Page 20 of Gentlemen of Honor (Bennet Gang Duology #2)

The Gentlemen Take Things in Hand?

Darcy could not help recalling, as he and his cousin rode into Meryton, memories of Elizabeth on the night of the ball. Not simply while dancing, though recollections of her enthusiasm and grace were among his most cherished, but afterwards, when they’d raced back to Dovemark. Both her siblings and the staff had been confused and afraid, and Elizabeth had handled them with efficiency and care. Her calm command had gone a long way to dispelling his secret worry that she would not succeed were she made mistress of Pemberley.

In truth, he knew not why he’d developed the fear. Dovemark was a well-managed household, despite Mrs. Oakwood’s tendency to histrionics. He also knew Elizabeth to be well versed in charitable endeavors, although her means of going about them would, he hoped and assumed, be far different as Pemberley’s mistress than they had been up to now. He had not, however, seen her take a situation so fully in hand before. Usually, she communed with her older and younger sister. But that night, he’d been impressed with her quickness of thought and surety, traits essential to managing a household as large as his.

They halted before Meryton’s inn, handed over their mounts, and went in to be shown into the same private room as always. Both Bingley and Robert Collins already waited, Collins with tea and Bingley with an ale, and a tray of sliced meats, bread, and other foodstuffs rested on the table before them. After a quick exchange of greetings and Richard’s call for a drink, they all sat.

Richard looked about with interest. “A perfectly fine room, but is the magistrate’s office not across the way? Why would we not convene there for a greater assurance of privacy?”

Bingley grimaced. “I take it you haven’t been in?”

Richard shook his head, his expression questioning.

“Horrible place,” Bingley stated, then cast a quick look at Robert Collins. “My apologies.”

“No apology is necessary,” Robert Collins replied, austere in his mourning black. “My late brother’s taste in décor was atrocious. All that is halting me having the place redone is your purchase of Netherfield Park and the appointment of a new magistrate.”

“Is the purchase of Netherfield Park progressing?” Darcy asked.

The innkeeper returned with Richard’s ale, took their assurance that they required nothing more, and departed, closing the door.

“Not as well as I would like,” Bingley admitted once they were again alone. “Mr. Parkland keeps attempting to raise the price. He even threatened to keep the place and put Mr. Robinson up for the post, which I gather would be as bad as Collins.” Bingley reached for some bread, then offered, “Again, my apologies,” to Robert Collins.

Robert shrugged.

“I assume you have the original contract?” Darcy said sternly.

“I do, and Phillips knows the law well. We will see it done.” Bingley’s face split into a grin. “Then, I may try my hand at magisterial duties, if my appointment gets approved. Jane believes I would make a good show of it, and Robert here has agreed to stay on as my assistant until he can train someone up, though I daresay it’s beneath his dignity as master of Longbourn.”

Robert waved that off, pouring himself a second cup of tea. “I would not know what to do with myself otherwise, especially with the help Mary has been providing me with the estate. She has a brilliant mind, and once we are able to remove the extra taxes and fees that have been placed upon the district, Longbourn’s tenants will prosper.”

“Miss Mary has been assisting you with managing Longbourn?” Richard asked. “They are an exceptional lot, these Bennet women.”

Darcy took in the contemplative look in his cousin’s eyes and wondered if Richard was reconsidering his declaration that Miss Kitty was far too young to marry.

“Yes, Mr. Bingley and I are both very fortunate,” Robert said with quiet surety.

Somehow, that caused them all to look at Darcy. He cleared his throat, and before anyone could ask a question he was not ready to answer, he said, “But even such exceptional females as the Bennet women cannot hope to prevail against Lord Franklin. So, what are we to do to assist them?”

Richard set down his half-empty mug. “First, let us clarify what we know. Then we will formulate a plan. ”

They quickly compared facts, with Robert adding the tale of Nathan Hargreaves’ call on Miss Lydia and Master Thomas, relayed to him by Miss Mary. “She believes Nathan Hargreaves’ information may be correct, for though Matthew can be roused to consciousness, his mind is confused and nothing she has administered seems to aid him.”

“A rider did arrive from Nottinghamshire.” Bingley reached for bread as he spoke. “I have no notion if he brought anything, but Caroline may. Or she may not. She, like the rest of us, has taken to avoiding our guests. They employ half the house and we the other, and we rarely meet. If I had any notion of succeeding, I would order them out.”

