Page 45 of The Blackmail of Mr. Darcy
“Well, knowing that many is impressive,” Elizabeth said. “But…would there be around one hundred, or perhaps multiple hundreds of crests in Britain?”
“I wish I could tell you,” Darcy said. “I have an investigator who might be able to figure out if this is stolen or faked. It will likely take some time, of course.” He began transferring the items back into the bag.
“In the meantime,” Elizabeth speculated, “since Mr. Clinton did not pick up the forged papers, the ring, and the money, I believe it is likely that he was killed, perhaps by Mr. Wickham with his pistol. I wonder if the bag was placed there by Miss Bingley, meant for Mr. Clinton as payment, and I wonder if Mr. Wickham knew of its existence and was planning to grab it as he left the area….”
“Good thinking, Miss Elizabeth. Tomorrow I will attempt to find any evidence of recent digging, in case someone killed and buried the man somewhere on Netherfield land. And I suppose I will send the ring off to my investigator.”
“With Miss Bingley being the likeliest person to be making a payoff to Mr. Clinton, could the signet ring belong to the Bingley family? I know that Miss Bingley’s father was very wealthy, but his money came from trade; could he have aspired to having a family crest and using it when sealing letters?”
“Brilliant!” Darcy said. “I hope Bingley will know.” He was silent for a few moments, and then he said, “I also wonder how Miss Bingley could arrange for such forgeries? Bingley too readily gives her money when she exceeds her allowance, so she could likely afford falsified papers, but I would have not the smallest idea of who to approach for such, would you?”
“No indeed. Perhaps your investigator would be able to make headway.”
“Here is another question: should I be turning over this evidence to the magistrate rather than my investigator?”
Elizabeth smiled wryly. “Sir William does not strike me as particularly motivated to put much effort and time into seeking the truth. He would likely tell us, ‘Mr. Wickham died of an accidental shooting, by his own hand, while committing a crime. There is no need for further investigation.’”
Darcy nodded. “I believe you are correct.”
“Mr. Darcy, you managed to get Miss Bingley to answer some of your questions, did you not?”
“Yes. Perhaps I should ask her about the bag, the papers, and the ring.”
“It seems we have a great deal to look into, sir. Will your cousin be rejoining you at Netherfield?”
“We had not yet determined that. But I should send him an express with our findings so far. Let us see if your sister and my friend have discovered anything about M. B.”
He was delighted to hold Elizabeth by the waist as he put her on Gulliver’s back. He mounted and, threading one arm around her waist, he lowered his head to hers, to breathe in her scent. “Imeant to teach you to ride, but now I think we should always ride this way.”
“Sir…”
“Please call me Fitzwilliam,” he whispered. He nudged Gulliver into a sedate walk towards Netherfield’s stables.
“May I call you William instead?” she asked. Her voice sounded merry, and Darcy could easily picture her eyes sparkling as she spoke.
“I would allow you to call me anything at all. Given the fact that I am so very eloquent, especially when in crowded ballrooms, you might want to call me Tangletongue.”
“Oh, but then people will assume that you are a very silly man, and Sweet Will, you are many things, but you are definitely not silly.”
“Well, given the fact that I needed a young woman not yet one and twenty to guard me from my hostess, you could call me Lilyliver.”
“No one who saw you the night of the fire would dare to pretend you are a coward!”
“Very well, then, William shall do.” He kissed the top of her head, and she sighed—a sound that he interpreted as happy.
He was extremely happy, himself, although every part of his body urged him to act in such a way that he would be even happier.
Soon, he promised himself.But not yet.
Bingley and Miss Bennetreported that they had discovered that Alice Pott, going by the moniker Mlle. Bonaparte, had obtained a position at Haye-Park, serving the Goulding family, but her position was much lower than that she had enjoyed atNetherfield years ago. “She now serves as just a housemaid, I gather,” Bingley said.
“And none of the staff here at Netherfield have seen her at this estate for years,” Jane said. “Of course, someone could be prevaricating, but we think they are being honest.”
Bingley added, “Our Molly and Nancy both reported that they see her often at church, and Susan sees her once in a long while at shops or street markets. Molly said that she has become quite bitter, and she criticises the Gouldings a shocking amount. Nancy said that she never liked the woman and has continued to avoid her whenever she sees her. Susan said that they always politely greet each other but never talk further.”
“So, should we pay a call to Haye-Park this afternoon?” Elizabeth asked.
Everyone exchanged glances and nodded.
