Page 11 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

“Oh yes, she is lovely, and she is almost as silent as I am.” Georgiana let out a small peal of laughter. “But Thomas is also quiet and reserved, so they seem well suited to each other.”

“Based on that reasoning, I should take a wife who never speaks, never dances, and never goes out unless to the theatre or opera,” he attempted to joke.

“Oh, I hope you will not do that,” she replied then suddenly blushed and apologised. “Forgive me, Brother. I only hope you will find a wife to make you happy. That is all that matters to me.”

“Do not worry about being honest, dearest. Quite the contrary—let us presume you have the chance to find me a wife. How would you like her to be?”

Georgiana stopped playing, staring at her brother. “Are you in earnest?”

“Yes, I would truly like to know your opinion on the matter.”

“Oh, I never thought of that… What I would like most is that she appreciates your character and generous nature. I would like her to be bright enough to understand how smart you are, to enjoy reading so she can admire the books you cherish, and to enjoy spending time outdoors so she can love Pemberley’s grounds.

Oh yes—and to play the piano so we could have duets when you are away on business, to laugh and talk more than we do so the house should not be so silent, and to know how to dance so she could teach me someday. ”

Darcy laughed wholeheartedly.

“So many requirements, dearest! I thought I was too demanding, but if we are to consider your list, I am afraid I will never marry. What about her family or her wealth or her beauty—nothing about these matters?”

“Well, I imagine she must be beautiful enough for you to admire her and must be an honourable person for you to choose her. As for her wealth—I am not very familiar with that… I do not believe we should worry about it. I only wish to see you happy, Brother.”

“Dearest, why do you keep saying that? I am quite happy with you and with our family.”

“I know you are, but…I want to see you happy in other wa ys. I know how much you have on your shoulders with all the business affairs, with so many tenants and with our family demands, and with Aunt Catherine insisting you marry Anne, and with James making so much trouble, and the way I disappointed you…” she continued tearfully.

“Georgiana, you could never disappoint me! You do not know how proud I am of you and how delighted I am that you care and worry so for me.” He embraced her tenderly.

“And that you are smart enough to understand that I do not intend to marry Anne, despite the fact that I really care for her,” he ended with a smile in his voice.

She laughed through her tears and looked at him. “I am not a child anymore, William.”

“I know you are not, dearest, and that truly frightens me. But I am happy that we can speak so honestly. Please know that I always love to hear your opinions on any matter.”

“Thank you, Brother,” she said then turned to start playing again, her heart light and joyful.

Two hours later, Lord Matlock finally was announced. He fondly greeted his niece and asked his nephew to speak privately. His haste foretold the gravity of their discourse.

Darcy filled two glasses with wine. “I trust you are well, Uncle? I expected you earlier.”

“Yes, I had something to attend to. Catherine wrote and asked me to take care of some problems, but I am well, thank you. What about you, Darcy? You are not upset, I hope?”

“No, do not worry. How is Aunt Catherine? And Anne?”

“They are both fine, as usual,” the earl said, emptying his glass. “Catherine inquired about you quite insistently. You must realise that she is very hopeful about a certain event. She mentioned that Anne is the perfect age for marriage.”

“Uncle, please let us not renew that subject. We have discussed it since I was twenty, and despite my deep affection for Anne, my decision was made long ago.”

“I do not want to make you uncomfortable. You have grown up to be a very wise man, Darcy, and I am as proud of you as I am of my own sons. I trust your judgment more than I trust theirs—in most matters. Therefore, I hope the things that made you refuse to marry Anne when you were twenty will not have equal influence on you now, eight years later.”

Darcy paled slightly. “There were no things that made me refuse to marry Anne, Uncle, only the nature of my feelings for her. My parents understood and accepted my decision. I would hope that you and Aunt Catherine would do the same.”

