Page 132 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“Thank you.”

“It will be a little project to support you in your time of trial. Shall we call it the Diamond Gambol? Or the Red Reticule Mystery? How about the Red Silk Reticule?”

Darcy shook his head at his cousin, but he felt tension leave his chest as he laughed. Georgiana was improving but still needed a great deal of care, and he missed Elizabeth. If his cousin wanted to give their investigation a code name to make it more entertaining, he would not stand in his way.

“Is it acceptable if I refer to it simply as Red Silk? Saying all three words as often as we may need to refer to the search does not feel efficient.” They slowed their horses as they neared their destination.

“I could call it Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds.”

“No, no. Let us leave the diamonds out of the name. Too conspicuous. A code name should not attract unwanted attention. Surely you know this from your own undercover work, Cousin.”

Now they both laughed.

“Red Silk, it is, Darce. But the official name is the Gambol of the Red Silk Reticule.”

“I will never say that.”

“It will do wonders for your disposition.”

Darcy smiled. “Thank you, Richard. We will begin the Gambol of the Red Silk Reticule when we return to the house.” He could barely say the entire ridiculous name without laughing. It was improving his spirits already. And it would give him something more interesting to write to Elizabeth besides his efforts with his sister and hers with her uncle.

Weeks went by, and Mr. Bennet stood alone in the household in being opposed to Elizabeth’s engagement to Fitzwilliam. Mr. Collins had returned to his home in Kent with promises to come back in a few months to court Kitty further. Her father had requested his heir take his time because she was yet young. Kitty felt confident her father would allow her to marry within a few months if she decided firmly in favor of the match. It was the ease with which Mr. Bennet could be swayed on other matters that made his stance on Elizabeth’s future so frustratingly confusing.

“But why will you not even attempt to know Mr. Darcy, Uncle? He is a good man. Perhaps if you were to correspond with him, you could learn something of his character. Or you could invite him back to Longbourn to speak to him.”

“You have told me much about your suitor these past weeks, Lizzy, and I will admit he sounds like he could be a fine gentleman.”

Elizabeth’s whole demeanor brightened, and she sat taller in the chair in her uncle’s study. This was the most he had ever conceded.

“Your Uncle Gardiner also considers him a good friend and vouches for his character.” Her London family had been at Longbourn for several days to celebrate Christmas and would return to the City in less than a week. Elizabeth knew both her aunt and uncle had intervened on her behalf. “It is too big a matter, though. I will not change my mind about you remaining unwed until you are of age. We were able to keep Mr. Collins in the dark about his patroness’s nephew’s desires, but that cannot last if you continue to pine after him.”

Elizabeth’s brief hope was all but crushed; still, she clung to what he had said about her twenty-first birthday. She and Fitzwilliam had known of the possibility they would need to wait, but her uncle might give his blessing.

“Now, Lizzy. As you are aware, your Aunt Bennet is eager for you to return to London with her brother after Christmas. Do you wish to return? You have gone walking nearly every day since your recovery, and I cannot help but wonder whether you may be safer here than in London.”

“Safer?” Uncle Bennet had never spoken of the two attempts on her life that Fitzwilliam had discussed with her. He never spoke openly with her about anything anymore. Perhaps he never had, and she had been too much of a child to realize it. Her betrothed’s letters had told her his cousin the colonel had men in the area to protect her, but her uncle had said not a word.

“Yes…I only mean the countryside is less crowded and has fewer carriages and people and…do you feel perfectly safe in the big city?”

“When Matthew is with me, I do. And he is always with me when I go out, here or there.” She did not add that Fitzwilliam made her feel even safer, and she longed to return to London to be near him when he came back in January.

“Very well. You do not yet have my blessing to marry Mr. Darcy, and I will not promise to give it when you are of age. However, if you will stop pestering me to change my mind in this last week of your visit, then you may return to London with the Gardiners.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Elizabeth murmured, unsure whether she felt grateful. She had not minded her time at Longbourn even after Jane and Mary were gone, but it did not feel like home anymore. The hills and fields she remembered from her childhood remained unseen, as she had not spent a spring or summer here in nearly six years.

The fresh breezes of Hertfordshire had done wonders for her full recovery, though, and she had no desire to taste the London air again. Besides, to be allowed to return to London only because Aunt Bennet wished it did not feel like a gift.

“I will try to be less of a nuisance, Uncle. Will you answer one question for me, though?”

“You may ask.”

“My aunt clearly wishes to be finished with me. You allowed Mary to wed when she was only nineteen, and Kitty will likely be engaged by the time she is eighteen, which you seem to support. Your objection to Jane marrying years ago was Mr. Bingley’s age, not hers. So why is it that only I must wait until I am of age to even discuss marriage?”

Her uncle had grown increasingly uncomfortable as she spoke, but he did not interrupt. When she finished and watched him expectantly, he steepled his fingers beneath his chin and cleared his throat. Finally, placing his palms flat on his desk, he replied.

“Your mother had hopes for you, Lizzy. I can tell you no more before your twenty-first birthday. Because of what you will learn then, however, you must not engage yourself to any man until you have heard what I have to say.”

Her mother? Elizabeth had a sinking suspicion this was more about her father. Mr. Bennet must be protecting any possible suitor from forming an alliance with her before learning the truth of her birth.