Chapter 43
London was rife with the scandal of Fitzwilliam Darcy publicly compromising the daughter of an unknown gentleman in an inn.
The gossip broke in the society pages of the major newspapers the very next evening.
Lady Matlock was at a charity event while her husband, the Earl, was engaged in his study on the next bill for Parliament.
He had been working laboriously on it all week and was greatly irritated when his oldest son and heir James Fitzwilliam, Viscount Bainbridge sauntered in without so much as a by-your-leave.
“I do suggest that you enjoy your brandy rather than working yourself to the bone on that confounded bill,” he sprawled on the settee, a newspaper in hand.
“What nonsense is this? You should learn something about your duties and responsibilities,” the Earl rebuked.
“Duties and responsibilities, is that what you would have me waste myself on, just like Darcy, I suppose,” the Viscount countered as he sat up.
“Well, Darcy is a good example. He is fastidious to a fault and manages all his responsibilities with precision.”
“He must have been managing his responsibilities and upholding his family honour when he publicly embraced and kissed Miss Elizabeth, the niece of your newest acquaintance, Mr. Gardiner.”
“Whatever nonsense are you raving about?”
“You can read for yourself, Darcy has embroiled himself in the greatest scandal of the season,” the Viscount answered as he handed the newspaper to his father.
The Earl stared in immediate disbelief, and his shock was apparent as he read the whole report with an intense concentration.
The Viscount walked to the sideboard, and poured two glasses of brandy and handed one to his father.
“As I said, there is absolutely no use for you to work on that bill for you would not be able to face Parliament for quite some time with this scandal. We may as well retire to the country.”
“You are awfully cheerful about this whole affair,” the Earl answered suspiciously as he took a large gulp of brandy.
“For once the family name is in tatters and it is not my fault, of course I am cheerful.”
“I blame you and Richard; Darcy would never have done something so dramatic without your influence.”
“You may as well blame Lady Catherine, I am sure it was her absurd idea of Darcy marrying Anne that has pushed him over the edge,” the Viscount countered.
The Earl massaged his head as he deliberated the whole matter. “Is it true that Miss Elizabeth was running away from Hampshire to escape Darcy’s unwanted pursuit?”
“Who knows. But I would not be surprised, for we all know she was never much fond of Darcy.”
“It is good that we had already established an acquaintance with the Gardiners and the oldest Miss Bennet when Judge Darcy mentioned Darcy’s inclination.”
It was then that a footman entered and alerted the gentleman that Lady Matlock was back and had asked for their presence in the drawing room.
“Arthur, good you are here, and you too James, we need to send a notice to The Times for Darcy’s engagement to Miss Bennet,” Lady Matlock said as soon as the gentlemen entered the drawing room.
“Darcy is engaged?” the Earl asked, stupefied.
“Well, he is now,” the lady sat down with a resigned air.
“For the very first time, I was backed into a corner with all the questions. All I could do was declare that they were engaged and had been for a couple of months, and whatever happened was likely the result of a lover’s tiff.”
“But, what about Miss Elizabeth? Will she agree?”
“Does she have a choice? She was kissed in the common room of a public inn with hundreds of witnesses including Lord and Lady Greystone.”
“But we can hardly send a notice of engagement without Mr. Bennet being made aware.”
“Then whyever are you standing here? Both of you should go to Hertfordshire and speak to Mr. Bennet,” Lady Matlock snapped.
“You want me to go to Hertfordshire?” the Earl repeated.
“Take Judge Darcy with you; he is a Darcy, he should answer for Darcy’s imprudent behaviour.”
“What do you plan to do in the meantime?” the Earl asked, trying to make sense of all that was happening.
“I will write to Lady Margaret and ask her to visit the Gardiners with me. They must be even more confused than we are.”
“Why will they be bothered? They are not of high society, and their niece has managed to snag the most sought-after bachelor,” The Viscount questioned.
“This attitude, James, will get us nowhere. We have been aware that Darcy was bent on having Miss Elizabeth as his wife and that the lady did not favour him. The Gardiners are sensible folks and I had expected that they would help convince Elizabeth, but well I never considered Darcy capable of such a rash action. For the very first time no gossip seems to be blaming the lady. She has the sympathy of the whole of town and is being considered one of the most honourable ladies in society,” Lady Matlock threw up her hand in frustration.
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam had been running an errand for the War Office when the society page of a leading newspaper was shoved in his face. He immediately made his way to Matlock House and entered the parlour just as Lady Matlock was done giving her edicts.
“Richard, there you are,” his brother greeted him.
“I take it, you all have heard the news.”
“Yes, Father is departing for Hertfordshire to speak to Mr. Bennet,” the Viscount answered cheerfully.
“You have actually met Miss Elizabeth,” Lady Matlock said as she narrowed her eyes.
“Yes, a very estimable woman,” Richard replied.
“How estimable? and why does she dislike Darcy? I never could get the answer from her sister.”
“Oh! Darcy separated Bingley from Miss Jane Bennet. Some absurd tale about the lady’s feelings not being involved. The two sisters are very close.”
“Darcy destroyed the prospects of the sister of the woman he wishes to marry?” Lady Matlock closed her eyes in exasperation.
“He has repaired his mistake now. Bingley and Miss Bennet are reunited as you are aware.”
“Well, I think we do not have the luxury to waste time. You and your brother should travel to Hampshire and understand the situation.”
“I will have to speak at the War Office,” Richard replied.
“I will take care of that,” the Earl replied with a wave of his hand. Tomorrow morning, you should leave for Hampshire and I will leave for Hertfordshire. I hope the Judge will agree to accompany me.”
Lady Matlock finally got up and wrote a note to Lady Margaret, requesting her company in visiting the Gardiners and also included a message from the Earl for the Judge.
It was after dinner that Judge Darcy and his wife were announced at the Matlock house.
“We apologise for calling at this unusual hour,” Lady Margaret said as soon as she entered the parlour.
“His Grace, Lady Margaret’s brother, is most displeased and was at our house most of the day trying to make some sense of the situation.”
“It gets better and better; I am starting to think that Darcy was possessed,” Lord Matlock commented.
“I just hope Miss Elizabeth agrees to marry Darcy or it will be a social ruin for us all,” Lady Margaret responded.
“What choice does the poor girl have?” Lady Matlock commented.
“Apparently quite a lot. Her integrity in refusing Darcy has become legendary, and at least five members of the ton, including Lord Grimsley, have expressed a desire to court her. From what I understand, she is being hailed as an exceptional woman for Darcy would never be so taken with just anybody.”