Upon arriving, Darcy handed both ladies down from the phaeton at the entrance and then excused himself to seek out Richard. Before entering the house, he turned briefly to the stable boy.
“I shall require Rowan saddled and ready for me at three o’clock this afternoon.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chapter 27: Mr. Darcy Makes an Offer
Darcy entered the drawing room and greeted Sir Gareth Beaumont and Jane Bennet before turning toward his cousin.
“Richard, I find I must ride into London later today. May I have a word with you?”
Richard immediately rose and excused himself from the company.
As Darcy followed him from the room, his gaze lingered briefly upon Elizabeth, and he felt deeply gratified to see that she was now sufficiently recovered to remain below stairs.
Seated in the office that had once been Sir Lewis’s favorite room, Darcy related to his cousin all that they had discovered that morning. When he had finished, Richard sat for some moments rubbing thoughtfully at his chin.
“Darcy, I had heard rumors that smuggling still continued in isolated parts of Kent, but as we have never seen evidence of it ourselves, I believed the activity confined chiefly to the northern parts of the county.”
“Richard, I intend to ride into London today at three o’clock. My solicitor has written to say my marriage settlements are prepared and ready for signature. While I am there, I have half a mind to notify the Board of Customs, though I seek your advice before doing so. Would it bring trouble down upon your head if I acted?”
Richard said, “For the good of the neighborhood, I should very much like to see the smugglers driven from this district. I have heard accounts of certain gangs growing exceedingly brutal, beating men into silence, breaking limbs, and even murdering those they suspect of informing the revenue officers.”
He pressed his lips into a thin line.
“If they have become so bold and complacent as to believe themselves untouchable, they may eventually bring that sort of violence here. Thus far, however, I have never heard either Aunt Catherine or Anne speak of any such activity in this immediate area.”
Darcy’s eyes widened. “Could Aunt Catherine’s ghost have something to do with the smuggling trade?”
Richard mumbled. “If it does, I would wager Annie knows something of it.”
He rose at once and rang for a servant. When Drake appeared, he asked for Mrs. Fitzwilliam.
Turning back to his cousin, he said, “Darcy, I should be greatly obliged if you would take the time to report this matter to the Board of Customs. We must deal with it before the smugglers gain too strong a hold upon this district.”
Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “It may already be too late, Richard.”
A few moments later, Anne entered the room. When she saw how gravely the two gentlemen regarded her, she felt fear.
“What has happened? Has Elizabeth suffered harm from her drive?”
Richard shook his head. “No, Miss Elizabeth is well. Anne, tell us about your mother’s ghost.”
The color drained from Anne’s face.
“My mother’s ghost?”
Richard asked again. “You know something of this matter, and I mean to hear all of it.”
Darcy added, “I discovered a considerable cache of brandy at the old ruin this morning. There are at least three hundred barrels concealed there.”
Anne worried the edge of her handkerchief. “Mamma’s ghost is my friend Benny. He is the son of one of the tenants. We grew up together.” She hesitated before continuing. “He says the revenue men patrol the northern routes now, and so the smugglers have shifted their operations farther south into this part of the county. They prefer the lanes along the base of the bluffs that border Rosings. The shadows of the cliffs make them feel more secure. Moreover, the runners can defend themselves more easily with the bluff walls at their backs.”
Richard’s expression hardened. “Does your friend hire himself out to them?”
“No. Benny does not, but he says many of the tenants and even the shop clerks hire themselves out. Richard, you must understand that Benny has actually rendered a service to Rosings. He knows we have had no man here to protect us, and so he has taken the burden upon himself.”
“The tenants and tradesmen are exceedingly superstitious. Benny spread the tale that Anne Boleyn’s spirit haunts these grounds. According to his account, her restless soul is not confined to Hever Castle, but wanders the woods, and walks the bluffs to the old folly, mourning the life she lost before she became queen.”
