Pride, Prejudice & Secrets (18 page)

Elizabeth nodded silently, but her spirits quickly rose again as she said archly, “You need not elaborate on the details of the marriage documents, sir, for I already know everything worthwhile.”

“You do?” Darcy cocked an eyebrow at her. “Have you begun to read my mind already?”

“On some subjects, I think I could surprise you, sir,” she said, with a bewitching smile. “On others you still baffle me. But on the subject of the legalities, I know the main points. Your papers will, of course, contain detailed and tedious descriptions concerning the inheritance of your estate — which will not, I am certain, be entailed if there is no male heir, for example. Then there will be settlements on our daughters, allowances for younger sons until they find a profession, and provisions for me if I survive you. Am I correct so far?”

“Eminently, but that is straightforward. Tell me more.”

“I believe such a fine solicitor will also address the more unlikely occurrences, such as the guardianship of Georgiana — a most unlikely event — what shall be done in case of either your or my incapacitation, and who shall manage your affairs in case you die before your elder son is of age.”

“Excellent! Please continue.”

“I am certain you shall give me far too great an income, more than I could possibly spend, and — ”

“There you are wrong, Elizabeth,” he said. “Your allowance is by no means too great, and — ”

“Do not interrupt me, William!” she retorted airily. “I am only getting started!”

“But you have, alas, run out of time, dearest, for we are arrived at our destination.”

“I shall continue at greater length at a later time,” she said loftily, “for I am completely informed on the logical facets of your character. It is the illogical elements which still elude me!”

“You may sketch my character all you care at, as you say, a later time. But now, I believe, our ordeal awaits, and your mother is ready to descend.”

“Yes, yes, Lizzy, hurry up!” Mrs. Bennet said, abandoning her inspection of Darcy’s coach in her urge to enter before her other daughters.

As soon as Elizabeth and Darcy followed her mother into the large room, the conversation changed tone as the news of their arrival sped about. All eyes turned their way, and even Elizabeth felt discomfort at being the focus of so many. Then everyone seemed to move their way, and Mrs. Bennet entered into her element.

It was understandable, if not particularly attractive, that Elizabeth’s mother let her own partiality dictate the order in which she presented them to her prospective son-in-law.

“Mr. Darcy,” she said, “allow me to present my friend, Mrs. Long. Mrs. Long, you remember Mr. Darcy, I hope. He and my daughter Elizabeth are engaged.”

“Charmed, Mrs. Long,” Darcy said with admirable aplomb, giving the curtseying older woman a bow fit for the royal court, never mind that he sat beside her for a half-hour the previous year without once opening his lips.

“Mr. Darcy, allow me to present my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Goulding. This is Mr. Darcy, who will soon marry my daughter Elizabeth.”

“Enchanted, madam. Good day, sir.” Darcy said with another perfect bow, countered by the clumsier attempts of the plump man and his even more plump wife.

The procession continued until Elizabeth wanted to scream as her mother dragged them from couple to couple. She dared a quick look at Darcy, who actually seemed to be enduring the endless tribulation with admirable calmness until her mother, at long last, conducted them to their hosts.

“Mr. Darcy, you remember Sir William and Lady Lucas. Sir William, Lady Lucas, Mr. Darcy.”

“Felicitations, Lady Lucas, Sir William. My thanks for inviting us today,” Darcy said, and Lady Lucas cast her eyes downward where Elizabeth clasped Darcy’s free hand firmly in her own while she rubbed her other hand gently over the back of his hand. It was, of course, perfectly proper for engaged couples to hold hands in public, but the intimate manner in which Elizabeth applied calming encouragement was startling.

“Allow me to offer our congratulations to both you and your intended, Mr. Darcy,” Sir William said, beaming beatifically, conscious of his coup at hosting what would be the most talked of gathering for many a year.

“I do hope you realize that you will be carrying away the brightest jewel of the country when you depart with Miss Elizabeth,” Sir William said, and Elizabeth could not summon the courage for further glances at Darcy. She needed all her self-control to keep herself from screaming at the inanities Sir William uttered in a seemingly endless stream. When they finally managed their escape and she could look at Darcy, he only gave a slight shrug and a barely perceivable smile.

