The Darcy Brothers

by Abigail Reynolds

  “This situation is what it is. What must be decided is how to manage it. What is it that you wish to happen?”

  Lydia stared at him in surprise. “Why, I wish to be Mrs. Wickham, and hear all my friends call me such. Indeed, that is what I wrote Maria Lucas of, for I knew she would envy me more than any other. And then I wrote Althea Long, for she would have been grieved had Maria known more than she.” She paused, the aggression she had shown earlier fading quickly. “You are the only person to ask me this question.”

  Theo reflected it was likely no one anticipated a sensible answer, and he had not been disappointed. He was done with trying to be polite; it was time to be plain in his speaking, as he had suggested to Elizabeth earlier.

  “You wish to be the wife of a convicted man, transported to the other side of the world?”

  “No—I wish to be the wife of Mr. George Wickham, the man whose life you ruined. If I am to be sent away, I would rather be on the other side of the world with him than in the wilds of the north with a load of sheep!”

  Theo was tempted to point out that even shepherds need wives, but he did not. No unsuspecting yeoman farmer deserved to come home to Miss Lydia Bennet after a hard day on the moors.

  “It is an arduous journey. Do you think you could bear it? Many do not survive its trials.”

  “Oh la!” Lydia waved his concern aside. “I am perfectly hardy; I have never had a day of ill health, and have grown quite the tallest of all my sisters.” She paused and stared dreamily into the distance. “I would be able to walk ahead of all the single young women into every drawing room in the country. Oh it could be delightful!” She clapped her hands together, smiling, all trace of the petulant child gone. “No longer would I be compared with my elder sisters. I should have my own establishment. Do they have balls there? I should so like to lead the dance at a public assembly, and—”

  At this point, Theo acknowledged defeat and tuned out her voice. Balls there may be, but he would not waste his breath explaining that where Wickham was headed they were made of iron.

  “Theo!” Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Darcy on the steps to the house beckoning him. Never had Theo responded more gratefully to a summons from his brother.

  “Excuse me, Miss Lydia.” He turned to her and bowed. “I shall return directly.”

  Lydia shrugged. “Do not hurry on my account. I am sure I have little else to do but wait around.”

  Theo walked quickly towards his brother who turned and preceded him into the house.

  “Intelligence of Miss Lydia’s flight may not be as contained as you hoped. She says she has written of it to both a Miss Lucas and a Miss Long?” Theo shook his head. “It may be that marrying her off to a convicted man is the best we can now hope for.”

  Darcy’s countenance became grave as he too shook his head. “I am afraid it is no longer possible. Here,” he opened a door and ushered Theo inside Mr. Gardiner’s study.

  “What is it?” He frowned at Darcy. “What has happened?”

  “The circumstances remain a little unclear as yet, but we have just received a visit from a constable. Apparently, early this morning Wickham was viciously attacked—”

  “But he is under lock and key!” Theo interjected. “How can this be?”

  “I know very little other than he has been badly injured.”

  “He lives?”

  “For now; they do not anticipate he will last beyond eight and forty hours for his wounds are too severe.”

  “Have they apprehended the attacker?”

  “No. They have been unable to identify who it was or how they got into Newgate as yet.”

  Theo frowned again. “A veritable mystery.” Then, he shrugged. “Though one must suppose Wickham has his fair share of enemies. Perchance one of them is incarcerated in the same place?”

  “Perhaps. There is little we can do; he is in the hands of others now. I am more concerned with Lydia Bennet and what we can do to minimize the damage to the family. Elizabeth will be distressed to learn her sister has written to her friends.”

  “I wish I could have done more than relay even further disturbing news.”

  “Nonetheless, I thank you for offering to help; I know Elizabeth is exceedingly obliged to you for making the attempt.”

  Theo sighed. “What will you do now?”

