Page 37 of Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

“Yes, it does. However, I employed a well-respected Bow Street Runner who confirmed the relevant facts to the extent that is possible. And the resemblance between us is undeniable.”

“Upon my word, I…I see what you mean.” He inspected me as though noting our similarities for the first time. “So, if not for this demented midwife, I should have been raised as a Darcy, and we…ah…you and I should be…or rather are…brothers?”

“Yes, my mother gave birth to twins, first to me and then to you. No one other than the midwife and her young daughter ever saw you or knew a second baby existed.”

He threaded his fingers together. “Then…I am the son of a gentleman.”

“Yes. Our family home is Pemberley estate in Derbyshire.”

“I grew up believing the Woods had been my natural parents. But the year I turned eighteen, they told me a neighbour had brought me to them as an infant and my true mother had been a maid.” He shook his head. “This is all quite…incredible, although I do not doubt your word. And the more I look at you, the more convinced I am of our family connexion. I do not know how I failed to notice our similarities earlier.”

“Unlike me, you had no reason to look for a resemblance.”

“That is true.”

“Now that we have met, I hope we shall remain connected. I should like to know you better.”

“Yes, I should like that too.”

“I regret to tell you that my parents are deceased. My father succumbed to apoplexy five years ago. My mother has been gone for sixteen years now.”

He gave me a solemn nod. “How long will you stay in Bath?”

“I shall return to London tomorrow morning. I thought, if it suited you, you could accompany me and stay at my house.”

He gaped at me for several seconds. “Oh, that is a kind offer. I…ah…suppose I could sojourn in town for a week or two.”

I drew in a slow breath. To maintain a more distant association with this virtual stranger would be the cautious choice—but even after this brief meeting, I had no doubt of thecorrectone. “I had more in mind than a short visit. Your name and rightful place in our family was stolen from you. While the past cannot be altered, at least I can welcome you to your true family and improve your circumstances. You may reside at my home in London indefinitely. The invitation includes Pemberley estate as well, although my sister, Georgiana, and I shall remain in town for at least the next couple of months.”

“Oh, I see. That is exceedingly generous.” Mr. Wood cocked his head. “And you have a sister?”

“Yes, Georgiana is sixteen years old.”

His expression grew staid. “I have lived as a tradesman my entire life. If I accept your offer, my presence may become a hindrance to you. Your friends and acquaintances may refuse to associate with me.”

“Yet you are, in fact, a gentleman. One of my closest friends, Charles Bingley, is the son of a tradesman. His connexion to me allowed him to be accepted by most of my acquaintances.”

“I do not imagine that was easy.”

“It helps that Bingley is a likeable, well-mannered fellow, and you are no less so.”

“I appreciate the compliment.”

“Since the true details of your kidnapping are so grim, I do not want the story to become public. Instead, I should introduce you as a distant Darcy cousin.”

He nodded. “What if people want to know why my adoptive parents raised me?”

“No one has a right to demand such specifics. We shall say an estrangement between our ancestors kept us from associating sooner and nothing more. I shall write to my uncle Lord Matlock this evening and apprise him of the plan.” My sight lingered upon a spot of threadbare fabric on his coat sleeve. “I shall provide you with an income befitting your new station.”

A slight frown compressed his lips. “Do you intend to provide for me like a parent?”

“Like a brother, I should say.”

Mr. Wood’s hands gripped the arms of his chair. “My art pays for my expenses. This may not be the most respectable of professions, but I am not willing to give up painting.”

I curbed a sigh. It would be far easier for him to be accepted among my peers if he ceased accepting paid commissions. “I understand. You are not the first gentleman to work as an artist. I hope you will agree to use my tailor, though. I dare say as a Darcy cousin with a finer wardrobe, you will attract more clients.”

His bearing tensed. “You should know I have no intention of changing my name. My parents were admirable people, and I want to honour them.”

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