Page 8 of Gentlemen of Honor (Bennet Gang Duology #2)

Richard Talks Sense

Darcy sat in Darcy House’s large drawing room, listening to his sister play. Georgiana had been working exceedingly hard on the complex piece, to which the hours of imperfect performances he’d dimly overheard from his study could attest. Now, a line of concentration on her brow, she pursued a flawless rendition for him to enjoy.

Except that he was not enjoying her playing today, as he normally would. Agitation kept him shifting in his seat. He felt out of sorts. Unsettled. Torments that grew every day he remained away from Hertfordshire.

He would not return. He would not pollute the Darcy line with a…a madwoman. A hoyden.

No matter how lovely she was, or quick of wit. Not even because just the memory of her smile warmed his heart.

Georgiana stopped playing, looking up delightedly, expectantly. On the bench beside her, now finished turning pages, Mrs. Annesley smiled at Darcy’s sister with pride.

Had he missed the finale of the piece, woolgathering? No matter. He’d heard her practice it many times and was certain her performance was worthy of applause. He brought his hands together, clapping. “Well done. Very well done indeed.”

“You liked it?” his sister asked eagerly.

“Your playing was superb,” he said, sure that it had been, even if he hadn’t been attending to it.

A throat cleared and Darcy turned to see his butler in the doorway, bearing a tray of letters. “The post has arrived, sir, and Colonel Fitzwilliam asks if you are at home.”

“To be certain he is at home,” Richard said, striding around the butler and into the room.

Darcy’s butler, who had undoubtedly hurried down the hall with the day’s mail in an effort to announce Richard before he could reach the drawing room, frowned.

“Richard,” Georgiana exclaimed, rising from the pianoforte bench to go greet their cousin. “I have just perfected a new piece. Would you care to hear it?”

“If it is the lovely music I heard as I came down the hallway, indeed, I feel I must.”

Georgiana smiled happily and returned to the pianoforte.

“Would you care for your letters at this time, sir? Miss?” their butler asked. “Or shall I place them in your chambers?”

“You may put mine on my desk, please,” Georgiana replied.

Darcy gestured the man over, collecting his.

After being assured that they required nothing more at the moment, the butler retreated. Richard dropped onto the other end of the sofa Darcy occupied and Georgiana began to play.

Darcy flipped through his letters, the usual assortment of missives from his relations, Bingley, his steward at Pemberley, and his man in Town. The only incongruous one was from a Mr. Gardiner. Wracking his brain, Darcy could not recall a Mr. Gardiner of his acquaintance. Yet, the name held some familiarity. He tried to remember from where. Had he heard Miss Bingley utter it? With derision?

He cracked the seal, done in quite respectable wax, taking note of the fine paper and strong, black ink. A gentleman of means, this Mr. Gardiner.

Dear Mr. Darcy,

Please forgive my imposition in writing, for we have not yet been introduced. Despite that, I find myself in a quandary with which only you can assist. My niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, with whom—

Darcy jerked, shock going through him at the name, and the context of Miss Bingley’s use of Gardiner returned to him. She’d been looking into the Bennets as part of her efforts to determine Miss Bennet’s suitability and had reported from one of her many letters sent to Town to make inquiries, ‘I have located that aunt and uncle of hers near Cheapside. A Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner.’ Miss Bingley had sniffed, continued reading her letter, and then admitted, ‘They do seem rather respectable, for persons in trade.’

Suddenly aware that Richard studied him from the corner of his eye, Darcy composed his features and returned to reading .

My niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, with whom I believe you to be acquainted, is visiting us from Hertfordshire. Normally, Elizabeth is a cheerful, engaging young woman, but my wife and I find her to be rather subdued. Inquiries on our part have revealed that a gentleman of her acquaintance asked to court her and then departed from Hertfordshire without any offer of explanation.

As you can imagine, as her uncle, and especially as she has no father to protect her from such treatment, I am distraught on my niece’s behalf.

