Two days later Darcy sat in his study reading the missive from his solicitor. It seemed that Scrivenshaw was going to be foolish about things. Darcy's solicitor reported he was no longer welcome at Scrivenshaw's solicitor's office and had ben directed to take the case before a judge.
It was clearly posturing, his solicitor continued in his letter. There was simply no way a judge would uphold Scrivenshaw's claim over Darcy's. What his solicitor did go on to detail was his suspicions on what was happening. He believed that Scrivenshaw was planning on selling the estate and articles of jewellery out from under Darcy. It would cause a legal tangle that would then take time and money to undo. While doing so was technically illegal when Darcy's claim was proven over Scrivenshaw's, by the time it was established to a judge and the ruling handed down, it would be likely the gentleman in question would have absconded with the funds to friendlier climes.
Darcy dropped the missive on his desk, he did not wish to read the rest of the letter. He could not honestly say that he had never dealt with the unscrupulous before. He had been in charge of his affairs for far too many years for that to be the case. He had always put Wickham up there on his list of unsavoury characters, along with those gentlemen that acted in reprehensible ways towards women and children. Scrivenshaw, despite his aunt's cautionary tale, had not struck him as being on a level with these men. It was an opinion he was quickly reassessing. He picked up the missive again reading through to the end. It contained the recommendations of his solicitor to get out in front of Scrivenshaw's plan but cautioned that it would while be the most expedient way to deal with the potential threat of the property being sold, equally, it would be the most public and would invite scrutiny from all sides.
By following this course of action, Darcy would throw fuel onto the fire of the scandal that was brewing in the ton around Scrivenshaw, and he would have to then reap the whirlwind of his actions.
In short, Darcy would have to be willing to become publicly part of the scandal, instead of one anonymous gentleman amongst a veritable horde of other gentlemen currently trying to settle their debts with the family. The gossips would rake over the details, and Darcy's business would be discussed and analysed all over the drawing rooms and parlours of London. His club would no longer be a safe space for him until it was resolved one way or the other.
The Earl would be furious if Darcy followed this course of action. He could refuse to acknowledge Darcy and Georgiana if he thought it would be prudent to.
Darcy rose and opened the door. He addressed the footman waiting in the hall, requesting that Georgiana and his aunt and Mrs Annersley be brought to him.
Settling back behind the desk he waited for the ladies to join him.
When they entered, he rose gesturing to the chairs before his desk.
"Is everything well, brother?" Georgiana asked with concern.
"I have received word from my solicitor, unfortunately, the news is not good. I wish to discuss with you all that I have learnt. Scrivenshaw has made his intentions plain. He will not relinquish the estate or articles of jewellery and intends to hold out, I presume in the hope that I shall surrender the claim. He has instructed his solicitors to inform mine that they will no longer discuss the matter until it is brought before a judge. My man believes this to be a delaying tactic. He fears that the property will be sold before the case can be heard. This would cause quite a legal tangle. While, if my claim was upheld, the sale would be illegal, it is no simple thing to then unpick." Darcy paused looking between the women to ensure they were following along.
Beatrice sighed. "I suppose that is that then. I thank you for trying. I am sorry that he has turned out so very bad."
"It may not need to be the end of things. I am loathed to let a scoundrel such as him get away with such behaviour. I have been assured that no judge would uphold his claim over my own. He has no legal footing on which to mount his defence, I am quite happy to file the claim to go before a judge and will do so with all due haste. What I wish to speak to all of you about is an option that was suggested to me to head off any potential sale of the property. It however will quite certainly cause a scandal to break, and we will be unable to avoid it."
"You cannot do so then," Beatrice said. "Georgiana has not been presented, to embroil yourselves in scandal would be foolish. You have too much to lose."
"Is there no other way brother? Or at least if there is not, would it really be a scandal? You are only acting in the best interests of our family and the law is on your side."
"What has been suggested to me is that the particulars of the situation be given to the gossip sheets. Not, the particulars of your marriage aunt, but of the way in which your property and wealth have been stolen from you. Given the current interest that is swirling around, with the existing rumours of debts and insolvency, it is a near certainty that the information would be picked up with alacrity and be across the whole of London within the day. This would have the advantage of it becoming widely known that the property was not lawfully Scrivenshaw's to sell, thus stymieing his attempts to find a buyer. It would also make the land agents aware that if they were to get involved in the sale, they could potentially be brought up on charges for brokering the sale of stolen goods. He is unlikely to take a low price given his circumstances, and if he wishes for a quick sale, the buyer will need to be in London.
