Charles looked over at his sister and said, “It will not be pointless for either Jane or myself as we do not wish to be seen by anyone, but rather, we wish to enjoy a walk around the park together.”
Elizabeth looked over at Darcy, “I think it is a wonderful idea,” she said. “Will you join us, William?”
Darcy sipped his coffee. “I am afraid I will be unable to join you this morning, my dear,” he said. “Howard brought me a card this morning that was left for me yesterday afternoon. Apparently, Lord Ashworth wishes to speak with me concerning a possible business venture.”
Caroline dropped her spoon at the mention of the man’s name. She swallowed hard as her heart beat faster, “Was it from Lord Geoffrey Ashworth?”
Darcy’s eyes narrowed, “I believe that is the man’s name,” he told her. “Are you acquainted with the man?”
Caroline did not respond. Instead, she excused herself and went upstairs. “I seem to have a headache all of the sudden,” she told them. “Please forgive me.”
Elizabeth could not help but notice how strongly Caroline had reacted to the mention of the man’s name. She wondered who he was, “Do you know Lord Ashworth?” she asked Darcy.
“No, I have not yet met the man,” he told her.
“I have heard of him,” Charles interjected. “I was told at one time he was very wealthy but has fallen on some difficult times. I believe he has had some bad luck of it with a series of failed investments he has made and he no longer is as well off as he once was. I was told by Mr. Williams that Lord Ashworth is looking for investors into a new business venture of his.”
“I suppose that is why he is coming to call on me then,” Darcy said as he finished his breakfast. “I have some papers I need to sign for Mr. Fletcher, so I will be in my study. Elizabeth, if you like, I think you should accompany Bingley and your sister on their walk,” he suggested. “Perhaps Kitty and Georgiana might like to go as well,” he said before leaving the dining room.
Georgiana smiled, “I will join you, Lizzy. I have no other plans this morning.”
Kitty hesitated for a moment, “Lizzy, I received a card from Maria Lucas. They have arrived in town, and she has asked me to come to tea.” she told her. “Do you think it would be all right if I go?”
“Of course it is all right,” she said. “Will you need the carriage, or will you walk?”
“I should like to walk,” she told her. “I do not believe it is too far, and Colonel Fitzwilliam has offered to show me the way.”
“Yes, I thought I could escort Miss Bennet to Dentin Street and then make my way to an appointment I have with Captain Hathaway,” he explained. “Once I have finished with my meeting, I can accompany Miss Bennet back here.”
Georgiana did not say anything, but she could well imagine how happy Kitty must be to have Richard all to herself for the afternoon. She ate her toast and decided she did not care that he was escorting Kitty to see her friend. If her cousin wanted to spend his time with Kitty Bennet, it was no concern of hers. She was determined not to be bothered any longer by Richard’s attentions to Elizabeth’s younger sister. She reminded herself again that she had no reason to be upset and so she would not be. Georgiana turned to Elizabeth and smiled. “I was thinking; I would like to stop in and buy some new ribbons and lace. I would like to do my hair a little differently this evening; perhaps have Genevieve help me with some of the styles she does for your hair. It always looks so beautiful,” she told her. “After all, I will be attending the ball Lady Knowles is giving this evening, and I do want to take particular care to look my very best.”
Richard’s eyes narrowed a bit at what Georgiana said. “Why is it so important that you look your very best for Lady Knowles’s ball?” Richard asked her before Elizabeth could respond.
Georgiana turned and looked at her cousin. She laughed and then said, “That is a rather odd question, cousin. Why should I not want to look my best?”
“I just wonder why it is you feel the need to look your best for this occasion in particular?” he asked her.
Georgiana was puzzled by his question, “Well, I suppose because now that I will be out in society, I realize it is possible I may meet the man I am to marry someday,” she told him. “I think all young ladies want to look their best when they are going to a ball.”
Richard looked at her intently. “I do not believe you need to be in any rush to marry, Georgie,” he told her again. “After all, this is the first ball you have ever attended. It seems unlikely you will meet anyone that you would consider spending the rest of your days with,” he said somewhat agitated. “You will not really know anyone in attendance, after all.”
“I will know Captain Hathaway,” Georgiana told him, trying her best not to lose her temper.
“I was not aware that Captain Hathaway would be attending this evening,” Richard commented sounding more annoyed. “Or that he was acquainted with Lady Knowles.”
Georgiana arched her brow and shook her head. “I do not believe he is acquainted with Lady Knowles. However, she has asked General Billingsworth to come this evening, and Captain Hathaway will be his guest along with several other officers,” Georgiana said.
Kitty cleared her throat just a little, “Are you very sure he will be there, Georgiana?” Kitty asked her.
Georgiana turned to Kitty, “Yes, he said so himself. He told me he would be attending as the guest of General Billingsworth,” she told her.
Richard shook his head. “Strange that he made no mention of it to me…” he said.
