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  “I will undertake the business myself, sir. Am I to understand that time is of the essence? Mr. Bingley will doubtless wish to have someone reliable in his employ before spring planting begins.”

  “That is correct.”

  “My suggestion would therefore be that I seek out three men with the necessary qualifications. Of course, their references and backgrounds will be thoroughly vetted.”

  “Can you have a preliminary report to me in two weeks?”

  “I may be able to do better than that, sir. Are you familiar with the recent tragedy at Elmwood?”

  “Everyone is familiar with it, Mr. Lawson.”

  The young Earl of ___ had inherited from his father one of the oldest, most beautiful, and most prosperous estates in England. His mother had long been dead, and without a father’s guidance, he had rapidly developed the most profligate habits. Within five years, before he had turned thirty, he had wasted his entire fortune. The night he lost Elmwood on the turn of a card, the young Earl signed over the deed, left the gaming hell, and quietly put a pistol to his head.

  “The story has a more interesting, less tragic beginning,” said Lawson.

  “Go on.”

  “James Emerson was the steward of Elmwood, hand-picked by the old Earl. Emerson is the youngest son of Sir Martin Emerson, Baronet. His late father educated him thoroughly in the management of the family estate, as he did with all four of his sons. Emerson also had the advantage of a university education, but he realized at an early age that he was more interested in the land. He was engaged by the old Earl while he was still in his twenties and managed Elmwood for years. Under his sound management, the estate’s prosperity increased markedly. However, Emerson could do nothing in terms of guiding the new Earl after the young man came of age, and all of his advice and efforts came to naught.”

  “And you are saying he might be available?”

  “He is available, sir.”

  “See what you can do about arranging an interview. If he wishes to come to Hertfordshire, so much the better. Otherwise, we will arrange to interview him here. Contact me by express. I am visiting Mr. Bingley at Netherfield to assist with this matter, and I shall be leaving here in the morning to return there. We should be prepared to move quickly, should Emerson turn out to be the right man.”

  “Yes, sir. I will contact you as soon as possible.”

  Mr. Lawson departed, and Darcy sat thinking. An older, very experienced man with a bent for guiding the young would be an ideal steward for Bingley. He hoped that Emerson could be secured for the position.

  The rest of Darcy’s evening passed quietly. If he anticipated being visited by Elizabeth in his dreams, he was to be disappointed. His sleep was undisturbed.

  Chapter 7

  “It is like trying to serve as shepherdess to a flock of cats!” Mary exclaimed. “They cannot summon up a reasonable, rational thought between them. I am going to my room, where I hope to remain undisturbed until it is time to dress for dinner.” Mary had returned from escorting her sisters to Meryton, and it was clear that the trip had not gone smoothly. The two younger girls stood in the front hall bickering about whose bonnet should be trimmed first.

  “I do thank you for taking them, Mary,” replied her sister. “May I come up and visit you in a little while? I should like for us to talk, but I feel I must get these two settled first.”

  “That would be fine, just so long as you come alone.”

  Elizabeth’s next task was to settle Kitty and Lydia. She suggested that they return to their room for the hats they had decided to trim. An inspection of their purchases revealed black bombazine, crepe, buckram, several spools of black thread, and innumerable yards of black ribbon in several widths. She silently blessed Mary, for it was obvious those two would never have made the appropriate selections otherwise. Mrs. Bennet came in with the sewing basket, and when the two girls returned with several bonnets, she settled with them at the round table. They quickly became involved in conversations about fabric and trim, but though their voices were loud, Elizabeth saw that they were content.

  Elizabeth went upstairs to Mary’s room and knocked softly. She found her sister surrounded by books, taking handwritten notes. “I will not disturb your peace for too long,” said Elizabeth, seating herself in the low chair by the fire. “I wanted first to thank you for escorting Kitty and Lydia to town this morning. It enabled me to get off a long letter to Charlotte about the plans and to sit with Mrs. Hill and address several questions regarding the meals and other household affairs. I realize that it would be a dreadful injustice to request you to do the same thing each day, but I think that in the interest of keeping the household running, it would be well if you and I came up with a division of labor.”

