Page 37 of Lord Lonbourn's Daughter
“What does it say? Has he found them?” Longbourn enquired.
“I do not know. He has requested that I meet him at Watier’s gentlemen’s club at my earliest convenience. I must leave at once. It might be significant since the note does not mention his purpose. He would not indicate anything of a delicate nature in a missive that might end up in the wrong hands.”
“Be off with you. I shall hold the fort here,” Longbourn implored him.
Darcy bowed to his lordship and left in long strides at the same moment his wife and sisters returned to the house. He bowed to the ladies, who curtsied, and called for his horse to be brought round.
Watier’s was a fashionable gaming club whose owner was the formerchef de cuisineto the Prince Regent. It was known for its excellent fare, serving continental dishes instead of the endless rounds of joints and steaks offered at White’s and Brooks’s. A tradition for bold stakes at the gambling tables enticed gentlemen who sought such diversions. Darcy groaned at the thought; the only thing yet to been demanded was losing his fortune at the gaming tables. He mounted his horse and rode off.
Darcy found the colonel standing by a high-stakes table. The gentlemen cheered on the Duke of Alvanley, who was on a winning streak. Richard spotted his cousin and approached, gesturing towards the hall.
“I have booked us a private parlour where we may speak freely,” the colonel informed him.
Darcy nodded as he would have had to raise his voice to be heard over the din, and he preferred not to. Richard was used to talking over gunfire; Darcy was not.
As soon as the door closed, Darcy assaulted the colonel with his most pressing questions.
“What are you doing here? What have you discovered? Have you any news?”
“I am here to keep my ears to the ground and my eyes open. As should you, be more out and about. Why do you not escort your lovely new wife to social events? The quidnuncs are whispering about the possible ruination of your bride, forcing you to wed in such haste. Attend a dinner or the theatre to quench their tittle-tattle,” the colonel suggested.
“You cannot possibly expect me to flit around town, partaking in the entertainment, when Georgiana’s life might be at stake!” Darcy protested.
“I do not demand that you enjoy it, but you must not let your reputation be ruined. I know you value your good name.”
“You know I am not a good liar. What if someone enquires after Georgiana? Nobody pays any attention to what happens on the stage at the theatre or the food at a dinner—”
“For heaven’s sake, Darcy! Take her to a pianoforte recital. There will be no need to converse with anyone there. Show superior society that you are happy with your marriage, not forced to wed because of licentious behaviour.”
“I shall consider it,” was all he was willing to commit to.
“You do that while I am working to free Georgiana. Loitering around the card tables has been educational. I have learnt that Tom Sheridan has plunged heavily into a game of maccao and owes hundreds of pounds, Beau Brummel had a quarrel with theDuke of Rutland over a perceived loan, and my brother owes Solomon money.”
“Who is Solomon?”
“The leading money-lender in the Holy Land[3] rookery[4].”
“Do you think your brother has gambled?”
“Not that I know of. I always thought my brother’s largest expense was his wife’s seamstress and his tailor. He does not drink to excess, nor does he gamble. He does occasionally put down a bet in the books at White’s, but never more than ten guineas, which he can afford to lose. Perhaps Father is in some kind of difficulty and has withheld his allowance.”
“Could he be the victim of extortion?”
Richard rubbed his chin, contemplating his brother’s behaviour of late. He was on edge, but who in the family was not with Georgiana’s abduction? His concern was genuine, as was the rest of the family’s.
“I do not know. I shall ask him when I return to Matlock House this evening. What is your news?”
“We have received a new letter of demands.” He continued to explain to his cousin, who had left after the wedding, how, when, and where Lady Kitty had been found, before revealing what must be done to release Georgiana.
“You cannot be serious? There has to be another way!” Richard cried, aghast.
“I am afraid not. My marriage freed Lady Kitty, and this is what must be done to release Georgiana. Besides, I heard nosuch qualms when it was me and Elizabeth who had to wed, and I have fought before—”
“You liked each other. In fact, I am willing to put a hundred guineas that you were half in love with her already,” Richard grumbled astutely.
“Easiest hundred guineas I have ever made,” Darcy drawled with a grin. “There was nothing half about it. I was deeply, madly in love with her, but she can hardly stand the sight of me.”
“That must have made for an interesting wedding night. Did she lock the door? Toss you out? Wear iron breeches?” Richard smirked.
