Darcy's Journey (14 page)

The commander frowned. ‘I am going to be
lenient and overlook your accusatory tone. But let us be clear. Miss Bennet is
not
your fiancée, and her future is as yet undecided. All that has been established
is that she is no longer under
your
protection. As to the other points
you raise—’ He turned to Darcy. ‘Mr Darcy, do you admit breaking into
Signor Carandini’s property, and would you be willing to compensate him for any
expenses incurred?’

Darcy thought for a while. ‘Yes, if for
instance there has been damage to the balustrade.’

‘One must consider also the cost of
hiring men to go after the intruders.’

Darcy sighed. ‘I am willing to discuss
it.’

Graf made a note. ‘Good. Now, the
question of travel documents. This is a clear offence, as you are doubtless aware.
I am persuaded that you acted out of concern for Miss Bennet, but even so there
must be redress. I am not going to question your account of how these papers
came into your possession. However, I cannot sanction their illegitimate use.
There will be a fine, let us say of a hundred ducats, and I ask your word of
honour that it will be paid as soon as is practically feasible.’

‘You have it.’

Another note. ‘Finally, we come to the
matter of Miss Bennet’s future.’ He turned to Carandini. ‘You may leave now,
Signor. I will inform you of my decision over any financial compensation due to
you.’

Carandini rose, glowering at Darcy with
unmistakeable hatred, and walked slowly to the door.

Graf waited, listening for departing
footsteps, before turning back to Darcy. ‘Let us go straight to the point. I
understand from Fraulein Edelmann that you have been living as man and wife.’

‘A pretence only, necessary for our
escape.’

‘I accept your assurances. Still, it
cannot be denied that the situation is compromising. Miss Bennet came to Italy
with the Carandini family. She has been under Signor Carandini’s protection;
now it would seem she is under yours. Before allowing you to go free, I need to
ascertain the nature of your connection.’

Darcy looked at Elizabeth, who accepted
this as a cue to speak up. ‘Mr Darcy is a long-standing friend of the family,
and his best friend is engaged to my sister.’

‘And as to your own relationship?’ He
faced Darcy. ‘If it were generally known what has occurred, would you be
prepared to marry Miss Bennet?’

‘Gladly, if she will have me.’

Graf turned to Elizabeth. ‘Miss Bennet?’

She hesitated. ‘May I ask the tendency
of this question?’

‘To prevent any contingency in which you
are constrained to marry against your wishes.’

Elizabeth looked at Darcy. ‘Very well.
If it were necessary to marry Mr Darcy, I would be honoured to do so.’

‘Good.’ Commander Graf paused. ‘I need
your word, Mr Darcy, that there will be no further use of the Ashley papers,
and that they will be returned as soon as possible to their owners. Otherwise
you are free to go.’ He sighed. ‘I hope one day we can meet under more
propitious circumstances.’

Darcy bowed. ‘I am indebted to your diplomacy.’

Graf hesitated again, then smiled. ‘Then
indulge me. Honour apart, Mr Darcy, do you have feelings for Miss Bennet?’

‘I love her.’

He turned to Elizabeth. ‘And you,
madam?’

Darcy gaped at her as she replied, without
hesitation, ‘I love him.’

30

What have I done?

Elizabeth blinked. She was in bed, at the
Pavonis. No, the Zambonis. They were in Verona. Darcy was no longer next door.
He had been assigned a room at the other end of the house. They were no longer passing
as the Ashleys. Hilda had informed Signor Zamboni and his family of the
pretence. Once again they were Mr Darcy and Miss Bennet—both single.

For now.

She rolled out of bed and mechanically
went through the motions of washing and dressing. She noticed the blonde wig
incongruously perched on a chair and put it away in a drawer.

‘I love him.’

Had Darcy believed her?

She rallied. Perhaps he realised that
there was nothing else she could say. Yes, Commander Graf was apparently
willing to let them go in any case. But might he not have changed his mind? The
commander had a tenderness for her, she had sensed. He had spoken to her as if
to a favourite daughter or niece. He would not wish her to be compromised into
a loveless union.

What a mess!

She recalled the embarrassment of the
previous evening, after their return from the
Castelvecchio
. The relief
that she had evaded Carandini, and Darcy had escaped with a fine. Their awkward
reception at the Zamboni residence, where Professor Pavoni had already
explained their predicament to the family, and Fraulein Edelmann had retired
early, professing tiredness. Strangely, her admission to Graf had not worried
her then. After a bowl of soup she had gone to her room, and fallen asleep
directly.

She put on a plain muslin dress and went
downstairs.

‘So, madam.’ Hilda Edelmann was
alone at the breakfast table, Darcy having left to withdraw funds from a bank.
‘What are we to call you today?’

