Chapter 24 #2
“I am sure Holtonmere must have a good steward.” Richard was nonchalant. “You can always break the journey at Pemberley.”
Darcy glowered at Richard who simply smiled and turned his attention back to his plate.
“Yes, Mr MacFadyen is very competent and trustworthy.” Holton's features were absentminded.
“Duncan,” Lady Anne said affectionately, “you know you need no invitation from us to visit Pemberley, whether it is merely for an overnight rest or an extended stay.
Lord Holton sought Elizabeth’s eyes again, but she was focused on her food and avoided his gaze.
“I thank you, Aunt; it is a relief knowing I can rest for some days halfway there, for the journey is indeed very long and arduous.”
Dinner continued with an outward appearance of calm, despite internal storms raging in some of the hearts and minds. The conversation moved to safer topics under a tacit agreement among the combatants.
However, once the ladies left the gentlemen alone for their port and cigars, the battle lines were drawn again,
“I thought you were determined to find a wife before you returned to Scotland, Duncan?”
Lord Holton looked confused, “I have not given up yet, cousin.”
“So why are you considering leaving London, then?”
Holton squared his shoulders and straightened his spine, “that is because my choice of bride is going to Pemberley with you, not Holtonmere with me.”
Darcy glared at his cousin who refused to cower.
“Miss Bennet is coming to Pemberley with us as a friend, nothing more, Duncan.”
“Then why do you always act as if she belongs to you? Why do you always glare and sputter when another gentleman talks to her?”
Darcy looked at Richard as if he needed some support but Richard lifted his hand in mock surrender,
“Do not look at me, Darcy, I have nothing to do with this. But Duncan makes a very good point.”
“What do you mean, Richard?” Darcy asked exasperated.
“I mean, if you want the lady then fight for her. Win her, marry her. But if not, clear the field please, for there are other gentlemen interested in her. You are simply a stumbling block to make their life more difficult, but with no intentions of your own.”
“I have already said that my interest in Miss Bennet is simply the fact that she is living under my roof and therefore is under my protection and I will never be found guilty of slacking in my responsibility.”
“Yes, you have already said that…” Richard said smirking. “Almost every time we talk.”
“Listen,” Holton interrupted, “Miss Bennet is a woman whose worth is far above rubies, but she is not the only woman in the world. If you tell me, Darcy, that you want her for yourself and your intentions are honourable, I will leave her alone and not go to Pemberley.”
Darcy found himself pressed against the proverbial wall. He wanted to scream and say yes, Elizabeth was his and he would fight for her to the death. But a small insistent voice would not stop telling him that she was far beneath him and that to marry her would be a grave mistake.
Instead he simply said, “Duncan, as my mother said you will always be welcome at Pemberley and God forbid that I should ever tell a family member that he must not come for whatever reason.”
Lord Holton smiled and slapped Darcy on the back, “I thank you cousin.” He finished his port, put his cigar down on the ashtray and left the room with a light and lively step.
Richard turned to Darcy, “do not for a moment think that you fool me, you did not answer his question.”
“What question? He did not ask me a question.”
“He asked you if you could say that you wanted Elizabeth or not. You said neither.”
Darcy raked his fingers through his hair, “leave it alone, Richard.”
“I have seen the way you look at her… I have never seen you looking at a woman like that before.”
“Never?”
“Well, once, a long time ago, but she was unworthy of you and threw you away for Wickham.”
“She was deceived by a handsome face and charming smiles.”
“I am amazed how you still make excuses for her, Darcy. She does not deserve it.”
“I do not make excuses, she crushed my heart but she shall pay for her mistake to the end of her days. That in itself is enough punishment; she does not need me to berate her existence.”
“Anyway, we were talking of Miss Bennet.”
“Yes, we were.”
“Do you love her or not?”
“Maybe I do, maybe I do not; I do not know. But if I do it is not enough, is it? Since I just opened the door for Duncan to come in and woo her.”
“Why are you hesitant? Miss Bennet is not like that woman, is she? I wager my grandmother’s life that she would never betray you.”
Darcy laughed a mirthless laugh, “you do not have a living grandmother.”
“That is why I can use her life as a wager.” Richard chuckled.
Darcy nodded absentmindedly, “quite!”
Richard shook his head disheartened, “well, if there is any consolation, I can tell you now that I think Duncan is wasting his time.”
Darcy’s head snapped up at his cousin, “What causes you to say that?”
“Aha, I am keeping my cards close to my chest.”
“Has she confided in you?”
Richard gasped, “Goodness, of course not, man. Miss Bennet is a lady, as Duncan very well said, whose worth is far above rubies. She would never confide such intimate feelings to me.”
“So why do you think Duncan will fail?”
Richard shook his head, “just a feeling. But since it is just an inkling I will not share it with you, it would not be fair to her.”
Despite his curiosity, Darcy did not press his cousin further. Instead they also finished their port and moved to the drawing room where Elizabeth and Georgiana were performing a duet on the pianoforte.