Page 133 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“But Mr. Darcy knows I am illegitimate, Uncle. I told him months ago, yet he still asked to marry me.”

Her uncle winced, and she forgot he was unaware she knew of her real father.

“We will be happy at Pemberley even if we can never return to London. We have no need to wait.”

He looked at her with a compassion she had not seen from him in years. Uncle Bennet had become aloof since sending her to live in London, exchanging niceties on her brief visits but rarely engaging in deep discussions anymore. He looked as though he wished to tell her something and almost did, but in the end, he said only, “Not yet, Lizzy. Please have faith in me and be patient. I do not trust this Mr. Darcy’s motives. Why would someone of his class associate with, much less marry, a girl he sees as so far beneath him?”

Elizabeth could not help but acknowledge this sentiment with a dip of her chin, but as she opened her mouth to defend their love, her uncle spoke again, more firmly now.

“You are not beneath him, Lizzy. Know this. You are of great worth, and you must not allow anyone to make you believe otherwise. Mr. Darcy is fortunate to have gained your affections, but do not allow him to make you feel gratitude for his condescension. And pray, do nothing foolish this year. This is what your mother requested. My decisions regarding your upbringing and future have been only as she made me promise. Even London, though I did not wish to see you go, strengthened you and gave you experiences essential to your mother’s hopes for you.”

Elizabeth was more confused than ever. She was gratified to hear her uncle valued her still, but she felt he did not understand the ton. He had spoken only of her mother. A question about her unknown father’s wishes for her was forming when her uncle spoke again.

“Have faith, my dear Lizzy. All will come out right in the end.”

All of her energy for further battle left her in a sigh.

“I have no wish to bring scandal on your name, Uncle⁠—”

“Our name. You are a Bennet, Elizabeth. Always remember.”

She nodded and kept her head down, eyes closed for a moment. Finally, she looked back to her uncle.

“I will wait as you have required, but I have a request to make of you, as well.” He said nothing, so she continued. “Will you try to know Mr. Darcy this year? Will you learn of the good man he is, so you will be prepared to give us your blessing as soon as I am of age?”

“If he returns to the area, I will speak with him. But Lizzy, you may change your mind about marrying him, and I will not hold you to this plan…Keep yourself safe from all manner of danger, including love. You do not know what may change in a year.”

Elizabeth scoffed inwardly. What could make her willingly give up Fitzwilliam? She had spent a month trying to change her uncle’s mind, but it was no use. Just as it was no use for him to think she would ever choose to live without her best friend. Fitzwilliam may change his mind, though. Perhaps her uncle had even more to tell her that would turn him away. Surely not. Nothing could be more shocking than what he already knew of her.

Chapter Fifty-Six

January 1812

It turned out that Darcy’s uncle had only a faint recollection of Lord Rowe’s death on the continent, but other memories were enough to prompt Richard to agree to dig further. He had written letters after they spoke to Lord Matlock, and now that they were back in London, they were in a position to learn more.

Darcy had other business to manage first, however. He had long since given up the lease on the Portman Square house he had taken for his sister and Mrs. Younge, and he now did all he could to ensure Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley were comfortable at Darcy House. The afternoon after his arrival in London, he planned to call on Elizabeth. She was to arrive by noon, so he would wait until three or perhaps two o’clock.

He was pacing his drawing room, counting down the hours, when Richard arrived.

“I have news.” His cousin’s eyes shone, and the men quickly moved to the study. As soon as Darcy told his footman to leave them undisturbed and secured the door, Colonel Fitzwilliam, almost regal in his scarlet uniform, spoke.

“After my father said he had known of a government plan to hoard diamonds, I wrote to a contact in the Exchequer, among others. I visited him yesterday and learned he had found some records for us. Mr. Gardiner’s story appears to be true, that Lord Rowe was to purchase precious gems for a few wealthy men of the kingdom, including your father.”

Darcy nodded.

“What Mr. Gardiner did not know was that the majority of the diamonds would be kept by the kingdom. It was as much an attempt to keep the diamonds out of France’s hands as it was to have them ready to fund further fighting. Lord Rowe was supposed to buy a large quantity with government funds and give them to his contact on the continent, who would take them to England. The Crown would keep some diamonds and give the rest back to Lord Rowe, who was supposed to distribute them through Mr. Green.”

“Why all the changing of hands?”

“Lord Rowe had other business in Antwerp, and it was thought the safest way to get the diamonds home while also providing a story that could leave the Crown out entirely if anything went wrong.”

“Which it did.”

“Yes, but not until after Lord Rowe purchased the diamonds.”

“You have confirmed he completed the purchase?” Darcy could barely contain his excitement. He had no stakes in this ancient business, but he had become caught up in the mystery of it and thought of telling Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth the story later. Both men were still standing, too agitated to sit.

“He did. Lord Rowe’s contact, one Solomon Roberts, reported that he had taken possession from Lord Rowe of twenty-five hundred carats of Mazarin brilliant and Antwerp rose-cut diamonds.”