bit. Perhaps a bit of lavender oil on your temples?”
At her niece’s nod and expression of gratitude, Mrs Gardiner rose and padded over to the door. “I shall return momentarily.”
The door closed behind her and Elizabeth settled under the covers. She closed her eyes, desperate to stop her thoughts. She must get some rest. Tomorrow was sure to come, and Alex will need her, well-rested or not.
Her aunt returned, glass in hand and Elizabeth drank it all. She laid back down and Mrs Gardiner massaged lavender oil onto Elizabeth’s temples, encouraging deep, slow breaths all the while.
Somehow, the peace of slumber found her, despite her disquieting thoughts.
~ / ~
Sleep was eluding Darcy. The afternoon had been long, and his head was spinning, either from the revelations of the day, or the three, possibly four glasses of brandy he had consumed since returning home.
He sat in a chair by the hearth in his bedroom, letting his thoughts run through the images in his mind replaying the scene after confirming Alex’s new status.
Darcy watched Mr Gardiner respond. “On at least two occasions a man has been noticed watching the young ladies.” Mr Gardiner’s usually pleasant mien was serious, almost angry. “Is this one of your men? If so, he is doing a very shabby job of it, causing the ladies apprehension.”
“Not at all, Mr Gardiner, I assure you.” Mr Graham responded. Mr Seymour was whispering into his ear, all coiled tension.
Mr Gardiner’s eyes roamed the room taking in his family and then settled on the two men: harbingers of a vastly alternate future for his niece and godson. “Someone is watching, and if he is not yours, we must assume he means ill.”
Mr Seymour took a step away from his superior. “If it is not too unnerving, may I request the details from the ladies?”
Elizabeth had returned Alex to his nurse and was seated with Jane and Georgiana on the settee once more. She spoke first, describing what she saw on the morning of their outing to the modiste. When she finished, Jane took up her tale.
“We, Miss Darcy, the children and I were at the park when I noticed him. I sent a footman to approach and learn what he was about, but the man disappeared. Although I saw him watching us again as we were leaving not long after.”
