The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy (27 page)

Darcy understood the ploy for what it was. “You have permitted my wife to remain without her required tea for nearly an hour?” Darcy asked as a reprimand. “I find that as a dereliction of your responsibilities, Madam. I am most displeased.”

Mrs. Ridgeway's chin rose in defiance, but her words held the proper respect. “I apologize, Mr. Darcy. The tea kettle was dropped accidentally, and Mrs. Holbrook had to reset the service.”

Darcy gritted his teeth with fury. “Mrs. Darcy will serve. You may be excused for the evening, but I will have a word with you tomorrow.”

Mrs. Ridgeway's gaze finally fell on him. “Of course, Mr. Darcy.” She curtsied and turned reluctantly for the door.

However, Darcy's words stayed her retreat. “You will instruct the staff, Mrs. Ridgeway, not to return to the insolence I found at Woodvine earlier. I shan't consider another opportunity for those who align themselves against my position as the heir to this property.”

The housekeeper turned slowly to face him. “I shall relay your sentiments, Sir.” Another curtsy signaled the woman's withdrawal.

Silence held the room for several elongated seconds before Sedgelock ventured, “Quite a cheeky female.” The archaeologist straightened his waistcoat. “I am surprised Samuel Darcy tolerated the woman's impertinence.”

One eyebrow went up. Darcy responded, “I am not certain my cousin was subjected to Mrs. Ridgeway's peevishness. I am of the persuasion that only I bring out her less than stellar temperament.”

Elizabeth stepped around Darcy to retrieve the teacart. “I, too, have known the woman's rancor. The lady's slights have been most determined.”

Darcy assisted her with the tray. “If I thought you had not meted out your own form of discipline, Mrs. Darcy, I would summon Mrs. Ridgeway before you for a proper apology. I will have no one abusing my wife.”

Chetley asked, “Why not give the woman her walking ticket?”

Darcy growled, “Without a proper notice.” He set the service on a low table. “As soon as there is a resolution to this folly, many on Woodvine's staff will know my discontentment.”

Cowan suggested, “Perhaps I should ask Poore, McKye, and Maxton to join us.”

“An excellent idea,” Sedgelock said.

Edward instructed, “Close the door on your exit.”

Cowan nodded his understanding and disappeared into the poorly lit passageway.

Elizabeth asked, “Would you gentlemen care for tea while we await Mr. Cowan's return?”

Edward accepted the cup Elizabeth extended in his direction. “I appreciate the fact, Mrs. Darcy, that I must never remind you of how to prepare my tea.”

Darcy said affectionately, “It is one of Mrs. Darcy's more endearing talents, Cousin.”

Elizabeth protested, “No talent required, Sir. I simply listen to what others say.” She handed Mr. Franklyn a cup with two spoonfuls of sugar. Both Chetley and Sedgelock declined.

Edward seated himself beside Elizabeth again. “While we wait for Cowan, allow me to ask how we will proceed?”

Sedgelock responded first. “Obviously, the Society expects us three to catalog the late Mr. Darcy's collection.”

“Have you an interest in the contents of the room beyond Samuel Darcy's finds?” Edward inquired.

Chetley shook his head in the negative. “Unless the late Mr. Darcy outlined a particular find as a donation to the Antiquarian Society, we have no claim to whatever else the room holds. Of course, that does not mean the Society would not negotiate with Mr. Darcy and with the Earl of Rardin for the more superb discoveries, which may pique our interest.”

The door opened as Cowan ushered the three hired guards into the room. “Thank you, Mr. Cowan,” Darcy said as he handed a lighted candle to the Runner. “You will join us below. You three will remain here,” he instructed the men Cowan had secured through Tregonwell's contacts. “No one is to enter this room, and no one is to follow us into the passage.”

All three said in unison. “Aye, Sir.”

Elizabeth placed her cup on a side table as Edward stood. Darcy reached for his wife's hand. Holding a brace of candles high to illuminate their way, he led her into the room's damp darkness. The others formed a line behind the Darcys. Candlelight flickered off the brick and slate walls as they slowly edged their ways into the silent blackness.

They neared the bottom of the narrow stairs before Elizabeth jerked hard on his arm to halt Darcy's steps. Her fingers curled tightly about his sleeve. The others slammed into one another, and candlelight twisted and turned with their efforts to keep their balances. “What distraction holds your attention, Mrs. Darcy?” Darcy asked brusquely.

“Look, Fitzwilliam!” she said as she pointed to the dust-covered landing. “Someone else has been within.”

Darcy's gaze followed the line of her arm. His stomach rolled with trepidation as his eyes fell on the outline of what appeared to be a woman's boot in the patina of dust covering everything in the room. “No one move!” he snapped as he bent to examine the numerous imprints. He lifted the brace higher.

“What have you discovered, Darcy?” Edward asked inquisitively.

Darcy ran his finger along a line to remove the dust. Deep in thought, he said, “When Mrs. Darcy and I discovered this room several evenings prior, every display case, as well as the floor, was covered in dust.” He stood and showed the others the gray film covering his index finger. “We commented on how we were the only ones to have entered the room in some time because only our footprints covered the floor.” The others surreptitiously noted the imprints left behind by the Darcys. “Now there is a third set of prints visible in the dust.”

“But how?” Cowan asked suspiciously. “No one else knew of the secret lever.”

Darcy corrected, “That was what we assumed because there were no other displayed prints when Mrs. Darcy and I were present previously.”

Edward grumbled, “There is nothing easy about this mystery. I have never seen so many false clues.”

Elizabeth shifted her weight where she might examine the prints. “It appears whoever else has been below ascended the steps but did not descend them.” She pointed to where a distinctive footprint could be seen on the left hand side of the steps.

