Chapter Twenty-Nine
Darcy sat down to breakfast with Gavin, Georgiana and his sister’s companion, Mrs. Annesley, troubled by Richard’s situation.
After Richard’s arrival, hurried explanation and rapid departure, Darcy had sent word to the Gardiners’ residence that the wedding had been called off.
He was grateful that his engagement to Elizabeth allowed him to write her directly.
Then, a letter had arrived from his aunt.
Lady Catherine’s words were harsh and unforgiving, and only reinforced Darcy’s view that the way Richard had been treated was unpardonable.
The stage could have been met. An explanation could have been given.
There was no need to treat Richard as an imposter who deserved no consideration.
The Earl of Matlock called him son and the deception wasn’t Richard’s doing.
Even Richard’s silence on the issue was what the Earl wanted.
More troubling than the heartache Richard and Anne must be feeling, if either of his cousins cared for each other even a fraction of the amount Darcy cared for Elizabeth, was Lady Catherine’s reason for the cancelation.
She’d stated, quite frankly, that Richard was not the natural born son of the Earl of Matlock, but rather had no noble ancestry of any form, and so was completely unfit to wed her daughter.
Darcy liked to think his aunt had been that blunt only in her missive to him, not the other wedding guests, but suspected that hope would go unrealized.
“I hear you are the true drawing expert, Miss Darcy,” Gavin said into the silent breakfast parlor with all deference, having been introduced to Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley when he and Darcy arrived the previous day.
Georgiana blushed and looked down at her plate, where she pushed about eggs. Mrs. Annesley leaned near and murmured something to her. Darcy couldn’t hear what, but he could see her mouth move. With surprise, he realized Georgiana’s companion had said, ‘What would Elizabeth do?’
Georgiana looked up. She squared her shoulders and, though red crept up her neck, met Gavin’s gaze and said, “And I understand that you are very skilled at furniture making, Mr. Murphy.” She darted a glance Darcy’s way.
He smiled his approval.
“Did Aunt Catherine say why there won’t be a wedding?” Georgiana asked.
“She did.” Darcy added a frown to his words, hoping to close the subject.
But Georgiana, though shy, was never intimidated by him. She matched his frown. “Why, then?”
Darcy took in three pairs of expectant eyes and lifted his cup to take a staying sip of coffee.
Although he suspected Richard’s secret was no longer a secret, it still felt wrong to tell it.
Still, best they hear it from him, phrased politely.
“Richard is our uncle’s adopted son, not his natural born one.
Lady Catherine learned this and revoked her permission for them to marry. ”
Georgiana’s eyes went round. “I imagine Viscount Wilmington didn’t know until now, as well?”
Darcy hadn’t considered how Thomas would react, but it didn’t take much consideration. He would behave terribly. Darcy grimaced on Richard’s behalf.
“But isn’t Miss de Bourgh old enough to marry as she chooses?” Gavin asked.
Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley turned pitying eyes on Gavin and Georgiana said, “I thought Anne wrote me that you’ve met Aunt Catherine.”
Gavin nodded, still appearing confused. “And Miss de Bourgh, yes.”
Georgiana looked to Darcy for help, cheeks flushing pink, and looked back down at her plate, clearly unable to muster the bravery to argue her point.
Gavin turned a questioning look on Darcy.
“Mr. Murphy has met our aunt and cousin, yes,” Darcy confirmed. “But you’ll recall how changed Anne seemed here in London?”
Georgiana nodded, face angled to her plate. “Around Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary.”
“In Rosings, Anne continued to gain confidence from their example.” As Darcy hoped Georgiana would do. “Mr. Murphy is familiar with that side of her.”
Georgiana risked a glance up and shook her head. “She’ll never stand up to Aunt Catherine, if she even wants to marry Richard still.”
“Did she know the truth?” Mrs. Annesley asked.
Darcy nodded. “She did.”
“Then, I cannot imagine her wishing to give up a fine gentleman like Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
Georgiana shook her head but didn’t reiterate her lack of belief in Anne’s newfound strength.
“I thought I’d call on the Gardiners after breakfast,” Gavin said firmly, obviously deciding they required a lighter topic.
“Oh, may I go too?” Georgiana said, looking up. “I should very much like to see Elizabeth and Mary.”
Again, three pairs of eyes turned to Darcy. “Certainly, you and Mrs. Annesley may accompany Mr. Murphy.” Darcy was glad he kept a smaller carriage in London as a second vehicle, for Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley to use when he employed the other carriage.
