Authors: M. A. Sandiford
8
March 1815
Spring had come, and fruit trees were in
blossom. In his hired carriage, Darcy sat opposite Theodore Avery, whom Lady Regina
Havers had recommended as cultural guide. They had set off from Mantua after
lunch, and would shortly enter Verona, the final leg of his tour.
Leaving Elizabeth behind in Venice had
been hard: all his protective instincts rebelled, and he had gone only under
the conviction that this was her wish. He understood now that in helping her family
he had increased her feelings of guilt. It upset her deeply that he had borne
the main cost of rescuing Lydia, and she was obviously afraid that he had come
to Italy mostly in order to rescue
her
—establishing a comparison
that was hardly flattering. What had finally decided him was his trust in
Edward Havers, who planned to return to Verona in March, and thence to
Switzerland, where they would wait for an opportunity to cross the Alps.
Leaning out of the window, Darcy
recognised the pink roofs of the ancient Roman city centre, with the Lamberti
tower just visible in silhouette. Impatiently he called out to Avery, who was
dozing. ‘Nearly there!’
The guide roused himself for a token
glance. ‘Twenty minutes should see us through the city gate.’
In which case, all going well, he would
see Elizabeth within the hour. Edward’s party was to have arrived the day
before, and should be installed at the Hotel Leoncino, chosen for its proximity
to the Roman amphitheatre.
And what then?
He hoped, of course, to accompany them
to England: Edward, scarcely the most practical of men, had begged him to do
so. But what of Elizabeth? In Venice he had sensed a change in her feelings.
First suspicious, then embarrassed by guilt, she had relaxed and started to
confide in him. How would she respond to the prospect of a long journey in his
company? Did she fear he would renew his attentions?
But there were reasons for optimism.
Whatever Elizabeth thought of him, she would surely value the security of a
second Englishman joining the group. After all, they would not be thrown
together constantly: he would spend time with Edward, and she with
Céline—and
perhaps also Lady Havers if Sir Ambrose’s widow had accepted the dower and decided
to settle in England …
Or was it Regina’s plan to entice Edward to
the altar, once a proper period had elapsed?
Darcy relaxed, recalling the beauty of
Florence and the grandeur and fascination of Rome.
Edward ran into the foyer of the
Leoncino exactly as the clocks struck seven, the time of their rendezvous.
‘Darcy! Thank God you’re here.’
His agitation alerted Darcy. ‘What has
happened?’
‘Let’s get a drink.’ Edward led him to a
lounge where a sideboard held two decanters.
‘Is everyone well?’ Darcy demanded.
‘Where is Miss Bennet?
Céline?’
Breathlessly Edward poured two glasses and
took a hasty swig, dribbling red wine down his chin. ‘Céline is upstairs with
the maid. Miss Bennet …’
‘Yes?’
He sank into a divan, head in hands. ‘I’ve
made an unholy mess of things.’
Darcy sat beside Edward and tried to
keep his voice calm. ‘Where is she?’
He spread his palms. ‘I don’t know.’
A jolt ran through Darcy’s body. ‘Was
she lost during the journey?’
‘She never
began
the journey.’ He
took a deep breath. ‘It happened the day before we planned to leave Venice. I
had been on an excursion to Castello with
Céline and our English maid. Returning, we found
the house abandoned except for a footman. Communication was difficult since he
spoke little English, but it seemed there had been a change of plan: the
Carandinis had gone to visit friends and were not expected back for two weeks.’
‘And Miss Bennet?’
‘Went with them.’ Edward looked up, his face
reddening. ‘According to Céline he said that Miss Elizabeth was to remain
permanently
in Venice, and that a
happy announcement
was imminent.’
‘An engagement to Carandini?’
‘I assume.’
Darcy swallowed. ‘And their destination?’
‘I pressed him repeatedly but learned only
that they had gone to the region north of Venice where Prosecco wine is made.’
‘What did you do next?’
‘What
could
I do?’ Edward took out a
handkerchief and mopped his brow. ‘I’m sorry, Darcy, but I had to stick to my
original plan. Our crossing to Mestre was booked, as well as our carriage to
Verona. We stayed overnight at the house, and left the next morning.’
‘Did you speak to Carandini’s cousin Mario?’
‘No time.’
‘Surely …’ Darcy broke off, realizing that
Edward had done his best in a difficult situation. He refilled their wine glasses,
struggling to collect his thoughts. His impulse was to find a horse and leave for
Venice, but a night-time gallop through unfamiliar countryside was pointless.
No, he would remain in Verona overnight, hire a local driver, and leave in the
morning.
He put a reassuring hand on Edward’s shoulder.
‘You acted for the best. Let us dine now and discuss further.’
They found a corner table in the Leoncino’s elegant dining room and
ordered platters of polenta, lentils and sausage meat. While they waited,
Edward outlined the events of the last two months, which had seen some oddly
shifting alliances.