At last, the procession was over, and Mrs. Bennet, her victory complete, left them alone. Though Elizabeth was sure she and the magnificence of Darcy’s fortune were certain to be the primary subject of the conversations in the room, she still found relief at having a little bubble of privacy around them.

“You must learn to be more composed at gatherings such as this, Elizabeth,” Darcy said, and she looked aside, where he appeared to view the room with decent composure.

“I was gritting my teeth so hard, I was afraid I might break a tooth,” she said, looking at him in disbelief, “while you look to have withstood the foolishness better than I.”

“So
that
was the grinding noise I heard,” Darcy said musingly, then gave a yelp as Elizabeth jabbed him with her fan.

“Was that really necessary?” he asked in a wounded voice, but Elizabeth only giggled at the humour in those dark eyes.

“You will be the death of me yet, Fitzwilliam Darcy,” she said sternly, but her words were belied by her clutch of his hand against her side.

Perhaps it might have been the touch of her soft body through the light gown that led him to say daringly, “I should hope not, Elizabeth. I have not yet had the opportunity to lock you in my chambers for a month.”

And perhaps it was his admiring gaze that led her to respond softly, with equal daring and looking up at him through her dark lashes, “Only a month, Mr. Darcy? I thought you more passionate…”

Darcy smiled at having his gambit countered so well, and a thrill ran down his spine at the openness of her rejoinder.

Well, so much for my worries about taking a nervous, unwilling bride to my bed,
he thought.

“I have missed jousting with you, Elizabeth,” he said, at length, “but I must remind myself to be more wary of your ripostes. Very well, I yield the point. But perhaps we might make our way toward Mrs. Collins, who is sitting against the wall.”

Elizabeth looked around, but the crowd around her prevented her from finding Charlotte.

“It does help, being tall,” she said. “From down here, I can see nothing. Perhaps you might lead the way?”

“Certainly, my dear, certainly,” he said cheerfully, leading her toward the wall.

Charlotte’s embrace was more fervent than Elizabeth anticipated, and a gleam of moisture in Charlotte’s eyes testified to her joy at their meeting.

“Oh, I am so happy to see you and Mr. Darcy getting on so well, Eliza,” she said, delicately touching her handkerchief to her eyes. “I was worried your illness might cause problems.”

“I have been worried that my illness might have caused problems for you, Charlotte — or at least for Mr. Collins.”

“It does not appear that will be the case since Lady Catherine’s anger has transferred to Lord Matlock because he would not order Mr. Darcy to marry her daughter.”

Darcy could only shake his head at the sheer effrontery of his aunt and wonder to himself whether any passage of time could ever alleviate her wrongs at trying to force a marriage desirable only in her eyes.

Elizabeth felt much the same though she only said, “I cannot believe that was the wisest course for her ladyship to take, but I am relieved she did not punish Mr. Collins for his courageous assistance.”

“As are we, but it still seemed prudent to make a hurried visit to Lucas Lodge until her anger subsides.”

“Likely the wisest course,” Darcy said, stiff-lipped with anger. “Her ladyship’s rages are fearsome, and being out of sight is often the most sensible remedy.”

His expression mellowed, and he looked rather sheepish as he said, “Or at least that has been my excuse. Rank cowardice might also suffice as Richard several times suggested.”

“And did the valiant Colonel Fitzwilliam remain true to his suggested counsel?” Elizabeth asked, her voice sweet but humour in her eyes.

“Oh, no,” Darcy said cheerfully. “In fact, he freely admitted the motivation of his sudden disappearances. ‘It is indeed rank cowardice, Darce,’ he would say, adding, ‘The difference is that I openly admit my fear while you attempt to disguise it.’”

“That is our Colonel Fitzwilliam,” said Elizabeth. “The more I consider it, the more I think Miss Bingley might suit him well.”

“Actually, I think your suggestion — which I believe was made in jest — actually has possibilities,” Darcy said thoughtfully.

“William, I was only teasing him!” Elizabeth said, hastily backtracking. “It was not meant seriously!”

“I know,” Darcy said lightly, “but Richard has often said he has not encountered the horse he could not tame. I may propose her to his parents, and we could then see if he can pacify that filly.”

“Are you being humorous?” Elizabeth asked in alarm since his face bore his best mask of inscrutability. “I cannot tell from your expression.”

