by Pamela Lynne
“I think you will be surprised by their manners and gentility. I suspect you and Mrs. Gardiner will be great friends by the end of dinner.”
“We shall see.”
Darcy reached for her hand and looked at her beseechingly. “I need your help, Aunt. Lady Susan will not be cruel, but she will not be warm either, and you know how the ladies of the ton will treat her. Elizabeth is strong, but she will need support. Her aunt loves her and has raised her well, but she is not from our circles. I need Elizabeth to know that she has someone she can turn to for advice when it gets to be too much. I am asking you to be that someone.”
Catherine placed her hand on his and looked in his eyes. As much as he resembled his father, those eyes were all Lady Anne, her beloved sister. Catherine had promised her before she died that she would look after the children she was leaving behind, and thus far, she had failed.
“Yes, Fitzwilliam, I will help. I will act in your mother’s stead and welcome your Miss Bennet. I cannot promise I will always be warm, but I will offer my help and encouragement.”
Darcy leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Aunt. I know you will love her.”
********
Darcy was miserable. At his aunt’s insistence, he had come to his club with Richard and Sebastian instead of joining her and Georgiana in receiving Elizabeth. He had not seen her at all the day before and was feeling quite dejected.
“Well, Cousin, you managed to make Anne quite angry the other day. Have you made amends yet?” Richard asked.
“Not yet. She has not left her chambers and will not receive me. Aunt Catherine assures me she will feel better soon and will speak to me then.”
“I still cannot believe meek little Anne had the gumption to tell you off, Darcy. Even as a child, before she was sick, she got others to fight her battles for her, usually Richard.”
Sebastian tapped his foot nervously under the table and surreptitiously looked around the room. He had not been much in society since the incident with Lord Barrymore, and he was anxious about the possibility of encountering him. Looking around, he saw all the familiar faces from his years in London, and for the first time since he was a child, he longed for the countryside and Matlock.
The memory of that evening was never far from the surface. He had sat on the floor, dumbfounded, while two men deep in their drink and short in their wit decided his fate. He was helpless, not because of Barrymore, but because he was too gone himself to make much sense of the situation. All he saw was the gun in his face, and all he heard was his father’s curses. It was the next morning, when he was sober, that he realized what happened. He went out one night, completed his usual rounds, and came back destitute. He was ashamed and felt a fool. Twenty thousand pounds was paid to a man so inebriated that a stiff breeze could have blown him over. Barrymore was no fool, though. The draft was in his solicitor’s hands by the time Matlock House was awake. There was no recourse, just humiliation, and he now sat in a room full of gentlemen who likely knew his shame.
Richard leaned in and spoke in a low, reprimanding voice, “Calm yourself, Brother. If you present yourself as prey, they will devour you. Do not let them see your agitation.”
Sebastian nodded and attempted to calm, but all the blood left his face when the moment he feared arrived: Lord Barrymore walked into the room flanked by two other men. His bloviating had reached the recesses before he was even seen. Almost immediately, he saw the three cousins sitting apart from the crowd and slithered his way to them.
“Darcy, Fitzwilliam, Hedley.” He nodded to Sebastian with a smirk. “It is a rare occurrence to see the three of you together.”
“Now that you have seen this rare occurrence, feel free to go on with your business, Barrymore,” Richard hissed.
Barrymore did not take the hint—his first mistake. “But I have not offered my congratulations. Darcy, I saw your girl from across the street the other day, but you entered your carriage before I could pay my respects. What I did see was quite impressive. When will we next get a look at her?”
Darcy stared the man down and spoke venomously as his cousins looked on, “Be careful what you say next, Barrymore. Perhaps you should listen to Colonel Fitzwilliam and move on. Not all of us are as casual with our women as you are with yours.”
The lord carried on—his second mistake. “From what I hear, she is from Hertfordshire. A country nobody, Darcy, when you could feast on any beauty of the ton? I thought you smarter than that. What happened, Darcy, her papa catch you behind the curtains?”
Darcy rose, intending to grab Barrymore by the throat, but Richard beat him to it, catching the rotund gentleman by surprise and backing him against the wall.
“Are you daft, Barrymore? Did you think you could insult my cousin after you put a gun to my brother’s head and not face any consequences? Do you find your influence so great that I will overlook your offenses for fear of censure? You are quite mistaken, my lord.”
Richard’s right arm rested heavily over the man’s throat, and he was struggling to catch his breath. Richard felt Sebastian pulling at his elbow.
“Richard, for God’s sake, let him go! You are choking him.” Richard loosened his grip but did not release him.
“Nay, Brother, he can speak. In fact, he was about to call me out for insulting his whore of a wife. You were quite ingenious, Barrymore, the way you managed to get twenty thousand pounds for a bit a flesh that has seen more cock than a used-up courtesan.”
“Good God, Richard, enough!” Darcy exclaimed as he and Sebastian finally managed to pull him off the earl, who was wide-eyed and panting heavily.
“We are all waiting, Barrymore. Will you call me out? No? Where is your heir then? Perhaps David would like to hear what I have said about his mother and then act as an honorable gentleman should.”
