Page 30 of Gentlemen of Honor (Bennet Gang Duology #2)

The Cavalry

Elizabeth got little sleep the remainder of the night, kept awake in part by her elation at rescuing Thomas, and in part by her fear that Lord Franklin had meant his words about destroying the antidote and that Colonel Fitzwilliam would not return in time. Based on what Nathan Hargreaves had told them, Matthew should have enough days for the colonel to ride to Nottinghamshire and back, but Elizabeth’s younger brother was already weak from the first poison given to him before he received the second.

But despite both elation and fear, her greatest barrier to rest had nothing to do with her relations and everything to do with Mr. Darcy’s kiss, and as she rose to dress late the following morning, she could not keep the smile from her face. She knew Lord Franklin would attempt to use his influence to avoid repercussions for what he’d done. She knew Matthew was still ill, and her heart ached over that, and yet she could not stop grinning as Lucy helped her to dress and then sat her at her dressing table to begin arranging her hair.

The maid offered a smile in the mirror, seeming well recovered from Lord Franklin’s attack. “You are very cheery today, miss, and you’ll be in good company. Everyone is pleased Master Thomas is home.”

Elizabeth permitted her grin to widen. “It is wonderful to have him safe.”

The words were hardly out of her mouth before her mind returned to Mr. Darcy’s kiss. If Lucy weren’t there, Elizabeth would scoop all the pillows from her bed and squeeze them as tightly as she could, her whole body alive with the memory and seeking some outlet for the energy that danced through her. Perhaps she could interest Jane and Mary in a practice bout later.

A knock sounded in the entrance hall, the pounding muted by distance but distinct enough that both she and Lucy turned to look in the direction of the staircase, as though they could see through walls. Though it was late for Elizabeth to rise, it was early for callers.

“It must have to do with Thomas’s abduction and Lord Franklin,” Elizabeth murmured.

Lucy flinched, her hands spasming where they pinned a final curl into place.

Perhaps the maid was not as recovered as Elizabeth hoped. Her gaze flicked up to take in Lucy’s young, heart-shaped visage in the mirror, finding her features pinched as she patted a few stray strands into place.

Elizabeth should have hit Lord Franklin harder.

Mustering a smile before Lucy could look up and see anger radiating from her eyes, Elizabeth said, “Thank you. I had best go down.”

Lucy nodded, stepping back so Elizabeth could stand.

Elizabeth turned to the maid before she could begin straightening up the room. “Lucy, you are well? You may have more days off if you require them. I will speak to Mrs. Hill.”

Lucy shook her head. “I am well, miss. Mrs. Hill already offered me more time, and I said no.”

“If you change your mind, or if you require anything, simply say so.”

The smile Lucy offered seemed rather weak to Elizabeth, but was accompanied by a nod. “I will, miss.”

Uncertain what more she could do for the girl at the moment, except ensure that Lord Franklin paid for his crimes, Elizabeth went down to find the callers.

They were in the drawing room, and there were a great many of them.

Elizabeth slipped in as everyone began to sit, claiming a chair beside the settee Mary shared with Robert. From the chair opposite Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy’s gaze collided with hers. Heat raced into her cheeks and she angled her face to her folded hands, hoping to hide a blush she couldn’t contain. Not with Mr. Darcy looking at her that way, as if…as if he was thinking about kissing her again.

With all four of Elizabeth’s sisters, her mother, Thomas, Mr. Bingley, Robert, Nathan Hargreaves, and Mr. Darcy present, the seating area was full once Colonel Forster sat. Carter and Pratt, the two officers who accompanied him, exchanged a look and moved to stand along the wall near the drawing room door. Other clusters of furniture were spaced around the room, but Elizabeth didn’t imagine they wanted to go sit by themselves and miss the conversation about to take place.

Mr. Bingley, seated across from Mrs. Oakwood and Kitty, cleared his throat. “I will start with the most troubling news.” He hesitated, clearing his throat a second time.

Jane reached out to lay her hand alongside his on the sofa they shared .

