Page 6

CHAPTER 6

A Gentleman’s Agreement

4 SEPTEMBER 1811

T he next day, Darcy arrived at White’s just as his cousin was walking towards the door.

Without waiting for the footman, he opened the carriage door and stepped down, not waiting for the step to be placed.

His cousin, having observed Darcy arrive, awaited him.

“Darcy,” Fitzwilliam said in greeting.

“How long do you think we will wait for your friend to arrive?”

Darcy sighed and shook his head in an exaggerated fashion.

“His sister is not with him, so it is likely he will arrive within a quarter hour of the appointed time. However, even without her accompanying him, it is possible she will cause him to be delayed. While we wait, let us have a drink and see who else is here.”

The two entered, and, as Darcy had predicted, Bingley arrived a short time later.

“Forgive me, Darcy,” he said in greeting.

He paused for a moment at seeing the colonel beside him, turning to that man and greeting him as well.

Once that was done, he continued as he had intended upon arriving.

Letting out a slow breath, he began.

“Caroline is upset that I have leased a home in such an ‘unfashionable’ country village. She would have preferred I lease an estate nearer to Pemberley, although I have tried to convince her that she will be happier nearer to London.”

“I have been through Meryton, and the village there is somewhat larger than Lambton,” Fitzwilliam said.

“Its location, as you mentioned, provides easy access to the goods unobtainable elsewhere, being less than a morning’s ride from London. As much as my mother loves her home at Matlock, there are luxuries she wishes she could have at home that would not survive the several days’ journey.”

“I know that, Colonel, but my sister cannot be convinced otherwise,” Bingley replied, raking his fingers through his shock of bright red hair before turning towards his friend.

“She was delighted to hear that you are planning to accompany us, Darcy, and is convinced that you are coming as a mark of your interest in her. I cannot stop her cries of joy, even as she complains about the location I have selected.”

At Darcy’s audible scoff at the suggestion, Bingley continued somewhat dejectedly.

“I know, Darcy, I know. I have told her time and time again that you are not interested in her, but she will not hear me. If you prefer not to join us, I will understand.”

Darcy drew in a breath through his nose, which he slowly released as he debated how to respond.

However, before he could speak, his cousin did.

“I have a suggestion, Bingley. Instead of Darcy cancelling his visit, I could accompany him. Even better, my mother and Georgiana could join us, and my mother will ensure Miss Bingley knows she has no chance of ever marrying Darcy. Surely, she cannot refuse to hear it when a countess tells her.”

“Please do join us,” Bingley replied.

“Do you think your mother could be persuaded to stay at the home of a tradesman’s son? I know I am not in her social class, regardless of what my sister may attempt to claim.”

Darcy struggled not to release the chuckle that nearly overwhelmed him at his cousin’s blatant manoeuvring for an invitation.

However, he listened as Fitzwilliam assured Bingley that his mother would readily spend a few weeks at Netherfield, and they made more definite plans.

Bingley was set to take possession of Netherfield just before Michaelmas—still nearly a month away—but in the meantime, arrangements would need to be made.

It was agreed they would ride to Hertfordshire within the week to meet with the solicitor once more and confirm that all was in order.

Darcy promised to write to Bennet to arrange a meeting, and Bingley, with casual enthusiasm, suggested that perhaps Bennet might even host them for a night or two while they became better acquainted with the neighbourhood.

“I have met Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Bingley added, “and the steward mentioned that the elder sister is even more lovely than she. I look forward to meeting the rest of the family.”

Darcy responded with a noncommittal murmur at the mention of the young lady’s name.

Although he would not be averse to spending more time in Miss Elizabeth’s company, he remained uneasy about imposing upon Bennet—his father’s friend or not—without invitation.

“Perhaps it would be best,” Fitzwilliam lightly teased, “if we did not stay in a house full of five young women—six, if one includes their mother.”

Bingley laughed aloud, clearly unbothered by the thought.

Soon after, the three parted ways.

Darcy and Fitzwilliam watched as Bingley boarded his carriage, then turned and began walking together through the streets of Mayfair, having dismissed their own in favour of returning to Darcy House on foot.

“You told me,” Fitzwilliam continued, glancing sideways at his cousin, “that during your father’s last visit, Mrs. Bennet and the youngest daughter behaved with a complete disregard for propriety. Are you quite certain we will be safe under their roof? ”

His tone was clearly teasing, but Darcy still shot him a sharp look from the corner of his eye.

