“Not at all,” Elizabeth replied. “I look forward to seeing the children, too.”
Darcy stepped toward the staircase.
Her brow arched wickedly at the first hint of pressure from his hand.
He stepped back.All the way from Grosvenor Square, Darcy wondered why she had harried off without notice. Had she received a note from her aunt that something was wrong? If so, why had she not sought him out to take care of the matter? Surely, she did not want to be away from him! Or did she? Was he somehow unbearable to her? Had he…thinking back, he finally understood. One of the first things he loved about Elizabeth was her independence. Since she shared the news of the babe and he informed his family, they overwhelmed her with care. Was that the issue?
Testing the theory, Darcy said, “Allow me to see you up the stairs safely. Once I greet your aunt, I will be in the library.”
When her eyes sparkled with gratitude and her grip on his arm relaxed, he knew he was correct. To have their first major disagreement end without conflict was reassuring. From that point on, he would try to be more cautious about wrapping her in a metaphorical cocoon to protect her.
Joining the men once his wife was comfortably settled with her young cousins, he was pleased to note that not even Harry was uncomfortable being in the home of a man in trade. Of course, that was likely because Gardiner confidently and intellectually conversed on matters of government and commerce, a subject that interested them all.
“Tell me, if you would,” Gardiner inquired of Darcy, “What news have you had from the courts about the notary? As I believe I mentioned before, I have used Mr. James Moore frequently. He is a trustworthy man. I cannot imagine the consequences for the actor whoportrayed someone of that profession. Since the transaction involved the nephew of the head of the House of Lords, I cannot believe that the man will get off easily.”
Darcy nodded before declining the offer of brandy. “His punishment will be severe. He explained that his motive for accepting the funds from Cole was that he had a wife and four impoverished sons.”
Richard scoffed. “When asked the names of his sons, he recited from the Bible. Jesus’ apostles, no less.”
Mr. Gardiner agreed. “A foolish move.”
“His second story of being the sole support of his aged mother also proved to be a lie. His parents have been deceased for almost two decades. Therefore, he will receive no sympathy from the judge.”
“Which is as it should be,” Gardiner said. “Will he hang?”
“He will.”
“Justice will be served.” Mr. Gardiner sipped his drink. “What of the deeds and Mr. Wickham’s will? Now that their fraudulent notarization has been discovered, have they been officially declared invalid?”
Darcy’s clasped hands dropped between his knees as he studied the carpet under his feet. Leaning back in his chair, he confided, “A messenger delivered notice from my attorney minutes before Elizabeth departed Matlock House. We were discussing its contents when a footman notified me that my wife had absconded with Smithson’s carriage to travel here. She does not yet know that all properties are mine as if they never left my possession—our possession.”
“I see.”
Darcy suspected that Elizabeth’s uncle knew the events that led his niece to Gracechurch Street.
“By any chance, is my niece increasing?”
“She is.” Pride mixed with a hefty dose of chagrin.
“Ah, that explains why four of England’s most powerful men escorted her to my door. You should know, Darcy, that your wife is very much like mine.”
“And mine,” Lord Matlock said.
Darcy sat back in his chair. “If you have any words of wisdom to impart, I will listen.”
“I will only say that by the fourth child, I finally allowed her the independence she deserved. The first three, I was quite overset. That Madeline chose not to divorce me or run off to America for freedom is a miracle.”
“Amen!” Darcy’s uncle agreed.
Richard stood and boldly refilled his glass. “Which is why you will never see me leg-shackled. I have no desire to settle down. Once Harry here gets married and fills his nursery with sons, there will be no pressure on me from my mother to fall for the parson’s trap.”
Not too many months prior, Darcy felt the same. Now that Elizabeth was his bride, he never wanted to go back to being alone.
“Cousin, you cannot know how much having a good wife will increase your happiness,” Darcy said, only to have his eldest cousin turn on him.
“What makes you happy, Darcy? Truly happy?” Harry asked.
Without hesitation, he replied, “Elizabeth.”
