An (Un)believably Artful Theft (Love’s Little Helpers #4)

Chapter 36

CHAPTER 36

D arcy would have departed for London that same night, but travel after dark was perilous, and he had Georgiana’s safety to consider. Still, he had no time to waste getting to London. Neither did he expect Georgiana to reside under the same roof as Miss Bingley for a moment longer than necessary. Therefore, they left at dawn.

Bingley’s stay at Netherfield Park was coming to an abrupt end. Darcy knew his friend would deal with his sisters but did not wish to be present for it. No punishment could atone for what they had done to Elizabeth. The damage to her reputation, to her family, to the very skill she cherished… As sick as it made Darcy to contemplate, he could think of nothing else.

Had he not been so focused on that blasted Rembrandt, he would have known something was amiss. He would have suspected that Bingley’s sisters were not merely socializing with their neighbors but were tearing down a lady whose cleverness and accomplishments made them look inferior.

The evidence had been there, neatly laid out before him, but he had been like a horse wearing blinders. Elizabeth’s sketches, her long walks alone in the cold and rain… He had even seen the place where she worked, had watched her enter that rundown hut, and he had made no further inquiry.

So many clues, so many hints! Even her vivacity was reflected in her paintings! How had he not noticed? Every mile they traveled away from Longbourn added to his regret. Had he been more observant, he might have spared her.

“Who would have imagined that my painting would end up in the Hertfordshire countryside, in Mr. Bennet’s study?”

Georgiana’s voice was a welcome interruption, and Darcy would rather tell her about the painting than about how he had convinced Mr. Bennet to allow him to dance with Elizabeth the night before. He replied honestly. “All manner of treasures can be found at the marché ouvert .”

She huffed. “I suppose I ought to be grateful that George was too desperate for money to sell it to a private collector. Otherwise, it never would have ended up in that awful place.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why did you lead me to believe Richard was responsible for your bruise when there is clearly much more to the story? I thought you despised deception.”

Feeling lower than he had felt a minute ago, Darcy determined to salvage what he could of his sister’s trust by revealing the details he had left her to fill in on her own until now. “Richard was responsible. I had the situation in hand?—”

“You were surrounded by a pack of ruffians at Seven Dials!” Richard exclaimed. “I saved your sorry hide!”

“Had you not interrupted when you did, I would not have taken a blow to my eye.”

“Had I not scared them off with my scimitar, you would not have walked out of St. Giles in one piece.”

“I wish I could be more like Elizabeth,” Georgiana said, bringing an abrupt end to their altercation.

Richard recovered first. “What? How so?”

“Her loyalty is selfless and fierce. She risked her reputation and prospects for the benefit of her family, and they did not even know what she was doing for them.”

“Sounds imprudent to me,” Richard said, one eyebrow arched. Darcy could see he was goading her.

Georgiana snapped back, “It is selfless and honorable! She put her family’s needs before her own, and I admire her for it. There is only one other person I know who does not hesitate to do the same.”

“Who is that?” Richard asked, chest puffing out in preparation of praise.

“My brother!”

Darcy did not deserve her praise―he believed quite the opposite. He clenched his jaw shut and looked at the fog through the window as guilt for his failure washed over him all over again. It was still dark enough that his reflection stared back at him disappointedly. He had promised Mr. Bennet to leave for London immediately after the ball if he was permitted to dance just once with Elizabeth. There was nothing honorable about promising the gentleman something he had already promised his sister he would do.

“Do you love her?”

Georgiana’s question hit him like a blow to the stomach. He did. He loved Elizabeth with a force he had not believed possible. His heart had broken when her hopes were crushed and there had been nothing he could do to make immediate reparation. More than anything, he wished he could reverse time. He would have helped her. He would have sensed the malevolence of Miss Bingley’s danger, and he would have protected Elizabeth.

“Do you?” Richard asked.

“Leave me alone, Rich.”

“Well, do you?” Georgiana repeated.

Even had he wished to, Darcy could not speak. His chest tightened around his answer.

“Answer me this: Does she at least have a chance?” Richard pressed.

“Do not do this. Not here. Not now,” Darcy begged.

Richard leaned forward. “Do you love her?” he asked in his commanding tone.

“It is complicated.”

“Hogwash! You either love her or you do not. It is simple. ”

“If I do, do you not think she deserves to hear about it before anyone else?”