“They would only take rooms at the inn,” Richard predicted. “Lord Franklin and his sister are not leaving here until they are certain that Thomas and Matthew Oakwood no longer threaten their futures.”

Bingley shuddered. “That sister of his…something is off with that one.” He tapped his head. “At first, I thought it was only Lord Franklin, but one of the maids told Caroline that the woman traps spiders and other insects and pulls them apart, one limb at a time. The entire staff is terrified of her. Louisa and Hurst are considering leaving and not returning until Christmas.”

“Indeed?” Darcy asked, truly surprised. Hurst never passed up an opportunity for Bingley to foot the bill.

“Truly,” Bingley replied solemnly.

“So,” Richard said crisply. “We have as evidence that Matthew Oakwood fell ill after drinking from Lord Franklin’s flask. Nathan Hargreaves confessed, before two witnesses, that he saw his brother clean out that flask before refilling it, and found a suspicious packet in Lord Franklin’s room. We also have Nathan Hargreaves’ word that Lord Franklin carries poison with him, and an attacker who administered poison to your Matthew Oakwood and subsequently had his foot injured. Which took place shortly before Lord Franklin arrived at Bingley’s ball, where dozens of people saw him limping.”

Robert frowned, stirring sugar into his tea.

Bingley looked about the table with hope in his eyes.

Darcy shook his head. “It is not much, and most of it hinges on the testimony of children, even assuming we could persuade Nathan Hargreaves to publicly turn on his siblings. He is what, seventeen? And Miss Lydia and Master Thomas are even younger.”

“But we all know he’s guilty,” Bingley stated. “We could all swear to it.”

“And we would all be asked on what grounds we base our conclusions,” Richard said glumly. “Darcy is right. It is all very thin. ”

“I am not certain how much I care about seeing Lord Franklin convicted,” Robert Collins said softly. “I am more concerned with forcing him to hand over the antidote.”

Bingley nodded. “That is what Jane said as well.” He pulled a face. “I promised her I would speak to Lord Franklin. Try to reason with the man. Matthew is only a lad, after all.”

“Threatening to take him to court might accomplish more than reasoning with him,” Darcy said, though he doubted either would do any good.

“I believe we must appeal to a different power.” Richard looked about the table. “I prevailed upon Mrs. Oakwood to permit me to see the portrait of her husband. It is, indeed, General Matthew Rodrik Arthur Oakwood. Thomas and Matthew are the Earl of Pillory’s heirs. The time has come to involve him.”

“No.” Robert shook his head. “Mary and her sisters discussed the matter, and they have asked that he be kept as a final resort. It is their feeling that the earl will take the young men from here.”

“They are his heirs,” Richard countered. “He has that right.”

“The lads should be at school, regardless,” Bingley added. “How would the earl taking them be different from that? Might do them some good.”

Robert continued to shake his head as the others spoke. “Mary, Jane, and Elizabeth believe that the earl will endeavor to mold their brothers into the sort of man he is. A man who would murder his own blood for the sake of a title.”

“They make a fair point,” Richard allowed. “But I will counter by pointing out that the earl raised General Oakwood, and I have met few men better.”

“I doubt he raised anyone,” Bingley said. “From what I hear, peers take little hand in the rearing of their children.”

“Regardless, if Mary wishes for her brothers to remain with their mother, then I wish it as well.”

Darcy studied the hard set of Robert Collins’ jaw. The young man reminded him of Miss Mary. Quiet, determined, and unyielding. “We can leave sending word to the earl as a last resort,” Darcy said. “First, let us appeal to Lord Franklin’s desire not to be brought before a court. Again, assuming we can prevail upon Nathan Hargreaves to repeat his accusations.”

“A large assumption,” Bingley muttered before adding, “I will speak with Phillips. Perhaps there is legal action we can take without the younger brother’s help.”

“If there is, or if we can secure Nathan Hargreaves’ assistance, we will confront Lord Franklin,” Darcy stated. “If not, and if Master Matthew continues to worsen, we will revisit the idea of sending word to the earl.”

They all nodded, and Darcy could see that the others were as dissatisfied as he with their plan, but what action could they truly take? They were gentlemen, subject to the law. They must work within those parameters.

“One of us could challenge Lord Franklin,” Bingley said.

Darcy turned to him in surprise. “You are hardly healed from your last challenge.”

“On what grounds?” Richard asked.

