Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (40 page)

“You have a mind of your own and are not afraid to express your opinions. I admire that.”

“Anyone can express themselves.”

Alfreda’s smile vanished. “No. Not all of us have the courage or the opportunity.”

At that moment, the housekeeper returned with a tray of tea and biscuits and their frank conversation ended. Alfreda retreated into her former reserved demeanour, and as they enjoyed their refreshments, Elizabeth was left to ponder all she had heard. 

~~~*~~~

London
Angelo’s Haymarket Room
9

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam stood poised to secure the match, totally oblivious to the uproar emanating from those who were shoving their way into the already crowded room, some still trying to place bets on the outcome. Having spent years maintaining his composure during the height of battle, the clamour did nothing to shake his concentration, though the colonel was certain that his cousin was worried to know that they had drawn such an audience.

Surreptitiously, he had sent one of the attendants to White’s to spread the news that he and William were locked in a close battle to prove the better swordsman. He smiled at the bets he heard being placed—ten pounds, twenty—and even laughed aloud when someone shouted fifty and William’s brow furrowed. Nevertheless, since there was a case of French brandy riding on the outcome, he was not sorry for the subterfuge he had employed to unnerve his worthy opponent.

Early on, he and William had exceptional luck and neither had taken a clear lead after fencing for the first half-hour. Taking a much needed break and savouring the moment, Richard whipped his blade about in several directions, making swishing sounds in the air as he sought to impress the crowd with his impatience to resume the match and end all speculation. Meanwhile, William finished his glass of water and wiped his forehead, all the while eyeing Richard with something akin to suspicion, due to the large number of spectators that had appeared out of nowhere. Even so, he looked calm as he moved back into position.

Richard winked at his cousin, calling out,
“En
garde
!”

Taking advantage of the fact that William had just taken his stance, Richard advanced without further warning, managing to make a hit on his opponent’s arm. Nevertheless, William was able to lift his sword in time to thwart the following lunge, and their weapons began clanking against each other in a steady pattern. Both accomplished swordsmen, they appeared as equally matched as they had throughout the early competition, though William’s wrist moved the weapon effortlessly compared to Richard’s bold strokes.

While they parried in a circular direction, lunging and thrusting in turn as the bout escalated, it became clear that William was the more skilled of the two, and he scored several hits as he began to advance, forcing Richard to retreat. For a short while after, the swords clashed rapidly, and the match continued as first one then the other scored more light hits. Suddenly, Richard’s sword was whipped from his grip by William’s blade, landing several feet away. Richard threw up both hands in defeat and then bowed in a pronounced fashion.

“You have bested me again, Darcy!”

The crowd roared their approval and money quickly began to exchange hands as the noise level increased. In fact, if one wanted to be heard, one had to shout.

“It looks as though some have gotten rich off our efforts. Too bad we were not in for a cut!” Richard declared over the din as he stepped forward to clasp William’s shoulder.

“I am afraid we are just a means to an end—entertainment for those who would rather gamble than fence. Let us wash off the sweat and have dinner and a drink at White’s. It seems that all the membership has suddenly congregated here, so it should be a simple task to find a table.”

Noting William’s pointed remark, Richard offered, “You know how fast news travels, and White’s is close by.”

William swept his arm to indicate the noisy crowd. “And I am confident that you did not send them word of our match so as to arrange this assembly.”

“Would I stoop so low, knowing how much you abhor being the focus of attention and how it might affect your performance?”

“In a heartbeat!” William quipped. At Richard’s look of chastisement, he chuckled and slid an arm around his shoulder.

Richard brought both hands to his heart. “I am wounded at your insinuation.”

“Then to alleviate my fears regarding your trustworthiness, perhaps you will buy my dinner.” 

“I am not THAT wounded. You should pay for mine, as you are the victor.”

“Then perhaps I did not triumph after all.”

“You are Fitzwilliam Darcy! You do not need to triumph. You are wealthy as sin.”

“And you shall never let me forget, will you?”

“Never!”

