The Question of Consent
By DJ Clawson
A sequel to "A Bit of Advice"
Chapter 5 – North and South
Darcy was up early, as usual, and his coffee was hot and ready for him. He was already dressed for his excursion when Georgiana, usually a later sleeper, appeared quite obviously in traveling winter clothes. "If you would permit me, I wish to accompany you."
"I have other business first – before the Gardiners. Banks and the like. I am to call on them for lunch, if you wish to meet up them."
"Brother," she said, taking his arm in the way she did when she really wanted something. "Balls and shopping are only so exciting and you know it. If there is to be an exciting mystery to be solved, I demand to be part of it."
"It may not be so exciting. It may involve bank records and talking to stewards."
"All the same." She twisted tighter around his arm and smiled at him. She must have known he could not resist that smile. Lizzy, it was her eyes. Georgiana, her smile.
"Very well. We will be the Darcy Detective Agency," he said.
"Elizabeth will never forgive us for excluding her."
"I will write and tell to join us if we discover anything truly exciting," he said. "But I do doubt it."
It was a cold, clear day, and the London streets were of course disastrously muddy, but for their first mission, he had them park the carriage several blocks away before approaching the small offices on the corner. So small were they that the proprietor emerged to greet them even in the December cold. "What'd ya want?"
"I am seeking to inquire a property in this district," Darcy said, tapping his cane into the mud with some authority. "I believe I have found a house most suitable to my needs, and I rarely see life in it, so I assume it is available. Would you be interested in showing it to me?"
"Which one?"
Darcy gestured. "The third, on the left."
"Oh, I'm sorry, good sir, but it is most recently taken by a gentlemen from the North. A Scotch."
"I see. And he intends to stay?" Residences were transitory at the beginning, before they became established, furnished, and passed down between generation and generation.
"I don' know sir, but he paid out the year. More, I can't tell you. Wouldn't be proper, intrudin' on a gent's business."
"Of course not," Darcy said, and slipped a sovereign into the man's palm. "I merely seek to understand the best way one should pay for such an a townhouse."
"Cash," said the renter. "He paid in cash. Or so I was told by the owner of the block, if you want t'talk to 'em."
"No, thank you. I believe I will be making my further inquiries through the proper channels." He tipped his hat. "Good day to you, sir."
The man had no hat to tip, but he bowed rather grandly to the obviously wealthy gentleman before him, and the Darcys made their way back to the carriage.
"What does that mean?" Georgiana asked as soon as they were back in the safety of their carriage. "Do you think it a large sum?"
"Possibly. It could mean any number of things. The Gardiners, I'm sure, will be able to shed some light on the subject."
Before their lunch appointment, they made three stops, all to different banks, inquiring to see if a certain Scottish earl had recently opened an account there. Banks were a bit more on the official side, and outright bribery and his own personal connections could only get Darcy far enough to tell that no, the earl had not opened accounts with these banks, but there were many banks in Town and he would have gone to any one of them. With this tiny knowledge gained, a frustrated Darcy returned to his sister in the carriage and they made for Cheapside.
He had sent a message ahead, so the Gardiners were expecting them, and their children delightfully rushed them at the door. Georgiana was more than obliging, kneeling to their level after her muddy coat was removed. Normally, the formidable Mr. Darcy would be more put off with young children climbing all over him, but somehow, the last year had endeared him more to the idea. "Mr. Gardiner. Mrs. Gardiner."
"So lovely to have you by," their hostess said.
"Odd circumstances, though," Mr. Gardiner said in that smirking way of his. Darcy had explained a bit of it in his letter, only that he was looking into the credits of a suitor for someone in the family. Since they would have heard extensively from their sister had it been Mary or Kitty, and Georgiana was coming with him, it could really only be one person, and he guessed they had the ability to surmise that. "Shall we dine?"
There was some talk of recent events, and they asked fervently how Jane was doing, and he replied that she weathering things quite well, especially with Elizabeth by her side, and Geoffrey would be walking any day now.
"Then you won't know what to do with him," said Mrs. Gardiner, clearly delightfully exasperated by her own children running too and fro.
"I hardly know now."
Eventually Mrs. Gardiner bid the Nurse to retire her children, and they got down to business.
"Australia, from what I've heard," Mr. Gardiner explained, "is a risky venture. They say there is gold to be found there, but I've yet to see a man return with a fortune in it, or any at all. It's mainly thieves, ruffians, and natives. Not a proper colony at all. But that of course says nothing of this earl's success."
"What about the apartment?"
"You say he paid in cash? For a year, on that street? It must have been a good sum."
Darcy nodded.
"I don't see," Georgiana said, refusing to be removed from the affairs. "Is it not the most efficient means to pay for something? Any landlord would take cash, and if he was meaning to be expedient, it would be the best way."
"Yes, but that amount ... it would be unweildly."
"But he had it – he made it in Australia!"
