Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge (11 page)

Her vexation was slightly aggravated when Anna said, "Yes, Mother, it was horrid of Miss Bingley to try and steal away Elizabeth's self-esteem that afternoon. Why, it was daylight snobbery!"

Before Lady Anne could open her mouth to chide Anna for such poor taste, a servant appeared and announced Mr. Ellis Fleming had arrived to see Miss Darcy and that he had been shown to the drawing room to wait.

A blissful smile spread across Georgiana's face, and she said, "Finally he is here! It has been such a long time, and I cannot wait another minute. Mother, I have been expecting him for hours so may I please run ahead this very second and greet him?"

"Yes, yes, go ahead, Georgiana; but the drawing room door remains open until one of us arrives to watch over you."

After breakfasting with his family, Fitzwilliam Darcy met Colonel Fitzwilliam for a ride in the park before going to Whites to join their friends. They avoided the throng by taking the road less traveled. When he was sure they would not be overheard, Darcy pulled up alongside his cousin.

"Fitz, do you happen to know a Lieutenant-Colonel John Dun?"

"Yes, not well mind you; still, our paths have crossed on occasion. He is an exemplary officer, from a fine family, an amiable fellow well liked by both his subordinates and superiors, and, I believe, much admired by the ladies. Why do you ask?"

Darcy had hoped to hear Dun was a deplorable and disobedient soldier, held in contempt by his fellow officers, penniless, and a gambling rakish reprobate. He could then have told Georgiana; and she could have, in turn, warned her friend away from such a good-for-nothing rogue. He wished Lieutenant-Colonel Dun far away in Portugal and suddenly remembered the conversation Miss Elizabeth had with them in Pemberley's drawing room. "No particular reason. That said, do you remember Miss Elizabeth Bennet knew about some secret Portuguese fortifications?"

"Thunder and turf! Are you implying this Lieutenant-Colonel Dun has been revealing military secrets or that Miss Elizabeth is involved in espionage?"

"Good God, no! The lady is most certainly not a spy. All the same, what would be the ramifications if an officer divulged such sensitive information?"

"Bloody hell, man! It might well be treason; and the consequences would be damn dire, indeed, Darcy."

"Then, no, I am definitely not implying any such thing."

"Cousin, if you know of traitorous activity, it is your duty to cry rope on those involved so an investigation can be conducted."

"Really, Fitz, do not make this into a Cheltenham tragedy; it is merely a bag of moonshine."

"I find your end of this conversation to be too smoky by half, Darcy. Nevertheless, if you insist there has been no wrongdoing, I shall let it be for now. Regardless, I intend to keep an eye on Lieutenant-Colonel Dun henceforth."

"Is there any chance you could arrange to have the bloody, ruddy bloke shipped to the continent?"

"Gah! Just what, exactly, is your problem with John Dun, cousin?"

"My only objection to the odious officer is that he is an obstruction to my obtaining ... "

"Stop searching, right now, for words that start with 'o' Darcy; or I swear I will plant you a facer and draw your cork. Speak normally and quickly, man. If I do have to draw your claret, I might need to change my bloodstained uniform before we are due at Whites; I have a meeting at headquarters later in the day."

Darcy knew he did not have a fighting chance against his cousin, as the military man could very well land him a facer. Therefore, he succinctly explained his ardent admiration for the alluring Miss Elizabeth Bennet. This information, however, was old news to his cousin, as he had already witnessed it at Pemberley. What vexed Colonel Fitzwilliam was the extent of Darcy's jealousy of Dun. "That is utterly despicable, Darcy. I cannot believe you would stoop so low as to jeopardize an army officer's career simply because you are attracted to his lady."

"That is it, Richard! Dismount immediately and prepare to have
your
claret drawn. How dare you make such an accusation!"

"Calm down, Darce. Cripes, man, you started the whole damn discussion by implying Dun was leaking information."

"Well, if he did let something slip to Miss Elizabeth, I can guarantee the young woman is not passing the information along to Massena. I have been known to utter utter nonsense while in her bewitching company as well, so I suppose I cannot blame the bloke. And she is not
his
lady, Fitz. The fool has not even asked for permission to court her yet, and that was his first mistake."

"Has he made a second?"

"Yes. He has made me realize I never wish to lose her."

An hour later, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, and their friends, Charles Bingley and Ellis Fleming, met at Whites.

"Fleming, it is good to see you again; and I trust matters went well in Derbyshire. I know my sister has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Have you visited Georgiana yet?"

"Of course. In fact, I have actually come here directly from your house. I must say Miss Darcy grows more beautiful every time I see her. I am so glad I was able to complete my business and be here in time for the ball. I understand both your sisters have been enjoying the company of the Misses Bennet since your family arrived in Town and they will also be attending the event. How are those lovely ladies?"

The blonde gentleman pounded his fist on the table. "Confound it, Darcy! Do you mean to tell me now that the exquisite Miss Bennet has been in London these past weeks and you did not see fit to inform me?"

