Conceit & Concealment: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Read online

  “You have survived that before. You should take Kit with you, too. We have another courier we can use if there is an emergency.”

  Kit raised an eyebrow. “Do I have a say in this?”

  Frederica said wearily, “It would not be forever, just until we know what our next move should be. And you would have the agreeable company of Georgiana and Elizabeth. I would feel better about having another man in the household when William is away.”

  Kit's eyes flickered towards Georgiana. “Very well, then, if it is agreeable to William.”

  “Of course.” After all, Darcy could hardly say that seeing his brother spend time with Elizabeth was going to be as pleasant as walking barefoot through nettles. “If Miss Elizabeth does not object, at least.”

  Elizabeth did not appear happy. “I have not yet decided my course of action.” But her voice lacked its usual sparkle. Had Kit’s flirtation failed to move her?

  “Good Lord!” Kit exclaimed. “We have totally forgotten to introduce you. You must think us all mad. Aunt, may I present Miss Elizabeth to your acquaintance? She has been caring for Georgiana since they left Netherfield. Miss Elizabeth, this is my aunt and my cousin Richard, late of Jamaica. And this, of course, is Georgiana.”

  With a curtsey, Elizabeth said, “It is an honor to meet you.”

  Lady Matlock bent her head in acknowledgment. “It is a pleasure. And Georgiana! How you have grown, dear child. I would not have known you.”

  Elizabeth whispered something to Kit, though her eyes were not laughing this time. He responded at length, gesturing with one hand as if giving directions.

  Darcy frowned. If she needed to know something, why had she asked Kit, whom she barely knew, instead of him? The sight of their heads bent together raised bile in the back of his throat.

  Richard’s voice rumbled beside him. “It is hard to believe. Kit was barely a stripling when I last saw him. Now he is a man grown.”

  Darcy wished his brother were still a boy. “I have only seen him a few times in these years. I needed to keep him away from Georgiana. You know who she is, I assume.” It was an effort to keep his eyes from following Elizabeth as she slipped out of the room.

  “My mother finally saw fit to inform me as we were in the carriage on our way here. It was a great relief to me.”

  “A relief?” It was not how he would have expected his cousin to react.

  “Your letters have been worrying me for years ever since I noticed that you never went to Pemberley, just London and one leased country house after another. I thought you could not bear to go home after everything that had happened. Once I knew who Georgiana was, it made perfect sense. But what of the real Georgiana, the one in Canada? How does she manage?”

  Darcy winced. “I wish I knew. My father sent messages indicating she was doing well but without details, and after his death I eventually received word that she was willing to continue the imposture under the care of another English exile, a friend of my father’s. Or at least that was how I interpreted the disguised message. I worry about her, and Kit has been fretting greatly since he learned the truth, but I know my father had a plan in place for her if something happened to him. I have to trust in that.”

  His cousin whistled. “That is an uncomfortable thing. If it is any help, I have seen the reports the government-in-exile receives about her, and it sounds as if she is well protected. Of course, we all believed she was the real princess, so I never gave it much thought.”

  Clasping Richard’s arm, Darcy said, “You have relieved my mind greatly. I did not know Georgiana well, but she is still my flesh and blood. Kit was closer to her since they grew up together, whereas I was away at school when she was born and then at Cambridge during her childhood.”

  “If I had known, I would have paid more attention to those damned reports.” Richard scowled. “I suppose you could not have told me any of this in a letter, but I wish I had known what was happening.”

  “I certainly could not put it in a letter or even say it in person. Until last month, I told no one at all. Now there are five of us in this room who know the truth, and it makes me uneasy even though I trust all of you.”

  Richard snorted. “You should try working with the government-in-exile. Their idea of keeping a secret is to tell everyone they know. It is a good thing they never knew of your task.”

  “A good thing, indeed!” Something about Richard’s words tickled at Darcy’s memory. “That reminds me. This may be unimportant, but I recently met one of Lord Wellington’s former aides who asked me how to reach the government-in-exile. He had an urgent message for them about a man they should contact.”

  Richard’s eyes brightened. “Who was it? I knew most of Wellington's staff.”

  “His name was Tomlin. Lieutenant Colonel Tomlin.”

  “Tomlin is a top-notch soldier. If he says it is important, it is.” Richard tapped his fingers on his thigh. “Did he tell you who this man was?”

  “Just that he was the harbormaster of Milford Haven.”

  “Hmm. Those fools in Jamaica will do nothing about it even if they receive the message. Perhaps I will look into it. If this harbormaster can put us in the way of getting a ship or two, it could make a big difference. We can do nothing while Napoleon holds the Channel.”

  Ten minutes later, Elizabeth had not returned. Darcy knew he should not go after her, but he did anyway. What was it about her that made him break all his rules?

  He found her in the dining room, leaning over the table to read a copy of The Loyalist. Most houses had tablecloths; here there were always newssheets on the table.

  He cleared his throat. “I saw you leave the sitting room. Is something the matter?”

  She straightened, her expression guarded. “It had been many years since your family had been together. I did not wish to intrude upon your reunion, and I am sorry to have taken you away from it now.” She did not sound pleased.

