Vol 1, Chapter 12 #2
Georgiana Darcy did not understand why her brother seemed so melancholy. Normally, no matter if he succumbed to ennui or not, heading home to Pemberley restored his mood almost as soon as they were on the road headed north.
In all of his adult life, Darcy had never before been prone to this level of introspection, but his actions had been called into question starting the day that he had unwisely tried to substitute his judgement for Andrew’s and among other things had been called a ‘horse’s arse!
’ Ever since that disastrous and officious attempt to interfere with his cousin’s choice of a lady, the questions had not stopped running through his head.
And while he had been facing some uncomfortable truths, none of his questions had prepared him for the meeting he had had yesterday with his uncle, the Earl of Matlock, the day before his departure from London.
Darcy arrived at Matlock House at ten where the butler showed him directly to his uncle’s study.
“Sit, William,” his uncle commanded, and an uncomfortable silence had prevailed while the butler brought coffee to the men.
Both were sitting with a steaming mug of the dark liquid in their hands when Lord Reggie, with no preamble, asked a question that rocked Darcy to his core. “William, who do you think you are?”
“I am sorry, Uncle, but what do you mean?”
“It is a simple question, William. Let me rephrase it. Do you think that you are always correct, that everyone should bow to your will the way that spineless friend of yours does?” Darcy felt like his uncle had slapped him.
“For you to come into my home and start offering unsolicited advice as if you are an expert is the height of hubris! As far as I know, Andrew never requested your opinion about Miss Bennet, so what made you think that you had the duty or right to give it?” The Earl challenged his nephew.
“I-I was trying to protect Andrew.” Darcy did not need to see the cynical look on his uncle’s face to know that his excuse held no water. What was far more shocking was that he would soon learn that his uncle was only getting started.
“You must think all of us are simpletons who would be taken in by the first pretty face that smiles at Andrew! Tell me, William, how many years have you spent observing Miss Bennet in all facets of life to be able to make your impeccable judgements? You must know every facet of her character to be so sure of yourself. You did after all call her a fortune hunter, did you not?” Darcy cringed as he remembered that this was not the first time in the recent past that unwise words of his had been thrown back at him.
“The family is not wealthy and have no connections and those they do have are in trade,” Darcy replied feebly.
“No connections? What do you call my, make that our, family? Again I ask you, William, how did you make your judgements, or is everything, as I believe it is, based on assumptions?” the Earl lambasted his nephew, demanding an answer for which he knew there was no defence.
“In my book, William, you are a hypocrite! Your friend, the one you were visiting, is a tradesman’s son! ”
“I had no idea that Andrew was going to be taken with Miss Bennet when I was in Hertfordshire,” Darcy’s excuses were getting weaker and more desperate as he ignored his uncle calling him a hypocrite.
“William, Andrew met Miss Bennet months ago at her uncle’s house, and again when she volunteered at Haven House.”
“Andrew went to Cheapside?” Darcy asked in wonder.
“For an intelligent man, you are exceptionally dim, Darcy. You have been to the uncle’s home, and, as Andrew pointed out, you invest with her uncle as well!”
Darcy lost his colour. “T-the uncle is Edward Gardiner?”
“The very same, and a man who is extremely protective of his nieces and nephews, especially the one that was tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt you! What kind of gentleman are you, William? You, who are so concerned with upholding the Darcy name, degrade it when you go around giving offence as you do!”
“I was thinking about Ramsgate and Gigi. Also, I expected everyone to be talking about my wealth.” Darcy dropped his head into his hands, unable to face the ire of his uncle.
“So you do not have to behave like a gentleman if you have other concerns? That gives you the right to slight the young lady who will more than likely be Andrew’s sister?
Tell me, William, when exactly did you apologise for your boorish behaviour during the rest of your stay? ” the Earl asked pointedly.
“I-I, err, I…” Darcy spluttered.
