Chapter Eighteen

Kit's exuberant praise for Darcy's prompting Mrs Darling to tell what she knew about the neighbourhood became clear in its design. "I expected you to arrive demoralized. Hugo sent a dispatch with regards to your last discussion with Miss Bennet."

"It is fortuitous the memories I have of my time in this house were able to dull my guilt. Disclosing to her what Lord Templeton said did not take into consideration she is grieving a beloved sister and twin. I have written her a letter apologizing and encouraging her to visit Rosings and spend Easter with my cousins. Time with Richard and Anne will hopefully improve her thoughts of me so we can continue to count on her to aid our investigation."

"Darcy, my mother lives In Penzance. She owns an Inn. While you explore the beach, I am going to visit. I stopped for an afternoon when I first arrived in Cornwall, but I promised her a proper visit today."

"Please go and enjoy your time with her while I explore the area and give you a report of my findings. Would your mother consider meeting me some day during our stay here?"

"I am certain she would enjoy that. You are reminiscent of my father—tall and handsome. He has only been gone five years." Kit chuckled before he added, "You favour your uncle, so you know my opinion on your looks."

Darcy preferred not to think too much about his remark. "My father and Sir Hugo looked very much alike. How did your parents meet?"

"My father was in the army, in New York, when they met. They married quickly and I was born before the uprising against our forces. After the defeat we came back to England with him."

"She had never been here before?'

The former Captain Marlowe had a pleased smile on his face rather than the enigmatic one Darcy often observed. "No, she had never been anywhere but the colonies

"Did you go into the army… because of your father?"

"Yes, his career choice became mine. He was friends with the De Lancey family during his time in New York. In fact, I served under Colonel William De Lancey.

Darcy had so many other questions for the former Captain Marlowe but was more anxious to begin revisiting a most pleasant childhood memory.

The day was brisk and the sea air tasted briny… or at least he thought so. Fitzwilliam hurried to the spot where he remembered the stone staircase to be. The shrubbery around the first step was profuse but luckily his memory was sharp. He pulled away the growth and began his way down. This place and the shore below had been magical to eleven-year-old Darcy. He had made the journey almost every day during that visit. It was his escape from fears of the future. Months ago, Mary's tales of combing the beach in Brighton with Lizzy looking for bits of flotsam and jetsam had caused him to remember for the first time in years his time here.

The storm the previous night had left plenty of debris to investigate. Within a brief time, he found a bit of sea glass in the sand. When he dug it out, it was the bottom of an amber bottle polished smooth during its journey. He envisioned making a hanging for Mrs Darling to catch the sun.

The waves crashed against the shore higher than usual while gulls screeched to one another and circled… hoping a fish would come into view. He looked at the sea remembering his younger self stripping off most of his clothes to take a swim. Today was too chilly, but maybe before he left the area… he would have a chance to indulge.

The beach narrowed the more distant he walked from Torpoint He remembered a cave he had explored as a child. As he recalled, it was just where the sand ended and a rocky outcropping commenced. Based on his conversation with Mrs Darling he reckoned it was close below where Sir Walter was now living.

Keeping a close eye on the cliffs, he finally saw what he was searching for. It wasn't much, and the space was overgrown. As he approached the fissure, he felt some of the growth had been encouraged along with an artful arrangement of rocks to hide the opening. Without his childhood memories, he would never have noticed it. He moved the rocks, memorizing as he did their position, and tied back the greenery in order to gain entry.

It was very dim inside. Only a small amount of light came through the aperture. He walked gingerly forward. Just before he entered complete darkness, he saw a barrel with a candle atop. The light revealed something to investigate further in the cave; steps dug into one of the walls. He headed upward with great apprehension-feeling certain he had found a cave with a nefarious purpose—probably used by smugglers. As he climbed, thoughts of how far Sir Walter's house was from this cave sparked his curiosity. Determining that fact became a priority to accomplish before Kit returned from visiting his mother.

The stairs were at an angle, moving away from the shore. They came to an end at a trap door, and he decided against being impetuous. The next bit of exploration would definitely be better done with Kit by his side. Before leaving he searched further into the cave. Quite far back and in a natural alcove there were barrels and boxes piled up. They seemed to have been stored recently.

Suddenly Darcy became apprehensive about meeting someone. He was certain he had uncovered evidence of smuggling and those involved had powerful motives for protecting their identities. He quickly withdrew and rearranged the opening as he had found it.

