Page 17 of Rumours & Recklessness (Sweet Escapes Collection #1)
Chapter 15
C olonel Fitzwilliam lounged comfortably in Bingley’s parlour, as far from Miss Bingley and as near Georgiana as he could situate himself. Georgiana’s tiny pink tongue peeked over her lower lip as she tried to master a tricky new embroidery stitch she had learned just before leaving London. Miss Bingley assiduously praised her labours while attempting nothing of the kind herself. Mrs Hurst was reading her correspondence while her husband snored placidly beside her.
Fitzwilliam had tried to content himself with watching Georgiana, but a minute whiff of air behind him kept tickling his neck. “Darcy, do sit down!” he finally snapped. He craned his head to stare down his restless cousin, who had been pacing the floor for the last ten minutes.
Bingley looked up from the fire he had been stoking with an amused expression. “It is just as I have said before. There is no more awful object than Darcy on a lazy afternoon when he has nothing to do.”
“Indeed, but normally he just sits as a great black cloud in the corner of a room with a book in his hand.”
Darcy’s gaze switched to his cousin and sister. Wordlessly, he stooped to resume his seat. Before he could regain it, Miss Bingley’s voice chimed in. “I do so sympathize, Mr Darcy! Truly, one feels restless when the weather is so unpromising. You know how I ad ore a lovely stroll out of doors! It is not as though we can plan a great deal of entertainment either, what with such a te dious evening to look forward to.”
She frowned, then rounded on her sister. “Louisa, would you favour us all with some music? We could all do with a diversion, and does not dancing sound lovely?” She rose, extending her arm expectantly to an unwilling Darcy. He could not refuse her gracefully. “Brother, Miss Georgiana, will you join us?”
Georgiana shrank a little. Bingley crossed his arms, hovering resolutely by the fireplace with a defiant look toward his sister. Smilingly, the Colonel rose and offered Georgiana his hand. Mrs Hurst opened the instrument and began a lively tune, to which the two present couples commenced to dance.
Darcy could not keep his eyes on his partner, hard as that lady was obviously trying to attract his notice. As they passed during the dance, her hands grasped his a little too warmly, lingering a little too long; his thoughts, however, were miles away... three miles, to be precise. With his mind so occupied, the dance passed in blissful oblivion.
As soon as Mrs Hurst plucked the last bar, and before Miss Bingley could request another song, he firmly disengaged himself. “Excuse me, there is a matter I promised to attend to, and I ought to do it before I retire to dress.” He left the room briskly, leaving the knowing smiles of Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam in his wake.
Frustrated, Caroline flopped back into her seat with a petulant frown. Mrs Hurst began to rise, but the Colonel petitioned her to remain at the instrument. “Come, Georgie, I will teach you to dance the reel. William would certainly mock my taste, but here is not here to disapprove for a few moments!” He winked at his young cousin and drew her into a lively spin, evoking a girlish squeal of delight.
Bingley chuckled to himself. He had a sneaking suspicion that Darcy would not disapprove of the reel so heartily as the colonel suggested if only a certain dark-haired lass were present to partner with.
W ickham had spent his day quietly observing the town of Meryton. Gathering information without attracting undue attention to himself was the object of his current occupation. One thing he had ascertained was that Colonel Forster had someone perpetually at his heels.
The current tail was young Marshall, nonchalantly standing about twenty paces away but glancing his direction a little too often. Forster had indeed listened to Fitzwilliam, but he might have used more experienced spies. Wickham would have little trouble disappearing if need be.
Currently, he amused himself by listening to a few of the young shoppers outside the millinery. He recognized one of them as the niece of Mrs Long, a particular friend of Mrs Bennet, so he attended the girl’s conversations with interest. As he might have suspected, there was a good deal of chatter about the Bennet family, particularly that saucy Miss Elizabeth.