“I do accept your decision—more to the point, it is not for me to accept it or not! You are your own master, and no one can force you to do anything. However, I will tell you what I told my sons: in matters of marriage, you must allow your mind to speak louder than your heart. Feelings are important, but your sense must be stronger. But you do not seem to have the sort of feelings to induce you into a marriage with anyone, though almost any young lady from the ton would be delighted by your preference! Or am I wrong? Is there anyone whom you consider worthy to be your wife?”

A brief hesitation did not escape the earl. Darcy averted his eyes for a moment then replied, “You are not wrong, Uncle… Still…”

“Then—I apologise for insisting, but why is Anne not as good as anyone else? You are at an age when you must consider marriage most seriously. I am sure you do not forget that you owe at least one heir—a male heir—to your family.”

Darcy released a nervous laugh. “No, I have not forgotten that most of my properties are entailed to the male line, Uncle. But I am not quite old enough to worry about that. Besides, if things go wrong, I will always have Pemberley to support Georgiana and me.”

“I am glad this subject amuses you, but I would not want to see the fortune you and your father have struggled to acquire wasted by James on games of chance. And you must admit my point: since you do not have a certain preference, Anne could be the best choice. She would be happy to become your wife any time. It could be a perfect match for both of you. She would have a husband to care and provide for her, while you would have a wife who would cherish you and be a good mother for your children. And she would never give you much trouble. You would always be free to do what you please outside your marriage—”

“That is not much of an incentive. I would not use Anne merely to provide an heir. And when I marry, I surely do not plan to choose a wife who will not give me much ‘trouble,’ as I do not intend to do what I please ‘outside’ my marriage. I would rather have a less obedient wife who would give me a little trouble,” he replied in a lower voice and averted his eyes again.

The earl noticed his reaction and frowned.

“But, Uncle, you said you wished to talk to me about an important matter. This was it?”

“No…no,” said the earl as if searching for the right words. “There is something else entirely…” he said, pouring some brandy. “I wanted to speak about your cousin James.”

“About James? He is what you wish to talk to me about? What else has he done?”

“Nothing more than he usually does, as you saw last night. But there is something more worrying. Did you know James to be on friendly terms with Lady Stafford, the former Annabelle Weston?”

Darcy’s countenance changed instantly, and he knew his uncle saw it. He breathed once more to regain his countenance before replying.

“Robert told me a few days ago. But it was not a surprise. Each of them is entitled to be friendly with whomever they like. May I ask why you are concerned?”

“I am concerned about this Lady Stafford…”

“So, now we come to the real subject of our discussion,” Darcy said sternly.

“I am sorry if I offend you, but previous experience shows us what might come from her. We cannot take these things lightly. And the present situation is even worse. Unlike in the past, she now has all the fortune and means she needs to accomplish her goals.”

“I thank you for your concern, but I am certain her goals are different from what you suspect. Time changes many things, and I believe all of us have gained in age and wisdom.”

The earl glanced at his nephew, filled his glass again, and spoke severely.

“Lady Matlock met her at the modiste a few days ago. She did not hesitate to inquire after you and to publicly inform Lady Matlock that she plans to call on you. She said, and I quote, that she is happy you ‘have not married yet,’ and she intends ‘to renew and deepen’ her acquaintance with you. Your aunt was shocked. That woman is even more impertinent than she was years ago! And I believe she will call on you—or perhaps she already has?”

Darcy stared at his uncle in disbelief. “I do not know what to say… I cannot imagine what came over Annabelle to address Lady Matlock in such a way…”

“And now she seems to be friendly with James. I hope you understand my worry and my insistence on talking to you. We cannot afford to show weakness and tolerance towards such behaviour. I cannot impose upon your private life or upon your preferences, but I shall do everything to protect my wife—and my niece Georgiana.”

Darcy remained silent. He would not normally allow anyone to speak to him in such a tone, but he admitted that the earl’s anger was not without justification.

“Uncle, my preferences would never go in the direction of harming my family. As for Lady Stafford calling on me, I would never allow such a display of impropriety near my sister.”