Mr. Bingley cast her a grateful smile and continued, “We have searched Netherfield Park from top to bottom, despite what were very…vehement protests by Miss Hargreaves, and no antidote was found, nor anything to indicate that Lord Franklin or his sister, or Mr. Hargreaves, have been concocting anything.”

Elizabeth’s heart plummeting, fresh worry filling her. Mrs. Oakwood’s face pinched.

Colonel Forster, seated in a chair beside Bingley, leaned forward slightly. “Furthermore, Lord Franklin insists this is all a simple misunderstanding. He says that the Boney Bandits poisoned Master Matthew and held Master Thomas, and then lured him out to that abandoned farm with the promise of setting Master Thomas free.”

“That is simply not true,” Nathan Hargreaves cried at the same moment as Thomas snapped, “It was Lord Franklin.”

The two exchanged a look. Thomas sat taller in his chair. “Lord Franklin sent me the letters asking me to meet there, and he brought food every day, and he told the men who held me to kill me if anyone but him approached. I heard him.”

“He claims that the Boney Bandits wrote those notes, and ordered him to bring food and to tell no one,” Colonel Forster said.

“And him telling them to kill me?” Thomas asked, scowling at the colonel.

“He denies that.”

Across the room, Captain Carter leaned over to say something quietly to Mr. Pratt. Elizabeth slanted a look at Mary to find her sister, too, watched them.

“If he did not take Master Thomas, then why did I need to convince him, at gunpoint, to take me to that cottage to retrieve him?” Nathan Hargreaves demanded.

Colonel Forster coughed, slanting a grimace at Elizabeth’s mother before saying, “Your brother claims that you were in league with the bandits.”

Nathan’s jaw hinged open. “That is absurd. How would I be?”

“He, ah…” This time, the look the colonel cast Mrs. Oakwood was one of pure apology. “He claims that the bandits are Mrs. Oakwood’s daughters and that you are in love with Miss Lydia.”

The room erupted into exclamations of disbelief and outrage. Kitty screeched, crying slander, but no protest was as loud as Mrs. Oakwood’s.

Amidst the chaos, Elizabeth leaned closer to Mary. “What did Captain Carter say? ”

Her face set with anger, Mary whispered back, “That he overheard Miss Hargreaves offering to marry Forster if he saw all charges against her brother dropped.”

Elizabeth snorted. “And he is foolish enough to believe her?”

“Apparently,” Mary murmured.

“Silence.” Mr. Darcy’s voice cut through the others, bringing a tense quiet to the room. He turned to Forster. “You have the words of both Thomas Oakwood and Mr. Hargreaves. That is two perfectly respectable reports on Lord Franklin’s perfidy.”

“Against the word of a gentleman and a future peer, I have the statements of two children,” Forster cast back. “Both of whom stand to gain if Lord Franklin is convicted of kidnapping.”

“And attempted murder,” Jane said, no trace of gentleness in her soft voice.

And they could but pray it only remained an attempt. Colonel Fitzwilliam had still not returned though, assuming he’d ridden hard and had no trouble relieving the earl’s orangery of the plant they required, Elizabeth expected him any hour.

“And what of the men you found in the cottage?” Mr. Darcy asked, his words aimed at Forster. “What do they have to say for themselves?”

“Only that they were hired to guard Master Thomas. They claim not to know by whom.”

Undoubtedly, Lord Franklin or his sister had bought their silence.

“This is ridiculous,” Mr. Bingley said. “We all know he’s guilty.”

“This is a matter of the law and will be treated as such,” Colonel Forster snapped. He looked about the room. “And not here. I do not believe Mr. Collins has the standing or impartiality to try a future earl.”

“I agree,” Robert said with quiet dignity. “Mr. Phillips should be called and statements taken from all involved, to be transported to London along with Lord Franklin. I am afraid Miss Hargreaves must be taken into custody as well, for she too played a role, made clear by her attempt to force Mrs. Oakwood to sign away her sons’ rights in exchange for Thomas’s return and a cure for Matthew.”

