Page 21 of Mr. Darcy and the Mysterious “Miss B”

Darcy

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D arcy stood before the modest townhouse in Great Ormond Street, noting the well-maintained but unpretentious facade.

The brass nameplate beside the door bore the simple inscription ‘Morton’, and the knocker, whilst polished, lacked the ostentatious grandeur of some of the other Bloomsbury addresses.

This was clearly the residence of a gentleman of comfortable but not extravagant means.

He was shown into a study that reflected its owner’s character—lined with well-worn books, furnished with solid but unfashionable pieces, and warmed by a fire that spoke of practicality rather than display.

The desk was mahogany, scarred with years of use, and the chairs, whilst comfortable, bore the patina of age rather than the gleam of recent purchase.

Mr Morton rose from behind his desk, moving with the careful deliberation of advanced years. He was smaller than Darcy had expected, with silver hair and kind eyes that held both intelligence and weariness.

“Mr Darcy. How good of you to call.” Morton gestured to a chair before the fire. “Please, sit. I confess myself most curious about this arrangement Elizabeth has proposed.”

Darcy settled himself, fighting the surreal sensation that was rapidly overtaking him. Here he sat, in a stranger’s modest study, about to discuss the financial particulars of a completely fabricated engagement. The absurdity of it all threatened to overwhelm him.

“Mr Morton, I should begin by saying how much I admire Miss Elizabeth’s initiative in this matter.”

“Initiative?” Morton’s eyes twinkled with what might have been amusement. “My dear sir, that is a diplomatic way of describing what some might call outright audacity.”

“I assure you, sir, my intentions towards your family are entirely honourable, despite the irregular nature of our arrangement.”

“Oh, I do not doubt it. Elizabeth explained the particulars yesterday, and I must say, the scheme shows considerable intelligence on both sides.” Morton leaned back in his chair.

“You need escape from an unwanted match, and she needs funds to preserve her family’s security. It is, in its way, quite practical.”

The matter-of-fact tone should have been reassuring, yet Darcy struggled with the strangeness of discussing his personal affairs—even fabricated ones—with a man he had never met before.

“The financial arrangements are straightforward enough,” Darcy said, grateful to focus on concrete details. “Longbourn’s debts, as you outlined them, are well within my means to settle. The legal documentation can be prepared within the week.”

“Most generous. Most generous indeed.” Morton paused, studying Darcy’s face with uncomfortable intensity. “Though I confess myself curious about one aspect of this business.”

“Yes?”

“Elizabeth mentioned that your friend Mr Bingley figured prominently in the original difficulty with Jane. That it is he whom my niece Jane truly admires.”

Darcy shifted in his seat, his hands curling up. “I fear I bear responsibility for that situation, sir. My interference was misguided.”

“And yet Elizabeth seems to believe you can rectify the matter?”

“I intend to try. Charles—Mr Bingley—was genuinely attached to Miss Bennet. I convinced him otherwise through my own prejudice and poor judgement.”

Morton nodded. “Jane spoke of Mr Bingley yesterday, you. When she described her feelings about the proposed marriage to James.”

“Did she?” Darcy’s attention sharpened.

“Oh yes. She glowed when she mentioned his name. Quite the most animated I have seen her since her father’s death.” Morton smiled. “It was clear to anyone with eyes that her heart belongs entirely to your friend.”

The observation should have been reassuring, yet Darcy could not help but wonder whether such displays of feeling could be trusted.

“My friend is equally attached to her, though he has been led to doubt her regard.”

“Has he indeed?” Morton’s face brightened.

“I do hope such doubts will be cast away now. Jane deserves the very best, you know. She is such a gentle soul, so kind to everyone around her. Even when James was at his most trying, she never spoke harshly of him. said she could not feel for him as a wife should. Of course, there were other charges laid against my nephew but those came more from Miss Elizabeth.”

Morton’s voice softened when speaking of Jane. Whatever manipulations his nephew might have employed, this man’s affection for the Bennet family appeared genuine.

“Charles is a good man,” Darcy said with conviction. “If Jane will have him, I believe they would be very happy together.”

“Excellent! Then perhaps some good will come of this tangle after all.” Morton leaned forward eagerly. “Two happy couples instead of two unwilling matches. It has a certain poetic justice, does it not?”

