An Unwanted Proposal: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

by Lane Cossett

  At last at the end of the passageway, the man stopped tapped on a door and shouted; “Your guests Miss Williams,” and threw it open.

  Esta Williams was reclining on a chaise longe, now devoid of her wig and the heavy makeup, wrapped in an embroidered cream gown.

  She got up at once and greeted them all warmly.

  “How lovely to see you all. Do forgive me for receiving you in this manner. I just wanted to thank you all for coming. Mr. Gardiner did you enjoy the performance?”

  Mr. Gardiner was delighted to give his opinion. “Madame, it is the best performance I have ever been to. If I might say, I thought you were truly magnificent.”

  Miss Williams beamed, with pleasure. “What a kind man you are. Thank you.”

  “And my dear Miss Darcy did you enjoy it?” she asked.

  Georgiana Darcy assured her that she had.

  Miss Williams thanked her and then called for the man who had shown her downstairs to serve everyone with a drink.

  After they had toasted her success Caroline Bingley suddenly said. “Your performance is not the only thing which we should be celebrating.”

  Everyone turned to her in surprise. “What is it?” asked Mr. Bingley.

  “Have you not heard Charles? Miss Eliza, I hear is engaged to be married to Viscount Langley no less”

  Miss Bingley was staring directly at her. Elizabeth felt herself grow cold. Looking at the malicious face of the older woman she knew Miss Bingley had deliberately chosen that moment to declare the news.

  Miss Williams smiled at Elizabeth. “May I offer you my congratulations Miss Bennet. This indeed is exciting news.”

  Elizabeth felt her mouth stiffen. She could hardly speak. She looked at her sister who had her eyes firmly fixed on the floor. She did not know how Jane could have betrayed her and told Miss Bingley. She knew they had not parted well, but Jane knew how much she disliked Miss Bingley.

  The room was strangely silent.

  “Oh dear have I said the wrong thing?” asked Miss Bingley feigning innocence.

  “It has not yet been announced,” said Mr. Gardiner, shooting a sympathetic smile at Elizabeth. “Now I think we should thank Miss Williams and take our leave.”

  “I understand,” said Miss Williams. “Thank you all for coming.”

  Elizabeth looked under her lashes at Mr. Darcy. She was horrified at the manner of which he had found out. She could see Miss Darcy was upset but Mr. Darcy stood very still with the severe expression that she knew so well. Elizabeth did not think she had ever been more pleased to leave a place. The pleasure she had felt at the opera was now forgotten and all she could think of was how much she had humiliated the man she loved.

  63

  Darcy had never felt such turmoil. He had gone to the Gardiner’s house hoping that the announcement of Miss Bennet’s engagement was not true. From the moment Miss Bingley had spoken the words he had not believed it. Viscount Langley! The man was a wastrel and did not believe Miss Bennet would marry such a man.

  But now to his horror he had found it was true. Miss Bennet had admitted she did not love the viscount and yet had been insistent that she had to marry him. It made no sense. He had wanted to ask more, but she had sent him away.

  On his way out Mrs. Gardiner had greeted him politely but suggested he did not call at the house again. He had understood and left as quickly as possible. He could not accept Miss Bennet’s engagement. He had to do something about it.

  * * *

  As Darcy returned home Georgiana was coming out of the parlour. “Fitzwilliam, where have you been? Have you remembered you promised we would go and purchase some music at Lockwood’s this afternoon.”

  Darcy had not remembered. “Georgiana, I am sorry, but I have some business I must attend to.”

  Her face fell. “You said that we would go.”

  “I did, but I have some business I must attend to.”

  “You promised me….”

  Darcy tried to remain patient. “And it is a promise I have to break. Please try and understand.”

  “I understand that I never come first,” said Georgiana and picking up her skirts she hurried up the stairs knocking into Lady Frances who was coming down the other way.

  “Georgiana!” Darcy was appalled by her behaviour.

