“Then I shall see you later.”
With those words Andrew donned his hat, gave it a pat and headed in the direction of his horse. As Wickham watched him go, his expression hardened .
It is too bad you did not listen to me and kill your sorry cousin years ago. Then we could have convinced Georgiana to marry me, and we would both be wealthy instead of scheming to survive.
Taking a deep breath and letting it go with a loud sigh, Wickham pushed away from the tree and looked for a place to sit. Spying a wooden bench near the shop door, he walked over to it and sat down to await the youngest Bennets.
JUST AS THE BENNETS and Charles Bingley reached the outskirts of Meryton, a commotion ensued. A man on horseback stopped as the two youngest sisters, who led the group, neared. The girls were making a spectacle of themselves by being too boisterous, whilst trying to convince the rider to dismount. Elizabeth’s heart raced when she realised exactly who was riding the large grey stallion—none other than Andrew Darcy, looking striking in his tan riding breeches and blue coat, his black hair tousled by the wind.
As she, Jane and Bingley caught up with them, Charles stepped towards the rider, extending his hand. “I am sorry if I left you at Netherfield, Andrew. I did not think you would awaken this early.”
Andrew laughed, not offended in the least as he shook Bingley’s hand. “To tell the truth, I normally would not, as you well know.” Then he caught Elizabeth’s eye. “There is something about Meryton that makes me wish to know more about the area. Thus, I arose earlier today to explore and here I am!” Tipping his hat to her, he smiled beguilingly. “Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth’s eyes fell to her feet. “Mr. Darcy.”
Andrew threw a leg over the saddle, jumped from his horse, took a coin from his pocket and tossed the reins and the coin to one of the blacksmith’s sons who had been watching everything and had come running.
“Come quickly, Kitty. I think I see Mr. Wickham.” Lydia grabbed Kitty’s arm, pulling her towards a group of redcoats now waiting near the oak tree.
While the youngest Bennets rushed to join the militia, the rest of the party made their way into the middle of town to frequent their favourite shops.
MUCH LATER, AFTER LEAVING an order with the butcher to be picked up the next day, stopping in the confectioner’s shop for some sweets and perusing new ribbons, lace and books, the Bennet party turned back towards Longbourn. Kitty and Lydia, who had rejoined their party after the militia gathered in the public house for ale, decided that they wished to call on Maria Lucas. Thus, a few hundred feet outside Meryton, they headed down the pathway to Lucas Lodge. Lost in conversation, Jane and Charles continued at their normal pace, while Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy got further behind as they slowed to a pace more conducive to conversation.
“I hope you do not mind that I was in Meryton when you arrived, Miss Elizabeth,” Andrew said, attempting to appear insecure.
“I have no say about who may or may not go into Meryton, sir,” Elizabeth teased.
“Do you always twist what a man says to mean something else entirely?” Andrew teased back. “For I know you are too intelligent to miss my meaning.”
“My mother does say that I am too clever and that no man appreciates a clever woman.”
“I assure you that your mother is wrong.”
At his bold declaration, Elizabeth became self-conscious and began to walk faster. Andrew picked up his pace alongside her.
“What I meant to say is that many women are more educated these days. I am acquainted with a few who read books of a scientific nature in addition to poems and plays written in French, German and Italian. I even know of one who can read Latin, though I hardly know what good that will do her.” He laughed, thinking he had made a good joke.
Elizabeth’s brow knit, but he could not make out her expression. Is she upset with what I said?
“It is apparent that you, too, admire the accomplished women your cousin touts so highly!” Elizabeth declared sharply, stepping up her pace even more. Her ire at his cousin did not go unnoticed.
Ah! There is the rub! She has been exposed to Fitzwilliam’s arrogance! How shall I handle this? How may I criticise that arse without seeming to disparage him intentionally?
“Ah yes, my dear cousin, Fitzwilliam. At the dance you alluded to having met him before, and I confess that I regret not asking your opinion of him then.” As she glanced at him, he looked off into the distance, assuming a hurt expression that normally gained him sympathy from the ladies. “I suppose it is because I am not often compared favourably to him. After all, he is a very handsome fellow and extremely rich.”
Elizabeth stopped walking, touching his arm and causing him to face her. “I can assure you that you have nothing to fear in that regard. Your cousin did not impress one single person in Meryton with his looks or his wealth while he was here. You, however, are highly regarded.”
“I cannot feign surprise about their reaction to my cousin, but in his defence, I shall say that he has no idea how rude he appears to others. One can hardly fault the man. You see, he was very young when he was named guardian for his young sister and charged with the responsibility of Pemberley. Though he has done an excellent job in that regard and is respected by his servants and tenants, he no longer tries to be sociable in public. Frankly, I like to believe that he has been so occupied that he has forgotten how.”
“I fear you are being much too kind in your defence of him.”
Andrew’s expression darkened. “It took me some time to think of him in that manner, especially after my uncle’s death. His conduct since that day has been hard to explain or accept. It is as though he is a different man entirely.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
Andrew looked around the countryside, and seeing no one, he whispered, “I shall tell you, but only because I trust it will go no further.”
Elizabeth nodded, her dark eyes getting even darker. “It shall never pass my lips.”