  “You are right. I do not think Mama can be relied upon to handle much of anything.”

  “I am glad you agree. First, we both have certain times a day for specific pursuits. You go to your music each afternoon before dinner for a couple of hours. I go out every day before breakfast, weather permitting, just to exercise. I propose that those times be reserved to us each day, and that the other be available to resolve any problems that might develop. Then, I propose that we alternate days Monday through Saturday so that each of us has half the time between breakfast and your afternoon practice to spend in peaceful pursuits. The other will shepherd the cats.”

  “I concur. It seems unfair that at their age they need to be minded as children would, but it is something we have to bear.”

  Elizabeth stood. “I am glad we had a chance to talk, Mary. I will go out to walk tomorrow before breakfast, and when I return, I will take charge of the girls so that you may attend to your studies. Then again I will oversee them while you have your afternoon practice.”

  “Thank you,” replied Mary. “And I will be prepared to do the same for you the following day. Meanwhile, we have our visit to Netherfield this evening. I confess I am looking forward to it.”

  “As am I.” Elizabeth left and shut the door quietly.

  The family were ready when the Bingley carriage called for them. Lydia and Kitty each sported a newly-trimmed bonnet, and Elizabeth had to admit that they had done excellent work. Charles Bingley and Mr. Gardiner were waiting on the steps to welcome them, and they were all soon inside and seated together in the snug parlor that Jane preferred to the large, formal drawing-room.

  “Lizzy,” said Jane. “I had some of the servants look in the attics, and they have unearthed a treasure for Rose Cottage. I should like to show it to you.”

  “A treasure,” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet. “Oh, how well that sounds!”

  “Would you like to see it, too, Mama?”

  “Oh, no dear. I will just sit here and have a talk with your Aunt Gardiner. You girls run along.”

  Jane led the way to a little-used room at the back of the main floor. The door opened to reveal what looked like several rolled-up carpets, each with a tag.

  “The tags are all marked ‘Rose Cottage,’ said Jane. But that is not all. Uncle Gardiner inspected them, and in his opinion, these are fine Persian carpets. There are enough here for each of the main rooms at Rose Cottage. There are plainer ones for the bedchambers.”

  “We shall be elegant indeed.”

  “Uncle will take them to London to have them cleaned and mended.”

  “They are beautiful, Jane. Thank you.”

  “Now, let us go to my sewing-room. I need to speak to you privately.”

  They settled comfortably in the small room , and Jane spoke without preamble. “I need to share with you at least some of what Mr. Darcy has told us. Charles can confirm a great deal of it. There are a few details that must be omitted from my account because I cannot invade the privacy of others. But you need to know these things.”

  “I am all attention.”

  “Mr. Wickham is, as you know, the son of the elder Mr. Darcy’s steward. Both those gentlemen are now deceased. You also know, from Mr. Wickham himself, that old Mr. Darcy
was fond of him and intended for him to have a valuable living.”

  “I know all of those things. I also know how Mr. Darcy cheated him of it.”

  Jane’s soft eyes grew wide. “That is not true, Lizzy. Mr. Wickham led a dissolute life at Cambridge. He was constantly in trouble at the university for misbehaving with any number of women. Charles confirms that. He remembers Wickham’s behavior because he and Mr. Darcy became friends while they were at Cambridge. After university, he continued his profligate ways in London. When the elder Mr. Darcy died, he bequeathed Wickham a thousand pounds, which he spent almost immediately. Or I should say, he wasted it on luxurious living, gambling, and Heaven knows what sorts of vice in London.”

  “Go on.” Elizabeth’s mind was in turmoil.

