“Her face fairly glowed—no doubt from the exertion of walking so long a distance—but it was her eyes that I recall most particularly. They were black as coal and flashed defiantly when Caroline Bingley made a derogatory comment about her having come so far on foot and another about all the mud she must have encountered.” He added an explanation, “For the hem of her gown was six inches deep with mud.”
Richard chuckled. “I can imagine that she did look a fright!”
“Actually, I thought she looked... beautiful.” The last was said almost too softly to be heard.
How strange that a man who has never approved of any display of impropriety would think a woman covered in mud is beautiful. “I could just imagine your reaction had that been Georgiana.”
William dropped his head into his hands and rubbed his eyes wearily as he let out a deep groan. “All I know is that I was bewitched.”
“If you truly care for her, Darcy—”
“I hardly know her!” William practically shouted as he took to his feet. “How could she wield such influence? And, to make matters worse, what little I do know of her makes a courtship impossible.”
“Of course, it does,” Richard said, pursing his lips in order not to smile. Apparently Darcy has spent long hours considering the possibility. “But, if you pursued her, what would be the impediment? Is she not the daughter of a gentleman?”
“Her father is a squire with a small estate, but the mother is of no consequence—the daughter of a country solicitor with a brother in trade.”
“Still, that is not enough to—” He was quickly silenced.
“According to Bingley’s sisters, the mother is vulgar, obnoxious and makes no secret of her intentions to marry her eldest to Bingley, though my friend has not declared himself. As a matter of fact, she has spread a rumour throughout the county that she expects Netherfield to be her daughter’s home within mere months.”
“That is appalling indeed, but is it any worse than the mothers of the ton who instruct their daughters in ways to compromise a man? Lady Clayton almost succeeded last year, if you remember—not to mention all who tried before her.”
“I remember well enough, thank you. But it seems that this woman is especially coarse and, other than the sister who is Bingley’s choice, the family has three more daughters as hopeless as the mother. One never takes her nose out of a book of sermons and the two youngest are extremely silly and chase after every red-coat who happens through Meryton!”
“And the father? If he is alive, why does he not rein them in?”
“I believe he is too lazy. Even Bingley expressed surprise that he does not try to regulate his family or worry about their future. Apparently, his daughters have little dowry to speak of, and the estate is entailed away from the female line.”
“Yes, for all the good he does. Even Bingley expressed surprise that he does not try to regulate his family or worry about their future. Apparently, his daughters have little dowry to speak of, and the estate is entailed away from the female line.”
“So upon his death, they will be out in the cold unless some generous man intervenes and provides for them all.”
“Precisely! Whilst I sympathise with their plight, marrying into that family would be insupportable! And Charles’ place in society will be irreparably harmed if he marries the eldest. I told him as much before I left.”
“I must know, did Bingley agree?”
“He listened, but I was not able to extract a promise that he would not be so foolish as to make an offer without consulting me.”
Richard smiled to himself. Well, well. Perhaps the little puppy has grown up! Seeing Darcy eyeing him strangely, he wiped the grin from his face, though he struggled to hold it at bay.
“What I do not understand is how you became enamoured of so unsuitable a woman, if you followed your usual method of keeping to yourself. I doubt anyone in the village knew you were visiting Bingley. So, pray tell, how was she in your company if you did not wish it?”
“As her sister’s health improved, she began to come downstairs in the evenings. I could not be totally unsociable to Bingley or his family by hiding in my rooms just because she joined the party.”
“I suppose she tried to impose herself on you by conversing?”
“Not in the least. She said very little, replying only to Charles’ questions regarding her sister’s health or to answer Miss Bingley’s barbs. In truth, she and I read in silence whilst the others played cards.”
“And, pray tell, does she prefer those romance novels that you complain so vehemently about, such as the one Georgiana showed me the last time I was here?”
“Georgiana showed you a—” William abruptly stopped at the knowing look on Richard’s face. “You know that I do not purchase those things. I buy her books to improve her mind.”
“And you have managed to change the subject. What of the mystery woman? What does she read?”
“Actually, she was reading Dante.” Under his cousin’s steady gaze, he added reluctantly, “In Italian.”
“So she is intelligent. That aspect of her character would certainly appeal to your sensibilities, even if you were not fully conscious of it. Perhaps that is the source of the bewitchment.”
“Whatever the reason, I became aware of my vulnerability by the third evening.”
“Did she try to sit next to you on the sofa?”
“No!” William said sharply. “I found myself looking forward to her company.”
“Of course, that would never do!”
“Richard!” The tone of William’s reprimand indicted that his patience was wearing thin. “You make it difficult to explain, when you so obviously take pleasure in hearing of my ordeal.”
“I apologise.” Richard did not look apologetic. “Is it correct to say that her only disadvantages are an atrocious family, no dowry and no connections? For you could always cut ties with the family, and heaven knows that you do not need her dowry or more connections.”
