A Gift for My Mr Darcy Read online

  “I’m at your service, Mrs. Darcy,” Matthew answered, and while he spoke to Elizabeth, he kept his gaze trained on Mary.

  Mary noticed the attention and her usually pale cheeks now held a slight bit of rose color. Instead of her usual grey coat, she’d borrowed Kitty’s brighter one.

  Thomas stood quietly near the door. She waved a hand at him. “We’re ready for the carriage, Thomas.”

  Between Thomas and Matthew, they would know most of the local lads home for a break from school.

  She smiled and rubbed the top of her protruding stomach. Her little one thumped a few times before settling down. They’d have this mystery settled and be back at Pemberley in time to greet Papa.

  They waited in the carriage while Matthew spoke quietly with his father. The exchange could not be heard, but she surmised the elder Mr. Holland was instructing Matthew on how to best proceed. Little did the men know that she intended to handle the investigation with directness. Prying information out of schoolboys would be good practice for dealings with her future children. While her family did not have any sons, the boys of Meryton had often pulled pranks on unsuspecting victims, causing the parson to take more than one young man by the ear.

  Matthew finally joined them in the carriage and they set off down the road. The trip to the middle of town took less than ten minutes.

  Mary and Elizabeth occupied one side of the carriage, while Matthew took up the seat on the other side. He kept his hands folded in his lap and stared down at them.

  Elizabeth broke the silence. “How did your father tell you to proceed?”

  “He recommended that I not allow you to go into the poorest part of town, even if you insist.”

  She sniffed. “Well, that is kind of him, but if that is where our investigation takes us, we may have to chin up and make our way there. First let’s see if the local boys can give us any information.”

  “The local boys?” Matthew asked.

  “Yes. Any boys home on holiday from school. This could all be mischief making.”

  Mary nodded her head, ready to enter the conversation. “That does make sense, Lizzy. Boys who aren’t studying are likely to make trouble. Idle hands, as they say.”

  Matthew stared at Mary’s gloved hands, which moved as she talked.

  He raised his eyebrows. “Some of the local boys hang out near the front of Mr. Tiller’s store hoping he’ll give them a piece of peppermint.”

  Elizabeth thumped her knee. “I knew you would be a valuable source. Mr. Tiller’s store it is.”

  Matthew opened the door and assisted her down to the ground. He then took his time helping Mary out. Elizabeth realized she’d yet to ask Mr. Holland and his family to dine at Pemberley. After the Epiphany Ball, she would set up a dinner before Mary and Kitty left to return to Longbourn.

  Once on the street, she gestured to Matthew. “Please lead the way.”

  Matthew walked towards the general store and Mary sidled up beside him. “It’s a lovely day for a stroll through town.”

  He hunkered into his coat. “A bit chilly for my tastes.”

  Mary bobbed her head up and down. “Yes, it is a bit chilly for mine too.”

  Elizabeth hid her smile. Conversing did not come easy to Mary, but the lack of practice was due to having four sisters who constantly talked over her. Separated from the crowd, she now had the chance to show society the darling girl Elizabeth knew her to be.

  A couple of younger boys darted out of the store and towards them.

  “Stop them, Matthew,” she called out.

  Matthew walked in front of them and grabbed one by the collar on his coat. “See here. We have questions for you lot.”

  The other boy dashed past them and didn’t look back.

  The boy with blond hair and brown cap twisted in his grasp. He looked to be around the age of eight. “Let me go.”

  Elizabeth approached him and laid a hand on his shoulder. He immediately stopped thrashing. “Do you know who I am?”

  “The missus from Pemberley.” His voice was small.

  “That’s right. You are not in trouble, but do you mind if I ask you a question or two?”

  The boy eyed Matthew, who still held the edge of his collar. “Doesn’t look as if I have a choice, do it?”

  “There seems to have been some mischief at the church. Would you or any of your friends know anything about it?”