  “When the living fell vacant, Mr. Wickham told Mr. Darcy that he was not inclined to take Holy Orders. He preferred to study the law. You can well imagine that Mr. Darcy was relieved. Instead of the living, Mr. Darcy settled three thousand pounds on him as payment in full.”

  “So, Wickham himself gave up the living.”

  “Yes, but the story does not end there. A few years later, when he had failed at the law, and when he had spent the three thousand pounds, he returned to Mr. Darcy and asked again for the living. Mr. Darcy, quite rightly, refused him.” Jane sat back and folded her hands in her lap.

  “And why is all of this suddenly so important?”

  “Well, for several reasons. First and foremost, I thought you would wish to know that Mr. Wickham deceived us concerning Mr. Darcy’s character. If he is capable of one deception, he may be capable of others. And secondly, the ___shire Militia are returning to Meryton. We must be on our guard.”

  “But I thought Wickham would long since have married Miss King.”

  “Miss King, and her ten thousand pounds, are safe in Liverpool. Her uncle knew more about Wickham than we did. Either that or he is simply a better judge of character .”

  “When is the regiment expected?”

  “Sir William Lucas says they will be here in less than a month. Lizzy, I am convinced that George Wickham is a dissolute and predatory man. We must be on our guard.”

  “I must say, Jane, you are not usually this harsh. You cannot find a single redeeming thing to say about him. It is so unlike you.”

  Jane leaned over and took her sister’s hand. “Believe me, Lizzy. It is not easy for me. You know that I try to find the good in everyone, and I would always hope that people could redeem themselves. But I trust my husband, and he confirms all of this. And my husband trusts Mr. Darcy. We must take steps to safeguard Kitty and Lydia. I believe sincerely that he has no moral scruples at all.”

  “Is there something you are not telling me, Jane?”

  “Yes, Lizzy. But I cannot tell you. It would be an invasion of Mr. Darcy’s privacy and that of his family. Perhaps he will communicate it to you eventually. In the meantime, you have my permission to discuss with him what I have told you. He authorized me to communicate it to you because he knows that the burden of looking after Kitty and Lydia will fall largely upon your shoulders.”

  “And why does he not tell me himself?”

  “Believe me, Lizzy, he gave it most careful consideration. In fact, after your refusal at Hunsford, he spent all night writing you a letter with these details. He then waited in the park for two hours so that he could place the letter into your hands. He never encountered you, and he began to believe that the tone of the letter might have been self-serving, so he burnt it.”

  Elizabeth fell silent for a long moment. “How different it all might have been if he had found me.”

  “We had best return to the others. It will soon be time for dinner.”

  Elizabeth’s mind continued to be in turmoil all through the rest of the evening. She reassured Mrs. Bennet that the carpets were beautiful and far grander than what they had at Longbourn, thankful that her mother’s attitude toward the renovations remained positive.

  After dinner, she found time to share a few quiet moments with her aunt and uncle, who would be leaving for London on the morrow. “You did discuss Mr. Wickham with Jane, Lizzy?” Her aunt seemed anxious.

  “Yes, Aunt. I understand completely, though I will confess I was surprised. Still, I will be on my guard, and I have Jane and Charles to help me. Mary may turn out to be a help as well.”

  “Do whatever you have to do. The fact that they are in mourning may help, dear, but do not hesitate to send them to us in London if you feel you need to.”

  Elizabeth kissed her aunt. “You and Uncle are the best aunt and uncle anyone could have. I could not get through this without your kindness.”

  Mr. Gardiner took her two hands in his. “Lizzy, I do not wish you to worry. Your Uncle Philips and I have everything in hand. You have only to send him any bills.”

  “Thank you, Uncle. I will not worry.”

  “As your father’s executor, I am going to attend to your mother’s dowry and see that it is properly invested. Jane has returned her portion at her husband’s suggestion. I expect to achieve a much better rate of return, and the proceeds will be re-invested.