Wickham smirked a little. Despite how her modesty had led her to demur during their conversation, the lady’s discomfiture over the town’s presumption of her engagement to Darcy had been clearly evident. In short, she was furious, and she despised the man. The more he thought about it, the more firmly he concluded that Darcy might have finally bitten off more than he could chew. If there was one thing Wickham understood, it was how to read a woman. He grinned a little to himself. This particular woman possessed the unique ability to make his old companion miserable.
Little Elizabeth Bennet was more clever and more spirited than most, but ultimately, she was naive and sheltered, just as society demanded of a maiden. She had swallowed his charmingly woven tale hook, line, and sinker, and he had no doubt the lady was firmly on his side of matters. How clever of me to have early engaged her sympathies!
Though he had never formed designs on Miss Elizabeth’s person—could not have afforded to have—he had been delighted to make an ally where Darcy had made an enemy. In addition, she was well respected in the little community. Securing her good opinion of him had bought him introductions to many of the better houses in Meryton. Of course, as an officer of the regiment, he was automatically welcome in most drawing rooms, but his gambling habits often lost him their favour quickly. Miss Elizabeth’s staunch friendship had resulted in protracted sympathies toward him from the general populace.
He had not been surprised to note, on more than one occasion, his old companion’s gaze lingering on the Hertfordshire beauty. Any man could see her appeal, but, though for different reasons, Darcy could not afford her any more than he himself could. It had never truly occurred to him that Darcy might become entangled with the little spitfire.
In digging a little more deeply than most, he had uncovered the rumours that Darcy had acted to interrupt that parson’s proposal. He knew his old friend too well, however, to attribute purely selfless motives to Fitzwilliam George Richard Darcy. The man had lost his head over a pert smile and a pair of sparkling eyes.
What luck for me! Somehow, he sensed that there was an advantage to be exploited here. Colonel Fitzwilliam, ever Darcy’s pet, had been willing to pay handsomely for him to stay away. If so much was offered so easily, more was most certainly available if he made them desperate. Darcy evidently wanted to purchase his silence.
Aha… a pleasing idea came to him. Georgiana. A slow smile spread over his face. Darcy would never have dared breathe a word of Georgiana’s little indiscretions to anyone but Fitzwilliam, and he certainly would shield that precious little brat from the wild Bennet family. That information was a bombshell, one he believed he could set off right in the middle of Darcy’s plans for domestic felicity. The old sod, he’s gone romantic.
Miss Elizabeth was the key. He sensed in her a tendency to flout convention, but she was still a lady. She could not afford to associate with a fallen woman such as Georgiana Darcy, and she already had a low opinion of the family to start with. All he truly needed to do was succeed in turning her suspicions against the little heiress, a job which was already half done. If he could discredit Georgiana openly in Miss Bennet’s face, but not so irreparably that a few well-placed words and perhaps an offer of marriage would not restore her respectability... Darcy would pay a small fortune to both protect his sister and win the affections of his fair lady.
If that failed… well, there were still other options.
“N ow, Lizzy,” Mrs Gardiner instructed her niece, “In the quarter-hour before your company arrive, I want you to tell me everything you have not yet told me about Mr Darcy, Mr Collins, Jane, Mr Bingley, and your father.”
Elizabeth’s downcast visage became overspread with a sly look. “That is a tall order, Aunt. Would you like me to take breaths between my sentences or merely to wave my hands as punctuation?”
Mrs Gardiner laughed lightly. “First, perhaps we should discuss your papa. You mentioned his nurse. Has he had a doctor?”
“No, Mrs Cooper’s husband is normally the nearest doctor, and her son as well, but they have been away in London. She expects them back by tomorrow. Our apothecary has been tending to him, but both assure me that at present, there is little a doctor could do for Papa. He does appear to be mending a little every day.”
“That is good news. While I am sure your uncle will arrive as soon as possible to lend whatever aid necessary, of course, we would all prefer to see your papa up and well again. Are there any immediate concerns for the estate?”