"Bingley, my friend, I only learned of their presence in the city over a week ago. When I discovered Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were to dine with us at Darcy House, it was too short notice to include you; and I could hardly inveigle an invitation for you to dinner at their home last evening. They are a delightful family, though; and the two eldest daughters are such good friends for my sisters."

Colonel Fitzwilliam snorted and said, "Ah, yes. They are merely your sisters' friends. Right. Be that as it may, I agree with Fleming that they are, indeed, lovely ladies. I hope to have an opportunity to dance with them both at the ball at least once, but I imagine their dance cards will fill rather quickly. Hmm, perhaps I should call upon Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth and make my requests early. Any gentleman interested in standing up with such desirable women must be kept on his toes, otherwise another bloke will step on his toes to have the privilege of stepping on the ladies' toes."

His suggestion caused alarm in two of his friends, as he had intended; and Bingley and Darcy both privately decided they should also call upon the Bennet household before it was too late. Fleming stood and explained he had an appointment with his solicitor; and Colonel Fitzwilliam departed with him, as he had to attend a meeting at headquarters.

"Darcy, do you suppose Fitz really has a meeting or might he actually be on his way to the Bennet townhouse?"

"I know he really has a meeting, Bingley. Stop fretting. I am sure the Bennet sisters will still have room on their dance cards for you. Speaking of sisters, we met yours at the Royal Academy recently while Georgiana, Anna, and I were in company with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth. I must say, Bingley, your sister can be rather ... "

"Yes?"

"Rather ... "

"Spit it out, man. How do you wish to describe Caroline? Snooty? Snobby? Snotty?"

"Yes, yes, and yes. Sorry Bingley, but you well know what she can be like. Caroline was very disdainful toward my new friends that day, and ... "

"Wait one minute.
Your
new friends? I thought Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were merely your sisters' friends, so why have
you
been spending so much time with them?"

"Oh, do stop nitpicking. Seriously, Bingley, you and I have known each other for years; and I greatly value our friendship and hope to never lose it. Nevertheless, what I have to say next may very well jeopardize our relationship."

"This sounds serious, indeed, Darcy. Please be assured you have my full attention, cooperation, and continual friendship, whatever dire information you are about to impart."

"This is difficult to say, and I realize it is not my place to do so. Despite that, something must be done about your sister. One of these days she is going to go too far and offend the wrong person. You jokingly described her as snobby, snooty, and snotty; however, it is no joke, my friend. Miss Bingley truly is a snob; and I certainly do not allude to the slang that I realize may have been hurtful to you while at Cambridge."

"Darcy, I am not ashamed of my background. For many generations our ancestors were cobblers. Caroline and I do, absolutely, owe our current prosperity to a bunch of shoemakers. I know the origin of the word 'snob' started as the nickname for a cobbler or his apprentice. It also meant tradesman, merchant, townsman, or basically any person of low class. I am not ignorant to the fact 'snob' is now beginning to mean one who imitates their betters. You and your relatives have always been our betters, yet you have never looked down upon us, my friend; and I thank you for that.

Thank you also for being a good enough friend to be honest about Caroline. I will certainly have a long-overdue talk with my sister about her attitude. She is not a bad person, Darcy, merely insecure and, perhaps, envious. Because of our wealth, we were thrust into a mostly unwelcoming society. Without the guidance of parents, we have floundered. Please accept my apologies on her behalf. If you think it advisable, I will also, without hesitation, apologize to Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth for any embarrassment they suffered because of my sister's actions or words."

"Good God, Bingley. My sphere of society can only benefit from the inclusion of a good man like you. In my estimation, Charles Bingley, you stand head and shoulders above the majority of aristocrats of my acquaintance; and I am privileged to call you friend."

The two young men suddenly became embarrassed by such heartfelt talk and started to joke about their long-standing friendship, their days together at Cambridge, and the people they knew there.

" ... and remember Pascal, the mathematics professor? Now there was a cold and calculating man!"

"Yes, indeed, he obviously had a lot of problems."

"If I remember correctly, Darcy, he was cross-eyed and could not control his pupils."

"Then he started to wear spectacles to improve di-vision."

Bingley groaned at his friend's puny pun and Darcy said, "Well, Pascal could certainly multiply well enough. I have heard he and his wife have twelve children. Perhaps he was not so cold after all."

At the Bennet townhouse, Jane, Elizabeth, and Charlotte Lucas were in the music room; and they took turns at the pianoforte while they discussed young men of their acquaintance. Lizzy was at the instrument, quite lost in a lovely piece of music and only half listening as Charlotte spoke. " ... and he is certainly an attractive gentleman, Lizzy. You are very fortunate to have such a handsome and amiable suitor."

"Hmm? Oh, yes, Mr. Darcy is very good looking."

"Who?"

"I beg your pardon, Charlotte. Were you not speaking of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy?"