“Capital notion, Darcy. Yes, perhaps there is more to the story. The official report, or as much of it as I could glean, is that Richard’s squadron was ambushed at Roodewal on the seventh of June. Nearly all of them were killed and their bodies stripped of uniforms and weapons, but some vanished without a trace. Do not tell Mother, but I shudder to think what those poor devils must be suffering!”
“There were none who escaped with their lives?”
“Six, all bloodied and barely this side of the grave.”
“Are all the dead identified?”
“From what I heard, yes. No chance that any of them could have been Richard. I suppose I should thank heaven for that, but death might be a mercy compared to… well. I shall not think of it, for I can do nothing about it, and my dear Sheila will scald my carcass if I try to drown myself in a bottle again.”
“Surely, the Dutch Afrikaners would not resort to torture.”
The earl scowled. “I hope not, but a wounded man stands bloody little chance, with all the sickness there.”
Darcy stared at the floor, his mind tumbling with useless, disconnected notions, none of which could do anything to help.
Reginald drew another slow sip from his glass. “I suppose there is little more we can do at present. Let us speak of something else. What is to be done about this girl who claims to be my sister-in-law? The very idea! No one who knows Richard at all would credit it.”
“You may believe I questioned her thoroughly. She knew him—even told me some things about myself that she could only have heard from him, and not things he would have shared with a random stranger.”
“Well, what of it? He may have been drinking, or excessively lonely.”
Darcy lifted his glass to stare pensively through its distorted bottom. “Possibly. But I do not believe she was of that sort. For one thing, she has too righteous a temper. No woman in that line of work could afford such indignation and vigilance regarding her person.”
“Hmm. Then, you do not approve of Mother’s idea of sending her packing?”
Darcy glanced at the door through which Lady Matlock had departed, then back to Reginald. “There is at least some truth to her story, and I have had my solicitor begin making inquiries in America. For now, I think we must believe her. If she is his wife, and she is later found to be with child—”
“Naturally. But how should we know it to be Richard’s? We know nothing of this girl or her history.”
“All the more reason to keep her close. Not many can fool me for long, and you may be assured that I am watching her.”
“But to keep her here, in London! What if she is a fraud? You will have the rumour mills working overtime, and nothing said will be kind. I’ll not have my brother slandered, either in absentia or posthumously.”
“Yes, I thought of that. I am sending the party quietly to Derbyshire, and I shall follow within the week. I presume you will be in London for some while, rather than returning to Matlock?”
“Naturally. What, you’re not thinking of sending them all to Matlock!”
“Of course not. Much as I dislike the notion of asking Georgiana to host them, I would not ask you to take her in yourselves.”
“But Georgiana is too young to play hostess,” Reginald protested. “She ought to have someone with her—a companion or a relation, something like that.”
“She is young, but I see nothing improper in it. Moreover, who would be so bold as to call on her? All the better to conceal our American guests. Georgiana can manage perfectly well with Mrs Reynolds until I arrive. I agree it would be convenient to have a female relation present, but there are none. Your own family remains in London, and my aunt does not need such trouble at present. Besides, keeping this newcomer at Pemberley instead of inviting her to Matlock provides a clear barrier between her and Richard’s home, if she is perceptive enough to note the slight.”
“You think she is simple?”
“Far from it. Bluntly American, but anything but simple. In fact, I shall have to guard myself carefully around her, for she has a quick turn of mind and a razor-sharp tongue.”
“Heaven forbid!” Reginald shuddered. “I have enough of that in my house already. Pray tell me she is not some uncomely milkmaid.”
“She is tolerable, I suppose, though I still do not know how she tempted Richard into marriage. However, she has so far displayed the proper sorrow and gratitude I should expect of one in her position, tempered with an unusual degree of dignity. For that, you ought to be relieved.”
“I?” Reginald snorted. “And why is that?”
“Because—” Darcy rose and straightened his waistcoat. “I mean to exact repayment for my troubles on your behalf, and the less vexing they are for me, the easier my terms will be for you.”
Reginald forced a smile, but it did not touch his eyes. “Naturally. As soon as Richard is found.”
Darcy strangled a sigh. “Naturally.”