I would ask if you would be willing to follow this course of action. There will be no escaping events once they are put into motion. This may cause a break with the Fitzwilliams, the Earl will certainly wish to distance himself from the scandal. It may very well delay your come out Georgiana, for a year if not perhaps two."
"I shall not mind," she replied quickly. "I do not wish to come out this year anyway. I would be quite satisfied being allowed to attend some events in Meryton with my friends and shall not repine being unable to dance."
Darcy looked over to Mrs Annersley. "If you do not wish to be associated with the Darcy name when the scandal breaks, I shall release you from your contract. I shall ensure that you will be paid the full sum and will do everything I can to aid you in finding another place. I cannot guarantee that that will happen before events are set in motion."
"Mr Darcy, I see no reason to leave your employ. If Georgiana is delaying her coming out, then you still require me. I shall stay Mr Darcy. I have no fear that you shall not prevail."
"I thank you Mrs Annersley."
"Nephew, I cannot allow you to do this."
Darcy turned to his aunt. She was quite very near tears. "I am afraid," he said gently, "that this is the only course that can be taken which has any guarantee the property should not be sold before I can reclaim it for you."
"It is not worth it," she said quietly.
"It is worth it. I promised you the protection of my name and position in society. I do not risk these things by following this course of action. The law is on my side, and it shall be borne out in due time. We shall be subjected to more scrutiny than I would like, but I do not advise we remain in London. I suggest that I send my solicitor instructions to proceed. I shall need to warn the Matlocks of the course I have taken, but in two days hence, we shall return to Netherfield. It is not so far that I shall have any difficulties in keeping abreast of things, but it shall remove us from the immediate circle of gossip. We shall spend Christmastide at Netherfield and then travel to Pemberley in time for the start of the planting to begin. By the time of Bingley's wedding in April, matters shall be resolved and we shall be able to take stock of the situation from there."
"I can say nothing to dissuade you?" Beatrice asked.
"I intend to see this through. I have no intention of going back on my word to restore to you that which is yours."
"Very well, then if you are decided," Beatrice nodded. "I thank you for your loyalty nephew, though I wish it should not cost you such a high price."
"Then you shall need to make ready to leave London in two days. If you wish for any shopping to be done between now and our departure I would ask that a footman be sent in your stead."
"I have nothing I need brother, though Aunt Beatrice's clothing will be ready for collection by the end of the week. I shall ask Mrs Frodsham to have it collected and sent on to Netherfield. Do you mind if I write to Longbourn and tell them of our return?"
"No, I shall be sending a missive to Bingley myself to let him know that we shall return. I shall inform him of the particulars though I do not believe he will revoke his hospitality."
"When shall you visit our aunt and uncle?" Georgiana asked. "I wish to attend with you to say my farewells. If you think that the Earl shall not receive us after he is informed, then I should like at least to see Aunt Sarah once more."
Darcy withdrew his pocket watch and checked the time. "It is a little after ten now, I shall leave within the hour, that way I shall be away before the first callers arrive. If you can be ready?"
"Yes," Georgiana agreed. "I shall be."
Darcy nodded. "Then if you will excuse me, I have some letters to write."
The three women rose leaving the room in a soft swish of skirts. Darcy retook his seat drawing forth pen and paper from his desk. The note to his solicitor was the work of five minutes agreeing with the suggested course of action and explaining that he would be leaving London and redirecting all his correspondence to Netherfield.
The letter he wrote to Bingley was succinct, he truly did not believe that his friend would turn him away, but he felt honour bound to explain the likely outcome of the events and warn his friend of the potential consequences. It was perhaps for the best that Bingley had settled in Netherfield and found his joy in Miss Bennet. The scandal that would touch Darcy should not touch his friend in the same manner as it would had they been in London together. Darcy was quite sure the Bennets would not repudiate Bingley because of it.
Arranging to have the letter to his solicitor taken by a footman, he requested the letter to Bingley sent express, with instruction for the man to wait for a reply. Darcy would not embarrass his friend by returning if they were truly not welcome. He then called for Hawes and Mrs Frodsham. The explanations he gave to his retainers were brief, they, being loyal employees to the Darcy family for many a year, expressed their dismay at the turn of events but assured Darcy that they would keep the house in good order.