If I am mistaken that you have any involvement in this, I tender my profound apologies. If I am not, I look to you, sir, to make matters right.

Best regards,

E. W. Gardiner

P.S. My niece has no knowledge of this correspondence.

Darcy stared down at the letter, then reread it in its entirety. Elizabeth was in London? To see him? Or simply to visit her family here? He studied the letter, taking in the Gardiners’ address, written in those somewhat blocky, authoritative strokes. If she was with these Gardiners, she was on Gracechurch street. Darcy’s gaze went to the drawing room wall, as if he could see straight through it to Cheapside.

Clapping sounded and Darcy put down the letter to join in, realizing he’d once again missed the bulk of Georgiana’s performance. A dull pounding started in his temples.

What did Mr. Gardiner expect him to do? Call on Elizabeth? Renew their acquaintance? Or go there and formally rescind his offer of courtship?

The idea of speaking such words pained him. They would stick in his throat. Yet, did he not owe her that? He had extended the offer, after all.

But not in good faith on her part. He had not been in full possession of the relevant facts.

Was anyone? Was that not the point of courting?

The pounding in his head increased.

“Now, as lovely as your performance was, my dear cousin, if you and Mrs. Annesley could excuse us, I have need to speak with Darcy alone before dinner,” Richard said.

Darcy turned a wary look on his cousin.

“In your study, if we may?” Richard’s face was a mask of innocent affability .

“We certainly do not wish to keep you gentlemen,” Mrs. Annesley said as Georgiana began ordering her music.

“I have to change for dinner soon anyhow,” Georgiana added. “We will meet again in the jade parlor. I will ensure that our cook knows you are here. Do you need Mrs. Person to have a room made up?”

Darcy took in his sister’s words with surprise, noting Mrs. Annesley’s pleased look. When had Georgiana become so grown up? Obviously, Mrs. Annesley was a good influence.

“Thank you, but I am staying at Matlock House,” Richard replied, standing. “Darcy?”

Darcy had half a mind to say that he must change for dinner as well, but with Richard’s tenacity, he would simply follow. Darcy’s cousin wouldn’t think twice of invading his chambers if he believed they had something to discuss. He should never have read Mr. Gardiner’s letter with his keen-eyed cousin in the room.

Darcy led the way to his study, where Richard gestured to the couches before closing the door, indicating that he would protest Darcy taking up a position behind his desk.

Not needing the bulk of his mahogany desk to lend him authority, Darcy set the stack of letters there, then returned to sit on one of the couches.

Richard alighted opposite him. “Well?”

“Well what?” Darcy cast back, mutinous.

“To start, I would like your account of what transpired in Hertfordshire to send Colonel Forster’s unit away in disgrace, and what that had to do with George Wickham, of all people. Then, you will explain to me why Georgiana wrote to me saying that you are out of sorts. Or, rather, you will tell me why you are out of sorts, because I can easily see what caused her to write as much. Lastly, what the devil is in that letter? You nearly flew off the couch.”

Darcy sighed. In truth, he wanted someone to speak with, and Bingley was no help. He was completely smitten with Miss Bennet and obviously willing to forgive the Bennet sisters anything. “In a way, it is all one and the same.”

“That requires further explanation.”

Darcy nodded. It certainly did. “You recall that Bingley and I were robbed outside the village of Meryton?”

“How can I not? That is why you contacted me, hoping to see a unit stationed there.”

“Yes, well, let me acquaint you with what happened the following day, and all that transpired once Bingley and I returned. ”

Haltingly at first, Darcy told Richard about seeing Elizabeth in the mist, visiting Mr. Collins, and meeting the Bennet sisters outside his office. He mentioned that he and Bingley had called several times, going into detail about how Elizabeth often seemed amused by some secret of her own. He next conveyed Miss Bingley’s obsession with discovering if General Oakwood was the Earl of Pillory’s heir, which caused Richard to frown and hold up a hand, halting the tale.

