“Ah.” Darcy turned to the man stretched out the floor. With both his hands held ready to perform bodily damage and every muscle in his body taut, Darcy stepped closer to Blake. His neck muscles remained tense as he stood over him.
“I beg you to explain what happened. What is my sin? If I am to put to right this alleged wrong, then you must divulge the reason for this sudden aversion to me. I insist!”
“As you wish. Take Lord Blake to the study.” Darcy barked as he turned to his butler. “You are to return in one hour, and unless I say otherwise at that time, you will throw the blackguard out and never let him grace my house again. Bring as many men as you might need. Big men. Mean men.”
The butler assisted Blake to his feet and grabbed his arm.
Darcy quickly reached the study and held the door open for them. “Throw him in the chair over there. No need to be gentle.”
Blake collapsed into the seat, gasping for air.
“Are you drunk?” A startled Darcy bellowed when he heard a hiccup. “This is unlike you.”
Blake groaned. He slumped further down in the chair, resting his forehead upon his hand.
“Breathe deeply. I want you alert when I charge you with your despicable behavior. And it is despicable, I assure you. I want you sober when you are tossed out like this morning’s refuse.”
Blake’s breathing was heavy, his eyes moist. “I am going to become a monk.”
“Humph. I heard this pronouncement every time you had a problem with either a lady or her parents.” He poured himself a whiskey. “All this time you treated me as a fool! Do not show such false pretense with me.”
“You are wrong, Darcy. I do not understand at all. You caught me off guard, and I cannot recall a single action of mine that would cause such a reaction.”
“I am tired and weary of men like you. Why must your breed always find their way to my doorstep? You may have the family name and even wealth, unlike another person I shall not mention, but you are both rakes.” Darcy spit out the words before dropping into his chair. He fixed his stare on the man sitting across from him.
Blake leaned forward, his hands on his knees. “I implore you to please just tell me what you have been told. I assure you I do not deserve this... impertinence.”
“What do you say about your dealings with Lady Victoria Fitzwilliam? I have heard the most immoral accusations.”
Blake sat upright. “Victoria? What about Victoria?”
“Lady Victoria or I shall thump you again?”
“Yes, of course, Lady Victoria. What do you believe happened? I will share with you my story if you first tell me exactly what is it that you think I did.” Blake waited, and when Darcy did not respond, he said, “Now I am the one not to be trifled with, because only a falsehood made against me would cause you to behave so boorishly.”
“Boorishly? I will defend my cousin no matter who harms her. Tell me you did not use your bloody charm to trifle with her feelings.” Darcy bent forward, grabbed the chair arms, his body slightly raised and his face drew near to Blake’s. “Blast it, Blake, tell me the truth.”
“Trifle – I did not trifle. Is that what you heard? Then Lady Victoria is no lady.”
“Be careful, Blake,” Darcy squeezed the arms. “A pummeling would do you good.”
Blake massaged his chin. “You are wrong. It will not help me at all. So what exactly did I do to Lady Victoria?”
“Trifled with her feelings, broke her heart and then moved on to your next victim—I know it all—first, Lady Victoria, and then, Miss Elizabeth. Why do women fall for rogues like you? You and your father are nothing more than scoundrels.”
“Miss Elizabeth, did you say? How is she involved with my affair with Lady Victoria?”
Darcy jumped up. “I was correct. You did trifle with Victoria.” He stood over Blake. “I shall send you from this house immediately!”
“Darcy, calm down, calm down. I will tell you the truth if you are willing to hear my side.” Blake leapt from his chair. The two men glared unblinking at each other. A spark from the fireplace sputtered towards them, breaking their gaze.
Blake kept his eye focused on Darcy who had relocated to his familiar, comfortable spot – the window overlooking the courtyard. His body remained taut. Blake spied his own image reflected in the glass.
Blake rushed to the side table and poured a brandy. He needed fortification, not to aid him against Darcy, but against himself.
Darcy called out while maintaining his stance looking out the window. “Did you name a horse Cheswick after her as well?”
“No, I did not. What has caused you to be so angry, Darcy? Ask any question about Lady Victoria. I will tell you anything you want, since I have done nothing that I am ashamed to reveal.”
Darcy turned to Blake. “Tell me about your flirtations with Lady Victoria.”
“Would you be willing to listen to the whole story and not interrupt or attempt to pummel me?” Blake chuckled. “I will defend myself next time you try.”
Darcy nodded, and with his hand pointed to the chairs, inviting Blake to sit. Darcy accepted the scotch poured for him as they sat across from each other. Blake waited. Darcy sipped a small amount, set the glass down, and crossed his arms. “Go on.”
