Chapter 9
A LIVELY MIND
A week had passed, during which Darcy had spent far less time with Elizabeth than he would have wished.
It could not be helped. Matters of business had demanded his attention most of his days, and the few nights they were in company, it seemed Lady Vanessa had been intent upon taking up the role as chaperone for her niece.
The one consolation he had was that he had managed to secure a few moments alone with Elizabeth the prior evening, and he had promised her a riding lesson in two days, as soon as his business with the head groomsman at Avondale and his solicitor from London was settled.
Little did he suspect that his plans were about to change.
Darcy had just returned from the stable and was preparing to order a hot, steaming bath when his cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, who had arrived at Avondale without notice, and as best Darcy could tell, without a proper invitation from the Hollands, walked into his room.
The gentlemen shook hands. “Richard, my friend, I did not expect to see you here. What brings you to Bosley?”
“The better question is what are you doing here? I thought your purpose in coming here was to acquire a couple of thoroughbreds, not establish a second home.”
“My standards are exacting when it comes to the proper care of my thoroughbreds. It does take time to assure that my interests are protected.”
Richard’s countenance clouded. “Is there a problem with the quality of Avondale’s stables?”
“No, all is well in that regard.”
“Then what is it? I was forced to endure our dear aunt Lady Catherine’s company and her ceaseless complaints over your inattention for nearly a week before I simply decided that enough was enough.”
“My reasons for foregoing the trip to Rosings are of a personal nature. Besides, with the upcoming race in Richland, I thought I would call on her ladyship and Cousin Anne when I arrived in Kent.”
“Oh, then you do intend to attend the race?”
“Of course, I mean to attend the race. Why would I not? I have attended every year since I was of age, even before I became a member of the Jockey’s Club and owner of a stable of prize-winning thoroughbreds.”
Richard arched his brow. “Our aunt argues that you have never missed your annual visit to Rosings Park.”
“Those are entirely different matters, and you know it.”
“Pray enlighten me, if you will. Familial obligation has always ranked as high on your list of priorities as horse racing, yet you seemed to have allowed the former to fall by the wayside while you languish about in Bosley.”
“For heaven’s sake, Richard, if I did not know better, I would think Lady Catherine sent you here to do her bidding in the never-ending campaign to make me feel guilty.”
“Truth be told, I am here on her ladyship’s behalf. She assigned me with the task of coming to Bosley and lulling you away from whatever it is that keeps you here so that you might spend time at Rosings both before and after the race.”
Darcy covered his face with both hands and massaged his forehead. “What is the urgency?”
“Lady Catherine fully expects that if you wait until after the Richland race to call on her, it will amount to no more than a cursory visit. She knows the Waltham Mile is soon thereafter.” Richard reached into his pocket, retrieved a letter, and handed it to Darcy.
“What is this?”
“Lady Catherine asked me to give you this.”
“Have you any idea what it entails?”
“She said I was to place it in your hands.”
Darcy tore open the missive. His temper flared with each second he read it. He folded it when he was done.
“Do not keep me in suspense.”
Darcy handed the letter back to his cousin so he might read everything her ladyship had to say for himself. Impatient to discuss the matter, he did not wait for Richard to finish. “It seems our aunt is considering selling Hercules.”
“Is that not Grandfather’s prize-winning bay? I know he is retired from racing, but I always supposed he would remain in the Fitzwilliam family.”
“Exactly; she knows I would never countenance his being sold. She says she will offer me first right of refusal, with one stipulation: I must come to Kent and negotiate face to face.”
“Our aunt drives a hard bargain. You must know she intends that you should attend your would-be betrothed in a manner befitting a rich young heiress while you are there.”
“Richard, you know I never promised our family that I would honour their wishes that I should marry Anne.”
“I do not know that I do. Surely you have never said as much to her ladyship.”
“Well, the time has come for me to do just that.”
“Why now, after you have suffered all these years of essentially ignoring the matter?” Sudden realisation graced his countenance.
Richard gaped. “Could this be the reason for your protracted stay in Bosley? Has some young filly finally captured the heart of the elusive Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and Derbyshire?”
