Unforgiving Temper (57 page)

“And you think I am the one to do it?” Darcy
asked skeptically, then slowly shook his head. “It is unfortunate
Wickham prevailed, but I have no interest in doing your bidding.
Had you waited three months to challenge Wickham,
as you
promised me
, then you could have married Miss Monroe at your
leisure, and not on your deathbed. And as far as managing anyone's
affairs, your own family should more properly take care of your
widow. My participation in such an intimate family matter would be
viewed as offensive and interfering, I am quite certain.”

“You have never met my brother, have you? I
cannot trust him to help them, Darcy. They would be exposed to
every self-serving fortune hunter within a hundred miles. With no
protector, I am afraid they would be ruined within the year.”

“You will have to find another way. I only
came because I had my end of the agreement concerning Wickham to
complete. Too much has passed between us for anything else. Now
that he is gone, there is nothing for me to do. I shall be
returning to London immediately.” Darcy stepped back from the bed
and silently turned toward the door.

“What if it were Elizabeth?” Grissholm called
after him.

The words gripped Darcy's heart, stopping him
in his tracks, but he did not turn around.

“What if it were
you
leaving
her
alone and unprotected in the world? Would you not want
someone like yourself to look out for her?” Grissholm's voice was
low and fraught with desperate humility. “Look, Darcy, I know we do
not get on. I hated you unjustly for years and caused
Miss Bennet a great deal of misery because of it. I know that
I do not deserve the slightest consideration, but I am not asking
for myself. I am asking for Catherine and Rebecca. They are
innocent in all this. They are my responsibility and I have failed
them. For their sakes, Darcy, I beg you would reconsider.”

Grim-faced, Darcy turned to look at
Grissholm. “Surely there is someone else more suited to take on the
responsibility. This is not my problem to solve and I resent you
trying to make it so.”

“Do you remember when you said that I had set
that dog Wickham loose on the Bennet family, and it was my
responsibility to muzzle him?”

“Yes,” Darcy answered, wondering what it had
to do with anything now.

“Well, I realized it was true, and I have
made every effort to right whatever wrong has been done, even unto
my own death.”

“And?”

“And I wonder if you have ever considered –
who set the dog loose upon polite society in the first place? How
did the son of a steward come to be in company with young ladies
such as Catherine? Where was the muzzle then? Because of your
family's
benevolence
, she has suffered nearly ten years from
his bite. Surely she does not deserve to suffer any more.”

Darcy was shaken to the core by Grissholm's
words. Personal satisfaction and justice warred within him.
I
owe him nothing!
he thought viciously, but a deep sense of
justice pulled at him. He had never understood the enigmatic
decision to raise George Wickham as a gentleman; but the damage had
been done, and now, as master of Pemberley, it was his
responsibility to right the wrongs caused by his father's ill-fated
benevolence. As much as he hated Grissholm, the man was right –
Catherine Monroe and her sister did not deserve to suffer any
more because of Wickham.

Seeing the guilty look on Darcy's face,
Grissholm finally relaxed into his pillows, gasping in pain from
the exertion of their argument. “I do not believe you would deny a
dying man his last request. In spite of what I have said in the
past, I know you are an honorable man and I trust you. Will you do
it?”

Turning away without answering, Darcy slowly
paced the room, coming to a stop at the windows to watch Catherine
and Bonham walking along the graveled path in the garden below. He
had no choice. He could not honorably refuse what was being asked
of him. Reluctantly, he turned back to face the man who had been
his enemy. “Very well. I shall see that they are looked after.”

“Thank you. I shall be at peace now knowing
she will be cared for.” Grissholm spasmed, then coughed violently,
adding to an already bloodied cloth in his hand. His breathing
became more labored and his voice grew thinner. “There is one more
thing I must tell you.”

Darcy looked down for a moment. Although he
could find no compassion for the man who had so brutally attacked
Elizabeth, it was necessary that Grissholm live long enough to
marry Catherine Monroe, and by the looks of it, Darcy was
beginning to doubt that he would. “Perhaps you should rest and try
to regain some of your strength.”