“You thought it below you to apologise to those you decided were not worthy. Miss Bingley and your Aunt Cat are both wealthy, are they not?” Darcy’s eyebrows pinched together with a look of confusion as to what point his uncle was now trying to make.
“Correct me if I am wrong, but did you not say that you thought Miss Bennet a fortune hunter because you think her family is not wealthy?” Darcy nodded, sure that he knew the point his uncle was about to make.
“Explain Miss Bingley and Aunt Cat to me! Did Miss Bennet behave like either of them?”
“No, no, she did not. She was always proper. I was, I am still, fighting against an attraction to Miss Elizabeth.” Seeing his uncle’s incredulous look, William explained the way he was captivated once he really looked at the lady and his subsequent interactions.
“Apparently, I allowed my pride and prejudices to cloud my vision.”
“You believe yourself well on the way to being in love with a woman who you insulted yet did not have the decency to apologise to, either her or her family, even though they kept using your words of your insult in conversation with you?” Darcy nodded.
“You do realise that your actions were not those of a gentleman, do you not, William?” Then his uncle added, “Given your concentration on wealth and connections, are you not a fortune hunter, William?”
“I am beginning to see that quite clearly, Uncle Reggie. I always thought I was behaving in the way that I had been taught to act. I have been hunted…” Darcy began to say.
“Do not use that as an excuse, William. Andrew had been hunted longer than you, but have you ever seen him be rude to anyone, to slight a person regardless of their standing, or act like a spoilt schoolboy who did not want to do something? Let me answer for you, no you have not!” The Earl paused and then looked at his nephew.
“Before I forget, do you know why Miss Elizabeth was sitting out when you slighted her?”
Darcy was about to give his assumption but stopped himself. “I do not.”
“Did you not notice that there were far more ladies than men present?” Darcy shook his head, his disgust with himself building painfully in his chest by the moment.
“The Bennet ladies, as well as most in the neighbourhood, all sit out two dances so that no one will be left without a partner for the evening! Miss Bennet explained it to us when we had the pleasure of meeting her.”
“I am a cad, am I not?” Darcy winced, his head again dropping before his uncle in clear defeat.
“Before I answer that, you said the other day that you were doing what your father taught you. This is not what George Darcy wanted for you, William. Did your mother not talk to you about how she wanted you to choose your wife?” Darcy swallowed dryly as he nodded that she had.
“Your father wanted the same! He, like your mother, wanted you to marry for love rather than wealth and connections. What need have you for more wealth and connections, William? Is Pemberley having a financial crisis I do not know about?” Darcy shook his head mutely.
“William, you are a gentleman, and the Bennet girls are a gentleman’s daughters; you are equal.
You are a paradox to me sometimes, my boy.
You are the best master and landlord and will do anything for those who depend on you, but at the same time you sometimes behave like a lout.
“No, William, I do not think you a cad, but you need to examine yourself. At this moment, I see more of my sister Catherine in you than your mother and father. If you want to be like her that is your choice, but you will be a very lonely man unless you are able to change,” the Earl stated grimly.
“I have seen that in myself, and no, Uncle Reggie, Aunt Cat is the last person in the world I want to emulate. I clearly see the need to change and will take the time while at Pemberley for the winter to work on myself before I make my annual visit to Rosings Park. When or if I am in the company of the Bennets again, I will make a complete apology. As I look at my behaviour now, with the clarity you have given me, I cannot view it without feeling abhorrence at my actions.” Darcy promised quietly.
The Earl stood and walked to where his nephew was sitting.
“Being able to honestly acknowledge the error of your ways is the first step on a journey that only you will be able to take. I look forward to seeing the man that emerges from that journey, William.” The Earl had extended his hand in a gesture of family and support, and Darcy had appreciated the gesture.
After greeting his aunt, Darcy returned to his house and sat alone in his study late into the night thinking of a great many things he wished were not his to consider.
If Darcy had felt like Zeus had kicked him after Andrew took him to task, for the whole of that night he had felt like he had been stampeded by a large herd of horses, and they had come back for a second trampling!