by Linda Wells
He exited the carriage, and looked up at the façade of his club. He had not set foot inside since his last visit with Bingley. Most members would be at their country homes, but there were always some men inside, so he prepared himself for whatever words they would offer. He entered, and walking up the staircase, passed through the doors to the main room, and went directly to the case where the betting books were kept.
His presence did not go unnoticed. The small group of men in the room stopped their activity and observed as Darcy found the record he desired and paged through. A slight smile appeared, then taking up the pen that lay nearby, dipped it in the ink pot, wrote quickly, replaced the volume, flicked his eyes over the interested crowd, and exited without a word.
Several men rushed up, found the book and turned to the newest entry.
Married 26 November 1811 to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Betting closed.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
“Well, I will be damned.” Pendergast murmured. “Who is she?” The others shook their heads.
“Who won?” Forrest asked.
“Gilbert Hurst.”
Chapter 33
“Well it seems that the joyous Master of Pemberley is on his way home with his beloved wife. If the weather cooperates, they will likely arrive in two days.” Lord Matlock put down the letter and glanced around the table. His eyes fell upon the empty chair at its head, and then moved to take in his niece’s downcast eyes. “You will be pleased to see your brother and sister, will you not, Georgiana?”
“Oh yes, of course, I have missed them both.” Tears suddenly sprang to her eyes and she stood, murmured her excuses and ran from the room.
The men’s gazes turned to Lady Matlock. “No, I am not chasing after her again.” She resumed her meal. “What does Darcy have to say, Henry?”
He stared at his wife for a moment then looked again at the letter. A small smile played on his lips. “If I was not familiar with his handwriting, I would say some unknown man had written this letter and forged his signature. He is effusive in his happiness, praising his wife, his servants, the air of London … well he must be besotted to do that!” They all laughed. “Well Richard, it seems we shall at last meet this wonder that is Elizabeth Darcy. Your own pronouncement of her worth will finally be put to the test.”
Richard took a sip of wine and grinned. “I have no worry over my triumph, Father. You will be enchanted.”
“Hmmph. I wonder though, will her new sister be equally enchanted. Ellen, what is wrong with the girl?”
She sighed. “I believe that she fears Darcy’s anger. She thinks that he will never forgive her impulsive escape from Longbourn which led to Elizabeth running after her and being placed in harm’s way. Mrs. Annesley told me that it is clear how dearly he loves his wife, and how devastated he was with her injury.”
“I think …” All eyes turned to James. He cleared his throat. “I think that she is jealous that her brother is giving all of his attention to Elizabeth instead of her.”
“Now that is an interesting theory. What a wonder to hear it coming from you!”
James glared at Richard and continued. “Well, think about it. If all of these tales of Darcy being besotted with Elizabeth are to be believed …” Richard sighed with frustration. “… then it seems that he has easily given his attention to her in a way that he has never really displayed to his sister. I imagine she was rather hurt that her brother did not escort her to Pemberley himself.”
Richard laughed without mirth. “At the time she could not stomach looking at his face. It was the best decision to have me take her home. She needed to leave the area, well, hang it, I needed to leave the area, and frankly, Darcy needed to be alone with Elizabeth. Her father would not have allowed her to come here unmarried, and she was not able to walk without aid. She needed to remain at Longbourn.”
Lady Matlock agreed. “I have spoken many times to Mrs. Annesley. Georgiana admits freely that the loss of her father’s affection and the absence of its display from Darcy is what drove her to accept Wickham’s attentions and keep the secret.”
Thoughtfully, Richard nodded his head. “Darcy was hardly able to pat her shoulder when we found her at the inn, but when we left for Pemberley; he was wrapping her in a tight embrace.”
Lord Matlock met his son’s eyes. “Something learned from Elizabeth, no doubt.”
“Aye, and something that she missed and likely regrets losing again now that he is married.”
James looked around the table in confusion. “Just a moment, if what you say is true, then my theory is incorrect. It makes no sense for her to think that she will suddenly lose all of her brother’s affection now that he has it from Elizabeth. I can not put the blame for her impulsive behaviour with Wickham, or even after what happened in Meryton, on Darcy’s shoulders. He may not have held her, but what feelings he was capable of displaying were solely for her and done far more easily than for any other person, including us. Growing up with him, she should have been fully aware of his limitations and accepted them. If anything, she should rejoice in his newfound happiness.”
“I daresay he will display it more freely now that he is happily married.” Lord Matlock said as he stared again at the empty Master’s chair.
Richard watched his father’s gaze. “She does not understand that.”
“I will speak to her.” Lady Matlock wiped her mouth and stood. “I hope you boys are taking note of all of this … that is IF either one of you ever marries. I want to see grandchildren before too long.” She glared at both of her blushing sons and looked at her chuckling husband before leaving the room.
“You heard her, boys. You have your marching orders. Go forth and procreate! But do marry first!”
They all laughed with the change in mood and Richard raised his glass. “To the lovely lady who can bear my love!”
