Suspense & Sensibility

could have belonged to his greatgrandfather! She could only surmise that he wore a costume. What else could she think? But when she encountered him in Hyde Park the next day and asked if he’d participated in a theatrical, or attended a masquerade, he claimed to have no idea what she was talking about.'

This was Lucy’s momentous news? 'How well does Lady Pendleton know Mr. Dashwood?' Elizabeth countered. 'She spied the costumed gentleman on a dark street. Can she be certain that it was he?'

'Quite certain.'

'Lady Pendleton’s youngest daughter’s brother-in-law went to Eton with Harry,' Regina declared with the air of one revealing profound truths. Unfortunately, the effect was marred by her need to dab jam from the corners of her mouth.

Elizabeth slept with Darcy, and she wasn’t confident she could with certitude identify him so attired in a casual sighting on a dark street. She sensed, however, that any further attempts on her part to add intelligence to Lucy’s 'intelligence' would prove equally ineffectual.

'Well, then,' Elizabeth conceded, 'there is no denying her authority.'

'None.' Lucy shook her head sadly at Kitty. 'I wouldn’t trouble you with the incident, curious though it may be, for all the world. But it happened a second time. Mr. Sutton saw Harry the following night, dressed the same way. And in the morning, he denied it again!'

Elizabeth emitted an exaggerated gasp. 'No!'

'Yes! And I’m afraid there’s more.' Lucy leaned toward Kitty, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. 'I do so hate to be the bearer of ill tidings, my dear Kitty. It pains me beyond anything. But it is best you hear of this from someone who loves him.' She took a deep breath and touched her hand to Kitty’s. 'William Middleton encountered Harry on Wednesday evening outside Boodle’s Club, and Harry gave him the cut direct — walked right past him without acknowledgment!'

'Not the cut direct!' Elizabeth said, her sarcastic tone completely lost upon Lucy.

'Indeed!' Lucy pressed a hand to her chest. 'Can you believe it? Our Harry!'

Regina started on a fourth tart.

Kitty looked to Elizabeth, at last finding her voice. 'William Middleton is one of Mr. Dashwood’s particular friends. Neither could have mistaken the other.'

'I am certain some explanation exists,' she assured her sister. Elizabeth had her own theory about the events — if 'events' they could be called without investing them with more significance than they deserved. She suspected Lucy still harbored ambitions of a union between her simpleminded daughter and the very eligible Mr. Dashwood. With Harry’s mother now united in purpose, she had called this morning to launch a campaign against Mr. Dashwood’s character in hopes that Kitty would cry off. Every charge Lucy had brought forth would be forgotten by the ton in less than a fortnight, but if in the meantime she could convince the inexperienced Kitty that his offenses held greater import, the way might be cleared for Regina to ease the sting of a broken engagement.

Elizabeth could see that tiny seeds of doubt had already taken root in Kitty’s mind. It was time to end this interview.

'Mrs. Ferrars, we are most grateful for your kindness in coming to us with these reports. Is there anything further we must hear?'

'Gracious me, I hope not. You don’t know how I pray that these are Harry’s only transgressions.'

Lucy looked as if she wished she had more bad news to spread so reluctantly, but having run out, she had little excuse to prolong her call. She soon rose and pressed Kitty’s hand as she took her leave. 'Do not let this morning’s communication lead you to doubt Harry. What are a few barefaced denials and the mistreatment of a childhood friend? Try to disregard these incidents as you prepare for the wedding.'

Regina cast a look of sympathy at Kitty, and one of regret at the remaining tart, before following her mother out the door.

Kitty sank back onto the sofa. 'Lizzy, whatever can this mean?' Her voice trembled.

'It means nothing,' Elizabeth responded vehemently.

'But Mr. Dashwood’s behavior — '

'We have no assurance that these tales even involve Mr. Dash-wood. We have never seen him in anything but up-to-the-minute attire. Whatever would he be doing going about dressed that way? More likely, Lady Pendleton and Mr. Sutton saw an actor who bears resemblance to Mr. Dashwood. And even if the gentleman in question were he, the only crime he stands accused of is going out in public unfashionably dressed. Howsoever that may constitute a hanging offense among the beau monde, within our own circle, I think we can forgive it.'

'But what of his rudeness to Mr. Middleton?'

'All London has been cloaked in fog for the better part of this week. Perhaps Mr. Dashwood simply did not see his friend. Regardless, you should ask Mr. Dashwood himself about these incidents the next time he calls. He will soon be your husband — you owe him the opportunity to explain himself, and he may reveal information to you that he would not share with others.'

She sagged in relief. 'Of course you are right. Either his friends are mistaken, or there is some reasonable explanation for his conduct that will make perfect sense once we hear it. I only needed you to say aloud what I secretly hoped.'

'Mr. Dashwood is a good man, Kitty. You could not have fallen in love with him otherwise.'

Darcy, having left the townhouse before Lucy’s arrival, missed the performance she gave the ladies, but he, too, heard news of Mr. Dashwood that day. He arrived early at the fencing club for his standing appointment with Lord Chatfield. While Darcy waited for the earl, an older gentleman enquired whether anyone in the room knew the present whereabouts of Mr. Dashwood. Darcy said he did not, but that he anticipated dining with him that evening and would be pleased to convey a message.

'Tell Dashwood that Felix Longcliffe doesn’t appreciate being stood up. We were to match swords today.'

'Perhaps there has been some confusion about the designated time,' Darcy suggested by way of apology.

'He seemed perfectly clear about it at the Pigeon Hole last night.'

Darcy hoped he misunderstood Longcliffe. 'The Pigeon Hole?' He had heard of the notorious hell in St. James’s Square. In addition to being a seedy gaming house that catered to a low clientele, it was said that one of the owners also operated a house of ill repute.

'Tumbled in with a bunch of rowdies, after they got tossed from one of the clubs,' Longcliffe said. 'A pretty high-flying crowd. Most of them were too foxed to hold on to their money long.'

'How did Mr. Dashwood do?'

Longcliffe’s brow creased. 'I don’t think I saw him actually play. Perhaps he was already cleaned out when he arrived.

Anyway, he and his friends were obnoxious, even by the standards of that establishment. When I suggested their conduct interfered with the pleasure of other patrons, he informed me in most impolite terms that none but his own pleasure was of consequence to him. I thought he was going to challenge me to an affair of honor, but then he looked at me closely and said, ‘I know you — Felix Longcliffe.’ 'How he knew my name, I cannot fathom, as I knew his only from hearing his companions bandy it about. It caught my ear because I knew another Dashwood years ago. Well, he stood there staring at me until he finally says, ‘You’ve grown old.’ ‘I’m two-and-sixty,’ says I. ‘And still agile enough to cross swords with a young whelp who needs to learn a thing or two.’ He said he wouldn’t engage in an affair of honor with a man my age, but he would meet me for a sporting match if I named the place. So here I am, and he is nowhere to be seen!'

So troubled was Darcy by Longcliffe’s account that he could not concentrate on his own match with Chatfield. The earl easily bested him in half the time of their typical contests.

'Care to try again?' Chatfield offered.

Darcy shook his head. 'I have a dinner guest coming this evening for whom I need to prepare.'

The earl regarded him quizzically. 'Are not such matters Mrs. Darcy’s province?'

'Not tonight.'

'How intriguing. Perhaps I should drop by to see how things turn out. What is on the menu?'