“Only time will tell, Elizabeth,” he said with a shrug. “And, while my not altogether trustworthy sense of humour is engaged, I think there may be a kernel of sense in your suggestion, fanciful as you intended it. After all, Miss Bingley has a handsome fortune, comes from a respectable family, is reasonably handsome, and might well look on the possibility of being related to an earl of the realm quite favourably.”

At the startled look on her face, he smiled benignly. “Exactly, my love. You see the possibilities.”

She did not have long to dwell on this surprising thought as Mr. Collins joined them, and Darcy manfully endured the fervent civilities of Elizabeth’s obsequious cousin. She managed to catch his eye, and her smile of encouragement enabled him to endure the conversation and the rest of the afternoon with passable calmness.

Darcy’s interview that evening with Mr. Bennet was short and to the point. In fact, Mr. Bennet read through the documents completely and could find nothing with which to disagree.

“I must say, this is more complete than I expected — much lengthier than my own when I married Mrs. Bennet.”

“My solicitor has been engaged by my family for some years, and his father before him,” Darcy said. “He used my parent’s documents as his starting point, making modifications as needed.”

“I still marvel at your generosity on behalf of my daughters,” Mr. Bennet said with a chagrined shake of his head. “I should have been more frugal and — ”

“Do not make so much of this, sir. We both know I can well afford the assistance. Let this be an end of the matter; I do not desire unnecessary congratulations for my plain duty. In any case, I could still find myself with a house overrun with females and might cope far less capably than yourself.”

Then he held up his half-full glass of brandy. “But let us hope that day does not arrive any time soon — for both our sakes!”

“Amen, Mr. Darcy.” The older man touched his glass to Darcy’s. “Amen.”

Chapter
11

“Courtship consists in a number of quiet
attentions, not so pointed as to alarm
nor so vague as not to be understood.”

— Laurence Sterne, English novelist, clergyman, and humourist

Saturday, April 18, 1812: Hertfordshire

Darcy sat drinking coffee and reading a day-old copy of
The Times
when a motion caught his eye out the breakfast parlour window and he saw a carriage turn into the drive. The carriage looked familiar, and a slow smile grew as it stopped in front and a tall, blue-uniformed figure appeared.

Well, well, well,
he thought cheerfully.
Captain George Fitzwilliam has come to call, and he has not driven to Netherfield just to call on me.

“It appears I have a visitor,” he said to the maid by the door. “Please bring him here and ask if he has breakfasted. Oh, and order hot water prepared for a bath.”

The young girl curtseyed and scampered off, and it was only a minute before George strode briskly into the room

Darcy rose to offer his hand. “I see you wasted little time, George. Welcome to Netherfield. Would you care for breakfast?”

“Thank you, no. But if that is coffee, I would be delighted to have a cup.”

Darcy was quick to pour, and George sighed with pleasure as he took a drink, surprising his cousin because he drank it black and did not even pause to cool the steaming liquid. Darcy’s surprise must have shown since George smiled.

“I am one of a minority in the navy captains who prefer coffee to tea, and if you drink on deck, you either drink it quickly or have it flavoured with salt spray.”

“Interesting,” Darcy said. “Richard has spoken of his experiences, but I know virtually nothing of life at sea.”

George nodded, unsurprised, for few in the kingdom were knowledgeable about the navy though it was the chief protection of their realm. Darcy was an educated man, but he had been educated in a different school than George.

“I just hope our imports of coffee are not affected by the worsening relations with our annoying cousins across the Atlantic.” He drained his cup and refilled it.

“Surely, nothing will happen!” Darcy was more than a little startled at this comment. “The papers carry the statements of ministers, but surely there is nothing between us and the Americans worth another round of hostilities.”

“That depends on your point of view, Darcy,” George said glumly. “The Americans are really incensed about our stopping their merchant shipping and impressing their seamen, claiming they are deserters.”

“I have read of their complaints, but it did not seem such a large problem.”

“It appears so in their eyes. They are touchy about their honour, being our cousins and all, and you can imagine the uproar in Parliament if American ships stopped a British convoy and hauled off two-score of our seamen. Some of my fellow captains look on a fat American merchantman as manna from Heaven to replace their losses.”

