Page 144 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“I am sorry, Lizzy.”

“Yes, well. Do not tell Miss Bingley or the Hursts. I am sure you will tell Charles, but please impress upon him the need for secrecy. My uncle has threatened to remove me to Longbourn until I am of age if word gets out. Your mother would be difficult to convince, but I think he is serious enough to do it.”

Jane’s brows furrowed, but she did not speak for several minutes.

“What is it, Jane?”

“I cannot understand why my father has refused Mr. Darcy’s suit. He is older and more established than Charles or even Henry Lucas. You are older than Mary. It is looking as though Kitty will soon be engaged, and she is far younger than you. It makes no sense.”

“No, Jane. It does not. All he has said is my mother wished for me to wait until I am of age to marry.” And that she would learn something else about her past next year. Elizabeth shivered. She had dwelt on her past long enough. She was ready to begin her future.

Chapter Sixty

After dining with the duke, who had wanted nothing more than to talk about Oliver all evening, Darcy and his cousin had retired to their shared sitting room.

“His Grace poses no threat to Miss Elizabeth’s well-being.” Richard was pushing to inform the duke all.

“I agree, for the most part.”

“For the most part? The man is harmless.”

“He is. He is a kind man who I believe Elizabeth would love. She deserves to know him. He is not young either, so I have no wish to wait another year before telling her she has a grandfather.”

“So, we are agreed? We will tell him in the morning?”

“Let us consider this from Mr. Bennet’s perspective for a moment, Richard.”

Richard sprawled on a settee near the fire. He steepled his forefingers and placed them under his chin.

“Very well. You bring the duke to London to meet Miss Elizabeth, and how would Mr. Bennet feel?”

“Threatened. He is her guardian, but the duke will wish to know her and possibly even have her move to Yorkshire with him…” Darcy swallowed, realizing what this could mean for him. They would not be as close as if she were to stay in London, but Rowe Manor was not so far from Pemberley, perhaps fifty miles. He and his cousin would have stopped at his home on the way here if they had not been in such a hurry. It was only slightly out of their way. “Or he could fight for guardianship.”

“That is unlikely if Mr. Bennet allows him to see her. Assuming Mr. Bennet does, in fact, have legal guardianship. It could be to your benefit, however, if the duke has a say. His Grace loves you after you showed him your diamonds and explained his son’s heroics. He would give you permission to marry his granddaughter.”

Darcy’s lips twisted. “He loves you in the same way and for the same reasons. No matter who her guardian is, I have a feeling this is the reason Mr. Bennet insisted she wait until she is of age. If the truth comes out sooner, though, what is to delay our wedding?”

Richard sat up quickly. “Oh no.”

“What is it?”

“Darcy, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is Lady Elizabeth Rowe, the daughter of an earl, the granddaughter of a duke.” Richard looked him in the eye, and his heart sank.

“This is why he refused me. He thinks me too far beneath her.” Darcy put his hands to each side of his head, resting his elbows on his knees. He sat up and pushed his fingers through his hair, tangling his curls.

“The gap in stations is larger than that between your own parents or mine, but your cause is not lost.”

“But what would Mr. Bennet think if I brought the duke to Elizabeth? Would he turn further against me if I reunited her with someone he has spent nineteen years hiding her from?”

“Possibly. But consider. You could also inform Mr. Bennet that we apprehended the people who made three attempts on his niece’s life and ordered the murder of his sister and brother.”

“Of course.” Darcy hit his forehead with his palm. “Mrs. Jeune did not hire Wickham to kill Elizabeth to harm me. She had a miniature from Lord and Lady Rowe. It was probably identical to the one in my pocket. It was not with the pocket watch we returned to His Grace, but Wickham may have seen it.”

“Do you think that is why Wickham was after Miss Elizabeth last year?”

“Possible, but I do not think he would have given up so easily in that case. He would have kidnapped her and taken her to Gretna Green had he known. Elizabeth thinks he simply mistook her wealth due to being with the Bingleys and appearing a gentlewoman.”

“So, you think he saw the miniature after he had failed to seduce her. Then Mrs. Jeune realized the baby lived and sent Wickham to kill her without knowing why.” Richard nodded. “That sounds plausible. We have them both in custody now, so we will interrogate them further when we return.”