“I came to Meryton at the behest of a dear friend. I believe you know him, Lieutenant Wickham?”
“I do.”
“He and I grew up at Pemberley, Fitz’s estate. His father was Mr. Darcy’s steward, so he lived on the grounds. We became good friends when I went there to live at age eleven, after my father’s death.”
“You had no other place to go?”
“No. My father was a vicar with a heart of gold, but not a farthing to his name. My mother died when I was born, and all the family I had left was Uncle George, Fitzwilliam and my cousin, Georgiana, Fitzwilliam’s sister.”
Seeing compassion in Elizabeth’s face, he quickly continued. “So George and I became like brothers. I cannot say the same for Fitzwilliam, even if we are cousins.”
“Was he unkind?”
“I would not say he was unkind. It is just that he was the heir and was raised to believe he was more important than the rest of us, so he kept his distance. At any rate, Wickham was a favourite of my Uncle George. So much so, that he bequeathed him three thousand pounds and the living at Kympton upon his death. But instead of honouring the will, Fitzwilliam gave him five hundred pounds and denied him the living.”
“That is horrible! Why would he not honour his father’s will?”
“You are as good a judge of that as I. However, I was treated just as unfairly when it came to my part.”
Elizabeth gasped. “I shall not be upset if you feel it too personal to share.”
“I trust you with all my secrets.” The look of complete faith on Elizabeth’s face inspired him to continue.
“George Darcy was like my own father, and he loved me like a son. In part, I think it was because I spent many hours with him, especially after he became ill. Fitzwilliam’s hours were filled with duties, I suppose.” He shrugged and was silent as though pondering the sad truth of his declaration.
“My uncle once told me that he would make sure that I continued to live in the manner to which I had become accustomed at Pemb
erley. Unfortunately, that has not been the case since his death—not in the least. I was informed that I had inherited a modest allowance which will end next year when I reach five and twenty; at that time I am to receive five thousand pounds. Only, Fitzwilliam claims that the five thousand pounds is conditional based entirely on the prerequisite that Winfield Hall, an estate I inherited, turns a profit before that date. I am confident that that was not my uncle’s intent. So I can only conclude that my cousin has chosen not to follow his father’s wishes regarding my inheritance any more than he did with George’s.”
“How selfish of him! Is there nothing you can do? Hire a solicitor or—”
“I have not the necessary funds to fight my cousin in court,” Andrew cut in. “And I doubt that I would prevail if I did. After all, he has influential friends and I do not.”
“That is so... so unfair!”
“Life is not always fair, Miss Elizabeth. Had my father been the heir instead of George Darcy,” Andrew shrugged dramatically, “well, I hope that I would be more compassionate.”
“I am sure you would!” Elizabeth stated earnestly.
“Thus, I find myself the owner of a neglected estate that belonged to my Grandmother Darcy.” Andrew smiled. “Please do not get the impression that I do not appreciate her gift. It is only that the estate was neglected for so many years before it was passed to me at one and twenty. Presently, it does not earn enough to support the few servants and tenants who remain. The last few years I have used my small allowance to pay them and have not been able to invest in the estate as I would have liked.”
“Where is your estate?”
“In Manchester.”
“That is lovely country and good farming land, as I remember. Can you not convince a banker to loan you the funds to make it profitable?”
“Unfortunately, bankers only loan to those who are well off, and I am not in that category. I have been fortunate to receive loans from a few friends and most of the profit for some time will go to repay them. Suffice it to say, unless I make the acquaintance of a woman who does not care for the finer things in life, I am doomed to life as a bachelor!” Having said this, he laughed hollowly and then pretended to force a smile.
“Are there no debutants with large dowries this season?” Elizabeth teased. “Surely a Darcy would be able to marry his way out of this dilemma.”
Andrew guffawed, “Only someone with your wit would say that after hearing my sad story.” He caught Lizzy’s hand and brought it to his lips, softly kissing the back of it though his eyes never left hers. “Alas, I always wished to marry for love, not convenience.”
Elizabeth murmured, “How... how will you manage?”
Andrew had no reservations about stretching the truth to make his future look more promising, even to the point of resurrecting his long dead grandmother on his mother’s side who never owned anything more than a cottage.
“For the present, I will continue to seek loans from my closest friends in order to bring in a harvest. And in the future, my maternal grandmother is still alive, though in ill health. I am her only heir, and she has a small estate that I shall dispose of after her death. The proceeds will go to improve Winfield Hall. God forbid that someone I love has to die, but she assures me that she wants me to use her bequest to improve my estate. And with a little luck and a great deal of hard work, Winfield may generate enough to support a wife and children. I fear that it may come too late to collect the sum Fitz owes me next year, though.”
“I am sure there are many who wish to see you succeed.”
“Yes, but it is not always easy to distinguish those who are truly my friends from those who tolerate me because Fitz is my cousin. Unfortunately, the ones I trust are not as wealthy as those in Fitz’s circle. Even Mr. Bingley, whom I have known for years, is Fitz’s friend, not mine. Of course, they attended university at the same time and it is only fitting. Still, I know that if I were of a mind to ask him for help, he would immediately tell my cousin. And Fitz would make sure no one loaned me a farthing.”