Cowan also knelt to examine the marks. “It is difficult to tell,” he mused. “We have tracked the right hand side in our descent. Unknowingly, we could have destroyed the evidence.”

Darcy concentrated on the multiple prints. “That may be true for the upper steps where Mr. Chetley waits, but not so on the lower steps where Mrs. Darcy stands. Without rotating or moving your feet, I would ask each of you to search for a similar shape to those to which Mrs. Darcy has indicated as distinct from her own. Notice my wife's print is significantly smaller than the fresher ones.”

Cowan strained to see those prints closest to where he crouched. “There is a slight notch in the left heel of each of these new prints. As if the sole had taken on a small stone or had been cut on a sharp surface.” The man's keen investigative skills never ceased to amaze Darcy.

Each member of the party craned his neck and bent in awkward positions to search the planks of wood upon which he stood; yet, none found any evidence to contradict what they had previously noted.

Darcy summarized, “Someone has been below, but he or she did not enter from the library. That means there is another entrance into Samuel's treasure room. Please step carefully. I would prefer to preserve several of these prints as evidence. I hope when we are within, there will be distinct markings indicating the other entrance.”

Cowan noted, “We require lanterns rather than candles.” The Runner instructed, “Chetley, please ask one of Tregonwell's men to retrieve several closed lanterns. No one else should move until we have more light.”

Chetley, who brought up the rear and who rested on the top step, did not take offense. Instead, the archaeologist said, “I will retrieve them myself. Everyone stay put. I will return momentarily.”

Franklyn asked anxiously, “Mr. Darcy, can you tell whether anything is missing?”

“I fear we must simply wait for Mr. Chetley's return. A single brace would do little to cut the darkness enveloping the interior room.”

Silence fell over the group. It was several minutes before Mr. Chetley reappeared, but when he did he had managed to find three lanterns. He passed them forward to Darcy, the colonel, and Mr. Cowan. “Mrs. Holbrook says there are two more in the stables if we require them.”

Darcy cautioned, “Again, take care with the placement of your steps. Once we have a better idea of what we have discovered, we may move about more freely.” He steadied his wife's dismount from the last two steps, and then Darcy lifted the lantern high to illuminate the area.

Behind him, Elizabeth cupped her candle's flame with her hand. Darcy could feel her nervousness along his backside. His wife held her breath, but she did not turn her steps. Most women of his acquaintance would be in fits of vapors, but not
his
Elizabeth. She held an invincible spirit. Since Aunt Catherine's censorious disapproval of his proposal, Darcy had often considered how much he wished Her Ladyship had permitted Elizabeth her due. Despite Lady Catherine's societal prejudices, Darcy had always admired the woman's ability to survive in a man's world. Although neither woman would admit it, he had noted bits of his aunt's personality in Elizabeth.

“Easy,” Cowan cautioned from somewhere behind him. “Do not rush.”

Darcy stepped into the interior room. Although it had been but a matter of days since he had last ventured into Cousin Samuel's private treasure trove, the room possessed a different feel, as if it held something more sinister.

Elizabeth trailed close behind him. His wife's hand occasionally tugged at his coat. She steadied her stance, as well as sought his closeness, and Darcy experienced a rush of protectiveness again.

Edward's lantern flashed with light as his cousin shouldered his way into the room. “Much smaller than I expected,” he muttered.

“Direct your lantern toward the far corner,” Darcy instructed.

Edward lifted the lamp high to illuminate the area. “Nothing evident,” Edward observed. “If there are prints, they rest along the aisle between the wooden cases.”

Darcy sighed heavily, his countenance grim. “There are sconces with candles along the wall. Perhaps you could see to them, Colonel.”

Edward turned to his right and gingerly stepped about the nearest display case. He retrieved a candle stub from his inside pocket. Setting the lantern on the nearest case, he lit the small piece of wax and used it to light several of the wall ornaments.

Cowan followed suit on the left-hand side of the room. The chamber would never know the light of day; therefore, the late Mr. Darcy had placed numerous sconces at different levels to illuminate the room. “Whoever entered without your knowledge, Darcy, did not tarry,” the Runner declared. “The footprints do not stray from the center aisle. He lifted his lantern high before motioning to the archaeologists to wait by the open threshold. “Let us trace the intruder's footsteps prior to our examining the cases. I am keen to locate the other entrance.”

“The prints come this way from the upper left corner,” Elizabeth observed. With her notice, it was easy for each of the men to see where the stranger's impressions hugged the side of the display cases. “One can see where the woman's dress trailed along behind her. Notice the swish of a curve across the heel print.”

“Excellent eyes, Mrs. Darcy,” Cowan said distractedly.

Darcy directed his words to the three scientists. “Enter carefully, Gentlemen, and permit Mr. Cowan his evidence. Join the colonel on the right if you will.” The men followed his suggestion, and Darcy breathed a bit easier. Edward would rein in the archaeologists' enthusiasm for Samuel Darcy's many treasures. Darcy returned his attention to the Runner. “Do you require my assistance, Cowan?” he asked as he watched the man run his fingers over a section of wooden planks.

“Describe the lever you found in the library,” Cowan said through gritted teeth as he tugged on each of the planks. “It is likely the late Mr. Darcy used a similar mechanism in this section of the room.”

Darcy had not moved since entering the room. He and Elizabeth stood in the chamber's main aisle. They turned to the others, but neither he nor his wife had stepped into the display aisles. “The lever felt similar to a nail used by a farrier. Flatter than those used for wooden tables and flooring. Thicker head. Cut into the side of the wall with the lever inset.”