“Of course. I trust Mrs Reynolds to supervise the clearing. However, I shall probably wish to review any jewellery with you. I imagine most would be locked away elsewhere, but I would not want to send off any Darcy heirlooms to Ramsgate.”
“Most of the baubles up there are gifts from her lovers or things she bought for herself. Of heirlooms, she possesses none.”
“Not the gold and diamond ring to match her costume at the last ball?”
He rolled his eyes. “Hardly.”
“Truly? Not even from the early years?”
“I bought her a betrothal set, which was buried with her. I purchased her some jewellery in the beginning. It can all go. I…I could never bear to give her anything of my mother’s. At first, I supposed parting with it was difficult due to excessive sentiment. But later, when I realised her character, I had to admit to myself it was exactly the opposite. A part of me had always rejected Anne’s right to be Mrs Darcy, but since that part was a heart to which I coldly refused to listen, I deserved all consequences of the neglect.”
“That seems excessively harsh. You could not have imagined how dreadful she would be. I cannot believe she failed to ask for the family jewels outright. It seems like something she would do.”
He appeared a little embarrassed. “Oh, of course she did, eventually. I have always thought myself an honest man and yet I went to a great deal of trouble to conceal such valuables from her. She pressed me for them, and first I hesitated and then I resorted to deceit. I told her my father had sold all of it during a brief period of financial distress, except for a few pieces that were designed for Georgiana and of lesser value. Thus, their concealment far from Pemberley and London.”
I was excessively weary of discussion of his first wife, but it was a poison he needed to exorcise. I judged that enough of it had been released for one evening, however.
“I believe that your sister will be thrilled to have the pieces,” I said. “And I would not be surprised if Mr Bingley does not add a diamond or two to the collection very soon.”
He took my hand again in his, playing with the ring on my finger, and he spoke again almost absently. “When I asked you to marry me, I was fairly certain you would refuse. You looked so surprised, so alarmed even. There are more jewels for you,” he added. “I would not like you to wear a style you do not care for. You may have any of it reset, if you wish. I-I know my mother would be happy for you to do with it as you will.”
If I had not been fairly certain that I had his entire attention, however little he showed it, I might have believed him nonchalant. But I knew, somehow, he cared very much about my response.
“You may show me anything you wish, and I can safely promise to love it, if this ring is any indication.” I kissed his cheek. “Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I shall love it all. Tonight, I wish to show you exactly how grateful I am for what I have already received. Shall we retire now?”
He stood so quickly I was almost startled. He held out his hand to help me up; I took it, and together we slowly walked up the stairs in silent anticipation.
Anne was, after all, a stupid woman. When she could have had him in her bed, and his love, and his jewels, I could not fathom why she had so deliberately ruined it. But then, she would always be a foreign creature to me, like some rare specimen at the London Zoo. So completely different from myself, a dull little country girl with a mostly undistinguished lineage.
My ring caught the light just then, with a blinding flash. And I smiled.