by Brenda Webb
Richard chuckled mirthlessly. “He still tries to frighten me!”
Just then, the study door opened and Penelope Holmes stuck her head inside. “Walter? I hope I am not disturbing you, but when I learned that Colonel Fitzwilliam is—”
A wide smile split Lord Holmes’ face when his beloved wife interrupted the conversation, and when she rushed into the room upon seeing Richard, he began to chuckle.
“Oh, Colonel!” The petite woman gushed, stopping before him. “I was so pleased to learn from your mother that you were transferred to London. You must not be a stranger now that we are in the same town. And you must attend the ball!” She looked over her shoulder. “Tell him he must attend, Walter.”
“I am no longer in the military, dear, so I cannot give orders. I may only request.”
“Then I shall be forced to give the orders. You MUST come, Richard.”
Richard stood to take her hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. “Had I more commanding officers like you, Lady Holmes, the army would be a much more pleasant occupation!”
“We are old friends—it is still Penelope.”
Richard nodded. “Penelope.”
As she turned to study Steven Neilson, Holmes and Richard exchanged amused glances. Both knew what she was thinking—this tall, good-looking fellow with blond hair and blue eyes would make an excellent dance partner for some lady. Nonetheless, before she could utter a word, her husband intervened.
“Penelope, may I introduce Colonel Neilson, and, yes, I have already asked him to the ball. Colonel Neilson, this is my lovely wife.”
Before Neilson could reply, she bobbed a curtsey. “Colonel, so good to make your acquaintance. Please tell me that you dance! ”
Everyone, including Neilson, laughed. “Yes, Lady Holmes. I do dance, and I shall attend the ball with pleasure.”
“Good. Then, that is settled. I shall expect you and Richard!”
Suddenly, she faced her husband. “Oh, I almost forgot. Elizabeth and Alfreda purchased muffins while they were in Town. I had Cook make tea, and we were just going to enjoy them in the parlour. We would love for all of you to join us.”
Before anyone could object, Lord Holmes accepted and both colonels followed Lord and Lady Holmes as they led the way to the parlour.
~~~*~~~
Thirty minutes later, Richard sat mute, astonished by two things—the proficient manner in which Colonel Neilson entertained the room with his tales of life in the army and the identity of one of the young women introduced to him.
While he had certainly found Neilson humorous around a campfire, he had never witnessed the effect he had on respectable company with less bawdy tales. And were he not aware that the colonel was in love with his sister, Alicia, he might have deduced that the man was trying to win the attention of at least one of the eligible ladies in their company. And that lady was eagerly paying attention to Neilson’s tall stories, her fine eyes sparkling with merriment.
When Penelope had introduced the women earlier, Richard had discovered that he was already familiar with Alfreda Wilkens. Though they had never met, he had seen her about town with her late father. In addition, he was quite familiar with her brother, the Earl of Hampton, having encountered him at White’s often when accompanying Darcy. Neither he nor his cousin cared for the earl’s attitude of self-importance, nevertheless, Richard had to admit that he saw nothing of that flaw in his painfully shy sister.
In contrast, the pretty, dark-haired woman had him acting like a schoolboy until he learned her name. Had Darcy not uttered that same name, Elizabeth Bennet, only weeks before, Richard might have been in great danger of falling under the spell of the lovely ebony orbs that now studied him. Thus, it was with a great deal of effort that he had mumbled a reply and scurried to the furthest seat from which to observe her while he recovered his senses.
From his vantage point, it was quickly evident that more than just beauty had stolen his cousin’s heart. Miss Bennet’s complete lack of affectation was as refreshing as her sincerity. Feigning occupation with his food and drink, Richard was free to enjoy her lively conversation, impertinent questions and infectious laugh. Moreover, she impressed him with her attempts to draw Miss Wilkens into the discussion, showing compassion for the shyer lady’s feelings. His conclusion? How could Darcy NOT fall in love with her?