Richard elbowed Georgiana, and they both grinned widely. “After we escaped from St. Giles, I told Darcy that he would thank me for packing him off to Hertfordshire!”

“ You accepted Mr. Bingley’s invitation?” exclaimed Georgiana. “No wonder he was so cross!” She looked at Darcy. The way they carried on frustrated him. Did they not see the problem?

Richard nodded at him. “He still looks cross.”

Their optimism was unbearable. “Do you not realize that I cannot make both you and Elizabeth happy? Georgie, you are my family, my blood. I cannot disappoint you. It is not in me, and I beg of you not to ask me to do it.”

Richard rubbed his whiskers, his eyes squinting thoughtfully as he looked at her. “You did say you admired Miss Elizabeth for putting her family first.”

Her response was to roll her eyes in the manner that girls of sixteen were especially accomplished in doing and to flail her hands heavenward. “Then make her your family, too!”

Darcy’s heart raced at her suggestion, but it was not that simple. “Do you realize what you are saying? I promised that painting to you. It is yours.”

Her rebuttal was firm and confident. “I shall take comfort knowing where it is and that it is security for the future of my sister.” She paused for a moment, her tone softer when she added, “You have done everything for me, Fitzwilliam. It would make me so happy to do this for you.” Her eyes glistened and her lips quivered.

Her sincerity gave him hope. “Are you certain? Do you understand what this means? Mr. Bennet refused to allow me to purchase the painting.”

She did not waver. “Then my Rembrandt will stay at Longbourn until Mr. Bennet sees fit to part with it.”

“It could be a long time. Decades.”

“I would rather gain such a sister than recover the painting.”

The carriage felt too small to contain his joy and traveled far too slowly for his purpose. “I will need your help. I cannot do what must be done quickly enough on my own. You too, Rich.” Despite the gravity of the task before them, Darcy’s heart soared. All the energy he had devoted to finding the Rembrandt would be spent salvaging Elizabeth’s reputation.

Georgiana leaned forward. “Tell me what to do.”

Darcy pulled the sketch of his likeness out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Show this to Aunt Matlock while she is entertaining. Speak well of the young lady who drew it. Let them know her name. Show them her hidden initials.”

Georgiana squealed, already looking for the E.B. in the drawing. That had been yet another clue he missed. Georgiana had been looking for Elizabeth’s initials in the landscape paintings, not Caroline Bingley’s. Later that afternoon, Darcy had searched his sketch and had found a small E in one eye―not a C―and a B in the other. Even with that, he had not figured out what Georgiana knew! He had been too angry.

“There they are!” She pointed at his eyes, showing Richard.

“The apple of Darcy’s eye,” Richard teased, then became serious. “What do you need me to do?”

Darcy took a deep breath. He had a fortune at his disposal, but if his plan was to work, he would have to strike quickly. “You will help me scour every art gallery and pawn shop. We will enlist the help of your batman, my valet, my man of business, and a few other reliable men I intend to hire. I will call at Sotheby’s, and we will return to the old woman at Seven Dials. Also, I shall write to Elizabeth’s uncle Philips in Meryton. She had to have help, and he is capable.”

“What are we looking for?” Richard asked, his hand already resting on Connie’s hilt, ready for action.

“We will find every work of Mario Rossi. We will tell everyone my desire to own his entire collection, part of which I will display at my London house and the other part at Pemberley.”

“Once word gets around, you will have competition.”

“Which is why we must act swiftly. We will make the paintings scarce at the same time their popularity is surging among our circles. Mario Rossi will be praised by ladies and gentlemen whose opinions are sought out and emulated. When the real identity of Mario Rossi is learned, they will watch my reaction, and I will show them the initials. ”

Georgiana clapped. “The paintings will become even more desired! Everyone will want to have a chance to find the hidden initials!”

Richard leaned back. “And anyone fortunate enough to already have a Mario Rossi will be proud to display their art.”

“I will open Darcy House and Pemberley for them to see how proud I am to own Elizabeth’s work. They will not doubt the lengths to which I will go to defend her. If I wield my influence correctly, they will defend her too.”

Richard shook his head, a grin spreading over his teeth. “I like you more when you are in love. You are quite dashing, you know.”

“Quite the romantic hero,” added Georgiana. “The ladies’ fans will flutter!”

They teased him all the way to London. Darcy let them have their fun. He had a plan that just might work, and that hope lent him humor.