Forster frowned at that perfectly reasonable suggestion. Elizabeth could see the desperation to free Lord Franklin in his eyes. “Very well. As soon as Mr. Phillips has compiled all of the statements and evidence, I will personally convey that and the Hargreaves to London.”

Below nearly a dozen angry eyes, mouths opened to protest.

Before they could, a voice said, “There is no need. I will take charge of my cousins.”

Elizabeth whipped her head around to take in a tall, hollow-cheeked man, a grinning Colonel Fitzwilliam beside him. In his hands, the colonel held a short, scraggly plant in a ceramic pot.

“Guess whose carriage turned up the drive as I was riding up the lane?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked.

Elizabeth could only gawk at the man beside him. A lump formed in her throat. He was old, and far thinner than her stepfather had ever been, but he looked like Papa Arthur…and he looked like Thomas.

She tore her gaze away from the Earl of Pillory to look at her brother.

Thomas rose, his shoulders back and his chin raised, then bowed with stiff correctness. “My Lord. Thomas Oakwood, at your service.”

Then everyone was on their feet, Carter and Pratt backing away from the earl as they bowed. Elizabeth dipped a curtsy along with her mother and sisters.

The earl’s gaze remained locked on Thomas, as if none of the rest of them existed. He stared at his grandson, his eyes a very pale blue beneath a shock of thinning white hair. Silence filled the room.

“You will not take my sons away,” Elizabeth’s mother cried. Leaving her place beside Kitty, she charged around the furnishings to barrel up to the earl. “They are my sons. You cannot have them.”

He turned those clear blue eyes on her, blinking rapidly.

Mrs. Oakwood stood with her fists balled and on her hips, glaring.

The earl looked her up and down. Elizabeth waited for the disdain that would surely overtake his features. From what Papa Arthur had said about him, the earl was not a good or kind man.

He raised a hand, palm up, and lightly cupped Mrs. Oakwood’s face. “Lady Francine Oakwood. I can well see the beauty that captured my son.” His hand dropped and he looked about the room. “In you and in your daughters.”

Elizabeth’s mother stared at him, her mouth hanging open.

The earl brought his attention back to her. “I am not here to remove your sons from you, though plans will need to be made for their education once this mess with my cousins is sorted.” His gaze flicked to Nathan Hargreaves and his eyes narrowed before he returned his attention to Mrs. Oakwood.

“You…you do not mean to take Thomas and Matthew from me?” Elizabeth’s mother asked, appearing stunned.

“I can only imagine what my son told you about me, and I will not claim his words were untrue,” the earl said softly. “But I am no longer that man. A man may expect to lose a son, especially in our family, but it is a terrible thing to lose three. I would not visit similar pain on the woman who has given me my heirs.”

Elizabeth’s mother continued to gape at the earl. Elizabeth realized that she did, as well. This man did not seem to be the great evil they had feared.

He looked past Mrs. Oakwood, his gaze finding Mr. Darcy. “Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, join me. We will sort out this matter amongst ourselves.”

There was the arrogance Elizabeth had expected.

“They are my sons,” Mrs. Oakwood snapped.

“They are my heirs,” the earl said calmly.

Colonel Forster stepped forward, bowing. “My lord, I am the colonel of the unit stationed here. I have Lord Franklin in custody.”

“I believe you mean, Mr. Franklin Hargreaves.” There was no mistaking the smug satisfaction in the earl’s voice. “And very well. You may join us.”

“My lord.” Mary dipped a quick curtsy. “Mr. Collins is the local magistrate.”

Elizabeth noted that her sister left out, ‘acting,’ as Robert simply kept the post until the sale of Netherfield Park was finalized and Mr. Bingley could put up a name for consideration.

“Very well. Join us, Collins.” The earl’s voice now held annoyance.

“My lord,” Mary continued before the earl could turn away.

His eyes snapped. “Yes?”

“I require the plant Colonel Fitzwilliam carries and instructions, my lord. Matthew is in grave need of the cure.”

“You?” A line marred the earl’s brow.

“Me,” Mary said firmly.

“Mary is wonderfully smart, my lord,” Kitty added.