“Why would he care if it would help keep your estate solvent?”
“If I cannot turn a profit this year, he will not have to part with the final five thousand pounds.”
“Why you do not expose his dishonesty to Mr. Bingley?”
“Charles thinks well of my cousin, and I would not do anything to change that. You see, Fitz has few real friends and Bingley is one. I know that I can trust you not to say a word to him.”
“I would never break a confidence, but I think you too kind,” she said dryly. “I fear that I would tell any and all who would listen of his perfidy.”
Andrew laughed aloud. “Then Fitz is lucky that I am his cousin and not you.”
As they continued towards Longbourn, they talked of more pleasant subjects until they neared the house. Seeing the gate to the drive, Andrew stopped in his tracks.
“Unfortunately, Miss Bennet, I must return to Netherfield. I have neglected some business that must be handled today.”
“Certainly, sir,” she replied. “You must have great responsibilities.”
He chuckled. “They often seem too great!” Then his expression changed to one of undisguised admiration. “Perhaps I shall see you tomorrow?”
“Perhaps,” Lizzy said softly.
As she watched him easily mount his horse and spur the animal in the direction of Netherfield, Elizabeth realised that she had come to admire him even more, now that she knew of his circumstances. And when he looked over his shoulder and waved before he passed completely out of sight, her heart beat faster.
I am so glad that I gave him the benefit of the doubt that night at the ball. I would have missed knowing a wonderful man.
Chapter 4
London
Matlock House
As Darcy’s coach pulled to a stop in front of his uncle’s townhouse, both he and Richard glanced out the windows at the impressive red-brick facade that rose three stories into the London sky. Simultaneously, they shrugged at one another as a footman in fancy livery rushed to open the door. By the time they exited the vehicle, the large, intricately-carved front door was standing open, revealing the Matlocks’ long-time butler, Mr. Soames. He smiled broadly, for he had recognised Darcy’s coach. Richard, who had exited first, practically charged up the steps to greet the man he had known all his life, while William followed at a more sedate pace as he escorted Georgiana into the house.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, sir, it is good to have you back in London! I hope you found the roads in good condition,” the butler said, clearly delighted to see him once more.
“Thank you, Soames. My journey from Pemberley to London was excellent, given that I was riding in Darcy’s coach,” Richard declared as he reached the top step. “Oh, to have such luxury!”
“Your father’s coaches are just as fine, if not finer, Cousin,” Darcy pronounced solemnly as he and Georgiana reached the portico.
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy! It is a pleasure to have you at Matlock House once more,” Soames said.
After they entered the foyer, he began to collect their coats, hats, bonnet and shawl, immediately passing them to a footman who appeared out of nowhere. All of a sudden, a loud exclamation caused all three guests to turn.
“My goodness! You are here at last!” Lady Matlock glided effortlessly across the marble floor, looking every inch a countess in her expensive gown and jewels. Still very attractive at four and fifty, she had hardly any grey in her dark brown hair and was as slim as a debutant. Clearly happy, she reached for her niece’s hands.
“Georgiana, I have eagerly anticipated your visit. You and I shall have great fun shopping for clothes while you are here.” She looked past Georgiana to her son and nephew. “And I am having a dinner party tonight honouring Lady Susan; both of you simply must attend.”
“Oh, say you will, Brother!” Georgiana practically squealed as she turned back to him. “I told Lady Susan that we were coming, and I know she
is expecting you.”
William tried not to frown, though he detested being forced into obligations at a moment’s notice. “I suppose I may be able to oblige, though I shall not stay long. After all, the trip from Pemberley was tiring, and I have much to do tomorrow.”
“Excellent!” Lady Matlock proclaimed. “I know that Lady Susan will appreciate the effort. Lately, all she has talked about is the summers that she joined Richard and you at Pemberley between school terms.” Then she awarded William a knowing wink.
Richard’s brows shot up, and he gave his cousin a wry smile behind his mother’s back. Oblivious to his antics, she continued cheerfully, “In addition, the earl and I are giving a ball to honour her in a sennight, and I wondered if you might be her escort that evening?”
Despite telling Richard of his plans to marry her, William did not want the rest of the family knowing his thoughts at this juncture and forcing his hand. Therefore, he replied nonchalantly, “We shall have to see. I had not planned to be in London that long.”
“Oh, Brother, you do not have to hurry back to Pemberley to entertain those—”
“Georgiana,” William scolded, his voice lowering in warning. “What I decide is not open for discussion.” The smile fell from his sister’s face.
Noting the coldness between her nephew and her niece, Lady Matlock instantly changed the subject. “Richard dear, I hope that this time you intend to stay with us while you are in Town.”
Richard laughed mirthlessly. “No, Mother, I shall stay with Darcy, as usual. I would not want to disappoint Father. He so enjoys having something to disapprove of when it comes to me.”
His glibness coaxed a frown from his mother, a sight rarely seen in public. As a result, the countess appealed to William.
“Please try to reason with him, Fitzwilliam. You know that the earl does not understand why Richard stays with you instead of with his own family.”
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 6