Richard nodded his head, stepped back toward Barrymore, and looked him in the eye. “David knows where to find me if he chooses to defend his mother. Then you will have the privilege of seeing your son facing down the barrel of a gun.”
Richard straightened his jacket, and with one last look at the shaking gentleman in front of him, he turned and left the room with his bewildered relations trailing behind.
Chapter Fourteen
* * *
Catherine peered over her cup toward the two ladies sitting across from her. Elizabeth had tried to engage Anne in conversation for at least a quarter of an hour before finally finding a topic she had an opinion on. The guilt she had begun to feel over the past few days was growing heavier. Anne truly had very little to contribute to polite society, and it was all her fault.
She never prepared Anne for life outside of Rosings, yet she pushed for her to be mistress of Pemberley. How awful it would have been for Darcy to have a wife who could only speak of the different foliage found in Kent. How inferior would Anne have felt every day of her life? All this time, Catherine felt she was a good mother by sheltering her, but the truth was, she was selfish. It would have hurt too much to let Anne go, to see her try and fail. It never occurred to her that she could succeed.
Catherine was startled from her line of thought by Anne voicing an insight on the war with Napoleon. It was clear and well thought out, catching her mother by surprise.
“Anne, dear, how do you know so much about the war?”
“Mostly from the papers.”
“You read the papers?”
“Yes, Mama. I admit I do not follow much beyond news of the war, and that is only so I will better understand what Richard writes. His letters are rare but filled with stories of battle.”
“I had no idea.”
“Well, now you do,” Anne said with a smile.
Elizabeth had been nervous when she arrived earlier and disappointed not to see Darcy, but she recovered quickly enough and soon felt more at ease, until Catherine started her inquisition.
“You have four sisters, I believe, Miss Bennet? Are any of your younger sisters out?”
“Yes, ma
’am, they are all out.”
“All five sisters out at once? Mr. Collins should have enough to choose from. I wonder why he is so adamant to have you.”
Catherine’s eyes looked her over, landing on her breasts. Probably has something to do with those.
Georgiana looked at her aunt and wondered at her blunt words. Was she trying to insult Elizabeth? She also had to wonder why her family seemed so obsessed with Lizzy’s breasts.
“I beg your pardon, ma’am, but I believe it is my father who is determined to see me marry Mr. Collins. I have never encouraged an attachment. I am sure his interest could be easily diverted elsewhere.”
“Hmm.” Lady Catherine seemed lost in thought for a few moments before she began again.
“Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?”
“A little.”
“Oh! Then sometime or other we shall be happy to hear you. Do your sisters play and sing?”
“One of them does.”
“Why did not you all learn? You ought all to have learned. No one enjoys music more than I, and Anne would have been a true proficient had I allowed her to learn. Do you draw?”
“No, not at all.”
“What, none of you?”
“Not one.”
“That is very strange. But I suppose you had no opportunity. Your mother should have brought you to town every spring for the benefit of masters.”
“Unfortunately, my mother does not value education beyond what she deems necessary to find a husband. Thankfully, my aunt is not of the same mind and provided masters for us when we lived with her and my uncle for a short time.”
“Us?”
“My elder sister and myself, ma’am”
“Are you close to your sister?”
“We were close, ma’am, before I moved to town,” Elizabeth stated without emotion. She was learning how to don the Darcy mask, but Catherine was not dissuaded.
“You were close, Miss Bennet?”
“Fitzwilliam said she was horrible to you, Lizzy,” Georgiana saved Elizabeth from having to reply. “Let us speak of happier things, such as Anne being here. Tell me, Cousin, is there anything you would like to do during your stay with us?” Georgiana hoped this would end Catherine’s examination of her friend. Elizabeth still became emotional when she spoke of her family.
Catherine, though by no means through with her questioning, was pleased to see Georgiana’s desire to protect her future sister. She was beginning to believe Darcy’s words about them all caring for Anne.
She was about to speak again when the sound of raised voices reached them. Recognizing one of the voices as Darcy’s, Elizabeth rose and looked toward the door. She hesitated, unsure if she should go to him. The other ladies looked at each other questioningly.
Catherine saw this and took charge. “Georgiana, you and Anne stay here and finish your discussion. Miss Bennet, come with me.”
********
“What the hell possessed you, Richard? The point of us being there was to stem any possible scandal, not create one! Why did you attack him?”
“And what would have happened if I had not, Darcy? You would have called him out for insulting Elizabeth.”
“Yes, I would, and he would have simpered and crawled back to his hole. But you had to call his wife a whore in public. There is no chance he can let that insult go without retaliation.”
“Darcy is right, Richard. You went looking for a fight, and you found one. All that remains to be seen is who it will be with, the lord or the viscount. Either way, you risk hanging and for what purpose? Revenge? I appreciate the sentiment, but I would rather have my brother.”
“At least you believe I would come out the victor,” Richard stated lightly as he poured a large brandy. Both Darcy and Sebastian looked at him somberly.
“We are talking about a duel, Richard. Take this seriously,” Darcy said through clenched teeth.
“Fitzwilliam?” A curious voice came from the doorway. “What about a duel?”
“Elizabeth,” Darcy said softly as he crossed the room to her. “What are doing in here?”