“General Matthew Oakwood, heir to the Earl of Pillory?” Richard asked. “I met him before he retired, when I was starting out. An incredible man. One of the best to ever serve. What I wouldn’t have given to have him as a mentor.”

Darcy shook his head. “Mrs. Oakwood refers to him as ‘Arthur,’ and when I departed, the Hargreaves had not yet arrived to confirm or refute Miss Bingley’s suspicion.”

Richard nodded, his expression thoughtful.

Darcy took back up the tale, going on to describe the day in the garden that led up to Mr. Collins’ challenge, and what followed. Richard scowled when told the details of Wickham’s pretense at being an officer, and listened intently as Darcy described Enaj’s shooting and his duel with Azile. His eyebrows rose when Darcy admitted to asking Elizabeth if he might court her, then drew into a dire V when Darcy related the truth revealed by the spyglass.

Darcy finished his tale with, “I went to Bingley immediately. I could not permit him to enter into a union with Miss Bennet once I knew the truth about her and her sister, but he already knew. She had told him after they began courting in earnest.” Darcy couldn’t keep a sour note from his voice.

“The truth about her and her sisters ,” Richard said, emphasizing the plural.

Darcy stared at him blankly.

“From the sound of it, Miss Mary is also a member of the Boney Bandits. You said yourself that there is a third.”

Darcy nodded. “Yes, she must be the third.” He recalled how she’d somehow slipped a note into his pocket without him knowing. What other nefarious skills did the sisters possess?

Richard sat back, arms spread wide to drape over the back of the couch. He drummed the fingers of one hand against the thick upholstery. Finally, he said, “What did Miss Elizabeth say when you approached her for an explanation? Did she attempt to deny that she is Azile?”

Darcy frowned at his cousin .

“You did go to her with your suspicion?” Richard asked.

“It is more than a suspicion. Bingley confirmed it.”

“And you went to Miss Elizabeth, the woman you asked to court, for her explanation?”

Darcy looked down.

Across from him, Richard sighed. “No. You stormed off to London.”

His head jerking up, Darcy protested, “Miss Bennet told Bingley the truth once they were courting. Miss Elizabeth did not afford me the same consideration.”

“Did she have an opportunity to do so?”

Darcy scowled at his cousin.

Richard sat forward. “Did you even tell her you were leaving?” He watched Darcy for a long moment. “I see. So you asked to court a woman, then departed with no explanation. Please tell me your courtship was not public knowledge.”

“Fortunately not. She does not have that to hold over me.”

“Hold over you? I was thinking of the lady’s reputation, not yours.”

“Her reputation? She is a highwayman. She thinks she is Robin Hood come to life.”

“Yes.” Richard’s face broke into a grin. “That is rather splendid, is it not? Tell me again about your duel with her.”

Darcy did so grudgingly, aware that even as Richard drew every detail from him, his cousin was amused.

When Darcy finished the retelling, Richard chuckled. “Quite the move, disarming you. I would love to know how she managed it.”

That earned him a sour glare.

Ignoring Darcy’s displeasure, Richard then insisted on a recounting of Miss Bennet shooting Darcy’s hat, and the two shots she’d taken to save Bingley.

“Do you know how few men could make those shots?” Richard shook his head, his expression revealing a certain amount of awe. “She is incredible. If Bingley had not already claimed her, I would be on my way to Hertfordshire this instant. I still may be. Miss Elizabeth sounds equally impressive. Possibly the more challenging of the two, but challenges are what fill a man’s life with interest.”

“What do you mean?” Darcy asked slowly.

“You may believe the vaunted Darcy line to be above her, but a woman of that spirit and capability? That vivacity and intellect?” Richard shrugged. “Besides which, I’ve already deduced that she is beautiful. If she is not good enough for you, I am more than happy to take her. She can be sister to two earls, if I marry her and Miss Bingley’s theory about Pillory is correct.”

“You mean to court Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy choked on the words.