  Lady Frances steadied herself. “Fitzwilliam leave her. I will go and speak to her in a moment.”

  “No it should not be left,” said Darcy. “I must apologise for her rudeness. I do not know what is wrong with her.”

  “Do you not?” Lady Frances came down the last few stairs. “I would like to speak to you.”

  Darcy sighed. He had more urgent matters to attend to. “Later perhaps.”

  “No Fitzwilliam. Now,” said Lady Frances firmly.

  Darcy hesitated. He was very fond of his aunt, but this was his home. He would not tolerate her trying to issue him with orders.

  “It cannot be now. I have a business matter to deal with.”

  He started to go up the stairs. Lady Frances called to him. “And does that business have something to do with Miss Bennet?”

  He stopped where he was and slowly turned around.

  His aunt was standing where he had left her with an enquiring expression on her face. “We should talk in my study.”

  “Very well.”

  Her amused tone, irritated him, but he said no more until they were both in his study with the door closed.

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  Lady Frances sat down in a chair while he stood behind his desk.

  “Darcy do sit down. I have no intention hurting my neck, trying to look up at you,” said her ladyship.

  Darcy sat at his desk.

  “I cannot see you from there.”

  Darcy came out from behind the desk and sat opposite his aunt, his anger and frustration growing. “Why did you suggest my business is to do with Miss Bennet?”

  Lady Frances smiled. “Oh Darcy do not be foolish. Every time Georgiana has mentioned her you have tried to avoid talking about her. And then I saw you at dinner with the Bingley’s and at the theatre. You spent a great deal of time trying not to look at her but when I saw your face when Miss Bingley announced Miss Bennet’s engagement I knew something was wrong.”

  “I do not believe I gave any indication of my feelings.”

  “Not to anyone but me. Darcy you forget I have known you since you were born. I knew immediately that the news pained you.”

  Darcy was once again in the uncomfortable position of his aunt understanding his character almost better than himself. He decided it was time to tell her the truth. “I had hoped that Miss Bennet would become my wife. Unfortunately it was not to be.” He did not add what Sir Jeffrey had told him about Mr. Bennet. It was knowledge he intended to keep to himself.

  “Miss Bennet is a sensible young woman,” mused his aunt thoughtfully. “I cannot understand why she should agree to marry the viscount.”

  He was glad that his aunt was equally puzzled. “Nor can I … but she says that she must.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Darcy stood up. His legs were aching sitting down. “I do not know.”

  Lady Frances did not immediately speak. She appeared to be thinking on what he had said. When she eventually spoke it was not about Miss Bennet.

  “I have always felt sorry for Lady Egerton. Naturally his lordship married her for her money, but much of it has gone. She keeps up appearances, but it cannot be easy, and I believe the son is little better than his father. If you care for Miss Bennet you should stop the marriage.”

  Darcy tapped his foot impatiently on the floor. “She is engaged.”

  Lady Frances sighed, “Yes she is, but I hope that you will be able to persuade her it is a mistake.” She rose to her feet. “I will go and see Georgiana. Do not be cross with her. She finds the balls more difficult than she thought. George Wickham is not so easily dismissed.”

  Darcy’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I thought that business was done with.”

  His aunt smiled at him fondly. “No Darcy it is not. Will you be able to forget Miss Bennet so easily?”

  Darcy was annoyed. How could his aunt compare what he thought of Miss Bennet to what Georgiana had thought of Wickham?

  His aunt patted his shoulder as she went to leave the room. “One day I hope you will understand. Now do not worry about your sister, I will take care of her. You need to act and find a reason to stop this foolish engagement.”

  Darcy was shocked Lady Frances could even suggest such a thing. Only Miss Bennet could break the engagement and she had been adamant that she was going to marry the viscount. Naturally he wanted to stop it, but he knew Miss Bennet would not want another scandal to engulf her family.

  “If the viscount is anything like his father, you will find something about him which might be useful.”