“No, I must tell it while I still can. Do you
remember when you came to me looking for Wickham and you said it
seemed as if he were vexing the Bennet family for his own
amusement?”

“Yes, I do. Did he tell you his reasons?”

“No, the subject never came up. However, I
think you should know that my decision to accept Miss Bennet
as a companion for Rebecca was because of a letter written by
Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

“Lady Catherine wrote a letter
recommending Miss Bennet?!” Darcy stared in amazement. “I
think not. My aunt often voiced her displeasure with
Miss Bennet's impertinence and unsuitability. She would not
have given any such recommendation nor would she have had anything
to do with Wickham. She has never acknowledged him. It must be
another of his lies.”

“Perhaps it is, I cannot say. All the same, I
had the document retrieved and it is yours if you want it. It is on
the side table behind you.”

With a frown, Darcy moved to the table
Grissholm had indicated and saw the letter lying on top of several
papers, his aunt's distinctively elaborate hand gracing its face.
Taking it up, he opened it and quickly read Lady Catherine's
absurdly ingratiating words praising Elizabeth's many talents and
qualifications for the position.

Grissholm watched Darcy intently for a moment
before he lay back with another violent cough and struggled to
catch his breath. “As you can see, her ladyship was exceedingly
complimentary and all but insisted that I accept Miss Bennet.
What it all means, I cannot say. I only wanted you to know. Tying
up loose ends, you might say.”

Struggling himself to understand what it
meant, Darcy folded the paper carefully and put it into his pocket.
He still did not trust Grissholm nor was he willing to do any more
than was necessary for the dying man.

“I shall investigate the matter as soon as
possible.” Taking a deep, cleansing breath, he glanced at
Grissholm's rapidly deteriorating condition. “And now, I shall go
fetch Miss Monroe and the vicar. I believe we have a wedding to
perform.”

* * * *

Lady Catherine de Bourgh looked up in
surprise as her nephew entered her study unannounced.

“Would you care to explain this?” Darcy
demanded, dropping a letter onto the desk in front of her.

She knew what it was at once. That idiot
Wickham had failed to make sure the only proof of her involvement
had been destroyed. She surveyed Darcy's angry countenance. It
would take some finesse, but she would bring him around. Slowly
retrieving the letter, she opened it and gave it a quick
glance.

“It looks to be a letter of reference for
Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

“I know what it is. I want to know why you
wrote it.”

“Certainly you can be at no loss in
understanding my reasons for writing it. When last we spoke, I made
my opinion of Miss Bennet quite clear,” she answered calmly.
“I make no excuses for my actions, particularly in the cause of
family and reputation. Lord Grissholm needed to engage a
companion for his ward, a natural daughter, I suspect, and I was
happy to see Miss Bennet go.”

“How is it that you were privy to
Lord Grissholm's needs? I was not aware you were on such
intimate terms with the viscount.”

“I am not. He sought the aid of his
clergyman, who happens to know of Mr. Collins and his relation
to Miss Bennet. As Mr. Collins assured me she was quite
eager to go, and the viscount quite willing to take her upon my
recommendation, I considered it a satisfactory arrangement. The
letter was nothing remarkable. You know that I often make
recommendations of that sort. As you might recall my telling you at
Easter, I recommended Miss Pope to Lady Metcalfe as well. Lady
Metcalfe said I had given her a treasure!”

Darcy's eyes narrowed dangerously. “Eager? Do
you expect me to believe a gentleman's daughter would be eager to
go into service?”

“Not every gentleman's daughter, but you must
remember we
are
speaking of Miss Elizabeth Bennet,
Nephew. She does display a shockingly independent nature.”

“Not enough to wish for employment. Wickham
forced her to accept the position with Grissholm, and you have
aided his villainy, I am certain of it!”

Unabashed, she returned her nephew's piercing
stare. The slightest waver in her demeanor and he would know.
Something she could not allow to happen as long as his misguided
emotions were obviously still very much engaged.

