“Even if it costs you your life?”
“Even then.” Richard held his gaze. “Some things are more important than mere survival, Darcy. You, of all people, should understand that.”
Darcy nodded slowly, recognizing the steel beneath his cousin’s easy manner. It was the same quality that had earned Richard the respect of his men. “Very well. But promise me you will exercise extreme caution before revealing yourself.”
“Naturally. I am bold, not foolish.” His cousin grinned suddenly. “Though I suspect we shall both look quite the pirates before this voyage is through. Without Parker to tend to your appearance, you will discover what the rest of us mortals endure each morning.”
Darcy ran a hand along his jaw, already imagining the discomfort. “I had not considered the practical difficulties of shaving oneself while the ship rocks over the waves. Perhaps a beard is the wiser course.”
“Safer, certainly. I have no desire to slit my throat with a razor. Can you imagine the embarrassment? Surviving French warships and Mediterranean storms only to be done in by incompetence with a blade?” Richard chuckled. “I should never live it down.”
“Assuming you lived to experience the shame,” Darcy observed dryly, which earned a bark of laughter from his cousin.
“True enough. Though I suspect Georgiana would find our bearded appearances to be shocking.”
“She would.”
“My mother looks forward to having Georgiana underfoot.”
“She is well-settled with your parents,” Darcy said with relief. “Your mother has already introduced her to several suitable young ladies, and your father has promised to escort her to the museums and lectures she enjoys.”
“They adore her, you know. Mother particularly. She has always longed for a daughter to guide through Society.”
Richard returned to the map and pointed to Rome. “Which brings us to the more immediate concern: where do we start once we reach Rome?”
Darcy retrieved the parchment fragment from Professor Drye. He read the Latin inscription aloud: “Where the eagle’s shadow falls upon the seven hills, seek the scholar who fled with flame-touched scrolls. In the house of law, wisdom sleeps beneath marble feet.”
“The seven hills point to Rome,” Richard said, leaning over the map. “But the rest remains puzzling in its vagueness.”
“The eagle’s shadow…” Darcy traced circles on the map around the Eternal City. “Roman eagles, certainly. But which eagle, and where does its shadow fall?”
“Possibly there are great eagle statues in the city.”
“Probably there are. However, the clue might be more symbolic.Eagle’s shadowcould mean the shadow of Roman power itself.” Darcy frowned. “The scholar who fled with flame-touched scrolls…Someone escaping the burning Library of Alexandria, carrying manuscripts to safety?”
Richard nodded. “In the house of law.A courthouse? A legal building of some kind?”
“It could be the Forum itself?the center of Roman law and governance. But what liesbeneath marble feet?” Darcy set down the paper with a frustrated sigh. “We shall have to wait until we reach Rome to make proper sense of it.”
Richard drained his glass and set it aside. “I confess, Cousin, I am eager to begin. It has been so long since I was dealt a challenge worthy of the name. It is rarer still that you and I collaborate on a project together.”
“Your enthusiasm is infectious,” Darcy admitted, though he was troubled. “I only hope we and the others are not heading for unnecessary danger.”
Richard studied his cousin. “Others? Or one particular ‘other’ whose safety is more important to you than ancient manuscripts?”
“I am concerned about all the members of our party.”
“Of course you are. And I am sure your decision to chase an archaeological discovery to exotic locations has everything to do with your hope that the romantic atmosphere might incline Miss Elizabeth Bennet more favorably toward your suit.”
“Richard…”
“For what it is worth, any woman who can reduce you to this state of romantic confusion must be remarkable.”
“She is,” he admitted. “Though whether she will ever see me as anything more than an arrogant, disagreeable man remains to be seen.”
“Then you must prove her wrong. Show her the man I know who is honorable, generous, and fiercely loyal to those he loves.” Richard’s voice grew more serious. “Be prepared for the possibility that she may not be ready to see it, no matter how you demonstrate it, though.”
“I am prepared for that. But I do not intend to give up until I am convinced there is no hope.”