Consequently, as everyone readied to leave, he moved in her direction, determined to learn if she remembered his cousin with the same fondness Darcy displayed.
She raised a quizzical brow when he called her name. He glanced at the other occupants of the room. They were talking and would not likely hear what he had to say.
“Lady Holmes mentioned that you live in Hertfordshire, Meryton specifically.”
“That is correct.”
“Then perhaps you have met my cousin’s best friend, Charles Bingley? I understand that recently he rented an estate there.”
Elizabeth’s expression darkened, causing Richard to wonder if he had touched on an unpleasant subject for the young woman. “Yes. I had the honour. However, Mr. Bingley quit Meryton abruptly a few days ago.”
Richard chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “He does have a tendency to move quickly when my cousin sends for him.”
“Your cousin?”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
The colour draining from Elizabeth’s face did not go unnoticed. “Mr. Darcy is your cousin?” She stared off into space for a brief moment, then met his eyes with a wan smile. “I should have known there was some connection, given the name.”
“Yes. It is a bit confusing, for in Darcy’s family, the firstborn often takes his mother’s maiden name. His mother was my father’s sister. Thus he is Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
“I… I see.”
Just then, Penelope Holmes came rushing over to put her arm around Elizabeth’s shoulder. “Do you not think Miss Bennet a fine addition to the social scene, Richard? She is so lovely that I expect her dance card will be full before the ball begins, what with her uncle, my husband and my cousin already having claimed a set.”
Richard addressed Elizabeth. “Lady Holmes makes a good case for not delaying. May I enquire if you have a set open, Miss Bennet?”
Amused, Elizabeth was about to reply when a man’s voice boomed across the room. “Miss Bennet has granted me the honour of the first and supper sets, Colonel Fitzwilliam!”
With that exclamation, the Earl of Hampton strode directly to where Elizabeth, Richard and their hostess were standing. Evidently he had entered the room as everyone was preparing to depart, going unnoticed as he stood just inside to observe Elizabeth’s behaviour. Penelope was taken aback by her cousin’s manners, but decided against making a show of it openly. Instead, she vowed to take him to task privately and moved to join her husband. Instantly, Wilkens took her place, standing as close to Elizabeth as propriety permitted, all the while glaring at Richard.
Elizabeth was furious! She had promised him only one set and his possessive behaviour was annoying. The look she gave Wilkens did not go unnoticed by William’s cousin. However, just as she was about to put him in his place, Alfreda Wilkens appeared at her side, almost as though she had sensed that Elizabeth was about to chastise her overbearing brother.
She commented in a teasing manner, “Colonel, my brother is quite taken with Miss Bennet, I fear. I suggest you secure your set quickly before he demands them all!”
Not one of them smiled along with Alfreda, who tried to put on a brave face. However, upon seeing her anxious expression, Elizabeth endeavoured to make light of the situation. Ignoring Wilkens, she teased Richard, “Do not fear, Colonel. I am unmarried, and I intend to dance with all the eligible men!”
The scowl on Wilkens face was unmistakable as he turned abruptly on his heel and headed to the door. Alfreda sighed, shrugged her shoulders and followed, catching his arm to stop him halfway. This left Richard and Elizabeth watching brother and sister argue, though they were endeavouring to keep their voice
s down.
Finally, Richard ventured, “How well do you know the earl, Miss Bennet?”
“We met only a few days ago.”
“If I did not know better, from the way he behaves I would think you were betrothed.”
“He presumes too much. I hardly know the man,” she answered, though her eyes stayed locked on the quarrelling siblings.
“Most young women would think him an excellent match—what with his wealth and title. I have heard him described as the most eligible bachelor in London.”
“I assure you that such things hold no weight with me. I prefer to judge a man by his character.”
From the corner of his eye, Richard took her measure. Judging by the set of her jaw and the way her dark eyes flashed angrily, she certainly looked as if she meant every word.
“I hoped that was the case, as my cousin would be very upset to learn that you are engaged.”