“Regrettably, while she may read Italian, she decreed that she has never had a governess, lessons by the masters or a single season in Town. And she found great pleasure in declaring that she does not draw, paint tables, cover screens, sing or play the pianoforte well. I dare say she does little, other than read!”
“How abominable! Is there no end to her defects?” At William’s scowl, he added, “Am I to assume that Miss Bingley managed to uncover all those lapses in her character?”
“You know her well. But, in this instance, I was glad for her prying. Can you imagine someone of her station hosting a dinner party or a ball for our circle of friends, or even attending one of your mother’s soirées? And what about managing an estate the size of Pemberley?” William shivered. “She would be entirely lost.”
“Her eyes must be truly mesmerizing to have caused such an extensive cataloguing of her faults.”
“Please do not remind me,” William groaned. “Until I met her, I prided myself on keeping my feelings under good regulation. This situation has shown me how weak I truly am.”
“I do not consider falling for a lovely woman a weakness, Darcy, nor do I think marrying beneath your station would seriously affect you. After all, because of your disdain for the ton, you have never fully participated in society’s traditions. You are as wealthy as sin and may marry as you wish. That is something some of us cannot even deliberate.”
“Yes, but marrying below my station would greatly affect Georgiana’s chance for a good match.”
“Do you really believe that? After all she has a large dowry, is very pretty and her uncle is an earl, for heaven’s sake. Even if you were not the richest man in England, I would say her prospects would still be good even if you married a chamber maid.”
“I am NOT the richest man in England and I wish you would quit spreading that rumour! As far as Georgiana’s prospects go, it would be nice if she did not have something else to throw in my face; nonetheless, to be truthful, after the drought’s eff
ect on crops the last two years, I cannot deny that Pemberley could use an infusion of money that a large dowry would provide.”
“I dare say that you were not as badly affected by the reduction in crops as in the past. Since you have schooled yourself in the sciences of crop rotation, you have reaped greater yields than when your father was directing the planting.”
“Still, we have suffered losses. Additionally, after the tantrum that Lady Catherine threw when I refused to marry Anne, can you imagine how she would react if I married someone not of our sphere, or your parent’s reaction for that matter? Your father supported me then only because of Anne’s health.”
“If you are determined not to care for this mystery woman, pray tell who are you determined to care for? Who is to be Mrs. Darcy?”
“Lady Susan.”
William surreptitiously studied his cousin for a reaction. Richard’s body went stiff, but he did not reply, so it prompted him to add, “Are you not going to argue with me?”
“Is it necessary to go over this again?” Richard snapped. “You know how I feel about Lady Susan. For heaven’s sake she practically grew up alongside us at Pemberley! Did you not get enough of her intrigues and plotting back then?”
“She was a child then! Children do foolish things. Now that we are all adults, might not your opinion of her soften a bit?”
“Have you forgotten that, as she aged, she became more a confidant of Andrew and George Wickham than of you? I would think that would give you pause for concern.”
“They were all closer in age, and as you and I paid her little mind, naturally, she gravitated towards them.”
“Birds of a feather, I say.”
“I believe that everything that has transpired in her life—her marriage, the birth of a child, Hartley’s death— has matured her. Since she returned to Derbyshire, I have found her to be a different person.”
“You conveniently forget the circumstances surrounding the marriage.”
“To what are you referring?”
“Do not feign ignorance, Darcy. The summer you finished university she practically flung herself at you. When you toured Scotland in order to escape her barrage, she married one of your friends without a moment’s hesitation.”
“Obviously, they fell in love.”
“But there was no courtship, just a marriage, and instantly she was with child! Did that not raise any questions in your mind?”
“I suppose I am not as suspicious as you.”
“Lord Hartley was many things, but he was not in the least handsome or charismatic and certainly not the kind of man that the former Lady Susan Patton would have settled for... unless she was desperate.”
“That is conjecture.”
“I was not the only one who thought as much! And I am not surprised that his early death, which I also find puzzling, brings her right back to her father’s estate as it is close by you.”
“What is puzzling about his death?”
“The body was never recovered.”
“There is no mystery. He drowned.”
“I find it hard to believe that his body never surfaced.”
“I fear that your work in intelligence for His Majesty has made you very cynical. At any rate, I think you will find that Lady Susan has changed for the better. Moreover, she shares a special bond with Georgiana, as they were always close, despite the difference in their ages. In fact, now that she is residing at Monthaven Manor, they spend a good bit of time together and it has made Georgiana a bit more amiable.”
“I should have foreseen this. If Georgiana approves of her, then the biggest hurdle is eliminated.”
“What hurdle?”
“You have tried to placate Georgiana since she got angry when you made Andrew reside at his own estate. I doubt you would make matters worse by marrying someone she dislikes.”
“Be sensible!” William retorted. “What better candidate is there? She is adored by the ton and I am comfortable in her company. And, yes, Georgiana champions a match between us, though that is certainly NOT my priority. Most importantly, I can be certain that Lady Susan is not after my fortune. She is her father’s heir, and I am sure that Hartley was generous with her. Besides, my father often expressed a wish that we marry in order to join our properties.”