"Georgiana," Darcy said, "it is not as if he came on a ship with a bag of gold stuffed under his mattress. The only way to insure the safe return to the wealth would be to deposit it in an English branch of a bank in the capital – "
" – Sydney," said Mr. Gardiner."
"Sydney. And then the funds would be ready for him here. But surely, to pay for the apartment, he would pay by check, for convenience's sake. One does not walk up and down the streets of Town with a bag of coins looking for a place such as that to live."
"Unless – unless he didn't want the money to be traced," Mr. Gardiner said, taking a sip of his tea. "Then he would want to pay in cash."
"You mean if the money was ill-gotten?"
"Or non-existent," his uncle explained. "Suppose, for a moment, he had no money, only a reputation for having money, if we must assume the work. He could go to a bank, perhaps a less reputable one, and say that the funds were in transfer, and needed some spending money, and he could take out a considerable loan. But a landlord on a square such as that would not take an obvious loan, so he would go to another bank, cash the loan check, and then have all the money to present himself as a wealthy man – for a time."
"Until he found someone suitable to pay off his debts," Darcy suggested.
"Precisely. Of course, this is all just conjecture, but I could make considerable inquiries into the banks I do regular business with ... and the ones I do not. For the family's sake, of course."
"If you would, we would be most grateful. I have not had much luck. And it may all be for nothing, of course, and Lord Kincaid may be a most eligible bachelor."
"Indeed, he may be. But you doubt it, don't you, Darcy?"
Darcy could not reply with anything but that he did.
When they were back in the carriage, Darcy turned to his sister, "Georgiana – "
"What is it you want me to do?"
"You realize, you should not be involved in these – "
" – most improprietous matters?"
He shook his head. "Definitely from Elizabeth."
"Why is she not here? Because of Jane?"
"Perhaps she will join us, if the need arises. But until then, yes. So you will have to be my Elizabeth and have the very daunting task of distracting Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst for a while."
"Brother! It is not so very daunting," she said confidently. "I have been doing it for years."
He never should have doubted her, but he was want to say it. They were relatively silent until they reached the Bingley house. It was now early afternoon, almost time for high tea. Darcy was fairly sure Bingley was out on some business with his steward, but he was not his objective. They were greeted by the servants and then by the Bingley sisters, doing needlepoint in the drawing room, which Georgiana eagerly joined and Darcy bowed to them and disappeared up the steps.
If his timing was correct, Mr. Hurst was in the middle of one of his infamous treatments. A knock on the door confirmed it. There was some muffled discussion, and then a loud Mr. Hurst calling, "Come in!"
Darcy entered to Mr. Hurst at a chair, his left foot soaking in a tin filled with colored water. Beside him was Dr. Maddox, who bowed stiffly, and then continued fiddling with his various tinctures and equipment. "Doctor, if I may have a moment – "
"Of course," Dr. Maddox said, and scampered out. "Of course."
It was only when the door was closed and he was soundly gone that Mr. Darcy turned to Mr. Hurst, who for once did not look so soundly drunk or in pain. In fact, he looked quite comfortable and coherent. "Brilliant man. Done wonders for this blasted foot."
Darcy did not gaze at the exposed ankle in the water. "So I hear. Tell me, how long has Dr. Maddox been in your employ?"
"Oh, I would say - just over a month now."
"And his credentials?"
"Looking for a suitable doctor for Pemberley? You'll have to steal him from me."
"Perhaps I shall," Darcy said with a false but necessary smile. "How did you come to know him?"
"Recommendation. I went through several city doctors. Their treatments were all rubbish, of course, so I applied to a friend of mine, one with tumors, and he gave me a private recommendation. Doctor Maddox, as you may have heard, was trained at Cambridge. Your alma mater, is it not?"
"Precisely the one."
"He's quite a scholar, you know. Speaks five languages. Caroline even gets to practice her Italian around him. She gets such little chance – perhaps what she sees in this Kincaid fellow."
"So Miss Bingley has had chance to talk with your doctor?"
"Well, he's here so often, and of course I'm not about to let him run off to another patient while my foot it soaking in ... this," he temporarily lifted his foot out of the shady water, and Darcy got to see the full extent of the poor man's gout. Only years of training in maintaining composure in all circumstances prevented him from turning away in disgust. "So he talks to Caroline. Or, he used to."
"Used to?" He added quickly, "If I'm not intruding. It is just that I am not accustomed to hear of Miss Bingley making conversation with servants."
"I think they had a bit of a falling out around the time Kincaid showed up," Mr. Hurst said. "You can probably guess why."
"You are mistaken. I have no idea."
"Come on, Darcy. You're much smarter than I am, and even though you've been here but three days, you're already in my room, talking to me about Caroline and Dr. Maddox. When have we ever had a conversation such as this?"
When had they ever had a conversation at all? Mr. Hurst was usually in a drunken stupor by the dinner bell. But Darcy kept his cool composure. "What are you implying?"