Elizabeth’s head swung around to examine Richard, her mind beginning to race as fast as her heart. Unfortunately, the rest of the party chose that moment to leave, affording her no chance to ask what he had meant. Everyone proceeded towards the door, then down the hallway in the direction of the foyer. She was attempting to edge closer to the colonel, hoping to whisper her question, when Wilkens grabbed her arm, stopping her progress.
“Per your Aunt Gardiner’s request, I am to escort you home, Miss Bennet. Alfreda will accompany us.”
Too upset to enquire of Wilkens how he had arranged to escort her home, all Elizabeth could do was watch as Colonel Fitzwilliam expressed his thanks to their hosts, acknowledged being pleased to have met her and Alfreda, and made his way out the front door. Colonel Neilson echoed his actions, exiting right behind him.
Elizabeth had no way of knowing that it would be quite some time before she would learn the reason for the colonel’s statement.
~~~*~~~
In the carriage
“If you scowl like that all the way to army headquarters, your face may never recover!”
Richard startled, his gaze settling on the colleague he had almost forgotten was in the carriage. “I am sorry. I was woolgathering.”
“I will wager that I can guess what your woolgathering entailed.”
“I think not!” Richard tried to smile at Neilson’s teasing.
“You are thinking that Lord Wilkens is an arse, and you are upset that he is attempting to secure Miss Bennet, whom you fancy.”
At first, Richard was stunned. Then he realised that any sane man would think Wilkens was an arse. He began to chuckle. “You only deduced what was easy. Wilkens is an arse, and anyone who has met the man would grasp that very quickly.”
“And my other theory? You fancy the lovely Miss Bennet for yourself?”
“Lovely Miss Bennet? I thought you were in love with Alicia?”
“I AM in love with Alicia, but I am not blind!” Neilson declared decidedly. “I can still appreciate a pretty woman and so can you, it seems. Now, if I am incorrect and you do not fancy Miss Bennet for yourself, what was that all about?”
“You know well enough that a second son must marry a woman with a large dowry, which evidently is not the case with Miss Bennet. Her open and friendly manner and the style of her clothes suggest a country upbringing, without the money or prestige of the ton. That would not be a deterrent if I were wealthy, as I found her demeanour refreshing, but alas, I am not.” Left unsaid was the fact that he would never approach the woman he knew his cousin loved.
“I apologise. I was wrong to assume that your marked attention to her at the end of our visit was more than friendship.”
“Let that be a lesson. Appearances can be deceiving.”
“Such as Wilkens having all the appearance of a gentleman but none of the comportment?”
Richard nodded. “Well said, Colonel. Well said.”
“I watched him insinuate himself into your conversation with Miss Bennet. Rumour is that he is desperate to find someone suitable to marry because he has been turned down by three debutants this year. I do find it sad that he has apparently set his cap for such a vivacious woman as Miss Bennet. I cannot imagine her being leg-shackled to that pompous idiot. My own dear father vowed that he would never allow Hampton to court my sisters, so that should tell you something.”
“It certainly does,” Richard agreed.
And Darcy will be heartsick to learn of Wilkens’ interest in the woman he loves.
Immediately he sobered, remembering the anger in Wilkens eyes as he loudly touted his sets with Miss Bennet. A still, small voice that he had learned to value and obey whispered a warning.
Wilkens is dangerous. If Darcy is serious about Miss Bennet, he had best begin to seek a divorce now and secure her heart and hand!
~~~*~~~
In a separate carriage
Having just left Elizabeth at the Gardiners’ house on Gracechurch Street where he had been very charming to the couple, the Wilkens’ carriage had barely cleared the next street when John Wilkens began to berate Alfreda.
“Never make light of my feelings again!” he roared, causing his sister to hide her face in her hands. “In fact, I forbid you to ever discuss me or my feelings with anyone, do you hear me!”
Trembling, Alfreda nodded without answering.
“DO YOU HEAR ME?”
“Y…Yes.”
