Page 92

Her imperious tone started to worry Darcy.

“Huddleston, ensure he does not follow me.”

She turned to Mr. Jones.

“We will stop at the office of the Magistrate on our way out of town. Take a good look at his face that you may describe it to his clerk.”

And as Darcy stood there, his mouth gaping in shock, Lady Napier swept into Arbuthnot’s, what had been his own destination. He looked up at the guard, missing his left arm he realised, and saw that man’s right hand was still hidden. It was clear he had not let go of the pistol.

Realising that there was quite the crowd now gathered and watching him, Darcy about turned and strode off down the street. He might pretend that his tail was not between his legs, but all there knew the truth.

Inside the shop he was observed leaving.

“Are you okay? You are shaking.”

Harriet could see Elizabeth’s hands were shaking.

“I am fine, it is just the excess emotion purging from my body. It was a necessary moment, finally over with. That so-called gentleman got less than he deserved.”

Elizabeth, Lady Napier, smiled a large deep smile.

“It is done. I do not wish to think about that family ever again. Come Harriet, let us make Mr. Arbuthnot’s day.”

It was quite the shopping expedition.

--

“Darcy! Did you rudely accost Lady Napier in the street? Sir Edward Cutler, the local magistrate had Lady Napier in his office today, complaining about a man shouting at her in the street. From the description given he thought it was you. He was just leaving his office when I ran into the man. He does not want the matter to become known, but it needs to be dealt with. It is only a description at present, you were not named. But there was no shortage of witnesses.”

Darcy sat in shocked silence.

“Well?”

“I am sorry my Lord, I forgot myself. The young lady I spoke to this morning had the appearance of a young woman I met several years ago. It will be three years ago this autumn. I blurted out the name.”

He shook his head.

“It was the shock and surprise, but I can offer no other defence.”

The Earl was annoyed but the deed had been done. It was all about mitigation now.

“You are sure of her identity?”

“Darcy! She has dined at Matlock House during the season. She was new to society at the start of the year and I had her carefully checked before the Countess even met her. That she is similar in appearance to someone you once met, is nothing but a coincidence.

“And Lady Napier spoke to Sir Edward personally.”

Darcy dropped his head. He had made an almighty mess of this situation.

“I will write a note of apology. I doubt that she would wish to meet me. Should I leave Bath?”

“We can decide that based on her reaction to the letter. Come through to my study, better to deal with it immediately.”

--

“Did you hear about Darcy?”

Richard was taken aback at the exuberance of his brother.