“Well, my father is a failed and broken man. Yes, I admit it. I had to remain silent as he plundered the family vault, sold items secretly to pay for his gambling, and even his seductions and debaucheries. Were you aware he keeps several mistresses?”
“No. I did spot him with inappropriate women at times and I am fully cognizant of his habits at White’s.” Darcy relaxed his shoulders slightly, although his arms remained crossed.
“Well if it was just White’s it would be a simpler problem. He has racked up gambling losses in White’s, Waiter’s and even at lowly Crockford’s. Do you know what it is like to belong to such a family? No, do not answer. I am as well aware of your background as you are of mine.”
“I suppose there is probably more to this story than the bare facts my cousin revealed. All he indicated was that you trifled with Victoria’s feelings, left her broken hearted. He implied that you had compromised her at Almack’s. Is there more?”
Blake nodded.
Darcy held up his hand, moved to the door, and informed his servant that under no circumstances were they to be disturbed. He returned to his chair and encouraged him to continue.
While he composed his thoughts, Blake stared at the glass as he swirled his brandy.
Darcy tapped Blake’s arm and spoke in a half whisper. “Please, go on. I promise to hear you out completely before I pass any more judgments.”
“Thank you, I do not ask for more.” Blake lifted his head, leaned back into the chair. “Where was I? Oh yes, my family. When my mother passed away twelve years ago, my father—who to my knowledge had remained true to her; however, I could be wrong—took up companionship with an actress. An actress, Darcy. She connived to gain jewelry, bonds, a house, a carriage and continued to bleed him dry. He gambled at her direction. I suppose my father was grieved; I believe he truly loved my mother.”
Darcy whispered, “Yes, I am sure he did. I remember your mother, and how your father doted on her.”
Blake sipped his brandy. He slumped in his chair. “Father was a typical eldest son that inherited great wealth—arrogant and selfish to all his wants and needs. This is the way with every eldest son, with Bingley the possible exception.”
“Excuse me, Blake. You find me arrogant?”
“Yes, you are. You come and go as you please. You look down on anyone not of your circle. Think about how you treated the society in Meryton. I do not care. You have a right and good reason to be proud of your heritage and to be aloof to those beneath you. I understand your attitude better than most; these people generally only speak to you to gain favor. They always want something. If not money, it is the connection. I fear the day my father discovers I partnered with tradesmen. My God. He despises them. All my life, he b
erated them. Called them scoundrels and cheats. He has not let a tradesman on our property. I digress; allow me to continue with my story.”
“Please do.”
Blake glanced at Darcy, caught his breath, and mumbled, “What should I say?”
“The truth,” he answered.
“As I said, my father spent years gambling away the family fortune. He has not the talent for creating wealth, just spending what already existed. Many of his tenants left for the cotton mills and other industries in the country months ago. They have, in a few cases, improved their lots and in others fared much worse.” Blake paused and then stared at Darcy. “You have faced the competition for the laborers, I assume?”
“I have. Please continue.”
“Very well, I know this cannot be delayed. We are near bankruptcy as Rawlings suggested. My father married off my dearest, sweetest sister to a viscous Austrian commoner. Of course, he obtained a fortune for her hand and no doubt, it was extensive. I suppose in my father’s mind, daughters could marry anyone if there was a large enough fortune. My father is more selective for me. Well, the Austrian received a pound of flesh for every pound given to my father. Did you know she died last summer?”
Darcy shook his head and sat quietly while Blake composed himself.
“No one was permitted to visit her. I suspect the secrecy was to conceal her bruised and broken body. Her husband monitored all her letters, incoming and outgoing. Her maid snuck word to me, still it was too late, or perhaps my knowing was the reason my sweet sister succumbed to the final beating. At least she endures no more pain or misery.” Blake sunk further into his chair
Darcy gripped his arm. “I am most sorry for your loss, Blake.”
Blake nodded. “Well, the money kept us afloat for quite a while. When my brother Edward married Miss Thornsby, as arranged for him, cash appeared. Yes, money can be made through land, trade, banking, industry and marriage. Again, my father cares not the pedigree for his younger children, only the fortune. Madeline was at least of like mind. She, a baron’s daughter, thought she was marrying up. Unfortunately, now she has no funds to spend on gowns, jewelry, or balls. My wonderful younger brother spends more on his mistresses than on her and what he does not spend, my father does. He follows father around as close as a shadow attached to his feet. Margaret has the social connection she wanted. I often wonder how she likes her arrangement now. My family is incapable of making money, except through marriage. I suppose you can figure out where this is heading?”
“I suspect Victoria was to be your arrangement? She possesses a grand fortune.”
