The Disappearance of Georgiana Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Mystery (59 page)

“Quite an unusual note,” Elizabeth said softly.

Darcy observed, “I imagine Lady Wotherspoon is still struggling with the realization of her past. It must all be quite disconcerting.”

“I suppose,” Georgiana observed. “Perhaps if we hear from the MacBethans again, I shall write to her directly to discover what is real.” She refolded the page and slipped it into her pocket.

As the others spoke of the unusual connection that had developed between Lord Wotherspoon and the former Lady Margaret Caldwell, Georgiana reflected on the coincidences that had brought her to Lady Margaret's notice: Their lives held several parallels. From what her husband had told her, Georgiana knew of the similarities in their physical appearances, but it was equally odd that their paths had crossed at a secluded reiver's cottage in the Scottish Uplands. When Georgiana considered the result of Lady Margaret's desperate race to Scotland's border, a shudder racked her shoulders. Such a fate could have been hers. She could certainly have succumbed to George Wickham's persuasion—she had thought herself in love with the man. Mr. Wickham was rawly handsome, and he amiably twisted her reasoning powers, leaving her a quivering mess of feminine insensibility. Had Lady Margaret encountered equally mesmerizing qualities in Stephen Vincent? And Georgiana held no doubt that if she had carried through with her elopement, both Darcy and Edward would have given chase. The realization that she had narrowly escaped Lady Margaret's shame rode heavily on Georgiana's heart.

Darcy finished MacBethan's news. “Wotherspoon says they will write to Viscount Penworth once they have reached Italy. They will explain to Penworth the truth of how they have come to join their families. He hopes that I will speak to the Viscount personally if Penworth has any question as to how the events unfolded.”

“And will you?” Edward inquired. “I mean will you defend Wotherspoon?”

“I previously promised Lady Margaret to speak discreetly to the Viscountess Penworth; therefore, I have no qualms in addressing
the honor that Wotherspoon offered Lady Margaret after her disastrous elopement, and I will encourage Penworth to downplay MacBethan's connection to the infamous Bean family and instead to speak of Wotherspoon's English education and training, as well as the man's ancestral title, which his daughter's children will inherit.”

Georgiana pondered aloud, “The perils of a tragic love tale play hard on the truth.”

ELIZABETH STOOD AND straightened the seams of her gown. “I believe I shall see if my son is awake. It has been several hours since I have known the pleasure of inhaling Bennet's scent.”

Darcy chuckled. “And you find this soothing somehow, Mrs. Darcy?”

“It is the scent of Heaven,” she said dreamily.

Edward observed, “From what I recall of baby cloths, the odor is far from heavenly.”

Elizabeth shaded her eyes with the back of her hand. She inhaled deeply. “Do me the gift of a favor, Major General. Inhale the sweetness of this late summer day. Smell the sunshine and the clouds and the faint hint of heather. Implant the memory solidly in your mind. Then in December, compare it to the lovely fragrance surrounding the babe you hold cradled in your arms. Even with a dirty cloth, I imagine you shall find the baby's scent superior to anything on this Earth. So, it is, therefore, ‘heavenly.'”

Darcy followed his wife to his feet. “I believe the lady has outwitted you, Cousin.”

Edward smiled easily. “England could have employed Mrs. Darcy in the diplomatic services.” He inclined his head. “I bow to the lady's authority.”

Darcy snaked his arm about Elizabeth's waist. “Although I consider my wife exceptional, I would not wish to share Elizabeth's attentions with the world. England will have to embrace other reasonable philosophers.”

Elizabeth reached for her husband's hand. “Come, Mr. Darcy. For such praise, you deserve a bit of Heaven.”

“I am not helpless,” Georgiana protested as Edward carried her toward the bed.

He nuzzled her neck. “On the battlefield, I imagined moments such as these. Do not rob me of my dream.”

His wife tightened her hold about his neck. With a deep sigh of contentment, Georgiana rested her cheek against his chest. “I have thought of nothing else for years,” she confessed.

Reverently, Edward lowered her to the bed. Earlier, he had removed the pins from her hair. Now, he spread the white-gold locks across the pillow. “You are so exquisitely beautiful,” he rasped. “And I am blessed among men.”

Georgiana caressed his cheek. “I love you,” she whispered.

“And I you.” Edward stretched out beside her. “My heart forgot how to beat. When I was away from you, part of me ceased to exist.” He leaned across her and kissed Georgiana tenderly. “I came to you a man blind to love, but I lie beside you with the knowledge that together we are a powerful force. One special moment can change a man's destiny.”

Georgiana's eyes misted with tears. “All my previous fears make this moment with you more precious. We have our own tale to write.” She kissed him with the passion known only to those new to the wedding bed. “Claim me as yours, Edward,” she whispered softly as she pulled his head toward her. “We have waited too long to begin our life together.”

“There you are,” Edward said as he entered the library.

Darcy placed his newspaper to the side. “I apologize, Cousin. I was unaware that you wished to speak to me. I assumed you would be spending your time becoming reacquainted with my sister.”

“I assure you, I have no plans to ignore my husbandly duties.”

Darcy's mouth twisted into a tight line. “If you have no objections, I will not dwell on the image of my sister meeting her wifely obligations.”