  What should he say? “I have had no opportunity to speak to you alone since that day at Netherfield.”

  “You will have plenty of opportunities if Georgiana has her way and keeps me with her.” Her tone was definitely cool now.

  She was angry with him, but why? Was it because he forced her to leave her family – or because he had kissed her? If only he could have talked to her instead of disappearing!

  He had to be careful, even if he would rather kneel at her feet and beg her to forgive him. “Georgiana does seem quite attached to you. I apologize for putting you in an awkward position by inviting you to Darcy House.”

  “An awkward position,” she said bitterly. “That is one way to describe it, I suppose. How long do you think it will be before Georgiana is able to tolerate my departure?”

  His mouth went dry. “I wish I could predict that, but I cannot. It is an uncomfortable thing, as I know well. I am sorry her fears are forcing you to make unpleasant choices.”

  “Oh, I imagine living at Darcy House will not be unpleasant.” Her bitterness had changed to heavy irony. “After all, I will be living in luxury with my only duty being to reassure an excitable young girl. What could I possibly object to, apart from living in your house under your protection when half of Meryton already suspects I am your mistress?”

  Her words hit him like a blow. He took half a step forward before the look on her face stopped him. “I know I have placed you in an impossible position. I cannot blame you for thinking ill of me; by every measure you have the right to have expectations of me, expectations I cannot fulfill.”

  She gave a harsh laugh. “I have no expectations of you. Georgiana has explained your unusual situation to me, so I know you are destined for far greater things than a simple country miss like me. Or perhaps I should say as I once was. Now I am not even that.”

  “Georgiana said that? I had not thought she realized the consequences of living with me. It is not something I have wished for.” In fact, he had avoided thinking about it whenever possible.

  “Of course not! Why
would any gentleman wish to be elevated to the rank of royalty? I am not a fool, sir.”

  He recoiled. “Most men, yes, but I am no courtier. If it should come to pass, I will be forced into a situation for which I am ill-suited by nature. But at least if Georgiana is restored to her rightful position, she would be able tell the world what you have done for her. You would be able to return to Longbourn as a heroine with your head held high.”

  She turned away from him. “There is nothing for me at Longbourn. Lizzy Bennet is dead, and her disappearance has caused nary a ripple.” Her voice was tight.

  If only he could take her into his arms and tell her all would be well again! But it would not be the truth. “Your family has been deeply distressed since you left.” It sounded weak even to him.

  “Oh, yes. My dearest Jane was so distraught that she became engaged within days and celebrated her wedding inside a month!”

  He could not bear it any longer. He came up behind her and put his hands on her upper arms. “No. It was not like that. Your sister was utterly devastated when you disappeared. Bingley had guessed I was a Loyalist and informed her he thought I had something to do with your disappearance, so I told her that although I did not know your location, I knew why you had left and had every reason to think you safe. That relieved the worst of her anxiety. As for the speed of the wedding, Bingley was anxious to have her safely married to him, and I suspect Jane was uncomfortable moving back into the bosom of your family after all that had happened. She missed you greatly on her wedding day and chose to have no one stand up with her in your absence.”

  Her head was bent, exposing the nape of her neck to him. It was dizzying to be so close to her, the scent of rosewater washing over him. But it was odd, too. She had always worn lavender in Hertfordshire, but of course she could not have taken anything with her when she left with Georgiana, certainly not her lavender water. He yearned to taste the porcelain skin of her neck where a few errant chestnut curls had escaped from her coiffure, but even more he longed to offer her comfort.

  When she remained silent, he tried again. “I cannot blame you for being angry with me. I deserve the blame for placing you in this position. If I had only realized why I was being arrested, I could have spared you this. I assumed they wanted me for the crimes I had actually committed, not for something unimportant.”

  “Murder is unimportant?” Her voice was ragged.

  “No, but they knew I was not guilty of anything more than detesting the man I was accused of killing. Captain Reynard merely wanted to punish me for...” Too late he realized his error.

  “For what?”

  “For standing between him and his desires.” Before she could reply he rushed on. “But he underestimated the power of my connections, and now he is the one awaiting trial. Still, you have paid a very high price for my error.” He dropped his hands from her shoulders. He had no right to comfort her.

  She rubbed her arms as if to warm herself. “Not really. You changed my destination and the manner of my departure, but had you said nothing, I would have had to leave for Scotland in any case.” She sounded grudging, as if she were determined to be fair even if she did not wish to be.

  “Do you wish me to speak to Georgiana and ask her to allow you to leave?”

  “Would it make any difference if you did? I have seen how deep her fears run. “

  “Perhaps not, but I could try. Until now it is only separation from me which causes her anxiety.” It felt strangely uncomfortable to share that role after all these years.

  Elizabeth turned to face him. “It does not matter. There is nothing for me in Scotland. If I am of use here, I might as well stay.”

  It might be a grudging acceptance, but it was still an acceptance. More importantly, he would not have to bid her a final farewell, which would feel like ripping his own skin off. “On Georgiana's behalf, I thank you.”

  If only Elizabeth did not look so unhappy!