“Hear, hear!” James called, grinning. “Do not worry, Father, I intend to make a selection this coming Season. I suppose whatever wild oats I had are most efficiently sown. I am quite ready to settle down. I suppose that I just want to take a gander at this so-called love match that Darcy has found, who knows, maybe that is what I have been anticipating.”
Richard nearly choked on the piece of ham he was swallowing. “Love? You?” He shook his head and looked out the window. “No, I see no donkeys flying about the garden, so it must be a true statement. What has come over you?” James shrugged and said nothing.
Lord Matlock watched his heir then turned to his second son. “And what of you, have you given serious thought to this? You did mention once that had Elizabeth been free …”
“I did, and I was serious, but have I found my true love? No, but then I have not looked as yet.” He paused and met his father’s gaze. “I hope to find her soon. I am desirous of a home and a family. However, I am afraid that I will be unable to find a lady who will wish to be married to a man who might disappear for years of war and no guarantee of return. It will take either a very special or very desperate woman to accept such a fate.”
“I believe Son, that it is time we had a talk.” Lord Matlock said carefully.
“About my sisters’ dowry?” Richard asked.
James looked up in confusion. “Pardon?”
Lord Matlock’s eyes widened. “You know?” Richard nodded. His father sighed. “Darcy told you. Well, what do you think?”
“I wish I had known years ago, but Father … I am grateful if it is true.”
“It is. I will show you the papers when we return to Matlock, but … please, go ahead, and find your bride.”
Richard smiled and reached across the table to shake his father’s hand. “Thank you, sir.”
James looked from one to the other. “Will someone tell me what the deuce is happening?”
“I have just promised a significant portion of your inheritance to your brother, James. He shall be given fifty thousand pounds and a small estate worth three thousand a year located near Matlock. He will recei
ve this as soon as he resigns his commission. He, of course, must find himself a bride as well.”
“Do you object?” Richard fixed a challenging stare upon his spluttering brother.
“Object!” He calmed and relaxed. “No, of course not. What funds are these, what is this of sisters?”
Lord Matlock smiled. “I was merely preparing for my younger son. Something that I hope both of you remember someday.”
“WELL?” Bingley shoved his friend into the bookroom at Longbourn and closed the door. The Darcys were stopping there to rest the horses and collect the last of Elizabeth’s purchases from the Meryton dressmaker before continuing on with the first day of their journey to Pemberley.
“Well what?” Darcy turned and folded his arms across his chest, and raised a brow at his beaming friend.
He sighed. “The wedding … the marriage …” He lifted his brows and whispered while leaning forward. “Is it all that you imagined?”
Darcy fixed a burning glare upon him. “A gentleman does not speak of such things, Bingley, and I AM a gentleman.”
“Do not pull rank on me, Darcy. Come now, tell me all.” Bingley plopped down on a corner of Mr. Bennet’s desk, folded his arms, and smiled at him angelically.
A slight smile appeared on Darcy’s lips and a distinct twinkle appeared in his eye. Bingley jumped up from the desk and clapped him on the back. “Well done, Darcy!” He laughed and wrung his hand. “Excellent! I can be nothing but pleased and insanely jealous of you!”
Darcy relaxed and smiled fully. “I have said nothing, and mind you, Bingley, I never will discuss such things with any man, but I will confess to being … for the first time in my life … truly happy. It is …” He shook his head and just smiled at his shoes. Bingley laughed again. Darcy looked back up. “So when will you join me in this state of euphoria?”
“Ah, seemingly ages, I am afraid. We will marry at the end of February.”
Darcy’s brow knit and he took a seat. “Why so long?”
Bingley resumed his perch on the desk. “Darcy, you courted Elizabeth for three months and were engaged for nearly two. When you add it all up; our wait for the altar will be nearly identical.”
“So it will, I suppose that I just remember how terribly long that wait was.” He met his friend’s knowing smirk and smiled.
“Well hopefully my time of engagement will not be quite as tormented as yours.”
“Speaking of torment …”
The amusement left his face and he sighed. “Yes, Caroline, well she is in my townhouse. I will go to London tomorrow to meet with my board of directors for our quarterly review, and will also meet with my lawyers about Caroline. From what I have heard so far, I should leave her dowry alone, at least to the end of the year, to get the last quarter of interest paid in from the funds, then search out some apartments to have her established by my wedding date.”
“Have you heard from her?” Darcy sat back and resting his elbows on the chair arms, templed his hands.
“Not a peep. Louisa took her around in their carriage, dropping off her cards to every member of the ton with whom she could claim acquaintance. It was a kind gesture that I do not know I would have permitted … she and Hurst have decided to remain in town, but they are not telling Caroline that.” He grinned.
Darcy shook his head and his lips twitched. “Hurst won the betting on my marriage date.
“Yes, I know, he wrote crowing about it. The day they arrived in town, he high tailed it to the club and laid down his cash. He was wrong on the exact date, but was certainly the closest. That man is fond of cards, but this was a sure thing. I only regret not winning a piece of it myself!”
