The Deception at Lyme: Or, the Peril of Persuasion (Mr. And Mrs. Darcy Mysteries) (9 page)

“
Your
child?” Elizabeth said.

“Surely you assumed as much. I confess that I am not proud that he was born out of wedlock—I had intended to rectify that situation before her lying-in. Obviously, the events of this morning caught me unprepared.”

Obviously, Mr. Elliot was unaware that Sir Walter had already “rectified” Mrs. Clay’s marital status. “In searching for you, we met Sir Walter Elliot. He claims the child as his.”

Darcy’s announcement seemed to amuse Mr. Elliot. His lips curved into a half-smile. “Does he? I am all astonishment. Sir Walter is not the type of man to dally with a woman of Mrs. Clay’s station, nor to acknowledge a natural child if one resulted from such a liaison. Regardless, Mrs. Clay has been living under my protection long enough that no one can question my claim.”

“According to Sir Walter, she was under his protection when she died,” Darcy said. “They wed yesterday evening.”

The smile faded. “Indeed? Yesterday, you say? What fortuitous timing that would be, were it true. But Mrs. Clay was here in Lyme yesterday. Neither she nor Sir Walter are residents of this parish, and she was not absent long enough to have traveled to Kellynch and back without my knowledge.”

“He states they wed by special license.”

The muscles of Mr. Elliot’s pronounced jaw tightened. Calm control, however, quickly asserted itself. “And who witnessed this felicitous event?”

“I did not ask, as I had no reason to doubt his word on the matter,” Darcy said.

Mr. Elliot turned an earnest gaze upon Elizabeth. “As a parent yourself, Mrs. Darcy, you will understand why I cannot relinquish custody of the infant until presented with evidence that this alleged marriage in fact occurred. Indeed, if Sir Walter has such an interest in the child, why is he not here arranging for proper care of him?”

Darcy had been wondering the same thing. Sir Walter had been only too willing to delegate the retrieval of his son to a servant, but where
was
that servant? Their own stop to refresh themselves had delayed them sufficiently that Darcy had expected to find the child gone by the time they reached the Harvilles’ home. “When we left him, Sir Walter indicated that he would send an emissary presently.” He addressed Mrs. Harville. “Yet you said you have received no communication from his household?”

“None. This is the first I have heard of Sir Walter’s involvement.”

“By whose authority did the undertaker collect the remains?”

“Captain Harville’s,” she said. “As no one else was here to assume responsibility, Captain Harville took charge. Mr. Elliot approved when he returned.”

“See?” Mr. Elliot turned a smile upon Elizabeth. “Sir Walter clearly takes no interest in the matter. You and your husband must have mistaken his meaning in regard to his connexion to Mrs. Clay and his intentions for the child. Pray, hand me back the boy, that I may convey him to his nurse.”

Rather than relinquish the baby, Elizabeth held him still more protectively. “I think it premature for you to take him anywhere until the issue can be discussed with Sir Walter.” She looked to Darcy. “If you call upon the baronet again and advise him of the present state of affairs, he might come attend to this matter in person.”

The baby started to cry again. Mr. Elliot flinched. “Madam, how long must we endure these wails before you take pity on the poor child—on us all—and allow him to nurse? I insist upon delivering him to Mrs. Logan posthaste.”

Darcy could see that pity did occupy Elizabeth’s heart, and that she was acutely conscious of the infant’s distress. He also could read the distrust in her eyes as she regarded Mr. Elliot. It matched Darcy’s own.

“While this confusion with Sir Walter continues, resolving it must be your foremost concern,” Elizabeth replied. “I shall take the child to Mrs. Logan myself, or we can summon her here.”

Mr. Elliot frowned and stepped toward Elizabeth. “Indeed, I would rather—”

“Accompany me than transport a crying child?” Darcy finished. Mr. Elliot turned toward Darcy with an expression that indicated he had intended to end his sentence with an altogether different sentiment, but Darcy continued quickly. “What gentleman would not? You make an excellent suggestion, Mr. Elliot. Let us leave the infant in the very capable care of the ladies while we call upon Sir Walter to settle this question without further delay.”

Mr. Elliot stared at Darcy. Elizabeth caressed the infant’s back in slow circles and murmured indistinguishable words. The baby quieted again, though clearly his state of calm was but temporary. The only voices yet sounding were those of Lily-Anne and Ben, engaged in steady jabber as they divided the few remaining blocks, oblivious to the dissent among the adults in the room.

