“Northampton. In the family vault.”
I was reaching for a tin of fine cigars to offer him, and I froze. “I am sorry. I did not hear.”
“‘Twas about a year ago.” He shook his head when I offered the cigars, and I put them away. “He had got so far as Turkey when he died, and they sent him home in a box. But I am being rather morbid. I am sorry, Darcy.”
“Quite all right. My condolences. How can I be of help? I take it you mean to carry out his wishes and purchase an estate?”
“Purchase? Not at all. No, no, far too much bother. But I should like to try it for a time, as he was persuaded that owning an estate was the pinnacle of all life’s charms. I have recently taken the lease on a fine property, not half a day’s drive from London.”
“Well, congratulations.”
“Thank you. We’ve nearly all the details sorted, and I am to take up residence in a fortnight, but there is the bother of the house’s furnishings.”
I tilted my head and crossed my arms. “The furnishings? Ah, here is Dobbs.”
We paused our conversation as the butler held the door, and a maid pushed in the tea tray. Bingley took more cream and sugar than tea in his cup while I had mine served nearly black with no sugar. He stirred his tooth-decaying froth as I took the first sips of my proper tea and leaned back in my chair.
“I am afraid I know little of furnishings—chairs and tables and what-not,” I said. “I suppose they are all shabby, and the landowner is exacting tuppence for wear and tear during your lease? What you want is a broker. I am happy to give you a name.”
“No, no, it is not the chairs and tables. The house holds a fair bit of fine art.”
“Does it? Well, perhaps I can be of help, after all.”
“I hoped you might. The landowner is retrenching and selling whatever he can that is not owned by the estate and destined for its heirs. The rest, he is valuing at far above what they are likely worth, in case something is broken.”
“Indeed. Troublesome, but not altogether a rare tactic.”
“Yes, and I was hoping to seek a second opinion on certain items. There is also some confusion in identifying one or two pieces, as no one seems to be able to find out where they came from. I believe the owner wishes to sell them, but he cannot prove they do not belong to the estate. One record says one thing, while someone else presents a contrary statement as to both their origin and their worth.”
“And you would like me to help you settle any disputes? I am happy to.”
Bingley’s smile grew wider. “Capital! There is just one problem. I cannot have it known that I am bringing in my own adviser—not just yet, anyway. I fear it might give unnecessary offense, and if nothing is truly found amiss, I would not wish to muddy the waters, so to speak.”
“I quite understand. How would you wish me to proceed?”
Bingley toyed with his teacup. “You could come merely as my guest. We say you have come to enjoy the autumn shooting. Hurst, my brother-in-law, is coming, and I’ve invited Soames and Watterson. It would not look odd, I do not think.”
I clucked my tongue. “That depends on how careful you wish to be. To anyone who cares about such things, I have something of a reputation as an expert in fine art.”
“Oh, yes, indeed. That will not do at all. And if there is anything to know, I ought to know it before I move my slippers in.” He sighed. “Well, what if I get you into the house on the sly, perhaps, before I am to take up residence?”
“Quite possible. Where is this estate of yours?”
“Hertfordshire, about four miles from the town of Meryton.”
I blinked and set my cup aside. “Meryton? As it happens, I have business there anyway. When did you wish to leave?”
Bingley’s face glowed. “As soon as possible. Tomorrow?”
I narrowed my eyes in thought. “Tomorrow. Yes. That will do.”
Three
Elizabeth
“Jane,wemustdosomething about Papa. His little hobby is becoming a terrible risk.” I was pacing a circuit around my bed, snatching swallows of my tea or nibbles of my biscuit each time I passed by the tray.
My eldest sister, seated at the foot of her own bed, sipped daintily at her cup. “Oh, yes. Poor Mama. He does delight in teasing her so.”