‘It began with Lady Havers.’ Edward met Darcy’s eye. ‘Did you notice how
she sought my company?’
‘A most alluring woman,’ Darcy said with a grim smile.
‘I can concede that she formed a sincere attachment to my brother. But
myself? I think not. Or rather, only because I am now baronet.’
‘You gave her no encouragement?’
‘I was charmed at first, but wearied of her. Noticing this, Lady Regina
redoubled her efforts for a day or two and then suddenly dropped me. I was
upset that she also ignored
Céline.’
‘And her brother?’
Edward raised his eyebrows. ‘Continued his
attentions to Miss Bennet, but with one alteration. For the first time he began
to compliment her. It was embarrassing in its clumsiness, but also a relief. Rehearsals
were
requested
rather than demanded. He even found aspects of her performance
that he could praise.’
‘Was Miss Bennet impressed?’
Edward looked away as a waiter approached with
their food. ‘Hard to say.’ He raised a finger. ‘You remember the younger
sister, Maddalena?’
Darcy nodded. ‘A sweet child.’
‘Clever too, and not an admirer of her
brother. I overheard her once whispering a warning to Miss Bennet.
Be
careful of Gabriele, he is bad man
. I think she became attached to Miss
Bennet. As did
Céline.’
After eating in silence for a while,
Edward asked, ‘And your own plans?’
‘My duty is clear: to find Miss Bennet,
confirm she is well, and ascertain what she truly wants. I don’t trust the
servant’s account.’
‘This will take time, Darcy. Weeks,
perhaps months.’
‘Indeed.’ Darcy looked up. ‘If you felt
able to wait, we could return together.’
Edward thought for a moment, then shook
his head. ‘Have you heard the news about Bonaparte?’
‘That he has escaped from Elba?’
‘Worse.’ Edward leaned forward. ‘It is
said that he will soon arrive in Paris, and that his former generals have
pledged their support. The war may start up again.’
‘In which case you must hurry
Céline to
safety.’ Darcy nodded approval. ‘You are right, Edward, I should have thought
of that. Let me know if I can help in any way.’
9
‘
Elisabetta
.’ A hand touched
her shoulder.
Elizabeth blinked. She must have fallen
asleep again. With an effort she pulled herself up a little and turned to face
Regina. ‘What time is it?’
‘Early afternoon.’ Regina pointed to the
bedside table. ‘I’ve brought broth and a glass of wine. The doctor says you are
to drink it all. It will make you stronger.’
‘Oh.
Grazie
.’ Elizabeth struggled
to sit up. Why were her limbs so heavy? Regina balanced the tray on her knees
and she took a few sips of the appetizing broth. She had been sleeping alone in
the tiny bedroom since they had come here—when? A week ago? Two? Time
passed in a blur; she could no longer remember how they had moved out of
Venice, or why.
‘Where are we?’
‘This is our holiday home. The air is
fresher than in Venice. It will help you get better.’
Elizabeth sipped the broth, which helped
soothe a dry sensation in her mouth. So they had moved here on her account,
because she was ill. Yet she felt no symptoms except a languor that was not
uncomfortable; if anything it was pleasant, as if her mind were floating in the
clouds, removed from the niggling problems of everyday life.
‘Drink your wine,’ Regina said.
Elizabeth reached obediently for the
glass. The wine tasted strong and sweet but with an edge of bitterness. ‘It
seems a bit off.’
‘The physician prescribed a few drops of
medicine.’
‘Oh.’ She drank the rest.
‘
Signorina
.’
Regina had left, her place taken by
Gabriele. He handed her a document, clipped to a board, and pointed to a quill
on the bedside table. ‘You must sign this. Here, next to the cross.’
The document was in Italian. She tried
to read it, but the language was too formal. ‘What does it say?’
‘That you agree to place yourself under
my care.’
She put the board down, her head
swimming. ‘If I am under someone’s care, why not Sir Edward Havers?’
‘Sir Edward is no longer here. He left for
England with
Céline. Do you not recall?’
Now that he mentioned it, she did remember. Around
the time she fell ill. Something about Bonaparte.
He gave her back the document. ‘Here.’
An image of her father came into her head,
warning her to exercise care when signing legal papers. She shook her head. ‘I
don’t understand what it means.’
‘I have just explained.’
‘Even so.’
‘You do not trust me?’
She sighed and made no reply.
A petulant look flashed across his face.
‘Dearest Miss Elizabeth, do you not realize that you already signed this
document two days ago? This is just a formality. We need a second copy for the
comune
,
the local authority.’
Elizabeth reached for the quill, but a spasm
of unease made her withdraw. ‘Perhaps later.’