“I was unaware the situation could possibly be that bad; we definitely do not need to be engaged in two conflicts thousands of miles apart.”

“No, we do not,” George said then smiled grimly. “But the Americans are not without blame; part of the reason they are acting so touchy is that they want Canada. It would be a blatant land grab, but they think we are too heavily engaged with Boney to prevent their taking it.”

Darcy’s eyes narrowed as he considered George’s point. “This sounds like it might turn out badly.”

“Too right. Last month, I happened on an American frigate, a new one, really handsome, with new sails, a clean bottom, half again my guns, and several knots faster than
Medusa
. Anyway, the frigate cleared for action and actually ran out his guns when he recognized us. I had no choice but to do likewise, except for running out, but it was a worrisome half-hour before he continued on his way.”

“Oh, wonderful,” Darcy said bitterly. “Just what we need — spilling blood with our cousins over trifles while Bonaparte laughs himself silly at our fratricidal follies.”

George said nothing and only nodded.

After a few moments, Darcy changed the subject. “So, concerning your visit, are you certain you wish to proceed with this?”

“Absolutely,” George said without hesitation. “Miss Bennet has been in my thoughts continually since that night. Not only is she one of the prettiest women you could hope to meet, but her disposition is most engaging. I am not a romantic and certainly not experienced in the usual conversational topics, but I was surprised at how easily I talked with her.”

“This has come on rather swiftly, you know.”

“I do, but perhaps it is not as hasty as you might imagine for those of us in the navy. I have seen officers take ordinary leave and return with a new wife in tow. Partially the war, of course, but not completely. Richard mentioned several young gentlemen he knew who met a fetching young lady one day, professed the deepest love the next, and married the day after.”

“Yes, it is not unknown,” Darcy said, “but I always worry at such rapid courtships. I suspect too many turn out badly.”

“I think Miss Bennet’s sensibility would militate against such an outcome. I would never treat any woman, much less a wife, with anything less than respect. And, going back to my rational nature, I have need of a suitable wife, and Miss Bennet seems an admirable choice.”

“I agree about Miss Bennet’s sensibility, and you have met Elizabeth, but I must warn you her other sisters, as well as her mother, are not sensible at all. Even Mr. Bennet has a few idiosyncrasies.”

“I am not marrying any of them, Darcy,” George said with a smile.

“And I am not trying to dissuade you, George, especially considering my own courtship was a bit irregular. My questions were meant well, as I hope you know.”

“I cannot blame you for a certain degree of caution,” George said. “We are cousins and I hope friends, but we have not spent all that much time together.”

“Then we should be about visiting Longbourn and managing an introduction to Mr. Bennet. If you care to wash off the dust, I ordered hot water. I believe your uniform can be dusted off while you bathe.”

“Much appreciated, Darcy, though I have a fresh uniform. I bathe standing up and just have the water poured to rinse off the soap. I never liked those copper tubs; my legs do not fit.”

“I have the same problem,” Darcy said, smiling, “but I solved it by having a larger tub made.”

“No room for such aboard ship. I wash in the morning by having some of the crew man a pump, which can be pretty arduous in the North Sea where the water feels near to freezing!”

“Well, cleanliness is worthwhile, but bathing in North Sea salt water sounds quite uncomfortable!”

“True, but I am well used to it. Well, I am off to my bath. I shall be ready directly.”

Elizabeth saw the familiar coach turn in the drive and immediately stood, drawing a sharp glance from her mother, who was reviewing fabrics for dresses. Her father had agreed to the preparation of wedding clothes and accessories, but Mrs. Bennet had not shared the amount, only lamenting its inadequacy and that the whole family would be ruined by sending off their daughter with a meagre trousseau.

“Mr. Darcy has come to visit, Mama.” Elizabeth struggled to keep the irritation out of her voice. In a single day, her mother had made life at Longbourn most wearing, and her father kept strictly to his library except for meals.

Elizabeth also knew her parents disagreed on a wedding date, and she would have to force the issue at some point. A dispute would surely erupt when she did so, for her mother was certain the preparations would require two or three months.