  “Thank you, Uncle.” Taking them both by the hand, she went on. “I shall miss you both.”

  “We will be back soon, dearest Lizzy.”

  The party broke up soon afterward, and by the time the Bennets returned to Longbourn, everyone was ready to retire. Elizabeth was relieved to reach the sanctuary of her room, and after she had prepared for bed, she sat in her chair by the fire, gazing into the flames as she tried to tame her wild thoughts.

  What must he think of me? In refusing him, I managed to insult him in every way possible. But how could I have known?

  Oh, I should have been more aware of what Wickham was up to. What kind of gentleman approaches a young lady and lays out his entire life story upon their first meeting? It was so dramatic! He was doing everything in his power to charm me away from Mr. Darcy. My father was right. With such stories as those, who would read novels? How could I have been such a fool?

  I must say, though, Mr. Darcy did not make it easy for me. His proposal was so insulting. I might as well admit to myself, at least, that I thought he was going to offer me a position as his—as his mistress! I know now that he would never, ever do such a thing to any woman.

  Still, it is too late ever to go back. He looks at me with such scorn, such disdain! His smiles are like sunshine, but I had better get used to the fact that they will never, ever be directed at me. I have ruined my chances forever.

  She got into bed and put out her candle, but sleep did not come quickly, and when it did, her dreams were troubled. She could see Mr. Darcy at a great distance, but when she tried to reach him, she could not.

  Chapter 8

  “Mary, you did not have to come down so early!” Elizabeth, ready for her morning walk, met her sister in the front hall.

  “I thought I had best be up and dressed in case there were problems,” Mary replied. When Elizabeth tried to thank her, she held up a hand. “No need for that. While you are out walking, I will have two perfectly quiet hours to pursue my reading.” She held up a book. “Mrs. Hill is bringing me some tea. Go and enjoy your walk, Lizzy.”

  The cold was biting, and Elizabeth realized that she would need to increase her mourning wardrobe to include a warmer pair of gloves and possibly a bonnet. She pushed her thinly-gloved hands deeper into her pockets and kept walking. She covered three brisk miles, doubling back toward Longbourn by a circuitous route, and by the time she reached the house, she was famished and half-frozen.

  As she entered the front hall, Hill gave her a small parcel. “This come for you by express, Miss Bennet.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Hill.” Elizabeth removed her pelisse and bonnet and took her package into her father’s library. There was no other wrapping but the brown paper it had been sent in, but there was a note:

  I trust the enclosed notebooks will be useful to you as you undertake the many tasks that now awai
t you. I have found my own notebooks to be useful over the years in tracking projects both great and small. I shall collect a farthing from you upon my return to Netherfield in payment for the knife. -Fitzwilliam Darcy

  Elizabeth laid out the contents of the package. It included a dozen compact leather-bound notebooks, a dozen lead-pencils, and a small silver penknife to sharpen them. She smiled at his clear allusion to the old superstition that a knife must never be given as a gift. She could hear the others coming down to breakfast, so she hastily gathered the items back into the brown paper and placed them in a drawer of her father’s desk. As she entered the dining room, she found she was the last of the family to sit down to breakfast.

  “How was your walk, Lizzy?” Mary’s voice was both polite and interested.

  “I cannot imagine why you are always out walking in weather like this,” sniffed Mrs. Bennet. “You will catch your death of cold, and then where will I be? I cannot manage these girls without some help.”

  “I did have a thought,” replied Elizabeth. She turned to Lydia. “Lydia, you are obviously the most accomplished among us when it comes to renewing bonnets. Do you recall my rust-colored round bonnet?”

  “Yes,” replied her sister, intrigued despite herself. “You had it new last year for your trip to Hunsford.”

  “Well, it is the warmest bonnet I possess, and while I hate to sacrifice it, I wonder if it could be made over with some of the black material you purchased yesterday. I am sadly in need of something warmer than what I have, and I do hate to spend money on a black bonnet.”