Page 72 of Count the Cost (The Secrets of Elizabeth Bennet #2)

D arcy carefully checked his appearance in the mirror.

“Thank you, Mr. Maunder, this is just right.” His valet nodded without a smile, and began clearing away the shaving paraphernalia.

Darcy smiled slightly at his reflection.

He was wearing the crimson spinel stickpin.

It was quite his favourite now that Elizabeth had admired it, and it helped him feel that she was beside him for this confrontation.

He had discussed it quietly with her when they had returned to town.

“Perhaps, to be proper, we ought to go together. But I know my uncle is against our betrothal — he wishes me to marry for his own political advantage, and my cousin has said that my aunt has been disturbed by the rumours. I would prefer it, if you will allow, that for this call, I go alone.”

She had smiled up at him, that heartbreakingly beautiful smile. “If that is your desire, William, then I will agree, although if it is to spare me, then know I would always wish to stand beside you.”

He remembered the kiss he had dropped on her forehead; a salute to her bravery. “How can I forget that you stood alone against Lady Catherine? No, dearest, I wish to spare myself the experience of not being able to speak as I would like to without being concerned for you.”

“Then I will be waiting for you, my love.”

The bewigged butler at Matlock House opened the door and then beckoned a footman who took Darcy’s greatcoat, hat and gloves.

As he entered the drawing room behind the butler, Darcy glanced around, feeling the frosty, tightly controlled atmosphere. Neither of his cousins, Richard nor David, were there; just his uncle and aunt.

He bowed. “Good morning, Uncle Henry, Aunt Alice,” and he crossed the room to bow over his aunt’s hand.

“Nephew,” she spoke softly.

But Uncle Henry didn’t wait for the niceties. “Richard has said you intend to wed the girl, despite the rumours!”

Darcy bowed at him. “I do, sir. The rumours are merely baseless lies, and I am delighted to say that Miss Bennet has accepted me and her father has given his permission and approved the settlements.”

“What!” The older man’s expression became florid. “How dare you go ahead without even discussing the issue with me? How could you, Darcy, how could you dare?”

“Easily, sir. I am a Darcy, and although I respect you as head of the Fitzwilliam family and my uncle, it is I who have the ability to choose my bride, and I have found the lady who suits me very well.”

“But you have chosen a woman of vulgar family, mean connections, and no wealth, as well as these terrible rumours with which she had begun to entrap you.”

“There was no trap, Uncle. Elizabeth has enough money to lease her own home, and is respectably settled with a young gentlewoman who is her friend and an older widow as her companion.” He levelled a look at his uncle.

“I would wish to explain and have a conversation with you, if we might sit down and take refreshments. But I will not be made to stand here, like a misbehaving schoolboy, and be berated. The choice is yours, Uncle.”

His uncle made a growling sound in his throat, and crossed the room to sit beside his wife. “Very well, then. Elucidate. But explain why you appear to have abandoned your duty to your name, your estate and protecting your own sister’s future!”

Darcy turned and took the chair opposite them, and smiled at his aunt.

“I am looking forward to you meeting Elizabeth, Aunt Alice. I believe you will like her very much.”

His uncle snorted. “If we are not going to recognise her, then we will never meet her.”

Darcy drew a slow, quiet breath. He was perfectly prepared to get up and walk away from this confrontation, but that was not why he had come here. He would not burn bridges unless he had to, and it would be better to have them on Elizabeth’s side if it was at all possible.

“Uncle, Aunt. I have already agreed that the rumours may be scandalous, but I assure you that they are baseless. Elizabeth’s behaviour is all that is genteel and proper — and I hope you can trust my honour.

” He sat forward on the edge of his seat.

“Yes, her family might embarrass her, but they are family. And I know that you, as well as I, find Lady Catherine deeply embarrassing.”

“This is true, Henry.” Aunt Alice commented quietly. “You have often been angry with what she says and does.”

Uncle looked unmoved. “But she has no fortune, Darcy! You need a well-dowered wife to replace Georgiana’s dowry when she weds.”

“I met Elizabeth for the second time at the Bedford’s house party you asked me to attend.

The dowager Countess of Abingdon — we have spoken about her before — told me that Elizabeth had come into a respectable inheritance.