“Will you come?” Georgiana asked.
Darcy shook his head. “Much as I should care to, I have an errand to run. I will join you all when I am finished with it.” He spoke as casually as he could, so Georgiana wouldn’t ask the nature of his errand.
He meant to seek out Mrs. Younge and learn Wickham’s address, but he’d rather stand from the table and walk out on his breakfast than utter either name to his sister.
“I didn’t have much opportunity to speak with Mr. Gardiner at Kitty’s wedding,” Gavin said. “I would like to seek his advice on beginning a business.”
“Oh, but he won’t be home during the day,” Georgiana said.
Gavin slathered preserves on a roll. “I hadn’t considered that. Perhaps I shall ask if I may take up a correspondence with him on the subject.”
They chatted amicably for a time, and Darcy realized he might wish to speak with Mr. Gardiner as well, in conjunction with Gavin.
He hadn’t yet made the offer of a loan to his soon-to-be brother.
Mr. Gardiner would be a good source of advice for how much to provide, and what first steps Gavin should take.
After breakfast, the others went to make arrangements to visit the Gardiners and Darcy, though he longed to accompany them, headed to a much less prosperous part of town. Though he suspected it would not be easy to come by, he must wrest information on Wickham’s whereabouts from Mrs. Younge.
As he suspected, Darcy learned nothing from Mrs. Younge that morning, except that she had been given an address to send mail on to by Wickham.
Darcy knew Mrs. Younge blamed him for her fall from governess to landlady but had little sympathy.
She, not he, had permitted Wickham access to Georgiana.
If Mrs. Younge had been capable in her role, she would still be employed in his household.
He did not argue blame, however, certain that if he persisted, he could bring her around to giving him Wickham’s address.
When he returned to Darcy House before heading to the Gardiners, he found his butler, Dremel, in a state of agitation. “Miss de Bourgh is here for you, Sir. I took the liberty of arranging for her horses and phaeton to be cared for and to accommodate her maid and manservant.”
Darcy stared at the man in surprise. “Anne is here? Alone?”
“Yes, Sir, aside from her maid and one of Rosings’ grooms. I put her in the blue parlor.”
“Thank you.” Darcy handed over his coat, gloves and hat and headed down the hall, trying not to let worry overtake him.
He entered the parlor to find Anne before the fireplace, back to him, but she whirled as his footsteps changed from loud to muted when he crossed from wood flooring to carpet. “Anne?”
“Oh, Darcy, the most terrible thing has happened. Or things. I’m not certain about the quantity, but I am certain I will not marry Thomas. I want to marry Richard.”
Darcy rocked back on his heels. “Marry Thomas?” No woman in her right mind would do so, let alone one with Anne’s financial security.
She rushed across the room to him, saying, “Only, mother says that if I do not, he will wed Georgiana, and as much as I wish to marry Richard, I cannot permit that.” Anne came to a halt before him and glared up into his face. “Tell me you would not permit that, either.”
Darcy held up his hands, palms out, to ward off her anger. “I would not permit that. Nor would Richard. No matter what your mother, and Thomas, think of his lineage, Richard is still co-guardian of Georgiana with me.”
Anne’s shoulders dropped. “So, you know.”
“I already knew, but even if I didn’t, Aunt Catherine wrote as much in her note about the wedding being called off.”
“Oh,” Anne growled, balling her fists. “I knew I should have stopped her from sending those letters. How many people do you think she told?”
“I have no idea, but I fear everyone.”
“Poor Richard. I don’t think he’s ashamed, but I don’t believe he wished everyone to know. Now they’ll gossip and stare.”
“Richard can handle gossip and stares.”
Anne smiled. “He can, can’t he?”
Darcy studied his cousin. “You truly care for him, don’t you?”
A slight blush stained Anne’s cheeks. “To be honest, I’ve always cared for Richard.
Mother always said I would marry you, but Richard was always kind and considerate, and warm, and he’s an officer.
You, well, cold and aloof seem a touch too strong, but I cannot think of any better words to describe your behavior to me over the years. ”
Darcy grimaced. “I’ve been unfair to you,” he realized. “I put so much effort into curtailing your mother’s hopes, I never stopped to consider how my behavior must seem to you.”
Smile drooping at the edges, Anne said, “I understand. My mother can be relentless. Which is why I ran away.”
“She doesn’t know you’re here?” Darcy had suspected as much.
“She thought I simply went for a drive, which I did.” Anne jutted her jaw at a stubborn angle. “I’m old enough to go where I will.”