Chapter 2 #3
Darcy’s entire being was bathed in cold fury. Anyone other than Richard would have stuttered to a halt in terror at his expression. Richard did hesitate, in fact, but he who was Darcy’s oldest friend and close as a brother felt that Darcy deserved to be fully informed.
After a gulp of coffee, Richard plunged on.
“I tried to deny it, William. I am less fond of our aunt than you are, but I would not have believed her capable of this. For no other reason than to preserve family honor and reputation, I could not believe what I was hearing. Then again, in her strange mind, she probably believes she’s preserving family honor and…
” Richard stuttered to a momentary halt, brows wrinkling.
“What is it? A second ago you looked ready to kill someone. Now you are white as a ghost.”
“Where have you heard all of this disgusting information? From whom?”
“Here and there. Assorted people.”
“Now is not the time to be vague! I need to know!”
“What difference does it make?”
“Because, you imbecile, Elizabeth, her sister Jane, and Mr. Bennet are, right this minute, in London!”
“Oh! Well, yes, I see the problem.” Richard glanced around the room, Darcy following his gaze and knowing what was coming next before his cousin spoke the warning.
“First, calm down, Darcy. Don’t make it worse by showing your emotions where people can see, not even here.
Second, while I can appreciate your concern, I doubt the Bennets will—and don’t take offense—be shopping at the high-end merchants where the gossipy women are.
Nor will they be socializing with the crowd at Almack’s and the like. ”
At Richard’s warning and rationale, Darcy relaxed partially. He leaned back into the seat and drank his coffee as casually as possible though his insides churned.
True, they had no plans to attend any society functions and considering Mr. Bennet’s modest finances they probably would not visit the exclusive, priciest stores.
Nor were Elizabeth or Jane apt to engage in random gossip with strangers or draw attention to themselves by bragging over their fiancés are.
Still, London could be a surprisingly small town. Women reveled in chatting with other women, particularly when partaking in an enjoyable activity, and even if not involved in the conversation it was easy to overhear when in a small room.
“I’m not entirely placated, but for the moment there is nothing I can do about it. Might as well tell me the rest. I assume there is more?”
“Afraid so. I didn’t tell you everything I learned from my parents last evening.” The colonel paused for another swallow of his cold coffee, grimaced, and waved for a fresh pot.
“I might need something stronger than coffee before we are through here.” Darcy tossed back the last bit of his coffee like it was a shot of whiskey. “What did your parents have to add?”
“In a nutshell, Lady Catherine has been writing to my father. Often. He did not share the letters, but what he related to me matched the rumors. He is…upset.”
Darcy winced.
Richard reached over and covered his hand in a comforting gesture.
“Now, let me impart the good news, Cousin. As I said to you when you announced your engagement and expressed concern over my parents’ response, my father is a fair man and he cares for you.
Mother too. Hell, she was Lady Anne’s dearest friend!
Additionally, Father is not naive regarding his sister.
My parents are aware that Aunt Catherine has what she deems a valid reason to ruin your relationship with Miss Bennet.
Of course, if she had ever bothered to recognize how pigheaded you are, she would not be wasting her time.
Oh, quit glaring at me! You know very well you are the most stubborn man on the planet.
Once you make a decision it takes a visitation from God to change your mind.
Lady Catherine, no matter what she may think, is not God. ”
A short laugh passed Darcy’s lips. Richard smiled and leaned back against the bench. “Obviously, she is trying to shame you among your peers and pressure Lord Matlock to intervene. My father tolerates much from his sister, but being pressured is not in his makeup. Still, from his perspective—”
Richard fell silent while the barmaid placed a new pot of coffee and a heaping plate of food on the table. After pouring fresh cups, Darcy waved his scone toward Richard. “Dare I pray this is all of the bad news?”
“I suppose that hinges upon your point of view. Father wants to talk with you and meet the mystery woman causing all the uproar. The subpoena, I mean, invitation”—Darcy grunted—“to dinner tomorrow night is probably already on your desk. Just remember, Cousin, that while Father can be stern and take the whole ‘I am an earl’ stuff quite seriously, he does know you very well, and he truly loves you. Uncle James was his oldest friend. Personally, I am of the opinion Father would be way more upset if you had succumbed to Aunt Catherine’s demands about Anne.
