B006O3T9DG EBOK Read Online Free Page A

promise that!” interrupted Hannah. “Hit his head and lost a tooth or two!”
    Under Mr. Darcy’s eye, Hannah’s ejaculations wound down, “Fell down the stairs. Tripped over the dog, you see....”
    Directly, she hushed herself, curtsied and left the particulars to the men. Tiptoeing out of the room, she hurried away. There was further information that needed to be shared with Mrs. Darcy. Neither Howard nor Goodwin would have a part in that. Although he did not dismiss her, Mr. Darcy did not appear to be offended that Hannah had taken her leave. He was bent upon speaking with Mr. Howard.
    “Is there word of Smeads destination?” Mr. Darcy inquired.
    “I cannot say, sir,” said he.
    Here Goodwin felt compelled to interject what he knew.
    “It was said that he made for Rosings Park, but was turned away.”
    “I see,” replied Mr. Darcy.
    Several weeks would pass before all would be revealed of what became known as “the incident.” No criminal charges were sought. Giving leave to sightseers to gawk at their children at a tuppence a head was not, strictly speaking, illegal. (Visitors were admitted regularly.) It was, however, an unpardonable offence against them personally. Had he discovered it for himself, Darcy may have beaten Smeads from the house—Mr. Smeads had to have known that. It seemed remarkable that he would risk all for a few pennies. Something else was afoot.
    Although the essential actors were known, aims, schemes, and significations remained muddled. Why Smeads repaired directly to Rosings Park was merely speculation. No one knew absolutely that Lady Catherine or her own butler had any sort of relationship with him. And if Smeads indeed had a second calling of selling information of their household to Lady Catherine, no one could prove it absolutely. Not that Darcy would think his aunt above such chicanery. The single reason he did not seek a confrontation on the matter was her bereavement. Moreover, Georgiana and her child remained under her care. Nothing would induce him to compromise their convalescence.
    He was not disposed to share all the gossip with Elizabeth. What she soon learnt was troubling enough.
    “How could we have misplaced our trust so willingly?” she exclaimed. “Why would a man risk his position for so little? This is was all quite vexing.”
    That was what worried Darcy too. He did not say that. He spoke to reassure them both.
    “I am reminded of the story of the man who killed the goose that laid the golden eggs.”
    Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “In this tale, are we the goose or the eggs?”
    Other that that drollery, she did not mention Smeads again. As did her husband, she believed it was well and good that the wretch was gone. Darcy saw it as one more distasteful matter to put behind them. Wickham would be apprehended and Smeads would find his own level in town. Whatever satisfaction he might have gotten by having Smeads depart at the point of his sword, he was content to consign such vengeance to his imagination. He would happily leave London and its rats to London. He was satisfied to abide at Pemberley in the bosom of his family for the rest of his days.
    Although not readily apparent, happier times were at hand.
 
 
    Chapter 6
    Open Arms
 
     
    Understandably, Bingley’s nerves had been in quite a state after his forced retrenchment. Indeed, he had not wanted to remain at Belgrave Square at all. No small thanks to Darcy, he still had a country estate.
    In arranging the settlement of his debts, it had been worked out that he would exchange estates with Henry Howgrave—giving that man a seat in Parliament and Bingley a step up and out of his financial morass. Rather than dwell upon the unpleasant recollection of being stripped naked by a hoard of angry creditors, he threw himself into the enormous task of moving his family, bag and baggage, scrip and scripage, from Kirkland Hall to Howgrave Manor. That project came to pass with all the chaos, hubbub, and