His cousin stood to walk to the table where a full decanter sat. “And if the dates do not align, our purpose is achieved. Where do the Bennets attend?”
Darcy shrugged. “Meryton, I suppose.” He paused. “The only issue I can see is that Mr. Bennet said he was brought to Longbourn as an infant. He offered no specifics about his age when he arrived, so if he was christened elsewhere, the records we seek may not be in Hertfordshire at all.”
Fitzwilliam drummed his fingers on the armrest, eyes narrowed in thought. “That does complicate matters. And the villagers will be rather eager to note your comings and goings.”
Darcy grunted. “You forget that you are the son of an earl. Not too many of those here. Your steps will be as closely watched as mine and Bingley’s.” He took the glass of brandy Fitzwilliam held out.
“Then we shall visit the locals so you can introduce me. We shall familiarize ourselves with the community and ask a few questions without arousing any alarm. We should start with the older denizens of the neighbourhood who might have been here when Mr. Bennet and his father arrived.” He paused. “It is fortunate Georgiana is not yet out and cannot be expected to accompany us. I do not think she would like this little ruse of ours.”
Darcy stood, pacing in front of the hearth. “Nor would Mrs. Annesley, now that she has arrived.”
“What took her so long?”
“She had been given a week to spend Christmas with her daughter. Georgiana was fine here with only us for a day or two.”
“You are too kind, Darcy,” Fitzwilliam said, but he did not appear as though he disapproved.
Mrs. Annesley was doing them a great favour by agreeing to serve as Georgiana’s companion. She was the widow of a clergyman and had never worked in service before. He would not deny her the pleasure of spending Christmas with her family.
“Itwouldbe wise to become acquainted with anyone who might have known the family in the years before Mr. Bennet took residence at Longbourn.” He paused. “I agree, we should make the visits.”
“Of course you agree,” Fitzwilliam said, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “It is my plan, after all, and my plans are always sound.”
This caused Darcy to bark out a laugh. “I seem to recall one of your plans when you came to visit while I was yet at Cambridge. It involved a goat and the landlady’s chemise . . .”
“That may not have been asoundplan,” Fitzwilliam agreed good-naturedly, “but it was executed with brilliance.”
Before his cousin could begin crowing about his many youthful escapades, Darcy returned to the subject at hand. “First, we should pay a visit to the clergyman in Meryton. If we need an excuse for further inquiries,” he continued, “we could hint at tracing some remote relations of mine. It would be believable enough without drawing attention to the Bennet family, and it would not be a lie.”
The two men exchanged a resolute glance and sipped at Bingley’s brandy.
Darcy fastened his coat, casting a quick glance toward the door where Fitzwilliam was adjusting his collar and inspecting his reflection in the glass with a practiced eye. Now that breakfastwas over, they would begin the first steps of their quiet investigation to gather what information they could about the Bennet family’s origins without stirring suspicion.
A gentle knock sounded, and Georgiana stepped in. “Will you be leaving for Meryton shortly?” she asked, her gaze flicking between her brother and Fitzwilliam.
“Yes,” Darcy replied with a gentle smile. “We should be back in a few hours. Will you be well?”
Georgiana tilted her head, casting a pointed look at him. “Of course. Mrs. Annesley is here, and I shall work on my Italian. But you must promise to tell me what you discover,” she said with quiet insistence. Her eyes held a steady determination that, despite her gentle nature, reminded him of their father. “I may not be able to assist, but I wish to know when you learn anything that may affect our family.”
He nodded, understanding her need to be part of the events unfolding around them. “As soon as there is anything to tell, you shall be informed. For now, we are simply asking questions.”
“Thank you,” she replied, the hint of a smile softening her serious expression. “I shall be waiting.” She quickly curtsied, glancing at Fitzwilliam as she excused herself. “Please be careful,” she added softly before slipping out of the room.
Once Georgiana had gone, Fitzwilliam caught Darcy’s eye and raised an eyebrow. “Our Georgie has a strength about her I had not noted before.”
Darcy allowed himself a small smile. “She grows more like my mother every day.”
The sound of footsteps approached, and in walked Bingley, his demeanour as buoyant as ever. “Ah! Just the gentlemen I hoped to find,” he announced cheerfully. “I am on my way to Longbourn and wondered if you might care to join me.”
Darcy exchanged a quick look with Fitzwilliam. “I fear we have business in Meryton this morning, Bingley,” he replied,maintaining a casual tone. “We shall be back later, but not in time for Longbourn.”
Bingley’s face fell slightly before brightening again. “Ah, I see,” he said, nodding. “I suppose this must be in regard to that dreadful business with Lieutenant Wickham?”
Darcy glanced away, carefully schooling his expression. It had something to do with that, of course, but it was not all. Fitzwilliam’s face remained similarly composed, betraying no reaction. They continued to prepare, pulling on gloves and taking their hats from the butler, all the while allowing the silence to speak for them.
As they had intended, Bingley took their lack of response as confirmation. He shook his head ruefully, casting a sympathetic glance at Darcy. “I commend your dedication to putting things right, Darcy. It cannot be an easy task.”
He was a terrible hypocrite, fooling Bingley like this when he had said in this very house not two months past that he despised anything akin to cunning. “Thank you, Bingley. Wickham’s actions require careful consideration. It is not a matter that can be taken lightly.” All true.