“Of course, time is of the essence,” Mr. Elliot said at last, “which is why I—”

A sudden wail sounded from the corner. Ben lay half sprawled on the floor, his lower lip quivering. Lily-Anne stood over him. In her hand was the last block.

“Lily-Anne Darcy!” Elizabeth strode to their daughter. “One does
not
push people. What has come over you today?” Her face was scarlet with mortification as she turned to Mrs. Harville, who was soothing the bewildered Ben. “Did she hurt him?”

Mrs. Harville shook her head and laughed softly. “He is only surprised. You forget that he has two boisterous brothers who are bigger and far less gentle. I think he spends more time on the floor than on his feet.”

“Nevertheless, her behavior is inexcusable.” At Elizabeth’s prompt, Lily-Anne apologized to Ben and offered him the block. The two-year-old accepted the offering and added it to his trove. “I assure you,” she said, “this simply is not like Lily-Anne.”

The toddlers’ tempest had awakened the infant once more. He now fussed in sympathy, though the principals had made peace. As his volume increased, Mr. Elliot shifted uncomfortably until he appeared on the verge of himself breaking down.

“I cannot tolerate his cries any longer.” He turned to Darcy. “If you insist upon consulting Sir Walter before allowing me custody of my own son, then let us proceed.”

The gentlemen headed for the door, and opened it to find another man just approaching the house. He was a medium fellow—medium height, medium build, middle-aged, his grey hair neither long nor short, his countenance not striking yet not altogether plain. He was modestly but neatly dressed in a dark brown suit, its sole embellishment a black band round one arm.

Were he not immediately in their path, he might have blended into the busy street and gone entirely unnoticed by Darcy. Mr. Elliot, however, stiffened and pulled the door shut behind them as the stranger reached the house.

“Mr. Elliot.” He spoke in a clipped tone. “I did not expect to meet you here.”

“Mr. Shepherd.” Mr. Elliot acknowledged him with equal rigidity.

“I had to hear this news from Sir Walter? You had not the decency to inform me?”

“I myself only just learned of Penelope’s death. When last I saw her, she was quite alive.”

The man swallowed and looked away, toward the Cobb that had taken Mrs. Clay’s life. After a moment, with greater composure, he turned back to Mr. Elliot and nodded toward the house. “Is she yet inside?”

“The undertaker has collected her.”

“Where has he taken her?”

“You shall have to ask the family within. I did not make the arrangements.”

“No, I doubt you would trouble yourself, given your passing acquaintance with the expectations of propriety. But that is just as well; I will handle the matter from here. The child—where is he?”

“Do you enquire for yourself or Sir Walter?”

“Both.”

“You may tell Sir Walter that I have made provisions for my son’s care.”

The man released a low, mirthless chuckle. “
Your
son? Not two days ago, you refused to make any such acknowledgment.”

Mr. Elliot shrugged. “I make it now.”

“It is irrelevant now. Yesterday, Sir Walter married Penelope and legally claimed paternity of the child as part of their marriage agreement.”

“Doubtless, you drew up the document yourself. Did Sir Walter even read it before he signed it? When was the last time he decided anything independent of your influence?”

“Where is the child?”

“I suppose you were also one of the witnesses to the marriage. Who was the other?”

“Miss Elliot.”

“Oh, that is just capital! The bride’s father and the groom’s daughter—two people who have even more interest in cutting me out of the entail than Sir Walter himself. Well done, Mr. Shepherd! Your years of managing and scheming have won extraordinary recompense. Your grandson may inherit Kellynch Hall before he is out of short pants.”

“I ask you again—where is he?”

“Find him yourself.” Without another word, Mr. Elliot walked away.

Darcy watched him go. He was certainly an unpredictable gentleman—solicitous one moment, cold the next, his interest in the child shifting with the sea breeze. Apparently, that interest was more financial than sentimental.

“Sir, might you be Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Shepherd asked. “You answer the description Sir Walter gave me of the gentleman who delivered the news of my daughter’s death.”

“I am he.” Darcy added his condolences, which Mr. Shepherd accepted with a nod.

“Sir Walter told me that you and your wife found Penelope. I thank you for the assistance you rendered her, and regret that Mr. Elliot has forced me to beg still more of you. Do you know where can I find the child? I enquire as both his grandfather and Sir Walter’s attorney.”