Not giving any indication he’d heard her, the earl said to Mary, “Very well. You will show us to my son’s study, assuming he had one, receive the information, and then depart.”

Mary dipped another curtsy.

Anger shot through Elizabeth. This man would stroll into their drawing room, unannounced, and decide the fates of her brothers? And not only would he do so without including their mother, but he would seek the counsel of four men, none of whom were, yet, related to them? Not if she had anything to say abo—

“I am coming too.” Thomas crossed the room as he spoke, offering neither a bow nor with an ounce of subservience in his mien .

The earl merely nodded, but Elizabeth thought she saw a hint of a smile.

Slipping forward to stand beside Mary, Lydia cupped her hand to whisper something. All Elizabeth caught was, “…lockpicks or Mrs. Hill’s key…”

“Lydia,” Kitty hissed, nodding in the direction of the earl. “Behave.”

The earl’s brows drew together in a dire V which convinced Elizabeth that he could be quite evil should he wish. “You. Girl.” His gaze locked on Lydia.

She blanched. “Yes, my lord?”

“You are the one who sent my son’s letter, informing me that he left me two heirs, and that they were in danger.”

Lydia went white even as fresh surprise shot through Elizabeth. Her little sister glanced first at her, then at their mother. “Ah…yes, my lord,” she answered with a grimace.

“I am in your debt,” the earl declared. “I will speak with your brother about an increase to whatever dowry my son left you.” Ignoring the way Elizabeth’s sister gaped at him, the earl pivoted and left the room, saying, “Fitzwilliam, Darcy, with me.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam, plant in hand, offered a quick bow and followed, Thomas close behind him. Colonel Forster’s expression revealed his worry as he, too, crossed the room.

“I will not permit him to remove Thomas and Matthew for any extended period of time,” Robert said, reaching Mrs. Oakwood’s side. “I will be your advocate, Mrs. Oakwood.”

“As will I,” Mr. Darcy said firmly, his gaze seeking Elizabeth’s.

She dipped her head in acknowledgement of his words, her anger at the earl’s highhandedness keeping her from offering a smile. Lydia slipped around them, retaking her place as Mary, Robert, and Mr. Darcy left the room

From the sofa they usually shared, Kitty called, “Mama, come sit. Captain Carter, Mr. Pratt, do join us. I will call for tea. It is nearly luncheon, after all.”

The two officers exchanged a look, then came to join them, one taking Mr. Darcy’s chair and the other the settee Mary and Robert had occupied. After a moment, Elizabeth’s mother returned to her place as well, her face pinched.

“Robert and Mr. Darcy will make sure it all comes out right, Mama,” Lydia said cheerfully.

Their mother cast her an angry look, and Lydia’s smile fled.

“And Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Kitty added, frowning at their younger sister as well.

“And Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Lydia dutifully repeated, but the moment Kitty turned to call for a footman, Lydia pulled a face.

Kitty ordered tea and a light lunch, then launched into pleasant chatter. Jane, Mr. Bingley, and Lydia helped, aided by the two officers, but Elizabeth couldn’t keep her mind on talk of the weather when Thomas’s and Matthew’s fates were being decided. Nathan Hargreaves, as well, was his usual subdued self, though sometimes he spoke quietly to Lydia, and Mrs. Oakwood said nothing, her gaze not leaving the door through which the gentlemen had departed.

In surprisingly little time, Mr. Darcy, Robert, and Colonel Fitzwilliam returned, the colonel saying, “Carter, Pratt, Forster is waiting for you.”

The two officers jumped up, made their farewells, and hurried away. Silence filled the room as all eyes turned to the three men.

“Where is Thomas?” Mrs. Oakwood asked, her voice choked.

“He is with the earl, looking in on Matthew,” Cousin Robert replied. “I believe his lordship wishes to make certain that Mary properly carried out his instructions.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips into a firm line. The gall of the man.

Mrs. Oakwood reached to clasp Kitty’s hand. “And what has been decided?”

