Page 43 of I Thee Wed (Pride And Prejudice Variation #2)
Mr. Darcy drove Lady Catherine to the parsonage at eleven in the morning and stood back while Mr. Collins handed her down and walked her into the house.
Mary greeted their silent guest and asked if she could take his hat and coat.
They were invited to sit, and within minutes, Mary served tea and little lemon cakes beautifully arranged on a plate.
Darcy watched Elizabeth as she listened to Lady Catherine find fault with the chair she was sitting on, the bare tree she could see through the window, and the windy, grey day that had ruined her airing.
Mary and Kitty both looked anxious, but Elizabeth was amused.
Mr. Collins, meanwhile, consumed enough cake to ruin his appetite for the noon meal.
Elizabeth could see that both men were interested in the new tax that parliament was considering.
“This new tax upon tea and tobacco,” the rector declared, “will do nothing but encourage the smugglers.”
Darcy stiffened, studying him closely, but soon judged that the man spoke in generalities and had no true knowledge.
When Lady Catherine stood up and told Darcy it was time to return to Rosings, Elizabeth rose. “Lady Catherine, would you be so good as to review the sewing we have undertaken for the parish children. Your opinion upon the cloth and the patterns would be of great value.”
The lady was instantly engaged and followed Elizabeth down the hall, Mary and Kitty trailing behind. Darcy allowed himself a satisfied smile and accepted another piece of cake.
At Rosings, Anne rang for the maid. “Rosie, go to my chamber and take Sara and Betty with you. You will need Jacobs as well. I saw a mouse last night, and now my room must be searched. Be certain to turn the mattress and move the furnishings away from the walls. If you find any holes or nests, send for the carpenter to make repairs.”
After the servants had gone up to the second floor, Anne turned to Richard. “If Fitzwilliam is successful in keeping mother away, we should have a little more than an hour for our search.”
Richard bowed, laughing. “Well then, cousin, let us begin at once.”
The pair entered Sir Louis de Bourgh’s study, and Richard was impressed with the rich appointments. “It is a pity this room is no longer used. The carpets are in excellent condition, and the leather on the furniture is unmarked.”
Anne answered her cousin. “I keep this study in pristine condition as if my father were still living. I find comfort spending time in this room. Come, the entrance is this way.”
Richard followed his cousin to a heavy wooden cabinet and watched as she removed two books from the shelf.
He could see a hidden lever installed in the wall, and when she turned it, a section of the cabinet swung forward.
He saw a closed door and continued to watch while Anne unlocked the latch, and then she entered.
Richard followed her in. One of the heavy drapes was drawn back, letting light into a large chamber furnished with a desk, couches, and cabinets.
“If I were Mother, I would hide the ledgers in this room.” Richard watched as his cousin began to search through the desk cabinets.
He turned to the nearest cupboard and began his own search.
He searched every cabinet that lined the eastern wall and then worked his way through those that lined the southern wall until he reached the other side of the room.
At last, when he reached the western side, he saw four leather-bound ledgers.
“Bloody hell, Anne, I found them.” Richard carried the ledgers to the sideboard, and the cousins set to work.
Within minutes, Richard found the incriminating entries.
“Look at this,” he said. “Every month, beginning in April 1808, fifteen pounds were paid to Lady Catherine for ‘passage.’ And here, another book, payments from Rosings to a man signed only with the initial “M”. They begin in 1805 and continue until 1808. After that, the money flows the other way.”
He frowned. “It seems she once paid for protection, perhaps to the bricklayer, and then turned to the smugglers themselves when the price grew too high. From that time, she has been paid to remain silent.”
Anne moved to the safe and soon had it open. “Richard, come here.”
He crossed the room and saw stacks of banknotes filling the space. He gave a low whistle. “We must get your mother out of this, Anne. She cannot remain here when the dragoons are called.”
She closed the safe with a troubled look. They restored the ledgers and left the secret room, walking down the corridor in silence until at last Anne leaned nearer to him and whispered.
“Shall we go into the grove and discuss what we must do? No one will hear us there.”
“Yes.”
They went out beneath the trees. Richard spoke first. “We must remove your mother from Rosings before the military gets involved. If she remains, she will entangle herself in ways that could prove dangerous to us or to the officers, or she may even give warning to the smugglers. She has already suffered years of paying for protection, and then the shame of turning to the other side. It is best she leave.”
Anne’s voice trembled. “And where shall she go? Would London be far enough?”
He shook his head. “No. Their network is too strong and widespread. Darcy has an estate in Scotland. She would be safe there until matters here are resolved.”
Anne sighed. “Richard, I feel like escaping myself. It is dreadful to live under such a shadow. To think that my mother, myself, and Rosings are at the mercy of smugglers terrifies me.”
“Then you should go with her,” he said gently.
“Neither of you will be safe here. You might even be made examples, because the gang rules by fear. You could be attacked on the road at any time, as you drive to the village or to church. The risk is too great. Leave tomorrow. Darcy will escort you north. I shall go to London and confer with the War Office. The government has long struggled to crush the gangs, but without success. Perhaps this corner of Kent may afford them an inroad.”
He offered his arm, and they returned to the house. “Come,” he said. “Darcy and your mother will soon return, and there is much to prepare.”