Page 37 of Lord Lonbourn’s Daughter
The guests were treated to a lavish meal by themselves in the dining room. Only the viscount did not join them. A quiet enquiry revealed that he was taking his supper in his room, which was heavily guarded by the duke’s men. It was obvious that His Grace was not easily fooled.
Mr Wickham was given similar treatment by Lord Longbourn.
“Lizzy, I would be ever so pleased if you would swap estates with me,” Lady Lydia whined.
“Why?”
“Ronaldsay is too far from London. Where is your estate situated?”
“The Scottish Highlands,” Elizabeth replied.
“Oh, not much better, then,” Lady Lydia muttered, discouraged.
“It depends on how much you like cold, rain, and windy mountains. I have heard that you can be trapped there for weeks in the winter,” Elizabeth related with a dreamy smile.
“Where is Mary’s estate?” Lydia enquired.
“Wales,” Elizabeth informed her.
“Jane?” Lydia looked imploringly at her eldest sister.
“No, Lydia, you cannot have Longbourn,” Jane chided.
“But—”
“Leave it, Lydia,” Lord Longbourn barked. “I decide who gets what, and your estate is not negotiable. You have made your choice when you could have married a man with his own property. He is entertaining, your Mr Wickham. You may live with me until the time comes that Mr Collins inherits.”
Lady Lydia turned to Darcy. “Perhaps Mr Darcy has an estate he does not use. I understand that you deprived Mr Wickham of a living he was bequeathed by your father. You owe him.”
The whole room gasped at her audacity.
“Lady Lydia! Your Mr Wickham has not been ordained. He cannot receive any living because he lacks the appropriate education. Furthermore, he was given three thousand pounds in lieu of the living in addition to the thousand pounds from my father’s will.
I suggest you add those four thousand pounds to your twenty, and you may buy an estate closer to London. ”
“La, Mr Darcy, you are full of ideas, but we would have nothing to live on if we were to use my fortune to buy an estate. I could not manage on a meagre couple of thousand a year. My gowns alone cost more than that.” Lady Lydia sighed loudly, adding further ill will to the strained atmosphere around the table.
Darcy was indignant that Lord Longbourn did not do more to rein in his daughter. He should not need to defend his honour to a sixteen-year-old girl.
A glance in his wife’s direction portrayed a lady suffering acute mortification. She was not to blame for her family’s foolish behaviour. She smiled ruefully at him, and he smiled back; he could not help himself.
Putting Lady Lydia to the back of his mind, he had much to discuss with Elizabeth when they retired.
#
The next morning, Lord Longbourn, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr Darcy, Elizabeth, and Jane were all summoned to the duke’s chamber.
If anything, His Grace’s health had deteriorated during the night; his voice was barely audible, and he had to take frequent pauses to gain enough breath to relate what was on his mind.
“It has become apparent to me that of all my distant cousins, one is exempt due to his station and the other two hold no political aspirations. You may quarrel amongst yourselves, but in the end, it is my decision to make. As you all can see with your own eyes, my time is severely limited. I shall decide today. In fact, my mind has already been made up, but before I divulge my decision, I shall explain. I expect you all to concede to my wishes and sign the papers my attorney has drawn up. The fate of the viscount, I leave to his father. I have neither the time nor strength to deal with him. Needless to say, I have him under close surveillance that will not relent until Lord Matlock’s arrival.
I sent him an express after his son turned up here, making the wildest accusations, owning nothing of the blame.
I may not be able to travel, but I have eyes and ears everywhere.
My conversations with you last night confirmed my suspicions. ”
The duke took a sip of water before he continued.
“May I offer you something stronger, Your Grace?”
“No, thank you, Colonel. I need my wits about me. Where was I? Yes, I need a man who can continue my legacy and influence the House of Commons to strengthen the legal system. I have accomplished some improvements, but the task is nowhere near finished. Like retiring the oldest, most feeble watchmen, especially in the parishes near the river where the worst acts of violence occur. I would suggest hiring new athletic young men and giving them a salary so that the useful sort would want the position. Listen to Fielding’s experience and study Colquhoun’s list of crimes in London.
The Parliamentary Select Committee has just been set up to inquire into the state of the watch.
I am one of the committee members. My chosen successor will take my place and do good for society, making London the safest city in the world.
In a metropolis such as London, there should be a central office where information is collected, from which intelligence can be obtained as to the state of the watch in all parishes. ”
Mr Darcy, who was listening intently to His Grace, nodded his head.
“I can tell I have gained your full attention, Mr Darcy, which tells me that a seat in the House of Commons would have suited you. Your little missus too, I believe.”
“I am not so little. It just appears that way compared with Mr Darcy’s formidable height,” Elizabeth defended herself.
The duke laughed, which sent him into a coughing fit. Elizabeth handed him his glass of water as soon as it relented a little.
“Here, drink this.”
She glanced worriedly up at her husband.
“It is a shame you rejected my proposal, Mr Darcy. When you have been married for more than weeks, I beg you to reconsider.
“I have purchased the borough of Old Sarum in Wiltshire. It has two seats with only ten voters. Colonel Fitzwilliam, I am leaving you the borough. Lord Longbourn, I want you to witness the papers. My time is short, and I need this matter settled.
“You may all wonder at my reasons for why I made this decision. I chose him because of his apparent love for his betrothed and his reputation in the army. I loved my wife, and I was faithful even after her death. I believe you have too, Lord Longbourn, been faithful beyond death.
“Lord Matlock’s heir has political aspirations but for the wrong reasons.
He seeks not to do good but to enhance his own prospects.
I might be feeble of body, but not of mind.
Your conversation with the viscount was most enlightening yesterday, Mr Darcy, although it had no bearing on my decision.
It was already made, but I needed to see you to be certain.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, you are an outstanding soldier. I have no doubt you will prove yourself worthy of my trust. I was not sure you had the required income of six hundred pounds per annum, which is why I have left you my personal fortune of two hundred and fifty thousand pounds.”
“I have no objections to your choice, Your Grace,” Mr Darcy added.
“Neither have I, Your Grace,” Lord Longbourn agreed.
“I blame the Napoleonic wars, and to some degree the French Revolution, for the state of my beloved England. Before the war and the revolution, everyone knew their station. Only the riotous or truly desperate dared to challenge the rules. But hordes have gravitated to the City of London to find employment when there is nothing to be had. Many are bound in a condition of toil, poverty, obedience, and limited expectations that have only worsened during this never-ending war. I am not surprised thinking individuals thought radical redistribution of property ownership and the rights of the common man are needed. But instead of finding expression through political activity, they resort to hideous crimes. Something must be done, and I believe that Colonel Fitzwilliam will make a difference in the decades to come.”
The gentlemen signed the papers while Elizabeth studied the painting hanging over the hearth. A young girl of sixteen with lush red curls, a sprinkle of freckles, and vivid green eyes looked down upon her.
The duke noticed and whispered, “My wife, Vivienne. You have similar eyes. I am sure you can make Mr Darcy do your bidding every time you look upon him with those eyes. I never could deny Vivienne anything she dared to ask of me during the short time we had. She was killed strolling leisurely down Rotten Row, by a young thief in a chariot who was racing away from an infuriated shopkeeper...”
“Your Grace, I…” Elizabeth whispered, but the duke waved her off.
“I am looking forward with pleasure to reunite with my dearest wife, assured that my life's work will be continued, and it was not my intention to pry into your personal business, Lady Elizabeth. A lady may kiss but never tell, my dear Vivienne used to say.”