The Matlock butler opened the door to them and directed the Darcy siblings to the front parlour. The countess bustled into the room some ten minutes later. "Darcy, whatever could induce you to call at such an early hour?"
"Is the Earl still at home?"
"Yes," she paused narrowing her gaze to focus upon him. "What foolishness have you committed to? She asked sharply. I have been told about this nonsense with this cousin and aunt of yours. I do not believe I shall ever acknowledge the connection. Nor should you have done so."
"I should rather explain this only once if we could adjourn to my uncle's study."
With a stiff look, she led the way back into the hall and down to the heavy oak door. Rapping once she let herself in trailing the siblings as she swept into the room. "We have visitors," she announced taking a seat in one of the chairs before the desk. Matlock looked over at them in displeasure.
"Well, take a seat then." He waved a hand at the remaining chairs. "I see you have come to inform us of some further folly you shall be undertaking. You are not going to take my advice and leave off with the whole affair."
Darcy waited until his sister was seated before taking his own. "No," he began. "The situation has become more complicated and as such I believe that further action shall draw the Darcy name into being publicly involved in the matter."
"You are inviting scandal!" their aunt declared. "You cannot go forth with this course of action. No, Fitzwilliam, we shall not allow it."
"I am afraid madam, that it is not permission I seek. I have come to tell you that actions have been set into motion and the likely consequences of such. I do not wish for the matter to become fodder for the drawing rooms any more than you do, but it has come to the point where that is the foreseeable outcome. I shall understand that this may require a cooling of our relationship." He nodded slightly to the Earl whose face was fixed in a mask of disapproval. "I wished to speak to you both myself and if you shall not recognise the relationship henceforth, Georgiana wished to say her farewells."
Darcy had not looked away from Matlock while speaking but he saw from the corner of his eyes his aunt flinch as she understood his meaning. The Earl too had noticed it.
"I shall not cut you publicly," he stated. "I am most displeased. Most displeased, that you have put this family in such a position. But as you say, you have the legal right of it and that shall be bourn out in due course."
"We do not intend to remain in London, we shall return to Netherfield and I shall remain in correspondence with my solicitor."
"Well, that is at least sensible," his aunt commented. "If you are not here then your behaviour shall not come under increased scrutiny. If this Scrivenshaw has confronted you in public once before it cannot be put past him to do so again, which would just fan the flames. When do you leave?"
"Two days hence. It shall take some time for matters to be organised but we shall be out of London before the gossip sheets print."
"Good god!" his aunt exclaimed quietly.
"What has occurred?" Matlock asked shrewdly. "Something must, if that is your course of action."
"It is believed that Scrivenshaw is looking for a buyer for the estate, he hopes to dispose of the property before a ruling from a judge can be handed down."
"Hrmmph," Matlock sat back in his chair. "Not entirely stupid of him, most would give up the claim, retrieving it shall be a deuced tricky job. Your man is capable?"
"Yes," Darcy replied.
"You shall have to see it through," Matlock said sternly. "If you do and get the property restored to its rightful owner the scandal shall not stick as long. A man who would steal from a widow is not one that shall be celebrated. You, at least, will be viewed as acting honourably. If it doesn't drag out too long and the courts can act quickly you may even get away with only six months out of society. Very well," he said. "I shall see you both this evening for dinner as planned."
Darcy took that as his cue and stood. Georgiana joined him as did his aunt. As they headed for the front door his aunt held Georgiana back speaking softly so Darcy could not hear. He stood patiently watching as the two women embraced then Georgiana came to him. Her smile faint and worry showing in her eyes.
Darcy waited until they were aboard the carriage to enquire after her health.
"I am well," she replied. "Aunt Sarah desired to reassure me that if I so wished it, I could remain with them, and it would be put about that I was under their protection, thus sparing me the scandal. I told her I would stand by you. She was not happy but did not gainsay me. I could not leave you, brother, after last year when you stood by me when you should have sent me away for my foolishness, I could not leave you. This scandal, if it is to become one, is not of your making and if I left you to take up with the Matlocks it would look as if I did not believe you to be in the right. Which you are. Neither you, nor our aunt Beatrice, should have to be so publicly scrutinised for the actions of one man when you have done nothing wrong."
"I thank you for your support, Georgiana. I would not prevent you, should you wish to remain with the Matlocks, they shall protect your reputation and you shall not have your chances of marriage harmed."
"I shall not leave you," she repeated.