‘Elizabeth. Or Miss Bennet if you feel we
are no longer friends.’

‘Then it will have to be Miss Bennet.’
Fraulein Edelmann spoke in a monotone, as if struggling to hide her outrage. ‘Friends
confide in one another, do they not?’

A maid passed and Elizabeth requested
coffee and two boiled eggs. She took a
brioche
from a basket and tore
off an end to check the filling. ‘We thought it would be easier for everyone if
there was no need to dissimulate.’

‘So, you judged me less intelligent than
you and hence incapable of sustaining the deception?’

Was this aggressive, or some kind of
ponderous humour? In either case, Elizabeth was in no mood to apologise. If Hilda
wanted a fight, she could have one.

‘Perhaps you are. How could I tell?’

A stifled guffaw suggested she was on
the right track. They ate awhile in silence, before Elizabeth asked:

‘What happened yesterday? After the
constables took us away?’

Fraulein Edelmann drew herself up,
folded her napkin, and clasped her hands demurely together. ‘I was naturally
alarmed that my esteemed accompanist had been arrested. From Professor Pavoni I
learned that the charges would be serious, including impersonation and
abduction. Had I had any sense I would have left you to your fate. Instead I
went to the castle to plead with Commander Graf, who had come over to wish me
well before the recital. He was sympathetic, but made no promise. He would
listen to the evidence and seek an equitable conclusion. A messenger was dispatched,
and you know the rest.’

Elizabeth extended a hand across the
table. ‘You saved us, Hilda.’

Fraulein Edelmann smiled regally,
ignoring the hand. ‘You may thank me if you wish.’

‘I would if you didn’t look so satisfied
with yourself.’

‘As you please.’ Another regal look,
this time without the smile. ‘In all honesty, I cannot approve.’

‘Of what?’

‘I understand that you had to conceal
your identities. But why play the roles of man and wife?’

Elizabeth waited as the maid served her
breakfast. ‘We had papers only for a married couple.’

‘Adjacent rooms?
Dearest
Giles?
Was it essential to be quite so intimate?’

Elizabeth hesitated, appreciating the
force of this. At the same time, she was in no mood for an inquisition. ‘You
may believe of me what you like, Hilda. It is none of your business anyway.’

Fraulein Edelmann looked away, with the
hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth. She regarded Elizabeth again with
a tilt of the head. ‘Mr Darcy is certainly a fine gentleman.’

‘He would be flattered to hear you say
so.’

‘Are you not of the same mind?’

Elizabeth took a deep breath, and
exhaled slowly. ‘He is an honourable man and has been a good friend to my
family. Since in your opinion we are not friends any more, I will keep my
personal feelings to myself.’

‘Yes?’ Fraulein Edelmann raised her
eyebrows. ‘Then so shall I.’

In a coffee house overlooking the Roman
amphitheatre, Darcy sat opposite Brigade Commander Graf. The Austrian had a
sweet tooth: as well as stirring three spoonfuls of sugar into his coffee, he ordered
a plate of
Krapfen
, iced doughnuts filled with apricot jam. He was
evidently a familiar customer, ushered to a corner table that offered the most
comfort and privacy.

‘Have you chosen your route?’ Graf asked.

‘North, through Tyrol.’

‘Ah.’ Graf licked jam from his doughnut.
‘West would be shorter, but you are wise to avoid France.’

‘Have you news of Bonaparte?’

‘Almost daily. I cannot reveal details,
but as you will imagine, coalition armies are mobilising, and converging on
France from all directions.’ He paused. ‘I wonder …’

‘Yes?’

‘Will you travel with Fraulein
Edelmann?’

‘I hope so. The arrangement has been
useful.’ Darcy sighed. ‘Provided she can forgive our deception.’

‘I would count it as a favour if you
did. I have known Hilda since she was a child, and it would concern me if she
had to travel alone over such difficult territory.’

‘We can follow main roads,’ Darcy said.
‘Trent, Bozen, Brenner pass to Innsbruck. I am assuming, of course, no further
pursuit by Carandini or his agents.’

‘You will carry fresh letters of safe
conduct with my signature,’ Graf said. ‘As to Carandini, I believe caution is
still advisable. I have warned him that any attempt to detain Miss Bennet will
result in his immediate arrest. There remains however a possibility that he
will seek revenge against
you
. I do not see him as a man with the
stomach for direct combat. He might, however, hire an assassin. It is unlikely,
I know, but I have seen cases where an attack has been ordered through
intermediaries so as to conceal the source.’

Darcy frowned. ‘Do you really see this
as a risk? If so, I ought to take steps to protect Miss Bennet, and also
Fraulein Edelmann if she accompanies us.’

‘Perhaps I exaggerate. However, jealous
lovers are notoriously irrational, and Carandini impressed me as a man who
is—how can I say—
obsessive
.’