Georgiana shrugged her shoulders as her mouth curved into a smile, “Perhaps he only made mention of it to me because he asked if I would be so kind as to save him a dance,” she explained.
“He asked you to save a dance for him?” Richard asked to be sure he had heard her correctly.
Georgiana’s forehead creased into a small frown, “Well, you do not have to look so astonished by it, cousin,” she said feeling somewhat hurt by his reaction to the news.
“I was merely surprised to hear Captain Hathaway would be in attendance,” Richard said, realizing that everyone at the table had now stopped talking and was looking at the two of them.
Georgiana did not say anything more to him. Instead, she turned to Elizabeth and asked, “I would like to go and buy some new ribbons and lace to fix my hair. Would that be all right?”
Before Richard could question Georgiana more, Elizabeth told her. “Yes, of course, it would. We can stop into the hat shop along our way. I believe it is very near the park, is it not, Jane?”
“It is, yes,” Jane told her.
“I should like to get some new ribbon as well,” Elizabeth said.
Georgiana pushed back from the table, “Well then, I will go and get ready and be back down afterwards to join you.”
Richard watched Georgiana as she left the room. He thought about how attentive Hathaway had been to his cousin for a better part of the evening and wondered if he should say something to Darcy or not.
Kitty pushed back from the table, “I think I will go and finish getting ready as well,” she said. “I will be ready to leave within the hour, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“I will be waiting for you,” he said as he watched her go.
Elizabeth thought about her sister Kitty and the Colonel. She was not sure if there was more to his attention towards Kitty or not. She did, however, find his agitation with Georgiana puzzling. She reminded herself to make a point of speaking with Georgiana as William had asked her to do. Her thoughts turned from her sister-in-law back to Caroline. Elizabeth bit her bottom lip as she considered the way Caroline reacted to the mention of Lord Ashworth. She turned to Charles and asked. “I wonder, did you think it strange that Caroline suddenly came down with a headache? She did not seem unwell this morning.”
He shook his head. “Caroline often has sudden headaches if she does not want to do something,” he told her.
Elizabeth smiled, “Yes, but this seemed different,” she
said to him. “She almost seemed upset.”
Charles finished his breakfast and tea, “I am afraid I did not notice,” he told her. “In truth, my sister is often upset about one thing or another. I stopped trying to discover the cause of her many grievances a long time ago.”
Richard got up from the table, “Ladies,” he said as he bowed his head ever so slightly. “I wish you well and hope you have a very lovely walk in the park. It is a beautiful autumn day, and the weather looks to be very pleasant.”
Charles got up as well, “Colonel, I wanted to ask your opinion on something,” he said as he followed him out of the room. “I was considering purchasing a new saber for my fencing. Darcy suggested I speak with you.”
Elizabeth waited until Charles, and the Colonel were gone from the room before she spoke to Jane. “Did you notice how upset Caroline seemed when she heard William talk of Lord Ashworth? I cannot help but think there is more to the way she reacted than we realize.”
Jane nodded her head, “She did seem to know the name. And I thought it rather odd that her headache came on so suddenly as it did,” she told her. “What do you suppose it could mean?”
Elizabeth shook her head, “I do not know,” she said. “But I think I will go and speak more with William before we take our walk. I promise I will not be long.”
Caroline paced back and forth in her room as tears shimmered in her eyes. She always knew the day might come when she would cross paths with Lord Ashworth. It had only been a matter of time before the two of them would end up socializing with the same circle of acquaintances. Her heart raced as she tried to decide what she should do. Should she remain at Windham House and chance seeing him, or should she leave and go to stay with Louisa, and spare her heart the added pain? She bit her bottom lip as she walked over to the window and looked down at the street below. She hated feeling so out of control. She hated not knowing exactly what to do. She had prided herself on always being in the strictest control of her emotions. However, this was the one thing that could be her undoing. She took in a deep breath and forced herself to remain composed. Caroline squeezed her eyes shut and bottled up her emotions, locking them away once again. “I will not allow this to rule me,” she told herself.
Elizabeth knocked on the door to her husband’s study and waited for him to answer before going in. When she heard him call out, she opened the door and stepped inside. “William, I was wondering if I might ask you something?”
Darcy looked up from his account ledger and smiled, “Of course you can,” he told her as he got up and walked over to her. He pulled her into his arms and leaned back against his desk. “What is it my love?” he asked as he held her in his arms.
“You mentioned you would be meeting with a Lord Ashworth this morning,” she began to say.
He narrowed his eyes just a little, “Yes I did mention that,” he commented. “Why?”
She looked at him somewhat demurely, “Well, I was hoping perhaps you could tell me what you know about the gentleman?”
Darcy smiled, “Would this have anything to do with Miss Bingley and your endeavor to find her a suitable husband?”
Elizabeth reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Perhaps,” she said as she kissed him softly on the lips.
