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“I cannot be certain, but now that Miss Bennet is here, I will do everything in my power to prevent it.”

Dinner time

Richard came back in time to join both his cousins, Miss Bennet and Mrs. Annesley for dinner. He was so full of news of Drago’s confessions concerning Lord Addison’s actions—not only regarding his irrational plan to secure Miss Bennet for his own purposes, but also what he had done to Lady Penelope Hinds merely for her dowry—that he barely had time to eat.

“According to that villain,” Richard declared between bites of roast pheasant, “he and Sully were hired to rig a small boat so it would leak once Lord Addison pulled a plug from a hole drilled in the bottom of the vessel. And, because Addison could swim and his wife could not, it guaranteed that she would drown since he had made certain there was no one within hearing distance of her cries.”

When Richard moved on, divulging how Lord Addison bragged to Drago about doing away with his aunt, Lady Cargile, to take her fortune, the happiness that had adorned Elizabeth’s face instantly disappeared. Reminded that she would not wish to hear the details of Addison’s unkindness towards her former employer, William changed the subject whilst giving his cousin a look meant to quell any further sharing of Addison’s exploits.

“What news is there concerning Mr. Stevenson?” William asked. “You mentioned that General Lassiter meant to send a man to fetch him at Partridge Crossings so that he might testify.”

“I had forgotten about Mr. Stevenson. The general has sent a sergeant to find him, along with a note explaining all that has happened thus far. He asked Stevenson to return to Town with the sergeant, but there has not been enough time to hear back. In any case, I do not foresee a problem concerning him.”

“Has the testimony turned up any surprises?” William asked.

“Yes. Drago confessed that a man working in Constable Stone’s office, Tom Miller, is Sully’s half-brother and that he was providing them with inside information whenever it involved their exploits. Constable Stone has been apprised of the situation, and I am certain he knows how to deal with that villain. Also, as it turns out, Mrs. Younge is a distant cousin to Drago.”

“Do you believe she will face charges in this case?” William asked.

“Not likely,” Richard replied. “General Lassiter has larger fish to fry, and it appears she provided little in the way of assistance to him, other than sharing when those he was searching for arrived in Lambton.”

Suddenly, Georgiana commanded everyone’s attention saying, “Brother, do you have any idea when the court will reconvene regarding Lady Morgan’s case? I am anxious to see you free to act as you please.”

The instant she said it, Georgiana feared she may have spoken too openly. She watched as her brother’s eyes went straight to Elizabeth, who quickly lowered her head. Moreover, it was obvious to her when his hand slid under the tablecloth to grasp Elizabeth’s.

William replied, “To answer your question, I understand Lady Morgan’s case will be called by the end of this week and as I told Georgiana earlier, Mr. Graves assures me that she will be very satisfied with the results, so I plan to speak with her then about breaking the engagement. Hopefully, a good outcome in the case will make her more willing to see reason.”

“Let us all just pray that she chooses to do what is right,” Richard added.

Seeing the worry on everyone’s faces, Georgiana said, “Yes, that is what we must do! Brother and Miss Elizabeth have been in love for years and they belong together.”

“I heartily agree!” William declared. “Now, let us find a less irritating subject to discuss, such as what songs the ladies plan to entertain us with after dinner.”

“If any of you has heard me play,” Elizabeth murmured softly, “you may recall that my skills on the pianoforte can be just as irritating.”

Her quip was instantly refuted by William, but it had the desired effect of making everyone else laugh. It was not long until dinner concluded and they all moved to the music room.

Chapter 26

Darcy House

Four days later

As William hurried to finish eating breakfast, his cousin walked into the dining room, wearily sat down in the chair beside him and motioned for a footman to bring him a cup of coffee.

“Richard!” William declared, devouring a forkful of scrambled eggs and ham. “I thought that since you stayed with your parents last night, you would meet me at the courthouse.”

“Something came up this morning that prompted me to see you sooner, just in case you wish to share it with Miss Bennet before you leave for court.”

“Oh?”

“You will recall that Father always has several newspapers delivered early so that he may look them over before he begins his day.”

At William’s nod, Richard tossed a newspaper on the table. “I happened to be with him when this paper was delivered. Apparently, he begins with the gossip column, for he immediately commented on an article alluding to a rumour concerning you. What do you make of this?”

William took the paper and squinted to read the article that had been circled: A reliable source tells me that there are no longer any impediments to the marriage of a certain widower from Derbyshire with the initials F.D. and a lovely widow from Hertfordshire. No one should be surprised if the event takes place within days.

By the time William had read it a second time, he was scowling as he slowly shook his head. “Perhaps one of your mother’s friends—Lady Covington or Lady Throckmorton—thinks I am honour-bound to marry Lady Morgan now that her child has been delivered.”