Darcy chuckled and shook his head. “What will he do with the winnings?”
“He spoke of a second honeymoon with Louisa for the winter. They are really working to overcome the years of Caroline’s interference in their marriage, and, well, obviously it will take them far away from her.”
His brows rose, realizing how high the stakes were in this particular betting pool. “I am delighted to have been of assistance in such a noble endeavour.” Charles rolled his eyes. “What are your honeymoon plans?”
“I think that we will remain in town. Jane should be presented, and she has never experienced a Season. It really will be good for us both to be introduced as a couple, I think.”
Darcy gave a resigned nod. “Well, with your wedding, we will come here and then continue to town. But at this point I am undecided about society. I truly dread the scrutiny we will doubtless have to endure. I know that Elizabeth must eventually be presented, and we must do our duty. Even if it is too late for Georgiana, we must think ahead to our children. I am battling with this decision, as you can see. I have no desire to associate with the majority of them ever again.”
Bingley looked at him sympathetically. “You do not wish to put on a show for those who openly disparaged your family.”
He sighed heavily and nodded. “It would not be done with enthusiasm, but at least it will be far more bearable having Elizabeth there by my side. I cannot imagine what the next Season would have been were I still unmarried.”
“The matrons would be licking their chops, smelling blood and desperation.” Bingley grinned again and Darcy grimaced with agreement. “They are all such hypocrites, you know.”
“Yes, I do, I am fully aware of the hidden behaviour of society. However, if I had been there for the next Season alone, I know that my aunt and uncle would have had to drag me to the dinners to re-establish my place. My greatest fear now is what they will do to Elizabeth. You know as well as I do that they do not like outsiders, they will attack her roots, suggest mercenary motives … I hope that my aunt will sponsor and guide her. That is if she accepts her as my wife in the first place, but I suppose I will have that answer in a few days when we arrive at Pemberley.” He shook his head. “Our time in London was short, and we had no contact with society. Elizabeth only let it show briefly, but I know that Darcy House intimidated her. I can not imagine what her reaction to Pemberley will be when she sees it; I have hardly prepared her for this role.” He ended softly, looking at the floor.
“Darcy … she will be fine. She is an extraordinarily strong and intelligent woman. And I have no doubt that you will be by her side in everything. Your staff will be so overjoyed to see you happy that they will likely fall all over themselves to help her learn.”
“I do not wish her to regret accepting me. She deserves only the best, not more troubles.” He continued to stare down at his shoes.
“I believe that she would say that she has the best already.” Bingley smiled, tilting his head.
Darcy eyes lifted to his friend and lit up. “She has mentioned that.”
“She will be fine Darcy. Your staff will not allow their mistress to fail. They have waited too long to see Pemberley a happy home.”
“As have I.” The two friends smiled at each other and started when the door opened.
Mr. Bennet entered the room. “Gentlemen, I am sorry to interrupt this reunion, but I would like a word with my son.”
Bingley jumped to his feet and grinned. “Certainly, Mr. Bennet. I will go join the ladies.” He winked at Darcy and exited, closing the door behind him. Mr. Bennet took his seat behind the desk and regarded the countenance of his son-in-law.
“My Lizzy appears very happy, Darcy.”
Darcy smiled. “I believe sir; that Elizabeth is predisposed to such an emotion, but I can only be pleased that she continues to possess it under my care.”
“Indeed. I have no doubt that shall be the case for both of you.” Darcy inclined his head and watched Mr. Bennet with concern. Something of weight was on his mind. “I wonder sir, are you acquainted with a man named Angus Douglass?”
“Mr. Douglass? Yes, he is a very successful brewer in the North. He purchases a great deal of his corn from Pemberley. Why do you ask?”
Mr. Bennet ignored his furrowed brow and ploughed on. “Have you met his w
ife?”
Confused, Darcy spoke slowly. “Yes, she occasionally accompanies him on his trips, especially now that the children are older, their youngest is in Eton now, and their eldest, Marshall, just began to work in the family business this summer after graduating from Oxford.”
“Does Mrs. Douglass remind you of anyone?”
Darcy’s brow creased again, wondering his point, and he attempted to recall a woman he had met only briefly and over a year earlier. “I am sorry sir, but I only remember dark hair, and …” He stopped, tilting his head in question, and staring at Mr. Bennet.
“Yes?” He sat forward and nodded urgently.
“Eyes, she had very expressive eyes.” Mr. Bennet nodded again and leaned back. “Sir, what are you trying to tell me?”
“Mrs. Douglass is my sister, Sarah. She married Angus Douglass when he was just leaving his apprenticeship to a brewer in Scotland. The brewer died suddenly, and as he had no heir, Angus took over his small operation and it has grown to the thriving business it is today. They moved south to Derbyshire ten years ago. Elizabeth has written to her, and she has written to me, asking for an explanation of how you came to marry. She had nothing but praise for you. I took the liberty of explaining your sister’s situation to her … I thought if anyone could understand … I hope that you are not angry with me.”