~~~*~~~

White’s Club

Enjoying the last bite of his beef and a sip of an expensive wine, Richard leaned back in his chair and sighed in satisfaction.  “This is much better than what Mother had planned for tonight. I do not think I could have stood another boring dinner party.”

“Oh yes, I forgot about the dinner party. I was invited, but I declined.”

“Yes, Mother was not too happy about it either, so I imagine she will be livid that I did not make an appearance as well. And Father is getting quite put out with you. He said something about coming around to see you, so be warned.”

“The earl may come, but that does not mean I shall be in!”

Richard guffawed. “Does that old ploy still work? I thought Father saw through that years ago.”

“I am sure he has, but he cannot prove I am home, since he never gets past Mr. Barnes.” His brow furrowed in thought. “I must remember to increase his pay. Besides, if I need to leave the house, I can still use the tunnel that comes out near the livery.”

“I cannot believe Father still does not know about that tunnel after all these years. Uncle George must have used it thousands of times to avoid running into any of the Fitzwilliams he did not wish to encounter.”

“He did and he taught me to do the same.”

“Well, I, for one, appreciate the fact that you showed it to me. I have had to dodge Mother often enough by going out that way instead of using the front door. But I do think you may want to hear Father out this time. I suspect he wants to speak to you about the joint venture—the one you have Lowell investigating.”

“Why do you say that?”

“As his solicitor was leaving the study, I heard the name Wexford mentioned along with our illustrious aunt, Lady Catherine. Wexford is one of the mills is it not?”

“Yes. Wexford, Stafford and Cunningham are the three in the venture started by Gisela’s father, Lord de Bourgh and my father.”

“Well, perhaps you should see what he wants. Who knows, maybe you will learn something that you did not know about the situation.”

“I will think about it. At this moment, I would rather hear from Lowell first.”

“You still have not heard from him?”

“No.”

“I find that very odd. Do you want me to send a letter to one of my comrades stationed near Wexford to check on the mill? He could enquire if Lowell was still there?”

“That would be a starting point. Now, what say you to retiring to Darcy House and trying our hand at billiards?”

“If I am no better at billiards than fencing, I shall risk losing the rest of this month’s pay! Exactly how much is a case of my favourite brandy?”

William laughed. “Do not worry about paying your debt just yet. I have no room in the cellar for more at this time. And let us agree not to bet on billiards, as I imagine we both need the practice. I have barely played since I returned from Hertfordshire.”