“He is within. Mrs. Darcy is preparing to take him to a wet nurse.”

Mr. Shepherd frowned. “Was the nurse engaged by Mr. Elliot?”

“No, by Mrs. Harville.”

That fact appeared to relieve Mr. Shepherd. “My commission this afternoon was dual: to collect the child and retain a nurse. I should like to accompany Mrs. Darcy and meet the woman. If she and her references prove satisfactory, the position is hers.”

“Mrs. Harville seems a woman of sense and discrimination. I trust you will find Mrs. Logan suitable.”

“I am also eager to speak with your wife. I understand she was with Penelope during her last hours.”

“She was.” Darcy paused. “I assure you, whatever comfort could be provided, Mrs. Darcy and Mrs. Harville offered.”

“I am grateful. As you surely surmised from my conversation with Mr. Elliot just now, Penelope’s … situation … these several months past was not what a father hopes. She bore mistreatment from individuals who should have demonstrated higher principles, and censure by those who did hold to high standards—or were better able to maintain the appearance of them. She did not have many friends at the end.”

*   *   *

Mrs. Logan met Mr. Shepherd’s requirements. Just as important, she met Elizabeth’s. Having seen the motherless infant through the turmoil of his first hours of life, Elizabeth could not have easily relinquished him to the care of just anybody. Fortunately, the young widow seemed a kind, well-mannered girl. Still grieving the loss of her husband, and now her child, she was struggling to maintain herself. The offer of respectable work was a godsend, and she was as grateful to enter Sir Walter’s employ and household as his vanity could desire.

Elizabeth—and Darcy, who had accompanied them—left the Elliot baby with his new nurse and Mr. Shepherd as the two settled the particulars of Mrs. Logan’s removal to Sir Walter’s lodgings. While Elizabeth and Darcy walked back to the Harvilles’ home to collect Lily-Anne and report the successful meeting to Mrs. Harville, Darcy related the quarrel he had witnessed between Mr. Elliot and Mr. Shepherd.

“The timing of Sir Walter’s marriage certainly proved fortuitous,” Elizabeth remarked when Darcy had done. “Otherwise, it might have required the wisdom of Solomon to determine which gentleman possessed a superior claim to the infant.”

“This all would have been much simpler if Lady Elliot had been capable of telling us to whom he belongs, or at least more about herself.”

“Even were she able, she might have been reluctant to disclose much. Both Sir Walter and Mr. Elliot seem far more interested in the child than in her.”

Darcy agreed. “Only Mr. Shepherd seems to be mourning her death, and his grief is tempered by consciousness of the impropriety surrounding his daughter’s marriage.”

“Minds more drawn to scandal than ours might wonder how she came to get married so close to her lying-in that the child was nearly a witness to the wedding, and to have two men claiming paternity.” Elizabeth recalled the image of Lady Elliot standing on the upper Cobb, the hard expression that had overcome her countenance. “When we saw her before the accident, she did not appear a happy woman, let alone a joyful new bride.”

“Did she speak at all once in Mrs. Harville’s home?”

“A few words. The only significant one was ‘Elliot’—though whether she referred to Sir Walter, Mr. Elliot, or herself is anybody’s guess. Later, once her laboring began, she recovered her senses briefly and said ‘pushed’ after having strained toward birthing.”

Lady Elliot had said that word twice; it was the last word she ever uttered. She had never regained consciousness again to see the result of those pushes: the fragile little creature who, having been delivered from the womb with his mother’s final breath, was now being delivered to his proud father in a hack carriage.

Elizabeth and Darcy reached the Harvilles’ home and entered to the noise of childish squeals. This time, however, they were sounds of delight. Lily-Anne and Ben were playing, the shoving incident utterly forgotten.

Forgotten by the toddlers, that is. Despite Mrs. Harville’s assurances, Elizabeth still could not quite comprehend it. Nor the earlier flight of Bald Betsy off the dressing table at Mangled Maggie’s stuffed hands. Lily-Anne was not by nature an aggressive child, nor given to violent outbursts. What an aberrant day her daughter was having! But then, there had been nothing normal about this day for any of them.

Lily-Anne, in fact, was probably the least affected by recent events. She had not even witnessed the lightning bolt that destroyed the ship and which, in Elizabeth’s mind, had signaled the start of the chaos that claimed them all day. Lily had been looking in the other direction entirely, toward the harbor side of the Cobb.
Sea, Mamma, sea!