“That daughter, Miss Lydia, was sent away to school,” Darcy replied steadily, not rising to his cousin’s bait.

“I am uncertain if she is at home at present, but all the girls have had lessons since then, and a governess and a companion were hired to assist with their upbringing. Mr. Bennet’s letters only rarely mentioned Mrs. Bennet, but I believe the companion has managed to calm her significantly. He confessed to my father that much of what made her so…so frantic was her worry for her future with the estate entailed. As I understand it, Mr. Bennet has made arrangements for her continued care, and that has done much for her constitution.”

Fitzwilliam nodded.

“I have known of other women who fretted over an entail, particularly if there were no sons and their husbands were lackadaisical in ensuring their futures. It is hard to blame a woman for fearing genteel poverty.”

“It is,” Darcy agreed.

“I recall Father being angry with Bennet over his dismissal of his wife’s legitimate concerns about this, particularly how he was handling his estate, or, more accurately, what he was not doing to manage it. However, things seem to be better now, and we have corresponded often since then. Frankly, I am more concerned about Bingley than I am of the Bennets.”

“In what way?” Fitzwilliam asked.

“Bingley will not stand up to his sister,” Darcy said darkly.

“He knows full well what she is, yet he refuses to restrain her. If Georgiana ever pursued a man with such forwardness as Miss Bingley shows me, I would not hesitate to speak to her in the strongest terms. I would withhold her allowance if necessary. If she still refused to listen—if she persisted in throwing herself at some gentleman who clearly wanted nothing to do with her—I would send her away until she learnt her lesson or find her a suitable husband without delay.”

He paused, his expression hardening .

“Of course, I understand that the relationship is different; Bingley is only a year or two older than his sister, and their positions are not the same as Georgiana’s and mine. But even so, he has the authority—and the duty—to correct her. That he refuses to exercise it is to his shame.”

“Do you think she will attempt to compromise you?”

“If she did, she would ruin only herself,” Darcy retorted.

“A woman who compromises a man is a fool. Bingley has nothing over me that would force me to wed his sister in such a case, and no one in society would look down on me for refusing to marry her in those circumstances. Many are aware of her pursuit of me and do not think well of her for her ambition.”

“Mother will put a stop to any antics she might try within the ton ,” Fitzwilliam said.

“I have already written to my mother, asking that she join us, but I have waited to send it until I was certain of our invitation.”

“Bring it to me this evening, and I will send it with my own letter to Georgiana,” Darcy said.

“My messenger is leaving in the morning for Pemberley, and he can easily travel to first to Matlock. It will not be too much of a delay, and my business is not urgent.”

“Very well, Darcy,” Fitzwilliam said with a slight smile.

“Let us make our own plans, apart from your obliging friend. Even if you refuse to impose upon Mr. Bennet for lodgings, I confess I am curious to meet this Miss Elizabeth.”

Darcy narrowed his eyes slightly, but he said nothing, and Fitzwilliam, undeterred, added with a grin, “Perhaps Bennet might at least be prevailed upon to offer us a meal while we are in the neighbourhood?”

Grimacing, Darcy hesitated slightly before inclining his head in agreement.

With that, the two men parted ways, agreeing to meet again at Darcy House soon.

As Fitzwilliam disappeared from his view, Darcy lingered where he stood for a moment, a faint frown pulling at his brow .

Over the last five years he had often recalled his father’s words on the idea of marrying a woman like Elizabeth Bennet.

His father had approved of the match—at least in theory—even without having met her, judging her worth from what little he knew of her character and upbringing.

Still. Darcy supposed her prospects were somewhat greater now than they had been.

His father’s advice, however, was in direct contrast to what he frequently heard from his relatives on his mother’s side of the family who believed he had a duty to marry to increase the family’s wealth and connections.

He dismissed the thought with a slight shake of his head.

He had exchanged only a few words with Miss Elizabeth two days before, and while he had found himself more at ease in her company than with any other lady he had yet encountered, he told himself it did not signify.

There was nothing remarkable in taking notice of a young lady with uncommon wit and sense.

Despite the Bard’s assertion that “whoever loved that loved not at first sight,” Darcy was far too logical to put stock in such romantic nonsense.

Perhaps he had spoken of Miss Elizabeth more often than he realised since returning from Hertfordshire.

He was intrigued by a young lady who was interested in estate management, and that was all it was.