The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (21 page)

“No, but the family….” Lady Matlock’s voice trailed off uncharacteristically. “Especially now, we should not be associating with anyone…who….We should not associate with them for at least several months until the whole thing is less fresh in everyone’s minds. You shall have to wait a while before forming such an acquaintance.” His aunt’s tone suggested Georgiana should relinquish the idea of ever meeting Elizabeth.

Although his aunt’s suggestion was not unexpected, Darcy was confused by the hesitations in his aunt’s speech; she was not usually so vague. “Miss Bennet will be in London only a couple more days,” Darcy explained.

“Fitzwilliam, Georgiana probably has not apprised you of recent events. Now more than ever it would not be good to have your sister – or
anyone
in the family – associating with less than desirable companions.” Her voice was emphatic, but quivered with unexpected emotion.

Darcy took a deep breath and prayed for patience. “What has happened?”

His aunt’s face colored and he thought he had never seen her demonstrate so much embarrassment. She was the sole of rectitude and a premiere arbiter of fashion in the
ton
. “Well, I suppose I must tell you before you hear it from someone else. We have tried to keep it quiet, but you know how they like to talk….”

Darcy was rapidly losing patience. “What is it Aunt?”

“It is Robert. He has married that – that – Williams girl.” Her voice was full of disgust.

Darcy looked from her to Georgiana in astonishment. “The actress?” His aunt nodded. “My cousin married his mistress?”

Chapter 9

Lady Alice was one of the most indomitable women Darcy knew, but she was blinking rapidly as if holding back tears. “They went to Gretna Green just last week. I am certain many in town have not heard tell of it yet. Fortunately it is thinly populated this time of year, but they will hear of it. They will.”

The import of the news was beginning to sink in. His cousin, his uncle’s heir, the future Earl of Matlock, had married his mistress. Darcy had never met the woman, but she was reported to be quite vulgar – although very pretty. “Where are they now?” Darcy could now see the signs that Georgiana was also quite distressed by the news and her aunt’s reaction to it.

“They are hiding up in Brookton. He sent us a letter when they returned from Scotland. At least he has the decency not to come to town!” She shook her head. “I knew he was always impetuous, but I never thought – an actress!” Dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, his aunt was the picture of mortification.

Darcy knew that some prominent peers had married actresses who were eventually accepted by the
ton
, but it had taken years to gain recognition – and those women were rather genteel. Robert and his wife might never be accepted. “I am so sorry, Aunt. That must have been distressing news to receive.”

“Indeed,” she was now twisting her handkerchief in her hands. “Your uncle has not yet stopped cursing under his breath.”

“Aunt Alice believes it is incumbent on all of us to put forth our best manners and hold our heads high,” Georgiana’s first contribution to the conversation came out as hardly louder than a whisper, a reflection of her own distress.

“Precisely! If our family is to live this occurrence down, we must ensure that not the slightest hint of impropriety tinges the Fitzwilliam name.” Lady Alice’s face was stony as she made this pronouncement and gazed meaningfully at Darcy.

So this would be a bad time to tell them I married a woman of no fortune.
Darcy ran his fingers through his hair. This was another complication he did not need: first Elizabeth’s sister, now his cousin. Their families seemed to be inadvertently conspiring to ensure that they could never publicly acknowledge their marriage.

“In fact, we are planning a ball for two days hence. I expect you to attend.” His aunt added, the return of her authoritarian manner signaled that she had mastered her emotions.

“Aunt Alice, I completely understand and respect your wishes for our continued propriety, and I have no desire to cause additional scandal,” Darcy said. “I will happily agree never to admit the Bennets’ wayward daughter, Lydia, into my home or to Georgiana’s acquaintance. But I am not prepared to shun a respectable family because of the poor judgment of a foolish young girl. It is important to me that Georgiana meet Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” He knew that by insisting on the point, he was virtually declaring his intentions toward Elizabeth. But, they had to know soon; there was no point in concealing his interest even if he could not reveal everything.

Aunt Alice’s face resembled a bull’s when confronted with a red cape. “But she is a nobody! Her family has no name, no fortune and they are disgraced! Georgiana cannot associate with them and you should not either!” In her indignation her face had turned white.

Darcy sighed. “I must insist on this point. I am not about to discontinue my association with Miss Elizabeth Bennet and you cannot forbid me to introduce her to Georgiana.
I
am her guardian. I will, however, happily abide by other directives that you deem necessary for the family at this time.”

His aunt’s eyes narrowed as she regarded him, enlightenment flashed across her face. “So that is how the wind blows, is it? I have thrown every eligible young lady of the
ton
at you for years and you have never so much as danced two dances with a single girl. And now you are attaching yourself to a country miss?” Georgiana squirmed in her seat, obviously uncomfortable being present during such a disagreement.

“You should be relieved. You keep telling me I am waiting too long,” he said with an ironic smile.

“I am
not
relieved!” She snapped. “This is an entirely inappropriate attachment. Especially now! I do not condone it.”

“Miss Bennet is a completely respectable young woman. Her father is a gentleman in Hertfordshire and she has excellent breeding.”

“But much of her family is in trade, I understand, and her family has no standing to speak of. The scandal of her sister will follow her – No, it cannot be done. Not now!” His aunt gestured emphatically.

Darcy stood. “I do not need your approbation, madam. I am not a child!”

He was on the verge of stalking out of the room, but Georgiana touched his hand and he peered down at her, knowing that she did not want dissension in the family. He took a deep breath. “I appreciate your concern for our family’s reputation – and I share it. However, I am more concerned about my own happiness. It is, of course, your prerogative to not receive Miss Bennet or her family. But should you choose such a course, it will almost certainly result in your estrangement from me.”