‘I will employ guards.’

‘It would be wise, especially until you
reach the border with Austria.’ He smiled wryly. ‘This is proving an expensive
tour for you, Mr Darcy.’

‘My credit is certainly running down,
but it should be sufficient.’

Graf looked away, munching through
another doughnut. ‘Unfortunately this is not a safe time to travel in any part
of Europe. Officers are seconded to the forthcoming war, leaving depleted
forces to maintain order.’ He sat up suddenly and slapped the table. ‘Listen.
Two corporal guards from my brigade have been summoned to Austria, departing
tomorrow. Shall I instruct them to accompany you?’

‘By all means.’ Darcy hesitated. ‘I
would of course pay for their services.’

Graf shook his head. ‘Count this as a
favour for me. I could not face my friend
Oberstleutnant Edelmann again if I allowed his
daughter to come to harm.’ He glanced at a clock on the opposite wall. ‘I must
leave now. Have we any more to discuss?’

‘Only the settlement with Carandini.’

Graf dismissed this with a wave of the hand.
‘Leave it with me. I have your 100 ducats for the fine, and will subtract any
expenses for Carandini from that. I will tell the guards to call later today to
make arrangements.
Auf Wiedersehen
, sir, and my best regards to Miss
Bennet.’ He took a few steps, then turned back with a smile. ‘If it is not out
of place to say so, I hope for a happy outcome there too.’

With plenty to assimilate, Darcy
remained for a second cup of coffee. Through Fraulein Edelmann’s mediation they
had gained the support of the regional commander, and could now travel on with
an armed guard. Carandini had been forced to retreat, his claims dismissed.
Most miraculous of all, Graf had elicited a declaration from Elizabeth so precious
that he hardly dared believe it.
I love him
. Was she dissimulating, to
ensure their safe passage? It was possible of course, but her tone had been
heartfelt. He could have sworn that she really meant it.

How to proceed? He could seek a private
meeting later that day, to clarify her meaning. But his instinct was to let
matters lie. It was safer to focus on the practical necessities of the journey,
and give Elizabeth time to reassess her feelings. He smiled, enjoying the
unfamiliar sensation of hope, and recognising the true reason for his
reticence.
He was afraid that if pressed, she might recant
. He had heard
the words he always dreamed of hearing; for now, that was enough.

PART II

31

April 1815, one week later

On a sunny morning, with a breeze so warm
that it caressed the skin, Elizabeth took breakfast outside an inn overlooking
the
Duomo
in Bozen. Seated opposite, Darcy was discussing the cathedral
with Fraulein Edelmann. It was apparently very old, 12
^th
century,
with subsequent modifications in the Gothic style including a six-cornered
ascent to the belfry. Elizabeth leaned back, sipping tea, and let the
technicalities pass her by as she took in the beauty of the square which,
according to the all-knowing Hilda, had been completed just a few years ago on
the orders of King Massimiliano—whoever he might be. On an island in the
centre, a flower market was doing brisk business: it would be delightful to pay
a visit later. After all they had been through, such simple pleasures were a
welcome reminder of normal life.

Their journey from Verona had soon
fallen into a regular pattern. Darcy had hired a new
vetturino
, familiar
with the Tyrol, and a robust carriage with plenty of space outside for luggage
and servants as well as comfortable seating for four. Their route followed the
River Adige north along the right bank. As they progressed, the valley became
narrower and deeper, with orchards and vineyards nearby, and jagged foothills beyond.

Having parted with Professor Pavoni they
had gained two guards, both Austrian soldiers of the rank of
Unteroffizier
,
which according to Hilda meant an experienced soldier permitted to command a
squadron. Their names were Bloch and Reithoffer, and in their light grey uniforms
and brass helmets it was hard to tell them apart: both were tall and
straight-backed, with dark sideburns, long impassive faces, and thick
moustaches. They rode behind the carriage on horseback, and were armed with
sabres in addition to pistols and rifles. At the start of every stage they
arrived punctually and bowed before mounting; otherwise they kept to
themselves. She wondered whether they would trouble Hilda’s pretty maid, Gretchen,
but they stayed aloof, leaving Burgess and Hilda’s manservant to compete for
the maid’s attention.

The
vetturino
drove unerringly to
the best inn at each stage, and they ordered two good-sized rooms, Elizabeth
sharing with Hilda. As they moved into Austrian territory the inns were neat
and clean, with polite service and wholesome food—the bread and wine in
particular were excellent.

To her relief there were no problems at
the border. According to Darcy their names had been listed for detention, but since
a letter from Graf countermanded this request explicitly, they passed through
with fulsome apologies for the delay. Finally they were outside the Kingdom of Italy
and hence, she hoped, beyond Carandini’s clutches.

