Page 51 of An Accidental Meeting
Mr. Darcy waved off the apology. “Osmont D’Arcy’s father Phillipe had the foresight to sell their estate before the revolution took full hold. He attempted to build another life for his family in France even without their land, but the situation there only worsened, and he died during the revolution. His son, Osmont, was attempting to gather as many items with value as possible in advance of making a move to England with his remaining family. The plan was that they would live here at Pemberley until they could learn to navigate English society. I was still at university then, and do not know much more than the information he was able to send my father in a few notes over the year of the treaty. But I believe my father would have told me about the hidden treasure had he been aware of it.”
“It has been nearly a decade and the war rages on, Mr. Darcy. No one would think the worse of you if you sold these items or even, I daresay, kept them for your own,” Uncle Gardiner said.
Mr. Darcy shot a look at Uncle Gardiner, entirely aghast. “No sir,” he said decisively. “It matters not what the world believes, for I would think poorly of myself.” He set the diamond down on the table with the coins. “This is treasure indeed, but it is not mine.”
Uncle Gardiner smiled as he returned the diamonds to the table. “Well said.”
Mr. Darcy was very still, caught somewhere between affront and admiration.
“I hope you are not offended, sir,” Uncle Gardiner said. “But in light of the conversation you and I had upon my arrival, I wished to know.”
“What conversation was that, Uncle?” Elizabeth asked.
“It was nothing, Lizzy,” her uncle said. “Something between Mr. Darcy and me.”
She glanced at her aunt, who only shook her head. “I do not know any more than you.”
“Shall we open the rest of these pouches, Miss Bennet?” Mr. Darcy held out a second one for her, and Elizabeth took it.
Elizabeth chuckled at his attempt to change the topic. “I warn you both that you have not succeeded in distracting me.”
“Of course not,” Mr. Darcy said.
She accepted the pouch eagerly and loosened the strings. Very well, then, she was distracted.
When they had all taken a few turns and were finally finished, ten of the canvas pouches had held items of great value. Jewellery had been wrapped in more canvas, some in cotton, still more left without any protection at all among the coins. There were several additional precious stones, two heavy gold bracelets, two smooth gold rings with etchings on the outside—wedding bands, she believed—and three other, more ornate rings, as well as a set of earrings, necklace, and bracelet in heavy gold and pink topaz.
They did not even attempt to count the coins, most of which were Spanish and German rather than French. But it was easily a small fortune, and Mr. Darcy had said there had been more gold hidden in the wooden frame that had injured Mrs. Reynolds.
Her uncle frowned. “Do you think there are other such valuables hidden on the property, sir?”
“There may well be, Mr. Gardiner. If my own father was correct, the D’Arcys’ estate was of a good size. Larger than Netherfield, I think, but perhaps not as large as Pemberley.”
“My goodness. And if the land brought a good price . . .” Aunt Gardiner’s voice trailed off.
“It would not have been sold for its true worth, times being as unsettled as they were. But Phillipe did understand what was happening earlier than most.” Mr. Darcy rubbed the back of his neck. “I would ask for discretion. Bingley is a friend I would trust with anything, but his family has not earned the same consideration from me.”
“You honour us,” Uncle Gardiner said solemnly and glanced at Elizabeth. Aunt Gardiner nodded.
“We will certainly keep your confidences, sir,” Elizabeth said, and she felt a little overcome at the trust he had placed in her. His sister last spring, and now this.
“Thank you, Mr. Gardiner. Given the circumstances, would you call me Darcy?” He waved at the coins. “It feels rather foolish to stand on ceremony now.”
Uncle Gardiner was pleased by this. “I would be happy to do so. You must call me Gardiner, of course.”
Mr. Darcy smiled. “I will need a bit of time to categorize and record what is here, and then put it in the safe. Shall I call for tea while you wait? I fear I have not been a good host.”
“Not a good host?” Aunt Gardiner exclaimed, as Elizabeth and Uncle Gardiner smiled. “I shall be telling this story my entire life, though I shall of course leave out all the important details.”
“My children do enjoy a good pirate story,” Uncle Gardiner added.
“It was only to be us this morning in any case,” Aunt Gardiner informed them. “For Miss Bingley sent word that she would be remaining in her room today, and Mrs. Hurst informed us she would stay with her sister. Mr. Hurst is still abed, and your uncle and Mr. Bingley are fishing.”
“We could remain should you find yourself in need of a scribe, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth offered.
“If there is one thing I am an expert on, it is inventory,” Uncle Gardiner said with a grin.
Mr. Darcy hesitated, and for a moment, Elizabeth was concerned that they had overstepped. Then he met her gaze as he had so many times over the past few days, and her fears dissipated.