Darcy knew exactly what she was doing. He leaned down and captured her lips with his own and pulled her closer. He kissed her deeply before pulling back a little. She looked up into his eyes and smiled sweetly, “So, you will do what you can to find out about him?” she asked him.
Darcy smiled mischievously, “I most certainly will,” he assured her. “I will find out about this business venture he wishes to discuss with me, but I will not help you in matchmaking for Miss Bingley,” he told her again.
Elizabeth let out a heavy sigh and furrowed her brow in frustration. “Oh William, you knew very well I was hoping to persuade you into helping me!” she accused him.
He laughed, “Yes, I did know what you were up to,” he teased her. “And I must say I quite enjoyed the kiss, but I will not be manipulated into helping you interfere in Miss Bingley’s life. No matter how tempting the offer is.”
Elizabeth pulled away from him and pouted just a little, “But William, surely you must have seen how Caroline reacted to the mention of Lord Ashworth’s name?”
“Yes, I did take note of it,” he told her. “It was difficult to miss, and that is exactly why I believe you should stay out of this,” he reminded her again. “It is also why I will not help you find Miss Bingley a husband. I will warn you again Elizabeth; no good can come from this.”
“Very well then,” she said somewhat irritated. “I shall look into the matter myself!” was all she said as she left his study.
Darcy knew she was upset with him, but he felt strongly about not involving himself in Miss Bingley’s love life. It was not his, nor was it Elizabeth’s place to do so. If Miss Bingley ever desired any help in finding a husband, he was sure she would not come to his wife for it. She would most likely turn to her sister, Mrs. Hurst. He sighed. Still, he did know Elizabeth’s motivation was the desire to help Jane and not to be meddlesome. He was just about to return to his books when his door opened again.
“William, I cannot understand your reluctance to help me with Miss Bingley when you were so willing to help with Mr. Godwin and Mary?” she said, trying not to sound as annoyed as she felt.
Darcy walked back over and sat down, “Elizabeth, they are two entirely different situations,” he told her.
“They most certainly are not!” she said defending her position.
Darcy leaned back in his chair. “They are as far as I am concerned,” he told her directly. He was not about to relent in this. “Mr. Godwin was clearly already committed to your sister as was Mary committed to him,” he began to say. “My speaking with Godwin and advising him to make amends with his family in order to marry your sister was not interfering,” he pointed out. “I was merely attempting to be a friend and brother to the couple in question. You, however, are actively seeking to find Miss Bingley a husband when she has not asked for your help. I caution you again to stop before you regret your interference in her life and make things worse for Jane.”
Elizabeth felt he was not being fair. She furrowed her brow and took in a deep breath. She dismissed his reasoning as flawed and argued her point further. “But William, our very purpose in coming to London, and attending this ball this evening, is to help both my sister and yours find a suitable match,” she reminded him. “How can you not see that it is the exact same thing? I am only attempting to help Miss Bingley as I am Georgie and Kitty.”
Darcy was becoming annoyed. “Elizabeth, I believe you know full well that it is not the same thing!” he snapped at her more than he meant to. “Georgiana is under my care, as is your sister Kitty, for the duration of her stay. It is expected that we would do our best to guide them in the matters of the heart, but Miss Bingley is not under my care. She is a grown woman who is perfectly capable of choosing someone for herself,” he said as he looked back down at his accounts.
“Miss Bingley does not ask for help because she is too proud to do so,” Elizabeth shot back. This time there was no missing the frustration in her voice. “Is it so very wrong to want to help Miss Bingley and in doing so, help my sister?”
Darcy drew in a very controlled, deep breath. It was clear he was irritated, but doing his best to keep his temper under control. “Elizabeth, you almost sound like your mother!” he snapped at her.
Her mouth dropped open as she raised her brow. She was stunned by his remark, and clearly angered by it as well. When she did not say anything more, Darcy said sternly, “Now, if you have nothing further you wished to speak with me about, I would like to get back to what I was doing, and you should not keep Charles and Jane waiting to go on your walk.”
Elizabeth clenched her jaw shut and shook her head in frustration. She sighed heavily as she turned and left the room slamming the door shut behind her. She did
not like being dismissed as if she were nothing more than a servant. She especially did not like being compared to her mother. For a moment, she thought about going back inside and arguing her point further, but decided against it. Instead, she decided if William would not help her, she would do what she could on her own to help Miss Bingley. Now she was more determined than ever to find Caroline a husband. And if in the process, she proved her own husband wrong, so much the better. After all, Elizabeth knew her motives to help Caroline were nothing like those of her mother’s reasons for meddling into other people’s affairs.
Caroline was just about to go down and join Charles and Jane on their walk when someone knocked at her door. “Come in,” she called out.
Elizabeth stepped inside the room, “Caroline, I thought I would check on you before we leave,” she said. “Has your headache improved? Are you well?”
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