The men exchanged a look. Mr. Darcy stepped forward. “Thomas and Matthew will remain here through the Yuletide, then visit their grandfather for six weeks. He will provide tutors while they reside with him, and said tutors will return here with them, as well. Thomas and Matthew will visit him again in the summer. In the autumn, Thomas will attend Eton. He will visit his grandfather over his first break, spend Christmas here, and visit his grandfather in the spring and for half of his summer. Matthew will visit when Thomas does, and will begin school the following year.”

Elizabeth considered that. It seemed…eminently fair. Much as she wanted to find fault, she could not. Relief eased the tightness in her chest.

Her mother nodded, tears making tracks down her cheeks. “That is very generous of the earl,” she murmured, still clutching Kitty’s hand.

“He does insist on buying horses for both of your sons,” Robert added softly.

Mrs. Oakwood’s eyes flew wide. She nodded.

Colonel Fitzwilliam cleared his throat. “As well, he is taking guardianship of you, Mr. Hargreaves.”

Nathan Hargreaves looked up, fear stark on his face. “F-franklin is my guardian.”

“The earl does not believe that your older brother will be able to continue that duty,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied.

Nathan cast a panicked look about the room. The eyes Lydia turned to him brimmed with worry.

“We have convinced him that you were instrumental in saving Lord Thomas,” Mr. Darcy said. “He has agreed that you will live with him, and may visit your cousins here when they are home for Christmas and during the summer.”

Lydia’s worry transformed into a grin, and Elizabeth began to wonder how much truth was in Lord Franklin’s accusations about Nathan’s feelings for her.

“So…all is well?” Kitty asked, looking around. “Mama is a lady, and Thomas is a lord, and Mary has fashioned the cure from the plant that Colonel Fitzwilliam brought, and that horrible Franklin and his sister will trouble us no more?”

Everyone looked around.

A smile spread across Elizabeth’s face. “I believe you are correct, Kitty. All is well.”

“Except that there is one final arrangement to settle.”

Elizabeth turned to Mr. Darcy to find he held out his hand in her direction. Her heart tripped, seeming to miss a beat.

“If I may take the liberty of speaking to Miss Elizabeth alone?” he asked, his gaze locked on hers.

“Oh,” Mrs. Oakwood cried. “Yes, certainly, Mr. Darcy. I truly wish you would.”

Elizabeth stood, her face heating as she went to him and, before her relations and his, and those soon to be family, she clasped Mr. Darcy’s hand. “Shall we walk in the garden?” she asked, her voice coming out a whisper.

He nodded and drew her from the room. He did not release her hand as they made their way through the house and out into air that did not feel a touch cold to her heated skin. Nor did he speak as they strode up the path to the walled garden Papa Arthur had built. The place she, Jane, and Mary had spent so many of their hours, tending to the living, growing plants about them.

Mr. Darcy brought her to the center of the garden, then turned to her. “There is something I must ask you. Something I have been longing to ask, in fact, and should have long ere now, but I am not an eloquent man, Elizabeth. I do not want to disappoint you. ”

A delighted shiver went through her at the sound of her name in that soft, caressing tone. “There are only two words I need to hear from you, Mr. Darcy.”

He shook his head. “No. You deserve more. I have more.”

She reached up to stroke her fingers down the side of his face, along his jaw. What a delight to touch him. To be allowed to touch him…almost. She supposed she was not truly allowed until he asked…

He caught her hand in a gentle grip and brought it to his lips, then lowered it to say, “Elizabeth Bennet, I cannot imagine a life without you by my side. I am in love with you. I have been, I believe, since the assembly, or perhaps since we first met on the street, or I saw you walking in the mist. I cannot say when you stole my heart, only that I was a fool not to realize sooner that you have. Please do not make me exist for a moment longer without you.” A smile tugged at his lips. “Will you marry me, Elizabeth?”

Her words at the assembly returned to her, when she’d teased him for not making his offer to dance into a question. She could read in the warmth of his eyes that he did not mean to make that mistake again. If only he knew, it mattered to her not at all how he put the query, for her answer was always going to be, “Yes. Yes, I will marry you, Mr. Darcy. You hold my heart.”

He took her into his arms, his lips finding hers, and Elizabeth had never known she could be so happy.