  Curiosity twinkled in his young eyes. “What kind of mischief?”

  Elizabeth didn’t want to give away the full details, as it would better serve her purpose to let the thieves reveal them in confession. “The kind that can bring the attention of the constable.”

  “No ma’am. My friends and I avoid the church except when our mothers drag us to a boring service.”

  Elizabeth locked eyes with the boy and felt with utmost assurance he told the truth. “If there were to be someone who would not be afraid to cause mischief near the church, could you point those people out?”

  “There are older boys who like to play pranks. They throw rocks at us sometimes so I don’t mind outing them.”

  “Where would I find these older boys?”

  He pointed to the far end of town. “A couple of them work at the stable that rents out the hackneys.”

  She nodded to Matthew and he released the boy’s collar. The boy gave him a kick to the shin before running off down an alley.

  Matthew grimaced.

  Mary rushed forward and placed a hand on his forearm. “Are you hurt?”

  “Only my pride that I didn’t expect retribution. Next time I see the boy and his mother in church, I’ll let her know of his impertinence.”

  “You are such a valuable addition to our quest.” Mary looped her arm through his.

  The group continued forward, and Elizabeth paused to lean her shoulder against a post.

  Concern lined the features of her companions. “I am fine. Only a little tired.”

  Matthew pointed to the general store, which had an unoccupied wooden bench near the entrance. “We should sit for a few moments. I will purchase a few sweets while you rest.”

  Elizabeth and Mary sat on the bench, and she placed a hand on top of her abdomen. Mary regarded her warily. “I do not recall Mama being so large with Lydia.”

  “Perhaps that’s because Lydia was a dainty girl and I have a large, strapping boy waiting to enter the world.”

  The explanation was enough for Mary, who craned her neck to watch Matthew inside the store.

  “Mr. Holland is certainly an agreeable young man,” Elizabeth said.

  “Indeed.”

  “I wonder of his tastes in music.”

  Mary’s smile widened. “He loves the pianoforte. I’ve already asked him.”

  “And he plans to take orders after he finishes his studies?”

  “He has hopes to take over his father’s second church in the next town.”

  Happy warmth enveloped Elizabeth. “I wonder if he is to attend the Epiphany Ball.”

  Mary’s gaze flickered from her to Matthew. “I do not enjoy balls.”

  “Perhaps you would enjoy one if you had a dance partner worthy of your effort.”

  A rose blush started at Mary’s neck and traveled up to her cheeks. She stood when Matthew approached them. He handed a peppermint stick to each of them.

  Elizabeth put hers in her pocket and vowed to halve the stick for Kitty and Georgiana when they returned to Pemberley. “Shall we continue? I would like to have this mystery solved before the sun begins to set and our breaths turn to frost.”

  Chapter Four

  Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bennet

  Mrs. Reynolds knocked on the door to Darcy’s office. Darcy didn’t lift his eyes, but waved a hand to let the younger man know he could speak.

  “Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Bennet have arrived. Shall I show them to the drawing room?”

  He glanced up and tapped the desk. “Yes. Please bring refreshments. Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.”
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  Darcy finished his accountings and donned his blue tailcoat. He joined his cousin and father-in-law in the drawing room. The two men were deep in conversation about the upcoming fox hunt. Colonel Fitzwilliam stood when he entered the room.

  “Cousin, how kind of you to pull away from your work to join us.” The twinkle in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s eyes softened the tone of his voice.

  Darcy arched an eyebrow. “Don’t tease. You’ve barely waited a half an hour.”

  Mr. Bennet stood, and the two men exchanged a nod of the head. “I rather thought Elizabeth would be here to greet us. Is she feeling unwell?”

  “She is quite well. In fact, she’s had a burst of energy since your eldest daughter Jane visited.”

  “I am glad to hear. Where is Elizabeth now?”

  Darcy tucked his lips together. Unsure how to explain his wife’s newest venture, he rambled out a half-truth. “She is in Lambton assisting the parson with some issues.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam eyed him, apparently picking up on the vagueness of his answer. “What issues?”