“Do not be absurd! You know full well I have
never acknowledged that boy your father insisted on raising as his
own, and I certainly would not start now. It seems to me
Miss Bennet willingly entered employment. Now you see what
kind of a girl she
really
is. A lady's companion, indeed! It
is exceedingly fortunate for you that it was discovered before you
did anything foolish!”

“I know what kind of a girl she
really
is, madam. I also know what you are capable of,” he breathed
angrily. “Since you are unwilling to admit your part in
Miss Bennet's misfortunes, I shall suspend any accusation for
now; but be assured, I
will
get to the bottom of this!”

In an unusual show of incivility, Darcy
turned on his heels without another word and quit the room as
suddenly as he had entered it. Lady Catherine sat back in her
chair and sighed. This really was quite bothersome. She should have
known better than to trust that man to do anything right.

“I see I will have to take matters into my
own hands,” she grumbled to the empty room. “This time, there will
be no mistakes!”

* * * *

“Lizzy, you must come! It will do you good to
be in company. Mama is quite content with Mary and Kitty to keep
her company, and Father is much better now. You cannot use him as
an excuse.” Jane watched her sister's silent reflection in the
dressing table's mirror, the bright morning light from the window
accenting the paleness of her cheeks. “It has been weeks since you
came back and you scarcely go out at all. This is not like
you!”

“I am content with my own company,” Elizabeth
assured her. “Besides, what good would it do? People still wish to
believe there is some great scandal to be had even though I have
repeatedly offered a rational explanation. My presence only renews
their curiosity, and I refuse to place myself in such a
position.”

“We are going to Netherfield. Charles is not
like that at all, as you well know,” Jane chided gently.

“Yes, your Mr. Bingley is very kind
indeed; but his sister is another matter and to be in her company
for an entire afternoon and evening is not a pleasant thought.
Caroline Bingley has been back in the neighborhood but two days and
has been more than willing to add to the speculation of my absence.
Just yesterday, when I entered the bookshop, I interrupted a
tête-à-tête between Miss Bingley and our dear Mrs. Crenshaw.”
The pit of Elizabeth's stomach twisted at the memory of the two
women standing together. The devastating feelings she had been
fighting since her return flared to life once again. “As soon as
they saw me, the conversation stopped and they simply looked at
each other. I do not believe they were discussing the weather. No,
with Caroline Bingley in residence, Netherfield will be no
different than any other house in the county. It would be impolite
of me to impose myself where I know I am not welcome.”

“Now you are speaking nonsense! It would be
more impolite to disregard Charles' wishes, which are for you to
come to Netherfield with me.” Jane met Elizabeth's determination
with equal force, adding to the argument. “I know my initial trust
in Caroline was misplaced. Her visit to Gracechurch Street last
year proved that well enough; but I have great hopes that she will
improve now that Charles and I are to be married.”

“Yes, I think she has enough sense to alter
her opinion now. I am glad to see she could not persuade
Mr. Bingley against you again. What I am
not
happy
about is that you actually refused him, and at what cost! I know
the constancy of your heart. It is a very good thing I came back in
time to bring you to your senses!”

“It was the most difficult thing I have ever
done in my life,” she conceded. “During the whole of your absence,
he remained steadfast and constant; more than I deserved or could
have ever hoped for. With time, Caroline's manner may prove more
admirable as well.”

“Jane, you are too good! I shall never be as
good as you, for I shall never have your disposition to think the
best of everyone – even someone like Miss Bingley!”

“But, Lizzy, tell me – you have never cared
what she thought before. Why now? Surely you know she has no power
over you.”

Elizabeth paused mid-stroke in brushing
Jane's hair and met her sister's eyes in the looking glass. “I must
confess, it is not Mr. Bingley's sister that troubles me;
rather it is the prospect of facing his friend.”

“Mr. Darcy?”

“Yes. I have known, of course, that he would
be included in the wedding party, but I shall be very glad if I can
be in his company as little as possible while he is here.”