Elizabeth sighed. “One of the tenant families, the Browns, may have to remove. I have been taking baskets to them for a while—in fact, I should have gone this morning. Their need has become rather great, for Mr Brown had a terrible accident behind his plough last spring. Both his legs were broken and a few ribs. Mr Jones has seen him and believes in some time he may recover, but never with his full strength, as the bones in one leg did not set at all properly. He has a wife and three young children to support, so naturally, he wishes to keep his lease and farm again next year. At present, I do not think he can possibly continue.”
“You would not bring such a concern up to me without already having thought of a solution. What do you propose, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth gave a little chuckle. “You mistake me, Aunt, for in this situation, I have not an answer. You know Papa has long done without a steward, as he knows as much about managing an estate as anyone. I know he wished to spare the rather large expense, but under such circumstances, I wish he had retained someone.”
“It is a pity you are the only other person in your family with any experience at all in these matters,” Mrs Gardiner mused. “You did mention your papa seems to be recovering. Is this not an issue that can wait some weeks until he has regained his faculties?”
Elizabeth shook her head, sorrowfully. “Papa was just talking to me about it a few days ago, saying that if something is not changed soon, the family will rapidly become destitute beyond recovery. They are already in dire straits, as he was unable to farm at all this year. Many of his neighbours took pity and lent what aid they could, but his rent is very far behind, and they have become almost entirely dependent upon charity.
“By rights, Papa should have evicted them long ago, but you know Papa. He would not do such a thing in the middle of winter and to Mr Brown! He has always been such a good tenant. I wish Papa had not put off managing the situation, though, for now, I do not know what to do.”
Mrs Gardiner pursed her lips thoughtfully. “If I were you, Lizzy, I would seek more experienced advice. You have, if I am not mistaken, not one but two estate owners coming to dine this evening. Why not put the question to them?”
Elizabeth stiffened. “Surely, Aunt, that is not necessary!”
“Why not?” Mrs Gardiner asked reasonably. “Mr Darcy is, as I have said, well respected in Lambton. Those are not London society folk there, you know, but simple farmers and tradesmen, just like here in Meryton. They would be quick enough to cast aspersions on his character if he were known to mistreat his tenants. Surely, he has had experience in circumstances such as these. If the situation must be remedied soon, it seems you have a ready counsellor at hand.”
Elizabeth pouted a little. “Your answer is far too practical for my taste, Aunt. Of course, you are right, but I am not comfortable turning to him for advice under our present circumstances.”
“And just what, may I ask, are those circumstances?” Mrs Gardiner flashed her niece a cunning expression. “You have told me all of the events which occurred, but you have not spoken of your revised opinion of the gentleman.”
“I am not sure I have one yet. For nearly all of the little time I have spent in his company, I was operating under a false impression of him. I now know him to be a good and decent man. I still believe him to be arrogant, although Jane defends him by saying he is mostly shy. I find that a difficult assessment to agree with, as he is a man who has lived and moved a great deal in the world. I think it more likely that he feels he is above his company.”
Mrs Gardiner nodded. “I would not be surprised at that. You know your uncle does business with many from the best circles, and they are a privileged set. I would expect anyone born to such a situation should have a touch of pride.”
“I do not accept that excuse, Aunt. His friend Mr Bingley, as you will see, is quite affable. I think, by the way, that Jane has done very well, and they will be very happy together. Back to the point, however, I do not believe the advantages of birth give one the right to be proud and disdainful of others.”
“I do not defend it, Lizzy. I only say that the attitude is very likely what he was taught from his infancy, and you should not immediately condemn the man for it. From what I hear, Jane’s Mr Bingley had quite a more modest background. And you know, you do not make allowances for differences of temperament. Not all would enjoy the attention which naturally comes as a part of Mr Darcy’s wealth and situation.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Now it is you who begin to sound like Jane!” She shook her head gently. “It seems all of my dearest confidantes are in a conspiracy to convince me to like Mr Darcy!”
“Well, then, you do know what they say about that! Perhaps we are all of the same mind, in that we wish to see you happy and in a good situation. It seems that at present, your respectability depends upon your going through with the engagement, however unconventional its beginnings.”