  Darcy shook his head. “I know not; but do not concern yourself further with either of them, Theo. You have done more than your share by restoring Lydia to safety and ensuring Wickham is behind bars. Let me try to resolve the consequences of the situation.” He smiled slightly. “Why do you not turn that legal brain of yours to the other pressing family matter? I have, in my turn, done little in Kent other than make things worse; I will gladly pass the burden over to you if you are still prepared to take it.”

  “I shall attend to it directly.” Theo followed Darcy out of the study and they walked along the hallway to the front door. “I shall see if Richard is available to accompany me.” He grinned as he shrugged into his greatcoat. “I may need a second if I am to duel with Aunt Catherine.”

  “Take a helmet too,” Darcy cautioned with half a smile. “Anne is truly her mother’s daughter at times.”

  Theo laughed, then his expression sobered. “I do not envy you trying to resolve matters with Miss Lydia Bennet.”

  Darcy sighed. “No more do I.” He glanced down the hallway to the door into the garden. “The first step is to break this news to her. I do not think she will take it well.”

  *****

  Theo sat at his uncle's desk, his head bent over the legal documents Lady Catherine had presented to him. Al-though the language and provisions of the Will were not unusual, he read slowly, carefully, making notes from time to time. He could not understand why all of this had not been made clear at the time the Will was originally read. Perhaps it was because it was in Lady Catherine’s best interest not to say anything, and Anne was too ill or too young to raise any questions. She would have undoubtedly accepted what her mother told her.

  At first, his aunt and cousin had insisted on staying in the room with him while he worked. Lady Catherine had an annoying habit of clearing her throat all the time, as if she wanted to make sure everyone knew of her presence. Honestly, how could he forget? Theo was very glad he'd brought along some reinforcements. The Colonel had accompanied him on this trip partly to keep Theo from losing his mind and partly to help keep his aunt and his cousin from coming to blows.

  “Really, Aunt Catherine, Anne, you should go to your sitting room where you will be more comfortable,” Theo suggested as politely as he could manage.

  “Hrumph! Comfort? What will make me comfortable is for you to finish and tell me what that… that document has to say,” Lady Catherine demanded.

  “I agree,” said Anne, folding her arms over her chest defiantly.

  “If time is of the essence, then I insist you leave me alone to work!” Theo shot his aunt and cousin his most terrifying look. Although it was the same look that had caused grown men to break down on the witness stand, neither of the ladies seemed impressed. Behind them, Theo could see Richard trying in vain not to smirk, and he glared at him, too.

  “That look will not work on me,” Anne said indignantly. “You forget. I have known you all your life, and you do not frighten me.”

  “Then I beg you both to leave me in peace while I read this.” He stood and brought his fist down on the desk. “Now!”

  “There is no need to have a tantrum, Theo dear. I have seen you do that before, and I am not impressed,” said Lady Catherine indignantly.

  Theo came out from behind the desk and took his aunt's arm and then his cousin's. Escorting them to the door, he ejected them out into the hallway with a little push.

  “Richard, would you escort the ladies to the sitting room and make sure no one disturbs me again?”

  The Colonel calmly gave a nod of his head and smiled. “I will post a footman outside the door,” he said as he ushered his aunt a
nd cousin off down the hallway before they could regain their senses and protest.

  Theo closed the study door and turned the key in the lock. Leaning his back against the cool wood of the door, he ran a hand through his hair. Thank goodness he had not inherited the Fitzwilliam temper. His mother had not been like that but the rest of that clan...well, you definitely did not want to cross them.

  About an hour later, Theo finished his examination of the documents. It was fairly straightforward, but he could see there would be problems when he revealed the provisions. Neither his aunt nor his cousin would be happy. Rising from the desk, he stretched his legs. The thought crossed his mind that a glass of brandy might be in order despite the fact that it was just a little after noon. He and Richard had left London at dawn in the hopes that they could settle things here and return before it was too dark to travel.

