Free Mr. Darcy's Great Escape by Marsha Altman Page B

is the same as having tenants, only far more dangerous. You will have to employ a very competent man to run the company, and the expenses will pile up.”
    â€œTrue,” Bingley said, “but nothing beyond my ability to handle.”
    â€œIf you are so sure,” Darcy said.
    Breaking the silence of Bingley’s enthusiasm and Darcy’s disapproval, Dr. Maddox said quietly, “Perhaps you should ask Mrs. Bingley.”
    Both men stared at him.
    â€œI don’t presume that she would look over the account ledgers,” he said, “but certainly, this venture would send you to Town more often than she is accustomed to. So it would be a concern for her.”
    â€œThis is true,” Darcy said, knowing Jane would be a cool head.
    Fortunately Bingley didn’t have to answer, because a servant entered and approached him, whispering in his ear. “Excuse me for a moment. My children are being put to bed.”
    Dr. Maddox raised a glass to him as he bowed to his guests and left. He noted Darcy’s scowl. “Come now. We can’t all be idle gentlemen. I would go mad if I had nothing to do all day.”
    â€œI would hardly qualify owning land and having tenants as having ‘nothing to do,’” Darcy said. “But that is neither here nor there, I suppose.”
    â€œYes.”
    Darcy sighed, paced for a bit, and then seemed to change his composure. “Doctor,” he said, taking a seat by the fireplace, looking very uncomfortable. “I understand your brother is doing well, though the invitation seems ill-timed, with all the soldiers moving across the Rhineland.”
    â€œIt does,” Dr. Maddox said, sad but still a bit put off. He’d never spoken much alone with Darcy. They liked each other well enough, but they lived apart, and most of their conversations were related to someone’s medical condition. And there was the matter that their wives were not the best of friends.
    Darcy hesitated before speaking. “I assume you are going anyway.”
    â€œI am to be provided with an escort from Berlin, to make sure I arrive safely.”
    Darcy said nothing. The doctor didn’t push him, nursing his port until Darcy finally spoke, “My brother is… out of contact.”
    â€œYou’ve not heard from him? The post is very bad.”
    â€œI’ve not heard from him, but I’ve heard that his monastery is dissolved and that the town surrounding it had been overrun with French troops.”
    Dr. Maddox tried to hide his alarm. “When was this?”
    â€œA few weeks ago. I confirmed it as not being total nonsense with a man I know in Normandy, as we’re still getting letters from there, but I haven’t heard from Grégoire.”
    â€œWould he have gone back to his old monastery?”
    â€œIt was dissolved in 1809, also by General Bonaparte. Grégoire told me of it last summer. It seems the general is determined to lay waste to organized religion and replace it with the new French rationalism. Which, normally, I would not be so opposed to—if I knew where my brother was right now, and what he was doing,” Darcy said. “There was a bit in the paper about a massacre. Elizabeth assures me it’s just propagandist nonsense—”
    â€œThey are trying to recruit for a war.”
    â€œâ€”but I can’t get it out of my head. Surely you understand?” He looked up at Dr. Maddox, who saw at once the desperation in his eyes. How he kept his anxiety quiet, the doctor had no idea. Daniel Maddox was unable to keep any strong emotion, especially worry, from showing.
    â€œHis monastery is on the way to Transylvania.”
    â€œI can’t ask that of you,” Darcy said. “My proposal is to accompany you to Berlin and then split our trails.”
    â€œAnd your wife approves of this proposal?”
    â€œAbsolutely not.”
    Dr. Maddox nodded. “Then at least Caroline will