Family inheritances and all that rot are important to him,”—Richard rolled his eyes—“but not at the expense of your happiness.”
“Once they meet Elizabeth, their concerns will disappear.”
“That is what I told him! You can thank me later, maybe let me win at billiards just once or buy me something special.” Richard grinned.
“I sang Miss Bennet’s praises—not a trial in the least—and they were visibly relieved.
Elizabeth is a good match for you, William.
I am very happy for you, truly. I am confident my parents will agree. ”
They sipped and ate in companionable quiet for several minutes. Darcy absorbed all that Richard had revealed, sorting through the specifics. Anger at Lady Catherine’s vindictive scheming lingered, but willfully suppressing those feelings was accomplished with minimal effort.
As for the rumors circulating through the high-and-mighty of London, it disturbed him only for the sake of protecting Elizabeth.
Rumormongering was one of many reasons he despised London society and one of the main reasons he loved Elizabeth’s unique, artless honesty.
In every way, she was an invigorating breath of fresh air into that stifling world.
“Dinner tomorrow night should be doable. I was planning to host dinner at Darcy House, as I have thus far, so some rearranging will be needed. Mr. Bennet will accompany us, of course. What are Lord Matlock’s intentions for the guest list?
I would rather not subject my betrothed to an inquisition from the ton. ”
“Jonathan and Priscilla will be there. They are staying at the townhouse, so their attendance is probably for the food rather than curiosity about Miss Bennet or your dazzling company, no offense.”
“None taken.” Darcy refreshed his coffee, then topped off Richard’s cup, asking as he poured, “Why are they staying at the Matlock townhouse? Did something happen to their house in Berkeley Square?”
“It is being redecorated. Again.” Richard shook his head in disgust. “Why do women deem it of the utmost importance to change furnishings and upholstery on a yearly basis?”
“Lord and Lady Montgomery?” Darcy asked, offering no opinion on redecorating advantages or disadvantages.
“Don’t be ridiculous! My sister, the esteemed Lady Montgomery, is far too vital to the very fabric of society to be bothered by a measly family gathering.
Perhaps it is some small comfort, William, that your choice of bride is not the juiciest gossip in town.
If it were, I could safely wager a tidy sum of cash on my sister changing her schedule, even if it meant postponing dinner with the prince himself. ”
“You have a point,” Darcy acknowledged. “Knowing Annabella, that is a comfort. You will be there, I presume?”
“I would not miss this for the world!” Richard grinned. “Besides, you need me. My presence will guarantee an entertaining evening.”
Darcy grunted a rude retort out of habit and expectation, which Richard gleefully countered. Strangely, that served better than any heartfelt verbalizations of appreciation.
“Dare I hope that is the complete company?”
“That is all my father mentioned. Georgiana’s name did not come up, although I assumed her inclusion, so perhaps he did as well.”
“Under the circumstances, I think it might be best if Georgie stayed out of it. She will be happier not to attend, to be honest. Just to be on the safe side, would you be so kind as to pass on my request for no others?” Richard readily agreed, but Darcy was frowning and shook his head.
“On second thought, as soon as I return to Darcy House I’ll send him a message with my request. While I am at it, I’ll ask for an audience earlier in the day.
Best to get most of the questions answered and any unpleasantness resolved before Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet arrive. ”
For the remaining time they passed at York’s Coffee House, the cousins reverted to their standard male discussion topics.
Darcy unabashedly spoke of Elizabeth with phrases of gushing praise so laced with romantic sentiment that eventually even Richard ran out of ways to harass him.
Little else was said about Lady Catherine, the rumors circulating, or the impact of Lord and Lady Matlock’s opinion.
By the time Darcy bid adieu to Colonel Fitzwilliam and mounted his horse for the ride back to the house, his gay mood was restored and lips were pursed for whistling.