"You know and I know that Dr. Maddox, despite being of rather distinguished birth, is no match for Caroline. His older brother inherited everything and blew it on a venture in East India, leaving him nothing. And perhaps Caroline will not stand to live on Bingley's pounds any longer, I don't know. The woman's a mystery to everyone."
"I had no idea of his circumstances."
"You wouldn't. But I do. And Caroline does." He took a sip of his tea, which had been resting on the bed stand. "So now I think we have a perfect understanding of the situation."
"I wouldn't say perfect, but yes." It was taking him a lot of energy to maintain his cool composure, so taken back by Mr. Hurst's bizarre behavior. "I confess it seems I have not given you proper credit in the past, Mr. Hurst."
"We are very different; I am a fat old fool and you are a wealthy young man of stature. So we will continue these roles because it puts everyone at ease. I will be drunken and oblivious – which I admit, after a couple of shots, I might well be – and you will maintain your position as an impartial observer on this whole matter, which can hardly be why Mr. Bingley called you into Town so suddenly."
To this, Darcy could only say, "Quite right." He bowed, and eagerly left the room.
This was all more complicated than he thought.
When Master Bingley did return home, it was with a glorious expression that could only mean he had just been designated Prince Regent or he had good news from Jane. "She says she is quite well, Darcy," he said, not reading the long letter in its entirety. "Her mother and sister have arrived and are keeping her company while Elizabeth is in the North."
"What?" It was not said in anger, but in surprise. "She's in the North?"
"So it says, with Mr. Bennet. I've no idea why. I haven't gotten that far. Why don't – " But before Bingley could finish, Darcy grabbed the letter out of his hands and began to scan it himself, even though a letter from wife to husband was the most private kind. This was Elizabeth they were talking about.
She had gone north with Mr. Bennet – they were to visit the lowlands and see the Kincaid lands themselves. There were many assurances from Jane that she had tried to dissuade them, and that they would be returning shortly, but Darcy had to hold back his instincts to crumble the letter – which was not his property – in disgust. "It seems Lizzy will not be idle. She's gone to the Kincaid estate in shire with our father-in-law." He handed the letter back to Bingley.
"Well," Bingley said, "you can't be all that surprised."
When Darcy was done imagining all of the horrible things that could happen to her on those terrible Scottish roads, he had to admit Bingley was correct. This was exactly something Elizabeth would do; he had to expect it, even be amused by it. "I could go after her."
"I would not stop you. However, by the time you catch up, she'll probably be on her way back. We must post to Jane, to keep us updated. Or perhaps you will get a letter from Mrs. Darcy herself." He was trying to be assuring. "Darcy, you cannot be angry at her for this."
"I am not angry," he said. "I am just ..." He couldn't bring himself to say, worried. "We should never have told them."
"Are you joking? When they found out they were left in the dark, we'd never hear the end of it. And I'm sure Elizabeth will handle herself. Besides, she is under her father's care."
Yes, as if an aged Mr. Bennet as her knight protector was any comfort to Darcy. "Fine," he grumbled, seeing as how nothing useful could be done. "You will excuse me. I must dispatch a courier or two." Or three. Or ten thousand.
"Of course." Bingley put a hand on his shoulder. "She will be fine, Darcy. I'm sure of it." How he was able to go from the obliviously revealing idiot to the great comforter was truly impressive. Unfortunately, Darcy did not have time to be impressed. He had business of the most urgent kind, that for the first time in several days did not involve Miss Bingley.
Darcy was barely in the door of his own apartments when Georgiana greeted him baring a letter. "From Elizabeth." It was still sealed. Without explanation, he frantically door it open,
Dearest Husband,
By now Jane has probably spilled it to Mr. Bingley that we've gone North, and Mr. Bingley has unwittingly told the last person he should have told, which of course is you. Not meaning any deception on my part, but I will not have you riding all the way to Scotland from Town on behalf when you have perfectly good business there. (Or perfectly bad business there – you have been rather lax about writing how things are progressing)
Papa and I are well and have located the estate of Lord Kincaid, Earl of shire, which is apparently currently occupied by his younger brother. It is not terribly far from the border and our appearance there will be brief. Papa insisted that if you are to be involved in clandestine affairs in Town, then it is only fair that I should have my own secret investigations elsewhere, if this is to be a true and equal partnership, and is it not a sin not to honor one's parents?
Be assured that we have taken several men with us and we shall be perfectly fine, though I am sure you will hole yourself up in your home now so you can secretly fret about where no one can see you. I am sorry to miss it, because it is rather amusing.
I will write as soon as we have more news. Please do the same.
Know that I love you most dearly and do mean only to aid you in your investigations in the best avenue available. Geoffrey is well within the walls of Kirkland and he has definitely not said his first word and it was definitely not a hilarious pronunciation of his name. Just so you know.
Your Loving and Always Very Obedient Wife,
Elizabeth
"Well?" Georgiana said, somewhat impatiently. "What does it say?"
It always amazed him that Elizabeth had the ability to annoy the daylights out of him and yet make him love her all the more because of it.
Next Chapter – The Earl of Kincaid