Page 148 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“I do not understand.” She looked between Fitzwilliam and Uncle Bennet, who looked at each other.

“Lizzy, my sister, Susannah, your mother…married Lord Oliver Rowe, also known as the Earl Rowe, three years before you were born. They both loved you dearly, but they had to leave you with me for your safety before they went to Antwerp. Within a fortnight, they should have returned…”

“Papa Oliver…”

“Oliver was a good, honorable man. He read you a story before you fell asleep his last night with you. He and your mother delayed their journey as long as they could to be with you the next morning. Neither wished to leave you, and they made me promise to protect you.”

Elizabeth crossed to where Uncle Bennet sat and fell on his knees, wrapping her arms around his legs as they wept together.

Many more questions and explanations ensued. Tears and embraces abounded. Overall, though, the atmosphere was of hope and happiness. Darcy had not regained his hold on Elizabeth’s hand since she had gone to her uncle, and he felt bereft without it. Would Elizabeth return to him? She was slowly beginning to understand her past, but the topics of her present and future had barely been broached.

Darcy cleared his throat when a lull in conversation gave him the opportunity to speak.

“Mr. Bennet, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Lady Elizabeth.” Elizabeth startled at her title. “Would this evening be too soon to dine with me at Darcy House? Someone is waiting there, eager to make your acquaintance.”

Elizabeth gasped and reached for his hand. He gratefully took it, not caring about propriety.

“Is it…?”

“Your grandfather has a great desire to meet you.”

“My…grandfather.” Her face was radiant, and she looked to Mr. Bennet as if for permission to be so happy. He nodded, appearing relieved to have the burden of this secret lifted from him, or so Darcy imagined. He prayed the man had truly accepted his niece’s new state. She turned back to Darcy and nodded energetically. “Yes, oh, yes. I would very much like to meet him.”

Darcy thought it best to leave Elizabeth to her family for now and returned home to finalize arrangements for the dinner party he had that morning told his cook to expect.

The meeting that night between Elizabeth and the duke left no dry eyes. They sat together awkwardly for only a few minutes before conversing like old friends. Perhaps Elizabeth had inherited more than the duke’s eyes. He had been a recluse for years, but it was clear now that he craved company and had a facility for engaging conversation like his granddaughter did.

Darcy felt blessed to witness His Grace giving Elizabeth their family portrait that he had brought from Rowe Manor. To see her finally understanding her family and her part in it was a moment he was honored to watch.

Even Mr. Bennet and the duke were soon comfortable together. His Grace had been upset Mr. Bennet had kept the truth from Elizabeth for so long until her uncle explained his sister’s and brother’s wishes. True understanding and forgiveness shortly followed.

In light of the new connections being understood, Darcy explained Mrs. Jeune’s motivations for asking Wickham to kill Elizabeth. As the man was not used to such violent behavior, his success was fortunately limited.

“Tomorrow, my cousin will question Mrs. Jeune and Wickham again, now that we know more.”

“What about the diamonds, Darcy? Are they yours or His Grace’s? Does the Crown own them?” Mr. Gardiner had a particular interest in this portion of the story, due to Mr. Green’s previous involvement.

“I assume they belong to the Crown. My cousin will finally take them from me to give to his superiors in a couple of days. He has refused to hold them for more than a minute or two since we first found them. I think he has been a little afraid to know how much wealth I have been carrying all over England.”

This prompted a laugh from all.

As lighthearted as everyone had become this evening, Darcy felt a weight in his stomach. He had scarcely managed to eat a bite at dinner. His eyes had hungrily taken in Elizabeth’s every movement instead. Would he be allowed to marry her? Or would her uncle and grandfather insist she be presented to the queen, partake in a Season, and be courted by peers? He felt sick thinking of it.

The next few days, Darcy was in Elizabeth’s company a great deal since the duke was a guest in his home, but they barely spoke. Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet called on Monday before Darcy delivered the diamonds to Richard.

Then he and the duke called at Gracechurch Street on Tuesday. He knew Elizabeth had prepared her grandfather for the area of London in which she lived, and His Grace had already befriended the Gardiners, so he commented only a little on the undignified location where she had lived for the past five years. It was clear from his expressions, though, that he had expected better than this neighborhood for his granddaughter. He was appeased upon entering the house, at least.

Wednesday was the same. Elizabeth, her grandfather, and Mr. Bennet sat together and spoke animatedly for the duration of the visit to Gracechurch Street. Darcy watched from across the room as he tried to make conversation with the Gardiners. He did not begrudge Elizabeth the opportunity to know her family. This was exactly what he had hoped for, in fact. Yet he could not help but feel he was no longer necessary to her happiness. He was not even sure he would be welcome anymore if he had not had the task of housing the duke and squiring him about London.

The duke’s carriage had been in Darcy’s mews for days, though, so on Thursday, he told the duke he had business to attend to, and he went to see his Matlock relations, remaining all day and into the evening. His aunt and uncle were relieved and excited by the news Richard had given them, but they also agreed his betrothal could be complicated.

On Friday, Darcy went to Angelo’s and then spent several hours in his club. Somehow, word was already spreading that the Rowe heiress had not died after all and had been found. People did not know yet who she was, but Darcy heard far too much speculation about her future marital prospects to remain long at White’s.

That evening, he sought out Richard, who had not been at his parents’ home Thursday.

“Guillemine Baudains Jeune will be tried for murder, attempted murder, and robbery,” his cousin informed him.

“What are the charges against Wickham?”