I will have to be confined if this goes on that long
, she thought unhappily as she went to greet Darcy. She wanted to suggest a walk in the countryside rather returning to the parlour where Kitty and Lydia continued to lament the regiment’s departure to Brighton. They viewed the disappearance of officers as the end of the world, for how could they live after being deprived of scarlet coats? They also complained about having to attend their mother since not even the marriage of their sister was as important as the tragedy they faced. Elizabeth had reached the end of her patience on those subjects even before Darcy’s arrival, and she had no desire to subject him to their grumbling.

She was thus not prepared to see Captain Fitzwilliam follow Darcy from the coach, and she wondered at his presence before a sudden supposition blossomed in her mind.

No, it cannot not be! Not after only a single meeting! I was amused by Jane’s reaction, but that was because I did not take it seriously.

After a moment’s thought, she sighed deeply
. I still hope my marriage might rekindle the affection of Mr. Bingley, and this could ruin everything!

It was a struggle, but she had her emotions under control by the time Darcy took her extended hand and raised it to his lips with the surprising gallantry that was as much a part of him as his stiffness and restraint.

Then she turned to his companion and said, “I am pleased to see you again, Captain Fitzwilliam.”

“But surprised,” he said with a tight smile.

“Yes, but…”

“Darcy has offered to introduce me to your father. I have business with him,” Fitzwilliam said, and now surprise rippled through her at the implications of that simple statement. But Darcy was prepared for her reaction, reclaiming her hand and leading her into the house.

“Come along, George. I will introduce you to Elizabeth’s mother. Is she in the parlour, my dear?”

Elizabeth could only nod, and Darcy looked amused as he walked with her to the room.

Mrs. Bennet and her daughters rose as they entered, and the eyes of all except Jane widened as they realized Darcy had brought a guest. Jane’s eyes were immediately cast downward as a sudden surge of an exceedingly strange emotion filled her chest. She could not look at the tall, imposing figure in his immaculate blue uniform with white facings and gold braid.

“George, allow me to present Mrs. Bennet, Elizabeth’s mother. Mrs. Bennet, this is my cousin, Captain George Fitzwilliam of His Majesty’s Navy and the son of the Earl of Matlock.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Bennet,” George said with a sharp bow.

“Good morning, Captain Fitzwilliam.” Mrs. Bennet’s voice almost squeaked with excitement as an enervated exaltation swept through her at the thought of having the son of an earl visit her home. Her reputation, which had surged upward at the news of Elizabeth’s engagement, would rise to unprecedented heights! And if he planned to stay with Darcy for a few days, she must have them both to dinner! She was already mentally assembling the courses and the guest list as Darcy turned to her daughters.

“George, allow me to present Elizabeth’s sisters. Miss Mary Bennet is next younger than Elizabeth, Miss Catherine Bennet a year younger still, and Miss Lydia Bennet, the youngest. Ladies, my cousin, Captain Fitzwilliam.”

Mary responded more or less appropriately while Kitty and Lydia’s curtseys were more dubious as they wondered whether a blue coat could possibly compete with a red one. It made little difference since George paid them no attention, stepping over to Jane, who attempted to return to her previous task of sorting her mother’s fabric samples.

“It is good to see you again, Miss Bennet,” he said gently.

“Good morning, sir. It is good to see you also,” Jane said, her voice more gentle still. She forced herself to raise her gaze, only to freeze as her violet eyes were captured by Fitzwilliam’s icy blue ones. It took another exertion for her to tear her gaze away, only to stifle a gasp as he took her hand from the table and bent over it. He raised her hand but did not bring it to his lips as Darcy had done with Elizabeth. That couple was engaged to be married, after all, but Jane knew with certainty he wished to do so. A shiver ran down her spine at that revelation, and she dared only a single glance through her lashes, causing another shiver as his eyes seized hers.

Then he stood, and Jane tried to draw a breath to relieve her tension, only to hear Captain Fitzwilliam ask, “Shall we see Mr. Bennet now, Darcy?”

“Certainly, George.” Darcy made no attempt to hide his smile since he knew such a greeting must have set off alarm bells in Mrs. Bennet’s soul. She might not be sensible enough to immediately comprehend the reason for his cousin’s presence, but her face now showed her understanding.

Mr. Bennet, however, was far more sensible than his wife, and he knew something unusual was impending when Darcy introduced his cousin. But Fitzwilliam was not one to hesitate after making a decision and, after being introduced, immediately handed Mr. Bennet a folded sheet of paper.

