“She brought it to me this morning.” She smiled satisfactorily, like a cat with the last of the cream. “I have already found the E.B. hidden in a stack of hay and a passing cart.”
For the first time in weeks, Darcy relaxed. Georgiana had good news to share from Longbourn, and his aunt, unbeknownst to him, had secured the final Rossi painting and boasted about finding Elizabeth’s initials. His search was complete. It was time.
He was still basking in the glory of his success when Aunt Helen turned to him. “You will now tell me the rest of the story.”
The air seeped out of Darcy’s lungs. “Therestof the story?”
“Do not feign ignorance with me, Darcy. I knowyou appreciate a beautiful piece of art, but this borders on obsession.”
She had him there.
Georgiana winked at him, a charming gesture that increased his panic. “Do you remember my Rembrandt, Aunt?” she asked.
“Yes…” Aunt said slowly.
Georgiana plunged ahead. “A thief stole it while I was at Ramsgate, and only recently did Fitzwilliam find it at the estate of a country squire in Hertfordshire.”
“Interesting. This country squire does not happen to have any daughters, does he?” Aunt watched Darcy with one eyebrow raised.
“His second daughter is Elizabeth Bennet,” answered Darcy.
“TheE.B?” exclaimed Aunt.
He nodded.
She clasped her hands together. “Mario Rossi?”
“One and the same.”
“How delightful! Your aunt Catherine has been boasting that her man had a lead on the last known Rossi painting, and she will choke on her envy when she sees that I snatched it right out from under her nose.” She fanned her face. “It is good for her character to suffer disappointment now and again.” She turned to Bingley. “How is Miss Bingley reacting to all of this?”
Bingley grimaced. “Not well.”
“As I thought. The forgery was badly done, but to drag that poor young lady’s name throughthe mud as she attempted to do?a gentleman’s daughter when she is the daughter of a tradesman?is beyond the pale and not to be borne. You have done well keeping her here to face the consequences of her poor choices.”
Her encouragement seemed to ignite the resolve Bingley had been seeking. She pointed her fan at Richard. “I will deal withyoulater.” Pivoting to Darcy, she resumed fanning. “Now, you have spent a fortune clearing this young lady’s name. When will I see your names in the newspaper? Or do you plan to present her to the family before you marry?”
Darcy took a deep breath to compose himself. “We are not betrothed.”
Her fan snapped closed. “You mean you have done all this without knowing that she returns your affection?”
“I hope a great deal. However, to salvage her reputation, I had to depart in haste.”
“And a beautiful job you have done manipulating the peerage, but did you really leave without telling her what you intended to do? That all of this was for her benefit?”
Having no reply, Darcy held his tongue and shrugged his shoulders.
Aunt rustled over to his side. Taking his face in her hands, she said, “Lord love you, you starry-eyed dunderhead.”
Richard spoke up. “I have been helping him, Mother?—”
“Hush, Richard.”
Bingley coughed and called Archie over to him.
“All is well, Aunt Helen,” offered Georgiana. “Elizabeth’s sister informed me that their neighbors have expressed regret at casting judgment so hastily. Their reputations are spared, and Mr. Bennet is taking an active interest in his family. He, too, is an artist.” She met Darcy’s gaze. “She wrote that you will wish to see Mr. Bennet’s first portrait.”
Everything Darcy had hoped for was coming to fruition. But there was one more matter he had to attend to, and he would seize the opportunity while he had his aunt’s attention and favor.