“Before we get that far in my story, let me explain a little about me, well, maybe just a little. At Cambridge, I studied hard and I tried to fashion myself after the most successful students. You were one. I noticed how everyone always treated you with the greatest respect, although many feared you as well. That fear was due to your wealth and standing in society. One bad word, one cut from you, and many trying to improve their status would lose their acceptance in the Ton. Overnight. Did you know that, Darcy?”
Darcy furrowed his brow, yet did not speak.
Shrugging, Blake continued. “I doubt if it ever crossed your mind. Well, I tried my best to be as you are—honorable in all your dealings, and desiring the truth above all else. You are my ideal of the best of men, even with your faults.” Blake chuckled when he added, “We all have faults. Do not look so shocked.”
Blake paused as the breath he inhaled caught in his throat. He strode over to the sidebar and poured yet another drink, which seemed to have no effect on his mental awareness. Darcy continued to wait. Blake stared at the fireplace and noticed the embers were growing dim. He tended the fire, collected his thoughts, and sent Darcy a slight smile as he returned to his seat.
“Yes, you did surmise correctly. He demanded I ally myself with Lady Victoria. You must believe me when I confess I did not want to do this. Yet, you know how it is in our society. Marriage agreements are made all the time. I was a coward, too. I had never gone against my father in my entire life. He can be quite formidable. They instill in us that we must honor our parents. No one ever adds to that commandment that we only need to honor them if they remain decent. Nevertheless, he said I was to marry a reputable lady from a respectable family and one with a fortune. He arranged for my introduction to Lady Victoria. With the thought that a marriage to her would make you my cousin, I agreed.”
Darcy sat up, tightening his grip on his glass. “Go on, and I want the whole story, regardless of my earlier reactions.”
Blake nodded. “I attended the same parties, balls, and every theater event. I presented myself to her family as a man in pursuit of marriage. Yes, I did everything in order to court, woo, and win Lady Victoria. She is beautiful, charming, and worthy. Believe me when I say this. At no time did any improper actions take place between Lady Victoria and myself. Not one kiss, not one misleading word, not even a hint of impropriety. Once, I stood a little too close to her at Almack’s and cast my gaze over her body in suggestive manner. That was my worse offense. There was one problem, however.”
“And that was?”
“One day I asked myself what you would do in this case. You understand, I had no desire to actually marry her. Lady Victoria is a pretty, young girl. She has acquired all of societies’ requirements of what a lady should be. Please stay calm. You may not like what I say next.”
Blake waited until Darcy nodded.
“I find her shallow and empty headed, and with not a single thought beyond anything she reads in the fashion magazines or society pages of the newspapers. I want more than this from a wife. She admires all the wrong people, merely because of their status.” Blake paused and composed his thoughts. “Like my father for instance. I no longer hold him in high esteem contrary to you and your family. In fact, as the Duke of Charnwood, everyone does. No one cares that he has ruined the family and brought us to near bankruptcy. The situation has become so horrid now; perhaps we have even lost that.”
Darcy looked away as he recalled his uncle’s admission the previous day.
“Well, lately I would rather a tradesman was my father than him. Perhaps then, I would have been used to veiled disgust thrown my way. In the end, I told Lady Victoria the truth. I did not love her, and I only courted her because my father deemed the alliance desirable. I even told her he was after her money. I swear to you, I never desired her fortune. I am only guilty of being a dutiful son. Now hate me, if you will, for disappointing her dreams. It was done for the best. Lady Victoria needed to know the truth, and one day, I pray she may just find the right person. It is not me.”
After a moment’s pause, he leaned towards Darcy. “What was this you said regarding Miss Elizabeth? You alluded that I was trifling with her.”
“I was wrong. Forgive me, Blake, about my accusations concerning Victoria. Miss Elizabeth is a different story. You pursued her and, yet, you concealed your designs. You would not admit to me what your plans were, leaving me to doubt your intentions were honorable. Until this moment, I had suspected you wanted an arrangement that did not include marriage. Why did you hide your intent from me and lead me to think ill of you? You did it deliberately, and it caused me no end of worries.”
“First, what I do is truly none of your business, nor is Miss Elizabeth under your protection. It was you who was causing no end to my worries. I was desperate for you to remain disinterested and allow my ruse to work. I had forgotten how you take responsibility for your particular friends and acquaintances. Sometimes, Darcy, you overstep your authority and take charge when it is not appropriate, whether it is Cambridge or Netherfield Park. To answer your question, and I did agree to be truthful and forthcoming, my father was the reason for concealing my attachment to her.”
“Oh?”
“If one single whisper about my attentions to Miss Bennet reached his ears, he would have arrived in Meryton with the purpose of badgering her to seek her future elsewhere. He would threaten he
r in any way he found to be successful. I refused to place her in that situation. He can be most formidable.”
A World of Expectations_Book 2_The Confrontation Page 7