Heading back toward Torpoint, he came across a rock formation that he had often used for imagining as a child—today he thought it a perfect spot for Miss Mary to sketch. With his thoughts turned to her, he sat on the stone to compose more words he wanted her to know. She was to arrive at Rosings in two days. His letter if written today and sent express would be waiting for her.

Miss Bennet,

Please forgive any distress this letter causes, but it occurred to me you might want to know how our investigating is proceeding. I also want to encourage you to enjoy yourself in Kent. There are many fine walks and Anne is in great anticipation of driving you around in her High Flyer. But do remember, if that is too frightening to insist on her taking you out in her low phaeton with ponies instead. I have been thinking about how pleased you must be to have Fiona back with you. She too deserves a rest and enjoyment. Her friend Houyhnhnm is stabled there. She should seek him out for some conversation.

His hope was to make her laugh and think pleasantly about their time together. As he remembered that day their animals met, he felt certain it had been a carefree time.

Captain Marlowe and I are staying at Torpoint, a property owned by Sir Hugo's and my father's cousin in Cornwall. It is but a few miles from Lady Lydon's property where Sir Walter is currently residing. Sir Humphrey Hawkins also lives not very far away. We are trying to uncover whether there is a connection between the two. So far all we have been able to ferret out is that there is smuggling going on in the region, and Sir Humphrey probably has something to do with it. Our theory is smugglers might deign to be highwaymen if the price was right.

Today while walking along the beach, I came across a cave I believe was used by those who trade in contraband. Unfortunately, we are not investigating that kind of activity. To this point, I have no proof of such men becoming highwaymen.

I have very fond memories of the house and area. My great grandmother lived here before her death, and my father brought me to visit when I was about eleven. The rugged beauty of the environs kept me occupied during a time when my mother was confined. You and Fiona would love it. I remember your tales of walking the shore of Brighton looking for items left by the tide. Today, I found some amber sea glass. I plan to put a hole in it to make a hanging for the housekeeper here. You told me about Lizzy doing the same.

We have several more days of investigating to accomplish. A discussion with Sir Walter's housekeeper is being arranged. Our hope is to determine why he is in the area. A trip to Penzance to meet Captain Marlowe's mother will be a pleasant diversion. I found out he was born in New York and she too was born in the colonies.

Upon the completion of our detective work in the area, we will return to London.

Again, I am so very sorry to have caused you pain. Please enjoy your time with Mr and Mrs Fitzwilliam and my sister.

God bless you, Fitzwilliam Darcy

Darcy immediately dispatched the letter. Mrs Darling gave him directions to Windward, and he rode off to investigate before Kit returned. Upon arrival, he became quite certain it was situated directly above the cave, but a bit too far from the cliff to be above the trap door. Tomorrow the two of them would investigate where the stairs led. He noticed in the distance there were small buildings much closer to the edge.

Captain Christopher Marlowe did not arrive back from Penzance until the next afternoon. He explained his mother had put him to work doing some heavy lifting in her garden.

"One of the reasons my father finally settled at the tip of
Cornwall was because of the kind of plants she could grow there. She was originally from Savannah in Georgia and loved being able to keep plants that reminded her of her childhood." Her son seemed to find his words humourous. "She insists I bring you to visit next week. You should enjoy what she has planned."

Darcy was intrigued by both Kit's chuckle and the fact his mother came from such an exotic location… not to mention her insistence on the precise time they should visit. When Kit said nothing more about his mother, Darcy's mind shifted to the mission ahead of them. He decided it time to communicate all he had uncovered yesterday. "Do you think it is safe to try the trap door?"

"I doubt it leads to a room in the house. How far back from the edge of the cliff was Windward set?"

"Much more than a thousand feet. I think I saw a shed or some other kind of small building or buildings much closer to the edge."

"Based on your information, I would say it is worth it to try to determine what it is being used for. On the other hand, it is not really what we are investigating."

"I agree, but I am certain the stairs are recently dug—that indicates to me Sir Walter is participating in the smuggling which would bring him into the acquaintance of unscrupulous men."

"I have a suggestion for a way to proceed with less risk. We ride along the edge of the cliff toward Windward. When we arrive at the outbuildings, we will be able to see whether any one is about."

"Excellent idea. Should we set out tomorrow early?