Page 56 of Missing
"Robert, why did you do that? I promised William I would give him time to adjust to his new life and to meet his new family." Mr. Darcy was furious with Lord Matlock.
"George, it is not convenient to delay this matter any longer.
It is much better to face the rumours, questions, and curious glances all at once.
Now that everyone knows the boy has returned, Doris will give a grand ball to introduce him to society, and in two months, no one will remember any of this," explained Lord Matlock.
He had asked his solicitor to contact the largest newspaper in London and provide the news of the return of the Darcy heir. The article was intended to make clear that the family fully accepted the lost heir and was willing to support his entrance into society.
"But you should have consulted me first. It was not for you to make that decision. I gave my son my word that we would do this gradually," Mr. Darcy protested.
"I am sorry, George, but you are overwhelmed by this situation and not thinking clearly.
The boy cannot go on playing the honourable tradesman's son any longer.
He is a Darcy, the nephew of an Earl, and he must take his rightful place in our society.
And I warn you, I sent a letter to Catherine yesterday.
It would have been inconsiderate not to inform her of what was happening; she could not learn from the newspaper that your son is alive. "
"If Catherine comes to London to trouble either my son or me, you must deal with her," Mr. Darcy retorted.
He continued to argue with his brother-in-law while the Bingleys' elegant carriage stood outside, with Louisa and Caroline inside.
They had heard the news that the Darcy heir had returned to his family, and they were eager for more details.
Caroline had told Louisa that they should visit Georgiana to obtain information, but her plan was ruined, for the family was not receiving callers.
Caroline estimated that the Darcy heir must be about seven-and-twenty or eight-and-twenty years of age and thought him certain to be an excellent match. For that reason, she was eager to meet him and to display how elegant and distinguished she could be.
When the butler informed them that the family was unavailable, the sisters did not leave immediately.
Instead, they remained in the carriage for a few minutes, peering towards the house in the hope of noticing something new.
The newspaper had given little detail: it merely stated that Fitzwilliam Darcy had returned to live with his father and that he would soon be introduced into society.
It did not mention where he had been all these years, nor any other particulars.
They had intended to come with their brother, as he was close to Mr. Darcy, but they had not been able to find silly Charles anywhere. The housekeeper told them that he had risen early and gone out, though she did not know where.
"Louisa, I cannot wait to meet the Darcy heir; I am sure he must be a distinguished gentleman like his father," Caroline said as she strained to glimpse inside the house.
"Caroline, I am sure you are not so much interested in whether he resembles his father," Louisa replied with a smile.
"Are you suggesting I only care about his bank account, this beautiful mansion, and Pemberley?" Caroline asked, laughing.
"Of course, dear. I know you perfectly well," Louisa said.
"I know that once he is presented to society, there will be great competition for his attention. That is why I must be ahead of all those vipers. I am certain he will need assistance navigating London's pretentious society, and who better to guide him than I, do you not think, dear sister?"
"Indeed. But have you not considered that he may already be married?"
"I hope that—" Caroline could not finish, for at that moment she saw William Dalton knocking at the Darcys' door. She was even more astounded when she saw that he was admitted.
"Caroline, why did they let that man in and not us? We have known the Darcys for years," Louisa said in astonishment.
"No, Louisa, it cannot be… This is a nightmare… No, curse ELIZA BENNET!"
"What are you talking about, Caroline? What does Eliza have to do with any of this?" Louisa asked, bewildered.
"Do you not see, Louisa? William Dalton IS Fitzwilliam Darcy."
"NO! Although… now that I think of it, that man always had something that made him appear different from the common tradesman… Oh no! That means Eliza will one day be mistress of Pemberley."
"I assure you, Louisa, Mr. Darcy and Lord Matlock will never accept that woman into their families.
And I doubt William would choose her over the glorious life that awaits him as the Darcy heir.
Besides, Eliza married William Dalton, and that man may not exist. I should love to be present when he tells her that she is not his wife any longer," Caroline said with a triumphant smile.
Louisa was not so sure that things were as her sister imagined.
