Chapter 17

17

L ord Robert Hendricks barely acknowledged them as they filed into his office.

“Please be seated, gentlemen.” The clerk gathered two files from the corner of the desk before placing their petitions in front of the Lord Chancellor. After introducing each of them, he said, “My lord, Mr. Gilbert Hurst of London and Mr. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire and London are each petitioning for the guardianship of two children born 2 February 1813 to Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet Bingley, deceased.”

The Lord Chancellor nodded as his quill quickly moved over the document he was writing.

Gilbert Hurst blurted, “And the estate, Bingley’s property. Do not forget that his fortune is also at issue.”

The clerk inhaled sharply. “I have not forgotten, sir.”

With a glare at the top of Hurst’s balding pate, he continued. “My lord, after a cursory glance at the petitions, my summary is as follows: Mr. Bingley, the father of said children, had legal documents prepared prior to his marriage naming Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, friend, and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, second son of Hugh Fitzwilliam, Lord Matlock, as co-guardians for any future children. However, this document remained unsigned at the time of Mr. Bingley’s accidental death. Also unsigned was a marriage settlement by which he assigned full authority over his heirs and possessions to his wife, Jane Bennet Bingley, deceased in childbirth.”

Again, Hurst interrupted. “This means that the Bennets have no authority to make decisions regarding the boy or the money.”

Finally, Lord Chancellor Hendricks looked up from his paperwork, pinning Hurst with a stare. “Do you believe that I am unaware of the law?”

Hurst stammered. “No, my lord, I just…no, my lord.”

“Very good.” He resumed writing. After a short pause, he gestured with his quill toward his clerk. “Proceed.”

The clerk cleared his throat before continuing.

“After the twins were born, they were cared for by Mrs. Bingley’s sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who has since married Mr. Darcy. The children remain with them.”

The chancellor nodded, finally laying down his pen. Before he spoke, he surveyed each individual in front of him.

Darcy understood from Mr. Sutton’s warning that he stood on shaky ground. The chancellor had the power to rule in favor of either of them. The judge settled his eyes on Hurst.

“Mr. Hurst, I understand that you were the first to petition for the children, so I will ask you two questions. What are the names of the children, and can you describe their appearance?”

Hurst’s face flushed. His hand quivered.

Darcy wanted to laugh in derision. If he used the same tactic with Darcy, there would be no stammering or lengthy pause. Patting his pocket, he kept his composure.

Hurst sputtered. “They are small and…” He looked everywhere except the man in front of him. Piles of paper covered every surface except the six chairs in front of him. The air smelled of dust and inactivity—and Hurst’s sweat.

“They…ah, the boy would be Charles Bingley II. He has reddish-blond hair like his father. His sister’s hair is blonde like their mother’s.” He coughed into his hand and then pointed at Darcy. “He kidnapped them before I had a chance to see them. It is his fault that I cannot describe them to you, my lord.”

Pushing his spectacles down his nose, the chancellor frowned. Turning his full attention to Darcy, he asked, “Can you tell me the children’s names and what they look like?”

Confidently, he answered, “Charles Alexander Bingley II and Clara Jane Bingley, who is six minutes older than her brother.” Removing the folded linen squares from his pocket, he unwrapped the first and held it out to the man. “As you can see, Charlie’s hair is dark brown. This little snippet of fine yellow hair belongs to Clara. Their eyes remain a murky mixture of brownish blue.”

“Very good.” Removing his spectacles, he tapped them on the wooden desktop. “Mr. Hurst and Mr. Darcy have asked me, independently, to make an order which gives guardianship of Mr. Charles Bingley II and Miss Clara Bingley, brother and sister, who are orphaned to one or the other of you. Before I do, I would ask about the health of both children.”

Darcy replied, “Miss Clara is in fine health. Her brother has been ill.”

Hurst burst from his chair. “If he were with me, we would see him restored to health and vitality. ”

“Do be seated, Mr. Hurst.” Lord Hendricks glared at the interruption. To Darcy, he said, “Continue.”

“According to my physician, fever and lethargy often attack those who are born too soon. My wife and two nurses, along with the rest of my servants, tirelessly care for the child while continuing to care for Charlie’s sister. Doctor Hart reminded both Mrs. Darcy and me that the situation of twin children is precarious, most especially for the second born. You are no doubt aware of infant mortality rates, my lord. My physician also reminded me that it is imperative that twins remain together. Because they are the offspring of our beloved friend and family, we will do everything within our power to see them both grow to be healthy, productive, and happy.”

After a brief acknowledgment, Lord Hendricks asked Hurst, “Do you have anything you would add?”