Lady Alice’s looked nonplused for a moment. “You would create more scandal for the family – at this time? How could you?”

“I do not believe there would be scandal, nor do I wish to be estranged from your family. However, I will not compromise my own happiness.”

His aunt sighed. “Very well. Visit with this Miss Bennet if you must. I will not perpetuate any unpleasantness, but I can do nothing to curb the gossip.”

“I would like you to invite Miss Bennet and her aunt and uncle to your ball. Their name is Gardiner.” His aunt was already shaking her head. “Would you like
me
to attend the ball? I believe I may have a previous engagement that night.”

His aunt closed her eyes as if in pain, but she won the struggle to maintain her composure. “Very well.”

Darcy smiled mirthlessly. “I think I can rearrange my schedule to accommodate the ball.”

“Where do they live?” Lady Alice’s voice came from between gritted teeth.

“Gracechurch Street. In Cheapside.”

“Cheapside.” The way his aunt said it, it might as well be a curse.

Darcy bristled. “They are thoroughly respectable, genteel people.”

His aunt sighed. “Promise me you will not make your attentions to this Miss Bennet too obvious and you must dance with some of the other eligible young ladies. Perhaps someone more appropriate will turn your head.” Darcy started to shake his head. “You promised to cooperate with my directives,” she reminded him.

Darcy leaned back in his chair. “I will dance with them if you wish, but I can tell you that they will not alter my sentiments.”
Thank goodness she does not know it is already too late!

“We shall see.” With that, his aunt arose from her chair and stalked out of the room. Georgiana still appeared distressed, so Darcy sat next to her, taking her hand and turning the conversation to more pleasant topics.

Later that day Darcy was in his study, having finally returned to Darcy House and receiving a long overdue bath. His visit to Mrs. Younge had proceeded as he expected. With some financial persuasion, she admitted that Wickham had been in London for a week, but departed because he could no longer afford lodgings. It was clear, however, that she did not know where Wickham had gone.

Immediately Darcy had proceeded to hire one of the famed Bow Street Runners. One investigator now had the names of Wickham’s associates near Pemberley and would visit Derbyshire to see who had news of him. Without money, Wickham would need assistance from friends. Another investigator would try to pick up Wickham’s trail in London. Darcy had also visited Colonel Fitzwilliam – who was very relieved to find his cousin back in the country –to ask for any help he and his colleagues in the army might provide. Darcy sighed, thinking that he should visit Pemberley to speak with Wickham’s friends in person, but he could not bring himself to leave Elizabeth.
The investigator should be able to make progress with the information I gave him,
Darcy reassured himself
.

Darcy smiled ironically at the thought that the best way to flush out Wickham would be to reveal his marriage to Elizabeth – Wickham would probably be on his doorstep the next day demanding payment in exchange for marrying Lydia. However, there were equally good reasons for concealing the marriage.

Now Darcy was applying himself to the correspondence that had accumulated while he was in France. After he had been working for an hour, a footman arrived and announced Mr. Bingley’s arrival. “Darcy!” Bingley bounced in as usual, but there were lines of care around his face that Darcy did not recall seeing before. “I only just learned that you had returned.”

“I arrived this morning. Napoleon made it difficult to extricate myself from France.” Darcy gestured his friend to a seat and poured Bingley a brandy, which he downed with alacrity despite the early hour. Pouring another, Darcy suspected some distress on Bingley’s part.

“So I learned when I visited Georgiana and your aunt last week. I am eager to hear the complete story. ”

“Another time, perhaps.” Darcy set down his glass untasted. “It is long and involved, best suited to a leisurely evening with a glass of port.”

“I look forward to it.” Bingley fell uncharacteristically silent and Darcy again sensed that something was weighing on his friend’s mind, but gave him time to broach the subject on his own.

“I was visiting the Bennets in Hertfordshire last week,” Bingley finally said. Darcy knew what his friend was leading up to.

“How were they?”

“They were good. That is, except – there has been a bit of upset over the youngest sister.”

“Yes, I know about Lydia and Wickham.”

Bingley’s eyes widened in surprise. In retrospect Darcy realized it was scarcely the kind of news he would ordinarily be privy too, especially on his first day back in London. “I learned it from Lydia’s aunt and uncle, the Gardiners, this morning. I offered my assistance in locating Wickham.”

Bingley’s face continued to register astonishment. “That is very good of you. But why in the world were you visiting Lydia’s aunt and uncle? I did not know you were acquainted.”

Darcy traced one finger along the rim of his brandy glass. “I… um…met them in France. They were there on business.”

“Oh, of course! Then you must have seen Miss Elizabeth as well.” Bingley’s open expression demonstrated he did not suspect Darcy’s regard for Jane’s sister.

“I did have that pleasure.” Darcy controlled his expression so it would not betray him.

“Has she returned from France as well? Jane was most concerned about her.”

“Yes, she is recently returned,” Darcy answered carefully.

Bingley frowned in perplexity once more. “But what was so pressing that you needed to call on the Gardiners as soon as you returned from France?”

This was a bit of an impertinent question and Darcy considered saying something about ascertaining that the Gardiners had returned safely from France. But Bingley was one of his best friends and deserved to know the truth – at least some of the truth. “I was not visiting the Gardiners. I was there seeing Miss Elizabeth.”

“Whatever for?” Now Darcy was regretting how circumspect he had been about his affection – even Bingley had no suspicions.

“I am…I have developed…an interest in her…”

“What sort of interest?” Then Darcy saw understanding –and astonishment—dawn on Bingley’s face. “But you thought the Bennets were—”