Page 71 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
“No, not precisely, but it was indicated at least two shipments a year, though none has left since Sir Arthur died last May…”
“I believe we have enough to decide, unless you have anything further to add, Mr Darcy.”
“No, My Lord.”
The judge concluded by advising the jury to take all the facts into their most serious consideration. “If you have any doubt, give the accused the benefit of that doubt. But if you conceive Lady Campbell guilty of the crime alleged against her, in that case you find her guilty.”
The jury, after two minutes of consultation in the box, expressed a wish to retire, and a sworn officer of the court accompanied them to the jury room.
“Do you believe the jury will be out long?” Elizabeth probed her grandmother whilst keeping Mr Darcy in the periphery of her vision. He was approached by an incensed Lord Matlock but remained calm when answering his uncle’s accusations.
“No, I surmise it will not take long to acquit Catherine. I only wish we had had a Mr Darcy twenty-three years ago…”
Her obstinate eyes strayed to the aforementioned gentleman, and she watched her father approach him. Lord Matlock left in a fury whilst Lord Glentworth shook hands with Mr Darcy, and they spoke quietly between themselves. At a moment of contemplating something her father said, he turned to her, and for the briefest of moments, their eyes met.
Her grandmother must have heard her sharp intake of breath because she was studying her with interest. But Mr Darcy wore such a wistful, tired expression she could not help the compassion swelling in her breast. Then it struck her! He had witnessed against his own relations, in favour of her family. What could he mean by it? Of course, his sense of justice and obligation must have been his concern. Even if it was to the detriment of himself…
She must think of something to say because her grandmother’s gaze was becoming intolerable.
“I am shocked,” Elizabeth whispered. “How very noble of Mr Darcy to suffer such detriments to his own family for the sake of ours.”
“Certainly, but in my experience, young men do not sacrifice their good name merely because it is just. I believe he has made you his study—and not to find blemishes, mind you. I sensed a deep connection that you so vehemently denied. Do you have an understanding with the gentleman?”
Elizabeth’s heart hammered as if to escape the confinement of her chest. She was about to deny its fondest wish without betraying the sentiment so utterly without hope of fruition. “No. Blemishes are easily discovered. I must suppose his disappointment at my lack of any spurred him to find other faults.”
Her grandmother frowned. “Mr Darcy must be the exception, then. A most excellent example of a respectable and admirable man.”
Elizabeth was inclined to agree and nodded her head.
“How unfortunate, though I never perceived him as one of those violent young lovers who would rant and storm on behalf of their heart’s intended. He is reserved, to be sure, and likes to carry his own way. Even though I cannot account for this blessing, I am inclined to accept it as his sacrifice is much in our favour.”
Elizabeth was quite relieved her grandmother had not questioned her about her sentiments. She had never been more at a loss to make her feelings appear what they were not.
The jury was out for just fourteen minutes, and on their return to court, their countenances indicated acquittal.
Their names were called, their verdict was asked for in its usual form, and the foreman announced the decision. “Not guilty upon the indictment of counterfeit.” The Recorder passed the sentence of the third Middlesex jury before Sir James Mansfield in a solemn manner.
The Glentworths and Limericks rose. No one felt the need to celebrate but had to forge through the crush to leave. Elizabeth had hoped to secure a moment of Mr Darcy’s time, if only to express her gratitude, but her lithe frame had not the strength to withstand the sturdy men who elbowed their way to the door. She left just in time to see Mr Darcy step into his carriage and drive away.
She understood better his haste when Lord Matlock nudged her out of his way and shouted his nephew’s name. She would not think his retreat an act of cowardice but a wise decision to move the confrontation that would surely unfold to a more private quarter.
Her father took hold of her arm and pulled her out of the swarming masses.
“We owe Mr Darcy our gratitude. I hope, at the very least, that you invited him to dine with us?” Elizabeth entreated.
“I did,” her father replied, sending a surge of hope through Elizabeth.
“He declined and professed he would not want to importune us with an unpalatable guest from a family that would only remind us of our loss. I pointed out to him that I already count Colonel Fitzwilliam as a Glentworth in everything but name, but he could not be moved. It led me to believe that he was speaking about more than the miscarriage of justice. But I suppose such a busy man may be occupied by his other business and only returned to town for the trial. I had the impression that he was to leave at dawn on the morrow, and that may account for him not wanting to spend a late night with us.”
Elizabeth, who had thought their disgrace was keeping him away, could not help but believe it was for her sake he had declined. How was she to inform him that her feelings had undergone such a material change when he perpetually shunned her company? Or might she, instead of seeing too little, have fancied too much?
The rest of the day was spent in solemn contemplations, but already the next day proved that a burden had been lifted from Lord Glentworth’s shoulders. Her mother coming giggling down the passage was the first sign that something had shifted.
Chapter 23 A Bridal Trip
It came as no surprise to the public that Lady Catherine Campbell née Bennet was acquitted. The Campbells faced trial, and the Fitzwilliam family suffered derision for witnessing in the Campbells’ favour. The newspapers were gleefully emphasising the irony that Lord Matlock’s son was to marry Catherine Bennet’s niece, and the caricaturists were merciless in their depictions.
Lord Matlock was not tried. The judge acquitted him on the basis that he had simply related what he saw, though he was reprimanded for his investigation that had left much wanting. The family escaped the tattlers by retiring to their country estate.