As her earlier troubles faded, new ones
took their place. She had still had no opportunity to talk privately with
Darcy—nor had he made any effort to create one. After their declarations
of love at the
Castelvecchio
this omission felt unnatural. He was
considerate and attentive, as ever, and their conversations had been friendly,
especially since she had recovered from the laudanum and no longer suffered vagaries
of mood. But she missed the excitement and intimacy of their flight from
Venice, when they had pretended to be married and even shared a bedroom.
She
wanted that intimacy back
, more than anything she had ever wanted in her
life.
That
was the truth she was resisting. She yearned to become his
wife in reality, yet recognised that this was precisely what she ought
not
do, for both their sakes.

As to Fraulein Edelmann, a rivalry had
developed as the quiet-mannered singer revealed her sharper side. It still
rankled with Hilda that Elizabeth had sought her friendship under a false name;
her objective now was to expose anything else that the former Mrs Ashley might
be hiding. In the bedroom they talked long into the night, with Hilda deploying
every trick to induce confidences; during the day, Elizabeth was side-lined as
the Fraulein provocatively monopolised Darcy.

‘So, Miss Bennet.’ Fraulein
Edelmann pushed away a half-eaten slice of strudel. ‘We are boring you, I
think.’

‘On the contrary, I have been listening
with avid attention,’ Elizabeth smiled. ‘The cathedral holds no mysteries for
me now. You have illuminated every inch.’

Hilda Edelmann snorted. ‘Ha! The English
humour. You say the opposite to what you believe.’

‘Perhaps my mind did wander for a moment
or two,’ Elizabeth admitted. ‘Still, your knowledge is impressive.’

‘This is not my first visit. My father
and I stayed several days while travelling down to Florence.’ She paused. ‘Are
you interested in playing again?’

‘You mean, in public?’

‘Why not?’ Fraulein Edelmann leaned
forward. ‘Near here is a building called the
Merkantilgebäude
or
Mercantile Court. Merchants meet there to organise trade fairs and markets. They
have a grand hall with room for a hundred seats. I gave an impromptu recital
there last time, and we could organise another now.’ She looked at Darcy. ‘If
you think it is safe.’

‘I see no danger from Carandini,’ Darcy
said. ‘But we should not delay our journey. War can be only months away, and we
must try to reach England before it starts.’

‘Have you a special reason for
performing here?’ Elizabeth asked.

Hilda rubbed thumb against forefinger in
the Neapolitan gesture for money. ‘Music is my livelihood, and the burghers
will pay generously to hear a concert.’

Elizabeth frowned. ‘I will try, if you
wish; we owe you that much. But can you not find a better accompanist?’

‘Not at such short notice. Anyway, you
know the pieces, and I like performing with you. If the hall is free we could
rehearse today and announce the recital for tomorrow.’

Elizabeth looked at Darcy. ‘Can we stay
an extra day?’

‘A rest will restore our energies.’ He
paused. ‘But Fraulein, if you are short of money, I can help.’

Elizabeth laughed. ‘That cannot be true,
at the rate you have been spending. Your credit must be almost exhausted.’ She
grinned at Hilda. ‘I assume half of the receipts of this concert will come to
me?’

Hilda straightened her back. ‘Ten per
cent, Miss Bennet, is the rate due an accompanist. In case you have forgotten, I
have to work my passage to Salzburg.’

‘A mere hop, compared with our journey.’
Elizabeth addressed Darcy. ‘Seriously, how much credit is left?’

He frowned, as if annoyed by her probing.
‘Sufficient, I hope, provided we spend carefully.’

‘You see, Fraulein? Mr Darcy and I are
also pressed for cash, and deserve our share of the spoils.’

Hilda sighed, and Elizabeth was on the
point of relenting when the singer said, with a sly grin: ‘Very well, but as an
amateur you cannot claim the full ten per cent. Five at most.’

Elizabeth snorted. ‘As an amateur, I
deserve a higher rate as compensation for the strain on my nerves. Twenty per
cent.’

‘I see. English humour again. Out of the
question.’

‘Very well, no concert.’

‘I will find another accompanist, far
more proficient than you.’

‘In twenty-four hours? Go ahead.’

Fraulein Edelmann fluttered her
eyelashes at Darcy. ‘I beg you, sir, protect me from this woman. She is a monster.’

Darcy looked bewildered, as if unsure
whether they were joking, or engaged in a genuine battle. ‘Perhaps we should
first ascertain whether the hall is available. If not, the division is
immaterial.’

Fraulein Edelmann clapped her hands. ‘I
will go directly!’ She pointed a finger at Elizabeth. ‘Let it never be said
that I am uncharitable to the needy. Fifteen per cent and not a
kreuzer
more.’