In the settlements I was content to leave that with her as well as add a little to her jointure.

” He paused. “Less than my father settled on Mother.”

“Hmm. So respectable was the right word.” Uncle seemed to consider the matter, and Darcy was happy with his slight evasion. Elizabeth did not want the source of her funds to be exposed, and he would move heaven and earth to avoid raising any suspicions.

“I suppose it’s from those tradesmen relations, then. We have heard Gardiners is very prosperous.”

“The Gardiners are indeed very wealthy,” Darcy nodded.

“Have you met them, acknowledged them?” Uncle seemed to be working himself up to another complaint.

“You know I have, and Richard, too.” Darcy was unworried about drawing his cousin into this after his ambush. “When I came to dinner here last, he told you we had met them at the theatre. Elegant and genteel and Mrs. Gardiner grew up in Lambton and knew Mother.”

“Oh, yes, I remember now.” His uncle seemed a little disconcerted. “But I do remember you saying that this woman was unsuited to be your wife — and that she was not looking for a husband.” He raised his expressive and bushy eyebrows.

“It is true, she was not. But these scurrilous rumours, first started by Bingley’s unmarried sister who saw her as competition for my hand, has disconcerted Miss Bennet, and I was able, just, to persuade her of my devotion.

I am honoured she has accepted me. She is a better woman than I deserve, and my heart is entirely engaged. ”

Uncle was silenced, although Darcy knew it would not last long.

His aunt laughed lightly. “I always hoped you young people would be able to find someone you cared about. She sounds as if you had to work for her approbation, Darcy.”

“I did.” He rubbed the back of his neck absently, feeling the heat there.

“It was a new experience for me, and a salutary one. I had always assumed the Darcy name and Pemberley would permit me to have any woman I decided on.” He could not control a rueful smile.

“I believe the effort necessary has been very good for me.”

Aunt patted the seat beside her. “Come and sit down here, Darcy. I want you to tell me all about her, and why she chose to take a house instead of remaining with her family.”

Darcy hid a sigh of relief. With Aunt on their side, Uncle would come round, even if grudgingly.

Once he had met Elizabeth, Darcy believed he would be entirely won over.

But this conversation might be difficult, explaining why he admired her so and not leading to any suspicion about her involvement in her business.

He was in the midst of a tribute to Elizabeth’s beauty and character when Uncle interrupted them.

“You talk of her intelligence, Darcy. Will she manage your tenants for you, or preside over your drawing room and society?”

He smiled up at his uncle. “I trust Elizabeth as no other, and she may therefore do as she chooses. I believe she is entirely capable of managing both — and in each she will excel. I hope you will soon agree to meet her, Uncle, for she is a wonder.”

“Hmmph! I suppose if you will not give her up, then I may have to. Keeping scandal from the family is vitally important. You know that. She must prove herself worthy of your trust, for you have staked everything on her; your reputation and your fortune — and that of Georgiana making a good match!”

Darcy rose to his feet. “I trust Elizabeth. She is worthy of all I possess, and more. I am humbled and privileged that I have won such a woman.” He swung round to face his uncle directly.

“Neither Richard nor I wish Georgiana to wed a man who would be critical of Elizabeth as my wife merely because of her antecedents.”

Darcy walked the few hundred yards back to his house with a sense of satisfaction.

He had not expected the situation to be easy to manage, and it had not been.

But there had been a good outcome — he had never expected Uncle to come round to the situation completely.

However, his aunt was the important figure in his mind.

With her approbation and entree to the highest in society, she could be of much assistance if Elizabeth wished it.

He smiled to himself; his betrothed had not been enamoured of the society she had endured at the house party. He would need to be thoughtful in how he assisted her by carefully choosing the functions they attended. But he need not be concerned; Elizabeth would know the best way forward.

His mind went back to Matlock House and that evening’s meeting. Let them think me a fool in love, if that is what they wish. What I wish for is the greatest felicity in marriage. For both of us.

He glanced at the sun; there was time to call for his coach and go to Elizabeth at Gardiner’s. He could tell her what happened, and then, tomorrow, he would escort Elizabeth to Oakfield. She wanted to have a long talk to Miss Lucas and discover what she wished to do after he and Elizabeth married.