She had seen on more than one occasion how Dalton adored Elizabeth.
Yet she preferred not to contradict her, to avoid unnecessary arguments.
They had already lingered outside Darcy House for nearly fifteen minutes, and it was time to return home, so Louisa merely listened to her sister's schemes.
Caroline was ecstatic. She had always been attracted to William Dalton but had believed nothing could ever exist between them, for he was so far beneath her.
Now they stood upon the same social level, and the moment silly Eliza was out of his life, she would draw closer to him.
Ever since their first meeting, she had been certain the attraction was mutual, and now that no barriers stood between them, they could at last be together.
◆◆◆
William was furious with the situation. He considered it a betrayal to learn from the newspaper that he would be introduced into society in two weeks' time.
The article, at least, had preserved his anonymity, but that did not excuse the fact that Mr. Darcy and Lord Matlock had made plans affecting him without asking his opinion.
When he entered the study, Lord Matlock determined to pre-empt him and not give William the opportunity to speak.
"Before you say anything, Fitzwilliam, let me clarify that I was the one who informed the newspaper."
William saw the anguish on his father's face and was glad to know he had not betrayed him. "And why did you take the liberty of speaking of ME without even consulting ME?"
"Because whether you like it or not, one day you must face all of this, and it is better to do it quickly and at once.
" Lord Matlock continued speaking for several minutes in an effort to reassure his nephew, but he was unsuccessful.
At last, he chose to end the matter abruptly.
"Well, what is done is done, and I have nothing more to add. "
"Unfortunately, it is not so easy for me. I am sorry, but I am not prepared to deal with this now. I thought I would have more time…"
"Son, you need not do anything you do not wish," Mr. Darcy interposed gently.
"You are a grown man, and no one can force you if you are unwilling, Fitzwilliam. But if you disappear again, you will create an even greater scandal, one that will affect you, your father, and your sister, who is to make her début next year."
William ceased arguing, and Lord Matlock knew he had struck the vulnerable point. Clearly, his nephew possessed a strong sense of honour and was willing to do his duty. Encouraged, he proceeded to raise the other subject, far more delicate.
"There is another matter I wish to discuss with you, and I hope you will understand and act accordingly. Fitzwilliam Darcy is a single man, and I think he should marry a woman of his class, one who can support his sister and—"
"No, sir! Do not even dare to imply such a thing—"
"But how can you believe that your present wife could replace my sister, the daughter of an Earl?"
"In case you do not understand, let me make it clear that I love my wife and shall never leave her for anything or anyone."
"And who is asking you to leave her? You may keep her in Manchester with the woman who raised you, or buy her an elegant house here in London and visit her whenever you please. No one will judge you for being infatuated with so pretty a young woman."
"I DO NOT WISH TO HEAR ANOTHER WORD!" William cried in disgust. "I am sorry, Mr. Darcy, but if this is the life you offer me, I want no part of it! I am like my father, Aaron Dalton—an honourable family man who can love but one woman. I must go—"
"Son, I do not agree with a single word Lord Matlock has spoken, and I am the head of the Darcy family, not he."
"I understand, but I beg you to excuse me. I do not feel comfortable in this place any longer. Another day, we may converse. Good afternoon," William said, and left his father's study.
Mr. Darcy followed his son but could not persuade him to remain so that they might clarify matters. Returning to the study, he turned upon his brother-in-law.
"Robert, if you interfere in my son's life again, as you have done just now, I swear I shall sever all ties with you and never lend you money again."
"You have ever been a weak idealist, George," Lord Matlock muttered in his own defence.
But seeing his brother-in-law so incensed, he judged it best to withdraw.
He needed Mr. Darcy's financial support, for the harvests had been poor that year.
Besides, he was aware that only one person might resolve the impasse created that afternoon.
Thus, he went directly from Darcy House to the regiment where his son was quartered with his troops.
◆◆◆
Jane was in the garden, seated beneath the shade of an apple tree. She had always loved that spot; it brought her peace and helped to clear her thoughts. The previous night, she and Elizabeth had conversed about many things, just as they had done before she had begun to act so foolishly.