  With each new pronouncement his aunt shocked him further. She had always defied convention herself, but her words seemed to hint that he should behave in a manner that was abhorrent to him. “Are you suggesting I blackmail the viscount?” asked Darcy.

  Her ladyship looked offended. “Indeed not, but why would a woman like Miss Bennet agree to marry a man such as the viscount? If it is for money, I doubt there is any. He spends too much time gambling.”

  Money! Darcy exclaimed. How could he have forgotten? A year ago at Whites. The man with Viscount Langley had been Mr. Bennet. He was sure of it.

  Lady Frances was watching him a puzzled expression on her face.

  He could not explain. He had to find Viscount Langley at once.

  64

  Never had a journey seemed so long. Darcy could not help berating himself. How foolish he had been. not to make the connection between Mr. Bennet and Viscount Langley before. Sir Jeffrey had told him that Mr. Bennet owed people money. He had not mentioned the viscount, but he was sure there must be a debt between them. It could be the only reason why the two men had met. He had to find out if his supposition was correct. He only hoped the Viscount was at Whites. If he was not there, Darcy was prepared to stay until he appeared. The Viscount was known to spend part of every day there when he was in London.

  * * *

  At last they arrived. Darcy was almost out of the carriage before it had stopped. The doorman held open the door and he hurried inside.

  Mr. Alderton who had taken over from Mr. Briscoe the previous manager greeted him warmly.

  “Mr. Darcy what a pleasure. What may I do for you this evening?”

  “I was wondering if Viscount Langley was here. I have some urgent business to conduct with him.”

  Mr. Alderton dropped his voice. “He is in one of the back rooms.”

  “And would it be possible for me to join them?” asked Darcy

  Mr. Alderton gave a discreet nod and he guided Darcy to the back of the building, down a darkened passageway where a man was standing outside the door. The man stood to one side, and Mr. Alderton knocked on the door and went in, shutting the door firmly behind him. Darcy waited impatiently outside. He did not have long to wait. The door opened again, and Mr. Alderton beckoned him inside.

  Viscount Langley was sitting at a table with three other men. There were discarded cards and a large pile of notes and coins.

  Mr. Alderton discreetly withdrew shutting the door behind him.

  The viscount called to him. “Darcy. Now this I would not have expected. Come and see how I have just deprived Palmer of his money.”

  A man rose to his feet looking disgruntled. “I think it is time I left.”

  “And I,” said one of the others. “Langley you have been a lucky man”

  The Viscount laughed. “Perhaps we can finish later.”

  The two men hurried from the room. The viscount looked at the other man, whose hands were shaking. “Are you going Brockington?”

  The man shook his head. “I would like the opportunity to win some of my money back.”

  “Then shall we double the stakes?”

  The man considered the offer and then pushed back his chair. “No Langley. Your price is too high”

  He nodded at Darcy and left the room.

  Darcy wriggled his nose. There was discarded food on the side and the room smelt of drink and sweating bodies. It was not pleasant.

  “Would you like to take his place Darcy?”

  Darcy nearly choked. “No I would not.”

  “So why are you here?” Langley’s tone was insolent. He got up and poured himself a drink. He offered Darcy one, but Darcy refused.

  “I hear that you are engaged to Miss Bennet.”

  Viscount Langley sat down again and started to play idly with the coins. “I am, though I don’t know why it would be of interest to you. Did you come here to congratulate me?”

  Darcy was determined not to lose his temper. “Not at all. I know the family and Mr. Bennet confided in me.” It wasn’t true but he only hoped it might lead Langley to telling him what he wanted to know.

  “The old fool. I think he thought I would never collect on his debt.”

  Darcy’s heart thumped painfully. So he was right. He felt relieved, though the knowledge gave him no pleasure.

  “How much is the debt?”

  The viscount’s eyes narrowed. He sipped his drink before answering. “Why are you so interested?”

  He could do nothing but tell the truth. “I wondered whether I could take over the debt.”

  “And why would you do that?”