  Darcy took a sweet roll from a tray and took a large bite. He chewed slowly, but the longer he delayed speaking the more he could tell the two gentlemen wanted an answer.

  He lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. “There have been some thefts at the church, and Elizabeth is doing some queries.”

  “A woman with child turned investigator? Are you both mad?” Mr. Bennet squared his shoulders and a deep frown settled on his forehead.

  “The pieces stolen aren’t of any real value. They can’t be pawned at market. It’s most likely the thieves are a few local boys who are creating mischief. That’s the line of questioning she’s pursuing. At most, she’ll cuff a few boys on the ears and send them crying to their mothers.” Darcy dabbed the edges of his mouth with a napkin.

  His cousin smiled. “You couldn’t tell her no could you?”

  “She needs something to occupy her time. Sewing and reading do not interest her at the moment, and it’s good that she gets some fresh air and exercise.”

  His cousin settled onto the settee. “Are you trying to convince us or yourself?”

  “She’s not in any danger,” he assured them.

  Mr. Bennet’s lips pursed. He sat down and stretched his long legs out in front of him, crossing them at the ankle. “How did I ever raise such a strong-willed girl?”

  Darcy smiled. He understood what it meant to take on a headstrong Elizabeth. “Our parson, Mr. Holland, has promised me updates into the investigation.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam tapped the back of the settee. “I haven’t been to Lambton in a very long time. Mr. Bennet, have you been to Lambton?”

  “My sister-in-law grew up there, but I have never visited.”

  A slow smile curved the man’s lips. “What say tomorrow morning we get a couple of fresh horses from the stables and ride into town?”

  Darcy put one hand at his hip. “Do you mean to spy on my wife? What if she returns home this evening and has settled the situation?”

  “If she has settled it, then I shall find other plans. However if not, I am sure Elizabeth would like to spend time with her father and if we happen to assist her with her queries, then she’ll be able to return to Pemberley all the quicker.”

  The scheme unsettled Darcy. “You mean to take over her investigation into the thefts?”

  “Better than spying from behind bushes don’t you think?”

  “I don’t, but I’m not going to argue. While I have promised not to interfere, I have not made any assurances than anyone else from Pemberley would not involve themselves.”

  Colonel Fitzwilliam clapped his hands together. “Then it is settled.”

  Darcy did not look forward to Elizabeth’s scolding and hoped she directed any irritation she felt at the intrusion squarely at his cousin.

  Chapter Five

  A Dead End

  The smell of horse manure was strong as the trio approached the hackney stables. An elderly gentleman limped towards them and splayed his hands. “A hackney for you, sir? I have my best horse in the stable and it’ll only take a minute to get him to harness.”

  Matthew glanced at Elizabeth, but she gestured for him to take the lead.

  “Hello Mr. Doyle. We’re here to speak to a couple of youths in your employment,” he said.

  “What for?” The man squinted at them as if to read their minds.

  “It is possible they’ve stolen from the church.” Mary lacked subtlety.

  The man pulled up to his full height, which put him an inch above Matthew. “See here. I’ll not have you accusing my boys of theft. What proof do you have?”

  Elizabeth stepped forward. “My apologies, Mr. Doyle. My sister didn’t mean to imply your boys were the culprits. We mean to say we wish to seek information about the thefts.”

  “My boys are good boys. They may pull a prank on the gentry now and again, but their mother would roll three times in her grave if they were to steal from a church.”

  “I am sure we cannot question their upbringing. Perhaps you’ll allow us to speak to them anyway since it is possible they could have overheard some gossip from your customers.”

  “It wouldn’t be good business to tell tales to my customers, now would it.”

  “A crown for their trouble?” Elizabeth reached inside her drawstring purse and retrieved the coin.

  Mr. Doyle held out his hand and rolled the coin between his fingers before shoving it in his pocket. “If a real customer comes for a hackney, I expect you to leave.”

