Page 34 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

“Lord, this is going to be deadly dull!” Lydia lumbered to her feet.

“Do not take the Lord’s name in vain. And stand up straight.” Mrs. Perry adopted a military stance and aligned Lydia’s shoulders.

With a suppressed giggle, I continued on to the stairs.Best of luck to you, Mrs. Perry.

Chapter 7: The Brother

Tuesday, 26 May

Darcy House

Darcy

Amid the incoming correspondence on my salver, I found a message from Mr. Notley indicating he had completed his investigation, so I arranged for him to call at the house that evening.

Mr. Notley, a thin, blond man in his fourth decade, arrived on time, and Slade brought him to the study. The investigator accepted my offer of a brandy, so I poured two glasses.

He took the liquor from me and handed over a packet of papers. “This is your copy of my report.”

“Thank you.” I directed him to a chair, sat at my desk, and opened the packet. The first two pages consisted of Mr. Miles Wood’s current and prior addresses and a list of people who had been interviewed. “I see you found a Mr. Miles Wood in Bath who is the same age as me.”

“Yes.” He removed a small notebook from his coat pocket. “Based upon my investigation, I have concluded Mrs. Pike’s account is true—Mr. Miles Wood is your twin.”

I have a brother.A slight quake hindered my hand as I took in a mouthful of brandy. But how could Mr. Notley be certain? “Mrs. Pike appeared to be earnest in her account, yet no one else besides her deceased mother witnessed my brother’s birth. How do you know she spoke the truth?”

“I interviewed those familiar with the Wood family, and no one contradicted the facts she provided. Moreover, my first sight of Mr. Miles Wood eliminated any possible doubt. He bears physical similarities to you consistent with a close family connexion.”

So, my brother resembled me. I swallowed. “Would you…um…describe his appearance?”

“He is attractive in a unique way. In comparison to you, Mr. Wood is shorter and slighter in stature, and his hair is a lighter shade of brown. His facial resemblance to you, though, is unmistakable. The line of his jaw is like yours, as is the straight bridge of his nose and the shape of his mouth. His eyes, though”—Mr. Notley’s voice rose in pitch—“are quite noteworthy. The contrast in their colour drew my attention at my first glimpse of him. His right eye is dark brown, almost black, just like yours. The left one is a vivid shade of blue. Beyond that, they are large and expressive.”

I brushed my forefinger against my lips. Based upon the investigator’s animated description, I had a handsome andmagneticbrother. “Did you speak to him?”

“No. I had been prepared to put forth a ruse to confront him if necessary, but my investigation uncovered sufficient information to complete my report, and my covert observation of him affirmed what I had learnt. Mr. Wood has lived in Bath since infancy and is a familiar figure among the town’s citizens. He is purported to be articulate, amiable, and intelligent. None of his neighbours or friends had aught but praise for him. My associates who questioned the servants at his home and at the cobbler’s shop established by Mr. Wood’s late, adoptive father obtained like results.”

“Has he been afforded an education?”

“He went to a small, respectable school for boys near the outskirts of Bath but never attended university. According to several sources, including the clerk at the circulating library, he is an avid reader who takes interest in a variety of subjects.”

Mr. Notley leafed to another page in the notebook. “The late Mr. Evan Wood succumbed to heart disease in 1808. Mrs. Wood had always been of a weak constitution, and she died a few months later. Mr. Miles Wood then moved to a boarding-house on Gay Street and has resided there ever since.”

“It must have been difficult for him to lose both of his adoptive parents so close together.”

“By all accounts, he was bereft for many months. He had learnt the cobbler trade from his father, and they had worked together at the shop on Pulteney Street. In 1810, Mr. Miles Wood began selling his paintings. He benefits from the patronage of Mrs. Dodge, a wealthy, elderly widow and respected resident of Bath. She has helped him obtain commissions from her friends and acquaintances for his work. Thus, he has enjoyed a moderate amount of success as an artist. Last year, hetransferred ownership of the cobbler’s shop to his assistant. Now, he devotes his time to painting.”

“He is an artist.” I spoke under my breath. What would Papa have done if his son, even a second son, had declared his intention to earn a living as a painter? Without doubt, he would have voiced strong objections to the notion.

Mr. Notley turned the page in his notebook. “Mr. Wood has no unpaid debts. He does not patronise the local brothels or gambling halls, nor is he known to overindulge in alcohol. He attends training bouts at the fencing academy on Milsom Street three or four times each week and is often seen at the assembly rooms’ concerts and balls.”

He closed his notebook and slipped it back into his pocket. “Based upon my investigation, I can state with confidence Mr. Miles Wood is an honest, trustworthy, and honourable man.”

“That is fine news.” I could not have asked for a more thorough report. Still, anyone could be fooled, even him. I grasped for another question I might pose but produced nought. “Thank you for completing your work so quickly.”

“You are welcome.” Mr. Notley stood.

I rose as a new concern preoccupied me. “Are you certain no one who assisted in this investigation will reveal I have a brother?”

“Rest assured this information will remain secret unless you choose otherwise. The men I employed are trustworthy. Nevertheless, I gave them minimal information—none of them know the reason for the assignment or that you had hired me.”

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