  ***

  Elizabeth waited a decent interval after Darcy left her before she returned to the sitting room, and she needed every minute of the time to gather her composure. It was painful to keep him at a distance when she longed to be closer to him, to touch him, to tease him as she had in Meryton. But that was before she learned what lay in his future – and that she could have no part of it.

  When his warm hands had rested on her shoulders, the temptation to turn to him had burned through her. But she knew the dangers of that from their brief kiss at Netherfield. Her desire to touch him was even more powerful now, for she had learned what it was to be without him and to fear never seeing him again. And he was also her strongest tie to her former life. Georgiana had barely known her before they fled Hertfordshire together.

  To see his family come together, just when hers was lost to her, had been excruciating. At least now she knew Jane had felt her loss.

  Finally she forced herself to return to the others. They had been joined by a newcomer, a lanky man with ink stained hands.

  “Do come in, Elizabeth,” said Frederica. “May I introduce Andrew to your acquaintance? He also lives here, and he publishes The Loyalist. I was just telling him the news that Princess Charlotte is back in England. I think it might be useful if readers of The Loyalist were made aware of that.”

  “It is such excellent news!” cried Andrew. “I can put it in the next edition, if you like.”

  Darcy shook his head. “That would be far too dangerous. If the French know to look for her here—”

  Frederica said sharply, “William, keeping the princess as safe as possible is important, but it is of no use if we never rid ourselves of the French. Many of our people are losing hope we will ever regain our freedom, and this one piece of information, more than anything else we have, will give them something to rally around. It will be almost impossible for the French to hunt down one girl who recently arrived from Canada and has had plenty of time to disguise herself. It is worth the very small risk.”

  Darcy looked mutinous. “I still think it a poor idea.”

  “I do not suppose...” Andrew trailed off. “I do not suppose the princess would agree to make a statement for an article.”

  Frederica examined the papers in front of her, her eyes never so much as moving towards Georgiana. “I imagine she would be willing to reply to a question or two in writing. Nothing about her time in Canada, though – we would not wish to expose any of her contacts there.”

  “Of course not.” He scanned the newcomers. “Also, should any of you have stories that would be of interest, I would be happy to hear about them.”

  Kit laughed. “You are so restrained tonight, Andrew! Usually that is the first question you ask on meeting someone new.”

  “It is true,” said Andrew mournfully. “I am obsessed with it.”

  Frederica looked thoughtful. “Elizabeth might have a story for you. She comes from a town with an abusive garrison captain.”

  Andrew bowed in her direction. “Miss Elizabeth, if you would be willing to speak of it to me, I would be in your debt. It is often difficult for me to obtain accounts of specific problems outside London, and stories of that sort are useful for keeping up people’s spirit of rebellion.”

  Finally, someone who wanted her for herself. Elizabeth relaxed enough to manage a small smile. “I would be happy to do so if you think it might be of use.”

  Lady Matlock said, “Perhaps not tonight, though. If Elizabeth is going to live with us at Darcy House, she had best go there with me today. We need an explanation why a gently bred young lady would be living in a house with two single gentlemen. The simplest would be to introduce her as my ward, and therefore under my protection.”

  “But I know nothing of you,” Elizabeth protested. “Anyone would be able to tell we are complete strangers.”

  “Nonsense,” said Lady Matlock briskly. “I have known you since you were a child and cared for you since the recent tragic death of your parents. Not too recent, though, I think – black does not suit you,
so you should be out of mourning. Perhaps just out of mourning, thus requiring a trip to London to obtain new clothing for you. It would also explain my presence here after all these years. Yes, that will work well.”

  Elizabeth instinctively looked to Darcy to see his reaction.

  His eyes warmed as he met her gaze. “Yes, my aunt is always like that. In half an hour you will be certain that you have in fact known her since childhood.”

  Chapter 10

  On his first evening at home, Darcy struggled to decipher a blotted letter from Bingley, but he could not concentrate on the task, not when Elizabeth was in the same house. All he wanted was to seek her out and bask in her presence. But that would only make matters worse, so instead he hid in his study.

  When Elizabeth appeared in the doorway of the study, her shape silhouetted in the light from the hall, a weight seemed to lift from Darcy’s shoulders.

  “Mr. Darcy, I wonder if I might take a few minutes of your time.”

  “Of course.” As far as he was concerned, Elizabeth was welcome to every moment of his time for the rest of his life. “Do sit down. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  Now that she was closer, he could see the lines between her brows. Something was the matter; he was sure of it.

  “I am sorry to trouble you with this. Georgiana is distressed. I have tried to assist her myself, but she will not tell me the full story and instead referred me to you.”

  “I pray you, do not apologize. You are not troubling me at all. What seems to be the problem?”

  She twisted a handkerchief between her hands. “Georgiana feels your aunt dislikes her intensely, and therefore is unhappy about the prospect of her remaining with us. I have seen no evidence of dislike myself, but Georgiana says that is merely because she is too well-bred to show it. And here is where you come in. Georgiana says your aunt is right to detest her because of a horrible thing she did years ago. She will not tell me what it was, just that you have forgiven her for it and that I should ask you about it. Again, I am sorry to trouble you, but I am at a loss as to how to reassure her when she will not tell me the problem!”