Lady Catherine stepped from behind her. “We heard you yelling and were concerned. We knocked, but you obviously did not hear us.”
“Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth repeated. “Why are you so upset? What about a duel, sir?”
Darcy sighed then brought her hands to his lips. “It is nothing, dearest. You should not concern yourself.”
Elizabeth’s eyes showed her ire even though her voice remained soft. “Mr. Darcy, in matters of your safety, I most certainly will concern myself.”
“Elizabeth, it would not be appropriate to speak to you of this.”
Lady Catherine made her way through the room to stand by her nephew, who lowered his head to kiss her on the cheek.
“Aunt.”
“Sebastian, I hear you have been busy,” she said dryly, raising her eyebrows. “How is your mother?”
“She is all a flutter with excitement about you being in town,” he answered sarcastically.
Through a devilish smile, she replied, “I am glad to hear it.”
They both stood and watched half in awe and half in amusement as Elizabeth tried to obtain an explanation from her betrothed. Relenting, she turned to Richard, who was halfway through his second glass.
“Do not look at me, Elizabeth. I would never dream of offending your sensibilities with such talk.”
Elizabeth’s patience was completely gone when she spotted Sebastian. “Perhaps this gentleman would care to enlighten me?” She looked to Darcy with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh, forgive me. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, this is my cousin Viscount Hedley, Sebastian Fitzwilliam, Richard’s elder brother.”
Sebastian bowed and could not help but smile at the feisty ball of anger in front of him. “Miss Bennet, it is a pleasure.”
Elizabeth managed a small curtsey. “Viscount Hedley. Can you please tell me what is happening?”
“Richard gallantly came to our defense this morning by insulting the wife of one Lord Barrymore. We expect him or his son to call him out at any moment.”
“Our defense, sir?”
“Yes. Yours and mine.”
“Sebastian!” Darcy admonished.
Sebastian shrugged. “She asked.”
Darcy placed his hands on Elizabeth’s shoulders and spoke to her softly so only she could hear.
“Dearest, you know I would normally share everything with you, but this is not a situation that should be discussed with a maiden.”
“Surely it could not be worse than what happened with Miss Bingley?”
“Yes, it could.”
“Oh. Can you at least tell me if you are in any danger?”
“I am not.”
Elizabeth exhaled and nodded. “Very well, I will ask no more. It is time for me to leave, I am afraid.”
Darcy frowned and reclaimed her hands. “So soon?”
“I had time only for a short visit. My aunt needs me. I will see you tonight, my love.”
Darcy nodded. “I will come early. Did a maid come with you today?”
“No, Uncle sent Remy. He is right outside the door, I believe.”
Elizabeth turned to Lady Catherine and Sebastian. “It was lovely meeting you both, but I must return home now.” She then looked to Richard and sighed. He was slumped in the sofa with his head lying against the back. She bent down and kissed his cheek. “Do not get in any more trouble, please, Richard.” He smiled and lifted his glass in acquiescence then laid his head back down.
“I will walk you out, Miss Bennet. We will leave the men to their secrets,” Lady Catherine said as she rolled her eyes. With one last look at Darcy, Elizabeth left the room. When the ladies were a few steps away, Remy entered and cleared his throat.
“Sir?” He had been standing outside the music room where the ladies were taking tea when the men came in, angry and distracted. When Elizabeth came out with the purpose of seeing Darcy, Remy walked several pa
ces in front of the women, in case he needed to protect them. When he reached the door, he overheard one of the men saying someone had insulted Elizabeth. From the ensuing conversation, he deduced it was Lord Barrymore who delivered the insult.
“What is it, Remy?” Darcy asked as he motioned the footman forward. Remy leaned in and whispered something to Darcy, who looked over at Richard then back to Remy and nodded. Remy bowed and left to take Elizabeth home.
********
Elizabeth stood in front of her mirror and took a deep breath as she smoothed the front of her dress. I hope he likes it.
As if reading her mind, her maid began speaking. “I hope you do not mind me saying so, Miss Lizzy, but your young man will not be able to find his tongue when he sees you. That is quite a dress.”
Elizabeth smiled as she continued to study herself in the mirror. Her maid was right; the gown was exquisite. The under part of the dress was a dark shade of pink and cut low. Over the shell was a shimmery silk in a slightly darker rose, cut in a V shape and gathered at the bodice. When she moved, the fabric clung to her hips but gently swayed around her legs, making Elizabeth feel ethereal, beautiful, and almost worthy of Darcy.
“Thank you. Tonight is important for my uncle, and Mr. Darcy will be uncomfortable with some of the guests. I feel a great need to make them proud.”
“You need not worry about that, miss. You would make any man proud, I’m sure.”
There was a knock on the door, and her aunt entered, impressed at the sight of her niece.
“Oh, Lizzy, if you had not already secured Mr. Darcy, you certainly would tonight. He is here already and is anxious to see you, dear. Go on down to him if you are ready.”
“Thank you, Aunt, I am.”
********
Darcy stood in awe at the sight before him. This woman, his woman, was breathtaking. Somehow, he was able to put one foot in front of the other and walk to where she stood.