Used to her brother’s tirades, though lately each seemed worse than the last, Alfreda had dreaded the moment they were alone. Nevertheless, she liked Elizabeth so well that she had only meant to distract her from her frustration with John. He was too presumptuous and well aware that he had never been granted the supper set! Thus, in her eagerness to prevent a repeat of what had happened with the other women her brother had deigned to single out, she had intervened.
“What I say or do is not your business! Nor do I need you to make excuses for my actions!”
“But, Brother, I was only trying to smooth things over. I did not want Miss Bennet to think you overbearing and reject you like—”
“Reject me? No one has ever rejected me! I have rejected them!” Her brother’s face began to turn bright red as it always did when he was extremely angry. She took several deep breaths as she tried to think of what to say next.
“But… but you said that Miss Christensen, Miss Hartwell and Miss Norwood all ended the courtship. You told me that they—”
“Enough! I told you nothing of the sort. On closer study, I simply found each of them unsuitable for a wife. It was I who decided THEY were inappropriate! And, furthermore, I am not overbearing!”
Alfreda sighed, turning her head to the window. At least he was unlikely to strike her with the servants just outside the carriage. There was no reasoning with him when he was angry. The best she could hope for was that he would calm down before they got back to their cousin’s house.
Suddenly, there was a hand on her arm and she startled. John moved to sit next to her, feigning concern. “I shall need your help to secure Miss Bennet’s trust, as it appears that she likes you. Let us forget about your slip of the tongue and move forward. Are you willing to help me convince her of my sincerity?”
There was nothing to do but consent, so she did. He seemed pleased, smiling in the same manner as he had whenever he apologised for hitting her. He knew not the meaning of sincerity, but what could she do? She very much liked Elizabeth Bennet, and it would be comforting to have another woman in the family. In addition, she held out hope that when he married, he would be kinder to her… to everyone.
Suddenly the carriage came to a halt, and Alfreda watched warily as her brother exited the carriage then turned to hand her out. He was smiling as though they had never argued when they entered their cousin’s home. After handing coats and gloves to the servants, she moved towards the stairs, intending to escape to her room. He stopped her before she took the first step.
“I suggest you retire early tonight, as you need to be at the Gardiner’s early in the morning.”
�
��I have no appointment with Miss Bennet in the morning.”
“You do now. I had a good visit with the Gardiners while you and Miss Bennet were occupied. I arranged for both of you to frequent the modiste tomorrow with Mrs. Gardiner going along as a chaperone. You will order six gowns—three will be ball gowns—and insist Miss Bennet place the same order. I will leave it to you to select the correct fabrics and styles as her aunt would not know what is fashionable. Shame our new friend into cooperating if need be by emphasising the unsuitability of her clothes. Mrs. Gardiner will pretend to pay for her purchases, but, in truth, I shall pay for everything. Her apparel is not up to the standard that I shall require if I am to escort her about Town.”
Alfreda cringed. All of the ladies who had ended their relationships with her brother had been opposed to his officiousness. She pondered bringing that up, but knew it would only make him angrier. In the end, she decided to confide in Lady Holmes. Perhaps her cousin would have some suggestions for tempering his penchant for being dictatorial. She raised her eyes to find him still talking.
“… and I told Mrs. Gardiner I would send the carriage at ten. I do not want you to be late.”
She pretended to smile. “I shall have to take your advice then and retire early.”
He looked as pleased as a cat that had caught a mouse. Alfreda shivered anew. Never would she get used to this expression—the one he wore when he was content to have gotten his way.
~~~*~~~
Chapter 11
London
Grantham Townhouse
Several days later
The Drawing Room
“Are you sure you took every precaution? I cannot risk having you seen going in and out of my residence,” Gisela chided her unexpected guest, looking about the well-appointed room as though a spy might be hiding behind an upholstered chair or the exquisite silk drapes.
Wickham sighed in exasperation. “What more would you have me do—assume a disguise worthy of the theatre? Would a wig or a cape satisfy you? I came through the alley, and your butler let me in through the servants’ entrance.”