He slapped the table with frustration, and
launched into a tirade reminiscent of their rehearsals. The whining voice made
her cringe. She closed her eyes and clenched her fists, digging her nails into
her hands as a distraction.
He had gone. She unfurled, allowing the
tiredness to seep through her limbs and carry her away.
In the distance, she thought she heard the
sea.
10
After a three-day journey Darcy had
at last crossed into Venice, to find the city abuzz with gossip about Napoleon.
The Corsican had sneaked past his guards, evaded a British ship patrolling the
island, and made his way to France. French police sent to arrest him kneeled in
fealty. At the Congress of Vienna, delegates planning the aftermath of the war
pronounced him an outlaw—an empty gesture when French generals and their
troops were rallying to his support.
Rising early in his former room at the
Palazzo
Gritti
, Darcy lost no time hiring a boatman recommended by the Gritti
family, a bronzed man of few words named Luca. Leaving Mr Avery to resume his
scholarly pursuits in Academia, he set sail for Murano with his manservant Burgess,
and they made their way to the glassworks.
Luckily Mario Carandini was on site, and Darcy
joined him for coffee. The reception was cordial, with no hint of any crisis.
As Darcy recounted what he had learned from Edward, the manager fidgeted nervously.
‘It is … preoccupying,’ he said finally.
‘You were unaware of Sir Edward’s
departure?’
‘Oh, that was planned long ago. No, I
had not realised that Miss Bennet had remained behind with my family.’
‘And left Venice?’
Mario Carandini chose his words with
care. ‘Such outings are common in the spring.’
‘You mean, outings to the wine-growing
regions in the north?’
Another pause, then Mario shook his
head. ‘I would be surprised if they had gone north.’
Darcy sensed his embarrassment, and
tried to control his own impatience. ‘Where then?’
‘Gabriele owns a villa on Lido which the
family uses for vacations. Since he does not always inform me of his plans, I
cannot guarantee they are there. Still, it is probable.’
‘You can give me exact directions?’
‘Yes.’ He frowned. ‘You are concerned
for
la signorina inglese
? Miss Bennet?’
‘I am concerned about your cousin, and
his intentions towards her. Have you heard anything in that regard?’
Mario bit his lip, as if engaged in an
internal struggle. Finally he said, ‘Mr Darcy, I know you as an honourable man.
I would like to help. You must appreciate, however, that my position here is insecure.
Since my uncle’s unfortunate passing, I have been in sole charge of the
business. It is important for our family that I continue in this role. But as
you know, I am not the proprietor. My cousin Gabriele owns almost all the shares,
and I am thus dependent on him. He can dismiss me any time he pleases.’
Darcy nodded slowly. ‘You would not wish
to cross him.’
Mario Carandini grimaced. ‘Nobody would.
These are times in which political and legal authority are in flux, and
consequently money talks. So you are right, it would not be in my interests to
provoke conflict. Still, like you, I am concerned.’ He checked the door, and
dropped his voice. ‘In confidence, I cannot altogether trust my cousin.’
Darcy leaned forward. ‘Go on.’
‘You will have noticed that he is
influenced by his mother, my aunt, who has always longed to secure for our
family a social status commensurate with our wealth. It was for this reason
that she urged Regina to set her sights on the English aristocracy. With
Gabriele she has a harder task. As you will have observed, he is neither handsome
nor socially adept. People find him intellectually intimidating or even absurd.
Over the years he has attracted no young women except for fortune hunters from
the lower orders. Now, all of a sudden, his sister brings from England the
daughter of a gentleman. Not titled, nor rich, but a lovely personable woman
who would grace any
salotto
. What is more, this young lady shares many
of his cultural interests, and treats him politely and with respect. He sees
her as his destiny, his grand opportunity. He cannot bear the idea that one day
she might leave. You follow?’
Darcy frowned. ‘Let us speak plainly. You
fear some kind of—abduction?’
Mario recoiled a little. ‘That would
depend on whether Miss Bennet shares his … hopes.’
‘And if she does not?’
He sighed. ‘I cannot be sure. All I can
say is this. My cousin, for all his gifts, is not a
reasonable
man. He is
like a child who becomes obsessed with something he wants, and pursues it to
the exclusion of all else. Even if others suffer, even if he brings destruction
on himself, he will not relent. He must have the thing he desires.’ He looked
up, trembling. ‘It is not easy for me to say this.’
‘It will not be repeated.’
‘I wish you well Mr Darcy. By the way, I
have sent the first consignment to Mr Gardiner, as agreed. For the second there
may be some delay. We are all in fear that the war with France will begin again.’
‘And the house in Lido?’
‘I will show you now.’
As Darcy left, carrying an annotated
map, another reason for Mario’s helpfulness struck him. Honourable Mario might
be, but Elizabeth was not just
any
young woman.
She was Mr Gardiner’s niece.