Edward good-naturedly slapped Darcy on the shoulder as he passed. “As you wish, Cousin.” He took the seat opposite Darcy. “Have you and Mrs. Darcy considered when you will depart for Newton Stewart?”

“Do you wish to be rid of us?” Darcy teased.

Edward shrugged his shoulders. “I am always pleased to spend my time with both you and Mrs. Darcy, but I would offer a prevarication if I said I did not want private time with Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Yet, that was not my intention when I spoke of your removal to Mr. Bingley's summer retreat. You have business to conduct, and I am certain you wish to assure yourself of Mr. Joseph's continued recovery.”

Darcy nodded his agreement. “The Ayrshire magistrate has forwarded word that the former Lady Wotherspoon and her brother are being brought before a public inquest in Edinburgh. The gentleman assuming responsibility for the case, a Mr. Tolliver, has asked that we be present for the proceedings. I had thought to join the Bingleys the following day.”

Now, it was Edward's turn to indicate his agreement with a simple tilt of his head. “Then we should come to an accord on how to dispose of Lieutenant Wickham. According to Mrs. Darcy, Wickham's leave ends this upcoming Monday. After that day, the man is in violation of his military orders.”

“Then let us keep Lieutenant Wickham away from his duty post long enough that the British army locks him away forever,” Darcy grumbled. “As long as I do not have to see him again, I will be satisfied.”

Edward expelled a wicked chuckle. “It is a tempting scenario, but there are holes in your logic. First, the lieutenant is likely to implicate our families in his delay to return to his post. We may balk at announcing to the world that Lieutenant Wickham is a distant relation, but I would place a wager that Wickham holds no such qualms. He would risk his own reputation to sully yours.” Edward paused to permit Darcy's protest, but when his cousin remained tight-lipped, the major general continued. “In addition, military protocol has gone the way of smuggled brandy. Sometimes procedures are followed, and other times, no sense of order remains. It is likely with the discharge of so many war veterans that those in charge may overlook Wickham's absence.”

Darcy's frown lines met. “I suppose you have a point,” he said testily.

“My
point
is that we need a creative solution. Our ladies have placed their lovely heads together and have landed on an idea that might prove advantageous. They suggest that we send the Wickhams to America; perhaps even place Lieutenant Wickham under Mr. Buckley's tutelage.”

Darcy sat forward in concern. “Why would Mrs. Darcy or my sister not discuss this idea with me? Am I that unreasonable?”

A rumble of laughter escaped Edward's lips. He recognized Darcy's irrationality on the topic of Lieutenant Wickham's continued duplicity. “I suspect our womenfolk thought that Lieutenant Wickham had offered you the final offense. Yet, neither lady wishes to see you consumed by your hatred. Both Mrs. Darcy and Georgiana recognize how honorably you have acted.”

“If I agree to this scheme, how might it serve the Darcys?” Darcy asked grudgingly.

“Besides removing Lieutenant Wickham from our immediate notice, it would seem a ready source of information for Mr. Bingley regarding his sister. I understand that Mr. Bingley has known frustration in seeing to his sister's future, and I imagine that Mrs. Bingley would readily correspond with her youngest sister.” Edward allowed the first of his points to take root.

Darcy sank back into the chair's cushions. “I am intrigued,” he said softly.

“If Mrs. Bingley is aware of the Wickhams' activities, so shall you be through your joint connections to the Bingleys.” Edward noted how Darcy interlaced his fingers across his waistcoat's front. It was a favorite gesture when his cousin was deep in thought. “It is also less expensive to live in America, and not so easy for Mrs. Bingley or Mrs. Darcy to send their pin moneys to salvage the Wickhams' latest upheaval. It would force the Wickhams to live within their means.”

Darcy growled, “I doubt that is possible.” He shifted his weight forward again. “How do we assure that Lieutenant Wickham takes passage to America?”

“I have been thinking on Mrs. Darcy's suggestion. Why not send someone to escort the Wickhams?”

“Did you have someone in mind?”

“How about Munro MacBethan? The man requires a stake to purchase the land in Crieff. He would not permit Wickham to escape. For the right price, MacBethan is likely to deliver the lieutenant bound in a cargo net.”

Darcy observed wryly, “That is a pleasant image.”

“I propose we provide MacBethan his purse and give the Wickhams the equivalent of two years' pay. After that, they would receive
no financial assistance from either of us. I have promised Georgiana that as part of this agreement Lieutenant Wickham must remain absent from British soil for a decade. If word of his return were to reach our ears before the ten years expire, we would file attempted murder charges against him. He would be a wanted criminal. If you agree with this plan, I will make the necessary arrangements for Lieutenant Wickham's dismissal from his military assignment.”

Darcy sat perfectly still. A gamut of emotions crossed his face. “It is a solid plan,” he said flatly. “And better than any I have devised. I suppose you should see to Lieutenant Wickham's release. I will contact MacBethan regarding the journey.”

“Permit me to
reason
with the lieutenant. Once I have his agreement, I will write his superiors.”

Darcy sighed heavily. “I will be pleased to wash my hands of the man. Lieutenant Wickham has haunted my peace of mind for too many years.”