Page 37 of The Marriage Game

A week later, Mr. Darcy visited his cousin Richard.

“It is good to see you, Darcy. And your timing is excellent, as I intend to rejoin my regiment in a week’s time.”

“Ah, then my timing is indeed excellent. Richard, I need your help.”

“My help? For what?”

“I have just purchased a small estate and I need someone to manage it.”

The Colonel scowled at him. “I am no farmer, Darcy.”

“That is just as well, as this is no farm. Well, there is a home farm, of course, but the main purpose of the estate is the raising of horses.”

“Horses?“

“Yes, and I think you may be familiar with the place.”

“You cannot mean –“

“I do, indeed. I purchased Elmstree Stables.”

“Elmstree! They raise fine animals, the very best! But why? I have never known you to be particularly interested in raising horses.”

Mr. Darcy shrugged. “It is an excellent investment opportunity. The owner, the Earl of Huntingdon, just lost the manager of Elmstree and did not care to find a new one; he was eager enough to sell at a fair price. I believe there is a good deal of money to be earned in the raising of fine horse flesh, but I know little about it and so need a competent manager upon whom I may rely.”

“Is there a house?”

“There is a large house and even larger stables. My offer is this: manage Elmstree Stables for me in exchange for a salary, plus a percentage of the profits. I will sell the place to you at any time for a fair price. It is not far from London, you know, and you would be able to visit your parents and enjoy the comforts of Town at any time.”

“Darcy, you know I have always wanted to raise horses!” The Colonel’s excitement was barely contained.

“I do know that.”

“I cannot believe this is – hold on. Have you been speaking to my mother?”

“The Countess? What has she to do with this?” Darcy did his best to sound puzzled.

The Colonel stared at his cousin for a minute, and then said, “Never mind. I accept your offer, Darcy. And I thank you. You have no idea how very grateful I am.”

***

Once Darcy had left, the Colonel considered the situation. An opportunity to raise horses! He had never imagined this particular dream of his could come true. And the timing was extraordinary. Perhaps now he could make an offer to Miss Caroline Bingley.

That thought was quickly followed by another: he had no idea how she felt about him. He had insulted her grievously, but he had also saved her from ruin. Did she love him? Did she even like him? Would she accept an offer from him? He was the son of an Earl, but so was Mr. Lindsay. Lindsay was a man content to live in luxury in London, while Richard wanted to have an occupation. Also, Lindsay was several years younger than Richard, far closer to Miss Bingley’s age. Curse the man!

He went to his room and startled his valet, Carstairs, by telling him that he was going courting and needed to be attired accordingly.

***

At Bingley House, the Colonel was irritated to find Mr. Lindsay already in the drawing room with Miss Bingley. The two were laughing together about something, which irritated him even further. Mrs. Bingley was with them, head bent over some embroidery project.

“Mrs. Bingley, Miss Bingley, Mr. Lindsay.” The Colonel bowed.

“Colonel, how nice to see you,” Miss Bingley said. Mrs. Bingley echoed her.

Mr. Lindsay merely inclined his head, eyes narrowing. Ah, the man knew him to be a rival! Good, the Colonel, thought. Let the battle begin.

“How are you this fine day, Miss Bingley?”

“Quite well; and you?”

“Very well. I am glad that the weather has taken a small turn; I had hoped we might go for a walk.”

“Or a drive,” Mr. Lindsay put in. “My curricle is just outside.”

The Colonel winced. Of course Mr. Lindsay would have a fine equipage, while the Colonel did not. At least, not yet. “I believe I have seen your horses, Mr. Lindsay. Were they not purchased from Elmstree Stables?”

“I got them at Tattersalls, of course, but they were raised at Elmstree. The finest horseflesh in the country is to be found there.” Mr. Lindsay looked quite pleased with himself.

“You are right about that, and I will ensure that its excellent reputation continues.”

“You?”

“I am the new manager of the Stables; my cousin Darcy purchased it, and I will act in his stead.”

The Colonel felt, rather than saw, Miss Bingley’s eyes widen.

“You will resign your commission?” she asked.

“I will, soon enough. Elmstree is a fine estate just an hour outside London. There is a large house and a home farm, though of course the stables are the main focus of the enterprise. My cousin will sell it to me as soon as my savings permit it.” He turned now to Mr. Lindsay. “And you, Mr. Lindsay? Where is your estate?”

“I – well, I live with my father, the Earl of Lindsay, though I am quite sure he will purchase a townhouse for me when I marry. As for selling horses, is it not – well, like being in trade? I hope you will forgive my indelicacy in bringing that up,” Mr. Lindsay glanced at Miss Bingley, well aware of her fears.

The Colonel parried. “In trade? Considering that Darcy purchased it from the Earl of Huntingdon, I hardly think so. Unless you believe that the Earl is a tradesman?”

“No, of course not,” Mr. Lindsay protested quickly.

“Owning stables and selling horses is no different from owning sheep and selling the wool,” Colonel Fitzwilliam continued, pressing his advantage. “I have long been considered an expert on horseflesh, and am delighted at the idea of leaving the Army to immerse myself in bloodlines. All I need now…” and here he paused for effect… “is a wife to share these delights.”

He watched Miss Bingley from the corner of his eye and saw that her attention was riveted on him.

“Few young ladies are interested in such things, I imagine,” Mr. Lindsay said.

“Perhaps you are right; time will tell,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said, settling back in his chair. “Mrs. Bingley, the Darcys will travel with me to visit Elmstree tomorrow. I had hoped that you, Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley would join our party.”

“We should be delighted,” Mrs. Bingley said at once.

“We thought to leave tomorrow at noon, and have a picnic there,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.

“There will not be room for all of us in one carriage, so we will travel behind you,” Mrs. Bingley said.

Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded. “We will come to Bingley House just before noon, and you may follow us to Elmstree.” Having achieved his objective, he rose, bowed, and made his farewells.

Once outside the house, he grinned broadly. It was still possible that Miss Bingley would prefer a life of leisure in Town, though he rather thought she would not like being dependent on her husband’s father for income. But his smile faded when he realised that he wanted Miss Bingley to want to marry him for him, not for his stables or his income.