Jane inhaled sharply, startled by the question. She had thought her feelings better concealed. “I do like the colonel; how could I not?” she admitted, her voice soft. “But I have always knownnothing could come of it. He needs to marry a wealthy woman, perhaps even one with a title. Now, with the estate in jeopardy, it must be more important than ever for him to find a wife with a substantial dowry.”
Turning her head away from her sister, Jane took a steadying breath, trying to regain her composure after revealing so much.
“Jane,” Elizabeth began gently, “the colonel will be in mourning for several months yet. I do not believe the situation is as hopeless as you think. Both my husband and Richard’s grandfather have committed to restoring Matlock—not only financially but also by helping him learn how to manage the estate more effectively. Much could change in the coming months, so I encourage you to be patient.
“Additionally, I have discouraged Mama from pushing you at Richard, using the mourning period as a reason to deter her. Her continued stay at Pemberley is contingent upon her good behaviour. You and Mary, of course, are welcome to stay as long as you wish. The move to the dower house was made to ensure that such disruptions as this morning’s incident will not occur again.”
Jane could not help but laugh softly. “Mama and Mrs. Reynolds were quite the spectacle. While your housekeeper tried to show Mama the deference due a guest at Pemberley and the mother of its mistress, she was firm in refusing every unreasonable demand. I have rarely seen anyone as stubborn as our mother, but Mrs. Reynolds outlasted her in every way.”
Elizabeth smiled fondly. “I met her nearly five years ago, and even then, she was fiercely protective of the Darcys. That protectiveness now extends to me, and I cannot imagine managing this house without her. She is, without a doubt, aforce of nature, and Pemberley owes much of its grandeur to her influence.
“I pray she will live a long life, for she will be nearly impossible to replace when the time comes for her to retire. I have already spoken with her about training a successor—someone she can guide and prepare to eventually succeed her. It was not an easy conversation, but she understood the necessity. Still, I told her what I tell you now: I hope that day is far off and that this effort will, in the meantime, lighten the burden she carries.”
Jane nodded. “I am thankful that such a position is not mine, at least not yet. Perhaps once you return from your travels, you can take me under your wing and teach me what you have already learned about being the mistress of such an estate. While I am uncertain if anything will ever occur between Colonel Fitzwilliam and me, I do truly hope to marry. I would like to have my own home.”
Elizabeth smiled at her sister and patted her hand lovingly. “I pray for the same for you, Janey. You deserve your own home and a man who adores you. While I do think that man might be Richard, I will not pressure you one way or the other. I wish for you to find happiness.”
“Thank you, Lizzy,” Jane said, before she excused herself and went to make sure her own things were packed for the move to the dower house.
Chapter Forty-Eight
SATURDAY, 25 JANUARY 1812
The journey south had been full of delays due to the weather. The roads were particularly wet this January, one of many reasons Darcy typically preferred not to travel at this time of year. Fitzwilliam was anxious at the frequent stops, since he had several matters weighing on his mind. While wishing to mount his horse and ride ahead of the party, he was wary of acting precipitously. It remained unclear whether the men who had killed the viscount were satisfied or whether they would continue to pursue what they were owed.
When the travellers arrived at Darcy House shortly before noon on Saturday, they were weary from the journey and irritable from the mounting frustrations of the past days. Yet, before they could fully settle in, a waiting servant handed a message to his master. It was from the investigator, requesting an audience with them at their earliest convenience.
Darcy penned a hasty response, asking the investigator to arrive in an hour. Then they all took a few minutes to wash off the dirt from the road before hastily donning fresh clothing and assembling in the library for some refreshments and to await their guest.
When the investigator, John Livesay, was shown into the room, he seemed startled at Elizabeth’s presence in the room and was reluctant to speak.
“Begin as soon as you like, Mr. Livesay. My wife will remain to hear all that you have to say,” Darcy finally said.
He stammered a few moments before saying, “Forgive me, sir, but I did not expect your wife to be included in our conversation. I do have several important discoveries to share with you; the most important of which is that I think you have little to fear from the men who killed your cousin, Mr. Darcy, and your brother, Viscount Ashburn. They have been arrested and are presently in Newgate awaiting sentencing.”
Both men raised their brows at the investigator at this. “Do you have proof to back up your claims?” Fitzwilliam asked.
“I do,” Livesay said before proceeding to pull papers from his satchel. These he handed directly to Darcy, who scanned them quickly before handing them to Richard.
“That quickly?” Fitzwilliam asked when he finished reading the documents.
Livesay cleared his throat, straightened in his chair, and met the colonel’s gaze as he responded. “It is not as quick as you might think. Hired thugs were the ones responsible for your brother’s death. Their objective was to abduct the viscount and force the earl to pay a ransom to his former partners to recover some of the money they lost in their ventures. There is no real debt: merely a perception of one since your father had convinced these men to back another journey after losing his own funds when two ships were sunk in rapid succession.
“However, several weeks ago, the ship they were using was found to be involved in illegal activities, leading to its seizure. The sailors on board were pressed into service, and the officers were swiftly tried and convicted, ensuring that justice wouldbe served without delay. Upon the navy ship’s return to port, authorities offered the officers a reduced sentence in exchange for the names of the ship’s owners. Those men, who had been in business with the earl, were arrested on the very same day you discovered your brother’s body.”
Fitzwilliam scowled, his expression darkening as he stood and began to pace. “So my brother’s death meant nothing?” he asked bitterly, the words laced with raw pain.
The investigator was at a loss for how to respond, his silence heavy in the air. Darcy, sensing the need to end the conversation, thanked the man for his help and promised to send a note if there were any further questions.
Elizabeth and Darcy, both struck silent by Fitzwilliam’s pain, exchanged helpless glances. They watched as a wave of emotions flickered across his face—grief, anger, confusion—each battling for dominance.
The silence was abruptly broken by the sharp, resounding thud of Fitzwilliam’s fist slamming against the side of a bookshelf. The impact reverberated through the room, causing everyone to flinch.
Darcy raised an eyebrow, his tone deliberately dry as he remarked, “Do try not to damage my bookshelves too much, Richard.”
Elizabeth shot her husband a pointed look, though her voice was laced with concern. “I was more worried about his fist, dear husband.”
Her words drew a flicker of a smile from Fitzwilliam, though fleeting, and it was overshadowed by the frustration still etched on his face.