“My fencing practice did me no favours, so I cannot see how practicing billiards will help. But I am willing if you are.”

~~~*~~~

Both were still chuckling as they made their way out the door of White’s, only to stop dead in their tracks at the sight of Gisela Darcy staggering out of a carriage which was at the bottom of the steps.

A large number of club members were exiting behind the cousins, and they too stopped short, anxious to observe what was going to happen. The ill will between Mr. and Mrs. Darcy was well known in Town, and any meetings of the two had become legendary because of Mrs. Darcy’s volatile temper. The steady increase in the noise level behind them heralded a swelling audience, and some patrons were now beginning to congregate on the walk below.

The spectators made William more ill at ease, and just as it seemed all of London was watching, Gisela wobbled precariously up the steps towards him. Her appearance was dishevelled, as evidenced by a gown in need of pressing and hair in want of a maid’s touch. She reeked of alcohol.

“My darling husband!” she slurred as loudly as possible. “It looks as though we are destined to meet on the streets, since I am not allowed in your homes and you no longer attend any soirées—not even the Matlocks’ dinner parties.”

William stepped close to her, answering with quiet fury as he did not wish for all to hear. “If you were invited, then I am pleased I was not there.”

“Oh, I was not invited, but as your wife, I could not be turned away. I suppose it makes you feel more of a man to avoid me and pretend I do not exist.”

Richard had moved closer as well and put a steadying hand on William’s shoulder when he saw his cousin’s jaw tighten. William met his eyes before turning back to his nemesis. “You have Attenborough to attend you, or have you thrown him over already?”

“If you were more of a husband, I would not need him.”

Richard gritted his teeth and stepped even nearer. In the past, Gisela had gone after William’s face with her nails whenever his answers did not suit her.

Hoping to avoid sparring with her in public, William lowered his voice and spoke softly as he brushed past her while moving down the stairs. “Please leave. We have nothing to say to each other.”

Gisela swirled around, almost losing her balance on the narrow steps as she followed after him, intent on making him face her. Grabbing his arm just as he reached the street, she declared, “I think we do! All of London knows that you have taken that little Hertfordshire chit, Eliza Bennet, as your mistress! Do you think I shall let that go unchallenged?”

Richard had never seen William so furious. His hands were clenched, and his face quickly coloured as he rounded on Gisela. Even in her inebriated state, her expression betrayed that she realized she had crossed the line, and she shrank back a step as he came towards her. Taking her left forearm none too gently William pulled her towards the still open door of her carriage. The footman attending the door had a peculiar smile on his face and uttered not a sound as he stepped back to allow his mistress to be forced inside. Then leaning into the conveyance, William stopped only inches from her face as he spoke in a forced whisper that only Richard heard because he had moved to shield his cousin’s conversation from the now hushed crowd.

“I will say this only once, so listen carefully.” The tone of William’s warning made Gisela sober, and she wisely kept silent. “I am acquainted with Miss Bennet only because she is Mr. Bingley’s future sister and has become good friends with Georgiana. She is a lady— a designation you will never attain. She would by no means become anyone’s mistress. Should I hear that you have spread this scurrilous rumour, I shall see that the allowance we agreed upon and your other expenses are no longer paid. If necessary, I shall see that every farthing you have been promised is tied up in court until you are too old and infirm to spend whatever it might purchase. Do you understand me?”

Too numb to speak, Gisela only nodded, and William backed out of the doorway, slamming the door. He walked away leaving her with her jumbled thoughts and an aching arm.

For the first time in her life, Gisela feared that she might have gone too far, and William might make good on his promise to withdraw her means of support. Nevertheless, upon hearing the laughter of the crowd still gathered outside White’s, she glanced to see fingers pointing in her direction, and her anxiety was quickly replaced by rage and the need to strike back. Mortified, she lowered the shades as her driver pulled away.

Had she been aware that once they had gotten underway the majority of the guffaws she heard had originated with her own servants, she would have fired them all.

Y
ou shall pay for this humiliation, Fitzwilliam!

~~~*~~~

William slammed his fist against the side of his carriage. “How could she have learned about Elizabeth? I have kept my feelings for her private.”

“Perhaps your feelings are an open book, Cousin. It is not hard to read your thoughts when you gaze at her.”

“Blast! I should have been more careful! Now I have exposed Elizabeth to gossip and ridicule.”

“It is not your fault. Just remember that Gisela was never in company with you and Elizabeth, so she could not have picked up on your feelings by watching the two of you. The only way she could have learned about her existence and your love for her is for someone to have put the suggestion in her head. What you need to do is discover the identity of the informant.”

William grew pensive. “You are right in that I have never been in company with them both. Who could have been so diligent as to figure it out and be so bold as to tell her? The only ones that are aware of my feelings for Elizabeth, besides her father, are you, Aunt Audrey, Georgiana and Bingley.”

“Bingley— that is it!”

“You think Bingley told Gisela?”

“No, but his sister Caroline would gladly inform Gisela if she thought you had feelings for Miss Bennet, and it would hamper your progress. She would feel it would be to her advantage to stop anything from developing.”

“What do you mean?”

“It is obvious from the way she has always pursued you that, in her twisted mind, she thinks she will be your next wife, if you divorce Gisela. Naturally, she would not want any competition for the title of the next Mrs. Darcy.”