Darcy leaned forward in his seat, eying Richard intently. “How does the War Office plan to apprehend him?”
“We cannot.” Richard’s shoulders slumped. “We do not know his true name or the first thing about his appearance. One cannot capture a ghost.”
Darcy set his glass on the table with a thump. “But he is not a ghost. He is a man—who must have left some trace of his presence.”
“He would be in France now.” Richard grimaced. “Chances are he set a fuse and escaped the ship in a rowing boat. They were not far from the French shore.”
“Does the crown have any agents in that part of France?” Darcy asked.
Richard blew out a breath. “We have a few, but the Black Cobra covers his tracks well. We know nothing about him, save his code name. The bastard is likely to escape any punishment.”
Darcy launched himself from his chair and stalked to the window, where he stared without interest at the London street below. “Elizabeth deserves better than that.” Darcy slammed his palm against the wall. “Her death should not be unavenged.”
“I do not disagree. But the War Office is overextended as it is. We do not have enough men to track the movements of Napoleon’s troops or sufficient funds to attract more agents. And vengeance is not a high priority.”
“Surely there is something to be done…” Darcy said slowly, an idea forming in his head. “You could send me to France. I will find him and bring him to London for justice.”
Richard’s shock would have been comical under other circumstances. “What are you about, Darcy?”
“I can visit the area in disguise and make contact with your agents. They can help me find the man.” The more he spoke, the more he warmed to the idea.
“No, it is too risky. The moment you open your mouth—”
“I speak fluent French, as you well know. Adele served as my governess until I was ten and Georgiana’s after that; she and I spoke nothing but French.”
Richard waved his hand in acknowledgement of this fact. “Still, it is too dangerous. You have responsibilities—”
“I had a responsibility to Elizabeth!” Darcy roared, startling his cousin. He took a deep breath, trying to regulate his tumultuous feelings; Richard did not deserve his ire. “If I had courted her properly, this would not have happened,” he said in a hoarse voice.
“You are not a gypsy fortune teller. You could not have foreseen what would happen.”
Darcy scowled. “If I had not proposed in such an offensive manner, she might have accepted my offer and would now be living safely at Pemberley.”
Richard snorted. “You can find a reason to take responsibility for anything. Tell me, how is the Peninsular War your fault?”
“Richard, I must do something.” Darcy paced the length of the room. “I need employment—a purpose. I am not fit for civilized company as I am. I must do something before I run mad.” He stopped and stared at his cousin. “I may do nothing for Elizabeth now, but if I can bring her murderer to justice, it would mean something to her family.” Darcy ran both hands through his hair. “And perhaps I might gain some measure of peace.”
His arms crossed over his chest, Richard regarded Darcy skeptically.
“Send me to France,” Darcy pleaded. “I may help the crown—at no cost.”
“No, merely at the risk of my dearest friend’s life.” Richard’s tone was scathing.
His cousin’s skepticism would not deter him. From the moment Richard had mentioned the Black Cobra, Darcy’s course had been clear.
“You hope to find her body.” Richard’s words were a statement, not a question.
The thought had occurred to Darcy. If he could bring her remains home to Hertfordshire, it would salvage a little solace from the tragedy. But Richard would never see it that way, and Darcy had no desire to argue the point.
Instead he leaned across the table, holding Richard’s eyes. “I can travel to France with the blessings of the War Office, or I can go on my own. You cannot stop me.”
Richard glared. “Damnation, Darcy!”
Finally, Richard looked away with a heavy sigh. “Very well, I will discuss your offer with my superiors, but they may not agree to send you.”
Darcy shrugged. Their disapprobation would present only a small obstacle. One way or another, he would go to France.
Chapter Three