Two happy couples. The phrase hung in the air between them, and Darcy felt something twist uncomfortably in his chest. Morton seemed to be assuming that his engagement to Elizabeth might become more than mere pretence.

“Mr Morton,” Darcy said, “I hope you understand that Miss Elizabeth and I have entered into this arrangement purely for practical reasons. There is no expectation of lasting attachment.”

“Of course not,” Morton replied, but his eyes held a knowing glint that reminded Darcy rather forcibly of Mrs Bennet. “Though I have found, in my experience, that proximity and shared purpose have a way of fostering unexpected developments.”

“I assure you, sir, our understanding is quite clear on the temporary nature of the arrangement.”

“I am certain it is. Elizabeth is nothing if not forthright about her intentions.” Morton’s smile was positively benevolent. “Tell me, Mr Darcy, what are your impressions of Elizabeth? As a person, I mean, setting aside the business aspects of your arrangement.”

The question caught Darcy off guard. “Miss Elizabeth is… remarkable. Intelligent, spirited, fiercely loyal to her family.”

“Indeed, she is. Quite the most independent-minded young lady I have ever encountered. Thomas—her father—always said she had twice the sense of most men and three times the courage.”

“He was not wrong,” Darcy said, then caught himself. “That is, from what I have observed, she possesses strength of character.”

Morton chuckled. “Careful, Mr Darcy. You sound almost admiring. One might think your feelings towards my niece were rather warmer than mere business partnership would suggest.”

Darcy’s face burned. “I hold Miss Elizabeth in high regard, naturally. She is helping me escape a most unwelcome situation.”

“Naturally.” Morton’s tone suggested he found nothing natural about it at all. “Well, then. Shall we discuss the practical arrangements? I assume you will wish to meet with my solicitor to ensure everything is properly documented.”

For the next hour, they worked through the details—payment schedules, legal documentation, the timing of various announcements.

The air between the men was civil as they went to business with the plan, yet Darcy could not shake the feeling that he was being gently but thoroughly managed by a man who saw far more than he let on.

***

Later that afternoon, Darcy found himself in the Gardiners’ sitting room, though this time the atmosphere felt markedly different. Elizabeth sat across from him, her posture more relaxed than he had seen before, whilst Mrs Gardiner provided a comfortable chaperonage from her position by the window.

“Mr Morton seemed pleased with our arrangements,” Elizabeth said without preamble. “He called on us earlier.”

“The financial matters are settled. Longbourn is secure.” Darcy paused. “He spoke very fondly of your family. Of Jane in particular.”

Elizabeth’s expression softened. “Uncle Morton has always been dear to us. Papa used to say he was the best of men, too trusting for his own good.”

“I can see why his nephew took advantage of such a nature.”

“Indeed. But that is finished now, thank goodness.” Elizabeth leaned forward slightly. “Uncle Morton mentioned that you seemed confident about Mr Bingley’s feelings for Jane?”

“I am. Charles has been miserable since leaving Netherfield. When I explained the truth about your sister’s character, he was eager to make amends.”

“And when will he do so?”

“He plans to call on her within the week.” Darcy met Elizabeth’s eyes. “I believe you will find him most repentant.”

“Good. Jane deserves happiness after all she has endured.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Darcy broached the subject that had been troubling him since his conversation with Morton.

“Miss Elizabeth…” Darcy hesitated, then plunged ahead. “Thank you. For seeing a solution where I saw only disaster. Your quick thinking may well save four people from considerable unhappiness.”

“Let us hope so, Mr Darcy. Now, we should discuss our own public appearances. I understand your uncle is hosting a soirée next week?”

“Yes, and Lady Dalrymple has invited us to her musicale. She is a relation of my aunt, Lady Matlock. We must be seen together at various social events.”

“Very well. Though I should warn you—I intend to be a most demanding fiancée. If we are to convince society of our attachment, I shall expect you to be properly attentive.”

Darcy felt his lips twitch despite himself. “I shall endeavour to meet your exacting standards, Miss Elizabeth.”

“See that you do, Mr Darcy. Our reputations depend upon it.”

As he took his leave, Darcy reflected that their arrangement, whilst born of necessity, might prove far more agreeable than he had initially anticipated. Elizabeth Bennet was proving to be a most fascinating woman—even if she was only temporarily his.