Page 60 of Lizzie’s Spirit

Darcy climbed the steps to Brooks’s clubhouse, which stood off St. James’s Street, its three storeys built of yellow brick and Portland stone.

While he found the Palladian exterior rather pretentious, the interior was, architecturally, far more interesting, particularly the Great Subscription Room with its segmental, barrel-vault ceiling.

As expected, none of the members recognised him, and he was ushered to a table where Bingley sat, a cup of coffee before him.

He signalled to a footman to bring him the same.

“I must apologise for Caroline,” said Bingley, rather abashedly. “Ever since she attended a private seminary, she now considers herself above mere plebeians like yourself and me.”

“It’s of no matter,” replied Darcy, “my clothes were those I had worn aboard the vessel coming from New Holland. You can see I’m now attired appropriately for London society.

In time, my tanned face will fade and become acceptably pale—the sun in this country is weak compared to the furnace baking Sydney during the summer. ”

“You must tell me of Sydney, for I thought the place was a gaol, settled solely to incarcerate the ever-increasing number of thieves and felons inhabiting our towns.”

Over a meal of cheese and roast meats, supplemented by a light ale, Darcy described the colony, its inhabitants, and society. During the discussion, he spoke of his role as judge-advocate and, latterly, his time as lieutenant governor.

“How wonderful! I must tell Caroline she snubbed the vice-regal representative of His Majesty in New South Wales. No! Let us go one better. Next week, the Hursts are holding a card party; I’ll have them invite you, Darcy.

Please say you’ll attend, for it will be a great diversion to see her face when you’re formally introduced. ”

“Certainly, I’ve missed such entertainments since departing the colony.

Please give me the date and direction, for there’s much business for me to see to, including meetings with Lord Bathurst and others in government.

” Darcy chuckled. “Don’t be too harsh with your sister—many ladies in Sydney have such pretensions.

But E… Pardon me, I almost spoke out of turn.

” Darcy berated himself—no one should know he was married.

He must be circumspect in his speech. Too much was at stake.

***

The following Tuesday, Darcy waited on Earl Bathurst, arriving at his office in Whitehall five minutes before the appointed time of four o’clock. His Lordship received him immediately upon his name being announced.

“Mr. Darcy, delighted, sir. Governor Macquarie speaks very highly of you.”

“’Tis my honour, my lord. We have had much correspondence over the past three years; it’s a pleasure to meet the man behind the pen and ink of your communications.”

“Not my pen, Mr. Darcy, and rarely are such my true opinions. Much of that correspondence comes from the officers and clerks in my office and the Cabinet—we in government are a broad church, and some have more persuasive powers with the Prime Minister than I. Thus their views prevail, whereas mine are laid aside. Tell me, how is your father, Mr. George Darcy? For I hear he is ill.”

“Following the death of my brother, Frederick, with whom, I believe, you were acquainted, Mr. Darcy has suffered greatly. ‘Tis why I returned from the colony.”

“Yes, indeed. For Macquarie told me such in his letter of February. He further said you remain judge-advocate and lieutenant governor until Colonel Molle takes up his post, and the courts of the colony are re-established.” The tone of Lord Bathurst was that of enquiry.

Though his manner was self-effacing, his demeanour disguised great strength of purpose, and Darcy recognised his primary concern was the proper administration of the colony.

“Many changes are being advocated, both for the judiciary and for the government of New South Wales. Colonel… no, General Macquarie wished for someone with first-hand understanding of the colony, of his actions and constraints, to assist the government in London with their deliberations. Rather than having me present such opinions as a civilian, he preferred I have official rank.”

Bathurst chuckled, for he was known to have a jocular personality. “Very well put, Mr. Darcy. I can see he chose well—you are to be his advocate. Is that not the case?”

Darcy was obliged to agree. The discussion lasted for a further hour, during which time Lord Bathurst appointed Darcy to the judiciary committee for New South Wales. Just prior to his leaving, the clerk, who was taking notes of the meeting, was asked to leave.

“I received a letter from your father seeking to have Colonel O’Connell reassigned.

The reason given was the very real disruption of the colony caused by the colonel’s wife, Mrs. Mary Bligh O’Connell.

