Smiling, Elizabeth said, “You have described Lydia perfectly, sir. Please tell me about your young cousin if you would.”
Lady Matlock replied instead. “I have heard lately that Georgiana no longer accompaniesthat manto balls. The last time they were at the theater, Lady Ashtonreported that my niece looked tired and drawn. Georgiana has been a bride for almost four months to the day. There is every possibility she is increasing and could be a mother by spring. Since we know him, we can imagine what her life has been like as the newness of her marriage to a double-dealing rake is wearing off. She will not need our anger”—she looked directly at her son and Darcy—“as likely, she is still misguided in her beliefs, hoping that all will be well in the end. After all, she is still young. She might try to defend her foolish decision to elope out of sheer Darcy stubbornness. If not, we will have a broken child on our hands. Either way, we need to stand as a family to protect her. If Wickham has not yet shown his worst self to her, it is only a matter of time until he does.”
Darcy broke the silence that settled in the room. “Elizabeth reminded me that if we shun Wickham, it leaves Georgiana without any support. She has recently turned sixteen. Would you have her pay for the sins of her husband?”
“What is this?” The colonel jumped to his feet. “Yes, Georgiana is young. Yes, she ignorantly attached herself to Wickham. Yes, she is not responsible for what he does outside the marriage, but you cannot forget thathe stole Pemberley!” He slammed his fist against his palm.
“Do you think I do not know this, Richard? With Cole’s help, he swindled my inheritance, my reputation, and my future away from me. Now, he has destroyedmy house!” He gestured to Elizabeth. He moved to stand beside her. “Our house, one my bride has yet to see. Georgiana will be made to feel welcome. As far as Wickham is concerned, he will be treated like thescoundrel he is. While he is here, he will remain undisturbed as long as he treats my sister with kindness. At the first sign of threat or abuse, I will gladly beat him to a pulp before some jealous husband has run Wickham through for cuckolding him.”
“Or he has lost it all and is in Marshalsea,” Lord Matlock suggested.
“Or I draw first blood.” The colonel flicked his hand so quickly that Elizabeth barely saw the movement. Had he held a sword, the long curtain panels framing the window would have been in shreds.
Darcy said, “Georgiana’s safety is our priority. You should know that Elizabeth’s greatest gift to me was helping me to understand that holding onto my rage against Wickham was only affecting me, not him. I have a new wife and will soon be in company with my sister for the first time in four months. Wickham can go hang himself for all I care. He has already destroyed Darcy House. He could do the same to Pemberley. Those could eventually be replaced. My sister cannot. Have I forgiven Wickham? Never! Am I still allowing my anger against him to control me? I am not. Cooler heads will prevail.”
Darcy sat next to her and entwined his fingers with hers.
Lord Matlock said, “Tell me, how is the investigation going?”
Her husband’s grip tightened slightly.
“Cole surely knows I am having him watched. When my man first arrived in Philadelphia, Cole rarely left the rooming house. My informant’s latest letter said that he has been seen moving freely around the city.”
Lord Matlock pressed his fingers into a steeple,tapping them gently. “Odd. Why would a man who received enough money from Wickham to tempt him down this dishonest course hoard his newfound wealth? Why is he not enjoying his life to the full, celebrating the windfall of your money? Why is he not establishing himself in a permanent situation instead of lodging in a rooming house?”
“Cole has always been a cautious sort. Perhaps after saving so long, it is difficult for him to spend his gains. He may find tremendous joy sitting alone in his rented room, hearing the sovereigns jingle jangle when he shakes his purse, knowing they are his alone,” Richard said.
“I believe that he is biding his time to see how Wickham manages Pemberley,” Darcy said. “I would not be surprised if he does not have spies of his own watching the new master’s every move. When Wickham’s pockets are empty, Cole plans to swoop in, for a substantial fee, of course, to save the day. In essence, he would do the same job he has always done with more personal benefit to him, along with added power.”
“Is it power he is after, do you think?” Lady Matlock asked.
Darcy’s shoulders stiffened. “I think wealth and power is his motive.”
As Elizabeth listened to the opinions volleying back and forth, an idea planted itself firmly in her mind.“What if…” She hesitated until she ordered her thoughts. “What if Mr. Cole’s quest for power is not about managing Pemberley? What if his ultimate goal is to own it?”
A hush fell over the room. Then the three Fitzwilliams started talking at once.
Darcy leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, surprising her.“I believe Elizabeth is correct. Cole has known Wickham since his birth. He knows his propensities and that he will soon ruin his opportunities, as he has always done. Never have I known a man who could go through money as quickly as Wickham. If Cole is patient, and I believe he is, all he needs to do is wait until the collapse is far enough along that Wickham realizes there is only one end. He will lose it all. If Cole saved everything Wickham bribed him with, he could offer it back to his partner in crime, lifting the responsibility for owning and managing Pemberley from George’s shoulders. Desperate for cash, I could see Wickham taking the offer without hesitation.”
The colonel said, “Which would explain his choice to sit in a rooming house in Philadelphia. He is far enough away from you that you do not run him through. He must feel safe.”
Lord Matlock’s fist hit the arm of his chair. “If this is so, Cole has to know that others would offer more. Georgiana’s dowry was thirty thousand. Wickham could not have given Cole any more than that since he did not access Pemberley’s funds until after Cole departed England.”
“Except, I believe he did not leave on the ship as soon as he claimed in his letter.”
“What is this?” Richard asked.
Darcy stilled. “My first action after reading Cole’s letter was to hire a man to follow him. He boarded the next ship, leaving London for Philadelphia. Once he arrived, it took him five days to find Cole. When he did, he sent word that Cole was checking into the boardinghouse with all his luggage. I assumed, incorrectly, I now realize that he was moving from a different, less appealing place of temporary residence. What if he just arrived in port? That meant he could have remained in London for at least a week to see how I responded and how Wickham acted.”
Richard sat up straight in his chair where he had been slouching.
“If you are correct, Darcy, then he has a plan that extends beyond the initial theft. There is a bigger picture he is seeing that we do not. If Pemberley is his goal, then he is dreaming. Many individuals would gladly pay Wickham far over thirty thousand for the opportunity to add your property to their portfolio. Imagine the bragging rights at the clubs for someone who was the highest bidder. Unless Cole is independently wealthy, he is without hope.”
His uncle agreed. “I would gladly do everything within my financial ability to purchase Pemberley and restore it to you, Darcy. You are our family. Cole does not stand a chance since there is little likelihood he has near the resources of Matlock.”
“My lord,” Elizabeth said to Darcy’s uncle. “With your comment, you have illustrated your excellent character. That you would make that level of sacrifice for your nephew tells me that family is also your priority. I thank you.”
“My pleasure, Mrs. Darcy. Now, call me uncle, and I will refer to you as Elizabeth when we are not in company. Helen and I always wondered what sort of lady our nephew would wed. We are pleased to welcome you to our family.” Glancing at Darcy, he returned to thesubject, “Cole is the sort of man that people do not notice. He would blend into a crowd. With minimal change, possibly a wig or less fastidious garments, I fear he could escape the man you have looking after him, returning to England to live amongst us completely hidden. When was the last time you received news from America?”