  He strode over to a cabinet at the side of the room and extracted a bottle of brandy and a snifter. Pouring himself a glass, he swirled the liquid around lazily. When his uncle had been alive, he had kept only the finest brandy in his cellar. Lady Catherine did not like brandy, but Theo was hoping this might be one of the bottles left from his uncle's stores. He sipped and felt the warmth of the liquor spreading though his body. Yes, it was some of the good stuff.

  There was no sense in delaying. He would have to confront the ladies sooner or later. Savoring the fiery liquid for a moment, he thought about how best to manage the situation. Once he decided on a course of action, he finished the brandy in a few gulps, stepped out of the study, and headed toward the sitting room. Feeling a little like he was about to face a firing squad, he took a deep breath and nodded to the footman to open the door.

  Two pairs of female eyes turned and simultaneously bore into him. Their looks were so fierce he was surprised he did not burst into flames on the spot. Richard stood near the fireplace looking very relaxed as usual. Leave it to a military man to be calm in the heat of battle.

  Before Theo could even open his mouth, he was bombarded with questions.

  “What does it say? Can I make Mother move?” Anne asked.

  “I will not move to the Dower House!” said Lady Catherine vehemently. “That would be completely unacceptable.”

  Taking a deep breath, Theo said, “I could give you a long explanation of all the technical, legal aspects of the Will, but you would be bored to tears. The short answer is, Rosings becomes Anne's when she either marries or turns twenty-five, whichever comes first. As she is now over twenty-five, there is no doubt the entire estate belongs to her to manage as she sees fit. She also inherits the house in Town. Aunt Catherine, the Will states you shall be allowed to live here in the main house until Anne marries. You have been left a generous stipend. I am certain it will more than meet your needs.”

  “No, that cannot be!” Lady Catherine shrieked. “I want another opinion!”

  “Father told me he was leaving everything to me, but you would not believe me!” yelled Anne.

  Theo put a hand up to stop them, and much to his astonishment, they quieted. “There are several other important provisions. First, if for some reason Anne is not able to take charge of the estate due to illness, the property can be held in trust for her. During that time, Lady Catherine would be responsible for managing the estate until such time as Anne is able to assume control or she marries and her husband takes over. But then I am certain you already knew that.” Lady Catherine would not meet his eye.

  “Ah, ha! Is that why you kept me drugged for years?” Anne turned on her mother.

  “Anne, my dear child, I was only taking care of your inheritance until you were well,” said Lady Catherine sweetly.

  At the same moment, Theo and Richard both saw Anne’s hand reaching for a small porcelain figurine. Richard reached her first and removed the delicate object before it went the way of some of the other treasures of the house.

  “Anne, you are not ten years old any more. There will be no more throwing things. You are frightening everyone. I am surprised half the servants have not given notice.” Theo was not going to tolerate any more nonsense from either his aunt or cousin.

  Anne turned away from her mother, sniffed haughtily, and put her nose up in the air. Lady Catherine made that noise again in her throat, the one that drove Theo nearly mad. Richard rolled his eyes.

  “There are two more provisions to consider. If Anne does not marry and produce heirs—either male or female—the property reverts to one of the de Bourgh cousins. The second is that Lady Catherine must approve of any gentleman Anne wishes to marry.”

  Lady Catherine smiled triumphantly. Anne started to reach for something to throw again, but Theo stopped her with just a look this time.

  “Anne, would you take a walk with me in the garden?” Theo asked.

  “This is an odd time for a stroll, Cousin,” she replied.

  “I thought perhaps we could talk as we walk. Will you join me?”

  Once in the garden, Theo guided Anne to a stone bench near the roses. “What is it that you want, Anne? I think there is more to this than just who owns the property,” he began.

  “Strange, no one has ever asked what I want.”

  Theo blinked; it was a strange echo of Lydia Bennet’s words to him. Then, he roused himself. “Let the past go and turn toward the future. What is it you see for yourself?”