  Darcy kept his eyes firmly fixed on the viscount. “Because I am sure that you could always do with the money.”

  Langley picked up some of the money on the table, dropping the coins again so some fell to the floor. “I don’t think that is necessary do you?”

  Darcy watched him very carefully. “Not today no. But I have heard that is not always the case.”

  The viscount’s expression changed. “Damn your arrogance Darcy. Get out of here.”

  Darcy did not move. “So you are not willing to let me settle Mr. Bennet’s debt?”

  “No I am not. I rather like little Miss Bennet. She is fearless.”

  Darcy clenched his fist. How dare he talk about Miss Bennet in that way. “I am not sure I understand.”

  Langley laughed. “So Mr. Bennet, did not confide everything.”

  The viscount continued to play with his money. Darcy waited for him to speak quelling the sick feeling in his stomach. The viscount finished his drink smacking his lips with pleasure before wiping his hand across his mouth. Darcy tried to hide his dislike.

  The viscount started to tidy up the cards. “Mr. Bennet made an agreement that if he could not pay me the money he owed I would marry one of his daughters. That was a year ago. Now it is time for him to pay. I never expected his daughter to be so delightful.”

  Mr. Darcy could hardly speak. Mr. Bennet had sold his daughter.

  Langley looked at his outraged face. “It was a wager Darcy and your friend lost.”

  “I will double the money Mr. Bennet owes you.”

  The viscount leant back in his chair as if he was considering it. “Why would you do that?”

  Darcy tried valiantly to keep his face composed. “I am acquainted with the family and if I had known I would have tried to assist him.”

  A smile tugged at the viscount’s mouth. “It is not just the family is it? It’s the lovely Miss Bennet you are interested in.”

  Darcy felt a tightening to his chest. He had to disabuse the viscount of any idea he was interested in Miss Bennet. “She is a friend of Georgiana’s nothing more. I find her rather outspoken.”

  “She is indeed,” agreed the Viscount, “but when we are married she will learn to do as she is told. She will be spending all her time in the country with my mother. There will be little chance for her to express her views. And should she not behave then I can always whip her…. I think I might enjoy that.”

  Langley was a disgrace. Darcy had rarely heard a man be so contemptuous
of a good woman. “Will you accept my offer?”

  Langley shook his head. “I don’t think I will. I am going to enjoy taming Miss Bennet.”

  Darcy knew there was no more to be said. He stood up. “I thank you for your time Langley.”

  The viscount nodded, but he was too busy counting the money he had won.

  Darcy strode out of the room leaving the door open.

  Mr. Alderton was near the front entrance directing another guest. Darcy briefly stopped to speak to him.

  “Are you staying for a meal sir?”

  Darcy shook his head. He urgently needed to consult Sir Jeffrey Honeyfield.

  65

  Darcy instructed his coachman to take him to the rooms of Sir Jeffrey in the city.

  He was fortunate to find the great man still sitting at his desk. He was shown in by one of his clerks.

  “Darcy this is a surprise,” said Sir Jeffrey rising to his feet.

  “Forgive me calling without an appointment but I have news which I think may be of some use to your investigation.

  Sir Jeffrey motioned for him to sit down.

  “Just one minute.”

  He went to the door and called his clerk. “Will you please tell my wife that I will not be home to dine tonight.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Darcy felt guilty. “I am sorry. I should have thought you might have plans.”

  Sir Jeffrey smiled. “You have saved me from a rather tiresome evening with my wife’s sister and her husband. I am most grateful. May I offer you a drink?”

  Darcy declined. “I have just come from Whites where I met with Viscount Langley.”

  Sir Jeffrey sat back in his seat. “And did the viscount have something pertinent to tell you?”

  “The viscount is one of Mr. Bennet’s creditors.”

  Sir Jeffrey frowned at the news. “I am sorry Darcy. We have discovered he owes a great deal of money, but we had not discovered any link to Viscount Langley. I can only apologise. This is something that we should have found out.”