“Well, at least your tenants will be deliriously happy!”
“You are so entertaining, Richard.”
“I try.” He smirked. “May I be so ignoble as to ask, what will you find to do with her after you have satisfied your carnal appetite? Play charades?”
“You are being crude!”
“Afraid to imagine what your life will be like after the lust wears off?”
“While she may not be a great intellectual, she is not without her attributes.”
Richard interjected, “Are you speaking of the two she displays most readily?”
“That is unfair! Her gowns are no different than those worn by other ladies. They simply reflect the current fashion, as you well know. Besides, beauty in itself does not impress me, for it shall eventually fade. She is almost as talented as Georgiana on the pianoforte, sings quite well and draws respectably, in addition to speaking some French. More importantly, she has managed Hartley Hall for the last four years, so I have no doubt that she can assume the role of mistress of Pemberley. Lastly, she has a child, so she is capable of bearing an heir.”
“You have certainly given this ample thought.”
“Surely you realise that Lady Susan has the right upbringing and connections so that when Georgiana is presented at court, she will be able to guide her through the steps and direct her first season—something my wife would be expected to do.”
“There is only one thing missing from this lovely picture.” William’s brows knit as he awaited his cousin’s point. “You are not in love with her. I know you too well, Darcy, and you will not be happy in a marriage of convenience.”
“I... I have concluded that happiness in marriage is highly overrated,” William declared, his stutter belying his bravado. “It is said that one comes to love one’s partner over time.”
“Who spouted that rubbish?”
“Your parents—when they were urging me to marry Anne.”
“Do you not see that my parents’ marriage is a testament to the error of that advice? Well, to be honest Mother does try, but Father is hopeless.” Richard sighed wearily. “Darcy, in less than a month you have completely reversed yourself. All these years I have admired you, nay, practically worshipped you because you refused to settle for a marriage of convenience. I cheered you on, eager for you to defy the ton because I could not! And you held true until you met this seductress.”
“I never asked you to put me on a pedestal! And Lady Susan is no seductress!”
“I was speaking of the one who stole your heart!” Richard threw up his hands. “Fine! I shall not try to talk you out of this madness, for I fear it will only serve to make you more resolute. But I plead with you! Wait at least a month or more before making an offer. Give me time to see this transformation in Lady Susan of which you speak, for I truly believe you are making the biggest mistake of your life.”
“If I am, it is I who will have to live with it, not you.”
“True. But you are like a brother to me, and I care deeply about your happiness. I do not think it lies with Lady Susan.”
William slid an arm around Richard’s shoulder, his features softening. “I care about you as well, and I trust your judgement like no other. And, if it will make you feel better, I will wait a month, maybe longer, to approach her. By then, hopefully, you will have gotten to know her better.”
“I am relieved to hear it. I hope my getting to know her better changes your mind.”
“Who knows? Perhaps it will.” William smiled. “Meanwhile, may I make a request of you?”
“Are you going to tell me that she is to be at Pemberley today, so I should treat her kindly?”
“Actually, she left for Town ye
sterday.”
“If it does not involve Lady Susan, I am your man.”
“Our uncle and aunt have arrived from Ireland.”
“Uncle Joseph and Aunt Olivia are here! You mentioned that they wished to visit Pemberley, but I do not remember your saying when they planned to come. Will I recognise them?”
“They arrived the same day that I returned from Netherfield. And I have to say that they are much as I remembered them—only with greyer hair. Uncle Joseph is still tall and regal looking and just as soft spoken and reserved— nothing like your father. Aunt Olivia seems to be much thinner but still lovely. Her comportment reminds me a lot of Mother. One would hardly realise they are in the house unless asked to stay for dinner.”
“Then I am glad that I am always invited to dine, for I am anxious to see if I agree with your evaluation. Did Uncle retire as a captain?”
“Yes, though he was about to be promoted when he retired.”
“I thought as much, but I have to wonder why he retired when he did. The retirement pay would have been so much more substantial had he gone up a rank. Perhaps we shall learn the reason while he is here without having to pry.”
“Yes, please do not pry. I do not want them to be uncomfortable. In any event, Georgiana is not pleased with their visit. She has been feigning headaches to avoid them as much as possible. I have to leave for London tomorrow, and she insists that I take her.”
“Why on earth do you have to return tomorrow? You just got back, for heaven’s sake.”
“I have to look over the second house I commissioned for the property. My solicitor is ready to pay the balance due on the construction; however, my foreman thinks there have been some irregularities and requests that I examine it personally.”
“I see. So what are my cousin’s plans for London?”
“She wishes to stay with your parents for the rest of the summer, and it may be for the best. I worry what she might say if I leave her here. I do not know what has gotten into her lately.”
“Georgiana has spent too many hours with my family, listening to my father spouting nonsense over the dinner table! Make no mistake, once he learns they are at Pemberley, he will fill her head with more nonsense of how Uncle Joseph and Aunt Olivia are not worthy of the family’s acknowledgment.”
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 2