  She paused to consider the question. “I want to meet people. I wish to marry, but not some stranger my mother picks out for me! And I want a new maid and a new companion.”

  “Very well. The new maid and companion can easily be done. Would you like to open the London house and move to Town for a while? Your chance of making friends there would be much greater.”

  “Yes, I think that would be a lovely idea.” She hesitated.

  “What is it, Anne?”

  “I believe I shall need a little ‘polishing’ before I am ready to meet people,” she responded.

  “Polishing? What do you mean?”

  Anne looked at her hands which were clenched tightly together on her lap. She spoke softly. “I have been out of society for so long that I fear I no longer know how to behave among people. I do not want to embarrass myself.”

  “You are being very brave. There are special ladies who do nothing but prepare young women for their come out. Perhaps that is the kind of companion you need.”

  “Truly? Someone who would help me learn how to walk, how to perform something for company, tell me what to talk about.” She hesitated. “How to flirt?”

  “Yes, those very things.”

  Anne, who had seemed hopeful just a moment before, was now subdued and focused on something far away as she spoke. “I am afraid people will make fun of me or talk behind my back about how old I am. I am not very pretty either.”

  Theo was unsure how to respond. It was true that she was not traditionally pretty, but with the right clothes, a new hairstyle, she would certainly be noticed. She was an heiress after all. The problem would not be too few suitors, but perhaps too many. “I believe an ordinary come out will not do for you. What you need is to be introduced to people at small parties and soirees.”

  “That sounds much better, but who would invite me?”

  “Ordinarily, your mother would manage that for you, but…”

  Anne jumped to her feet. “No! Absolutely not! She would ruin everything!”

  Theo’s heart went out to his poor cousin. “I was going to say—if you had not interrupted me—that we should ask our aunt, Lady Matlock, for assistance. She would be just the person to introduce you around. She knows everyone in the ton. Perhaps she can even recommend a special companion for you or teach you what you need to know herself. Would that meet with your approval?” Theo held his breath while she considered.

  “Would you talk to her for me? Please, Theo.”

  “Of course, I will. Now, what about your mother? Do you truly believe she kept you drugged for her own self interest?”

  Anne looked at her hands ag
ain and shook her head. “No, I think she did it because she believed it was the best thing for me. She loves me in her own strange way. That doctor is the one who gave her the medicine and told her I required it daily. I am angry with her for not knowing better, but I do not believe it was entirely from her desire to control me.”

  “Then you will try to stop fighting with her?”

  Anne nodded. “But I am afraid she will disapprove of any man I meet so she may be able to continue living here in the main house. What am I going to do about that? Or if she does allow me to marry, she will choose some ridiculous man she can manipulate.”

  “I have an idea about that, too. Will you trust me?”

  CHAPTER 17

  Theo and Colonel Fitzwilliam took some refreshments with the ladies before returning to London. The scene proved a bit awkward, so the gentlemen told funny stories which kept at least Anne smiling. Lady Catherine was not as cheerful, but she did make an effort at politeness.

  “I do not understand why you must hie off to Town again so quickly, Theo dear. It would be only polite to stay the night,” Lady Catherine complained.

  Theo shifted uncomfortably. “It would give me great pleasure to spend more time with you, my dear Aunt, but I have matters which require my attention and so must ask your pardon.” Lady Catherine responded with one of her little disapproving noises.

  At some point during the day, Theo had become aware that it was likely Lady Catherine had known about each and every provision of the Will, but was choosing for her own devious reasons to feign otherwise. As such, he chose his next words carefully.

  “Before I depart, there is one last matter to be settled. It is about the provision that you must give your approval of anyone Anne wishes to marry.”

  “Ah, yes. What about it?” Lady Catherine smiled like a smugly satisfied feline.

  Theo felt a shudder run down his back, but he pressed on. “Anne is concerned you will not approve of anyone no matter how eligible just so you will be able to stay here in the main house.”