Page 15

D arcy walked briskly along Brook Street towards Grosvenor Square. Matlock House was only a few minutes from Darcy House, and he needed to speak to his uncle.

He was very disturbed by his feelings. After all, he had barely been in town two days, and already he felt a strong desire to call on Miss Elizabeth, impossible though it would be without an acquaintanceship with the Cheapside relations.

If she had still been at Longbourn, he would be wishing to return there, and he was uneasy because he wasn’t able to forget her.

Even last night, he had dreamed of her, seeing again in his mind her shapely ankle as she had climbed into that puzzling coach.

His dream had taken him further; he could still almost taste the warmth of her skin as he’d kissed the back of her hand in his dream — and he pushed the thought away, hoping his dark flush would not linger on to the visit with his uncle.

On being announced to the earl, Darcy entered the library behind the footman and bowed.

“Good morning, Uncle Henry. I apologise for arriving so near luncheon, but I hope I won’t keep you many minutes.”

His uncle waved at the decanter. “Pour yourself a drink, Darcy. I expect Richard will have another, too.”

Darcy glanced round. “Richard! You didn’t go to Spain? That is excellent news.”

His cousin waved his glass at him, and Darcy saw that his foot was heavily bandaged.

“What did you do at such a fortuitous time, then?”

Richard grinned. “A subaltern let go of his horse as we were boarding the ship, and I grabbed at the reins. Unfortunately I got trodden on, and by the time I was bandaged up, the surgeon said I’d be rather a liability. So they sailed without me.”

Darcy laughed. “I am glad to hear it.” He peered down. “It is not a serious wound, though, I hope?”

Richard shook his head. “No. I will have to take passage and join the regiment when it is healed, but I expect to get several weeks out of it.”

“Very well!” Uncle Henry interrupted. “We don’t have long before we are called through to join your aunt, Darcy, so what did you wish to ask?”

Darcy handed Richard his refilled glass, and finished pouring his own. He must be careful not to give the real reason for his interest. “I wondered if you knew anything of the tradesman Edward Gardiner, sir.”

If Darcy had expected incomprehension, he didn’t get it.

“Of course I do. Have you only just heard of him?”

“Indeed. I could hardly credit what I heard with what I have observed, so I wondered what I’ve missed.”

His uncle frowned, and took out his pipe. “I hope no one has seen your interest. It is not wise to be on the wrong side of him.”

“What is so fearful about a tradesman?” Richard was sitting forward, interested.

“Nothing at all. He is an honest, reliable fellow.” The earl filled his pipe with tobacco, and Darcy tried to hide his distaste. He hated the smell, but he needed information.

“I understand he has warehouses in Cheapside, and lives close to them. Yet he has a carriage to rival the finest in the country. Is it any wonder my interest was piqued?”

“Not at all. But I wonder how you knew it was his carriage?” His uncle’s gaze was astute, and Darcy hesitated.

“Oh, I saw it in the country and asked whose it was.” Darcy had to dissemble, and was ashamed of the need.

“Is that it?” Uncle’s voice was disappointed. “I had expected something more exciting. However,” he pointed the pipe at Darcy, “I would seriously suggest you do nothing to show your interest and nothing to excite his notice, or the displeasure of the Ton will descend upon you.”

Darcy decided not to mention his hired investigator who’d called on him yesterday with news of what he’d seen near Gardiner’s home; nor would he speak of the deplorable family in Hertfordshire.

“Father!” Richard expostulated. “You will have to explain why; you cannot leave the matter as it is.”

Uncle Henry raised a bushy brow. “Why, the man is a genius investor. He controls many of the Matlock investments on my behalf, and that of many other peers as well. Do not offend him, Darcy, or I will not be pleased.” He smiled, the lines on his face breaking up into geniality.

“He is extremely wealthy, wealthy enough to become a first society gentleman, and has the manners and appearance to match it. Why he has decided to stay a tradesman, I do not know, but there must be a very good reason behind it.”

“But …” Darcy stopped suddenly. How could the man possibly be as described by his uncle? He was the brother of Mrs. Bennet. Loud, vulgar Mrs. Bennet, who constantly screeched of being left in the hedgerows? He must have the wrong man. This couldn’t be right.

“But … what?” His uncle was eyeing him keenly.

Darcy shook his head. “I think I have a different Gardiner in mind. He cannot possibly be the man you describe.”

The bushy eyebrow rose again. “How many very wealthy men named Gardiner have warehouses in Cheapside, do you think?”

Darcy was struggling to comprehend what he had been told. Then he thought of something else. “Ought I to consider asking him to look at the Pemberley investments? Why haven’t you suggested it to me?”

The earl shrugged. “He doesn’t accept many estates, and then only by recommendation of those he already works with. I had thought Pemberley was doing very well under your own management — and to be honest, you do like to keep control of where you invest.”

Darcy nodded ruefully, aware of his own failings in that regard. His mind went back to Netherfield, and a pair of very fine eyes looking at him with more than a hint of impertinence.

But you have chosen your fault well. I really cannot laugh at it. You are safe from me.

No doubt Miss Elizabeth would have thought it another failing, this desire to control his own property and wealth.

His uncle heaved himself out of his chair. “We must join your aunt. Are you joining us for luncheon, Darcy? Then we may talk more this afternoon.”

“Thank you, no. I had better return to Georgiana, but thank you for the invitation.” Darcy needed to think about what he had learned.

He strode back to Darcy House. Not that this made any difference to his feelings towards Miss Elizabeth, of course.

Her family was still utterly dreadful. Money was the least of his concerns.

Her mother, her father, those younger sisters — he shuddered.

What did it matter if her uncle was well-thought of around town?

And how could they be close relations, if the man cared naught about becoming a gentleman to benefit his own family?

But he was happy he had discharged the investigator yesterday. If Gardiner was as astute as Uncle Henry implied, then he might well have noticed, and Darcy would not like being implicated by him discovering who had commissioned the man.