“With a man I hardly know? I do not see how that can bring me happiness. I concede fully that he is a good and honourable man, but I still do not believe his temperament and mine could be compatible. I do not wish...” she looked to her aunt with some embarrassment, “...I do not wish to have the sort of marriage my parents have, where neither party is able to love or respect the other. That cannot be agreeable to either partner.”
Mrs Gardiner gave her niece a sympathetic smile. “All is not yet lost, Lizzy. Let us see him tonight and give him a chance. Perhaps after the two of you know each other a little better, his manners may be softened. Who knows? Perhaps he may decide you are too opinionated for his taste, pay you a handsome settlement, and set you free,” she finished with a wink.
Elizabeth chuckled lightly at her aunt’s joke. “I think I can safely say that Mr Darcy is already well aware of my stubborn opinions, Aunt! In this, I am quite certain that he is likely the only man of my acquaintance who is at least as obstinate as I.”
“Well, then, I will look forward to this evening with great interest! And now I think we must repair downstairs, as I believe I hear a carriage turning in the drive. Shall we, my dear?”
C aroline Bingley sat impassively gazing out the window as the carriage approached Longbourn. They had been obliged by their numbers to take two carriages for comfort, and Caroline had made absolutely certain that she was in the same carriage as the Darcy siblings. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had been following behind Georgiana, had abruptly changed course to take the other conveyance.
Despite the rapidly cooling weather, Mr Darcy had insisted that the coach travel with the shades open, and Caroline had quickly seconded his opinion. She shivered a little now, wondering what the man was about. He has taken leave of his senses! Perhaps he ought to be examined by a doctor after all.
She glanced at him, taking in the clenched jaw and the restless fingers drumming on his knee. I have never seen him do that before. Such a crude mannerism, and from Mr Darcy! His eyes were resolutely fixed on the house they approached, and he either did not or would not notice her doting look.
If only we could get back to London! Caroline knew that her brother still had business needing his personal attention, but he had so far shown no desire to resume his plans to return. Always in the past, she had scorned the business which Charles had inherited from their father. It was a tangible reminder of their embarrassing connections to the manufacturing trade, and his affairs had more than once interrupted her social plans.
This time, however, she was most eager for the disruption. All of her attempts to make Charles remember his place had been brushed aside. By slipping quickly into his study earlier in the afternoon, she had even found a letter from his attorney indicating the man’s willingness to come to Netherfield, so Bingley’s business might be concluded without travel. Her last hope for immediate removal from this barbaric place was blasted.
Perhaps … a thought began to brew in her mind. She was in charge of organizing this ridiculous tenant’s reception, after all. She could well invite whom she saw fit, could she not? Certainly, a group of farmers would provide rather tedious company for the occupants of Netherfield. All that was really required for them was a decent meal and the gift basket Charles had insisted upon, which the cook could organize. If Caroline Bingley had to entertain, she would have quality guests and would do so in style. Then Darcy would be forced to acknowledge her qualities!
Caroline grimaced a little, seeing Darcy turn to his sister to help her get ready to disembark from the coach. Poor, dear Georgiana looked so cold! To think of how he was treating his young sister with this sham of an engagement! The girl would be the darling of the ton once she was out, and Caroline had always had every intention of being the one to guide her amidst the swirling circles of society’s finest and richest families. What harm would she suffer in her first season in the ton if her brother, one of the most sought-after bachelors in England, married an unsophisticated country nobody?
Elizabeth Bennet knew nothing of society, could certainly not advise a highly celebrated debutante as Miss Georgiana Darcy surely would be. Not only would the connection bring no material advantages to the girl, but her respectability among the best circles would be tainted. A sister-in-law whose family owned a warehouse in Cheapside! The best young men would not even call upon even Miss Darcy with such a stain upon her account.
Fortunately, there was still time to stop this charade. Who were the people of Meryton, after all? Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s acquaintances, nothing more. No one of any real import was aware of all of this gossip yet; it was not likely that the rumours would follow Darcy to London or that anyone would credit them as true if they did. Surely all could still be silenced quickly with the right measures taken.