“The accusation that he poisoned Matthew Oakwood.”

“He would never accept,” Darcy predicted. “And need I remind you, dueling is illegal. Did you not moments ago say that you wish to put yourself up for magistrate?”

Bingley blinked. “Yes, well, I am not magistrate yet.”

“I agree with Darcy,” Richard said. “Hargreaves will never accept a challenge. There is no benefit to him. He cares not an ounce for the semblance of honor. He has the fortune and, as heir to an earl, standing, to buy companions, so he has no need for good opinion, even assuming an ignored challenge issued somewhere in Hertfordshire would be news in London.”

“It can’t hurt to try,” Bingley protested.

“We can put challenging Lord Franklin alongside contacting the earl,” Darcy said, though in truth he would rather they do the latter. No amount of shaming would see Lord Franklin accept a challenge. Nor could they count on him to fight fairly. “Agreed?”

“Agreed,” the others replied, though Bingley only grudgingly.

“Now, what are we to do about the rumor Lord Franklin started regarding the Boney Bandits?” Robert Collins asked. “I am afraid it is already causing trouble.”

Bingley’s mug thudded to the tabletop. “People cannot believe that the Boney Bandits turned to evil so readily?”

“No,” Robert said. “The general thought about the village is that the extra taxes and fees my brother levied are still in effect, and everyone is still scraping by, and the Boney Bandits raided Dovemark when they believed everyone would be away at the ball.”

“Then local sentiment does not hold with the Boney Bandits attacking Master Matthew?” Richard asked curiously.

Robert shook his head. “They believe that any harm done to the residents of Dovemark was accidental. The result of their plan going awry. ”

“That is good, at least.” Bingley picked back up his mug. “Jane would be devastated to have the local populace turn on…” He cast a quick look about the empty room. “On the Boney Bandits.”

“You said it is already causing trouble,” Darcy reminded, dread in his gut over those words. Elizabeth’s past tarnishing their future was his greatest fear when it came to offering for her.

Robert nodded. “I received word that in light of the Boney Bandit’s so-called attack on Dovemark, Colonel Forster put in a plea to be given a second opportunity to capture them. He and his unit are being returned to Meryton.”

Darcy’s teeth ground together. Forster, with his poor judgement when it came to trusting those under his command, would be an unwelcome addition to an already precarious situation.

“He won’t find them,” Bingley replied to Robert. “Jane swore they were done now that your brother is gone, and I understand Mary did as well.”

Once more, Richard, Robert, and Bingley turned to Darcy. He frowned at them, his mouth clamped closed.

“Well, Darcy?” Richard finally asked. “Did Miss Elizabeth issue a similar vow?”

“Not a vow, precisely, but there is no reason to believe she will attempt anything, especially without her sisters.”

Richard studied him thoughtfully, but nodded.

“Then we let Forster return, assuming we could stop him if we tried, and do nothing to hinder him,” Robert concluded. “Because he will never find who he seeks.”

“Agreed,” Darcy said along with Richard and Bingley.

Robert smiled. “Very well, then. Let us finish our luncheon with lighter topics. Did you happen to see the article about that new breed of sheep they are working on over in Wales?”

Darcy joined in the effort to speak of other things, though they quickly had to turn the conversation away from husbandry and onto hunting to keep Bingley’s interest. After that, the meal passed amiably.

Darcy and Richard returned to Dovemark and, rather than trouble any of the footmen, unsaddled and brushed down their own mounts. Darcy was unaccustomed to doing so, and couldn’t help but notice that Richard seemed much more adept. Undoubtedly, he’d been made to play a great many roles in his time serving King and Country. Darcy didn’t mind the activity, though Patrick would disapprove heartily, but he reflected that Mrs. Oakwood truly should hire a staff for the stable. Perhaps he should speak to Mr. Phillips about doing so, or even to Thomas .

They left the stable to the sound of Elizabeth greeting, “Mr. Darcy. Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

Turning, Darcy spotted her standing in the entrance to the walled garden. Their gazes met and he took in her misery. Her entire stance spoke of tension and sorrow. Her normally pulled back shoulders were curved inward. Her chin lifted with neither amusement nor defiance. She seemed somehow less than usual. Diminished.

Of their own accord, his feet started in her direction.

“Miss Elizabeth, Darcy,” Richard said behind him. “I will see you in the house.”