The earl breathed deeply and paced the room for some time.

“What worries me is that moment of weakness that often affects men’s judgment, especially when a beautiful woman is involved.

And when the woman is Annabelle Weston, or whatever she calls herself now, no man is strong enough. I could not blame you for it.”

“I assure you that I am in no danger of allowing any weakness to affect my judgment. Any preference I might have had eight years ago has long passed. I have not spoken to her in four years, and even then you must remember how things were settled.”

“Yes, I most certainly remember…and I am certain that she remembers, too. Circumstances are completely different now—and in her favour.”

“I believe this is much ado about nothing, truly. No matter the circumstance, there is nothing to worry about in regard to myself, I assure you. I shall never allow our family to be exposed to ridicule. Besides, I plan to leave for Pemberley with Georgiana after Christmas.”

“Yes, that might be a good plan for now.” Darcy filled his glass again, and the earl continued to speak, his tone completely changed. “I hope you do not mind—I just happened to meet Dr. Taylor this morning. We had a pleasant time at the club, talking over a few drinks.”

Darcy gazed at his uncle sharply. “You just happened to meet Dr. Taylor? How astonishing.”

“Yes… And, among other things, we discussed his errand in Hertfordshire. To be honest, I was quite surprised that he spoke so highly of the young lady he treated there.”

“Uncle, I did not expect you to take James’s gossip seriously and to make inquiries about a story I already related to you. And I am displeased that Dr. Taylor spoke of it.”

“Forgive me for upsetting you. I confess my curiosity was aroused but not by James’s report. As for Dr. Taylor—did you request his secrecy?”

“I did not.”

“So, there is no reason to blame him. He has committed no fault. I told him that I already knew the story from you—which was true—and I only asked how he liked Hertfordshire.”

“I see… Now that your curiosity has been satisfied, may we move on from this incident?”

“Indeed we may. So—will you and Georgiana come to us for Christmas dinner?”

“Yes, we shall—as always.”

“Excellent.” After several comments about the weather, the earl left.

Darcy leant back in his armchair, his eyes closed, attempting to regain his countenance. He had a strong feeling that things were out of his power and he could do nothing to regain control.

Several hours later, Lord Matlock prepared himself for the night, watched closely by his curious wife.

He spoke of his sister Catherine’s insistence that Darcy marry Anne, and he confessed to Lady Matlock his discussion with Darcy about the delicate subject of Annabelle Weston, Lady Stafford, and sharing his worries.

“Darcy has never disappointed us before, despite his young age. I have often admired his wisdom and the strength of his character. However, I am afraid he still has a weakness about that woman. He denied it, but I sensed that he hesitated…and he avoided my gaze as if attempting to hide his true feelings, especially when I asked him about marrying Anne.”

“Do you believe him capable of marrying that woman?!”

“I do not think him to be so unwise. My fear is that she might force her presence on him in some way. I imagine she would do anything to have his child. We can do little but pray and trust his excellent judgment. Thank God, he will leave for Pemberley soon. Besides…”

“Is there anything else you wish to tell me, husband? Is there more to this?”

“No there is not…not really…It is just that…there is no real trouble, only some strange happenstance that roused my curiosity as it is so unlike Darcy… ”

“Darcy? What do you mean? Surely, you cannot expect me to go to sleep in such a state! I could not possibly find rest unless I know all the details.”

With some hesitation but undone by another glass of brandy, Lord Matlock related the particulars of the story he had heard the evening before, starting with James’s report, then Darcy’s explanation, and finally, Dr. Taylor’s detailed narrative.

Lady Matlock listened in silence, her surprise and curiosity impossible to conceal.

She disapproved her husband’s indelicate interference in Darcy’s private affairs and expressed herself to be against Lord Matlock’s decision to extract more details from Dr. Taylor through a doubtful strategy.

Consequently, Lord Matlock did not dare tell her of his equally improper attempt to gather information about the Gardiners.

He might tell her when he had some results—and only if future events required it.