“You do not believe she is worthy of me? I assure you, if anything, it would be the other way around, for I am but a second son with no fortune.”

Darcy stared at him, anger churning in his gut. Richard and Elizabeth? That was absurd. Unthinkable. “Bingley believes that the Miss Bennets have no dowries of which to speak.”

Richard shrugged. “For a woman that incredible, I will live off what I have.”

Grinding his teeth, Darcy sought another protest. Any reason that Elizabeth and Richard would not suit.

Richard’s eyes narrowed. “Unless you cannot bear the thought of her marrying another?”

“I cannot,” Darcy admitted, the words nearly a growl.

“And yet, you will not continue your courtship? Not even deign to deliver that news to her in person?” Richard cocked an eyebrow. “That seems hardly fair to her.”

Darcy glared at his cousin, his thoughts churning in circles. Circles that spiraled around Elizabeth.

“You cannot have it both ways, Darcy,” Richard said quietly. “And if you are not there courting her, and other men are, especially a man like Hargreaves, any loss of affection on her part is entirely your fault.”

“How I feel about her does not change her suitability,” Darcy ground out.

“No, it does not.”

Why did Darcy suspect Richard’s words to have the opposite meaning of his? “What of Georgiana? She is your ward, too. Can you condone tying her to a woman with such a scandal in her past? A woman who has taken such liberties with the mores of society? What if word got out? Georgiana would be ruined. She would be unable to find a worthy suitor.”

“How would word get out?” Richard countered. “The Bennet sisters are obviously circumspect. Will Bingley tell? Will you? Even if word did get out, no one would believe such a wild story, especially if you were married to her and you did not confirm the tale.”

“You want me to spend my life lying?” Darcy knew he sounded petulant. He felt petulant, and somewhat surly.

“And who better to safeguard Georgiana in society than such an extraordinary woman?” Richard added.

Darcy looked away, wrestling with his thoughts. First and foremost, his hurt that Elizabeth had not elected to tell him the truth.

But was Richard correct? Had Darcy not given her the opportunity to do so?

“Then again, Miss Elizabeth has younger, unmarried sisters,” Richard said thoughtfully. “It may not be fair to tie her to you and Georgiana, given the scandal in our ward’s past. What if you two marry and Georgiana’s scandal gets out, and ruins the chances of Miss Elizabeth’s younger sisters?”

Taken aback, Darcy stared at his cousin. “It will not get out.”

“Because you, Georgiana, and I are circumspect?” Richard cocked an eyebrow at him, waiting.

Darcy ground his teeth together. How could he explain that his sister having a secret scandal was far less troubling than Elizabeth having one? After all, his sister had fallen prey to a predator. She had suffered a lapse in judgement, yes, but she’d been taken advantage of. Elizabeth, in contrast, had willfully… Elizabeth had willfully risked her wellbeing and her family’s, for the sake of helping others. Could that be considered a greater flaw in character than being susceptible to Wickham’s lies?

“Are you ready to hear reason?” Richard asked quietly.

“Regarding?”

“Your need to speak with Miss Elizabeth, regardless of whether you choose to pursue a courtship with her or not. She deserves better than your disappearance.”

Guilt twisted in Darcy’s gut. Rather than admit that Richard might be correct, he retrieved Mr. Gardiner’s letter and handed it to his cousin.

Richard read it quickly, then looked up. “It seems that you do not even need to go to Hertfordshire to speak with her. She has followed you to London.”

“You see? She is too bold. What manner of behavior is that for a woman?”

“It is the behavior of a woman who has something she wishes to express to you, I wager.” Wry humor glinted in Richard’s eyes. “Likely, in a rather sharp manner.”

Darcy had seen Elizabeth amused. He’d seen her taunting, serious, intent, and shrewd. He had never yet seen her angry. He winced.

“Shall we call on this Mr. Gardiner tomorrow?” Richard asked.

Glumly, Darcy nodded. In his chest, the beat of his treacherous heart quickened with the hope of seeing Elizabeth.