  Elizabeth nodded her agreement, and Mr. Doyle returned to his position out front. She led the way into the stables. Although the scent of manure grew stronger as they walked past several stalls, she didn’t stop to pull out her handkerchief. A customer could interrupt their interview before they had a chance to begin.

  A sandy-haired boy saw them approaching and slapped his hat on his head. He nudged a boy beside him who resembled him enough for her to gather they were brothers.

  “My name is Mrs. Darcy, and I’ll get right to it. Do you have any information on the whereabouts of items taken from the church less than a fortnight ago?”

  The boys, who couldn’t have been more than fifteen years of age, glanced at each other and then down at the ground.

  Matthew cleared his throat. “You have been asked a question and we expect a response. Did you steal from the local church?”

  The eldest of two boys looked up. “No ma’am. Not from the church.”

  Elizabeth frowned. “Did you steal from somewhere else? You have the matching appearance of guilt.”

  “It were only meant as a joke,” the second boy spoke up.

  Mary let out a sigh. “Out with it. We haven’t all day to stand around in the smelly stables.”

  “Adam! Radley! We’ve a customer. Hook up Black Hole to the hackney. Sorry ma’am, but we have honest work waiting for us.”

  Matthew opened his mouth to argue, but Elizabeth cut him off. “We understand, Mr. Doyle.”

  She walked out of the stable ahead of them. Mary and Matthew caught up quickly.

  “They are guilty of something, but it is not the theft at the church. I do not believe those two boys could hold a secret for very long.”

  “Where do we direct our inquiries now?” Matthew asked. He removed his pocket watch and a wrinkle formed between his eyes.

  Elizabeth’s wariness had grown the longer they’d stood staring down the two youths. “I think it is time for us to return to Thomas. I shall seek guidance from my guests and tomorrow morning we can attempt to find the missing items again.”

  “Can you make the walk through town or shall I have Thomas retrieve you here?” Concern lined Mary’s tone.

  Elizabeth smiled to quell her sister’s worry. “I shall walk back through town, although I will allow you both to walk ahead. My pace will be a bit slower than when we began, I’m afraid.”

  Mary slipped her hand around Matthew’s elbow and the
two walked and conversed ahead of her.

  Elizabeth didn’t want to involve Fitzwilliam, as that would defeat the purpose of taking on the task. If she couldn’t come up with a solution, then her gift would be ruined. Her hopes elevated at the thought of the arrival of her father and husband’s cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. They would both surely have an opinion on where to go next. That thought comforted her as they walked back to the middle of town.

  §

  Thomas opened the carriage door and Elizabeth’s father waited to assist her to the ground.

  “Papa!” she exclaimed.

  He pulled her into a hug and she breathed in the scent of tobacco from his coat.

  “My Lizzy, you are looking well.”

  “I am well. And soon you will have a second grandchild to bounce on your knee.”

  He helped Mary from the carriage next. “I pray you have a houseful of boys and not a silly girl between them.”

  “Papa, don’t tease. Mary will think you are serious.” Elizabeth knew him to be quite serious, but didn’t want Mary to feel hurt from his comments after her day spent with Matthew.

  They ascended the stairs and through the front door. “What’s this about thefts at the church?”

  “I’m glad you have brought it up. After I’ve had a few moments to rest, I wish to pull from your wisdom on the subject. I’m afraid we walked the town of Lambton in search of clues all morning to no avail.”

  “I am at your service, my dear. Although I cannot say I am happy to find you have turned investigator. Your husband is quite capable of dealing with these sorts of issues.”

  “He does so much for all of us, and this is my gift to him.”

  “Your mother would never offer to take on such a task.”

  She tugged on his arm. “Dear mother had the unfortunate duty of raising five daughters. I cannot see how she had time for anything else with Lydia, Kitty, and her nerves.”

  He smiled down at her. “I have missed your teasing.”