Darcy made no effort to reply, but Elizabeth raised her gaze to look past him, mustered a smile, and said, “Tea will be served in a few hours, Colonel.”

Then Darcy reached her and caught up her delicate gloved hands in his. “You are troubled.”

She returned the press of his fingers. “Shall we walk in the garden? It is always a touch warmer there.”

He nodded and she slipped one hand free, but twined the fingers of the other with his. Together, they turned and set a slow pace down the garden path.

“I am sorry that we have no grooms,” she said after a moment, raising her gaze to the dull gray sky.

“It is no great imposition, though my valet will wonder what I have done to my coat.” With his free hand, he dusted at the horse hair that clung to him.

“He will be displeased?”

Darcy shrugged. “He will pretend to be.” They walked on in silence, Darcy watching her from the corner of his eye. Her face told him nothing, except that she was not her usual self. Finally, as they reached the center of the garden, he asked, “What is troubling you?”

She halted, her hand pulling free of his, and he feared he’d said something wrong. Clasping her fingers tightly before her, she looked up at him and blurted, “I am useless.”

He shook his head. “I do not understand.”

She gestured in the direction of the house. “Your London doctor came while you and the colonel were out. He agrees that Matthew has been poisoned, and he has no idea of what might cure him. Jane and Kitty are sitting with Mama, trying to calm her. Mary is poring over her books.” Tears built in Elizabeth’s eyes. “I have worked hard for years to be as fast and strong as I can be. I ride well, and can clean, load, and shoot a pistol. I have yet to meet an opponent I cannot out-fence. But this? The poison slowly taking my brother from me? I am useless.” She dashed at her eyes, her movements abrupt, speaking more of anger than sorrow.

“I know precisely how you feel,” he said, capturing her hands once more.

“You do?” her gaze searched his face.

“Last summer, my sister had a…” How to avoid telling secrets that belonged to Georgiana? “She suffered a broken heart.” Though apparently broken more from guilt than sorrow, he now knew. “I realize it is not the same, as she was in no danger of—” He broke off. He should not say that Matthew might die. “I realize it is not the same, but I well remember my complete helplessness. My inability to do or say anything that could ease her suffering.” He gently squeezed Elizabeth’s hands. “I am sorry you have been made to feel this way. Especially as you are the most capable woman I have ever met.”

She blinked up at him, tears glittering on her lashes. “I would give that praise to Mary.”

“Could Miss Mary have taken charge of the household the way that you did on the night of the ball? Could she have reassured the staff and turned their anger into useful occupation?”

Elizabeth offered him a half smile. “Most likely.”

He squeezed her hands again. “We cannot always fix everything.”

A sigh left her. “I know, but I would fight any battle for my brother, for any of my siblings, and I cannot. I have no weapon against what ails him. It is frustrating, and aggravating, and…” She trailed off with another sigh, looking down. After a long moment, she raised her gaze and shrugged. “Thank you for listening.”

“Always.”

“And I apologize. I am not normally so unsettled in my emotions.”

“These are not normal circumstances.”

She pulled her hands free, her mood already seeming lighter, and twined an arm through his. “We had best return. You will want to change for tea. Especially if Jane and Kitty can persuade Mama to join us. She does not care for the smell of the stable.”

“I smell?” he asked as they resumed their walk, employing mock affront in a bid to further elevate her mood.

“Not to me. I adore the scents of hay and horses, but to my mother and Kitty? Definitely.” She drew her shoulders back, standing straighter. “And there is something about the stable that makes Kitty sneeze. I know not if it is the hay, straw, or horses, or another component, but we do not want her sneezing all through tea.”

“No. Certainly not,” he agreed, pleased to see Elizabeth rallying. Her sorrow pained him even more than Georgiana’s had. Knowing what he did now, he wondered if that was because he’d somehow sensed that his sister’s heart had not truly been broken. What had she said, that she did not love Wickham in the marrying way, only as a brother? Now, she’d been made to give up even that.

Elizabeth halted them as they neared the end of the garden, turning to face him once more. “I am sorry that you had to endure your sister’s heartbreak.”

“She is recovered, I believe. Fortunately, in matters of the heart, time is often a cure.”

Elizabeth nodded, tumult returning to her eyes.

He was a fool. Time was Matthew’s greatest enemy. He caught up one of her gloved hands again. “We will find a way to make him well.”

Elizabeth mustered a smile. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she said, and they resumed their walk to the house.