“From your expression, sir,” Fitzwilliam said, “it is clear you recognize I have not come on an idle visit. As Darcy said, I am on active service and do not know how long before my ship again puts to sea. To be succinct, my mission concerns your eldest daughter.”

“Jane? I…I am afraid I am quite confused. Perhaps you might explain further?”

“In the meantime, sir,” Darcy said smoothly, “perhaps we might all seat ourselves?”

“Ah, yes, yes, of course, Mr. Darcy, I forgot my manners. Please, by all means, sit, sit. Good, good. Now, you were saying?”

“I have no idea whether you know that I met Miss Bennet at Darcy’s house last Thursday when I accompanied my brother Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam to dinner.”

Mr. Bennet nodded, for that explained how he and Jane met, though he wondered why she had not, in fact, mentioned his name.

“Miss Bennet and I spoke during the meal. In fact, we spent most of the evening in conversation, and I quickly formed a very positive opinion of her as a sensible young lady as well as a beautiful one.”

Mr. Bennet could no longer delude himself about the purpose of this visit, but he certainly wished to do so! There had been altogether too much turmoil in the past week.

First came Lizzy’s engagement to the last man I could have imagined, a mystery still not fully explained,
he thought crossly.
And now his cousin comes sailing into my library, where I expect tranquillity not discord, and I am certain he wants to take away my only other sensible daughter! That is a step too far! I may not know how Darcy convinced Lizzy to marry him, but at least he is rich enough to support her. This son of an earl is probably a younger son and likely has nothing except his Navy pay on which to subsist. I will not allow myself to be deluded again by —

He had to break off that line of thought because Fitzwilliam was continuing.

“Accordingly, as you have probably surmised, I came today to ask permission to court Miss Bennet. I am aware you know little about me, so I sketched a brief personal history, including a summary of my finances and references to several naval officers who can attest to my character. They have been informed you may write them to ask their opinion.”

“I can also testify to George’s character,” Darcy said soberly, “since I have known him all my life.”

“I would, of course,” George said in conclusion, “appreciate your confidentiality regarding my finances, but I knew you would desire reassurance as to my ability to support your daughter, so I included the pertinent details.”

Mr. Bennet at first just looked at Fitzwilliam in bemusement, his thoughts whirling about his head in such confusion he hardly knew what to say until Darcy finally said, “Perhaps you ought to open and read George’s letter, sir.”

“Oh. Oh, yes, please forgive me. My mind was in a whirl, and I quite forgot myself,” Mr. Bennet said hastily, as his attention returned to the present. He quickly broke the seal and began to skim the document:

George Howard Fitzwilliam, Captain, RN … thirty-two years old … second son Lord and Lady Matlock …

Service RN … appointed Midsh. 1792 … promoted Lieut. 1796 … Cmmdr 1803 … Post Capt. 1807 … currently commanding HMS Medusa …

References … William Hoste, Capt. RN … Phipps Hornby, Capt. RN … Edward Pellew, Adm. RN …

Financial situation … salary £680 per annum … earnings from prize money and saved pay invested in Funds £63.280 … Bank of England savings £3.347 … income £3.164 per annum (reinvested in Funds) …

Mr. Bennet looked up in disbelief at the state of the man’s finances.
Is this accurate?
he thought, more than a little perturbed.
Can a naval officer accumulate such a fortune? He may not be as rich as that Bingley fellow, but he surpasses me! And my income of two thousand pounds comes part from the farm and the rest from rents. This Captain’s income is greater than mine, and he still has his investment untouched!

Then his brow creased and he said, rather sharply, “Reinvest in Funds? Do you not draw your income, Captain?”

“I live fairly frugally at the moment, Mr. Bennet. I am at sea most of the time, so I have little need for my income. I keep a few thousand available to supplement my pay as needed, as when laying in provisions, for example, and leave everything else in the Funds instead of drawing it.”

“Most unusual,” Mr. Bennet said in reluctant admiration. “Most gentlemen live on their income.”

“True, but I need little money at sea. If I marry your daughter, of course, that situation would change.”

At this mention of marriage, Mr. Bennet’s ire was again raised, and his mouth was opening to stall the fellow when Darcy interrupted.