“Only this, Your Honor”—Hurst sat forward in the chair—“My wife practically raised Charles Bingley while their parents built the family fortune. Because of this, my wife, Louisa, was particularly close to her brother. He resided in the same house from the time he finished university until he married. No one knew him as well as Louisa. Or me. Because of this, the simple fact that we are closely related, the children can become the best representatives of the Bingley family by living with us under my guardianship. As you well know, under the law, the father’s side has legal rights.”

“As I mentioned before, Mr. Hurst, I am well aware of the law.” The chancellor addressed Darcy, “Do you have anything you would add?”

So much weighed on how he replied. If he said the wrong thing, Elizabeth and the children would suffer. A millstone seemed to press his shoulders down .

Uttering a quick, silent prayer for the wisdom to voice his thoughts in a way that would protect the children, he said, “Your Honor, Lord Chancellor, in a spirit of fairness, you should know that ours will not be the only petition for the children. My understanding is that Charles Bingley’s other sister, Lady Caroline Armstrong, and her husband, Lord Malcolm Armstrong, intend to claim Bingley’s son and Bingley’s estate as their right. They have no interest in Bingley’s firstborn, Miss Clara.” Darcy knew from experience that honesty and honor did not always prevail. He gambled. Yet had he said nothing about Lord Armstrong, it would not have done him any favors, making him appear a coward to the chancellor. Without a doubt, the Lord Chancellor was equally stalwart. He would not appreciate anyone seeking loopholes or shortcuts to the law or to what was morally right. Darcy hoped.

The lord chancellor leaned back in his chair as, from the corner of Darcy’s eye, he watched his cousin and uncle spin in their seats to look at him, confusion and horror lining their faces. Only Mr. Sutton remained calm. Hurst’s fists pounded on the wooden arms as he hissed, “Blast you, Darcy. What on God’s good earth do you hope to gain by bringing them up? You just lost the case for both of us.”

Darcy ignored his outburst. “Lord Chancellor, since your initial questions to Mr. Hurst and myself clearly reveal your interest in the children, I beg that you would give attention to adjusting my petition. My amendment is that for a period of one year and six months, or until they are both weaned, both Charles Alexander Bingley II and Clara Jane Bingley remain in my nursery, where Mrs. Darcy and I can oversee their health and development. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, along with Lord and Lady Armstrong, will be welcome to see the children under my supervision until that period expires. During that same period, if it pleases you, an order can be written by you stating that Lord Armstrong, Mr. Hurst, and I would be named as trustees for all assets owned by Mr. Bingley, which is to be managed for the benefit of said children. At the end of eighteen months or when they are weaned, we will return with the children to your office to seek your decision for permanent guardianship.”

Lord Hendricks turned away, looking out the window. Tapping the fingers of both hands together under his chin, the chancellor appeared to be saying a prayer, the corner of his mouth pulled low.

Darcy said a string of prayers of his own. To lose the children would rip his new family apart. How would Elizabeth ever be able to get past her grief? It would be worse than losing her sister all over again. And what of him? For a certainty, his initial reason for traveling to Netherfield Park in response to Bingley’s letter was to be of assistance to a friend. Upon discovering that his arrival was too late, one look at Elizabeth tenderly caressing each child was all it took to cement in his mind and heart that the twins belonged with them—that it was not just Elizabeth he wanted as his wife. He wanted and needed them all. Together. Forever.

Alongside Darcy, Richard fidgeted in his chair. His uncle rubbed his fingers back and forth over his mouth. Measuring his breaths, Darcy knew what he had to do to maintain an appearance of calm. Many times, since his father died, he was confronted by those who viewed him as untested by virtue of his youth. The majority of those times, it was a harsh lesson for those who opposed Darcy to learn that he was immovable.

Finally, after an interminable length, Lord Hendricks turned to face them. Before he could begin his decision, a loud tap sounded at the door. Without waiting for a reply, Lord Armstrong strolled in, followed by a man Darcy assumed was his attorney.

“Robert, it has been almost a week since we dined at Hendricks Manor. I do hope your wife and sons are healthy and well?” Shrugging off his hat and greatcoat, Armstrong tossed them over the corner of Hurst’s chair, paying no attention to the seated man.Also ignored was Lord Matlock, a slight that deserved a reckoning.

Darcy barely kept from groaning. The situation was even worse than his worst imaginings. The Chancellor and Lord Armstrong were not mere acquaintances. The two men were friends. Armstrong’s attorney lifted his chin, gloating.

After the lawyer placed his file on Lord Chancellor’s desk, Armstrong leaned over the surface, placing both hands on the edge.

“Now that I am here, a proper decision can be made. Lady Armstrong, her maid, and a nurse are waiting in the carriage. Upon your word, we shall retrieve the boy from Darcy, bringing him to my home where he belongs. Under my guardianship and trusteeship, both the lad and his estate will prosper. Just sign here.” He pointed to the bottom of the document at the top of the opened file.

When Lord Hendricks smiled at the man in front of him, Darcy nearly vomited.