“So, you felt it right for her to leave her legal husband?”
Richard closed his eyes and fought to steady his words. “Sir, she is still legally bound to him, and I make no challenge to that. I, as well as her brother and apparently now her father, fear for her safety—nay, her very life—if she were to remain with her husband.”
“Forgive the hard questions, Colonel, for I know you to be a man of integrity, but if the young lady is to remain in my house, it is for me to see that things are done properly. How is it for you to judge that she might be in danger? I wonder if your sentiments might be conflicted, sir.”
“Mr Gardiner, you might be surprised to know that it gives me relief to hear you express your doubts. I believe you to be fair and honourable, and you will keep her safe until some other situation may be found for her. As to the danger to her in Portugal, I can warrant it for a surety. She was the one, do you see, who released Darcy from her husband’s house.”
“Ah! And now we are come to the greater mystery. Yes, you said that he had been imprisoned there. What was the reason, and why such intrigue?”
“Greed, Mr Gardiner, pure and simple. Manuel and Miguel Vasconcelos thought Darcy had something that they wanted. They found others here in England who were content to see Darcy dead, or at least presumed so, for their own purposes.”
“But Mr Darcy is one of the noblest gentlemen of my acquaintance! I cannot conceive what anyone could hold against him.”
“A fortune worthy of the future Earl of Matlock,” Richard’s fingers curled into fists.
Gardiner’s eyes widened and he emitted a small gasp of sympathetic dismay.
Richard shook his head, regretting that he had spoken so much. “Forgive me, Mr Gardiner, but the information I have in that regard is still very troubling, and I hope to heaven it is untrue. I pray you would not repeat it until I have further proof.”
Gardiner’s bushy eyebrows jumped. “I see. Well, Colonel, you did not come expecting to see Miss… forgive me, Mrs Vasconcelos in my house, so what brings you here? Have you come to ask my help?”
“I bring letters; one from Darcy and one from Miss Elizabeth. They explain themselves adequately, so I shall not attempt to summarise them. Also, you ought to know that I brought Wickham to London with me. He is up to his usual tricks, wearing his hat both directions you might say, but he has already given me some interesting information, and I intend to keep him close for now.”
Gardiner was replacing his spectacles to read the letter from Darcy, but his hand slowly fell. “What do these tidings mean for my niece?”
“Darcy explains that as well. Wickham will stand trial when I have done with him, but what manner of trial that shall be has not yet been determined. I may be able to wield some influence in his favour, but then again, I may not.”
Gardiner tapped the letter. “I understand. What more do you require?”
“Very little for now. I hoped to collect any letters you received from Darcy’s steward, for he seems to have been complicit in the affair, and I believe he was in contact with my brother. Jefferson burned the evidence and hanged himself when Darcy began asking questions, so there is nothing more we can ask of him directly. I would have the man’s own words to account for business matters at Pemberley, and your transactions with him are the most recent. Perhaps I might find some proof there of Wickham’s allegations before I commit the unforgivable. If I am to accuse and perhaps ruin my own brother, I would rather have more evidence than the word of a known liar.”
“Certainly, Colonel. Oh, this is all dreadful, indeed! I have the letters here in my desk. There are only three, and I believe they were more of a courtesy than anything else, for I think Elizabeth managed quite well enough. I doubt you will find them of much value.”
“Thank you, Mr Gardiner.” Richard accepted the letters and tapped them uncomfortably on his knee.
“Colonel,” Gardiner offered slyly, “perhaps before you go, we might join Mrs Gardiner and her guest for tea.”
Richard blinked and smiled faintly. “I would like that.”
Hewasafool.A deuced simpleton, walking blindly into temptation and disaster, and enjoying every minute of it.
Richard had thought it might be possible to partake of a brief refreshment with the amiable Mr Gardiner before continuing on his way. After all, he must sustain himself, and his next errand to Tattersall’s would not be conducive to a quiet bite. That Amália would join them shortly with Mrs Gardiner, he determined to be only a pleasant diversion to the scheme. How wrong he had been!
He could not measure his gratitude to the kindly Gardiners for their willing hospitality toward a virtual stranger, nor could he adequately bless Providence for Ruy’s unexpected notion to send her to London. She was safe, and for that, he would rejoice the rest of his days. He could rest now, watching from a distance and silently guarding her until something could be heard from her father or brother. The only trouble would be in keeping his distance.
He had nearly finished his tea, and was just beginning to think that, perhaps, he ought to go, despite the fact that it would be rude not to pay his respects to the ladies. It was then that she appeared. Richard nearly dropped his cup and saucer, and as it was, they rattled most unforgivably when he set them aside. She stood at the door of the drawing room, eyes hesitantly raising to him and a flush staining her cheeks.
She was wearing a soft muslin gown, one that reminded him so much of the first day they had met that he felt his mouth run dry. Its buttery shade lent warmth to her dark eyes, highlighting the brilliant golden flecks and bringing life to her rosy lips. She had caught one finger in her other hand, and a shy smile flitted upon her mouth.
Richard jerked to his feet, at last aware that he had been staring. If Mr Gardiner had noted his complete loss for words or—heaven help him—the sudden fire stirring his entire being—the man was too good to speak of it. He smiled graciously, and somehow smoothed over Richard’s callous manners.
“Senhora, I trust that you have been made comfortable. Will you join us for a little refreshment?” Gardiner gestured to a chair; one near himself, and not within comfortable conversation distance for Richard.
The pointed direction was not missed by either party. Amália’s tentative pleasure faded, and she dutifully accepted the seat near Gardiner. Richard was slow to resume his own seat, for he could not help casting a longing look toward the chair just between hers and his own. To his mortification, Mrs Gardiner drew near with a smile and an arched brow, and Richard came to himself enough to assist the lady into the chair he had desired for himself.
“My dear, have you ever had an opportunity to visit London before?” Mr Gardiner inquired politely.
“No, I have traveled from Portugal only once; through Spain to France.” She glanced up to Richard again, then her eyes fell away when they touched his.