“I am quite certain I would never describe the young woman in those terms and neither should you.” Just thinking of the set-down his cousin would receive if Elizabeth knew he had described her in such terms brought a smile to Darcy’s face.
“Richard, I am eager for you to meet her. She is charming, witty, and I would add one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.”
“Does this paragon of virtue have a name?”
“She is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire.”
“Longbourn,” Richard paused. “Hertfordshire … I seem to recall our aunt’s parson speaking at length about said estate. His name is William Collins. I gather he is the heir apparent. His bride also hails from Hertfordshire. Do you suppose there is a connection?”
“No doubt there is a connection. Miss Bennet has told me that her father’s estate is entailed.”
“Well what do you know! This young lady is related to our aunt’s parson. Imagine how Lady Catherine will carry on once she learns that bit of information.”
“All of Miss Bennet’s connections are not as low as that, I assure you. She now resides here in Bosley with her aunt Lady Vanessa Barrett.”
“What are her other relations? What do you know about her father, her mother, and her siblings?”
“I confess not to have met any of them.” Judging by Caroline Bingley’s unflattering opinion, I am not certain I truly wish to.
The mere memory of her was sufficient to make him cringe.
“However, Miss Bennet has told me about them, just as I have discussed all of you with her.” Darcy recounted parts of Elizabeth’s account of her family to Richard: the tragic loss of her most beloved older sister, the absurdities of the younger sisters, the nervousness of the mother, and the proclivities of the father to laugh at them all in their turn while shielding himself from the ridiculousness of it all in the quiet sanctuary of his library.
“What of her father’s fortune? If his estate is entailed, how does that bode for his wife and daughters?”
“I confess to being surprised by your callous attitude, Richard, what with your being a second son.”
“Ah, yes, a second son indeed, but being the second son of an earl surely must have its advantages what with my being only a heartbeat away from the right of ascension.”
“I would hope Lord Robert is unaware of your philosophy.”
“Trust me, he knows my sentiments. Even as a mere second son, our family’s expectations as regards my alliance are high.
I am expected to marry a woman with her own fortune.
Let us say that Anne was not the family’s choice for you, surely your own choice of a bride can be no less, even if you are so very rich. ”
“I am my own master. At the end of the day, it matters not to me what our family expects. I will choose my own bride. As for their expectations of an alliance with Anne, I will travel to Kent ahead of the race. I will settle this matter once and for all. Then I shall have no impediments whatsoever to keep me from properly declaring my intentions to Miss Bennet.”
“My God, man, what are you saying?”
“I care deeply for her. She shall be the next mistress of Pemberley—if she will have me.”
“I am sure this news will come as a surprise to our family, most particularly Lady Catherine and possibly Anne as well.”
“Hence the twofold purpose in my travelling to Kent. I shall clarify matters with Lady Catherine once and for all.”
“Then you surely intend to marry this Miss Bennet?”
“Certainly, but even if that were not the case, telling our aunt that I have no intention of ever marrying Anne is the thing to do. I should have put a stop to that foolishness years ago.”
The following morning, Mr. Darcy brought Colonel Fitzwilliam with him when he called at Barrington Hall.
The colonel was about thirty. He was not handsome, but in person and address, he was most truly the gentleman.
When the introductions were made, Colonel Fitzwilliam directly entered into conversation with the readiness and ease of a well-bred man and talked very pleasantly.
Having greeted everyone with his usual reserve, Darcy seemed contented to have his cousin carry on the bulk of the conversation. The gentleman did so with alacrity.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, I pray you will enjoy our rather limited society, what with so many of our friends having sojourned to London for the Season,” said Elizabeth after a lull in the conversation.
“As pleasing a prospect as that would be, I am unable to offer you assurances. We leave tomorrow.”
“We, sir? I was not aware you had travelling companions. I should have loved to make their acquaintance.”
“I speak of Darcy and me.” The colonel’s pronouncement unsettled Darcy’s calm demeanour, but he said nothing.
Both ladies’ voices rang out in startled unison. “So soon?”
A quiet disturbance settled upon the room. Richard stood to take his leave and said his goodbyes and was gone directly.