I was surprised when she married and remained in the colony, for Bligh has now been promoted to Vice Admiral, which would have raised her consequence.

Governor Macquarie also wrote with a similar recommendation.

That the government did accede to the request is attested by your being lieutenant governor—with the colonel assigned to Ceylon.

” He looked directly at Darcy, a slight smile on his lips. “Is there anything you can add?”

Darcy returned the steady gaze. “If you’ll permit some dissembling, my lord, for there are issues that must, for the time being, remain confidential.

But Mrs. O’Connell slandered, most basely, a dear friend of both the governor and myself.

While she continued to cause much discontent due to her unrelenting hostility to those who did not openly support her father during the rebellion, her antipathy and malice directed towards this person were completely unwarranted—the object of her vitriol being, at all times, of good humour and of the highest propriety. ”

“Ah, that explains much of the letters I received from other sources.” Lord Bathurst arose from his desk. “Good day to you, sir, for I enjoyed our conversation. My clerk will provide the direction and date for the next meeting of the judiciary committee.”

***

“Fitzwilliam, how was your meeting with Bathurst? I’ve always found him a very pleasant chap to deal with.” Mr. Darcy senior spoke to his son when the latter entered the library later that evening.

“The meeting went well, indeed,” replied Darcy.

“As you say, Lord Bathurst is an intelligent, easy-going man—I’ll enjoy working with him during the next twelve months.

He appointed me to the judiciary committee for New South Wales, in which he takes a keen interest. Governor Macquarie will be pleased with my appointment.

Other committee members include Mr. Ellis Bent, whom you have met, but he was judge-advocate for only five months, and his views tend to be rather academic, a little too black and white, whereas application of the law in New South Wales needs to be practical and nuanced.

I was surprised to hear of Mr. Bent’s appointment, for he was very ill when he returned from New South Wales in ‘10. Perchance he has recovered.”

Darcy went to the sideboard and poured himself a cup of coffee.

“I saw on the tray in the vestibule an invitation—nay, order—from Lord Matlock to visit at my convenience . I believe the earl means immediately! Fortunately, the hour is too late to make the journey to St. James’s Square.

I’ll visit him on the morrow… So, I must prepare to beard the lion in his den. ”

“No bearding ! If we’re to carry this off, to delay until Elizabeth returns, you must be placatory. Show Matlock you understand his position: that the Darcys are as concerned about scandal as he is. He’s a proud man, and confrontation will only escalate the issue.

“My thought is we must investigate Lady Catherine and the mortgages ourselves. But while you have investigative powers outside of New Holland, do you have authority here?”

“No, not strictly. My commission is a most general one, giving me the powers of a judge-advocate, not only in New South Wales but in all of Britain’s territories, dominions, and colonies—but not in the United Kingdom; that is, England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

“For example, I have authority in the Channel Islands, Guernsey and Jersey, and also the Isle of Man; further, my authority extends to British-flagged ships located outside of our territorial boundaries, which lie at a distance of one marine league—three nautical miles—from the coast. Therefore, if a person were to sail three miles from the shore, it’s legal for me to interrogate them, perhaps even to prosecute. ”

“I must remember never to sail with you, for you may incarcerate me for my possessing French brandy!” His father laughed. “’Tis well you returned, Fitzwilliam; these past ten months have passed with nothing to raise the spirits or provoke jollity. ”

“How do we investigate? If Matlock cannot uncover the truth of Lady Catherine’s affairs, then we have little chance.”

“We must try. We shall carry out our own research. If they are true mortgages and not promissory notes, there will be records. Clerks may be hired to scrutinise the scrolls for leases, mortgages, and deeds pertaining to Rosings. We shall work backwards. Once we establish to whom Rosings is mortgaged, then private investigators can be called in. We also need to view Sir Lewis’s will, for he may have left some clue as to the disposition of the monies. ”

“You’ve been busy, indeed. Let us proceed as you suggest. It’s now the middle of June.

Can we depart for Pemberley, say, in four weeks?

I would very much like to see Georgiana, and I must familiarise myself with the estate.

Though Elizabeth and I hold some two and a half thousand acres in New South Wales, Pemberley is five times that size.

While Elizabeth can surely manage such, I’m a novice in all things agricultural. ”